Chapter 25
We sat side by side in the rattan chairs, our hands intertwined. I had been staring at her even after she stopped crying.
"I told you everything because you're my girlfriend," she said after a long silence.
Kinagat ko ang loob ng pisngi ko dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam na dulot ng sinabi niya. Pinisil ko ang kamay niya. Nagmulat siya at tumingin sa akin.
"Thank you for being strong, Rain."
Muli siyang pumikit kasabay nang mabining pagtama ng hangin sa mukha niya. Hinangin ang ilang hibla ng buhok niya at inabot ko ito, isinipit ko sa tainga niya.
"Aren't you going to ask questions?" she asked.
"My questions can wait. Gusto ko lang samahan ka at hawakan ang kamay mo ngayon."
Ngumiti siya. "You're making me fall even more."
Hinarap ko siya, hindi pa rin binibitiwan ang kamay niya. "Huh?"
Gusto kong ulitin niya ang sinabi niya dahil baka nabingi lang ako.
Hindi niya ako sinagot at tuluyan na siyang nagmulat. Hinarap niya ako at napatitig ako sa namumula niyang mukha dahil sa pag-iyak.
"Let's go inside," she said.
Tumayo siya at hinigit ako papasok ng rest house. Lumibot ang tingin ko rito, malinis ang loob at classic ang mga furniture na halatang mamahalin at matitibay sa kabila ng katandaan at katagalan na rito.
"My mother's grandparents had strict rules and prohibited her from having a boyfriend. As a result, she ended up with a girlfriend during her teenage years."
I briefly glanced at her before returning my gaze to the large portrait in the living area. The portrait was of a striking young woman, who appeared to be around 18 to 20 years old. She had sleek black hair and was dressed in an elegant black gown. Her skin appeared smooth and flawless, with a porcelain-like quality.
"Kailan siya nagka-girlfriend?"
"When she was my age."
Tumabi siya sa akin at tumutok ang tingin niya sa portrait.
"Siya ba?" tanong ko.
"We may not have the same features, but we shared the same attitude, style, and favorites," she said as she pursed her lips. "Yes, Amihan. She's my mom."
"Ang ganda niya," halos pabulong kong sabi.
"Yeah, and I believe she's a good person based on the stories other people have told me about her."
I reached for her hand and intertwined it with mine. Nilingon ko siya at titig na titig siya sa portrait. Despite her tough exterior, I never imagined she was this broken inside, with pieces that could not be put together.
Lumabas kami ng rest house at hinila ko ang kamay niya papunta sa mga bulaklak. We walked through the farmland, and I could not resist picking a sunflower without her noticing.
Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niya bago ako umuna at humarang sa dadaanan niya. Mula sa likod ko ay inilabas ko ang isang tangkay ng sunflower.
"This is the first time I am giving a flower to a girl. It might not be as beautiful as the flowers you gave me, but this flower signifies my heart."
Inangat ko ang tingin at nakatingin lang siya sa mukha ko.
"You are the only person who can make my heart race like crazy. You bring me peace at night, yet you are also the cause of my sleepless nights."
