Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)

Kabanata 10

Kabanata 10

"BABE, 1+1?"

"Two?" Takang sagot nito at sumubsob sa balikat ko. We were at the shore by the beach, nakaupo sa buhangin habang humahalik ang mga alon sa mga paa.

It was a dark night, yet the stars would never leave to give us light.

"Hmm, 2+2?" I asked again. Tumawa siya at mas humigpit ang yakap sa akin.

"Four, Reev. Naubos na ba ang topic natin at pati 'yan tinatanong mo na?" He teased. Natawa ako at sumandig sa balikat niya.

"Basta, 3+3?" I asked again.

"I love you," bulong niya. I stiffened. He chuckled when he noticed how my back straightened.

I glanced at his blurry face with disbelief.

"You..."

"I love you," he repeated and his lips curved for a smile. "Mahal na mahal kita, Polaris Reeva."

Tears streak down my cheek. He panicked and cupped my cheek.

"Why are you crying? Are you alright?" Worry laced his voice. "Damn, sorry, did I scare you? Was I too quick–"

I sobbed and pulled him close for an embrace. He was rigid and nervous.

"H-hey," he soothed and caressed my back. "Why are you crying? I said I love you but... ayaw mo ba? Natakot ba kita? I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, sabi kasi ng mga pinsan ko, matatakot kita kung ilang buwan pa lang nag-I love you na 'ko."

"I love you, too," I confessed. It caught him off guard. "Hindi ako umiiyak kasi natakot ako. I was just amazed and I couldn't believe you love me, too."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa 'kin. Napapikit ako nang idinantay niya ang chin sa balikat ko at hinalikan ang leeg ko.

"I knew I will love you hard since the first time I met you," he whispered. "Why would I pursue you if I don't plan keeping you? Why would I pursue if I don't love you?"

I pouted. Ewan ko rin.

"I don't know. It felt like just a dream. Naisip ko kasi ang layo ng agwat ng buhay natin. You are a damn billionaire! Why would you settle for me when you have a parade of girls–"

"The parade will be fucking useless without you in it," he scoffed. "I'll only look at you and what's with the billionaire comment like I care–"

"S'yempre, ano!" I exclaimed and sniffed. "You run a business! Of course you have to care about your money. S'yempre mag-aasawa ka ng marunong!"

"I have my accountant for that." Lumayo siya at tinuyo ang luha ko ng daliri niya. "And I'd rather lose my money that lose you. Are you intimated about it?" Natahimik ako sa pag-aalala sa boses niya.

"Huh?"

"The money?" he asked.

Natahimik ako at umiling. "No. I just worry na people in your circle might say otherwise–"

"If you tell me to step down my position, I would."

"Hoy!" Namilog ang mata ko. "Baliw ka ba?"

"I don't want my future wife worrying about my wealth when it will be hers too. If you are uncomfortable with it then, we can compromise. I'll step down my position. I could handle any labor work so it doesn't matter. Gusto mong simpleng buhay? Simple ang buhay natin. Magta-traysikel driver ako o kaya mangingisda sa laot pang-agahan natin."