A Starbucks Love Story [COMPLETED]

Our Road To Forever (6)

He's standing in the living room, still fully dressed. Hawak hawak nya yung letter, and it's already opened.

Titig na titig sya sa akin. I feel like all the blood on my face is being drained. I can't help but scold myself. How can I be so stupid?

"Iiwan mo na 'ko?" he whispered just enough for me to hear.

Umiling ako ng umiling.

"No, no, hindi naman sa ganun---"

Binitawan nya yung letter sa glass table. He slumped himself on the couch, his elbows on his knees and he covers his eyes with his palms. There’s a grocery bag beside his feet, a bottle of wine peeking out of it. I suddenly felt guilty. It seemed like he was supposed to surprise me.

"This sunday?" mahina nya ulit na sabi. "This sunday ka na aalis at di ka na babalik tapos ngayon you're telling me you're not leaving me? Fuck Ellie, niloloko mo lang ba ako?!"

Hindi ko na napigilan pang umiyak. Lumapit ako sa kanya at umupo sa tabi nya. I hugged him tight, willing to never let go.

"Luther please, okay lang na magalit ka pero pakinggan mo muna ako...alam mo naman diba? Alam mo naman na pangarap namin to..na ito yung goal talaga namin kaya namin tinayo ang The Achievers'. We were approved to have a franchise in California, we grabbed it. You know business, I know. At alam mong kailangan hands on if we want to be successful. Nandun sila Mama, sila Papa, ang buong pamilya ko...I'm the only one fit to be there---"

"Paano naman ako?" hikbi nya. I saw tears flowing down his thighs.

Shit. He's crying.

Humigpit lalo yung yakap ko sa kanya. This is the reason why I can't tell him. Ayoko syang masaktan. But from what I'm seeing now, mas lalo ko yatang pinalala ang sitwasyon.

When he started to sob, I cried even more. Every teardrops falling to his thigh gives shots of pain in my whole being.

"Luther, don't...don't do this"

He removes my grip from his waist. Niyakap nya ako ng sobrang higpit.

"Wag kang umalis, please. Please Ellie, wag mo kong iwan..." he cried. Mas lalo akong nanghihina sa bawat salita nya. "Pakiusap, parang awa mo na, wag kang umalis.." he cried even more.

Sobrang higpit ng yakap nya sa akin. Ang sakit sakit sa pakiramdam na nakikita ko syang ganito. Pero alam ko, kailangan kong panindigan ang desisyon ko. Paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi na I've been through so much already para makarating dito.

Hindi ko kakayaning umalis nang ganito sya. Ayokong pahirapan namin ang isa't isa.

"Luther, alam mo kung gaano ko 'to kagusto. I've already made my decision. Papanindigan ko kung ano yung desisyon ko..."

I know I am hurting myself with this. Okay lang kung ako lang yung masasaktan. But seeing Luther like this, I can't afford to put him in misery when I leave without breaking the tie between us.

"Let's break up, Luther. Ayokong mahirapan ka"

He sobbed harder this time, tightening his grip on me even more. I closed my eyes and silently succumbed. This is too much to bear.

He started kissing my neck, up to my lips, tears flowing down our faces. I felt his need and wanting in each kiss. I responded to his every move, pouring everything out in each touch.

And we were lost...

Lost again in each other...

---

"Oh, mag-iingat kayo dito ha. Don't have too much fun pag wala na ako" I laughed at the three of them.

Pero umiiyak silang tatlo.