Tale as Old as Time (La Fortuna Series #1)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

Love

"I'm sorry."

Marahan akong umiling kay Chamuel bago siya tipid na nginitian. We're now on our way home and he still couldn't let go of what happened earlier in the parking lot.

It's weird how I was actually not as bothered by it as I should've been. With everything that's occurred to me in the university, parang sisiw nalang 'yung nangyari kanina. Besides, I had long prepared myself for the day that Anayah finally decides to call me the other woman, kahit na mas nauna naman kaming nagkakilala ni Chamuel kesa sa kanila.

"No, I'm sorry, Tace. Dapat sinabi ko sa kaniya na ako ang palaging sumusundo sa 'yo. She was always asking me to fetch her but I lied about being busy in school so that... I can fetch you instead."

He sighed, remorse glinting in his eyes. If I was the same Tacia as before, I would've felt the same. I could easily empathize with people, kahit na nasaktan nila ako. It served as my strength. Kasi hindi ako nagtatanim ng galit. I would always understand... and forgive. It gave me peace of mind. This day though was a reminder that I shouldn't always try looking at things through other people's perspectives. Kapag pala palagi kang mapag-intindi, mauubos at mauubos ka.

Humalukipkip ako at umismid. "Stop apologizing. You're making me feel bad. Para namang pinipilit kitang sunduin ako e hindi naman."

He didn't speak. Akala ko'y na-offend ko siya pero nagulat nalang ako nang ni-park niya sa gilid ng kalsada ang sasakyan namin. I turned to him. Agad niya namang nahuli ang mga mata ko.

"That was not what I meant. I apologize for not wording it better," he said and smiled gently. "Pagdating sa 'yo, palagi akong may panahon. It's what sets you apart from everyone else. With you, I will never be busy. You're a priority for me."

Tumango ako. I understood him but a part me was scared. Because he was changing... inuuna niya na ako, and although it was good for me, it might be bad for other people.

"Sorry din. I just had a long day. Tapos dumagdag pa 'yung kanina sa parking lot. Parang... quotang-quota na ako."

Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko. I badly wanted to tell him about Anayah copying my draft, her friends pouring ice-cold water on me, and basically her being everyone's favorite. I never liked the idea of being a people-pleaser, but after all that had happened, I realized how nice it must've felt like to be loved by everyone. 'Yung tipong wala kang dapat patunayan. 'Yung tipong umiyak ka lang, kakampi mo na ang lahat.

"You're at my top list, Tace," he reminded.

 He caressed my cheeks and cupped my head towards him so that he could kiss my forehead. Isang malambing na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya pagkatapos. 

A gentle smile rose on his lips. "And I guess, Anayah... will just have to deal with that."

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Pumungay ang mga mata niya. He unclasped his seat belt and mine so that he could give me a warm embrace. Mas lalo lang na lumakas ang mga hikbi ko. He held me affectionately. Pagkatapos kong magtapang-tapangan ngayong araw, sa mga bisig niya lang pala ako manghihina.

"Please don't cry. It hurts me when you cry," he whispered on my ears.

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa 'kin. I realized that his arms were my safe place. With him, I always felt away from harm. With him, I always felt home. Tahimik akong humikbi. He earnestly stroked the strands of my hair. Naramdaman ko rin ang simpleng paghalik niya sa ulo ko.

Suddenly, the music playing on his stereo sounded familiar. Kumalas kaming dalawa sa yakap at nagkatitigan.

"Is that?"