Stonehearts 4: Diamond

Thirty Four

"Good evening!" Ferries exclaimed in delight, his head popping on the small space he made with our front door. Agad akong napatayo at sinalubong siya ng mahigpit na akap.

He hugged me tighter, enveloping me his warmth. "Hmm, did my lil monster miss me?" He asked playfully.

"Sobra." Sagot ko na hindi nagaangat ng tingin.

A chuckle vibrated in his throat before he put me on arms length. "Naka-long sleeves ka eh ang init sunshine. Are you sick?"

Napalunok ako at mabilis na umiling. "H-ha? Hindi." Sambit ko sabay hatak ng manggas noon para matakpan ang mga pasa ko.

"Ferris, nakauwi ka na pala hijo." Agaw ni Mama sa atensyon nang nakalabas ito mula sa kusina. Ferris beamed at her before lacing his hands on mine.

Naupo muli kami sa sofa. I curled beside him, sinking deeper in his presence. Hindi ko na tulog magawang intindihin ang pinapanood ko dahil binabagabag nanaman ako ng sakit ko.

What if I just tell him now? Ano kayang magiging reaksyon niya? Will he leave? Will he stay?

Napailing ako bago ko pinilupot ang braso ko sa bewang niya. Halatang nagulat siya dahil nilingon niya ako. Hinawi niya ang buhok ko saka humalik sa noo ko.

"Aya, are you sure you're okay?" Ulit niya sa tanong niya nang nakaraan.

Hindi ko siya nagawang titigan sa mata. "O-oo naman."

"Parang hindi." Giit niya.

I slowly looked at him, studying his expression. Lines are present in his forehead as he creased them together forcefully, bags were also present under his eyes.

"B-binisita ako ni Bona kanina sa opisina." I murmured.

I felt him stilling then his gripped on my shoulder tightened. "May ginawa ba siya sa'yo?" He asked, his voice incensed with quiet rage.

"W-wala. Pero sabi niya iwan daw kita kasi hindi mo naman talaga ako mahal." Pagpapatuloy ko.

What I said sure did surprise him. Bigla niya akong hinarap sa kanya sabay yugyog ng kaonti sa magkabilang balikat ko. Saka siya umakap, "Do you believe her?"

I rested my head on his shoulder. I can feel how frenzy his heart was as he dreads for my reply. "Hindi. Sa'yo lang ako maniniwala." Sambit ko.

He sighed in relief. Muli niya akong hinarap, his eyes twinkling with something I cannot decipher. "I love you Minerva Diamond. There's nothing they can do for me not to."

I caught my breath when a big lump started to clog my throat. I was near to breaking down. I was near to blabbering my condition to him. His face crumpled in confusion before he cupped my face.

"Please don't cry sunshine. I hate seeing you cry." He muttered sweetly.

I sniffed back the tears before I looked down and started playing with my fingers. "Hindi ko lang in-expect."

He tipped my chin up using his index finger. I met his warm gaze and I was lost. "I love you. Please believe me when I say it."

Napangiti ako at tumango. I wish I was brave enough as him. I wish I can tell him straight in the face that I'm sick.

Inalis ko ang pagkakatitig ko sa kanya saktong pagbukas ng pinto namin. Bryce emerged from the door, carrying some fruits with him.

I looked at him then to Ferris who's now sporting a stoic expression. But Bryce smiled at him, kahit pilit. Alam kong ayaw na niyang dumagdag pa sa mga pwede kong ika-stress.

"Nakauwi ka na pala. Buti na lang, mukhang naghihingalo na kasi sa sobrang pagka-miss sa'yo itong si Aya." Biro niya na kinagulat naman ni Ferris.

"Thank you for taking care of her when I'm away." He was able to say.

Bryce just shrugged it off, "No problem. Iwan ko muna kayo, ididiretso ko lang sa kusina itong mga prutas."

"Well he was extremely friendly." Ferris said, his voice still in evident shock.

I giggled before leaning on him. "Sabi ko naman kasi sa'yo, nagkapag-adjust na siya sa atin."

Or iniiwasan niya na lang na madagdagan ang mga bagay na pwede kong ika-stress.

Ferris snickered, "Bakit siya may dalang prutas? Akala mo naman bumisita siya sa ospital. Naka-basket pa talaga ang mga bitbit niya."

Napalunok ako sa kaba dahil sa sinabi niya. I was hurled out of my deep thinking when he snapped his fingers in front of me. "Sunshine?" He called.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti. "Ano na kasi ulit 'yong sinasabi mo?"

He looked at me worriedly. Alam kong nakakahalata na siya sa mga kilos ko. Pero buti na lang hindi na siya nagtanong. Kasabay ko silang naghapunan. Bryce made the dinner atmosphere cheerful and light that made me forget my condition momentarily.

Katulad ng dati, sabay ko silang hinatid sa labas ng bahay. Una kong inakap si Bryce, saka ako bumalik sa tabi ni Ferris na agad naman akong inakbayan.

"Take care of her for me." Bryce said, I know he's putting double meaning in his words.

"You don't have to tell me." Mayabang na sagot ni Ferris.

Bryce just smile before shaking his head. "Right. Sige mauna na ako sa'yo Ferris. Aya." He said with a nod before he disappeared inside his car and off he went.

Wala naman ng ibang sinabi si Ferris. Alam kong nahihirapan pa rin siyang mag-cope up pero alam kong sinusubukan niya.

"Off mo bukas no? Pupunta na lang ako rito." Tugon niya habang nakasandal sa sasakyan niya. Hinapit niya ako sa bewang, his hand resting there.

"Mga anong oras?"

"Sikreto, para surprise." He said with a sheepish grin.

Ako rin may surprise sa'yo pero hindi mo magugustuhan. My brain muttered. Napailing ako para maiwasiwas ang mga ideyang iyon.

"Ayaw mo?" Ferris asked.

"H-ha? Hindi. May naisip lang ako."

He snickered before kissing the tip of my nose. "Basta. Babalik ako rito bukas."He again pressed.

Napatango na lang ako. We both stared at each other's eyes. It would be bad to see tears from it once I tell him the truth about the status of my health. It would be a shame to steal the sparkle there. It would unforgivable to dull it's shine.

"C-can I kiss you?" He whispered. I felt need in his voice. Napakagat ako sa labi ko saka ako tumango.

He again tipped my chin before running his index finger on my lips. "I love you so much." He faintly said before he consumed my mouth.

My worries were mashed as our lips convene. For a moment, I didn't care at all. I just want to enjoy this moment while it lasted because I know soon, I'll be leaving him. Iiwan ko siya kahit hindi ko gusto.