Lost Then Found

22

"Hey, you seem so spaced out." He gave my hand a light squeeze while his other hand was on the wheel.

"Huh? Was I?" I awkwardly laughed. Ang lalim na pala ng iniisip ko.

"Is something bothering you?" He gave me quick glance before focusing on the road again.

Should I tell him? Pero baka kung ano maging reaksyon niya. Baka sugurin niya pa si Juanito. I debated on it for a while in my head before coming to a decision.

"No, I'm fine." I shook my head and smiled at him. Hindi sa lahat ng oras ay dapat poproblemahin niya ang problema ko. I also have to learn and face my own problems.

We soon arrived at our destination, well, more like his because he chose this place for our date.

"Wow," I was amused by the view I was currently witnessing. He actually reserved the whole backyard of this restaurant.

I stood before the fence and admired everything, from the flowers to the trees. May mga prutas pang bumunga sa mga puno.

"I wanted to bring you here at my favorite restaurant," He hugged me from the back. "This is where I would often eat when I was a child. Kinaibigan ko pa ang may-ari."

I let out a soft laugh before leaning my head on his shoulder. "Balang araw, restaurant ko na ang babalik-balikan mo."

I heard him chuckle. "I don't think I can even leave there."

I playfully hit his head that was beside mine. Tumingala ako sa maaraw na langit, at itinaas ang kamay ko. I felt like I was trying to reach for the sky.

Sumunod naman ang kamay niya, he raised it and intertwined his fingers with mines from the back of my palm.

"One day, we will go back here," He whispered in my ear. "Married."

Ito na naman 'yung puso ko, nagwawala. I closed my eyes and just smiled. Nilanghap ko ang sariwang hangin. I can actually see myself getting married with him in the future.

"This is rare." Nilingon ko si Juanito na kararating lang. I finally gathered courage and asked him to meet me. I needed to figure this out, once and for all.

Umupo siya sa upuang nasa tapat ko. "So?" He raised his brow, waiting for my explanation to why he was here, sitting in front of me.

"Let me ask you a question," 'Yun palang ang nasasabi ko ay napaiwas na ako ng tingin. There will only be two outcomes after this talk.

Either we stay as friends, or be strangers.

"You like me?" Agad kong tinuon ang paningin sa kapeng nasa harap ko. Ganito palang naiilang na'ko. Pa'no pa mamaya?

"Pa-pa'no mo-" Pinutol ko kaagad ang sasabihin niya.

"Why?" My gaze shifted to his eyes, for once, I couldn't read his emotion. An uncomfortable silence occured between the already awkward atmosphere.

"Does a person need a reason to fall in love?" Hindi ako makapagsalita. Sinubukan ko, pero walang lumalabas galing sa bibig ko. Maybe because what he said was right.

"I just want to love you, even from afar." Dinugtungan niya ang huling pangungusap pagkatapos ng ilang segundo.

"No, it's just," Huminga ako ng malalim. "I don't want you to get hurt. Alam mo namang may iba na akong minamahal." I managed to say without stuttering even the least bit.