Waiting To Hear You Say "I Love You"

Chapter 49 --- The Start of Training Camp

Chapter 49

The Start of Training Camp

Hating-gabi na nang matapos sa pag-iinom sina Samuelson at Caesar. Given the time and Samuelson being drunk, Caesar gave him permission - more like an order, to stay for the night and just go home when he's sober and when the sun's already peeking in the east side. Feeling the effect of alcohol in his head, he readily agreed.

Nang makapasok sila sa loob ng bahay ay pareho pa silang nagulat nang makitang nandoon si Samantha sa salas, natutulog. Napailing na lamang si Caesar. "Gisingin mo si Sam. Sabihin mo, eh, matulog doon sa kwarto ni Ella. Magtabi na muna sila ulit magkapatid. Ikaw, doon ka na matulog sa kwarto ni Sam."

"Wag na po," magalang na pagtanggi ni Samuelson, nakangiti. "Dito na lang po ako sa salas."

"Bahala ka. Pero sinasabi ko na sa'yo, sa tangkad mong iyan, eh, hindi ka magkakasya sa sofa."

"Okay lang po."

Nagkibit-balikat na lamang si Caesar at naglakad na papunta sa kwarto nila ni Helena. Si Samuelson naman ay naglakad papalapit kay Samantha. Naupo siya sa harap nito at tinitigan ang natutulog na mukha ni Samantha. Napangiti na lamang siya. "I'll seriously be the luckiest guy on Earth if you'll be mine," he whispered.

As if on cue, Samantha slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes widen in surprise upon seeing Samuelson, smiling at her. "Uy!" gulat niyang sabi at biglang napaupo. "Kanina ka pa nandyan?"

"Ngayon lang. Your dad said I should stay."

"Dapat lang. Lasing ka kaya." Samuelson chuckled at what she said. "Asan pala si Papa?"

Nilingon saglit ni Samuelson ang pinto ng kwarto kung saan pumasok si Caesar. "Already sleeping, I guess."

They both fell silent after that. Samuelson was just staring at Samantha, enjoying watching her fidget and be embarrassed. Kita naman niyang may gusto itong sabihin o kaya ay itanong pero mukhang hindi ito makakuha ng lakas ng loob na gawin. Lalo tuloy napangiti si Samuelson. Oh, Samantha, nailing niyang saad sa sarili habang nakatungo, tinatago ang ngiti niyang sobrang lawak dahil sa sobrang saya. Ha... This happiness is overflowing.

"H-Huh?"

Tiningala ni Samuelson si Samantha at umiling. "It's nothing." He smiled. "You want to ask me something?"

Tumungo si Samantha at nahihiyang tumango. Ang tsismosa ko talaga, nasabi na lamang niya sa sarili.

"Ask me anything." Nag-aalangan man ay tiningnan muli niya ito. Nakangiti ito sa kanya. "I'll answer honestly."

"O-Okay." She moved to the side then tapped the space beside her. Samuelson obliged and sat beside her. "Anong pinag-usapan niyo ni Papa?"

"You."

"Paanong ako?"

"He told me a lot about you - your childhood, when you entered high school, then college." His smile slowly faded as he added, "And how you always tell them about Felix before."

Nagulat si Samantha nang marinig ang huli nitong sinabi. Hindi niya agad nagawang magsalita.

"He also told me the time when he came here."

When she suddenly saw Felix in her mind, smiling and only looking at her, she rushly closed her eyes shut. Napalunok na lamang siya habang pilit na inaalis ang imahe ni Felix sa isip. When she felt a hand on top of hers, her eyes flew open. Si Samuelson agad ang nakita niya. No Felix.

"Your father allowed me to court you, Samantha. Desisyon mo na lang ang hihintayin ko ngayon." There was something in Samuelson's eyes that was pulling Samantha closer. Hindi niya magawang ialis ang tingin dito. "Pwede ba akong manligaw, Samantha?"