Chapter 31

"Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it."

----Confucius

*MLAIRE VILLACHIN'S POV*

I felt so weak and I want to sleep more but I felt that mother earth calls me. Slowly, I opened my eyes and I see unfamiliar things inside and without any thought I woke up and go outside to know what really happened.

"Good morning Mlaire!" I don't know what to feel and how to react right now. Hindi ko... Hindi ko  alam kung bakit napunta ako dito at kung paanong magkasama kami ni Andrew- nitong lalaking ito!

"Shut up! Why I am here and what you're business in this kind of place?" I asks him angrily. But he grins at me, something that he planned to happen.

"Let's eat first before we talk about what happened last night at the party." He place the plates in the little table and he waited me to sit down.

"Back off! I'm not hungry..." I walk out and went outside. I thought Andrew will stay inside but he follow me into the seashore and forcely grab my wrist.

"Don't let the food wait us! Kumain muna tayo at ipapaliwanag ko sayo lahat lahat. Please Mlaire, I just want to be with you and say sorry until you forgive me... until all the pain will rot in hell and replace it with good memories." I don't have the guts to say anything about what he said. Ayokong makipagbangayan pa baka saan pa mapunta ang usapan namin.

I didn't respond even a single nod, I just walk and go back to the tent. He puts lettuce salad on my plate and pours a little chocolate on it. What the h*ck? He still remember my favorite. My exotic favorite.

"I still remember, so just eat." Andrew look at me while eating.

I don't know but I felt happy because he still remember the food I used to order back then. Andrew taught me that putting chocolate syrup in a lettuce salad will be delicious and it was.

I consumed a lot of lettuce salad and I'm really full. Knowing that Andrew is already finish with his breakfast.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I thought you're not yet done." I said awkwardly. I quickly clean the mini table.

"No! Ako na ang magliligpit nito." He said calmly and he smiled at me. What a beautiful scenery! My mind shouting.

Pero nagmatigas ako dahil nakakahiya ang ginawa ko. Inubos ko lahat at parang wala siyang nakain. Sa pagkakaagawan naming dalawa hindi ko napansing magkalapit na pala ang mga mukha namin. Inch is a distance of our face and when we move I don't know what will happen.

Andrew look at me in my eyes and all I can see is regrets. I'm drivin' crazy right now, dahil ni isa walang kumikibo sa amin. Slowly, he close his eyes and I feel his lips against mine. I don't know what to do but my system was eaten up.

Nawala ako sa sarili at sa sandaling iyon, tumugon ako sa kanyang mga halik. I feel that my whole body is shaking and slowly my tears flow down.

"Shhhh, I'm sorry for the kiss and for everything that I've done to you Mlaire." Oh! How I miss his sweet voice and his whispering eyes.

Sa pagkabigla ko, naitulak ko si Andrew at nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang pagbigla at sakit. Kaya tumakbo ako palabas ng tent at naglakad sa baybayin.

Ayokong makita muna si Andrew dahil sa tuwing nakikita't naririnig ko ang malumanay at nangungusap niyang mga mata parang nadadala ako at baka di ko na mapigilan pa ito.

I stayed until the lighting moon shown up in the seashore and a far from the tent. Hindi ko alintana kahit madilim at malamok sa kinaroroonan ko, wala akong ginawa kundi ang magmukmok at bumato ng mga shells sa dagat.

I'm just watching the calm sea and stars twinkling above with the moon's light. I thought that Andrew will look and follow after me but sadly I'm just over thinking.

"AHHHHHHH! I HATE YOU ANDREW WILTON!" I throw the big shell on the sea and I remember the moment he kissed me.

"STAY AWAY! AHHHH I STILL LOVE YOU, EVEN IF YOU HURT ME!" Napapaiyak na lang ako, ang daming lamok at dinagdagan pa ito ni Andrew. Gusto ko nang umuwi, gusto ko nang bumalik sa pagtuturo.

Nilagay ko ang ulo ko sa tuhod ko at yinakap ko ng mahigpit ang sarili ko.

"Its all me and no one else." I whispered in the air.

"Its not only you because I'm here." Napabalikwas ako ng marinig ko ang boses niya. Napatayo ako at tinitigan ko siya sa mata, ang kanyang mga matang kumikislap at ngumiti na para bang may ikinatutuwa siya.

Balisa ako dahil baka naeinig niya ang mga sinabi ko kanina. No! Hindi maari.

"Kanina ka pa ba diyan?" I asked calmly while smiling.

"Aha! I'm just there and I can hear you." He said smiling at me.

"So, you heard everything I shouted earlier?" I hope he didn't hear or else I doomed.

"Yap! So now, Mlaire look at me straight into my eyes. I want you to say what you feel right now and everything you wanted to say."  I know he's serious right now but I earned all the courage in myself before telling him everything.

I turned back because I'm afraid. I'm afraid the truth that when I tell him everything nothing will change dahil may anak na siya kay Alexia. But this is the only chance, so I started confessing.

"I was hurt that night. The night when you reaveled your real identity. I let you took my company, the company where stand as my inspiration in life. Kinuha mo lahat ng pinaghirapan ko and I surrender and give up so easily at dahil minahal kita mas lalo akong nahirapan-" I paused for a while.

"I tried to move on so I went and stayed in California for good, I became a teacher in California and I'm so grateful because somehow I forgot the pain you've caused." Tears slowly falling on my face and I couldn't hold it back anymore.

"But you know Andrew what really hurts? Yong nalaman kong nagkabalikan na pala kayo ni Alexia at magkakaanak pa kayo. I know she's your life and you wanted to marry her especially now that she's pregnant with your child. Alexia is bearing your child Andrew that's why I chose not to talk to you dahil kapag nangyari yun ako pa rin ang talo. Sa huli ako pa rin ang masasaktan at kaawa-awa kaya tapusin na natin ito. Sinabi ko na lahat lahat at alam kong narinig mo iyon."

I paused in a minute dahil hindi ako makapagsalita ng maayos dahil sumisikip ang dibdib ko. While saying those words I felt that my heart is tearing apart.

"Pinapatawad na kita Andrew. I hope you'll be happy with Alexia and with your child." I wipes my tears using my hands. Tapos na ako at pagod na pagod na ako, I want to rest. Nakakailang hakbang palang ako I felt his hand on my wrist.

"Not yet Mlaire. Just stay and let me explain." I want to end this so I stayed and listen.

"The night when my real identiy was revealed it was not my intention. Yes, dad and I planned to destroy you but the plan change when I fall in love with you, but my cousin didn't hear me so he and dad continued the plan but I tried to stop them but they still stick on our plan and during that night my cousin revealed me, the real me. Promise Mlaire, I tried to stop them pero wala akong magawa dahil wala pa akong maipagmamalaki kay dad noon." Andrew stops and I saw how his tears falls down.

"I love you Mlaire and I still do, and I was hurt when the moment I saw you with Mirkho kissing outside of your house." Napaangat ako dahil sa mga narinig ako. I'm confused right now.

"What are you saying? Me and Mirkho- kissing? What? Can you please explain it to me, di ko maintindihan." I don't know what his talking about right now. Wala akong maalala.

"Two years has passed and I followed you in California. Your parents told me where you stay and they are also the one encourages me to follow you because they know that you'll be happy if I'm there. Since, I'm willing to follow you I quickly booked a flight and went to the address given by your parents but unfortunately I saw you with someone else. The hurtful moment was when he kissed you and you look so happy with him that time." Andrew wipes his tears and I'm laughing out loud.

"Hahahaha so, you think that me and Mirkho are in a relationship? Hahahah really? you followed me?" I feel so dismay, kung noon ko pa sana siya pinakinggan noon pa sana namin naayos ito.

"Yeah. I thought, and I followed you there. Why are you laughing?" Andrew irritatedly asks me.

"Why you didn't say it all to me? Bakit ngayon lang? Bakit ngayon pa kung saan magkakaanak ka na, Andrew Wilton?" Napaiyak ulit ako. Bakit ngayon pa! Sana noon pa!

"Because you didn't want to listen and I'm afraid to know the truth that you have a boyfriend." Andrew looks up at the sky, and he seems so sad.

"This is all my fault. Kung sana pinakinggan kita edeh sana naayos pa natin ito. But why you didn't show up when you saw me and Mirkho?" I asks him.

"Dahil natakot ako. Natakot ako na baka ipagtabuyan mo lang ako at kitang kita ko na masaya ka na kay Mirkho so I chose to let go. Kung saan ka masaya dun na rin ako but the moment we've met again, nabuhayan ulit ako. I'm willing to do evertyhing just to win you back kaya nasapak ko si Zerale nung nakaraang linggo." I saw madnes in him.

"Yeah. You're such a judgemental but thank you for following me there but how come you didn't found any courage to shown up." I said while looking at him.

"I'm sorry for judging you but you know Mlaire I'm happy knowing that you're still single. At least maybe I have a chance, of course its up to you." Andrew still looking at the stars. Standing just like a model while his hands on his pocket.

"But you have a child now Andrew. I don't want to break your family and Alexia loves you. I still remember the night you revealed your identify, when I got home I received a video clip in my account and even its hurt that time I watch it and surprisedly it was you and Alexia in the video. So, matagal na pala kayong nagkabalikan?" I asks out of my curiosity and I saw how Andrew's expression changed so sudden. 

"What? Alexia sent you a video at that night?" He seems so shock.

"Yeah. You didn't know? It was one of the reason why I went to California because I thought you just played me and fooled me and remember the day we'd met in the hospital? Alexia is the one who bumped me not me but you chose her, of course she's your wife." I stayed looking and watching the stars and I can see him looking at me base on my peripheral vision.

"No! It's not true Mlaire, maybe the video was old and she just sent it to you for you to be mad at me. I don't love her anymore Mlaire and I don't know that she sent a video into you and Alexia and I are not yet married." Alam kong nagsasabi siya ng totoo pero wala na kaming magagawa dahil magkakaanak na sila ni Alexia. I don't want to be the reason for them to separate and I pity their child.

"I know. But what can we do? I don't want to ruin your relationship with Alexia, Andrew. Just forget me and live happily with Alexia and with your angel." I walk away with him but he grab my wrist at tuluyan na namang akong napaiyak. B*llshit! Why I'm acting like this?

"Please Mlaire! We can work it this time, please. I'll talk to Alexia when we go back to Manila.Please, I love you Mlaire and I want to grab this chance." He let me look at him. Hindi ko kaya, hindi ko kayang pakawalan pa siya.

"Ano ka ba Andrew! You can't see, magkakaanak ka na kay Alexia! She's perfect and every man wishes a woman like Alexia, please wag mo na akong pahirapan pa Andrew." Napahagulgol na lang ako dahil sa sakit. I don't want to accept the fact but this is really happening and I don't have a choice but to choose the right recision.

"So you're gonna leave me again, Mlaire? You gonna leave the country with that b*llsh*t Mirkho? Is that what you want hu?" I don't want to lose him again pero nilagay ako sa sitwasyong isa lang ang pwede kong gawin at yon ay ang magparaya.

"His just my friend, Andrew! Wala naman sigurong malisya kong sasamahan niya ulit ako sa California! You with Alexia and me with Mirkho!" I can't hold back, masyadong masakit ang mga rebelasyong ito. Akala ko kung mapatawad ko na siya evertyhing will be alright pero para atang mas lumalala pa ang sitwasyon.

"You mean, you want Mirkho over me? Hu?" Natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka pagsisihan ko ang magiging desisyon ko pero mas makakabuti saming dalawa kung magpapakalayo layo ako sa kanila ni Alexia.

Hindi ko magawang sumagot sa kanya so I simply nod saying yes. Kaya nakita ko siyang pinagpapadyak ang mga buhangin, he slowly close his fist because of anger.

"Last request Mlaire. Look at me in my eyes and say that you don't f*cking love me anymore." Andrew waited me to look at his eyes but I did.

Diretso akong nakatingin sa kanyang mga matang nakikiusap at ang tanging naririnig ko lang ay ang kalmadong alon ng dagat.

Dahan dahang kong sinabi ang kabaliktaran. "I don't love you anymore, Andrew Wilton."  The moment I said those words tumakbo ako palayo sa kanya. He's still there standing alone, dumb-founded and broken.

Habang papalayo ng papalayo lalong bumibigat ang pakiramdam ko. Para bang pinupunit ng pagkapirasong-piraso ang puso ko, sandali akong tumigil at napaluhod sa buhanginan. Tumingin ako sa masaya at maliwanag na kalangitan at sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon I saw a shooting star.

Without any thought, tumakbo ako pabalik sa kinaroonan ni Andrew. I shouted his name while running and crying, kahit pagod na pagod na ako mas binilisan ko pa ang pagtakbo baka di ko na siya madatnan pa.

Sa hindi kalayuan, natatanaw ko na siya pero naglalakad na ito pabalik sa tent.

"Andrew!"

"Andrew! Please, stop!" I shouted his name baka tumigil siya kakalakad.

I saw him stop walking and turned his back. I saw how his face lighten up and so I run and run and run towards him until such time that only meter is the distance between us. I'm tired running and my heart beats so fast.

Hindi pa rin nauubos ang luha ko. Kaya lumapit si Andrew at pinunasan ang mga luha sa mukha ko but it useless dahil mas napaiyak pa ako lalo sa ginawa niya.

"I thought you don't love me, why did you came back and look for?" He asks confusedly.

But without any single word, I kiss Andrew. I slowly close my eyes feel every single minute because I know that this is only our chance. This place is our Fairytale Land and Manila is both our Reality Land.

He kissed me back and slowly hold my hands. The stars, the moon, the blue sea and the sky witness the love that I felt towards Andrew with a kiss.

"I love you, Andrew Wilton and I'm sorry for telling you those lies." I said while smiling at him.

"I love you too, Mlaire. I know, you liar. Just promise me one thing that starting now you will not listen to anybody. Just trust me Mlaire and let's fight our love together. Okay?" I believe that my decision is right. Now, I can say that I'm happy cause I'm smiling widely.

"Yes Sir! I promise." After saying those words, Andrew kiss me in the forehead and while walking he hold my hands smiling.

"Good then. Mlaire?" Nakakapanibago sa tuwing sinasambit ni Andrew ang pangalan ko. Naninindig ang mga balahibo ko sa tuwing nagsasalita siya.

"Hmmmm?" Tanging tugon ko.

"Can I court you?" Napatawa ako ng malakas dahil sa tanong niya. Akala ko ano, yon pala manliligaw. Manliligaw? Sa akin?

"Hahahah of course. But court first  my family before me, understood?" He saluted just like a commander and we both laughing walking back to the tent.

Hindi ko na namalayan na nakarating na pala kami sa tent. Sa tansya ko nasa 10 pm na ng gabi dahil sa lamig ng simiy ng hangin.

"Ahh Andrew, kailan kaya tayo makakauwi sa Manila? Ang daming lamok rito at ang dilim dilim pa." I asks out of nowhere. Andrew is preparing our dinner, I don't know where he hid all of the food. But upon watching him, I can't resist to smile. It's something that I wishing for that someday someone will prepare foods for us and now it's happening.

"Maybe the day after tomorrow. I told Zion that give us two or three days to talk and keep it as a secret, so maybe others staff are looking for us so let's just act like we really lost in the isle." He's smart at the same time. Of course he's concern about us.

"Ahh good then. Maybe Alexia is looking out on you, right?" Wala lang. Gusto ko lang pag-usapan si Alexia.

"Yeah. She wants me to call her thrice a day and I'm so irritated on that woman! She wants me always in her side or else she will abort her baby. You know what Mlaire, I fell out of love to Alexia because she's paranoid and possesive. She wants me not to go to work and many more and I hate it!" I pity Alexia, she's beautiful and almost perfect how come that Andrew Wilton doesn't love her anymore.

"I see. But you're happy knowing that Alexia is pregnant?" I'm interested now.

"Of course! But, I couldn't remember that we made that thing. You know what I'm talking about Mlaire, so I have that doubt that I'm not the father of that child." Napaisip ako sa mga sinabi ni Andrew, of course lalaki siya at kung nagawa niya yon he will never deny the fact. Parang may mali. Maybe Alexia is hiding something on Andrew.

"Really? But why did you took all the responsibility if you know that it is not your own child?" I'm chewing my favorite chocolate bars.

"Because my dad say so and I pity her. But I really don't give a d*mn about her." I saw sincerity in his eyes. I can feel the hatred he felt to Alexia and I don't have any idea why.

"Because you're a handsome man with a heart." I said simply.

He just nodded and look at me smiling widely.  "I love you Mlaire."  I was stunned and happy because still I can't accept the fact that this is really happening.  Me and Andrew are happy together.

"I love you too Andrew." I respond quickly while eating a bar of chocolate. Hard to think that Andrew has all of these chocolates.

"Hmmmm, let's finish our dinner so that we can rest. I know you're tired and sleepy Mlaire." We both enjoy with our situation. In a big tent and with foods and us.

I helped Andrew cleaning the mini table. He puts the trashes in a plastic and place it outside of the tent. While his out I'd make sure that we can sleep in here and I saw a blanket and nothing. Only a small in length blanket.

"There's nothing pillow in here and there's only a blanket there. I'm sorry Mlaire for that." Andrew cup my face and I felt so warm and secure.

"It's okay Andrew. Let's sleep!" We are both lying and he used his arm as my pillow. I found it so cute but I chose to keep silent.

"Good night Mlaire." It was the last words I heard and I fall asleep.