Hold Onto You (Book 3 of You Trilogy)

Kabanata 34

I was caught off guard. Gulat na gulat ako. My feet rooted on the floor and I couldn't take my eyes off him. He was just... staring at me too... with his tender-looking eyes.

Isang minuto ang lumipas nang may grupo ng kababaihang dumaan at bumangga kay Joshua. My eyes widened when my face was pressed against his chest because of what happened. I closed my eyes as I was guilty of sniffing his scent. Ang bango!

"Ay! Sorry, Attorney!"

Lumayo ako kay Joshua at tumitig sa mga babae. There were three of them, all wearing dresses, heels and bold lipstick. Their eyes landed on me but it was just a quick glance.

"Sky? Ayos ka lang?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Josh.

He slightly held my arms to make me look at him. Awkward akong ngumiti at tumango.

Hindi naman talaga ako napano. He was alert enough to control his feet not to step much or else my back would end up hitting the wall.

"Sorry, Attorney. Sorry po talaga."

Tinitigan pa ako ng lalaki bago bumaling sa harap. Hindi nakatakas sa mata ko ang pasimpleng pagngisi ng isa nang harapin sila ni Attorney. Suminghap pa ang isa.

"Ayos lang. Mag-ingat nalang kayo sa susunod." seryosong sagot ni Joshua.

Yumuko ako at napaisip kung ano pa ang ginagawa ko rito. Should I take my exit?

"Jeanna, by the way."

"I'm Crissa Salcedo. Remember your past client? Cris Salcedo? She's my sister."

"Erika Miramonte here."

Yup. I should leave them. With that, I politely excused myself and strode towards our table.

Nang makalayo, saka ko lang napagtantong nagpipigil pala ako ng hininga. My heart was beating violently and I could feel my knees weakening...

"Tagal, ah? Hinarang ka ba ni future-husband?" humalakhak ang magaling na si Esmeralda.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at hindi na pinatulan. I tried acting cool, like nothing happened. Kunwari hindi ako natutuliro. Kunwari... hindi nagwawala ang sistema ko.

That night, my focus was completely diverted. Mula sa pagkalibang sa ganap sa kasal, wala na akong ibang ginawa kundi isipin ang sinabi ni Joshua. His voice played in my mind like a broken record.

He said... it's still me. He did, right?

Pero... totoo ba?? It sounded... dreamy.

I closed my eyes and hugged the pillow beside me. I was smiling so wide like crazy. Mababaliw na yata ako rito. Pasado alas-tres na ng madaling araw, and yet, gising na gising pa rin ang diwa ko.

"Kaya mo yan, Sky!"

Napapailing ako sa tuwing nasisilip ang taas ng tatalunin. Nangangatog ang tuhod ko at pakiramdam ko ay mahihimatay ako sa nerbyos.

"Josh... hindi ko yata kaya."

I took a step back from the cliff and I was about to back out completely when he held my hand. Ginamit niya ang kaliwang kamay para iangat ang baba ko. He looked into my eyes lovingly and with assurance.

"Kaya mo, Sky. Nandito naman ako. Sasamahan kita." he smiled.

Napakurap-kurap ako.

"Sasabay ka sa'kin?"

Hinawi niya ang hinahangin kong buhok at saka ako hinalikan sa pisngi nang pagkarahan-rahan.

"Sabay tayong tatalon, Sky."