Say You Won't Let Go (Donny Pangilinan)

Chapter 28

Donny

You bring out the best in me, Donato. I love you.

I can't believe it, I can finally call Sophie mine. I really am the happiest guy alive! Since it's the last day of school before our annual Christmas break, my parents planned on going out of town and they're inviting Sophie, Maui, and Tita Chelle.

"Baguio sounds great! What do you say, kuy?", Solana happily exclaimed the moment I sat down to eat breakfast. "Our barangay will be there, I'm so stoked!", Hannah spoke. "I'm in! I haven't seen Timo, Josh, RJ, and Joey in a while.", I said. "Hijo, invite mo sila Max! I'm sure your Tita Chelle would love to join us for the break.", Mom said and all of my siblings were smiling at me. "I'll try to ask her later. But first of all, what's with all the smiles?", to be honest, ang creepy ng mga ngiti nila. "Nako kuya, you have a LOT of kwentos to share when we go out of town.", Benj nudged my shoulder then the car started honking from the outside, which means kuya Manny is already out, waiting.

-

I planned on visiting Sophie at the SCB Room before heading to class, and I'm gonna make this my school morning routine. I just wanna check up on her, and by seeing her makes my day. The moment I reached the wooden door, I carefully knocked first then twisted the door open.

"Magandang umaga, Binibini.", I greeted, then I saw her standing there by the shelves, simply looking pretty as always. "Mas maganda ka pa sa umaga.", I then walked near her and hugged her. "Uy, good morning! What brings you here?", she hugged me back."Wala lang, I just wanna see my girl before class starts.", I teased. "Nako, ayaw ko sa clingy ha.", she pinched my cheeks and I started poking her waists. "Donny! Ang kulit mo.", then she started giggling, hay, napakacute!

"Ayie! Bati na sila.", Claui said as she entered the room. "Anyways, sabay sabay ba tayo mamayang gabi papuntang Baguio?", I just smirked at Claui and glanced at Sophie who was busy piling up some files. "Yeah, as usual.", then Claui just nodded as a response. "Who's going to Baguio?", Sophie asked. "Our entire clan, and my Mom is inviting you, Maui, and Tita Chelle.", I said. "Hala, Dons! Nakakahiya. Pass muna ako.", Sophie said in surprise. "No, no, it's okay. And as we spend our break there, I'm formally gonna introduce you to our clan.", I grabbed her hands and gave it a squeeze. "What if they don't like me?", she whispered. "Pamilya ko nga, ikaw agad boto eh. Buong angkan pa ba?", I assured her, alam ko magugustuhan siya nila Mamu. Plus, I think magiging best friend 'to nila Stella and Frankie. "So, is it a yes?", I asked, hoping that she'll agree. "Okay, I'll go.", she replied. "Yes, finally!", I can't wait to spend the break with my family and the addition to my family soon.

Sophie

Classes were cut off until lunch time today and Claui and I planned on going to Solenad just to stroll around. Iniwan namin mga unnecessary na gamit sa lockers since break din naman na, we just brought home our laptops + ayaw namin ng istorbo habang nagbabakasyon kasi, sino naman may gusto nun diba? It was around 1 when we arrived at the place and waited for Janina and the boys.

"Soph, CR lang ako ha. Be right back.", Claui said while I waited outside Jamba Juice and I just nodded. I was just reading the Bible on my phone and then I received a text message from an unknown number that says,

Are you at Sole? Do you want to talk for a while? This is Pops.

I ran a hand through my hair and gripped it tight then thought to myself, Ano nanaman gusto nito? I went back to the Bible app and started reading, then the first verse that appeared on my screen was, "You do not know what I am doing now, but you will understand later." - John 17:3