Paper Hearts

KABANATA 31

A/N: Short update, sorry but the news is making me feel really bad. Let us pray for the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester, Bangkok and Murawi. #PrayForTheWholeWorld #StopTerrorism

-struckbytragedy

KABANATA 31

Maria

Pumasok kami ni Archer sa isang five-star restaurant na kilala dahil sa masarap na steak daw nito. I was hesitant at first, ni hindi nga ako mahilig kumain ng karne 'eh but then, who I am to decline Archer's offer? Siya na nga ang nagmagandang loob na librehin ako ng pagkain.

We we're guided by the waiter into a separate room, mukhang nagpareserve din itong si Archer ng VIP room para sa dinner namin. Napaawang nalang ang labi ko ng marinig ang magandang tunog ng violin that was accompanied by a piano. The entire room was decorated by candles and roses, our table was placed in the middle of the room.

"All the best for my woman," Archer whispered in my ear kung kaya't natigilan ang mga mata ko sa paggala sa buong kwarto.

I never expected this to happen, especially on our first date.

Archer kept on surprising me each turn making me feel special and especially, loved.

"Shall we?" Tinanguan ko lang ito at tinanggap ang inaalok na kamay.

He was such a gentleman, he even pulled the chair for me. Nakakaiyak kasi napaka perpekto niya, he was the epitome of a gentleman na nababasa ko lang sa mga libro.

I was living my entire dream of being a princess with him. All of these things felt so unreal.

"Ana? Are you with me?"

"Oo naman," Wika ko sakanya.

His forehead crease, "Are you sure? Mula ng pumunta kasi tayo dito ni hindi kana umimik. Sabihin mo nga, hindi mo ba nagustuhan? What do you want, Ana? I promise I'll give it to you. I promise I'll give you a much better dinner next time,"

I couldn't contain my emotions anymore at that moment, I burst out, "Gustong gusto ko nga siya," Naiiyak na wika ko dito mukhang nabigla naman si Archer at mukhang hindi alam ang gagawin, "I'm fine, gusto ko lang sabihin na ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakaramdam at nakatanggap ako ng effort na ganito. You made me feel so damn special at natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka ilusyon lang ang lahat ng ito at matatapos rin,"

Archer smiled, he smiled lovingly at me bago tumayo sa kinauupuan niya at pumunta saakin, he then extended his arms at me, offering a hug, "I'm real, Ana and trust me, all of these will last including me,"

---

"You never told me we will be stargazing tonight!" Parang bata na wika ko kay Archer ng huminto kami sa isang cliff. I thought he was driving me home after that intimate dinner with him.

He chuckled before pinching my cheeks, "Always expect the unexpected from me, Ana,"

Archer opened the door of his trunk for me bago kinuha ang mga gamit niya sa loob ng kotse nito. He instructed me to sit still sa isang sulok doon, masyado daw kasi akong malikot.

Kaya pala ang sasakyan na ginamit niya ngayon ay isang Ford na Pick-up truck at hindi ang Volvo nito. I smiled habang tinitingnan siyang inaayos ang likuran ng pick-up niya.

"Pwedi na?" Tinanguan niya lang ako. Napangiwi ako ng hindi ko magawang maiangat ang sarili paakyan sa pick-up niya. Wala kasi itong papatungan para makaakyat.

Natatawang pumunta si Archer sa puwesto ko, I stilled in my spot when I felt both of his hand encircled around my waist! My heart started to pump too much blood, my cheeks burned with his touch. Ni hindi ko na namalayan ang pag-angat ko sa lupa at ang pagpunta ko sa pick-up nito.

Nabalik lang ang katinuan ko ng bigla kong naramdaman ang presensya niya sa likuran ko, he taps my shoulder lighly para makuha ang atensyon ko, "The view is much better at this angle," Wika pa nito saakin.

I followed what he said at hindi ko namalayan ang pagawang ng bibig ko sa labis na pagkamangha sa nakita ko. Above us we're hundreds, thousands even millions of stars.

We we're forming constellations using our hands when I felt him coming closer to where I'm lying at, he eventually took my hand slightly giving it a squeeze as we silently watch the stars shine for us.

And as I spent my evening lying with him under the stars, I could hear my heart slowly finding its way to beat for him. Not for Damon but for him.