Endless Love (Book 1 of Boundless Love Trilogy)

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 13

"Alora Lilliene Villafuerte, can I court you?"

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Is this real or am I in a dream?

Akala ko ang mga ginagawa ni Zairen para sa akin ay normal dahil magkaibigan kami. 'Yun pala... ginagawa niya 'yon hindi lang bilang kaibigan ko kundi dahil gusto niya ako.

All this time... I thought there was no feeling of admiration and... love, between us. But with the situation we're in right now... Shit.

"Z-Zairen," I stuttered. "I-I don't know. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Kung papayag ba ako o hindi. Naguguluhan ako, Zai."

He took my right arm in his and held it softly and started caressing it. "I know it's sudden, and shocking. But I can wait if you still don't have an answer."

I shook my head. "Zairen, akala ko... magkaibigan lang tayo. All throughout out college journey, I thought we saw each other only as friends."

"'Yan din ang inakala ko noon. Akala ko kaibigan lang ang tingin ko sayo noong nagkakilala tayo. But the small things you do for me? The way your family treats me? The way... you made me feel like I'm someone who deserves to be loved, Alora. At hindi lang 'yon ang mga dahilan kung bakit ako nahulog sayo."

Napapikit ako at napapaisip. Should I say yes or no? Kung ngayon ay ang tingin ko sa kanya ay kaibigan lang... paano na kaya kung nanligaw siya. But will it be worth the shot?

Hindi ito ang unang beses na may nanligaw sa akin. Marami na ang gustong manligaw ngunit tumanggi ako sa iba dahil alam kong wala naman itong patutunguhan.

But honestly with Zairen, there's a gut feeling inside me that I should allow him to.

"You don't have to give me an answer immediately," he said and let go of my hand.  "If you aren't ready, I can wait. Kung ayaw mo, we can remain as friends—"

Magpapatuloy pa sana siya ng pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya. "You can," I held his hand and looked up to him. "I-I'm allowing you to... to court me, Zairen."

His eyes glistened yet there was still a slight look of doubt with his reaction. "Are you sure? I-I don't want you to be pressured if you don't want me to."

I cleared my throat. "Kanina gusto mo akong ligawan, ngayon naman nagaalanganin ka na. Ano ba talaga?" I chuckled and let go of his hand.

"It's not that. I just want you to be sure with your answer, Alora. Ayaw ko yung napipilitan ka lang at papayag ka dahil ayaw mo akong masaktan." he pouted and slightly pinched my nose.

I laughed. Bahala ka na nga diyan, Zairen! Pinayagan ka na nga pero ayaw mo pa rin. Ano ba talaga, ha?

Umalis na kami kalaunan at pumunta sa field kung nasaan sila Mommy. Pero nang makarating kami roon ay sina Kuya Leonne at Ate Gianna na lang ang nakaabang sa amin.

"Success ba?" tanong ni Kuya Leonne kaagad kay Zairen na nasa likod ko.

Kunwaring napapaisip pa si Zairen. "Hulaan mo, Kuya."

"Halatang-halata naman na ang sagot, naka-ngiti si Alora, eh." sabi naman ni Ate Gia.

Inirapan ko ito at kunwaring susuntukin. "Ate naman!"

"Sabi sa inyo, eh!"

Tumango-tango si Zairen at ipinalupot ang isa niyang kamay sa bewang ko kaya nagulat ako! Zairen, sa harap talaga ni Kuya!?

"Hey," Kuya Leonne called for Zairen's attention and looked at him with his deadly stare.

Mabilis na tinanggal ni Zairen ang kamay niya sa bewang ko at napakamot sa ulo. "Sorry, kuya."