Last Teardrop

Chapter 20: Give It A Try

---“…at least let me be here to wipe those tears away.”

I stared at him and he stared back. I wanted so much to believe in him, and for him to know that I am fine as long as he stays with me. But it’s not right. When and how did I learn to like this guy? I didn’t ask for this feeling to be over, but then again, I didn’t ask for it to begin. But I am not listening to my heart this time. Sometimes this heart takes you to places you shouldn’t be.

“No Dan. I just want to be alone now. Please walk away.”

He hugged me and started walking away. I wanted to chase him, drag him back and feel his arms around me so that I could feel protected and cared. But he is not the right person to do that.

So in that lake, I cried alone.

I didn’t notice the time. And when I realized that it’s already getting late, I started to head towards home. How can I face my dad? Now that I know how my mother died, I felt like my world was shattered. Was it better that I didn’t know? I looked at my phone. Jasmine tried to call me. I got messages from Patrick too. They were all looking for me.

So I walked fast. I am tired and all I want is to reach home and get some rest. And maybe never wake up at all. For now. While I was walking, I felt someone following me. Not again. Please not another rude guys like last time. I went faster. But the footsteps were still there. And the lake was far from the crowd. I didn’t know that I reached this far from running. The rain started to pour. And again, I am soaked wet. But I didn’t mind that, thinking that there is nothing more dangerous than the man behind me.

As I tried to run, he called me.

“Sam!”

I looked back and saw Daniel standing. Has he been waiting?

“What are you doing here?”

“I know that I screwed up. I understood now. That you thought it was just a game. I called Jasmine and she told me that Patrick told her what happened. Sam, I gave the money back to Tim.”

“Not now Dan…”

“Will you just let me explain? You really don’t have to say anything. At all. And after hearing me out, you can just walk away. And I won’t be bothering you anymore.”

He paused and looked at me sincerely. He doesn’t even need to explain. But I know a part of me wanted to hear what he had to say. So I nodded and he started talking again.

“Tim saw the way that I looked at you, that I can’t stop talking about you and that you were always my favorite topic. He told me why I haven’t asked you out and told me that I am coward. Yes, Sam. I am. Because I fear that when I tell you that I like you, it would change everything – the way you smile and talk to me, the way you changes the mood of my day when I could be having the worst day of my life….”

He paused and he came closer. We were already very wet. But none of us wanted to move. Under the heavy rain, he continued…

“I like you Sam. I really do. And when Tim told me to ask you out, I wanted to. But I think it’s too fast, and maybe it will bring awkwardness to you. So I told him that I can’t. And he said that we’d gamble on it, that he is sure that you’d come when I ask you to.”

“But Dan, you have a girlfriend…”

“Girlfriend?” he looked confused.

“The other night, she waited for you at your house. And I saw both of you at the mall…”

“Aaah!! Genevieve? Ha-ha-ha. She’s my sister.”

“You have a sister?”

“Yes, she studied abroad and just got here last week. I won’t be saying I like you when I am currently attached to someone else.” And he laughed.

I frowned. This is awkward. I should be feeling sad but his laughter eased the tension that I am feeling. And surprisingly, I am happy.

“Why do you like me, Dan?”

“Because there’s no reason not to.”

He came closer at me. I could almost smell him. He reached for my hand.

“Sam… I like you. And I am not pressuring you to like me too. I just want you to be happy. But I’ll be happier if you’d give this a try, give us a try…”

And while he was looking in my eyes, all the other things in the world didn’t seem to matter.

----“… Samantha Astillero, would you be willing to give us a chance and see where this would take us?”

And without doubt, I held his face and whispered,

“I’d like to find out too.”

And the rain washed all the sadness away, giving room for new tears. But this time, of happiness.