ディー🫩ྀིྀི⋆.˚☘︎ ݁˖⋆☽̶☾❄🐣🐶🌸

◟✦✩‧66 | kenrick's pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Ang bilis lumipas ng oras. Pasado alas dose na ng tanghali. Naka-alis na mga pinsan ko pati si ate kasi may checkup pa raw siya mamaya kaya uuwi muna siya. Sila kuya at Keli na lang ang natira dito sa bahay at mamaya ay uuwi narin sila. I feel sad thinking that after they leave mag-isa na lang ulit ako rito sa bahay. Parang gusto ko na lang tuloy pumasok sa work pero gusto ko rin talaga makapagpahinga. Napagod din kasi talaga ako kahapon at kulang na kulang pa ko sa tulog. I was thinking na ayain na dito muna matulog si ayuk mamayang gabi pero naisip ko na ang pangit naman na kahapon lang naging kami tas papatulugin ko agad siya rito sa bahay ko. I know we have slept in the same house and on the same bed before but things are different now. We have a label. May malisya na kapag natulog kami sa iisang bahayㅡat least to me. Pero parang ayokong maiwan mag-isa rito mamaya. Kaya pinag-iisipan ko rin kung bumalik muna ko sa bahay namin. Ang iniisip ko lang din kapag ginawa ko yun baka mahirapan naman akong umalis dun at bumalik dito. Kailangan dito parin ako tumira ng permanente. Naglilinis ako sa kusina ngayon and kuya's helping me out. Keli's in the guest room watching a movie siguro or playing on her ipad. Umabsent siya ngayon sa school para makapagpahinga rin. Gusto niya nga sana pumasok sinabihan lang namin ni kuya na wag na kasi na-puyat din siya kagabi dahil sa 'min. "So, Kenken, have you thought about it?" Napatingin ako kay kuya sa biglang salita niya. "Hmm? Thought about what po, kuya?" "If you'll stay stay again sa bahay," sagot niya. "Ohhh, that. Pinag-iisipan ko pa po, kuya." "I see. I understand. Just let me know how you want to arrange things." "Okay po, kuya. I will." "Onga pala. Mom and dad wants you to have a kasambahay. Para raw may kasama ka rito at may tutulong sayo sa paglilinis at paglalaba." "Hala. Hindi naman na po need, kuya." "Accept it na lang, Kenken. Alam mo namang mapilit sila mom." Totoo naman sinabi ni kuya. If he tells them I declined for sure mom will talk to me until I agree. Gets ko naman concern nila why they want me to have someone with me here. And honestly it would really be nice to lessen the things I have to do on my rest days which are cleaning the house and doing the laundry. Maybe it's not bad naman to have someone helo me here. "Okay. Fine. I really do need some help around here." "Great! I'll let mom know." "Thanks, kuya." "You're welcome." Nagpatuloy naman kami sa pag-aayos sa kusina. Habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng paglilinis ni kuya ay may biglang nag-doorbell sa labas ng bahay. Sabay na napunta ang atensyon namin dun kaya napatigil kami sa ginagawa namin. “May expected visitor ka ba, Kenken?” tanong ni kuya. “Wala, kuya. Pero baka si babi yan.” Biglang napalingon si kuya sa ‘kin at napatitig siya sa ‘kin na may pagtataka sa mga mata niya. “Babi? Sino yun?” Shet. Onga pala. Dapat ayuk. Nasa utak ko kasi dapat masanay narin akong tawaging babi or bi si ayuk kasi panigurado magtatampo yun kapag di ko siya tinawag sa bagong tawagan namin. Pero pag-uusapan parin namin na kapag in front of other people it’s okay to call each other sa usual na tawagan namin. Siguro kapag kaming dalawa lang magkasama dapat talaga masanay akong tawagin siyang babi. “Ahh… ano… si Cyrus po, kuya. Since we are officially dating now he said we should have a couple’s endearment. Yun tawagan namin ngayon.” Kuya blankly stared at me for a few seconds before a smirk formed on his lips. “Ohh, okay. Sweet naman. I’m honestly surprised na on the day of your party mo siya sinagot.” “Ako rin, kuya. Nagulat din ako sa ginawa ko.” “Really? Bakit naman?” “Ngayon ko sana talaga balak kausapin tungkol dun si ayuk pero ewan ko kung anong demonyo sumapi sa ‘kin kahapon at kahapon ko ginawa at sa ganung paraan pa." Tumawa naman si kuya sa sagot ko kaya hiya na lang akong napangiti. “That’s what love can do to you. Sige na. Pagbuksan mo na ng pinto boyfriend mo at pangatlong doorbell na niya yan.” Tumango na lang ako at dali-dali akong tumakbo palabas ng bahay. Nag-doorbell pa ng dalawang beses si ayuk bago ako nakarating sa gate at nabuksan ito. "Babi you don't have toㅡ" Napatigil ako sa pagsalita dahil nagulat ako sa taong nakita kong nasa labas ng bahay ko. I really thought it was ayuk. I was expecting it was him lalo na di siya nag-reply sa last message ko sa kanya. But to my dismay, it wasn't him. It was 𝘟𝘺𝘷.

◟✦✩‧66 | kenrick's pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Ang bilis lumipas ng oras. Pasado alas dose na ng tanghali. Naka-alis na mga pinsan ko pati si ate kasi may checkup pa raw siya mamaya kaya uuwi muna siya. Sila kuya at Keli na lang ang natira dito sa bahay at mamaya ay uuwi narin sila. I feel sad thinking that after they leave mag-isa na lang ulit ako rito sa bahay. Parang gusto ko na lang tuloy pumasok sa work pero gusto ko rin talaga makapagpahinga. Napagod din kasi talaga ako kahapon at kulang na kulang pa ko sa tulog. I was thinking na ayain na dito muna matulog si ayuk mamayang gabi pero naisip ko na ang pangit naman na kahapon lang naging kami tas papatulugin ko agad siya rito sa bahay ko. I know we have slept in the same house and on the same bed before but things are different now. We have a label. May malisya na kapag natulog kami sa iisang bahayㅡat least to me. Pero parang ayokong maiwan mag-isa rito mamaya. Kaya pinag-iisipan ko rin kung bumalik muna ko sa bahay namin. Ang iniisip ko lang din kapag ginawa ko yun baka mahirapan naman akong umalis dun at bumalik dito. Kailangan dito parin ako tumira ng permanente. Naglilinis ako sa kusina ngayon and kuya's helping me out. Keli's in the guest room watching a movie siguro or playing on her ipad. Umabsent siya ngayon sa school para makapagpahinga rin. Gusto niya nga sana pumasok sinabihan lang namin ni kuya na wag na kasi na-puyat din siya kagabi dahil sa 'min. "So, Kenken, have you thought about it?" Napatingin ako kay kuya sa biglang salita niya. "Hmm? Thought about what po, kuya?" "If you'll stay stay again sa bahay," sagot niya. "Ohhh, that. Pinag-iisipan ko pa po, kuya." "I see. I understand. Just let me know how you want to arrange things." "Okay po, kuya. I will." "Onga pala. Mom and dad wants you to have a kasambahay. Para raw may kasama ka rito at may tutulong sayo sa paglilinis at paglalaba." "Hala. Hindi naman na po need, kuya." "Accept it na lang, Kenken. Alam mo namang mapilit sila mom." Totoo naman sinabi ni kuya. If he tells them I declined for sure mom will talk to me until I agree. Gets ko naman concern nila why they want me to have someone with me here. And honestly it would really be nice to lessen the things I have to do on my rest days which are cleaning the house and doing the laundry. Maybe it's not bad naman to have someone helo me here. "Okay. Fine. I really do need some help around here." "Great! I'll let mom know." "Thanks, kuya." "You're welcome." Nagpatuloy naman kami sa pag-aayos sa kusina. Habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng paglilinis ni kuya ay may biglang nag-doorbell sa labas ng bahay. Sabay na napunta ang atensyon namin dun kaya napatigil kami sa ginagawa namin. “May expected visitor ka ba, Kenken?” tanong ni kuya. “Wala, kuya. Pero baka si babi yan.” Biglang napalingon si kuya sa ‘kin at napatitig siya sa ‘kin na may pagtataka sa mga mata niya. “Babi? Sino yun?” Shet. Onga pala. Dapat ayuk. Nasa utak ko kasi dapat masanay narin akong tawaging babi or bi si ayuk kasi panigurado magtatampo yun kapag di ko siya tinawag sa bagong tawagan namin. Pero pag-uusapan parin namin na kapag in front of other people it’s okay to call each other sa usual na tawagan namin. Siguro kapag kaming dalawa lang magkasama dapat talaga masanay akong tawagin siyang babi. “Ahh… ano… si Cyrus po, kuya. Since we are officially dating now he said we should have a couple’s endearment. Yun tawagan namin ngayon.” Kuya blankly stared at me for a few seconds before a smirk formed on his lips. “Ohh, okay. Sweet naman. I’m honestly surprised na on the day of your party mo siya sinagot.” “Ako rin, kuya. Nagulat din ako sa ginawa ko.” “Really? Bakit naman?” “Ngayon ko sana talaga balak kausapin tungkol dun si ayuk pero ewan ko kung anong demonyo sumapi sa ‘kin kahapon at kahapon ko ginawa at sa ganung paraan pa." Tumawa naman si kuya sa sagot ko kaya hiya na lang akong napangiti. “That’s what love can do to you. Sige na. Pagbuksan mo na ng pinto boyfriend mo at pangatlong doorbell na niya yan.” Tumango na lang ako at dali-dali akong tumakbo palabas ng bahay. Nag-doorbell pa ng dalawang beses si ayuk bago ako nakarating sa gate at nabuksan ito. "Babi you don't have toㅡ" Napatigil ako sa pagsalita dahil nagulat ako sa taong nakita kong nasa labas ng bahay ko. I really thought it was ayuk. I was expecting it was him lalo na di siya nag-reply sa last message ko sa kanya. But to my dismay, it wasn't him. It was 𝘟𝘺𝘷.

◟✦✩‧65 tatagan mo ayuk 😝

◟✦✩‧65 tatagan mo ayuk 😝

◟✦✩‧63 kalma lang ayuk 😆

I'm not the only one who thinks this looks like CHANYEOL, right? And that's Minho infront of him?

◟✦✩‧59 at doon siya nagwala 😝

◟✦✩‧55 | cyrus' pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Kinuha ni chimken yung phone niya sa 'kin kaya agad akong umayos ng tayo at pwesto. Tinaas ni chimken kamay niya at hinanap yung anggulo na maganda yung ilaw. When he turned to his left, I followed him too. "Dito mas maganda tama ng liwanag sa 'tin," he said. Sumangayon naman ako. Gumanda lalo yung lighting kay mas kitang-kita ang ka-gwapuhan ng 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘰. Tangina. Pwede ko na talaga sabihin yun. Pwede ko na siya angkinin kasi akin na talaga siya. Mapapangalandakan ko narin sa buong mundo na akin ang pinakamasarapㅡeste pinakamagandang chimken sa buong daigdig. "Ayuk, ikaw nga maghawak nitong phone. Para kita likod." "May point five naman cam mo, chimken. Click mo yun para makita likod." "Ha? Anong point five?" I sighed and just grabbed his phone. I showed him yung point five sa camera at namangha naman siya dun. "Ayan ang point five, chimken. See kita na yung likod natin. Ganda pala. Picture na ulit tayo na kita likod." Tinaas ko pa ng ka-onti yung anggulo ng phone para mas makita pa yung nasa likod namin. Di ko alam kung magagawa ko pa ulit yung biglang paghalik ko sa pisngi niya o hindi na kasi baka mamaya makalimutan kong pindutin yung shutter button. But I'll still try. Magkalapit parin naman mukha namin sa isa't isa pero di na ko naka-akbay sa kanya. I counted to three para may short time to get ready si chimken sa picture. And when I got to three, I pressed on the shutter button continuously para madaming pictures ang makuhanan at agad akong lumingon sa mukha ni chimken. But to my surprise he also moved his head to face me. Our lips didn't touch though. There was still a bit of space in between them. Namilog ang mga mata ko sa bigla at napatigil din ako sa pagpicture. Diretso lang namang nakatitig si chimken sa 'kin na para bang sinadya niya yun. Nagkatitigan lang kami at binalot kami ng katahimik. Pakiramdam ko naririnig ko ang pagtibok ng sarili kong puso sa sobrang tahimik ng paligid namin. My mind also went blank in an instant from what he did. Di ko akalain na gagawin niya yun. Knowing him, he would likely move his head away from me rather than turn his head to face me. What was he thinking? Did he do that to tease me? But he's not the type to tease like that. Dahil ba kami na kaya nagawa niya yun? I don't know what's going on in his mind. He's like a different person to me right now. Ganito ba siya sa taong kasintahan niya? If so, then damn; I need to prepare myself for the new things I'm about to experience and witness from chimken. "That's enough pictures," bigla niyang sabi. He moved his head before stepping back a bit and grabbing his phone from my head. Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya at tinignan niya yung mga litratong nakuhanan ko. He smirked while staring on his phone. He was probably satisfied at how my reaction was clearly caught on cam. He probably really wanted to tease me just to see my reaction. And he got the reaction he was expecting. "Anyway, send ko na lang sayo pictures natin mamaya. Usap muna tayo. Madami-dami tayong pag-uusapan." He placed his phone back into his pocket before turning to look at me. My mind was still on daze kaya medyo may gulat pa sa mukha. I'm still trying to recover from what he did. That just really surprised meㅡa lot. Di ko kasi talaga inaasahan na kaya niyang gawin yun. But now that I know he can, I'll really prepare myself for the future para di na ko magugulat ng ganito ulit at kaya kong rumesbak agad sa panunukso niya. Humanda ka, chimken. Gaganti ako. Just wait. Naglakad siya palapit sa may gilid ng mga halaman at sumandal siya sa may stone border nito. Nakasunod parin ang tingin ko sa kanya at hinintay ko na lang siyang magsalita ulit kasi di ko pa magawang makapagsalita ulit. "I know nabigla kita sa mga nangyari kanina sa party," he began saying. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. It was a last minute decision." Tumingin siya sa kalangitan at malalim siyang huminga bago nagpatuloy magsalita. "What I told wowo were all true. Hindi ako nagbibiro sa naging desisyon ko, Cyrus." Ohh. He called me by my name. Now I know he's really serious. I mean even if he called me 𝘢𝘺𝘶𝘬 I would still believe he's serious. "I've been thinking about it since the time we went to Xixi's graveㅡ" Noon pa niya pinag-iisipan yung pagsagot sa 'kin? So he was really serious when he told me before na he'll give me a chance once he visits Xyrus' grave and finally let him go? Akala ko when he said he'll give me a chance is hahayaan niya lang akong ligawan siya without restrictions or what not. Di ko akalain na ang ibigsabihin niya pala dun ay magiging kami na agad. Kung sabagay dun din naman punta nun. Pwede naman maging kami na agad at araw-araw ko siyang liligawan. "You did? Since then?" I finally spoke and asked. Ibinaling niya tingin niya sa 'kin at tumango siya na may maliit na ngiti sa labi. "Yes. I told you diba na pag-iisipan ko kapag napakawalan ko na si Xixi. I just needed to visit his grave to be able to finally let him go." The fact that he remembers telling that to me really meant he was serious. He's a forgetful person so that really shows he was being honest and serious sa sinabi niya sa 'kin. "I contemplated a lot about giving you that chance, Cyrus. As in araw-araw ko iniisip yun. I was unsure if I were ready to open my heart again. I was unsure if I were ready to commit again. I was unsure if I'll be able to give you the same love you have been giving me since the day you admitted your feelings to me. I was not confident if I won't hurt you in the long run. I was having doubts. I feel like masasaktan kita somehow. Maybe that's me overthinking things kasi hindi imposibleng mag-relapse ako. It happened once so it's possible to happen again. And I don't want to hurt you, Cyrus. Ayokong masaktan kita kasi hindi mo deserve ang masaktan. Kaya ang tagal kong pinag-isipan kung bibigyan ba kita ng pagkakataon. And I had a decision not long ago that I'll give you my answer tomorrowㅡon my birthday. That was the deadline I gave myself kasi ayokong paghintayin ka ng matagal at sa wala. Kaso kanina when mom told me kung kanino nila ako ipagkakasundo I got panicked. I didn't want to get married to the person they chose. Heck I don't want to get married to anyone else. I was fooling myself when I said I'm okay with anyone but really I wasn't kasiㅡ" Tuloy-tuloy ang pagsasalita niya kaya di ko nagagawang sumingit. At yung titig niya sa 'kin ay sobrang lalim na para bang gusto niyang manamnam ko ang bawat salita na binibitawan niya. My eyes were locked onto his. Hindi ko magawang ialis ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil gusto ko rin makita niya sa mga mata ko ang nararamdaman ko sa bawat salitang sinasabi niya sa 'kin. Naglakad siya papalapit sa 'kin at tumigil siya nung may ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan namin. He awkwardly, shyly smiled at me as if he was too embarrassed to let out the next words he was going to say. "Kasi ikaw yung gusto kong pakasalan. Ikaw yung pinili ng puso ko, Cyrus. I don't know when my heart chose you but it was just recently when I finally acknowledged it. I don't know why I kept on denying the feelings blossoming inside my heart that was meant for you. Siguro kasi parte na ng pagkatao ko ang maging in denial. Or maybe I was afraid to risk my heart getting hurt like what I thought back then when Xixi confessed to me. Well, loving him was worth it. The pain I felt throughout our relationship was worth it. I learned a lot and I don't regret any of it. And I know it will be the same with you or even better." Nag-iba yung timpla ng ngiti sa mga labi niya. Wala nang hiya at para bang may tamis itong handog. He's sweetly smiling and his eyes are sparkling while there were tears at the edge of his eyes. He's getting teary. He's probably getting overwhelemed with his emotions right now and all the things that has happened tonight. My poor chimken. He must be tired. I feel bad for pushing this discussion today when it could really wait until tomorrow morning. Patuloy parin siyang nagsasalita at hindi na pumapasok mga sinasabi niya sa utak ko. He's explaining a lot. He's over explaining. You can really tell he's nervous and not prepared. Totoong last minute niya talaga ginawa ang desisyon niya. "Chimken," I called out cutting him mid-sentence. Namilog mga mata niyang napatitig sa 'kin nung napatigil siyang magsalita. I softly smiled at him as I walked closer to where he was. He didn't move even his eyes were just fixated on me. Pagkalapit ko sa kanya ay marahan ko siyang hinawakan sa magkabilang braso niya atsaka dahan-dahan siyang niyakap. "You can relax, chimken. You're getting tensed," I whispered gently close to his ears. "I understand what you're wanting to tell to me but you know you can summarize it into just three simple words in English or Tagalog." Bumitaw ako sa yakap ko sa kanya pero hawak-hawak ko parin siya sa magkabilang braso niya. Pinagmasdan ko mukha niya at kita ko namang onti-onti nang nawala ang tensyon sa katawan niya. "Now, tell me in three words yang nararamdaman mo para sa 'kin, chimken." He bit his lower lip and that made the smile on my face bigger. Nahihiya siya. Ang cute niya talaga kapag nahihiya siya. "You don't have to say it loud. You can just whisper it to me. I just want to hear you say those words with my name." Bigla naman siyang huminga ng malalim at seryoso niya kong tinitigan sa mga mata ko. I just know he's mentally preparing himself to say those words kaya ganuan siya makatitig. I just waited for him to speak. I didn't pressure him and just patiently waited. "Iㅡˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ, ᶜʸʳᵘˢ..." He mumbled the last words kaya di ko naintindihan sinabi niya. Although, I know what he said but I still want him to clearly say it to me kahit pabulong. "I know I said you can whisper it to me chimken pero yung maiintindihan ko sana. Isa pa." He pouted which I almost gave in kasi yung pagkapout niya akala mo hindi siya napagbigyan na kumain ng gusto niya. Grabe, Kenrick. Hindi ka na talaga makakawala sa 'kin. Huminga ulit siya ng malalim at saglit siyang pumikit para siguro ikundisyon sarili niyang masabi yun.I understand that he's adjusting kaya I can wait until he can finally say it without getting shy. Pagkamulat niya ng mga mata niya at tinitigan niya ulit ako sa mga mata ko at ngumiti siya ng maliit bago muling nagsalita. "I love you, Cyrus. Mahal kita at gusto kitang pakasalan balawang araw." I was once again stunned eith what he said. I only wanted him to say 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to me but he went ahead and added more of his feelings. Gusto kong magtatatalon sa tuwa at magsisisigaw pero ayokong pahirapan pa siya kaya niyakap ko na alng siya ulit at mahigpit kong ginawa yun. "I love you too, Kenrick. Mahal na mahal kita at magpapaksal tayo sa lalong madaling panahon."

◟✦✩‧60 tumilaok si chimken 🐓

◟✦✩‧56 level up na talaga 🤭

◟✦✩‧55 | cyrus' pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Kinuha ni chimken yung phone niya sa 'kin kaya agad akong umayos ng tayo at pwesto. Tinaas ni chimken kamay niya at hinanap yung anggulo na maganda yung ilaw. When he turned to his left, I followed him too. "Dito mas maganda tama ng liwanag sa 'tin," he said. Sumangayon naman ako. Gumanda lalo yung lighting kay mas kitang-kita ang ka-gwapuhan ng 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘰. Tangina. Pwede ko na talaga sabihin yun. Pwede ko na siya angkinin kasi akin na talaga siya. Mapapangalandakan ko narin sa buong mundo na akin ang pinakamasarapㅡeste pinakamagandang chimken sa buong daigdig. "Ayuk, ikaw nga maghawak nitong phone. Para kita likod." "May point five naman cam mo, chimken. Click mo yun para makita likod." "Ha? Anong point five?" I sighed and just grabbed his phone. I showed him yung point five sa camera at namangha naman siya dun. "Ayan ang point five, chimken. See kita na yung likod natin. Ganda pala. Picture na ulit tayo na kita likod." Tinaas ko pa ng ka-onti yung anggulo ng phone para mas makita pa yung nasa likod namin. Di ko alam kung magagawa ko pa ulit yung biglang paghalik ko sa pisngi niya o hindi na kasi baka mamaya makalimutan kong pindutin yung shutter button. But I'll still try. Magkalapit parin naman mukha namin sa isa't isa pero di na ko naka-akbay sa kanya. I counted to three para may short time to get ready si chimken sa picture. And when I got to three, I pressed on the shutter button continuously para madaming pictures ang makuhanan at agad akong lumingon sa mukha ni chimken. But to my surprise he also moved his head to face me. Our lips didn't touch though. There was still a bit of space in between them. Namilog ang mga mata ko sa bigla at napatigil din ako sa pagpicture. Diretso lang namang nakatitig si chimken sa 'kin na para bang sinadya niya yun. Nagkatitigan lang kami at binalot kami ng katahimik. Pakiramdam ko naririnig ko ang pagtibok ng sarili kong puso sa sobrang tahimik ng paligid namin. My mind also went blank in an instant from what he did. Di ko akalain na gagawin niya yun. Knowing him, he would likely move his head away from me rather than turn his head to face me. What was he thinking? Did he do that to tease me? But he's not the type to tease like that. Dahil ba kami na kaya nagawa niya yun? I don't know what's going on in his mind. He's like a different person to me right now. Ganito ba siya sa taong kasintahan niya? If so, then damn; I need to prepare myself for the new things I'm about to experience and witness from chimken. "That's enough pictures," bigla niyang sabi. He moved his head before stepping back a bit and grabbing his phone from my head. Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya at tinignan niya yung mga litratong nakuhanan ko. He smirked while staring on his phone. He was probably satisfied at how my reaction was clearly caught on cam. He probably really wanted to tease me just to see my reaction. And he got the reaction he was expecting. "Anyway, send ko na lang sayo pictures natin mamaya. Usap muna tayo. Madami-dami tayong pag-uusapan." He placed his phone back into his pocket before turning to look at me. My mind was still on daze kaya medyo may gulat pa sa mukha. I'm still trying to recover from what he did. That just really surprised meㅡa lot. Di ko kasi talaga inaasahan na kaya niyang gawin yun. But now that I know he can, I'll really prepare myself for the future para di na ko magugulat ng ganito ulit at kaya kong rumesbak agad sa panunukso niya. Humanda ka, chimken. Gaganti ako. Just wait. Naglakad siya palapit sa may gilid ng mga halaman at sumandal siya sa may stone border nito. Nakasunod parin ang tingin ko sa kanya at hinintay ko na lang siyang magsalita ulit kasi di ko pa magawang makapagsalita ulit. "I know nabigla kita sa mga nangyari kanina sa party," he began saying. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. It was a last minute decision." Tumingin siya sa kalangitan at malalim siyang huminga bago nagpatuloy magsalita. "What I told wowo were all true. Hindi ako nagbibiro sa naging desisyon ko, Cyrus." Ohh. He called me by my name. Now I know he's really serious. I mean even if he called me 𝘢𝘺𝘶𝘬 I would still believe he's serious. "I've been thinking about it since the time we went to Xixi's graveㅡ" Noon pa niya pinag-iisipan yung pagsagot sa 'kin? So he was really serious when he told me before na he'll give me a chance once he visits Xyrus' grave and finally let him go? Akala ko when he said he'll give me a chance is hahayaan niya lang akong ligawan siya without restrictions or what not. Di ko akalain na ang ibigsabihin niya pala dun ay magiging kami na agad. Kung sabagay dun din naman punta nun. Pwede naman maging kami na agad at araw-araw ko siyang liligawan. "You did? Since then?" I finally spoke and asked. Ibinaling niya tingin niya sa 'kin at tumango siya na may maliit na ngiti sa labi. "Yes. I told you diba na pag-iisipan ko kapag napakawalan ko na si Xixi. I just needed to visit his grave to be able to finally let him go." The fact that he remembers telling that to me really meant he was serious. He's a forgetful person so that really shows he was being honest and serious sa sinabi niya sa 'kin. "I contemplated a lot about giving you that chance, Cyrus. As in araw-araw ko iniisip yun. I was unsure if I were ready to open my heart again. I was unsure if I were ready to commit again. I was unsure if I'll be able to give you the same love you have been giving me since the day you admitted your feelings to me. I was not confident if I won't hurt you in the long run. I was having doubts. I feel like masasaktan kita somehow. Maybe that's me overthinking things kasi hindi imposibleng mag-relapse ako. It happened once so it's possible to happen again. And I don't want to hurt you, Cyrus. Ayokong masaktan kita kasi hindi mo deserve ang masaktan. Kaya ang tagal kong pinag-isipan kung bibigyan ba kita ng pagkakataon. And I had a decision not long ago that I'll give you my answer tomorrowㅡon my birthday. That was the deadline I gave myself kasi ayokong paghintayin ka ng matagal at sa wala. Kaso kanina when mom told me kung kanino nila ako ipagkakasundo I got panicked. I didn't want to get married to the person they chose. Heck I don't want to get married to anyone else. I was fooling myself when I said I'm okay with anyone but really I wasn't kasiㅡ" Tuloy-tuloy ang pagsasalita niya kaya di ko nagagawang sumingit. At yung titig niya sa 'kin ay sobrang lalim na para bang gusto niyang manamnam ko ang bawat salita na binibitawan niya. My eyes were locked onto his. Hindi ko magawang ialis ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil gusto ko rin makita niya sa mga mata ko ang nararamdaman ko sa bawat salitang sinasabi niya sa 'kin. Naglakad siya papalapit sa 'kin at tumigil siya nung may ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan namin. He awkwardly, shyly smiled at me as if he was too embarrassed to let out the next words he was going to say. "Kasi ikaw yung gusto kong pakasalan. Ikaw yung pinili ng puso ko, Cyrus. I don't know when my heart chose you but it was just recently when I finally acknowledged it. I don't know why I kept on denying the feelings blossoming inside my heart that was meant for you. Siguro kasi parte na ng pagkatao ko ang maging in denial. Or maybe I was afraid to risk my heart getting hurt like what I thought back then when Xixi confessed to me. Well, loving him was worth it. The pain I felt throughout our relationship was worth it. I learned a lot and I don't regret any of it. And I know it will be the same with you or even better." Nag-iba yung timpla ng ngiti sa mga labi niya. Wala nang hiya at para bang may tamis itong handog. He's sweetly smiling and his eyes are sparkling while there were tears at the edge of his eyes. He's getting teary. He's probably getting overwhelemed with his emotions right now and all the things that has happened tonight. My poor chimken. He must be tired. I feel bad for pushing this discussion today when it could really wait until tomorrow morning. Patuloy parin siyang nagsasalita at hindi na pumapasok mga sinasabi niya sa utak ko. He's explaining a lot. He's over explaining. You can really tell he's nervous and not prepared. Totoong last minute niya talaga ginawa ang desisyon niya. "Chimken," I called out cutting him mid-sentence. Namilog mga mata niyang napatitig sa 'kin nung napatigil siyang magsalita. I softly smiled at him as I walked closer to where he was. He didn't move even his eyes were just fixated on me. Pagkalapit ko sa kanya ay marahan ko siyang hinawakan sa magkabilang braso niya atsaka dahan-dahan siyang niyakap. "You can relax, chimken. You're getting tensed," I whispered gently close to his ears. "I understand what you're wanting to tell to me but you know you can summarize it into just three simple words in English or Tagalog." Bumitaw ako sa yakap ko sa kanya pero hawak-hawak ko parin siya sa magkabilang braso niya. Pinagmasdan ko mukha niya at kita ko namang onti-onti nang nawala ang tensyon sa katawan niya. "Now, tell me in three words yang nararamdaman mo para sa 'kin, chimken." He bit his lower lip and that made the smile on my face bigger. Nahihiya siya. Ang cute niya talaga kapag nahihiya siya. "You don't have to say it loud. You can just whisper it to me. I just want to hear you say those words with my name." Bigla naman siyang huminga ng malalim at seryoso niya kong tinitigan sa mga mata ko. I just know he's mentally preparing himself to say those words kaya ganuan siya makatitig. I just waited for him to speak. I didn't pressure him and just patiently waited. "Iㅡˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ, ᶜʸʳᵘˢ..." He mumbled the last words kaya di ko naintindihan sinabi niya. Although, I know what he said but I still want him to clearly say it to me kahit pabulong. "I know I said you can whisper it to me chimken pero yung maiintindihan ko sana. Isa pa." He pouted which I almost gave in kasi yung pagkapout niya akala mo hindi siya napagbigyan na kumain ng gusto niya. Grabe, Kenrick. Hindi ka na talaga makakawala sa 'kin. Huminga ulit siya ng malalim at saglit siyang pumikit para siguro ikundisyon sarili niyang masabi yun.I understand that he's adjusting kaya I can wait until he can finally say it without getting shy. Pagkamulat niya ng mga mata niya at tinitigan niya ulit ako sa mga mata ko at ngumiti siya ng maliit bago muling nagsalita. "I love you, Cyrus. Mahal kita at gusto kitang pakasalan balawang araw." I was once again stunned eith what he said. I only wanted him to say 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to me but he went ahead and added more of his feelings. Gusto kong magtatatalon sa tuwa at magsisisigaw pero ayokong pahirapan pa siya kaya niyakap ko na alng siya ulit at mahigpit kong ginawa yun. "I love you too, Kenrick. Mahal na mahal kita at magpapaksal tayo sa lalong madaling panahon."

◟✦✩‧55 | cyrus' pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Kinuha ni chimken yung phone niya sa 'kin kaya agad akong umayos ng tayo at pwesto. Tinaas ni chimken kamay niya at hinanap yung anggulo na maganda yung ilaw. When he turned to his left, I followed him too. "Dito mas maganda tama ng liwanag sa 'tin," he said. Sumangayon naman ako. Gumanda lalo yung lighting kay mas kitang-kita ang ka-gwapuhan ng 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘰. Tangina. Pwede ko na talaga sabihin yun. Pwede ko na siya angkinin kasi akin na talaga siya. Mapapangalandakan ko narin sa buong mundo na akin ang pinakamasarapㅡeste pinakamagandang chimken sa buong daigdig. "Ayuk, ikaw nga maghawak nitong phone. Para kita likod." "May point five naman cam mo, chimken. Click mo yun para makita likod." "Ha? Anong point five?" I sighed and just grabbed his phone. I showed him yung point five sa camera at namangha naman siya dun. "Ayan ang point five, chimken. See kita na yung likod natin. Ganda pala. Picture na ulit tayo na kita likod." Tinaas ko pa ng ka-onti yung anggulo ng phone para mas makita pa yung nasa likod namin. Di ko alam kung magagawa ko pa ulit yung biglang paghalik ko sa pisngi niya o hindi na kasi baka mamaya makalimutan kong pindutin yung shutter button. But I'll still try. Magkalapit parin naman mukha namin sa isa't isa pero di na ko naka-akbay sa kanya. I counted to three para may short time to get ready si chimken sa picture. And when I got to three, I pressed on the shutter button continuously para madaming pictures ang makuhanan at agad akong lumingon sa mukha ni chimken. But to my surprise he also moved his head to face me. Our lips didn't touch though. There was still a bit of space in between them. Namilog ang mga mata ko sa bigla at napatigil din ako sa pagpicture. Diretso lang namang nakatitig si chimken sa 'kin na para bang sinadya niya yun. Nagkatitigan lang kami at binalot kami ng katahimik. Pakiramdam ko naririnig ko ang pagtibok ng sarili kong puso sa sobrang tahimik ng paligid namin. My mind also went blank in an instant from what he did. Di ko akalain na gagawin niya yun. Knowing him, he would likely move his head away from me rather than turn his head to face me. What was he thinking? Did he do that to tease me? But he's not the type to tease like that. Dahil ba kami na kaya nagawa niya yun? I don't know what's going on in his mind. He's like a different person to me right now. Ganito ba siya sa taong kasintahan niya? If so, then damn; I need to prepare myself for the new things I'm about to experience and witness from chimken. "That's enough pictures," bigla niyang sabi. He moved his head before stepping back a bit and grabbing his phone from my head. Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya at tinignan niya yung mga litratong nakuhanan ko. He smirked while staring on his phone. He was probably satisfied at how my reaction was clearly caught on cam. He probably really wanted to tease me just to see my reaction. And he got the reaction he was expecting. "Anyway, send ko na lang sayo pictures natin mamaya. Usap muna tayo. Madami-dami tayong pag-uusapan." He placed his phone back into his pocket before turning to look at me. My mind was still on daze kaya medyo may gulat pa sa mukha. I'm still trying to recover from what he did. That just really surprised meㅡa lot. Di ko kasi talaga inaasahan na kaya niyang gawin yun. But now that I know he can, I'll really prepare myself for the future para di na ko magugulat ng ganito ulit at kaya kong rumesbak agad sa panunukso niya. Humanda ka, chimken. Gaganti ako. Just wait. Naglakad siya palapit sa may gilid ng mga halaman at sumandal siya sa may stone border nito. Nakasunod parin ang tingin ko sa kanya at hinintay ko na lang siyang magsalita ulit kasi di ko pa magawang makapagsalita ulit. "I know nabigla kita sa mga nangyari kanina sa party," he began saying. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. It was a last minute decision." Tumingin siya sa kalangitan at malalim siyang huminga bago nagpatuloy magsalita. "What I told wowo were all true. Hindi ako nagbibiro sa naging desisyon ko, Cyrus." Ohh. He called me by my name. Now I know he's really serious. I mean even if he called me 𝘢𝘺𝘶𝘬 I would still believe he's serious. "I've been thinking about it since the time we went to Xixi's graveㅡ" Noon pa niya pinag-iisipan yung pagsagot sa 'kin? So he was really serious when he told me before na he'll give me a chance once he visits Xyrus' grave and finally let him go? Akala ko when he said he'll give me a chance is hahayaan niya lang akong ligawan siya without restrictions or what not. Di ko akalain na ang ibigsabihin niya pala dun ay magiging kami na agad. Kung sabagay dun din naman punta nun. Pwede naman maging kami na agad at araw-araw ko siyang liligawan. "You did? Since then?" I finally spoke and asked. Ibinaling niya tingin niya sa 'kin at tumango siya na may maliit na ngiti sa labi. "Yes. I told you diba na pag-iisipan ko kapag napakawalan ko na si Xixi. I just needed to visit his grave to be able to finally let him go." The fact that he remembers telling that to me really meant he was serious. He's a forgetful person so that really shows he was being honest and serious sa sinabi niya sa 'kin. "I contemplated a lot about giving you that chance, Cyrus. As in araw-araw ko iniisip yun. I was unsure if I were ready to open my heart again. I was unsure if I were ready to commit again. I was unsure if I'll be able to give you the same love you have been giving me since the day you admitted your feelings to me. I was not confident if I won't hurt you in the long run. I was having doubts. I feel like masasaktan kita somehow. Maybe that's me overthinking things kasi hindi imposibleng mag-relapse ako. It happened once so it's possible to happen again. And I don't want to hurt you, Cyrus. Ayokong masaktan kita kasi hindi mo deserve ang masaktan. Kaya ang tagal kong pinag-isipan kung bibigyan ba kita ng pagkakataon. And I had a decision not long ago that I'll give you my answer tomorrowㅡon my birthday. That was the deadline I gave myself kasi ayokong paghintayin ka ng matagal at sa wala. Kaso kanina when mom told me kung kanino nila ako ipagkakasundo I got panicked. I didn't want to get married to the person they chose. Heck I don't want to get married to anyone else. I was fooling myself when I said I'm okay with anyone but really I wasn't kasiㅡ" Tuloy-tuloy ang pagsasalita niya kaya di ko nagagawang sumingit. At yung titig niya sa 'kin ay sobrang lalim na para bang gusto niyang manamnam ko ang bawat salita na binibitawan niya. My eyes were locked onto his. Hindi ko magawang ialis ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil gusto ko rin makita niya sa mga mata ko ang nararamdaman ko sa bawat salitang sinasabi niya sa 'kin. Naglakad siya papalapit sa 'kin at tumigil siya nung may ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan namin. He awkwardly, shyly smiled at me as if he was too embarrassed to let out the next words he was going to say. "Kasi ikaw yung gusto kong pakasalan. Ikaw yung pinili ng puso ko, Cyrus. I don't know when my heart chose you but it was just recently when I finally acknowledged it. I don't know why I kept on denying the feelings blossoming inside my heart that was meant for you. Siguro kasi parte na ng pagkatao ko ang maging in denial. Or maybe I was afraid to risk my heart getting hurt like what I thought back then when Xixi confessed to me. Well, loving him was worth it. The pain I felt throughout our relationship was worth it. I learned a lot and I don't regret any of it. And I know it will be the same with you or even better." Nag-iba yung timpla ng ngiti sa mga labi niya. Wala nang hiya at para bang may tamis itong handog. He's sweetly smiling and his eyes are sparkling while there were tears at the edge of his eyes. He's getting teary. He's probably getting overwhelemed with his emotions right now and all the things that has happened tonight. My poor chimken. He must be tired. I feel bad for pushing this discussion today when it could really wait until tomorrow morning. Patuloy parin siyang nagsasalita at hindi na pumapasok mga sinasabi niya sa utak ko. He's explaining a lot. He's over explaining. You can really tell he's nervous and not prepared. Totoong last minute niya talaga ginawa ang desisyon niya. "Chimken," I called out cutting him mid-sentence. Namilog mga mata niyang napatitig sa 'kin nung napatigil siyang magsalita. I softly smiled at him as I walked closer to where he was. He didn't move even his eyes were just fixated on me. Pagkalapit ko sa kanya ay marahan ko siyang hinawakan sa magkabilang braso niya atsaka dahan-dahan siyang niyakap. "You can relax, chimken. You're getting tensed," I whispered gently close to his ears. "I understand what you're wanting to tell to me but you know you can summarize it into just three simple words in English or Tagalog." Bumitaw ako sa yakap ko sa kanya pero hawak-hawak ko parin siya sa magkabilang braso niya. Pinagmasdan ko mukha niya at kita ko namang onti-onti nang nawala ang tensyon sa katawan niya. "Now, tell me in three words yang nararamdaman mo para sa 'kin, chimken." He bit his lower lip and that made the smile on my face bigger. Nahihiya siya. Ang cute niya talaga kapag nahihiya siya. "You don't have to say it loud. You can just whisper it to me. I just want to hear you say those words with my name." Bigla naman siyang huminga ng malalim at seryoso niya kong tinitigan sa mga mata ko. I just know he's mentally preparing himself to say those words kaya ganuan siya makatitig. I just waited for him to speak. I didn't pressure him and just patiently waited. "Iㅡˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ, ᶜʸʳᵘˢ..." He mumbled the last words kaya di ko naintindihan sinabi niya. Although, I know what he said but I still want him to clearly say it to me kahit pabulong. "I know I said you can whisper it to me chimken pero yung maiintindihan ko sana. Isa pa." He pouted which I almost gave in kasi yung pagkapout niya akala mo hindi siya napagbigyan na kumain ng gusto niya. Grabe, Kenrick. Hindi ka na talaga makakawala sa 'kin. Huminga ulit siya ng malalim at saglit siyang pumikit para siguro ikundisyon sarili niyang masabi yun.I understand that he's adjusting kaya I can wait until he can finally say it without getting shy. Pagkamulat niya ng mga mata niya at tinitigan niya ulit ako sa mga mata ko at ngumiti siya ng maliit bago muling nagsalita. "I love you, Cyrus. Mahal kita at gusto kitang pakasalan balawang araw." I was once again stunned eith what he said. I only wanted him to say 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to me but he went ahead and added more of his feelings. Gusto kong magtatatalon sa tuwa at magsisisigaw pero ayokong pahirapan pa siya kaya niyakap ko na alng siya ulit at mahigpit kong ginawa yun. "I love you too, Kenrick. Mahal na mahal kita at magpapaksal tayo sa lalong madaling panahon."

◟✦✩‧55 | cyrus' pov ໒꒱₊˚✧ Kinuha ni chimken yung phone niya sa 'kin kaya agad akong umayos ng tayo at pwesto. Tinaas ni chimken kamay niya at hinanap yung anggulo na maganda yung ilaw. When he turned to his left, I followed him too. "Dito mas maganda tama ng liwanag sa 'tin," he said. Sumangayon naman ako. Gumanda lalo yung lighting kay mas kitang-kita ang ka-gwapuhan ng 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘰. Tangina. Pwede ko na talaga sabihin yun. Pwede ko na siya angkinin kasi akin na talaga siya. Mapapangalandakan ko narin sa buong mundo na akin ang pinakamasarapㅡeste pinakamagandang chimken sa buong daigdig. "Ayuk, ikaw nga maghawak nitong phone. Para kita likod." "May point five naman cam mo, chimken. Click mo yun para makita likod." "Ha? Anong point five?" I sighed and just grabbed his phone. I showed him yung point five sa camera at namangha naman siya dun. "Ayan ang point five, chimken. See kita na yung likod natin. Ganda pala. Picture na ulit tayo na kita likod." Tinaas ko pa ng ka-onti yung anggulo ng phone para mas makita pa yung nasa likod namin. Di ko alam kung magagawa ko pa ulit yung biglang paghalik ko sa pisngi niya o hindi na kasi baka mamaya makalimutan kong pindutin yung shutter button. But I'll still try. Magkalapit parin naman mukha namin sa isa't isa pero di na ko naka-akbay sa kanya. I counted to three para may short time to get ready si chimken sa picture. And when I got to three, I pressed on the shutter button continuously para madaming pictures ang makuhanan at agad akong lumingon sa mukha ni chimken. But to my surprise he also moved his head to face me. Our lips didn't touch though. There was still a bit of space in between them. Namilog ang mga mata ko sa bigla at napatigil din ako sa pagpicture. Diretso lang namang nakatitig si chimken sa 'kin na para bang sinadya niya yun. Nagkatitigan lang kami at binalot kami ng katahimik. Pakiramdam ko naririnig ko ang pagtibok ng sarili kong puso sa sobrang tahimik ng paligid namin. My mind also went blank in an instant from what he did. Di ko akalain na gagawin niya yun. Knowing him, he would likely move his head away from me rather than turn his head to face me. What was he thinking? Did he do that to tease me? But he's not the type to tease like that. Dahil ba kami na kaya nagawa niya yun? I don't know what's going on in his mind. He's like a different person to me right now. Ganito ba siya sa taong kasintahan niya? If so, then damn; I need to prepare myself for the new things I'm about to experience and witness from chimken. "That's enough pictures," bigla niyang sabi. He moved his head before stepping back a bit and grabbing his phone from my head. Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin sa kanya at tinignan niya yung mga litratong nakuhanan ko. He smirked while staring on his phone. He was probably satisfied at how my reaction was clearly caught on cam. He probably really wanted to tease me just to see my reaction. And he got the reaction he was expecting. "Anyway, send ko na lang sayo pictures natin mamaya. Usap muna tayo. Madami-dami tayong pag-uusapan." He placed his phone back into his pocket before turning to look at me. My mind was still on daze kaya medyo may gulat pa sa mukha. I'm still trying to recover from what he did. That just really surprised meㅡa lot. Di ko kasi talaga inaasahan na kaya niyang gawin yun. But now that I know he can, I'll really prepare myself for the future para di na ko magugulat ng ganito ulit at kaya kong rumesbak agad sa panunukso niya. Humanda ka, chimken. Gaganti ako. Just wait. Naglakad siya palapit sa may gilid ng mga halaman at sumandal siya sa may stone border nito. Nakasunod parin ang tingin ko sa kanya at hinintay ko na lang siyang magsalita ulit kasi di ko pa magawang makapagsalita ulit. "I know nabigla kita sa mga nangyari kanina sa party," he began saying. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up. It was a last minute decision." Tumingin siya sa kalangitan at malalim siyang huminga bago nagpatuloy magsalita. "What I told wowo were all true. Hindi ako nagbibiro sa naging desisyon ko, Cyrus." Ohh. He called me by my name. Now I know he's really serious. I mean even if he called me 𝘢𝘺𝘶𝘬 I would still believe he's serious. "I've been thinking about it since the time we went to Xixi's graveㅡ" Noon pa niya pinag-iisipan yung pagsagot sa 'kin? So he was really serious when he told me before na he'll give me a chance once he visits Xyrus' grave and finally let him go? Akala ko when he said he'll give me a chance is hahayaan niya lang akong ligawan siya without restrictions or what not. Di ko akalain na ang ibigsabihin niya pala dun ay magiging kami na agad. Kung sabagay dun din naman punta nun. Pwede naman maging kami na agad at araw-araw ko siyang liligawan. "You did? Since then?" I finally spoke and asked. Ibinaling niya tingin niya sa 'kin at tumango siya na may maliit na ngiti sa labi. "Yes. I told you diba na pag-iisipan ko kapag napakawalan ko na si Xixi. I just needed to visit his grave to be able to finally let him go." The fact that he remembers telling that to me really meant he was serious. He's a forgetful person so that really shows he was being honest and serious sa sinabi niya sa 'kin. "I contemplated a lot about giving you that chance, Cyrus. As in araw-araw ko iniisip yun. I was unsure if I were ready to open my heart again. I was unsure if I were ready to commit again. I was unsure if I'll be able to give you the same love you have been giving me since the day you admitted your feelings to me. I was not confident if I won't hurt you in the long run. I was having doubts. I feel like masasaktan kita somehow. Maybe that's me overthinking things kasi hindi imposibleng mag-relapse ako. It happened once so it's possible to happen again. And I don't want to hurt you, Cyrus. Ayokong masaktan kita kasi hindi mo deserve ang masaktan. Kaya ang tagal kong pinag-isipan kung bibigyan ba kita ng pagkakataon. And I had a decision not long ago that I'll give you my answer tomorrowㅡon my birthday. That was the deadline I gave myself kasi ayokong paghintayin ka ng matagal at sa wala. Kaso kanina when mom told me kung kanino nila ako ipagkakasundo I got panicked. I didn't want to get married to the person they chose. Heck I don't want to get married to anyone else. I was fooling myself when I said I'm okay with anyone but really I wasn't kasiㅡ" Tuloy-tuloy ang pagsasalita niya kaya di ko nagagawang sumingit. At yung titig niya sa 'kin ay sobrang lalim na para bang gusto niyang manamnam ko ang bawat salita na binibitawan niya. My eyes were locked onto his. Hindi ko magawang ialis ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil gusto ko rin makita niya sa mga mata ko ang nararamdaman ko sa bawat salitang sinasabi niya sa 'kin. Naglakad siya papalapit sa 'kin at tumigil siya nung may ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan namin. He awkwardly, shyly smiled at me as if he was too embarrassed to let out the next words he was going to say. "Kasi ikaw yung gusto kong pakasalan. Ikaw yung pinili ng puso ko, Cyrus. I don't know when my heart chose you but it was just recently when I finally acknowledged it. I don't know why I kept on denying the feelings blossoming inside my heart that was meant for you. Siguro kasi parte na ng pagkatao ko ang maging in denial. Or maybe I was afraid to risk my heart getting hurt like what I thought back then when Xixi confessed to me. Well, loving him was worth it. The pain I felt throughout our relationship was worth it. I learned a lot and I don't regret any of it. And I know it will be the same with you or even better." Nag-iba yung timpla ng ngiti sa mga labi niya. Wala nang hiya at para bang may tamis itong handog. He's sweetly smiling and his eyes are sparkling while there were tears at the edge of his eyes. He's getting teary. He's probably getting overwhelemed with his emotions right now and all the things that has happened tonight. My poor chimken. He must be tired. I feel bad for pushing this discussion today when it could really wait until tomorrow morning. Patuloy parin siyang nagsasalita at hindi na pumapasok mga sinasabi niya sa utak ko. He's explaining a lot. He's over explaining. You can really tell he's nervous and not prepared. Totoong last minute niya talaga ginawa ang desisyon niya. "Chimken," I called out cutting him mid-sentence. Namilog mga mata niyang napatitig sa 'kin nung napatigil siyang magsalita. I softly smiled at him as I walked closer to where he was. He didn't move even his eyes were just fixated on me. Pagkalapit ko sa kanya ay marahan ko siyang hinawakan sa magkabilang braso niya atsaka dahan-dahan siyang niyakap. "You can relax, chimken. You're getting tensed," I whispered gently close to his ears. "I understand what you're wanting to tell to me but you know you can summarize it into just three simple words in English or Tagalog." Bumitaw ako sa yakap ko sa kanya pero hawak-hawak ko parin siya sa magkabilang braso niya. Pinagmasdan ko mukha niya at kita ko namang onti-onti nang nawala ang tensyon sa katawan niya. "Now, tell me in three words yang nararamdaman mo para sa 'kin, chimken." He bit his lower lip and that made the smile on my face bigger. Nahihiya siya. Ang cute niya talaga kapag nahihiya siya. "You don't have to say it loud. You can just whisper it to me. I just want to hear you say those words with my name." Bigla naman siyang huminga ng malalim at seryoso niya kong tinitigan sa mga mata ko. I just know he's mentally preparing himself to say those words kaya ganuan siya makatitig. I just waited for him to speak. I didn't pressure him and just patiently waited. "Iㅡˡᵒᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ, ᶜʸʳᵘˢ..." He mumbled the last words kaya di ko naintindihan sinabi niya. Although, I know what he said but I still want him to clearly say it to me kahit pabulong. "I know I said you can whisper it to me chimken pero yung maiintindihan ko sana. Isa pa." He pouted which I almost gave in kasi yung pagkapout niya akala mo hindi siya napagbigyan na kumain ng gusto niya. Grabe, Kenrick. Hindi ka na talaga makakawala sa 'kin. Huminga ulit siya ng malalim at saglit siyang pumikit para siguro ikundisyon sarili niyang masabi yun.I understand that he's adjusting kaya I can wait until he can finally say it without getting shy. Pagkamulat niya ng mga mata niya at tinitigan niya ulit ako sa mga mata ko at ngumiti siya ng maliit bago muling nagsalita. "I love you, Cyrus. Mahal kita at gusto kitang pakasalan balawang araw." I was once again stunned eith what he said. I only wanted him to say 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to me but he went ahead and added more of his feelings. Gusto kong magtatatalon sa tuwa at magsisisigaw pero ayokong pahirapan pa siya kaya niyakap ko na alng siya ulit at mahigpit kong ginawa yun. "I love you too, Kenrick. Mahal na mahal kita at magpapaksal tayo sa lalong madaling panahon."