Episode 58

924 17 0
                                    

Cassandra's POV

"Very Good! Ok, one hour break. Be back after." Announced by one of the professors. We have finally started the practice for our Graduation Ceremony since we only have two days left.

Students inside then began to vacate the area.

"let's go, girls. I'm hungry na."

"Tol, tara."

Pati sila bhext tumayo na rin. Pero bago pa sila umalis, they regarded us because we still remained on our seats.

"Bhext? Tara na."  Invited by Riann. I looked at them and then at the man beside me who is quiet.

"Sige, susunod nalang kami." Sagot ko.

"Huh? Tara na." Tumingin muna ako sa katabi ko.

"Sige na. Mauna nalang kayo." She gave me a 'whatever-face' bago umalis.

"Fine. bye."

Kaming dalawa nalang ang naiwan sa loob ng Auditorium. Nanatili pa rin namang walang imik ang katabi ko.

I always glanced at him waiting for his words or moves...pero wala.

Sinandal ko nalang ang likod ko at humugot ng buntong hininga.

The background music continued to play, one after another.

Maya maya, bigla siyang tumayo. I looked up at him. He stood in front of me and offered his hand. My brows creased but then I put mine on his and he brought me to the center. He put my hand on his shoulder and continued to hold the other.

I looked at him and he was smiling at me. I couldn't help but smile back.

And we began to move. Swaying slowly side by side, mouthing every lyric to me as he pinned his gaze on mine.

From the moment I met you I just knew you'd be mine
You touched my hand
And I knew that this was gonna be our time
I don't ever wanna lose this feeling
I don't wanna spend a moment apart

He looks so young and carefree. And I feel the same.

It's been three years... at hanggang ngayon parang isang magandang panaginip pa rin ang lahat.

'Cos you bring out the best in me like no-one else can do
That's why I'm by your side, and that's why I love you

He made me sway and twirl then pulled me closer to him. I just keep on smiling at him.

"I love you." He whispered at naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng yakap niya sa akin. I did the same.

"I love you, girlfriend-ko..." 

"I love you..." bulong ko rin pabalik sa kanya.

Ilamg segundong katahimikan ang namagitan sa amin bago siya muling magsalita.

"Gusto mo ba talagang pumunta sa America?" Medyo nabigla ako sa tanong niya. I tried to get out from his hold to look at him but he didnt let me.

"Hindi na kita pipigilan. Basta..." At tiningnan na niya ako.

"Babalik ka..." He sounded and looked so hopeful. I suppressed my smile as I narrowed my eyes at him. He then gave me that wide-eyed look.

"Oh sige, pakasal na tayo. " natawa nalang ako.

"Gustong gusto mo na talaga akong pakasalan no?" Ngumiti siya ng pagkalapad lapad sabay hapit pa sa bewang ko.

"Ikaw lang naman ata ang may ayaw eh. " and pouted. Mas lalo akong natawa.

"Hindi na ako aalis."

At biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya, from playful to serious as if I just told him that I am pregnant.

I encircled my arms around his neck and started caressing his soft hair.

"Sinabi ko kay Papa. Sabi niya kakausapin niya daw si Mama. Panigurado magagalit 'yun, pero... " tumingin ako sa mga mata niya na kanina pa nakatitig sa akin.

"...bahala na. Besides, kailangan ko pa rin naman ipasa ang Board Exam. Kailangan natin."

And without any word, he pressed his lips on mine. Medyo nabigla pa ako pero wala na rin akong nagawa nang mas hapitin niya pa ako sa kanya.

*****

"Emo hah." Sabi ko nang makaupo sa tabi niya. Saglit naman niya akong tiningnan.

"Akala ko ba may lakad tayo, eh bakit in-indian mo ako?" Pakunwaring tampo ko pang sabi sa kanya. Napansin ko naman na bahagya siyang napangiti ng mapait.

"May importante pala akong ginawa that time, sorry hindi kita nasabihan." Sagot niya nang hindi manlang tumitingin sa akin.

Alam ko na. I heaved a deep sigh.

"Tuloy ka ba sa America?" Tanong niya. Nabaling ang mga mata ko sa kanya pansamantala bago ako sumagot.

"Hindii na. Ikaw?" Tumingin rin siya sa akin at tumango.

"Kailangan." Pahabol niyang sabi. Ang lungkot lungkot niya. Sobra...

"Masaya ka naman, hindi ba?" My eyes again shoot to him. Humarap na rin siya sa akin at tumingin sa aking mga mata. I hate seeing him like this.

"Basta, palagi ka maging masaya, huh?" Ngumiti siya ng pilit.

"Stefen..."

"Sshh... I'm fine."

He first toom a deep steadying breath bago tuluyan nang magpaalam sa akin.

"Goodbye, Cassandra..."

Wala na akong nagawa kundi sundan nalang siya ng tingin.

Maybe, this is how everything should be. Para sa kanya at para na rin sa akin.

The Broken Hearted Girl ✔️Tahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon