Gino’s POV
I watched Cresia as she stared at the window while I drive. I wanted to make everything right. I want everything right for Cresia. I was so stupid the last time I hurt her, I was a jerk but I had no other choice. I was too jealous seeing him with another man back then, I was always jealous of the men around her, be they were friend or not, I hated it.
I wanted to be selfish and take her for myself and I even started to do as planned, I asked for a chance but I failed. I ended up hurting her even more. I always hurt her and I was aware of it, which was the most difficult part of it. The most painful part.
My heart died watching her cry because of me. Kahit gaano ko kagustong punasan iyon, wala akong magawa kundi ang manuod. On the military, we were taught that men shouldn’t cry, my father also told me that, but that night, after I broke her even more, I cried like a little child. I couldn’t even open the door for Heather after Cresia went home leaving me alone in my empty house. It felt the emptiest.
“My daughter cried for you again, Gino. I want a man who will make her happy and not that Gino. I thought you can make her but apparently you can’t. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa’yo pero hindi ko kayang makita na mawasak ang anak ko. She’s too precious, I hope you know that”
Like a trained military man I was, I stood there in front of Mr. Lopez on his office. My hands were loosely hanging on my sides, I stood there strong but my insides were trembling with terror. I was afraid this man would finally tell me I couldn’t be with Cresia. I couldn’t blame him though, it was all my fault.
Our eyes were locked with each other. He was trying to protect Cresia and I wanted that, too.
“Are you aware how much she loves you? Or how much she wanted you? That is the main reason why I agreed to our deal, Gino”, his voice was gruff, I remembered my military training officer.
“Yes, Sir”, I honestly answered.
“She’s engaged now. Everything’s set”
I swallowed hard. Halos manginig ang buong pagkatao ko sa kaisipang magpapakasal nga sya sa iba. Akala ko ay kaya ko. Hindi pala.
Tumungo ako at tumingin sa hawak kong maliit na kulay pulang kahon.
“I want to marry her, Sir. I want to be married to Cresia”. Buong tapang kong saad. Kita ko ang gulat sa mga mata ni Mr. Lopez. Kumalas ang kanyang mga kamay na magkasalikop, habang nakatuon ang mga siko sa lamesa.
“She’s marrying Zeo, Gino. Walang naikwento si Cresia kung ano ang talagang nangyari sa inyong dalawa pero sa tingin mo ba hahayaan pa kita? Kahit sabihin mo iyan ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin kayang magtiwala. Masyadong nasaktan ang anak ko at ayoko nang makita sya na ganoon ulit. She was starting to smile again but I know she cries every now and then”, nangislap ang mga matanda ng matanda.
Kumuyom ang aking kamao at humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kahon.
“I will get her back. I know how much I hurt her, Sir. I admit it all, I caused her pain”
“At ang lakas pa rin ng loob mon a gawin ito? Ang hingin ang kamay ni Cresia at sabihing pakakasalan mo sya? Tell me, can you really make her happy, Gino? Why should I choose you over Zeo who had done nothing but be there for my daughter? Ano’ng ilalaban mo?”
My pride was hurt being compared to someone. It was annoying when being asked my capability to make the girl I love happy, but all I could blame was myself. I was angry at myself.
Tama naman, ano nga ba ang kayang kong ibigay kay Cresia bukod sa saktan sya? For the first time, I didn’t have any plans yet how to get her back. I even attended her engagement party walking on the dark hallways of the hotel hoping she would stumble there. And she did but he’s with another man.
That was one of the times I wanted to punch someone. Beat him to pulp and runaway with Cresia. Gusto ko sanang tumakas na lamang kaming dalawa mula sa lahat ng problema. We would live somewhere where no one knows us and no one cares who we are.
Pero hindi pwede. Hindi namin ito matatakasan, and I wouldn’t be selfish enough to ask Cresia to throw all of her life just to be with me. I know she would if I ask her but I won’t.
“I have nothing, Sir. I can’t think of anything to give you any definite and concrete answer but I honestly love her. I love Cresia, Sir”
In a blink of an eye, I fell down on my knees. Lumuhod ako sa harap ni Mr. Lopez. Handa akong magmakaawa kung iyon ang kailangan para pumayag syang bawiin ko si Cresia.
“Please, Sir. I really love her with all of me. With all of my heart. She’s been my dream for a long time”, a tear escaped my eye. I never thought that I would beg for love and cry for it. Sometimes, it even felt surreal feeling all of this for just one person.
“I am in love with her”. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagluha ko. Neither my voice nor my hands trembled but my tears freely fell.
I was ready to break my promises I blindly made with other people. But I would not break my promise now. I am promising myself to Lucresia Lopez.
“Gino…”, rinig ko ang mangha, gulat at kung ano-ano pang emosyon sa boses nya.
“Please, Sir”
He let out a breathy sigh. “So you really love her?”
“Yes”, I replied with full of conviction. I had no hesitation of it. I was so sure.
“But I am not the one who’s deciding, Gino. Hindi ko kayang pangunahan ang anak ko. Ang gusto lang ay makita syang maging masaya. She deserves to be happy”, pati si Mr. Lopez ay naiiyak na. Ramdam ko ang hinagpis niya.
This was my last chance to make her happy and I would make the most of it. I would not stop until she says she’ll marry me.
“Thank you, Sir”
Tumawa sya at tumayo para lumapit sa akin. Hinawakan nya ako sa braso para itayo pagkatapos ay tinapik ang balikat ko.
“You should start calling me Tito now. All I’m asking is for you to love her. Make her happy. Lalo na kapag wala na ako sa tabi nya”
“Don’t say that please. Cresia will be devastated”. Tinuyo naming parehas ang mga mata at pisngi namin.
“Umaasa ako sa’yo. Mahal na mahal ka ng anak ko”
“And I love her so much, too”
O baka higit pa. Taliwas sa nakikita ng iba pero kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala kung gaano ko kamahal si Cresia. I maybe an ass and a jerk. I do not deserve her but I love her so damn much.
I fucking love her with everything I've got.
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How is this for Gino's POV?
