September (Seasons of Love Series #1)

CHAPTER 26

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "I don't know where to start again, I'm not sure with myself just yet."

"We can start over again, if I have to court you again, I will." He's so persistent.

"What if I hurt you again?" That was my biggest mistake, when I acted impulsively, it also made me scared that I might hurt him again. I don't like this feeling.

"Hey, look at me." He held my chin to make me look up. "I know you're afraid that you might hurt me again, but isn't that a part of loving someone?" He kissed the back of my hand still looking at me. "You love, you hurt. That's life, and that's normal. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but we have to understand that hurting or being hurt in love is normal. We can always prevent hurting each other, we just have to work hard, together."

"I just don't want you to go through that again, I don't want to be the cause of your pain." My voice is quivered.

"I don't care, as long as it's you. Whether you hurt me or you make me happy— which is always by the way— as long as it's you, I will embrace everything you will give me."

I was about to answer him when we heard the punching of code on his door. Nag taka pa ako, kami lang naman ni Sabrina ang may alam ng code niya, dati—baka pinalitan niya na— kaya nakatitig lang ako sa pinto.

"Dude, dala ko na 'yung invita—" naputol ang sasabihin niya nang makita ako, hindi siya pamilyar sa 'kin. Ngumisi siya kay Lucas. "Nag birthday ka lang 3 days ago may regalo na agad na pang matagalan? Iba ka talaga." Pang aasar nito na parang wala ako rito. Binato lang siya ni Lucas ng unan.

"Hi I'm Caden," nakipag kamay siya na agad kong tinanggap, tinanggal agad ni Lucas ang pagkaka hawak ko. "Dude," he said defensively. "Ikakasal na ako aba naman," tumingin siya sa 'kin. "Don't you know me?" He asked.

Umiling ako. "Sorry, have we met before?" Hindi ko talaga siya kilala, tinitigan ko siya ng maigi, kaso wala talaga.

"What Sabrina said was true," he chuckled.

"Kilala mo si Sab?" Tanong ko.

He laughed like it's the most ridiculous question. "Uhh, yeah? She's my best friend's sister and—"

"—That's enough." Sabad ni Lucas. "Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo rito?" Iritang tanong nito.

"Why? Am I disturbing something?" Hindi pa rin nawawala ang mapang asar niyang ngiti.

"Yes, you're disturbing our serious talk you dimwit." Binato niya nanaman ito ng isa pang unan.

Umiwas ito at tumawa. "I'm here to give you the invitation, sama mo si Eka." He's grinning like an idiot.

"Kailan ba?" Tanong ko.

"December 21, 3 days from now." sagot nito.

"Sorry, I can't. Kasal rin ng kaibigan ko 'yun."

He laughed, he's even holding his stomach. "That's a shame, well, see you again." He left after giving the invitation to Lucas, still laughing by himself.

"Uhh, bakit siya tuwang tuwa?" Tanong ko kay Lucas na sinilip lang ang invitation at nilapag na sa center table.

"Don't mind him, he's just being his idiot self." He pulled me closer to him, sinandal niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. "Do you need some time to think?" He asked.