Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

"Please, Dale. You mean everything to me..." Yumuko ako, I can't guarantee it. "Kapag lumuwag ang kapit mo, mas lalo kong hihigpitan ang akin..."

"George, please... I don't know anymore." Ngumiti lang ito at hinalikan ang aking noo. Marahan niya akong niyakap habang tinapik ko ang balikat. "Let's distance each other for awhile..."

It's the only thing I know, I think it's my last resort. If ever that they are the one behind this, staying away from them can stop them from interfering with my life. Distancing from them means stopping them from poisoning our lives, from putting us on the edge.

If they are using George, then they can stop now because I'm distancing myself from him. Wala na silang makukuha sa akin, wala na rin silang makukuha sa kanya.

"Then, tell me why. How can I give you distance? I don't even know if what's behind this is worth the distance?" Hinawakan ko ang kanyang balikat at inilayo siya sa akin. He just looked at me, still, his eyes are bloodshot.

If I tell him now, will it be worth it? Will I be able to know if he's really a push-over, if he's really being controlled?

"What if I tell you, the speculations of the people that live for years, is actually true?" Kumunot ang kanyang noo at gumuhit ang ngiti sa aking labi, ang bawat segundong nagdadaan na nakatingin kami sa mata ng isa't isa ay saksak sa puso ko. "George, my family's been on the edge these past few weeks because of that speculation and you know what..."

Umatras ako at hindi niya ako pinigilan, his eyes remained at me. Intensely looking at me.

"May nakapagsabi sa amin, na may isang tao raw ang muling naglalagay ng baga para mabuhay ulit ang apoy na iyon. Do you know who?" Kinagat ko ang aking labi, huminga ito nang malalim at ipinikit ang mata. Tila ba ayaw niya nang marinig ang susunod ko pang mga sasabihin. "This is the end of it, the people'd speculations are true. I'm the illegitimate child of Johann Hechanova."

There, I said it. Now, whatever happens the next few days, happens. He already know the truth, it's up to him if he's going to tell it to anyone.

"You know who am I talking about?" He opened his eyes, he stepped forward as I distance myself from him more. I want to keep that distance from him. "Tell him to do it, to spill it. To let everyone know, so he can ruin the Hechanovas by using me. By using my Father's mistake, by invading what we supposed to say privacy."

"Dale, do you think my family is behind this just because my brother will run in the same position as Governor Hechanova?" Ngumiti ako at tumango. Pain is evident in his eyes.

"Is your love for me that shallow, Dale? I think it is. Do you think I will do that to you?"

"Because why not? Blood is always thicker than water. Now that you know, go ahead and spill it. You know what, Dad changed my name last year." Inilahad ko ang kamay sa kanyang harapan tinignan niya lang iyon. at halatang walang balak na kuhanin.

"Dale Stella Gonzaga Hechanova, nice to meet you." Kusa kong kinuha ko ang kamay nito ngunit mabilis niyang iwinaksi.

"I will never do that to you!" Sinabunutan niya ang sarili, ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito.

"Distance, George. I want distance from you. Now that you know our situation, let us distance ourselves from each other for awhile." Umiling ito, patuloy itong umiling and it was the most painful sight for me.

I can be as heartless as I can be. If this is the only way, I will. As much as I want to pull you close to me, I can't. As much as I want to hold you, just a little more, I can't. As much as I don't want to doubt you, I can't. As much as I want us not to talk about this, I can't.