What Went Wrong (to the love that once was strong) [Caius & Celestine]

Kabanata 28

I had always known Matias as the cool and funny guy, but looking at him now made me question myself if I really knew him at all.

I shivered and swallowed hard at the way he looked at me, at Caius, and at his hands that were on my elbow and waist. Pakiramdam ko ay nawala ‘yong hilo at masamang nararamdaman ko dahil sa tensyon sa pagitan naming tatlo.

“Matias, ano kasi—”

I was not able to finish my sentence and just took in another big gulp when he began walking towards me. Saksing-saksi ko pa kung papaanong sinadya niyang bungguin si Caius para bumitiw at lumayo sa akin. But Caius being a stubborn that he was, sa halip na bitiwan ako ay mas humigpit pa ang kapit niya sa akin.

Kumurap ako habang nililingon silang dalawa. And if by looking they could kill each other, I was sure that both of them were already lying dead in front of me now. Galit na galit sila sa isa’t isa at tila ba nasa paligsahan ng paigtingan ng panga at padiliman ng mga mata.

Naalis ‘yong pabalik-balik na tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa nang maramdaman ko ‘yong paghawak ni Matias sa kabilang braso at siko ko.

“Celestine.”

“Celestine!”

Napapikit ako nang mariin, nais na lamang din na matawa, at sabunutan ang sarili nang magsabay pa silang dalawa sa pagtawag sa akin. I opened my eyes and looked at Matias, kung saan agad na binugbog ng konsensiya ang dibdib ko habang tinitingnan ‘yong mga mata niyang punong-puno ng pagsusumamo.

How was he here in this instant? I remembered texting him, yes, pero naririto na agad siya? Papaano? Lumipad ba siya?

Mula sa kaniya ay lumipat ang tingin ko kay Caius at ganoon din ang nakita ko sa mukha niya, namumungay ang mga mata, only, he looked more hurt... and scared?

I was not sure.

Matias’ voice was firm as he said, “Let her go.”

But Caius remained unfazed, his grip on me tightening, as if he feared that releasing me would mean losing me forever.

“Love,” Caius called me on the other hand, his voice laced with tenderness, caressing my ears as he whispered the word, his touch on my arm a silent plea not to release him, and his use of the word love I knew was a cunning ploy to exploit my weakness.

“Celestine,” pagtawag muli ni Matias sabay higpit din ng kapit sa akin.

Ipinatong ko ang isang palad sa isang kamay na nakahawak sa braso ko habang iyong isang kamay ko naman ay mariin kong inihawak sa isa pang kamay na naroon naman sa baywang ko. Slowly and firmly, I pulled Caius’s hands off me for I knew better who to let go. And it was him.

My heart felt like being squeezed by a large hand at what I did but I knew it was the right and best thing to do. Respect. I had to respect Matias and our relationship.