Her Unveiled Love

Kabanata 16: Dinner Meeting

[Via's POV]

Kahit na hindi ako focused sa pagkuha ng exam ay maaga pa rin akong natapos. Pagkapasa ko ng papel ay agad kong napansin si Krae na nasa labas na at mukhang hinihintay ako.

"Usap tayo?" Banayad niyang yaya na magkasalubong ang mga kilay. Tumango ako at sumunod naman siya sa akin sa paglalakad.

"Saan tayo gusto mong mag-usap?" Tanong niya.

"Ngayon. Let's just talk 'til we arrive in the parking lot."

Mula sa room ay malayo ang parking lot, mga nasa lima hanggang pitong minutong lakad kaya naman sapat na panahon na iyun para makapag-usap kami.

"We have a lot to talk about, Vi. We can just sit in one of the benches perhaps?"

Agad akong umiling. "There's an urgent dinner meeting tonight. Your family and mine. Magkikita rin naman tayo roon."

I glanced at him and he nodded while pursing his lips. "First of all, I'm sorry." Panimula niya.

"Hindi agad kita kinompronta dahil hindi pa naman sigurado kung tayo nga ang ipakakasal. My Father is torn to choose between the Changs and the Cortezes. That's the reason why he wanted me to see the potential brides myself."

"And you met the heiress of the Changs?"

"No, I didn't bother to. The first time I saw your picture, I knew you'd be the perfect bride."I scoffed because of his statement.

"It's not just a bride you're looking for but a wife. I may look beautiful as a bride because of the white long dress and the veil, but what about after the wedding, Krae? You're not going to spend your entire life with me just because of a picture."

"That's why I came to see you here, spent time with you. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na parehos man na asul ang ating mga mata pero siguro pusong-bato ka gaya sa mga naririnig kong istorya. Baka kako maganda ka lang at wala sayo ang hinahanap ko sa isang babae." Hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig sa kanya habang naglalakad.

"Tama ka nga, so why did you decided not to meet with the Chang–"

"But all the time we spent together, the conversations we had and all the bruises that I got." Krae chuckled before continuing. "You're more than just your electric blue eyes, Via."

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin at napatigil sa paglalakad. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga para pakalmahin ang sarili nang biglang makarinig ng malakas na pagkabog sa dibdib ko.

"I don't care about the Chang heiress, Via. I don't care about anyone now 'cause like I've said before, you're the only beautiful thing this world has to offer."

Ramdam kong lumapit siya sa akin at naramdaman ko ang init ng kanyang palad sa braso ko. Gusto kong umiwas, lumayo, at tumakbo pero sobrang okupado ang isip ko dahil sa kanyang mga sinabi. Hindi rin matahimik ang puso ko sa lakas ng pintig.

"You don't know who I am, you don't know the secrets I've been hiding but give me a chance, Vi. Let's get to know each other more, please. Don't run away from the engagement yet. I like you so much, Via, and I don't think I'll ever marry if it's not you."

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Hanggang sa makarating na kami sa parking lot ay wala pa rin akong imik.

Nananatili akong nakatulala hanggang sa pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto sa sasakyan ko kung saan hinihintay din ako ng driver.

"I'm sorry if my words shocked you but at least you knew. Let's continue this talk later... maybe after dinner we can have some time together... alone." Banayad siyang ngumiti sa akin bago nagsimulang maglakad papunta sa kanyang sasakyan.