At all Cost

Chapter 18

"Mali, mali, mali. Hindi kasi ganun." natatawang saad niya habang tinuturo sa akin kung paano mag-gantsilyo. He was too engrossed with his work while teaching me.

"Tama naman ginagawa ko, ah."

"No, it was not. Para mas maganda yung kalalabasan dapat dahan dahan lang hindi yung minamadali, ok." saad nito sa mababang tono na kinangiti ko. He is too eager to teach me like how I teach my students whenever they are struggling with my subject. He was patiently watching me while I do crocheting.

I did what he told me, at first it was really hard, but as soon as I learned the proper way of crocheting, my work went smoothly. Tuwang tuwa pa ako nang halos makalahati ko na ang disenyong naisip ko.

It was a small daisy.

"Sa wakas natututo karin. We've been here for almost two hours." he said nonchalantly not knowing if he's teasing me or what. I give him a slight punch on his shoulder.

"Hindi naman kasi ganun kadali iyon!"

"I learned that for just a minute."

"I was not a fast learner, idiot!"

He laughed so loud like he just heard a funny joke. Despite being annoyed, I found myself smiling widely while watching him laughed. We were both sitting in the sofa while the tv was on. Corbie was laying on his small bed and sleeping soundly.

"Ako muna ang magiging guro mo."

"Baka puro kalokohan lang ituro mo sa akin wag nalang."

"Hoy matino naman ang pang-gagantsilyo ah!"

"Ito lang ang matinong nagawa mo." tumatawang anas ko habang tinitignan ko siya ng mapanukso. Ito naman ay tila batang nawalan ng kalaro, nakanguso at salubong na ang kilay. I was grinning while he was frowning.

I cannot find other words to insult his face. He's just so damn adorable! No matter what he looks, he still look cute in my eyes. Kahit siguro nakasuot na ito ng basahan magmumukha parin siyang prinsipe sa mga mata ko.

I wanted to cringe at my thoughts, but I just found myself smiling widely. I cannot believe I would be like this. Kinikilig ako sa sarili kong pag-iisip patungkol sa kanya. I feel like I was back in teenager.

"What?" he asked with still furrowed brows and pouting lips. I shooked my head.

"You're grinning widely. What's in your thoughts?"

"Wala."

"Ano nga?"

"Wala nga." nakangiting saad ko parin. Pakiramdam ko tuloy mapupunit na ang labi ko sa lawak ng ngiti ko. I felt so delighted and happy. Nagtataka na ito ngunit may maliit nang ngiti ang nakapaskil sa labi nito.

My heart was beating so fast as I stare at him with so much adoration. My mind is in peace as my heart beats with rythm when I am with him. I realized that it's not just the place where you can find belongingness, but it could be find with a person too. I found my safe haven, my solace, my comfort zone, my home in his arms and I won't let someone take this away from me.

No matter what, I'll protect him at all cost.

"I love you." I uttered with so much sincere as I directly looked into his eyes lovingly. I didn't know that my tears where streaming down my cheeks. I wasn't crying because of too much pain, but I am crying because of too much happiness.

I am crying because someone is willing to accept me no matter what my situation is, no matter how flawed I am, and no matter how attitude I am.

"Hey... I love you too, you don't have to cry."