Dream Chaser [Chaser Trilogy Book 1]

Kabanata 39

Ang Pipiliin

Kabanata 39

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kung sino ang naroon pero mas lalo akong nagulat nang ang lalaking nasa tabi ko ay napatayo. Both of us were startled, but Forest found his voice sooner than I did despite his rigid posture.

"Kuya," tawag ni Forest, na para bang sapat iyon para maalis mula sa mukha ni Tan-tan ang ekspresyon na mayroon siya ngayon.

From this distance, Ethan's eyes were translucent. His clenched jaw was visible in the dim light the outside lights in our garden had to offer. Napatayo ako, nanginginig at natataranta.

"Tan," was all I could say.

Tinalikuran niya kami at tinawag ko siya ulit.

"Ethan!" I took a few steps towards him only for Forest's hands to hold my arm. Nakayuko siya habang pinipigilan ako sa paghabol. His eyelashes darkly emphasized his downcast eyes.

"Si Ethan!" I said, hoping he'd understand that I needed to talk to Tan-tan first. I need you to trust me, Forest. I need to make things right.

Naramdaman kong nanghina ang kanyang kamay. His hand slipped from his hold on me kaya hindi na ako nag-atubiling habulin si Ethan na ngayon ay lumiko pa-garahe.

"Ethan," nagmamakaawa kong tinig. His steps were fast, so I chose to run. Nang maabutan ko siya ay hinila ko agad ang polo niya.

"Tan-tan!"

Tumigil siya dahilan para mauntog ako sa likuran niya.

"This is the 'but' right?" he retorted. Hinarap niya ako dahilan para mawala ang pagkakapit ko sa kanya.

"I-I can explain. Let me–"

"I know I have," hirap siyang lumunok, "been the cause of what happened to you, but what Kyle did was inexcusable too. Pareho lang kaming... nagkamali." Ang bawat bitiw niya ng salita ay palakas nang palakas. Ang kalungkutan niya ay nabahiran ng nag-uumalpas na galit.

"Sa lahat ng pwedeng iparating sa kahit sino sa aming dalawa, I took most of the blow, Sophia!"

Napangiwi ako sa pagtaas ng boses niya. The peace I felt while I was with Forest, napalitan na ngayon ng kaba at takot sa sitwasyon namin ni Tan.

"Na sa akin pala may gusto ang babaeng inakala ng lahat may gusto sa kanya! Na kaya nangyari ang lahat ng nangyari sa iyo ay dahil hinayaan ko kung kailan wala naman akong alam!"

I know that. Tan, please just calm down, I wanted to say but I could not let the words escape me. It seemed that they were pointless at this moment. I am never good at them.

I lifted one hand to reach for his arm pero iniwas niya iyon.

"Tan-"

"Please choose," he painfully whispered through gritted teeth, "I want you to choose now."

Nanlamig ang kalamnan ko. This is not how I planned everything. I was about to confess to Forest on how I truly feel about him, pero ang ganda ng timing ni Ethan.

Mamaya ko pa dapat siya kakausapin para mahinahon. I know he is only saying this because he is mad. People say things they do not mean when they are mad.

God, why does it have to be this way now?

I placed both of my hands on my chest with my grip as tight as my heart felt. Tiningala ko siya. I opened my mouth as he clenched his jaw. A vein on his neck suddenly looked so prominent that I was afraid it would explode.

"Choose!" His voice boomed loudly but it was only within our earshot. His tone made me jump.

Napalingon ako sa bahay but everyone was still going on about their own business. I shut my parted lips and exhaled nervously through my nose.