The Only Exception

Song 18: I Won't Give Up

Napatingin naman ako kay Seth at nginitian siya.

“Thank you Seth, really. And I’m so sorry you had to see me like this. And sorry about your shirt,” I said, pointing at his shirt.

“This? Meh. Mas importante ka sakin kesa dito sa shirt ko,” He said and winked at me. I giggled.

“Yan Denise. You should do that more. You’re beautiful. Wag kang umiiyak masyado. Kung iiyak ka man, tawagin mo ako para may sasandalan ka ha?” I nodded my head.

“Seth, bat mo ginagawa sakin to? Kahit na nireject kita kanina?” Tanong ko sa kanya. He smiled.

“Denise, mahal kita. At gusto kong iparamdam sayo yun. At hindi ako mapipigilan ng isa lang na rejection. Sabi nga nila diba? Try and try until you die. Hindi ako magsasawa na mareject. I will always be here for you. Use me however you want. I will help you. I will fix you Denise. Eto lang ang hiling ko. Kahit na ilang ulit mo akong i-reject, please hayaan mo lang ako sa tabi mo. Let me love you.”

A part of me was happy for what he said. The other part of me was scared. Hindi ako sigurado sa kung anong mangyayari in the future. Ayoko nang masaktan ulit. Pero ang unfair ko naman kay Seth kung di ko siya bibigyan ng chance diba? I’m so confused and conflicted. Di ko alam kung anong desisyon ang gagawin ko.

“Seth, salamat. Pagbibigyan kita sa gusto mo. You can do whatever pleases you. Stay by my side and stuff. Pero binabalaan na kita Seth, hindi ako laging ganito umasta. Baka next time na magkita tayo, masama nanamana ng ugali ko. I’m like that. One time I’m nice, then I’m bitchy the next moment. Are you sure you can handle that?” Tanong ko sa kanya. Bigla naman siyang natuwa na parang bata.

“Thank you Denise! Thank you. I won’t let you down, I promise. Don’t worry, I can handle a little bitchy and sassy Denise. I will do anything for you Denise. Have some faith in me. I’m a gangster, I got this shit handled.”

We stayed at the park for a couple more minutes until midnight. He took my hand in his and I didn’t protest. He led me to his car once again and opened the door for me. Sumakay na ako sa car niya at nag-seatbelt. It wasn’t long until I felt myself drifting off yet again.

Nagising na lang ako ng naramdaman ko ang paghalik ni seth sa pisngi ko at pag-tap niya sa balikat ko.

“Princess, you’re home.”

Napatingin naman ako sa paligid namin. Oo nga. Nasa tapat na kami ng tinutuluyan namin ng barkada.

“How do you—“

“We’ve been watching you remember?” sabi niya. Di man lang ako pinatapos dun sa sasabihin ko. Napailing na lang ako sa kanya.

Lumabas na siya ng car niya at pumunta sa may pinto ko at pinagbuksan ako. Lumabas naman ako ng pinto at ngumiti sa kanya.

“I see chivalry’s not dead yet.” Binigyan naman niya ako ng isang ngiti.