Breathless (Book 1&2)

Harder to Breathe #13

Harder to Breathe #13
Noreen
8 years ago

I was sitting quietly while looking down. I'm in a café located inside our subdivision. I am meeting Robb today and he insisted na dito na lang kami mag-usap malapit sa bahay. I feel grateful because of how considerate he is.

"Kanina ka pa?" itinaas ko ang tingin ko matapos marinig ang boses niya. I flashed a weak smile saka marahan na umiling.

"Kararating ko lang din," sagot ko. He smiled at me before pulling a chair to sit on.

"Nag-order na ako bago umupo, I hope you don't mind," he said kaya naman napahigpit ang hawak ko sa baso ng malamig na tubig na tinitignan rin niya. "Noreen, please don't be nervous. We're just here to talk."

I know it's obvious and hindi ko magawang itago sa kanya iyon. I feel so uncomfortable. Lost. Actually hindi ko alam kung ano ang tunay na rason kung bakit pumayag ako na makipag kita sa kanya.

"Here. Blueberry cheesecake." Abot niya sa akin matapos i-serve sa amin iyon "Iced chocolate mint latte?" Merong pag-aalinlangan sa bawat salita na binibitawan niya but he remained calmed and gentle towards me. "I still don't know what you like pero sana magustuhan mo."

"T-Thank you." Mahina kong sabi, ngumiti siya bilang sagot.

"So, about the marriage. I can see the pressure they're putting on you."

"A-Ah..." I sighed before answering him "Marriage..."

Silence covered the place. Hinayaan niya akong kusang magsalita at makipag-usap sa kanya. He is like giving me a breather. I appreciate it. Unlike my Mom and his Dad, I never felt any pressure from him.

"Why?" yun ang unang salitang lumabas sa bibig ko. I looked straight to his eyes while waiting for his answer. "Bakit ako?"

He smiled and slightly bowed pero sinalubong rin niya ang tingin ko pagkatapos.

"Do I need a reason to like you?" Balik tanong niya sa akin

"Robb, we're strangers to each other. Wag mong sabihing love at first-,"

"Then let's call it like that," he cut in. "If that's what you want to call it. Let's leave it like that."

I admit how amazed I am with his response. He is certain. He is sincere. Yes, I can tell from the way he looks at me.

"Are you for real?" natatawa kong tanong and he cutely smiled at me too.

"Finally, you laughed." His expression became gentler. I felt his hand on mine matapos niyang magsalita.

"I have someone I love," pag-amin ako.

"I know," simpleng sagot din niya

"Then why?" takang tanong ko sa kanya "Bakit pumayag ka sa gusto ng parents mo?"

"Huh? Di ba sinagot ko na ang tanong na yan? Just to set the record straight, oo, it was my father who chose you to be my bride but it was my decision to pursue you."

"I don't understand!" umiling-iling ako "Bakit? Alam mong may mahal akong iba, alam mong masasaktan ka lang-."

Natigilan ako matapos niyang ngumiti sa akin.

"We'll never know unless we try. Kung iniisip mo na ginagawa ko ito out of charity, please hindi iyon ang rason. Yes, malaking tulong kung ikakasal ka sa akin but my intentions are pure Noreen."

"Cloud will be back soon. Nakausap ko siya, it was brief pero sabi niya gagawin niya ang lahat para makauwi kahit sandali lang."

"Then what?" he asked "After niyong magkita, what will happen next?" he took a deep breath bago nagsalita ulit. "Face it. He can't help you anymore. Their company is pulling their shares too just like the others. They also demanded for penalties after the damages and losses they've faced because of the connection they had with you."