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Nakaupo sa bench sa veranda si Selene nang makadama siya ng yumakap sa kaniya. It was Civic who was done showering, hinihintay siya ng ex para makapag-usap. “Thank you for waiting for me.” Nakangiting sabi ni Civic. Nakita niyang nagtyaa ito at kumuha na rin siya ng teacup na nakataob.
“Pagkabalik mo, ikakasal ka?” Normal na siguro sa kanila ang mag-usap ng hinaharap kahit wala na sila, ilang buwan na. Civic sipped on his tea. “Good for you,” Selene said and sighed. “Pumunta lang ako para ibalik ’yung mga regalo mo sa akin.” Tinuro niya ’yung mga box na nakalagay sa loob at nakahilera. “Inayos ko na rin, iba ’yung mga damit d’yan saka—“
“Alam mo kung bakit kailangan ko magpakasal ’di ba?” Putol ni Civic sa kaniya. Her hands were in midair at napatigil sa pagturo ng box na binabanggit niya.
Humarap siya rito saka napangiti. “Oo naman.” She understood everything when he told every single thing she was curious about. “Kaya nga naiintindihan—“
Civic looked down. “Babalikan kita…” Pagputol na naman nito sa sasabihin niya. Hindi na siya makahinga.
“Civ…” Ngiti niya sa binata. “Okay lang… naiintindihan ko…” She calmly said kahit na nanginginig ang boses niya, pilit na tinatago ang kaba.
Hinawakan ng lalake ang kamay niya. “Bakit ako, hindi ko maintindihan?” Sabi niya at nilapit sa mukha ang kamay na gusto niya mahawakan hanggang sa huli. “We’re okay, my moon. What happened?” Tanong ni Civic nang umagos ang luha sa pisngi.
She tilted her head and admire the beauty in front of her, how it crumbled in her eyes. The more they stay together, the more complicated things had become. He was being chased by his responsibility for his family. She wanted to get out of it, she doesn’t want to be with him if he will always just let things go by without facing them.
Because Civic is an all over coward.
He needs to be reminded he has his own person.
Not being dependent on her.
“There are things that weren’t meant to be together…” Maikling sabi ni Selene. She gulped and tried to get away from him but he held his waist so tight that she wanted to stay.
Nakatalikod siya habang yakap siya ni Civic. He cried on her neck. “Please, huwag naman ganito. Stay with me?” Hagulgol ng lalake sa kaniya. “Don’t leave me.” He whispered, like saying a prayer.
Inalis ng marahan ni Selene ang pagkakapulupot sa beywang ng dating nobyo. Humarap siya rito at hinawakan sa mukha. “Malay mo, sa susunod… balang araw…” He sniffed and she kissed his cheek.
“Why not now?” Mahinang tanong nito sa kaniya.
Selene felt that overwhelming emotion and just kissed him fully in his lips.
