Once A Love Story - #Wattys2018 Winner

Chapter Thirty-Five

No, it was too late to right the wrongs. It was way too late to even ask for forgiveness. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon, alam niyang naging bahagi siya sa masalimuot na nakaraan ng dalawang taong nagmamahalan, na dahil sa isa, o dalawang pagkakamali, hindi natupad ang mga pangarap na iyon.

Pakiramdam niya'y nagsimula nang maupos ang kandilang ilang taon ring nanatili sa pagkasindi. Bawat segundo ay ang papalaking apoy na mabilis na tumutunaw sa kandila at siyang mitsa na magpapatigil sa naging masaya niyang buhay, sa piling ng pamilyang kanyang binuo't minahal.

Napahagulgol siya. Ano ang kanyang gagawin? May paraan ba upang muli niyang mapigilan ang lahat? Kaya ba niyang muling isabuhay ang ilang dekada ng kanyang buhay na may kaakibat na takot? Napailing siya. Mali. Alam niyang mali ang naging kanyang desisyon noon subalit naging masaya siya. She had Alvaro, and they became family. At alam niyang kahit paano ay mahal na rin siya ng lalaking mahal.

"Diyos ko...tulungan ninyo ako. Huwag ninyong kunin sa akin ang pamilya ko. Ayokong mag-isa, pero ayoko na ring mamuhay sa takot. Tulungan ninyo ako, please? Please!" Hilam ng mga luhang sinapo niya ang mukha.

CALEB watched as Erina was finishing the decorations to the patio of Casa Del Rio. The guesthouse will open in a few days and the invitations were already sent out. May mga ilang kalesang nadekorasyunan ng mga bulaklak ang nakaparada sa harapan kung saan ay magiging sasakyan na maghahatid sa mga bisita at parokyano papunta sa Twin-Hills Waterfall. Hindi pa nga lamang nakasukbit ang mga kabayo sa mga kalesa.

Pinagpag ni Erina ang mga kamay matapos ibudbod ang fertilizer sa mga halamanang bougainvillea, plumeria, daffodil at surprise lily sa mga garden. Ngumiti ito nang makita ang magandang kinalabasan ng ginawa.

Her smile made Caleb felt a little queasy inside. He felt restless watching her in her own world. Kung makangiti ito ay tila ba wala itong suliranin na dapat asikasuhin. But then at the same time, he liked to see her smile like everything was alright.

Yes, lusting her was one thing, but he had to admit that just by watching her right where he knew he could reach and touch her made everything so different. Nag-uumapaw ang isang uri ng damdamin na hindi niya akalaing posible pa rin. How her smile easily melted all the hatred he had built and sharpened in all these years. And how unfair that made him feel.

Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Erina. Her lips went back to its unsmiling line, while her eyes did not hide what her heart truly desired. She wanted him, all of him, as much as he wanted her. Nalulunod siya sa mga salitang kimkim nito sa sariling dibdib at hindi kayang isatinig.

But he wanted that, her words against his. He wanted her to be truthful, to tell him the answers he had been waiting to hear. For her to tell him that their feelings were not a mistake, that she loved him like how he did. That Kaylee was the perfect proof of their loving hearts.

Gustong sumabog ng kanyang dibdib sa pinipigilang damdamin. Gusto niyang yakapin si Erina, isambulat na kaya niya itong patawarin, kailangan lang nitong humingi ng patawad. He looked away, for fear that she would read his thoughts. Tumalikod siya't lumayo sa kinaroroonan nito.

LAST night was blissful. Caleb's touch on her body may be a little forceful but she heard what he said. He may be just talking in his sleep but the words he uttered was like hammer hitting down the wall she put over between them. Nagiba iyon. Winasak ang anumang pag-aalinlangang mayroon siya.

Pinanood niya ang paghakbang ni Caleb palayo. Kaalinsabay nang pagpasok ng mga nangyari kagabi sa kanyang alaala. It was the third time they closed the gap between them, but the second time where he was sober and knew what he was doing.

"Hmm," umungol ito, kumilos ang isang brasong nakalapag sa kama, may kinakapa, hinahanap.

Pinanonood niya ito sa pagtulog, pinagmasdan ang hubad nitong katawan na nakatakip sa isang manipis na kulay puting kumot. Lalo pang lumapad ang mga balikat nito, nagkalaman at matatag ang dibdib. Pansinin din ang mga ugat nito sa braso't kamay. He looked so strong. Lalaking lalaki.