My Illustrious Lover

VIII

She smell exquisite. Like a field of delicate flowers, but not that. She is warm, strong wind that rustles through those all. Like a falling star in the night sky, on the darkest night of the year.

I was about to move nang magsalita siya.

"Don't. Let's stay like this for a while. Di ko na kaya, Paris. I tried. God knows I tried to fight my feelings pero di ko na talaga kaya that it hurts me so much. Every time I see you hanging out and laughing with that Brooklyn, I can feel a stinging pain in my chest. My heart is being crumpled by that sight" oh my gosh. This is so shocking! I don't know if it is a dream or what but if it is a dream, I don't want to wake up. I've waited so long to hear that from Harper and here it is now. Pero naguguluhan ako. Pano si Austin? Is she playing a trick on me?

"But, you and Austin-"

"You're all I want, Paris. You are all I need. You're all I see. It is like everything around you suddenly doesn't matter. If there were a fire behind you, you would shine the most. Because you are the only one I want to look at. I ache to hold you. To be in your arms. To hear your laughter. I want you so much it hurts." Right now, there is nothing more I want than to breathe her in. How can someone be so goddamn perfect?

"You like me?" I ask, amazed.

"I just don't like you. I didn't want to fall in love. I didn't want to need anyone, in fact I didn't want anything, but then you showed up. And goddamn it, I wanted everything. Everything is so confusing not being able to be with you. It’s making me crazy " she whispered.

"You l-love me?" hindi na talaga ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari.

"I didn't just fell for you, Paris. I hit the ground with a loud thud"

And that's when I face her. Teary eyed na siya and when she met my gaze, she smiled at me. That kind of smile na kung sino man ang makakakita ay talagang mahuhulog sa kanya. Then she started talking again.

"Love is a bit of gambling and and I'll be the first to admit, I love playing the game. But I promise, I'll play the game right. I'll always take your feelings into consideration. I'll never intentionally hurt you. I'll be truthful, in this world full of liars. I'll be there if you want me to, even for no reason. I'll be there even if you doesn't tell me to because you might just be having a bad day and my comfort is your rescue. I may ask a few things, have patience with me. I'm very cautious. Trust me first, then I'll come around and trust you. Love me and I promise I'll love you deeper. When you trust me, I'll teach you to dance with your own skeletons. I'll accept you at your worst and show you how to love someone that way. I know things aren't okay between us but if you're willing to take this chance, I promise it'll be worth it. You're in for one hell of a ride. I'm the one who will love you in ways you never knew possible."

"You're asking me..."

I whispered the words to her with my eyes squinted at her. Harper opened a small smile, shy, but still beautiful. Harper Williams being shy? That's new.

"Yes, Gutierrez. Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

I smiled widely at her. Receiving that question from Harper left me really surprised. Pero ano siya sinuswerte? Magpapakipot muna ako.

"Matapos mo akong saktan at paiyakin ng ilang gabi bigla-bigla ka nalang magtatanong sakin bilang girlfriend mo? Huh! Ang sweet mo naman Williams! Wala man lang ligaw-ligaw. Ayoko! Ligawan mo muna ako at makipag-break ka kay Austin!" Kahit naman gustong gusto ko na siyang sagutin at maging girlfriend ngayon din gusto ko rin namang maranasang ligawan ng isang Harper Williams no!