CORDIVILLA: Breathless

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"Why?" Malungkot at naguguluhang tanong sa akin ni Robin pagkatapos kong tanggihan ang panliligaw niya.

Yes, I said no. I won't accept any more suitors. I think it is unfair on Robin's part. I can sense his genuineness but it just doesn't feel right to say 'yes'.

Hindi siguro tamang tumanggap ng isa pang manliligaw kung may nararamdaman ka na sa una. And that's my situation.

Tuwing inaalala ko ang mga sinabi ni Stan ay nangingilabot ako. If even he didn't say that, I would still decline. I don't want to give Robin hope when I'm already harboring feelings for my first suitor.

Naisip ko rin na kung tatanggapin ko ang panliligaw ni Robin, baka pwede ko pang mailigtas ang sarili ko mula kay Stan. That would be an advantage on my part. Stan feels like destruction coming, I don't know why it feels that way. May pakiramdam akong kapag nagpatuloy pa ito ay tuluyan na niyang makokontrol ang puso ko.

But then come to think of it, Robin is a good guy. Ayokong paasahin siya sa wala. I only see him as a friend at alam ko sa sarili kong hindi na lalagpas 'yon. I don't want to use him. I'm better than that.

"Veil, give me a chance. I will prove to you that I am better than your ex and I really like you." He begged.

Hinagilap niya ang kamay ko. Pinisil niya ito at may pagmamakaawang tumitig sa akin. I looked away and bit my lip. I don't want to do this but I have to. It's for him.

"Robin, I'm really sorry but I can't entertain your feelings," I said with finality.

Nanlamig ang mata niya sa akin. His lips quivered but he didn't let go of my hands.

"Bakit? Dahil ba may chance na kayong magkabalikan ni Kaizer? Mahal mo pa rin ba siya?" Mapait niyang tanong.

Pumikit ako sa hinuha niya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon na lang ang tingin nila. That Kaizer and I have a chance. Of course, we were in a long term relationship before we broke up at ngayong wala na sila ni Zain ay siguro nga, iisipin ng mga tao na magkakabalikan kami.

"Hindi. Hindi 'yon," kumunot ang noo ko.

His brows furrowed. Nag-isang linya ang kaniyang labi at mas pinisil ang kamay ko.

"Kung ganoon, ano Veil? Dahil ako, gustong gusto kita. I want to court you and I don't care how long it will take!" He declared.

I bit my lip and puffed a breath. Nahihirapan akong ipaliwanag sa kaniya kung bakit.

I will choose to hurt his feelings than to give him false hope. That will hurt more in the end... I think.

"May gusto akong iba," maliit ang boses na tugon ko.

Napatitig siya sa akin. Umawang ang kaniyang labi. Nahigit ko ang hininga at sinubukang bawiin ang kamay. Nagawa ko dahil parang nanghina ang pagkakahawak niya. He shook his head and ran a hand on his mouth.

"Sino?" He demanded.

Umiling ako. I won't tell him who. Enough that I told him I like someone else.

"Hindi na 'yon importante pa, Robin. Ang kaya ko lang isukli sa nararamdaman mo ay pagkakaibigan." Matigas na ani ko.

Umiling siya at para bang nafrustrate sa sagot ko. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to grasp my hand again but I declined.

"No. Tell me who is the guy at kahit sino pa 'yan, I will compete!" Pilit niya.

Kagat ang labi ko siyang tinitigan. No... Robin. I don't think you can compete with that guy. Iniisip ko pa lang ang lamang ni Stan sa kaniya ay nababahala na ako.