Maybe This Time (Time Series #1) [Completed]

CHAPTER 06

CHAPTER 06

As the night wore on, the bar began to fill with more patrons seeking solace in the dimly lit establishment. Conversations buzzed around us, a cacophony of voices blending into a dull hum in the background of our own private conversation.

"Magkaiba tayo pero same kase tungkol sa love ang pinagkaiba lang yung sayo kase niloko ka lang pero andyan pa rin siya para sayo eh yung saken naman wala na siya dahil masaya na sila," Zander's voice broke through the din, his words carrying a weight that seemed to echo in the dimly lit room.

I shrugged, trying to brush off his words with a nonchalant attitude. "Duh! Whatever," I replied, taking a sip of my drink and avoiding his gaze.

But Zander persisted, his gaze unwavering as he continued to speak. "Ang swerte ng lalaking mahal mo," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of longing.

"Bakit naman?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me despite myself.

"Kase kahit paulit ulit ka niyang niloloko mahal mo pa din siya pero kung ako yung lalaking mahal mo susuklian ko ang pagmamahal mo at papahalagahan kita," Zander's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.

My heart skipped a beat at his confession, the sincerity in his voice stirring something deep within me. "Hindi naman, kase baka isang araw mapagod na rin akong intindihin siya at patawarin," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I tried to push away the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

Zander reached out to gently grasp my hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me. "It's okay naman kung ganun, kase baka dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa kanya nakakalimutan mo na yung sarili mo dahil sa kanya ka naka focus samantalang siya naman, nagagawa niya yong gusto niya. Kase he never consider you feelings cause his too selfish," he said softly, his eyes searching mine for understanding.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat as his words hit painfully close to home. "Hindi naman siguro kase, kung ayaw nya saken hindi nya ako papakasalan," I argued weakly, trying to defend the fragile remnants of my shattered pride.

"Pero sabi mo paulit ulit ka niyang niloloko, isa lang ang ibig sabihin non. You're not enough for him," Zander's words cut through the haze of my denial, forcing me to confront the harsh truth of my reality.

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over as the weight of his words settled heavily upon me. "Bakit ganun bakit nasasaktan ako sa mga sinasabi niya? Bakit parang alam na alam niya?" I whispered, my voice trembling with raw emotion.

Tahimik lang kami ni Zander na nagiinom at lasing na rin ako dahil hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya at sinasabi ko. Ang antok na naramdaman ko noong una ay biglang nawala nang makitang ilapit ni Zander ang kanyang mukha sa akin.

"W-What are you doing?" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest as his gaze locked with mine, his eyes dark with desire.

Without a word, Zander claimed my lips in a searing kiss, the heat of his touch sending shivers down my spine. I melted into his embrace, losing myself in the intoxicating whirlwind of emotion that swept over me.

Before I knew it, we were stumbling towards the back room of the bar, our bodies pressed together in a desperate embrace. The world outside faded away as we lost ourselves in each other, the lines between right and wrong blurring into obscurity.

But as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I awoke to find myself alone in bed, the memory of our passion fading like a dream. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as I realized the gravity of what had transpired between us.

"Good morning!" Zander's voice broke through the silence, his smile warm and inviting as he entered the room.

"Good morning too," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty as I struggled to come to terms with the events of the previous night.

Despite my inner turmoil, Zander seemed unaffected, his easy demeanor belying the weight of our shared indiscretion. "Tara! Magluluto ako ng Breakfast," he said cheerfully, pulling me towards the kitchen.

I followed him obediently, my mind still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions that had swept over me. "Anong lulutuin mo?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the lingering sense of unease that gnawed at my insides.

"Do you want pancakes?" Zander replied, his smile never faltering as he busied himself with the ingredients.

"Sure!" I replied, forcing a smile despite the knot of guilt that twisted in my stomach.

As Zander mixed the batter, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret at the way things had unfolded between us. "Pwede ako nang magluto sa pan?" I offered, hoping to distract myself from the tumult of emotions raging inside me.

"Sige but stop pouting baka halikan kita," Zander teased, his grin playful as he handed me the spatula.

I blushed furiously at his words, feeling a surge of embarrassment at the realization that he could see right through me. "Wag ka ngang tumititig," I scolded halfheartedly, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

But Zander's smile only widened, his gaze warm and affectionate as he watched me cook. "What's wrong maganda ka naman ah! Nakakapagtaka nga lang dahil nagawa ka pang lokohin ng lalaking mahal mo, tch! Kung alam niya lang na ang ganda mo tapos nagawa kang lokohin naku! Sinayang ka niya," he said, his tone gentle but firm as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face.

"T-Tumigil ka nga diyan! Nambobola ka na naman eh," I protested weakly, my heart fluttering at the sincerity in his eyes.

But Zander only grinned, his laughter ringing out like a bell in the stillness of the morning. "I'm serious," he insisted, his gaze unwavering as he met my eyes.

"Thank you na lang at kumain ka na," I replied, trying to ignore the flutter of butterflies in my stomach as I turned my attention back to the food.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. Would we be able to move past the mistakes of the past and find happiness together? Or were we doomed to repeat the same patterns of heartache and betrayal that had brought us together in the first place?

Only time would tell, but for now, I allowed myself to savor the simple pleasure of a shared meal with someone who understood me in a way that no one else ever had. And as we laughed and talked together, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring within me - a hope that maybe, just maybe, love would find a way to conquer all.

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