Those Blurry Lines

End

End

I can say that if I would go back ten years ago, this is not the life that I imagined. Right now, I should be in an office, with a name plate that starts with an 'Architect.' I should be in a bar every friday and drink as if it would be the last time.

Hindi ko rin naman maiwasang isipin tuwing gabi kung ano kaya ang mangyayari kung hindi ako tumakbo noong gabing iyon.

Life is really surprising. It's unexpected.

"Bakit tayo nandito?" Jackson asked. "Nasa Makati na tayo, ah."

I only laughed and went outside the car, holding the bag. Nasa Ayala Triangle Gardens kami sa may Makati. Wala masiyadong tao kaya naman mas maganda.

Hindi ko na siya hinintay. Inilatag ko na ang mantel sa damo at hinubad ang dolly shoes ko.

"Wow, picnic pala ang naisip mo," aniya.

Sinimulan na niyang hubarin ang sapatos niya.

I pointed a finger at him. "Huy, baka your feet are smelly, ah. Kadiri ka."

"Hindi kaya. Gusto mo amoyin mo pa ang medyas ko?"

Inilapit niya ang medyas niya. It is actually not smelly but I pretended and put a hand over my nose and mouth.

"Sus, best actress talaga," aniya.

Natawa lamang ako. Inilabas ko na ang mga lalagyan sa bag at inilapag sa mantel. May pasta, chicken, fruits and desserts. Along the way, bumili na rin kami ng drinks.

Hindi ako nag breakfast so kumain na ako. Ganoon din si Jackson na nasa tabi ko.

"Alam mo," panimula niya. "Kinakabahan talaga ako kanina."

"No need to worry, you know. My mom sounds so scary and mean in all of my stories, but it's just exaggerated. Mabait naman siya, eh."

Pumalakpak siya. "Kung noon mo 'yan sinabi, hinding-hindi talaga ako maniniwala."

Natawa lamang ako at inirapan siya. I felt awkward when he continued to look at me.

I raised a brow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Umiling siya. "Wala... masaya lang." He paused for a bit. "Alam mo ba na gusto na kita noon pa lang?"

I was about to put the grapes in my mouth pero nabitin ito nang marinig siya. But I acted like I'm not affected and continued to eat.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Crushable ako, eh."

"Kaso sabi ko sa sarili ko na 'masyado siyang masungit, baka kapag nagkatuluyan kami ay kaagad kaming maghihiwalay'. And I started to remind myself about the line. Na kung hindi ako lalampas, walang magiging problema."

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa kanya. Hearing it from him made me tear up, but I need to pull myself together.

"Pero hindi talaga, eh. Especially when you're in your most vulnerable state. I saw how broken you are... and it made me want to love you even more."

I nervously gulped. "Why are you saying that to me right now?"

He directly looked at me in the eye. "Kasi gusto kong simulan ang taon na sinasabi ko sa 'yo, 'to."

I couldn't look away. His hazel eyes were pulling me closer to him. There's no joke in his gaze.

"All over the years, Isabelle, you've been cruel, rude, selfish... but your flaws made me understand what love is."

Mabigat ang bawat paghinga ko. This is what I'm waiting for. This is what I'm dreaming of.

"Jackson... will you be my boyfriend?" I asked.