The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 37

Sometimes, it's not really the time that matters, but the person with whom you want to build lasting memories.

We both found ourselves in the middle of the garden outside their house. I was sitting with him resting his head on my lap.

Tahimik lamang kaming nakamasid sa paligid. Pinagmamasdan ang mga ibon na malayang lumilipad, pinapakiramdaman ang hanging umiihip hatid ang kapayapaan at pinapakinggan ang tibok ng mga puso naming iisa lamang ang ninanais.

I gently caressed his hair. "Banana boy,"

His previously closed eyes opened. "It's just you, banana girl."

It's funny to think that we met in such a way. But I don't regret it. This moment should be kept forever. No matter what happens, I promise to hold on to it.

"Tell me about Michaelson."

"W-what?" I asked in surprise. Is he serious?

"Come on. I may get jealous, but it's fine. You're here with me right now."

He's right. I'm with him now because I want to be. I love the way he makes me feel, how I get nervous just being near him. I love everything about him.

"I'm waiting."

"Stubborn. Ever since I was a freshman, I had a crush on El-"

"That sounds painful," he whispered.

"Are you sure you want this?"

"Of course. I can endure the pain."

It's just that he reacts so quickly to everything I say, now that he's the one interested.

"Just those common high school love stories, I was once a princess saved by her prince charming."

"Tss. I am your knight in shining armor."

"Lexus," I warned him.

"Okay, fine. Please continue."

I glared at him before speaking again. "I liked him immediately when we first met. That's why I convinced Xandrev to befriend him. Xandrev and El became friends-no, best friends."

I heard him sigh.

"I always went to their dormitory because I wanted to be closer to him, and it happened. We became friends. Even though I liked him, I chose to be contented with what we had."

"You loved him." It wasn't a question, and I nodded.

"But the moment I found out he was engaged to someone else, it broke me. But it's strange because it felt like I had been hurt before."

It was true. It felt like that wasn't the most painful thing.

"I know." Namalayan ko na lang na umalis na pala ito mula sa pagkakahiga sa kandungan ko at umupo na lamang sa tabi ko.

"I was foolish to let something happen between us, even though I knew it was wrong. Someone already owned his heart. Then he told me he loved me, but I no longer felt the same way, because of you. The next thing that happened..."

The best thing happened. I met a man who loves to annoy me with his damn bananas. His looks irritated me because I knew he was almost perfect.
His voice made me shiver every time he spoke. In a short period of time, I unexpectedly found myself falling for him.

"Bakit hindi ka makapagsalita Lexus?" Pansin ko ang kanina pang pananahimik nito.

"Nagseselos ako." Walang alinlangang sagot nito

"You don't have to."

"I can't help it. I feel like I was late. If only I had arrived earlier. I wish I hadn't wasted those years."

I smiled at his words. He's acting oddly, but it's cute.

"Have you love someone before me?"
Tanong ko dito at sinubukang mahanap ang sagot sa kanyang mata.

Natigilan ito at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. I didn't know why I felt such a strange pain. The thought that he might have loved someone else before me was almost unbearable.

Is she pretty? Is she sexier than me? I've never felt this insecure about someone I've never even met.

I don't know where these thoughts are coming from, but I want to be selfish this time.

"Lexus, have you loved someone before?" My voice wavered as I spoke.

"I won't apologize for it because I did."

I forced a bitter smile. "Tell me about her."

I managed a restrained smile.

"Are you sure?" I'm pretty sure I'll be jealous once I know her.

"She's pretty." Pagdaka'y tumingin ito sa akin.

He wouldn't love someone who doesn't have a pretty face. He's a gorgeous man after all.

But hearing those words from him...

"She's smart and a strong woman, which is something I truly loved about her."

Muli na naman itong tumingin sa akin at hinawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok sa mukha ko.

It seems like he really knew her well. Suddenly, I felt a wave of insecurity wash over me.

"Where is she?"

"She's lost."

"Do you have any plans of finding her?" I felt like tears were about to spill any second. Hold on. You asked for this, right?

Instead of answering my question, he remained silent and looked at me as if I were the answer.

I laughed softly. Why couldn't he answer? Is he still into her?

"I don't have any plans to find her; I found you."

Tears fell-tears of happiness.

The moment our lips met, I knew it was real. Everything he said and everything he showed...

It was all real.