My Greatest What If - Moira Gokongwei (Published)

Chapter 14

"Sigurado ka bang hindi mo pa ako ginagayuma?"

"Plano pa nga lang." She laughed softly. "Bakit, sobrang far-fetched ba na magustuhan mo ako?"

"Oo..."

"Dahil?"

"Dahil hindi ako 'yung tipo ng babaeng makikihati..."

"Sa'yo ako buong-buo..." she said tapping the tip of my nose with her finger. "At ikaw, akin ka. Akin ka na. Akin ka lang. Naiintindihan mo ba 'yun?"

She cupped my face with both her hands. "Je ne peux pas vivre sans toi, Moira Gokongwei. Marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me," she repeated.

"Same-sex marriage isn't legal."

"Then come away with me so we can get married."

"I don't have a passport."

"Let's get you one," she said; she sounded almost desperate. "Baby, ang dali-dali lang ng problema na 'yan."

I hid a smile. "But, I don't believe in marriage."

"But do you believe in me?"

"I'm not sure but I believe in magic."

"Niloloko mo na ako." She scowled.

I laughed.

"Baby, h'wag mo akong niloloko. Magtatampo na ako."

"I'm hungry."

"Say yes first."

"Feed me first."

"Um-oo ka muna. Say you'll marry me," she insisted.

I pinched her cheek. "Propose like you mean it and not because you think it will make me feel better. You make my heart flutter, Gio. You do every single time. And before you make my heart stop beating entirely by proposing, muster the courage to say you love me first and mean it."

"But—"

"Love comes above all else, G. Don't make me believe otherwise."

She expelled a heavy breath. "I'm sorry."

"Okay...but I hope the time will come when you will no longer apologize when I ask you to tell me you love me."

"But I do—"

I shook my head. "You don't. Let's not lie to each other, G. My heart can take the hurt. I don't know until when, but I'll try to wait until you're finally able to say you love me sincerely. Okay?"

I hated how my eyes stung with tears.

"Moira—"

"Halika na, kain na tayo. Gutom na talaga ako."

I smiled brightly up at her even when it felt as though someone was painfully tearing my chest open.

"Baby, look..."

"No more lies, Gio. Please, no more lies. 'Yun lang ang hinihingi ko sa'yo. Aaminin ko, hindi kita kayang talikuran. Pero, hindi rin naman ako tanga. Saan ka ba naka-park? Tara na?"

I allowed her to take my hand and we walked quietly toward an escalator that, I assumed, would lead us to the basement parking.

"What do you want to have for lunch?" she asked as soon as we were inside the car.

"Kahit ano."

"Baby..."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," I said with a smile.