Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

"Years ago... noong graduation natin, narinig ko kayong nag-uusap ni Amber sa likod ng school."

The rain has ceased dropping. We're both drenched as we settle on the wooden bench, staring up at the many stars shimmering in the heavens. Gusto nga sana ni Trip na magbihis muna kami bago mag-usap pero sinabi kong ayaw ko. I'm afraid I'll never have this much bravery again.

"Is that why you ran?" Kumunot ang noo niya.

I nodded. Kinakabahan ako. Finally, we will talk about what happened in the past, but what if the version remains the same? Paano kung totoo itong nasa isip ko?

"Anong narinig mo? Because, as far as I remember, I never said anything that could have caused you pain," kalmado niyang sagot.

We came to an agreement on this. We will talk, but we shouldn't allow our emotions to get the best of us. Because we usually end up hurting each other when we allow our feelings to get in the way of our behaviors.

"Narinig kita, Trip." I sighed. "S-Sinabi mo..." I couldn't bring myself to keep going. Naaalala ko na naman ang nangyari sa araw na 'yon.

"Continue, Ely. I'm wondering as to what you heard that day." I noticed how his hand reached out to caress mine, but when he realized what he was doing, he returned it to his lap.

"S-Sinabi mong gusto mo siya." Yumuko ako at pinaglaruan ang mga daliri.

Hindi siya sumagot kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin para makita ang mukha niya. I could see the remorse in his eyes and his forehead was wrinkled. Muling namuo ang takot sa sistema ko. Mukhang totoo nga ang nasa isip ko. Gusto niya talaga si Amber noon. Hindi ako namali ng dinig.

"You seemed to be regretting something." Mapait akong ngumiti. I lowered my head once more, but he delicately raised my chin to meet his eyes.

"I regret that I was a coward. Ilang taon ang sinayang natin. Kung sana hindi ako naging takot at tinanong ka kung ano ang problema, hindi tayo magiging ganito ka-komplikado."

I licked my lower lip. "What do you mean?"

"Totoong sinabi ko na gusto ko siya..." I closed my eyes tightly. "Pero bilang kaibigan ng kapatid ko."

Mabilis kong binuksan ang mga mata ko. I still couldn't believe what he said. I locked my gaze on his. There were no feelings present. He wasn't afraid. His face remained expressionless.

"Siguro ay hindi mo narinig ng buo ang sinabi ko. Why would I tell her I liked her? Ikaw ang gusto ko no'n, Ely."

Noon. It had all happened before.

We've squandered a lot of time trying to escape the past and misunderstandings. Kasalanan ko. And the hurtful words I said to him... shame was engulfing me.

"Hanggang ngayon."

He flashed me a soft smile. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa takot na baka may malaglag na luha sa mga mata ko.

Paano niya nakukuhang ngumiti sa akin sa kabila ng mga masasakit na salita na sinabi ko sa kanya noon? Bakit sobrang bait niyang tao?

"Gusto mo si Achi."

His brows furrowed. "Gusto ko siya pero bilang kaibigan lang, Ely."

I smirked. "Kaibigan? Narinig ko ang mga sinabi mo sa coffee shop kanina!" I couldn't help but raise my voice.

"Baby, calm down," malumanay niyang sabi.

I averted my gaze so he wouldn't notice how flushed I was. Why would he use such an endearment when we aren't even dating?