Once upon a Time

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN: Breaking Rules

Azrael

I was walking along Tita Sophia's garden when I came across Yumi. She seems to be too pre-occupied in sketching. She is sitting on the ground at nakasubsob ang mukha sa sketchpad nya.

She makes a pout habang tinititigang mabuti ang pulang rosas sa harapan nya. I walk behind her but she didn't notice me. Dinungaw ko mula sa likod ang ginagawa nya.

"Oh God! Ginulat mo ako Ra-el!" she exclaimed while clutching her heart.

"You're good." I said to her.

"Thanks." she shyly said with a smile.

It's good to see that she is finally back to her old self. Last time we saw each other all I could do was to comfort her.

I pity her. She can't do anything but to follow what her family wants pero alam Ko namang running away from her engagement will only hurt her.

"Nasaan si Ramiel?" I ask.

"Ang sabi ni Misis Morticia kanina maaga daw sila umalis ni Yana."

"Hindi ka ba man lang nagtatampo sa kanya? He is still your future fiancé. Dapat sya ang laging nasa tabi mo lalo na ngayong nalulungkot ka."

She stops sketching and sighed.

"Can I be honest with you?" she asks and I just nodded.

"Mas masaya ako to see them together. Sa tingin ko yun naman ang talagang tama at dapat." she said. Does she know about Ram's true feelings?

"Like me, Ram also owns his own heart kaya naiintindihan ko ang pinagdaraanan nya." Yumi said then she picks up her pencils and stands up.

I look up at her and find myself staring at her face.

"Let's go out." The words just slipped right out of my mouth.

She looks at me with confused face. I don't even know why I utter such words.

"B-Bakit?" she asks.

Tumayo ako until we are facing each other at eye level.

"It's boring here in Gray Mansion. You need to go out sometimes. Go to other places."

Nakita Ko yung sandaling pag-aalinlangan sa mga mata ni Yumi but in the end she said yes.

We are driving down the countryside using my convertible car. Yumi seems to be enjoying the sceneries. Hininto ko ang sasakyan sa isang gilid then I ask her to step out.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" she asks. Sumampa ako dun sa wooden fence and I held out my hand to her.

"I want to show you something. Bring your sketchpad okay?"

Yumi looks at the signboard on the side.

"But it says here na No Trespassing. Baka mapagalitan tayo." she said.

"Eh di mas exciting." I said to her grinning.

Yumi

I stared at Azrael's hand that is extended to me.

Should I take it?

"Do you trust me?" he asks with a smile.

Do I trust this guy in front of me?

Maybe I should take a chance.

I gave my hand to him and his smile grew even wider. Tinulungan nya akong sumampa over the fence at mayamaya pa tumatakbo na kami papasok doon sa pribadong lupa.