Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Twenty-nine

"I did accept them, Rhysand." I firmly said. "Pero hindi ko kasi kayang mamuhay ng malayo sa kanila. I don't want to ruin our family..."

"You didn't. Your parents did that. No matter how much you love them, Aria, hindi mo pa rin sila mababago... No matter how you avoid to think of the worst in them, they would always treat you the same. Hindi pwede 'to, Aria... Hindi pwedeng habang-buhay ay hahayaan mo nalang ito. It's not okay... You know that. And for someone like you, you deserve so much more than this... You deserve so much more, Aria..." He cupped my face and gently pressed his forehead against mine.

Napayakap ako sa kanya at walang tigil sa pag-iyak. I wanted to stop, but my tears just won't stop falling. Pagod na ako... Ayokong mapagod pero hindi na talaga kaya ng puso ko.

"P-Pero, bakit? Bakit hindi nila ako kayang mahalin kagaya ng pagmamahal nila kina Bea? Bakit? Ano ba ang nagawa ko sa kanila?" Sa kanya ko nalang nagawang tanungin ang mga ito. "Bakit pakiramdam ko kailangan kong maghirap para lang magkaroon ng silbi sa kanila? Bakit pakiramdam ko pinaparusahan ako? I-I've never tried to disrespect them. Not even once since I was a child, Rhysand..."

"Sshh..." Tuluyan akong binaon ni Rhysand sa bisig niya. Iniyak ko na rin lahat ng maiiyak ko sa dibdib niya... para mamayang gabi o bukas ay wala na akong may mailuluha pa rito.

"I don't know... I don't know why are they like that to you. Maybe there's a reason, but whatever that is, hindi iyon sapat na rason para mapagdaan mo ang lahat ng napagdaanan mo. At problema na nila iyon, Aria. All I ever see in you was love and selflessness. You're beautiful as you are..." He murmured so meaningfully. "And yeah, maybe with a broken heart. Pero magagawan naman natin ng paraan para maayos 'yan..."

I opened my eyes and stared at him.

Pinilit niyang ngumiti nang tumingin ako. "Magagawan natin ng paraan ito. We just have to stay with each other like we always do. Are you with me in this, Aria?"

I heaved a deep breath before nodding. He sighed before clenching both of my hands and drying my tears again. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi at sinubukang pakalmahin na rin ang sarili.

"I'm sorry for being burden, Rhysand. Malalaki na t-tayo... Hindi mo na dapat ako pinoproblema pa. I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," he immediately said. "What are friends for?"

Tinampal ko siya sa balikat. "I'm serious..."

I just heard his chuckles. He lowered his head to me and slightly nuzzled his nose on mine. "I'm serious too. You were never a burden, Aria. I promise you that."

Hindi na niya ako hinintay na magsalita pa at marahang nilapat ang mga labi niya sa bibig ko. Our eyes remained open. Napahinga ako ng malalim bago dahan-dahang yumakap rin ulit sa kanya.

For the first time, I kissed back.

Rhysand and I... I knew from this night we would never end. Because I can feel it in my heart now, that I belong with him. Hindi na kami mapaghiwalay simula noon pa man, I doubt we would leave each other behind now. And I don't think he realizes how thankful I am for him.

Naramdaman ko ang paggapang ng mga kamay niya sa bewang ko. He slightly lifted me from the ground while kissing me gently. I can feel his lips formed a smile the moment I touched his hair.

Napasinghap ako bago unti-unting bumitaw rin sa kanya. I pulled away my lips and looked down. Mahinang natawa lang siya bago marahang hinalikan nalang ako sa pisngi.

"Uwi nalang tayo?" Bulong niya.

I didn't know why but that suddenly made my heart flutter. That sounded really relieving.