Dying Embers

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen: Come What May

Pinagmasdan ko si Chance, at naramdaman ko ang mabilis na pag-init ng aking mga pisngi. Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa bench, malayo na mula sa lugar na kanina lang ay puno ng bigat ng mga salitang binitiwan niya. Habang siya ay parang kalmado lang, ang bawat tibok ng puso ko ay parang kulog sa aking dibdib. Hindi ko matagalang titigan siya, kaya't agad kong iniwas ang aking tingin, pinipilit na itago ang kaba sa likod ng isang kunwaring simangot.

"Stop staring," bulong ko, hindi mapigilan ang pag-alog ng boses ko.

Tumawa siya, isang malalim at banayad na tunog na tila tumagos sa akin. "You started it."

Lalong uminit ang pisngi ko. Hindi ko na nasagot ang sinabi niya, at sa halip ay nanatiling tahimik. Pero naramdaman ko ang kaniyang kamay—mainit at maingat—na dumapo sa aking kamay. Isa itong simpleng galaw, pero sapat na upang patigilin ang mundo sa aking paligid, para lang maramdaman ang bawat segundo na lumilipas kasama siya.

"Can I dance with you?" he asked, his voice soft, almost hesitant. I turned to look at him, and there it was—that smile. The one that always managed to unravel me. Charming, warm, and effortlessly sweet. It was the kind of smile that made you feel like everything in the world could be simple, like happiness was as easy as breathing. And somehow, without even thinking, I nodded. Tell me, how could anyone resist that?

We both stood, and in one smooth motion, his arm wrapped around my waist. His other hand gently took mine. The way he held me was familiar, reminiscent of the way Henry used to. But it felt so different. With Chance, his touch felt like home—steady, secure, and warm in a way that seeped into my bones. With Henry, I had felt... nothing. Just emptiness, like his touch was there but didn't leave a mark.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Chance began to sing. His deep, rich voice filled the air, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. In that moment, as his baritone voice carried the melody, I couldn't take my eyes off him. Every word, every note seemed to pull me closer, and all I could do was let myself get lost in the sound of him, in the feel of him.

Baby, I'm falling head over heels
Looking for ways to let you know just how I feel
I wish I was holding you by my side
I wouldn't change a thing 'cause finally it's real
I'm trying to hold back, you oughta know that
You're the one that's on my mind
Falling too fast deeply in love
Finding the magic in the colors of you

Pinakiramdaman ko ang puso ko, na parang sinasabayan ang bawat note ng kantang inaawit niya. Ang bawat tibok ay mas malakas kaysa sa dati, halos marinig ko na sa tahimik na gabi. 'Yong ngiti niya habang nakatingin sa akin—parang espesyal na sandali na kami lang ang nasa mundo. Dahan-dahan niyang inabot ang kamay ko, at sa bawat hakbang na iginigiya niya ako sa sayaw, ramdam ko ang init ng palad niya. Sa ilalim ng kalangitan, kung saan tanging ang malamlam na liwanag ng lamp post at ang mahiyain na buwan ang saksi, naisip ko na sana hindi matapos ang gabing ito.

Ang boses niya—malamig na simoy na bumabalot sa buong pagkatao ko, tila hinahaplos ang bawat hibla ng damdamin ko. Ramdam ko ang katapatan sa bawat salita, sa bawat nota. At doon, habang nakasayaw kami sa katahimikan ng gabi, naramdaman ko ang bumabalot na pag-ibig. Walang pag-aalinlangan. Wala na akong kawala.

You're the right time at the right moment
You're the sunlight, keeps my heart going
Oh, know when I'm with you, I can't keep myself from falling
Right time at the right moment
It's you
You, it's you
You, it's you

Chance — he never fails to make me feel like I'm home. There's a certain warmth in the way he holds me, like he's silently promising that I'll never have to face the world alone. He always knows how to make me feel safe, like nothing could ever hurt me as long as I'm with him. And I love that about him.