"I took the risk for you. I lied to my parents about us. I accepted the pain that you brought me. I love you. That's what my heart says. But why did you leave me? Why did you leave me on my birthday? Why did you leave me... on new year's eve?"
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None of us dared to speak. We just stayed there, hugging, listening to each other's heartbeat.
"Sapphire..."
"Hmm?"
Zandro chuckled.
"Akala ko nakatulog ka."
How could I sleep in this situation?! What the fuck. I heard him sigh.
"P-Pwede ba ulit akong manligaw?" he asked carefully.
Lalong lumakas ang pintig ng aking puso. I didn't say a word, nagpatuloy siya.
"Sabi nga nila third time's a charm. I promise, this will be the last. If you'd still reject me I will understand."
Kinalas ko ang aking yakap at tinitigan siya sa mata. I reached for his cheek and softly caressed it. He closed his eyes at my touch. I slowly leaned in for a kiss. His eyes immediately opened, shocked. When I looked at him all I could see is his stunned expression. Lumaki ang aking mata ng napagtano ang ginawa.
"I-I-I am so--"
Before I could finish the sentence he immediately leaned in and cupped my face to kiss me. Ngayon ako na naman ang gulat. I was catching my breath when he stopped. I looked away. My cheeks started turning red.
Oh my gosh! We just... kissed! Not once but twice! Oh my goodness! I can't believe it! Why did I do that?! Papatayin ako ni Mama at Papa pag nalaman nila iyon. Pero hindi naman nila malalaman kung hindi ko sasabihin. Tama! Hindi ko nalang sasabihin sakanila.
"You can give your answer whenever you want. I can wait."
Oh shoot! I almost forgot about that! Damn! Anong gagawin ko?! Hindi ko alam! I bit my lower lip, still looking away.
"Zandro..." I called, my voice low. I looked at his face. But my eyes are so naughty they immediately went to his lips! Mababaliw na talaga ako!
"Get a grip of yourself, Elyse Sapphire! You know what to do! Reject him! Papatayin ka ng mga magulang mo kung sasagutin mo siya!"
That's what my brain is saying. But my heart says otherwise.
"Elyse, allow yourself to fall in love. Hindi lahat ng tao nararanasan iyan. Take the risk. All will be alright if you follow your heart."
I closed my eyes in frustration. Ugh! This is killing me!
"Hey, are you alright? Sapphire?" he asked and held my chin up. When I opened my eyes I saw his sincerity. His sincerity to love me. To care for me. And that was the moment I chose my heart.
For once, I will choose my heart. I know, I am selfish. Dahil kinalimutan ko ang aking pamilya. Kinalimutan ko ang aking prinsipyo. Bahala na kung anong mangyari. Bahala na.
"Yes." I said, almost like a whisper. His brows furrowed.
