Chasing Hearts (DH 6 || Completed)

Kabanata 48.

Kabanata 48:

I watched Clyde as he played with the piano. Napangiti ako nang mapagtantong Twinkle Twinkle Little Star pala ang tinutugtog niya. It was Clive's favorite song – pampatulog at pang-gising, kaya pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata.

"Magigising ang anak mo!" I said smiling but he just gave me a lop-sided smile before he started playing a well known piece by Yiruma – ang River Flows in You.

We all went silent as we watched him play that piece.

Ngayon ko naisip kung ano nga ba talaga ang dahilan kung bakit umabot kami ng ganito katagal ni Clyde? Why did I let him chase me that long while there's a big possibility for him to get any woman that he wants – iyong mas maganda, matalino at hindi siya pahihrapan ng ganito. Someone who's better than me.

But that someone doesn't exist to Clyde because there are you.

Kung tutuusin, lahat ng katangiang gusto ng mga babae ay na kay Clyde na; mayaman, gwapo, matipuno, matalino at talented. Maginoo rin siyang maituturing kahit na medyo bastos kung minsan. And as cliché as it may sound, no one is perfect. We all have flaws and we just need to find someone who can accept all of our shortcomings.

Pero ako na ba talaga ang para kay Clyde?

The answer is yes. It has to be me. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan namin, hindi ko na kaya kung hindi pa kami magkakatuluyan. I know he's been through a lot because of me pero ganoon din naman ako.

Ngayon ay kayang kaya ko ng ipangalandakan sa mundo na mahal ko si Clyde.

"Let's end the chase, Claudio." I said after he's done playing the piece.

Ramdam kong lahat ay napatingin sa akin pero wala akong nilingon sa kanila ni isa. Everyone doesn't matter to me right now except for Clyde.

"Sobrang tagal na kasi. Hindi ka pa ba napapagod? Kasi ako, pagod na pagod na."

Parang tinakasan ng lakas si Clyde dahil sa mga sinabi kong iyon. I even heard someone gasps.

Unti-unti siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin na tila ba hinang-hina; tila nag-aalangan.

Amoy ko ang alak sa kanyang hininga pero alam ko naman na hindi pa ganoon karami ang naiinom nilang magkakaibigan dahil ilang minuto pa lang naman mula noong magsimula silang uminom.

"Amber," he said softly as he held my both hands and kissed my palms. Napapikit ako dahil doon. His lips were so soft and warm against my skin.

"Iyong pinaka-importanteng taon ng pagiging tayo," I paused and stared at his ocean-like eyes. "Huwag mo ng piliting alalahanin. It doesn't matter anymore to me, Claudio." I lied.

"Huwag naman ganito, Amber. We were doing just fine these past two years so please, stop this." Bakas na bakas ang pagsusumamo sa boses niya pero isang marahang iling lamang ang isinukli ko bago nagpatuloy.

I caressed his left cheek. "Tama na, hmm? Masyado ng matagal ang habulang ito kaya tapusin na natin ngayon tutal ay doon din naman ang punta natin."

Hindi ko alam kung tatawa ba ako o babatukan ko si Clyde because he's crying!

I cupped his face and made him look at me. Namumula ang mga mata niya at maging ang ilong niya ay ganoon din.

"Why are you crying? Hmmn?" I said, almost a whisper while wiping his tears from his cheeks. Sa tuwa ko ay pinisil ko pa ang ilong niya na lalong nagpakunot ng noo niya.

"I wanted to marry you and yet, you're breaking up with me. But no, I won't let you leave me again Amber. Not a chance. Kung kinakailangang kaladkarin kita sa harap ng altar, gagawin ko masiguro lang na hindi ka na makakatakas." His voice full of conviction na tila hindi pwedeng baliin.