Love On Fire (Fire Series #1)

Kabanata 23

I was lying on my bed until I heard a foot step. Alam kong siya iyon. Kaagad naman akong bumangon nang mapagtantong siya talaga iyon.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito, Padua?" Tumabi naman siya sa 'kin at walang pasintabing kinuha ang kumot ko.

"Do you think I will easily let you away like that?" tanong niya.  Napalingon naman ako sa kanya. My mouth ran dry. I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself. The pain started to swallow in my chest.

"I told you before, I won't let you go. I'd fight against all odds..." he whispered. The pain engulfed me again like I was being stabbed multiple times.

"Padua..." My voice sounded weak and raspy. Nanatili akong nakayuko. Umusog naman siya ng kaunti sa akin at niyakap ang bewang ko.

"Please... Fucking please.. Don't leave me, Laurena. Hindi ko kakayanin..." he pleaded. Unti unti na namang tumutulo ang luha ko pero agad ko naman itong pinahid gamit ang palad ko.

Forgive me, Padua.

"Please, Esguerra. Please... You told me walang iwanan. Ano 'to? Bakit ikaw ang mang-iiwan?" Halos mabasag ang boses niya sa paraan ng pagtanong niya. Inangat niya ang ulo niya at tiningnan ako sa mata. Napapikit naman ako. Ang hirap. Ang sakit.

Just when I met his gaze, those were the pair of eyes which screamed pain, grief and sorrow.

"I-I'm not breaking up with you,  Padua. Pero, kailangan ko talagang umalis." Lumayo naman siya ng kaunti. His forehead creased.

"What do you mean, Esguerra?"

"We'll be flying to New York. Kailangan ni Papa ng surgery. Mas okay ng sa ibang bansa dahil advanced 'yun. I'm sorry, Gray pero kailangan talaga. I'm sorry..." I bit my lip suppressing myself from crying harder, from breaking down.

"Talagang iiwan mo ako? Iiwan mo ako?" His voice cracked. Napatayo siya.

"Hindi naman kita iiwan. Did I say I'm going to leave you?" Malumay ang aking pagkasabi. I was sure he would understand me.

"Putangina naman! Hindi ko kakayanin eh..." I closed my eyes as he cursed. Napabuntong hininga ako para ikalma muli ang sarili ko. Kaagad din akong tumayo at niyakap siya.

"Sorry, love. Sorry ha. Kailangan eh para sa pamilya ko. We can work things out, Padua. Mahal kita alam mo 'yan."

"No, Esguerra. You don't understand me. You dared to make that decision without consulting me first. I get it na para sa pamilya mo yan. Pero, sana man lang sinabi mo nang maaga. Kailan ka aalis?"

I gulped hard. "T-Tomorrow."

I should've told this him in advance. I knew I was at fault this time.

"Putangina talaga!" I cried when he yelled. "Hindi mo man lang naisip, Esguerra kung gano kasakit 'to. I'm still on the process on recovering from my parent's death. And you will leave me? Talaga, Esguerra? Iiwan mo ako?" I couldn't speak. I'm lost for words. It was difficult for me to breathe.

"Kakayanin ko, Esguerra iwan ng lahat. Pero, ikaw... Hindi ko kaya... Please. Don't leave me. Don't..." He added.

I closed my eyes for a moment before I looked at him. "Padua, h'wag ka namang selfish! The world doesn't revolve around you! Kailangan ako ng pamilya ko Padua. Please... just let me."

His eyes were flaring. "Tangina! Sige, iwanan mo na ako." Lumapit ako sa kanya. I made him face me.

"Padua, hindi naman ako aalis lang. Babalik ako. Babalik ako para sa atin. Please. Alam kong mahirap. Sabi nga ni Hera distance doesn't matter when our hearts are loyal to each other. Mahal kita. Puwede namang LDR tayo, diba? Kakayanin natin 'to. Hmm?" I caressed his soft cheek.  I wanted him to know that we could still be together. He sighed. It took him a moment before answering.