Vanquish the Barriers

Prologue

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko kasabay ng paglabo ng aking mga mata.

Is this true? I can see his face this close! or am I only dreaming? it can't be..... please give me this one. Don't give me pure hallucinations. I'm tired of doing that.

Bumigat ang nararamdaman ko sa katotohanang nakikita ko siya sa harapan ko. His hair grew longer than his usual clean cut. He grew taller and became more masculine. Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niya sa malayo, it's still the same. The angelic face I used to admire everyday. His chinky eyes, down to his narrow nose, and to his soft lips, I smiled. Tuluyang bumagsak ang mga luha ko kasabay ng paghakbang ng aking mga paa.

His eyes sparkled as he watched me walk towards him. Mangiyak ngiyak akong naglakad upang mayakap siya ng mahigpit. Nang sa wakas ay nakalapit na ako, mahigpit ko siyang niyakap at humagulgol sa matigas niyang dibdib. "I can't believe this is happening. All my life, all I did was dreaming," he embraced me even tighter.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting.... I'm sorry," pang aalo niya saakin.

Hindi na ako makasagot dahil sa paghagulgol. Ilang taon ko siyang pinangarap. Mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon. Mailap ang swerte saakin kaya hindi kami nagkausap kailanman. Kaya't hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyayari 'tong lahat.

"Please tell me this is true," bulong ko. "Stop giving me false hopes." I wanted to hear it from him. Saying those words will give me assurance.

"This is true, Hayden."

Mas lalo lang ako umiyak dahil sa sinabi niya. My emotions were mixed up. Ngunit lamang ang kasiyahan sa kadahilanang totoo ang lahat ng ito.

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sakanya. I cupped his face and smiled. I touched his lips using my thumb. "I love you so much...." I trailed off. "God knows how much I love you."

His eyes became teary. Umiyas siya ng tingin, facing the left side. "I love you too," he softly whispered, trying so hard not to cry but his tears didn't cooperate so they fell.

"Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. Nangangarap lang ako dati. Ngayon...." I couldn't say it. This giving me hard time. "Ngayon totoo na."

He cupped my face and stared at me. "You don't have to pursue me. I should be the one who's doing that. I'm so sorry for hurting you, Hayden. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me."

We stared on each other's eyes for seconds. Namumungay ang mata niyang nakatingin saakin. He slightly massaged my cheeks like I am a fragile object. Napapikit ako sa naramdaman. With him, I feel peace. Unti-unting lumapit ang mukha niya. He tilted his head to access a proper kiss. I closed my eyes and I was about welcome and his lips when a loud noise suddenly interupted my mind.

"Hija! bumangon ka na! late ka na sa school mo," bigla akong napaahon sa narinig. I looked at my wall clock to see the time and I panicked because it is already 7:30! what the hell? my first class is 8:00 am! Hinawakan ko ang pisngi ko at naramdamang basa ito. Bigla kong naalala ang nangyari. It felt like my chest was hammered because of realization. It was a dream.... another dream. Huminga ako ng maluwag at nagpasyang maligo na. I did my routines and went down.

"Hindi na po ako kakain. Sa school nalang po," salubong ko sa helper namin. Tita Tess panicked a bit since she already prepared my breakfast. Nakita niyang naka tsinelas lang ako kaya't iginaya niya ako sa couch upang magsapatos. Kinuha niya ang black shoes sa shoe rock at binigay saakin.

"Sige na't magsapatos ka muna nang maibalot ko itong sandwich mo," she went to kitchen. I smiled at her. She's been taking care of me since I was a child. My Mom and Dad are busy with their errands so I was left alone in this house.