TAMING THE LIONESS °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

17. Lunch

Maddy

"Maddy, I'm sorry." Tres whispered while he hugged me comfortably inside his arms. It's still like a dream to me, having him this close. Dati, nakatingin lang ako sa malayo. Dati, palihim ko lang siyang hinahangaan. It's just so tragic that I can't show it to the world until now.

"What if masasaktan lang tayo?" Tanong ko nang bitiwan na niya ako. "I'm used to the pain. I don't know with you. And I don't want you hurt, Palmer, not especially because of me."

He smiled and I frowned at that.

"Mom told me when I was almost giving up; if you want to love, you have to be ready for the pain. And you know what I am seeing about us, Maddy? I'm seeing tears and heartbreaks but I know you're worth every tear and every pain."

I wish we knew each other differently. I wish our parents were just strangers to each other. I wish I know how to be a rebel and be selfish for once. But I just can't.

"Kung pipiliin nating magkasama Maddy, alam kong masasaktan tayo. At alam mo din na masasaktan parin tayo sa huli kapag hindi natin pipiliing magkasama."

He's right. Pero kahit anong pagkumbinsi ang gawin ko, hindi ganitong kwento ang deserve ni Tres. Siguro nga, napakababaero niya noon. But I saw it all. I saw how much he's changed. I saw how genuine he was for love.

"Sorry na. Kahit sasabog na ang dibdib ko sa sobrang selos, pangako hindi na ako magrereklamo. Titiisin ko para sa'yo, Maddy. Basta mangako ka lang, oras mo lang ang kaagaw ko sa kanila." Huminto siya at ngumiti. Ngumisi rather. "Ako lang ang pwedeng humawak ng kamay mo. Ako lang yayakap sa'yo. Ako lang pwedeng humalik sa'yo."

"Ewan ko sa'yo." Natatawang saad ko. Sumimangot siya na parang bata. Ayan na naman. My heart is beating fast.

"Mangako ka Maddy."

"Oo na. Matahimik ka lang."

"At mangako ka rin, ako lang ang mahal mo."

Geez. I can feel my cheeks warming up. This is so awkward. My heart is in panic so is my stomach.

"Mangako ka, Maddy." Parang bata na namang saad niya. Napailing ako. How can a bulky-guy be so cute? I guess, it's a Palmer's thing. Instead of answering him verbally, I answered him with a hug.

"I love you, Palmer." I heard myself whisper. Aaaah. This is so embarrassing. I can imagine him smirking. And with him trying to pull away to see my face, I can only prove I was right. He's teasing me. But I didn't let go. And I regretted it right away. Nahuli kami ni Gabriella sa ganong ayos!

"Ehem. Bawal PDA dito!" Panunukso niya pa. Mabilis na bumitaw ako kay Tres na nginingisiang-aso rin ako. Kaasar ang dalawang 'to.

"What did I miss?" My bestfriend asked, looking at Tres.

"I guess...um." He pretended thinking while giving me a teasing look. "Let me just say that I've finally found you your sister-in-law."

"Tsk. 'Wag ka ngang makinig diyan Gabbi. Tara na. Male-late na tayo." Sabat ko saka hinila si Gabbi paalis.

"I love you, Maddy!" Sigaw ni Tres na nagpalaki ng mga mata ko. Nakakaasar talaga siya kahit kailan e. Ang daming nakarinig.

"Ano na? Kayo na?" Tanong ni Gabriella nang malapit na kami sa classroom.

"We're not going to be sisters-in-law Gab." I told her, rolling my eyes. But she just gave me a smirk in response. "Gabriella!"

"Ayaw mo pang aminin kasi. Gusto mo naman talaga si Tres. Feeling ko nga, you never really liked Carter."