Last Summer

40

CHAPTER FOURTY

I grabbed my phone and messaged Krystal. Siya ang nakakaalam kung saan si Sage. After Sage left, me and Krystal somehow got close. I don't know what happened and I don't know how it happened. It just did.

To: Krystal

Where is he? Did you ask him?

My hands were fidgetting as I waited for Krystal's response. Maginaw dito kaya nakabalot ako sa black coat. I rubbed both of my hands to heat myself.

From: Krystal

He's biking around Central Park.

Sumakay kaagad ako ng taxi at pinagpapawisan ako sa kaba. Parang nawala lahat ng lamig na nararamdaman ko kanina. I was constantly tapping my fingers on my thighs.

Kung mamalasin ka nga naman. May na aksidente sa daan papuntang park. I can't wait any longer. I have to see him.

"Uhm, will this take long?" I asked the driver.

"Not sure." He answered.

"Oh, okay." I calmed myself. Madali lang naman siguro 'to diba? I mean, it should be.

From: Savannah

Nagkita naba kayo?

From: Krystal

Nasaan kana ba? Baka hindi mo na siya maabutan.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa tinext ni Krystal. Binayaran ko na ang taxi driver at lumabas na. Tumakbo nalang ako. Mas madali pa siguro 'to.

Pagkarating ko sa park, tiningnan ko ang paligid ko. May mga taong nagpi-picnic. May iba namang nagjo-jogging. There are too many people. It's impossible for me to find him in this crowd.

Wait. I remembered what Krystal told me. He's biking around the park. I should look at the people who are biking.

Seryoso kong tinitingnan ang mga nagba-bike. No sign of him. I walked around the place, hoping to see him.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko nang may pamilyar na mukha akong nakita. It looked like Sage's back. I ran towards that person, but he was so fast.

"Excuse me. Can I borrow your bike? Please." I begged the man, siguro nasa late 30s na 'yun.

"Uh, what? O-okay." Mukhang wala na siyang choice dahil sumakay na ako sa bike at madaling umalis.

"Sage!" I shouted as I pedalled. Hindi siya lumingon at dahil sa pagmamadali ko, may nabangga ako.

I ended up having bruises and scratches all over my body. Dumugo rin ang tuhod ko. I stood up and apologized. Mabuti na lang at walang galos ang nabangga ko. Nakailag kasi siya bago ko pa siya mabangga ng todo.

Despite the bruises and scratches all over me, I still rode on the bike. I will go after him.

I don't know why I have been so unlucky at nahulog ako sa bike dahil sa batong nakaharang. Dumugo ang siko ko at gusto ko nang umiyak. I bit my lower lip to prevent my tears from falling.

"Stupid, Gabbi." I whispered to myself as I looked at all my bruises.

"Here." May naglahad ng kamay niya sa'kin. Tiningnan ko siya at napatayo ako sa gulat.

I stepped back at muntik na akong madapa ulit. He held me by my waist to support me. Napalunok ako habang nakatitig sa mukha niya.

"S-Sage." Namamangha kong sabi.

"Venice." Malamig niyang sabi. Umayos ako sa pagkatayo at pinagpagan ko ang damit ko. I'm a mess. "What are you doing here?" Kumunot ang kaniyang noo.

"I came here to look for you.." Taas-noo kong sabi. I saw how he stopped himself from smiling. "Look, Sage. You can't just leave like that. You could've atleast told me. Everyday without you is a struggle. I'm so sorry." Napalunok ako dahil sa seryoso niyang mukha. Nakatingin lang siya sa'kin. "Please, umuwi kana." I pleaded.

"I have no reason to." Malamig niyang sabi.

"Am I not a reason for you to come back, Sage?"

"Okay. You are a reason. But, give me another good reason." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll give you 10 seconds." Aniya.

I panicked.

"Everyone misses you."

Umiling siya.

"Life isn't the same without you."

He tilted his head to the side and he shook his head.

"You're my bestfriend. I miss you." My voice broke.

"Time's up." He scoffed and turned his back, mukhang aalis na.

"I love you." Mahinang sabi ko at napatigil siya. He slowly turned around to see me. "I love you!" I shouted. Tumingin ang ibang tao sa'min. I don't care at all.

"What did you just say?"

"I love you, Sage! I love you. I know it took me so long to say this, but, I love you." I covered my face, crying.

I felt him walked towards me. He pulled my hands away from my face. "Look at me when you say it." He held my face up.

"I love you." I locked his eyes to mine. I felt like we were the only people. Wala akong ibang naririnig kung hindi ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

I was about to add something, but he gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I was a bit shocked at first, but I closed my eyes. Sinuklian ko ang halik niya. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tiptoed a bit.

"I love you, Valentina." Aniya at niyakap niya ako.

His manly scent filled my insides and I don't ever want to let go.

We went back to my hotel room. Nakangiti ako habang tinitingnan ang kamay naming magkahawak.

"You're creeping me out, babe." Ani Sage na nakakunot ang noo.

I felt my face heat up when he called me 'babe'. I looked away from embarassment and I heard him chuckled.

Pagkapasok namin sa kwarto, he cornerned me against the wall and planted a kiss on my lips. Na out of balance ako dahil hindi ako handa. He stopped kissing me then he looked at me, "Beautiful is just an understatement when it comes to describing you."

"At kailan ka pa natutong mag-sweet talk, huh?", I teased him. 

"I only do it to you. And only you.", he smirked while caressing my hair.

"You have ignited the fire in me and kept my embers alive, Alonzo..."

"Your life is a puzzle and I'm the missing piece.", he said and planted a soft kiss on my lips, it was not a kiss of lust, but of love. It sealed our affection for each other, it was magical.

It was a brief moment, but it felt like forever. Mga paru-parung akala kong namatay na ay binuhay niyang muli. Ang yakap niya ang nagdadala ng init sa aking puso. Kapag malapit siya sa'kin, ang puso ko ay parang hinahaplos.

"Marry me." Aniya.