The Lost Diary of Rizal

Capítulo Seis (CHAPTER VI)

Chapter VI

Capítulo Seis

My eyes fluttered open. Everything around me seems to be spinning. There is a ringing in my ears. I moaned as I felt the pain on my forehead. I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes. At first, all I can make out is a blur of red and orange. When my eyes finally adjusted to the light, I learned that I was looking at the sun setting on Manila Bay.

"Valentina, how are you feeling?" I heard someone ask me and searched for the source. My sight caught a face staring down at me.

"Leon!" I exclaimed. I threw my arms up to grab him. He caught it with his hand.

"At ease, Valentina. You should rest your head for a moment." He placed my hand down and put his hand on my forehead. I stared up at him and saw his anxious face staring at me. His brows are more furrowed than before that it piled up against itself. I don't know how long I was out, but now I have my head resting in his lap. I blushed at the idea. My thoughts are a bit hazy. How did I end up with Leon? I was supposed to be on a group date with Adele and then—

 I bolted straight up from my position and checked myself. I have my clothes on. How? I shot Leon a look. For the first time, I saw him blushing. He avoided my eyes and told me he dressed me while I was unconscious. How long was I exactly out cold? Then the terrible scene I had gone through earlier flashed in my head.

"Where is he?" I asked panicking. 

"He is where we left him." He told me.

"What happened?" I asked and supported my throbbing head. I can feel a lump on the top of my forehead.

"I only granted him what he is worthy of." Leon replied hesitantly with a frown. I miss that puckered brow of his. I felt no urge to hold back my feelings and wrapped my arms around him. I felt like crying again. He's always there for me when I need him the most. He returned a comforting hug. His arms made all my worries and fears melt away. I recalled the horrible experience and shivered at the thought.

"I was so afraid...If you hadn't arrived..."‖ I said my voice breaking.

"You are safe now."‖ He hushed me and planted a kiss on my forehead. After the ordeal I went through, it made me become conscious of my own feelings and made me realize how I felt for Leon.

"Valentina..."‖ He whispered. He said it in such a wonderful way that I'm beginning to not hate my name anymore.

"Please, forgive me."‖ He bowed his head. His words took me by surprise that I didn't know what to say.

"I only asked you to go to this group date of yours because I did not want you to feel trapped. I want your happiness, even if it means that I, alone, cannot be the reason for your contentment."‖ He explained in a melancholic tone.

"Don't say that! I don't understand you... I thought you hated me. I'm sorry for burdening you with my problems." I replied with an apology.

***

"Hate? How could I? What had made you conjure up such a thought? And I ask you, from the depths of my heart, do not think you are being a burden to me." I beseeched and embraced her ever so tight trying to convey my words through my actions. I released her and searched her face for her reaction.

"Valentina ... You are all I ever think about. Whether it is about what you like or do not like, how you are feeling and if I am ever hurting you in anyway. From the moment I met you, I felt a universal pull towards you and I knew right then that my actions will always be affected by you. You do not need to fret or worry about me."‖ I tried explaining. I am a man of words and yet I am unable to communicate how I feel about her properly. There are better words to say how I feel but at this moment I could not think of any.