Flashed Golden Photographs (Sunset Avenues #1)

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Free

"Hell be damned but I won't let you slip away for the second time. If I have to cross your family's wrath, I'll come to it," he whispered words with conviction.

Nanunuot sa laman ang bawat bigkas niya ng salita. Nanginginig ang aking kamay habang idinadampi ang cotton sa kan'yang panga. That was close, Sammy.

"Pinagsisisihan mo bang pumayag kang pakasal sa'kin?" sambit niya.

Marahil iniisip niyang nagsisisi ako dahil sa pananahimik. Hindi lang niya alam na naglalaro na sa isip ko kung paano makakaganti kay Enrique! If not for my son, I'd punch Enrique by myself. That jerk!

"Of course not. This is a lifetime commitment. Bakit ko naman pagsisisihan ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon?"

His eyes outshined the moonlight in Madrid. It's filled with love, patience and passion. I let the silence of the night speak for us. I couldn't utter a single word. It's overwhelming. At last, Sammy!

Tahimik kong ginamot ang kan'yang mga pasa.

"You must see a doctor first thing in the morning. Saan pa ang masakit?"

Instead of answering, hinuli niya ang kamay ko. Kinuha mula roon ang ginagamit ko sa paggamot sa kan'yang pasa. Inilapag niya iyon sa baba.

Itinaas niya ang baba ko. "Why did you leave?"

Tumigil ako sa ginagawa. Akala ko ay makakatakas na ako sa katanungang iyon pero hindi pala. He held my hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed my fingers one by one.

"Gusto mo ba talaga akong iwan? I was so scared and I thought I'm going to lose you again."

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Hindi ko alam kung para sa kan'ya ay sapat na bang rason iyon. "I heard your conversion with your abuelo. Nalaman ko rin ang nakaraang mayroon ang mga magulang natin."

"And you thought it would change a thing. You were scared knowing that they didn't end up together at mangyari iyon sa atin?"

"Masisisi mo ba ako? They loved each other. And you--you told me that De los Rios men are particular with marriages at nang dalhin mo ako roon at makilala sila, ang buong akala ko'y ginagawa mo lang iyon because you are bound to. Also, I don't need any ounce of your pity..kahit sabihin pa nating mahal kita."

"I've been loving you for years. Perhaps, when you're still eighteen. Our parents' past won't change a thing. Iyan ang gusto kong itatak sa isip mo. About your family's death, I'm sorry to hear that sweetheart. I shouldn't have..I was devastated too. Tumayo silang magulang ko."

He took a deep breath na para bang pasan-pasan niya ang buong mundo. Dumaan saglit ang lungkot at pagsisisi sa kan'yang mata.

"It's all in the past, Archi. Tragedy happens almost everyday. But can I ask for one thing? Umuwi tayo ng Pilipinas before the wedding."

He made a small smile. He pulled me and enveloped my body with his broad shoulders, placing me in between his thighs. Pareho kaming nakaharap sa buwang tahimik lamang sa Madrid.

"Do you really wanna marry me?"

I nodded. Paano ko ba mabubura ang insecurity sa tinig niya? Lahat naman yata ng tao ay may kinikimkim na ganoon sa pagkatao nila. And even DLR8 is not an exemption.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko. I felt his caress. To be in his arms is home.

"Gusto kong marinig."

"I thought we'd been married for years? Hindi pa pala?"