It Takes Two (Preview)

Where It All Started Part 2

He put his arms around her and rubbed her shoulder in comfort.

Her emotions erupted. She was crying so hard her body shook and rocked. Enzo held her even  closer and yet gentler.

Iniwan na nila ako Enzo...Iniwan na nila ako... She placed her head on his shoulder and cried harder.

--End of Flashback---

Four years later and they were still the same.

They left the cemetery and was back in  Safe Haven.

They were sitting on the grass outside and Scarlett's head was on Enzo's shoulder with his arm around her. His free hand wiped away the tear stains left on her cheeks.

Scarlett has calmed down now. She smiled at her childhood friend.

  

Naaalala mo ba yung sinabi ko sa'yo dati? Enzo asked.

Mmhmm. Scarlett answered. Sabi mo Red...

---Flashback: The Night at the Porch (contd.)---

Iniwan na nila ako Enzo...iniwan na nila ako...

Red... Sigurado ako hindi nila ginustong mawalay sa'yo. Pero ito ang isipin mo... Hindi ka nila iniwan. Buhay sila Red... 

Humina ang pag-iyak ni Scarlett.

Enzo pointed at Scarlett's head. Buhay sila dito sa isip mo, sa mga memories ninyong magkasama.

Then he pointed at her heart. At nabubuhay rin sila diyan sa puso mo. Kitang-kita at ramdam na ramdam ko kung gaano ka nila kamahal. Hindi yon mawawala kahit kailan.  Kahit malayo na sila sa'yo, parang hindi kasi nasa puso mo sila.

Pero kahit ganon, alam kong masakit ang mawalan ng mga magulang. Kaya wag mong ikim-kim, wag mong ibaon ang nararamdaman mo kasi maslalong masakit yun. Isang araw baka  hindi mo na kayanin ang dinadala mo at bigla kang bumigay. Kung gusto mong umiyak, sige umiyak ka. Ilabas mo ang nararamdaman mo.

At kung gusto mo man ng kausap o karamay, nandito ako para sa'yo. Hindi kita iiwan Red... hinding hindi...

--End of Flashback--

Panong hindi ko maalala eh lagi mong pinapaalala at sinasabi? She finished saying.

At uulitin at uulitin ko pa rin. Enzo held her cheek and moved her face so that they were seeing eye to eye.

He stared into her eyes. Seryoso ako. Hinding-hindi kita iiwan Red. 

Scarlett smiled and hugged her friend.

Salamat ha. Buti na lang dinala nila ako dito sa Safe Haven noon. Buti na lang nagkasama tayo, no?

 The Santoses visited her regularly, but it was Enzo who got her going. He was the one who stayed by her side. 

For the past four years, he was all she had.

Pinisil ni Enzo ang ilong ni Scarlett. Aray!

He stood up. Tara na nga ang bata-bata pa natin para  magdrama. Tingnan mo nga puktong-pukto na yang mga mata mo. Masyado kasi akong nagiging dramatista pag kasama kita! 

Ah ganon ha! Hinampas ni Scarlett ang braso ni Enzo at tinulak niya itong papalayo.

Aba! May pahampas-hampas kanang nalalaman ngayon ha! Lagot ka sa kin... Enzo gave her the teasing glare.

 Scarlett knew what that look meant and what was coming next. Oyyy, Enzo ha...

Smiling, she took a step back, ready to run.

He raised his eyesbrows and lunged at her, his fingers tickling her sides.

Wahh! Enzo...Hahaha!

Huhh! Wala ka ng kawala!

She tried to run away from him, but he locked her in between his two arms. There was no escape.

Two young friends,  laughing and running around the garden in a world of their own--an ambience of true happiness.

Anyone could see that they were fond of each other.

Hahaha! Enzo, tama na... Hahaha! Enzo enclosed his arms around Scarlett  and didn't release her until he had dragged both of them to the ground.

They lay on the grass catching their breath. They'd been laughing too much.

Taking a deep breath, they closed their eyes...

And right then and there, under the light and warmth of the afternoon sun, they fell asleep in each others arms.