I fell in love

Chapter 27

Unti-unting nag alisan yung mga tao. May ibang bumalik sa mga inuupuan nila, may iba naman na katulad namin, nag stay lang sa tubig.

Kanina pa kami kuha nang kuha ng litrato. Lalo na si Althea. Parang hindi nagsasawa sa mukha ko. May mga pictures kami together pero mas maraming picture na ako lang.

Ngayon lang yata siya tinamaan ng pagod tapos nagyaya pa agad na maligo.

I pulled Althea closer to me. She looks so amazed by the sunset. I moved a little and hugged her from the back. Inilagay ko yung baba ko sa balikat niya.

Sabay kaming umahon at pinagpatuloy yung pagnood sa pag lubog ng bilugang araw.

The salty breeze coming off the ocean tousled our hair as we walked along the shoreline. Waves gently rolled onto the sand, brushing against our feet with a cool, foamy touch.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow over everything around us. I turned to look at her, and a quiet smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

There was so much amusement in my eyes as I watched her. The sunlight reflected in her brown eyes, making them shimmer.

I wanted to kiss her. More than anything in that moment, I wanted to close the space between us and feel her close.

But I knew I couldn't. It wasn't the right time, and maybe it wasn't the right situation.

So I looked down, letting out a soft breath, and reached out to hold her hand instead.

It was a small gesture, but it was the only thing I could offer her in that moment.

This was supposed to be our time. Just the two of us, walking by the sea, talking about anything and everything. That had been the plan.

But before we left, Mom said we might need Lance. I didn't really understand why. We didn't need anyone else. Still, I couldn't say no to her. 

 She asked with that tone that made it feel more like a rule than a suggestion. So now Lance was walking beside us, kicking at the sand and talking about things I wasn't even listening to.

Naputol ang pag iisip ko sa kung anong bagay nang magsalita si Althea sa gilid ko. 

"Stop staring, Mariz." Hinigpitan niya yung pagkakayakap ng mga braso ko sa katawan niya.

"Huy!" Napaatras siya at napalingon. "Baka makita ni Lance,"

I pouted and tried to give her a cute expression. "Ayaw mo sa kiss ko?" I pouted my lips even more.

"No. Of course not. Natatakot lang ako na makita niya tayo kasi di ba? You told me that you're not yet ready to let your parents know?" Hinawakan niya ang dalawang balikat ko.

Inirapan ko siya at ngumiti. Hinalikan ko siya ulit.

"Kila Mama, nagtatago tayo. Pero kay Lance," I kissed her again and intently, I looked at her as I said the words that I really want to say. "Wala naman siyang say sa kahit na anong gagawin natin. Sasabihin din natin sa bahay kapag ready na tayo, kapag ready na sila."

"Hindi naman kita minamadali," she smiled.

"I know." Hinalikan ko lang naman siya kasi alam kong wala si Lance.

I don't know how long we stood there by the shore, our feet sinking slightly into the cool, damp sand.

 Time seemed to slow down around us, like the world had quietly paused just for this moment.

We said nothing, just stood side by side, watching as the sun dipped lower and lower into the horizon. 

Its light spilled across the ocean in shades of orange, gold, and soft pink, turning the sky into something that didn't look real.