Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Sweetness Into Bitterness

"The only one that can solve your problem is yourself. But having someone to help you is the best, because no one is alone in this world."

-UnleashingDesire

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In the private room of a seafood restaurant, the couple, Sam and Celindra is eating while getting to know each other well. Every time na paubos na ang pagkain ni Celindra sa kaniyang plato ay agad itong linalagyan ni Sam. Habang tumatagal ang kanilang pag-uusap ay unti-unti ng nagkakaroon ng confidence si Sam na tanongin si Celindra tungkol sa kaniyang nakaraan.

"I heard about your past..." Sam muttered. Hindi niya na alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin. Sam thought he already gathered his confidence to ask her about it, but it seems lacking. Napatigil naman si Celindra at napatulala sa kaniyang pagkain.

The room became quiet. Sam felt he shouldn't dug deeper when they are only starting. He was about to change the topic when Celindra spoke.

"Hmm.. Seems like my brother told you about it..." Celindra sighed. Alam niya kung gaano kadaldal ang kuya niyang si Clide. Knowing that Clide and Sam are friends, it's expected that Sam knew about her. Napangiti na siya at tumingin kay Sam.

"Our Ranilo Family is quite famous. At first, I can still exceed their expectation about me. Until it became fine then... I couldn't do it anymore." Himinto muna siya nung nakita niya ang expression ni Sam. He looks at her with sad and guilt, which confused her.

"What happened? Did someone help you..?" Sam muttered his question. Celindra heard it quite clear. She smiled and shook her head.

"They didn't know what I felt back then. Opinions of others... My family didn't care about it. Mom, never does. She treats me well and didn't care about what others think. Dad loves mom very well and pampers her. Whatever mom wants, he will give it. So, he's fine with whatever I do. My brothers spoil me. They give and do whatever I want. They never cared about other people. I don't fit them... I'm different. I worry about other people's opinion. I'm afraid to disappoint my family and became black sheep. I pushed myself into perfection. But I couldn't. Before I can even become our family's weakness I ran away and live here." Uminom si Celindra at nagsimulang kumain. Hindi na siya nagsalita ulit at hindi naman alam ni Sam kung paano niya icocomfort si Celindra. Nanatiling tahimik ang kwarto hanggang sa matapos silang kumain.

'No one helped her... I don't really know how she exactly felt but I knew it made her what she is today.' Sam thought as they went out. He looks at Celindra and became determined. 'I'm here now. She won't be lonely anymore. I will help her whenever she needs me.'

Nagdrive papuntang amusement park si Sam para naman gumaan ang feeling ni Celindra. Nang nakita ni Celindra na huminto sila sa amusement park ay tinignan niya si Sam. Hindi siya makapaniwala na dito sila pupunta.

"Really?" Celidra said. Sam saw the disbelief expression of Celindra, he chuckles.

"What? You don't what to? I've read tons of books that have this scene. Let's try it, okay?" Sam teasingly smiles at Celindra. Natawa naman agad ito at tumango. Taking note of not making a scene like this to her new story. Anyway, she already made scenes in her past stories that have amusement park on it.

Pagkapasok nila ay bumili agad sila ng rides all you can ticket. Lahat ng rides ay sinubukan nila, pumasok rin sila ng horror house at ang panghuli ay sinubukan nila yung mga rides na may tubig na naging dahilan kung bakit sila ngayon nasa tapat ng souvenir shop.

"Let's go and buy couple shirts and other couple things. Go, go, and choose. I will choose our shirt first." Tumawa naman si Celindra at sinunod si Sam. Kumuha siya ng couple keychain, mug, animal hat at kung ano-ano pa. Nang matapos siya ay sakto namang palapit sa kanya si Sam na may hawak na mga damit.

"Are you done?" Sam smilingly asked. Celindra smiled and nodded. Kinuha naman ni Sam ang mga hawak ni Celindra at pumunta ng counter pare bayaran lahat. Nang tapos na ay binalikan niya si Celindra.

"Why there is three couple shirt?" Celindra curiously asked.

"For future use." Sam shrugged. Celindra bit her lips to stop herself from smiling.

"Let's eat first." Celindra muttered and walk ahead of Sam.

"If you’re shy, be shy. Don't leave me ah." Sam teased her, making Celindra walk even faster. Tumawa naman si Sam at hinabol si Celindra.

Bandang huli ay hinatak ni Sam si Celindra sa banyo para magpalit muna bago kumain. Nang lumabas na sila ay napangiti si Sam. He look satisfy with what is happening between them.

"Wear these." Celindra couldn't look at Sam, embarrassed as she gave him the other things. Kinuha naman ito ni Sam. Sinuot niya yung sumbrelo at linagay niya sa cellphone ang keychain. Napansin niyang may familiar na box sa binigay ni Celindra.

"This..." Celindra looks away when she saw what he is referring to.

"Necklace..." She muttered. Dun napanisin ni Sam ang nakatagong kwintas na suot-suot ni Celindra. Natandaan niyang kanina niya pa ito suot. Lumapit siya kay Celindra na naging dahilan ng pagtingin nito kay Sam.

"What are you doing?" Celindra walk backward. Pinigilan naman agad siya ni Sam. Hinawakan niya ang bewang ni Celindra at hinatak papalapit sa kaniya. "You..." Hinalikan agad ni Sam si Celindra. Licking and sucking Celindra's lips without any concern to those who are watching them.

Hindi napansin ni Celindra ang pag taas ng kaniya kwintas dahil sa halik ni Sam. Nang tumigil na si Sam ay tinignan nito ang kwintas na kanina pa nakatago. He turned it to see, S a heart shape and C. He looks at Celindra in disbelief.

"You.."

"Don't speak!" Celindra immediately put her hand on his lips to make sure he won't say something. She glared at him. "Just.. Just wear it," she said, embarrass. She knew that it looks childish but it is what she wants.

Sam eyes brighten as he looks at Celindra's red face. He didn't knew she have this kind of cuteness. Seeing her flustered with what happened, he felt delight. Sam want to tease her again. Then, he remembered that her hands are still on his mouth. His eyes glint.

Nakita naman iyon ni Celindra at nakaramdam na may mangyayari. Tatanggalin niya na dapat ang kamay niya ng may naramdaman siya. Something wet is touching her hands. Nanlaki ang mata niya at agad inalis ang kamay niya.

"You.. You.." Sam only grinned at her and lick his lips. He opened the box to see the necklace that they bought. He saw that it's the same, except it's C heart S. He smiles and put it on his neck. Inayos niya ito at tumingin kay Celindra. He felt satisfied and proud. Celindra puffed her cheeks and looks away.