The Songs Of Us

Chapter 21 (Every Road Leads Back To You)

Old friend, here we are,
After all the years and tears
And all that we've been through.
It feels so good to see you.

Pag pasok ni Dale sa living room ng bahay ni Edward ay sinalubong siya g malamyos na awitin galing sa stereo ng sala ni Edward. It was an old song at hindi pamilyar sa kanya pero nabighani siya sa ganda ng boses ng kumakanta and more she was drawn to the first few lyrics of the song.

Lookin' back in time,
There've been other friends and other lovers,
But no other one like you.
All my life, no one ever has known me better.

Its as if the song was telling all her feelings right now. Na palingon siya sa likod ng marinig ang marahang pagsara ng main door.

She was met by Edward's half curious half mad eyes. She met his gaze with longing. Ilang sandali ang pinalipas nila sa pagtitig sa isat-isa at ang tanging maririnig na ingay ay ang tugtugin mula sa stereo.

I must have traveled down a thousand roads.
Been so many places, seen so many faces,
Always on my way to somethin' new.
Oh, but it doesn't matter,
Cause no matter where I go,
Every road leads back,
Every road just seems to lead me back to you.

"It always does.. Oh God! It always does!" mahina at ma iyak iyak na usal ni Dale na inayunan ang huling liriko ng kantang pumapailanglang.

Ang mga noo ni Edward ay lalong nangunot ng umabot sa pandining nito at sinabi ng dalaga.

"What are you talking about Mary Dale? And what are you doing here? At this hour? Alone!" he emphasised his every word.

Hindi nagpatinag si Dale sa galit na nakikita sa mata ni Edward.

"I came to see you and ask you something." she said matapos magalis ng bara sa lalamunan.

"You could've just called o ipinagpabukas mo na sana." he said in disbelief.

"I don't have your number and what I'm aboit to ask you can't wait until tomorrow." she explained.

"Conner has my number." si Edward na nanatiling kunot ang noo.

"I want to ask you personally." she said. looking at his face and straight into his eyes.

Old friend, there were times
I didn't want to see your face
Or hear your name again.
Now those times are far behind me.
It's so good to see your smile.
I'd forgotten how nobody else
Could make me smile the way you do.
All this time, you're the one I still want beside…

"And I want to see your smile." she added. she didn't know kung anong meron a ng kantang iyon at parang sinasabi ang lahat ng nararamdaman niya.

"What?!" he blurted in disbelief "Mary Dale kung pumunta ka lang dito para makita ang ngiti ko then you have wasted your time and energy! You could've just look at my photos na nakangiti!"

"You were not listening. Ang sabi ko may kailangan akong itanong sayo but seeing your smile again would be a bonus." kibit balikat na nilapitan ang stereo upang maghanap ng panibagong kanta ng matapos ang unang kantang pinakinggan. She has this feeling that she needed music to express her feelings and thoughts well.

" Then what is it that you want to ask?" tanong nito na pinamamasadan ang ginagawa niyang pagkakalkal sa mga CDs nito sa CD rack. "Ask now Dale at ng maihahatid na kita pauwi sainyo."

"I'm staying here tonight Edward." she said in a low voice bago marahang nilingon si Edward na bakas ang matinding gulat at pagkamangha sa mukha.

"What are you- What do you- No!" mariing pagtutol nito na hindi malaman ang sasabihin.

"So you want to send me out?" nilakapan niya ng lungkot amg tinig.

"Don't twist my words Mary Dale! I'll send you home now. I have no time for your games!" halata ang pagtitimpi sa tinig nito.

"Why?" she asked suddenly.

"Why what?" he snapped

"Why are you doing the things that you're doing for me?" she turned her back from him at muling kinalkal ang CD rack nito upang maitago ang namumuong luha sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata.

"W-what are you talking about?" he tried to play dumb.

"Conner told me everything." she said na ikinaigting ng panga nito.

"Damn! I could wring his neck!" he muttered.

"Why Ed?" she asked again. hindi pinansin ang nakitang iritasyon san mukha ng binata, this time she's looking at him again.

"Why not Dale?" he asked her in a very serious tone.

"I'm a lost case Edward. I will die soon." she said painfully. Naningkit naman ang mga mata ni Edward.

"No you will not! I won't allow it!" he said angrily na dinalawang hakbang lang ang pagitan nila.

He is now holding her arms tightly at hinila siya palapit dito. She bumped into his chest.

"Hindi ka diyos Ed.. My parents and I have tried for 10 years. Saksi si Conner kung paanong ilang ulit akong umasa at nabigo. I'm tired Ed." she said helplessly

Nabakas niya amg matinding paghihirap sa mga mata ng kaibigan.

"Then, it's about time na ako naman ang sumubok at maghanap.. you just have to wait.. just a little bit more. Please?" this time nawala na ang galit at inis sa mukha at tinig ni Edward. Ang pumalit ay pagsusumamo at isa pang kakaibang ekspresyon na hindi mabatid ni dale kung ano.

" Ed.. "

" I don't want to lose you again Mary Dale! You didn't know what I've been through ng bigla kang umalis 10 years ago! Halos mabaliw ako kakaisip kung ano ba ang meron sa lay conner na wala sa akin at mas pinili mo siya noon kesa sa akin.. When you came back, I'm determined to win you back at all cost! but this happened! Oh God! Mas kaya at matatangap ko pa kung ibang lalaki ang dahilan ng pagkawala ko sa akin! But this one? I can't, I can't accept it Dale! kaya kung Ikaw sumuko na ako hindi! Never will I allow you to leave because of this damn sickness!Never! I love you so damn much! " mahabang litanya nito bago siya kinabig at siniil ng halik.

She went still and eyes wide.
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