Forbidden Love

Chapter 42: Struggle

"How is she?" tanong ng kanyang ama nang makababa ng hagdan si Karylle.

"Maybe she finally got tired of crying. She's asleep now" sagot nito at tahimik na naupo kasama ng mga magulang sa hapagkainan.

"Karylle, sorry talaga kung sinabi ko. Alam ko, wala ako sa posisyon para-" saad ni Jhong na pinigil ni Karylle.

"Tama ka naman eh. Karapatan niyang malaman. It's just that, I didn't expect her to react that way" halos pabulong niyang sabi at huminga nang malalim. "Kaya ko lang naman isinekreto sa kanya dahil ayaw ko siyang masaktan, I wanted her to save from the pain of me being in her life. Ayaw kong umabot sa puntong mas humirap para sa kanya ang pakawalan ako. Mahal ko siya pero mas mahalaga para sa akin 'yung 'wag siyang masaktan.. pero ito, sa sobrang ayaw ko siyang masaktan, hindi ko na namalayang mas nakakasakit pala 'tong ginagawa ko. Na mas masakit pala na paulit-ulit kong tinatanggi kung ano'ng meron ako para sa kanya. Ayaw ko siyang nakikitang umiiyak Jhong.." sambit ni Karylle at humikbi. "Alam ko naman na masakit para sa kanya.... na sasabihin ko nga sa kanyang mahal ko siya, pero ganito... pero hanggang dito lang..pero pansamantala lang"

Agad naman na lumapit si Jhong at pinunasanang nangingilid na luha ni Karylle sa kanyang mga mata habang ang ina naman niya ay hinimas ang kanyang likod.

"So.. you and Anne are?" halos kabadong tanong ng kanyang ama, si Karylle naman ay natigilan noong una ngunit kalauna'y deretso niya rin na natingnan ang ama sa mata.

"Yes dad. And with all due respect, and regardless of how you would react. Yes, I love Anne. I'm in love with Anne. Hindi naman po siguro kayo magagalit kung hilingin ko sa inyo na payagan niyo akong mahalin siya, saglit lang naman eh.. iiwan ko rin naman siya." nang sabihin niya iyon ay nakarinig siya ng hikbi mula kay Anne. Tumayo siya mula sa kanyang kinauupuan at agad na nagtungo sa may hagdan at doo'y natagpuan si Anne na nakaupo lang sa isang palapag at umiiyak na naman.

"I love you too" saad ni Anne habang humihikbi at paulit-ulit na pinupunasan ang tumutulo niyang luha. "I love you. I love you. I love you." paulit-ulit niyang saad at yumakap nang napakahigpit kay Karylle. "'Wag mo akong iwan..."

"Tama na" bulong ni Karylle at hinimas ang likod ni Anne. "I love you too, okay?" dagdag niya at pinunasan ang luha ng kausap. "Hindi naman kita iiwan agad e. Can we... just enjoy the rest of my remaining days?"

Nagpailing-iling naman nang paulit-ulit si Anne at kumalas sa yakap ng kausap.

"NO! NO!" madiin niyang saad. "I won't allow you to leave me!" saad niya at padabog na umakyat ng kanyang kwarto.

Karylle's POV

And the days goes by.. there's not a day I didn't hear her cry.. hear them cry. I hate it. I never wanted to be in this situation, not because I can't endure the pain I am feeling physically but because I can't stand seeing my love ones crying over me, especially Anne.

In all fairness with Anne, she never left my side, she never made me feel that I am alone. Everyday, after school hours, because she's taking up summer classes, she will go home straight and take good care of me. She's the one who always reminds me of my medicine, my meals.. EVERYTHING.. She always make sure that I am safe, I am comfortable and I am happy. She always make me laugh making me forget of my current situation.

It's obvious though that she's just forcing herself to be happy whenever she's in front of me. I know, whenever we're not together or every time I am asleep she spends most of her time crying over me. If I could only take away the pain she's feeling, I'll do it.

I woke up from sleep when I heard a sob from someone. I opened my eyes and saw Anne in front of the computer. She's not using the computer though, she's holding a notebook.