Chapter 15

This is the last chapter. Thank you for reading my first ever story here in webnovel! I love you!

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"Do you know who she is?"

Nag-unahan sila Jiro sa pagsilip sa bintana makita lamang 'yung babaeng tinuro ko. Halos pabalik-balik kasi siya dito sa room namin dahil sa mga tumatawag sa kanya mula dito sa room namin.

"She's Dana Flores, why? Interested in her?" Napatingin ako kay Jiro nang siya ang sumagot. Umiling kaagad ako dahil hindi naman talaga. Nasa may bintana pa rin yung tatlo habang kami naman ni Jiro ay nag-uusap na, hindi ko nga alam kung naririnig nila kami ni Jiro.

"She's too noisy, wala sa vocabulary ko 'yan." I shrugged but he laughed at me. Siniko niya si Evan na nakatingin pa rin sa bintana. Mukhang hindi na niya nakita pa 'yung babae.

"Masakit, Jiro! Nakakainis ka!" Inambahan niya ito ng suntok pero lumayo si Jiro at napigilan siya nung dalawa.

"O, puso mo." Umakto pa si Jiro na parang may sinambot kaya mas natawa 'yung dalawa sa gilid ni Evan habang mas lalo namang itong naasar.

Halos araw-araw ko nang nakikita 'yung Dana simula nung araw na 'yon. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa'kin pero sa tuwing pumupunta siya sa room namin para kausapin 'yung mga kaibigan niya ay hindi ko na maalis ang tingin ko sa kanya.

I don't know but staring at her makes me memorize her face. Every feature, how small her eyes, how her lips parted everytime she doesn't have anything to say, how her eyebrows are furrowed for not understanding the words her friends say. Everything.

And my young heart started to beat faster everytime she enter our classroom. She makes me nervous, makes me unconcious for everything what I do and makes me avoided her everytime she called one of her friends.

"Do you know a Dana Flores, Daddy?"

One night, I asked Dad about her. His brows furrowed when I mention her name.

"She's the daughter of your Tito Gerald. Why do you ask?" I shakes my head, not yet.

Daddy smiled. "Come on, you can tell me. Besides, hindi pa naman namin siya name-meet. According to her Mom, she doesn't want to go to every event they go to."

"Well, she's my schoolmate at halos araw-araw siyang nasa room namin kasi kaklase ko 'yung mga kaibigan niya. She's too noisy kaya halos kilala na siya nung mga kaklase ko tapos—"

"You have a crush on her?" I stopped talking and pursed my lips. I don't know what to say.

I tried to stop that unhealthy feelings not until I saw her name on the list of the ABM students in the bulletin board.

What is it? Destiny huh?

"Clyde, bro! Tara na, nagugutom na ako!"

I stopped chewing my gum to look at Evan who was standing outside our classroom. He's not even aware that he caught someone's attention. I looked away from him, afraid that the girl will look at my direction.

"Clyde fucking Ian, stand the fuck up." I remained silent and silently chewed my gum.

"Ang ingay mo, Evan." I teased him.

"Gago," he cursed at me and I chuckled, I am enjoying this.

"Tara na kasi! Punyeta ka talaga," he cursed at me again. Why the fuck is he here by the way?

"Bakit ba hindi ka makakain ng wala ako?" I stood up from my seat and I saw him jump from happiness.

"Bobo, kaya ko naman na kumain ng wala ka. Sadyan ibinilin ka lang sa akin ni Tita na samahan kang kumain dahil baka sa iba mo na naman daw gastusin 'yang pera mo," he said while laughing.

I don't spent my money, I save them.

When I go out in our classroom, I glanced at the girl and raised my eyebrows when our eyes met. I saw her smirk, amused by my attitude.

"Dana, dude," Dana Elisha Flores.

Dude huh?

"What the fuck is this?"

When I opened my damn bag, I saw the letter she was holding earlier. She slipped it inside my bag?

I smiled a little and shakes my head.

That girl.

"You done?"

I nodded at Ate Cailyn. She was wearing her earrings while looking at me through the mirror.

It's Kyle's birthday and we are invited. Well, I don't really want to come but she forced me.

I also texted the boys and they would come except for Jiro because he was busy with his lovelife. I understand him, he's too in love with Lorraine.

We came at the party and they were too noisy as heck. I don't really mind them being noisy because I'm already used to it.

"Behave," Bago kami bumaba sa kotse ay 'yun ang sinabi ni Ate Cai sa amin. They act to zipped their mouth but can't hold their laugh.

Bakit ko ba naging kaibigan 'tong mga 'to?

Naglakad kami hanggang sa garden at halos mapahinto ako ng makita ko siya doon na nakaupo habang may kasama pang tatlong babae.

I'm sure she didn't notice that I already saw her because she immediately avoided her gaze to us.

Napalingon na lang ulit ako sa kanya nang biglang sumigaw si Evan.

"Dana!" I smiled.

I saw her first, dude.

"Clyde!"

I heard her shouted my name. I didn't look back and continue walking. She was too noisy! I don't like it but I like her.

She kept on asking me why did I know his dad. Why would I didn't? He's my father's friend! I'm also curious why didn't he ask his father and why does she kept on chasing me?

Is she afraid to tell his father that she knew me already?

I only stopped walking when we are already infront of our house. I looked at her and smirked.

Nanlaki ang bata niya at bigla na lang akong tinalikuran. Nagpanic ako at mabilis siyang hinabol. Huminto ako sa likod niya at nagpamulsa.

"Where are you going?" My brows are furrowed while looking at her.

She looked like she was avoiding some wild animals. Her face looks so pale... Is she nervous?

"So that's her?"

Tumingin ako kay Daddy na nakahilig sa may pinto ng kwarto ko habang pinapanood akong magbihis.

Umiwas ako ng tingin.

"She is." Matipid kong sagot. Hindi ko na narinig pang sumagot si Daddy kaya tumingin ako sa kanya habang inaayos 'yung damit ko.

He was smiling while looking at me.

"Goodluck,"

Weeks has passed at naging busy ako sa pag-aaral dahil malapit na ang exam. We've been busy doing our requirements and other activities.

Minsan nga, hindi ko na siya nakikita pa dahil late na akong nakaka-uwi habang siya ay nauuna nang umuwi.

"Dude, accept mo na kasi! Pa-hard to get ka pa dyan, mas nauna ka namang nahulog!"

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Evan at umiling sa kanya. I will accept her but not now. I just want her to kept on chasing me, I want her to be on my side.

"Kakain ka ba?"

I saw her shakes her head but I continue eating.

"Sige, order lang ako ng pagkain ko." Naiwan kaming tatlo na tahimik lang doon habang ako ay nakain lang at si Evan na hindi mapakali sa upuan niya.

"Dana," Evan called her. "Promise, hindi ko talaga intensyon 'yung kagabi."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong nangyari kagabi?

"Okay lang," I heard her laugh silently.

Para akong sira dito na hindi alam kung ano 'yung pinag-uusapan nila. Naramdaman kong nakatingin siya sa akin kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. She smiled at me and avoided her gaze.

Dumating 'yung kaibigan niya na may dalang tray at may bread. She gave the bread to Dana and started to eat it.

"Why won't you eat food?" Pati ako ay nagulat sa sariling boses ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit lumabas na malamig ang boses ko basta ang alam ko nag-aalala ako kasi hindi siya kumakain ng maayos na pagkain.

Hindi ko alam pero parang naasar siya sa sinabi kong sasabihin ko kay Tito Gerald na hindi siya kumain kaya bigla akong nagpanic nung bigla siyang tumayo.

"Ano bang nangyari kagabi, Evan?" Tumayo na rin ako at handa na siyang habulin.

"She saw the post of Ate Asha," Mabilis na sagot niya. Tumango ako at umalis na doon para habulin siya.

Hinawakan ko siya sa braso niya at nag-sorry sa kanya. Hindi siya nagsalita kaya hinarap ko siya sa akin, hindi rin siya nakatingin ng deretso sa akin kaya nagsalita ako.

"Say something," umangat ang tingin niya at hindi nakapagsalita.

Shit, I know what she's thinking! Damn, no. I always want to talk to you but I'm afraid to do so.

"Did you see the post of Asha?" Lumaki ang mata niya pero nawala din at umiling sa akin.

Damn, she's Ate Cailyn's friend! Hindi kami talo.

Pinilit niyang hindi niya nakita 'yung post kahit sinabi naman na sa akin 'yun ni Evan at sinabing hindi niya tinignan ang profile ko nung gabing 'yon.

I brought my face close to her and smiled a little when she caught on guard.

"Ayos na ba tayo?" Nilayo niya ng kaunti ang mukha niya nang marealize na kaunti na lang ay malapit na niya akong mahalikan.

"Nag-away ba tayo?" Nagkibit balikat ako at umayos ng tayo.

"You were mad at me earlier so," hindi na mawala sa labi ko ang ngiti kaya nakikita kong medyo naaasar na siya.

"Sige, ayos na tayo." I sighed.

"No hard feelings?" Ginaya ko 'yung sinabi ni Evan kaya napatawa siya. Umiling siya kaya ngumiti ako ng tipid pero agad din nawala.

Hindi ko na siya pinigilan pa nung nagpaalam na siyang umalis. I stared at her while she was walking away from me.

"Can you give her a ride? Nakalimutan niya 'yung requirement niyang ipapasa ngayon,"

Marahan akong tumango. Ayokong humindi dahil mukhang importante sa kanya 'yon kahit alam kong malalate na ako sa klase.

She looked like a mess kaya mas lalong gusto ko siyang tulungan. I wanted to help her na walang hinihinging kapalit. Buong byahe ay wala lang akong imik habang siya ay nararamdaman ko ang pagpapanic. Mabilis kaming nakarating sa bahay nila at dali-dali siyang bumaba sa kotse ko.

"Fuck this feeling," pumikit ako ng mariin.

Hindi na ako makaahon. Ang gusto kong gawin ngayon ay yakapin na lang siya at sabihin ayos na. Na nandito na ako para tulungan siya, na hindi na niya kailangan pang mag-alala.

Dumating kami sa school na ilang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang first period. Nagulat pa ako nang makita kong hinihintay niya ako. Binilisan ko ang paglalakad ko para hindi niya ako maabutan.

I don't want to see her right now. I'm falling fucking deep.

"I fucked up,"

Bungad ko kay Evan nang makarating ako sa room nila. Palabas na siya sa room nila pero napahinto nang makita niya akong nasa harapan na niya.

Kunot noo lang niya akong tinignan, hindi maintindihan kung ano 'yung sinasabi ko.

"Fuck," hinila ko siya paalis doon at sa garden dumeretso.

"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo?" Sinabunutan ko ang sarili ko at umupo sa bench. I fucking fucked up!

"Sinabi kong tigilan na niya ako..." Mahina kong sabi pero alam kong rinig niya 'yon. "Evan what the fuck did I say that?! Ano bang nangyayari sa akin!?! Hindi ko na alam!"

He didn't say anything, he's just there listening and confronting me to what I've done to her.

"You should've said that," he said after I stopped talking. "Tao 'yon, may pakiramdam. Nasasaktan 'yon, ilang buwan ka na niyang sinusundan kung saan-saan at ang gusto lang naman nung tao ay pansinin mo siya kahit papaano. I know that you like her but do you know how harsh you are to her? Nararamdaman mo ba 'yung ginagawa mo sa kanya? Hindi diba? Kasi masyado kang nagfofocus sa sarili mong emosyon. Hindi mo alam 'yung nagiging epekto nung emosyon mo sa galaw mo."

I didn't say anything so he sighed.

"I want you to fix the mess you've done, Clyde. Ikaw ang gumulo, ikaw din ang mag-ayos."

He left me there, hanging. I don't know what to do or what to say. Is it too late? Or not?

"Sinubukan kong kausapin si Dana but she didn't want to talk about you for now,"

I sighed. I know it's my fault.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko. Nandito kami ngayon ni Evan sa usual spot namin kapag iniiwasan ko si Dana. Dito kami napunta para kumain ng lunch.

"I saw her at the bench, bibili ako ng pagkain." I said before leaving him. Alam kong susunod lang rin 'yan sa'kin para makita kung ano 'yung gagawin ko.

I bought foods, especially her favorite bread. I walked towards her and placed the foods beside her. She looked surprise seeing me there and when I talked she shoved me the bread I bought.

"What the heck, Dana?!" I felt my face became red because ofI feel so embarassed around her. Hindi niya alam kung ano-ano ng santo ang tinawag ko magkaroon lang ng lakas ng loob na lumapit sa kanya.

"Wala ginising lang kita. Mauna na ako," I chewed the bread so fast before she leave me. Nagtagumpay ako kaya hinabol ko siya at hinila papunta sa rooftop para aminin na sa kanya ang lahat.

"Ang gusto ko lang ngayon ay pakinggan mo lahat ng sasabihin ko," she was just lokking at me so I sighed before I let go of her arm. Tumalikod ako sa kanya bago magpatuloy. "Gusto kita, dati pa. I tried to stop this feelings pero hindi nangyari. Alam kong ang bullshit ng pakikitungo ko sa'yo nitong mga nakaraang buwan pero ginawa ko lang 'yon para hindi ako tuluyang mahulog sa'yo,"

Humarap ako sa kanya at ngumiti ng tipid. I know she won't forgive me but I won't waste this time explaining my feelings for her.

"At ayokong mawala ka sa tabi ko. I just want you to chase me and be with you everytime but things started to change when you forgot your requirement and you look liked a mess, na hindi mo alam yung gagawin mo kapag hindi ako pumayag na samahan ka sa inyo para kunin 'yon,"

"Clyde..."

"Shh," I shakes my head. I don't want her to feel guilty. "Doon ako natauhan na hulog na hulog na ako. Kaya sorry kung nagawa ko 'to sa'yo, alam kong mali pero wala e, 'yun ang alam kong paraan. Ang gago diba?"

I chuckled a bit. She walked slowly but I stopped her. I said to her that starting from that day is I'll be the one who will chase her.

"Gusto mo bang pumasok?" She shyly asked me. I smirked and stared at her.

"Okay lang?"

"Oo," lumayo siya sa'kin habang unti-unti akong lumalapit sa kanya. "Wala pa naman sila Daddy,"

I laughed before I sat properly. "Hindi na. See you,"

She was pissed that's why I said that was just a joke. She invited me to their house and asked me if what I want to drink. Sinundan ko siya sa kusina nila nila at umupo sa mataas na upuan bago magpahalumbaba sa breakfast table nila. I stared at her while she was drinking at ganoon rin ang ginawa niya sa'kin nung ako naman ang umiinom.

"I like you too," she said out of nowhere. Nagulat ako kaya hindi ko sinasadyang mabuga sa kanya 'yung tubig.

Damn it! I'm sorry, Dana!

"Saan tayo pupunta? Sa rooftop na naman?"

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "Hindi,"

Pinasakay ko siya sa kotse at nagdrive papunta sa bahay nila para makapagpalit siya. Hindi naman siya nagtagal doon kaya sabi ko ay dumaan na rin muna kami sa bahay para makapagpalut muna ako. Pagpasok ko sa bahay ay naabutan kong tulog si Calvin sa sofa sa living room.

Hinalikan ko siya sa noo at nagulat ako nang makita kong nagising siya. "Hello, little boy."

"Wala po kayong class?" Tumango ako sa kanya. "Where are you going?"

"Falls," sagot ko kaya nagliwanag ang mukha niya. "Can I come?"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot kaya nilabas ko ang cellphone ko para itanong kay Dana. Damn, wala pala akong number niya! Naalala kong nagfriend request nga pala siya sa'kin kaya dali-dali ko siyang inaccept at chinat.

Pumayag siyang isama si Calvin kaya pinalitan ko muna siya ng damit bago ako nagpalit. Pagdating namin sa falls ay pinicture-an ko silang dalawa at nilagay ko sa story ko.

'My babies.'

"Sila Tito?"

I asked when I lay down Calvin on her bed.

"Work," maikli niyang sagot.

Hinila niya 'ko palabas sa kwarto niya bago ako nakapagsalita.

"I'll wait for them, sasabihin ko nililigawan na kita." She stopped and raised her brows. "I'm serious,'

"Okay,"

We waited for Tito and Tito to come home. It was past 7 when we heard their car. Sinalubong sila ni Dana kaya sumunod ako sa kanya. Bumati ako kila Tita at ganoon na lang gulat nila nang makita nila ako sa likod ng anak.

"Sinama ko po siya sa falls kanina," paliwanag ko habang ginigising ni Dana si Calvin.

They nodded but didn't say anything. I waited for Dana to arrive at the dining before I formally asked them about courting their daughter.

"Are you happy, Dana?" Tita asked. Alam kong sagot ni Tita ang mas gusto niyang marinig sagot dahil nakwento niya sa'kin kung paano sila minsan hindi magkasundo ni Tita.

Dana nodded.

"If my daughter is happy, then I'm also happy,"

I smiled. Dana jumped out of excitement and hug her parents. No words can explain how happy she is that time.

"Jean, can give this to her when your class ended?"

Patago kong binigay kay Jean ang susi ng kotse ko. I'm planning on saying 'I love you' to her after class but my fucking heart can't calm down.

When class ended, I immediately go out in our classroom to find some roses. But I only find one rose and it was the last one soI bought it and replied in her text.

"I love you," I finally said it after a long minutes of silence.

She smiled before she leaned to kissed my cheeks and whispered something on my ears.

"I love you too,"

After that, she left me there while I don't know what to say. Damn it.

"You know," I said while claiming her waist. We're watching the sun goes down while facing the beautiful scenery of the beach. "If I had two hearts, I would fall for you twice."

She laughed. "Corny,"

"I'm serious," I kissed her neck. Her scent is so addicting! "I really love you."

"And I really love you too," hinigpitan ko ang yakap ko sa kanya. Hinawakan niya ang braso kong nakayakap sa kanya. "Because I, Dana Elisha Flores, never regret chasing the serene. I love you."

THE END.

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Thank you again for reading. I hope you enjoyed :))

This is jaeun, signing off.