SUMIKSIK sa braso ko si Aeryn nang may puting van na dumaan sa aming gilid. May nakikita akong takot sa mga mata niya habang sinusundan niya ng tingin ang lumalayo nang van.
Bumuntong hininga ako at inakbayan siya. Mas lalo ko siyang idinikit sa akin na kulang na lang ay yakapin ko na nang tuluyan. Naglakad kami patungo sa mga benches ng parke na kinaroroonan namin at naupo sa isa sa mga iyon.
The trees were dancing and the leaves started to sway its route to the ground. It was a gloomy afternoon, like how I always wanted the sky to be. It's an omen that the sun will soon bid its goodbye.
I've always hated every time the sun goes below the horizon. How I also hated when the moon leaves in the evening just to give way for the sun when it rises. It's an indication of farewell and I hate it.
I never liked goodbyes.
When everybody seemed to fantasize about watching the sunset and the sunrise, I, on the other hand, never even dreamt about that. What's the beauty in witnessing a goodbye? It's a painful view rather than a euphoric one.
I hated it—well, at least... before.
Now, I have learned to look at the sunset, the moon, and the sunrise in a more positive way. It's a representation of the cycle of life. A reminder that when something is about to end, a new beginning will be unfolded. When it darkens, light will appear soon.
"You don't have to worry when you're with me," marahan kong sinabi habang nakatitig kay Aeryn.
Ngumiti siya. Nararamdaman kong pilit niyang ipinapakita na ayos lang at hindi siya nababahala ngunit kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagiging balisa.
Matapos ng insidente at ng ilang araw niyang pananatili sa ospital ay pinabisita siya sa isang counsel. Napag-alamang traumatized siya sa nangyaring pangingidnap. Lagi na siyang kinakabahan sa tuwing nasa isang pampublikong lugar. Naging magugulatin. Hindi na rin siya hinahayaan ng mga magulang na lumabas nang mag-isa. Kung hindi ako ang kasama ay ang dalawang bodyguards naman niya.
"I know that naman. H-Hindi ko lang mapigilan," sinundan niya iyon ng buntong hininga.
Kahit na nagkaroon ng epekto sa kan'ya ang insidente ay hindi niya pa rin ako iniwan. Hindi siya nakalimot na paalalahanan ako sa pag-inom ng mga gamot ko at sa pagbisita na rin sa therapist ko. Her cuteness never lessened. Her strong will to make me forget everything from the past didn't minimize just a bit.
And I appreciated her so much for that. Every day, she was proving to me how pure her love was. She wasn't that hard to be loved. I was being a hypocrite if I say I didn't have any feelings for her.
It wasn't love yet, but as I said, she wasn't that hard to be loved, so... I knew I'd get to that stage someday.
"You love me?"
Her head tilted a bit. Para siyang kuting na nakatingin sa akin. Sunod-sunod siyang tumango na ikinangiti ko.
"Always."
Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at masuyo itong hinalikan habang hindi iniaalis ang mga mata sa kan'ya.
"Wait for me? Until I got over her?" my voice laced with hopefulness.
The wind blew ferociously against my skin. The strands of her hair were blowing on her face, but that didn't hide the unshed tears on her eyes. I maintained an eye contact. My hold on her hand tightened as I waited for an answer.
What if she say no? What if she gets tired waiting for me to love her?
"W-W-What do you mean?" her voice sounded hoarse.
BINABASA MO ANG
Exchanging Bullets
Short Story(This is a side story of Femme Fatale. I suggest you read that FIRST before proceeding to this one. It's worth it, at least for me and for those who appreciate it. You may find it worth reading, too.) Chief Inspector Carlson Enriquez has always been...
