Chapter 13
It's You
Nang makarating ako sa Ilo-Ilo, agad akong nagpunta sa isang hotel. This is where Alice booked a room for me para di na raw ako mahirapan pa.
"Good Morning Ma'am! How may I help you?" the woman in the front desk asked, trying to be very hospitable.
"I am Cassandra Saldivar. My secretarky booked a room for me here, may I know what room is it?" I asked and smiled at her.
She scanned the big notebook to check, "It's Room 143 ma'am. May I have your ID ma'am?" I took my wallet out of my bag and lend my ID to her.
"Thank you Ma'am. It's a room fronting the beach Ma'am, do you wish to change it? We still have some vacant rooms you might want to have instead" she suggested.
"No, thank you. I'm taking what Alice booked for me." I said with finality.
"Here you go Ma'am." she lend the card to me.
When I reached the room, I swiped the card and the door opened. My eyes wandered in every corner of the room. Hmmm, I like it here. It's comfortable. I looked at the right side of the room from the door, it's really fronting the sea. Nice!
I arranged all my things and decided to sleep for an hour. I need to rest before I roam around this island. This island is not really in the center of Ilo-Ilo, just part of it but I like it better here. It's far from the city, more relaxing. Because of the peacefulness and the serenity of the surroundings, I fell asleep.
NAGISING ako sa isang katok mula sa aking pintuan. Whoever this is, sana lang mayroon siyang importanteng rason.
I opened the door without combing my hair. I'm still sleepy, that's why.
"Yes? How-" I got shocked. In front of me is the reason why I decided to stay away for a while. "W-what are you doing here, B-bry?" I asked, stuttering because of his presence.
"Followed you, perhaps? You left my unit, upset. I can't wait till next week to explain everything to you." without my permission, he entered my room, sat in the sofa comfortably without minding me. "By the way, you look hot with your messy hair." he smiled genuinely, making me feel conscious with my looks right now.
I chose not to say anything. I'm still mad at him. Ayaw ko parin siyang kausapin.
"Nix naman, kausapin mo naman ako please. Maawa ka na sa'kin please. I didn't kiss Shyla, she kissed me-"
I cut him off, "You let her kiss you. And who knows if you were making out after that? I was in the bathroom so how would I know? " now he looks even more problematic.
"I can let you watch the CCTV footage after that-" I cut him off, again. "Why are you explaining, anyway? It's not as if my opinion matters-" now he's the one cutting me off.
"Do you really think I came here if your opinion doesn't matter? Your opinion about everything matters to me, a lot. In fact, that's all that matters. I like you, Nix. I really do. Now, please tell me if you feel the same way. I badly need to hear it, Nix."
I'm left dumbfounded. I wanted to answer him but I can't form even a single word. He stood up and went closer to me.
Trying to save my ass, I smiled at him. "Y-you were supposed to be in your family reunion, right?" I tried changing the subject. Instead of answering, he leaned closer to me without breaking our eye contact. Before he could say anything, his phone rang. He took it out from his pocket and looked at the caller ID and answered it. I took the chance to stay away from him and change my clothes. I cleaned myself before coming out from my room.
Nang makalabas na ako, wala na siya doon. Probably talking to his girlfriend. Then why is he here, following me? I really couldn't understand this shit at all!
NAGLAKAD-LAKAD muna ako sa baybayin to kill the time. It's already 5:45 P.M. and the sun's setting. The breeze coming from the sea is getting colder. I hugged myself to ease the cold I'm feeling. The rays from the sun that's slowly fading makes me realize that, like the rays of the sun, feelings fade as well. Katulad ng sikat ng araw, gaano man kainit sa tanghali, pagdating ng hapon, mawawala at mawawala din ito.
Just like the pain I'm feeling right now, kahit hindi man ito mawawala agad, alam kong mawawala ito. Noon ay hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nasasaktan kapag may ibang lumalapit kay Bry. Then, I realized I was just too denial of my own feelings. Now that I've seen him kissed by another girl or maybe he kissed her back as well, whatever. Nasasaktan ako kasi gusto ko siya....siguro nga ay mahal ko na siya. Masyado mang madali pero pakiramdam ko ay mahal ko na talaga siya.
Wiping my tears away, I started going back to the hotel to eat my dinner. Madilim na ang kalangitan kaya mas nagmamadali ako. I'm getting a bit scared right now.
When I'm almost at the hotel, nakakapagtaka na madilim ang paligid. Ang tanging lugar na may ilaw ay ang malapit sa hotel at and loob nito. I took another step and to my surprise, the lights turned on.
Paisa-isang nagbukas ang mga maliliit na ilaw sa bawat gilid ko, making me look like I'm walking in an aisle. I was too busy adoring the beauty of the lights when I heard a strum of guitar and someone slowly humming, accompanying the rhythm of the guitar strums.
Baby I'm falling head over heels
Looking for ways to ket you know just how I feel
I wish I was holding you by my side
I wouldn't change a thing cause finally it's real
It's my favorite song! Oh, did I tell you I am a fan of K-Pop? Well this song isn't sang in Korean language but the singer's a Korean and Bry's singing it for me! Damn this man! How can he be this sweet and mysterious at the same time? I know I don't know much about him yet but every time he does these sweet gestures to me, all my doubts fade away.
Try'na hold back
You ought'a know that
You're the one that's on my mind
I'm falling too fast deeply in love
Finding the magic in the colors of you
I continued to walk slowly. And when I'm already very near to him, his eyes still locked on mine, he hit the chorus.
You're the right time at the right moment
You're the sunlight keeps my heart goin'
Ohh.. Know when I met you
I can't keep myself from falling
Right time at the right moment
It's you...
He stopped singing and smiled at me. He's smiling yet his eyes are weary and uncertain. I can also see sadness, fear and pain in his eyes. Kung takot at nasasaktan siya, bakit niya ako pinapasaya ng ganito?
"Hey.. You might find it fast but I want to ask you this....no...I'm not asking you, instead, I'm begging you. Please... Please give me the chance to love you and be with you, always. I love you Cassandra Nicholai Saldivar, please be my girlfriend."
I couldn't stop my tears from falling. I cried so hard and it made him so worried. He searched for my eyes as he tried to reach for my elbow.
"I'm sorry... I, uh, I should've not asked you this fast. I-" I pressed my lips against his.
"I love you too. And yes, I want to be your girlfriend." I smiled at him and instantly, he hugged me tightly as he kissed my head.
"I love you so much Nix. I fell so hard for you...so deep that I couldn't rise up anymore. Thank you for falling with me." and again, he pressed his lips against mine.
Crowd cheering and clapping sounds surrounded us. I looked around and saw everyone smiling at us. Sh*t! Everyone saw us? Gosh!
YOU ARE READING
The Flame
RomanceShe was the blame, I was the moth. We were pain for us both But I'm willing to pass through all the pain Because she's the only one who can keep me sane. She's my pain, my heartbreak, my life, my love But she's also the only wish, the only dream...
