Kara's POV

"I-I .... Just leave please... please...." I whispered weakly. He sighed and turned to leave.I clutched my chest and let my tears flow freely from my eyes.

Masyadong magulo ang isip ko, sa dami ng nalaman ko ngayong araw. Akala ko maliliwanagan ako pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin nato pero mas lalo lang gumulo ang isip ko.

At first I wanted to act strong infront of him, and act like I don't care about him anymore. Na wala lang saakin yung mga issue tungkol sa pakikipag date niya. Na ayos na ako,at hindi ako apektado. Pero sa totoo lang nasasaktan ako dahil don, at nasasaktan parin ako hanggang ngayon. Ayokong ipakitang naapektuhan parin ako. Pero hindi ko pala kaya dahil kapag anjan siya nanghihina ako. Natatalo ng nararamdaman ko ang isip ko.

Ayaw kong maniwala sa mga sinasabi niya dahil ayaw kong umasa at masaktan muli. But I hate myself for believing everything he said.Naniniwala ako sa lahat ng mga sinabi niya. I know that he lied for my sake, in order to protect me, alam ko iyon dahil sinabi sa akin ni Jungkook. And hearing it from him makes it more painful. Because I can't imagine his pain and agony from being torn between choosing career over love. I know he must've been so hurt, but he needed to do that. Alam kong nasaktan din siya sa mga desisyong ginawa niya.

And about the dating issue between him and Yeri, hindi ko alam kung totoo nga bang Publicity stunt lang ang lahat kagaya ng sinasabi niya It's been months since that issue sparked up but until now tahimik parin ang agency nila. I'm starting to believe it's really just a publicity stunt, pero nakita ko sila. I saw them together with my own eyes, how can he explain that? Anong paniniwalaan ko?

When he told me that he still loves me, I badly wanted to tell him what I feel. I wanted to tell him that I still love him too. Pero hindi ko kaya. At nung sinabi niya na kaya niyang isuko ang nga pangarap niya para saakin, I felt happy. But I don't want him to do that, I don't want to be selfish. Ayokong bitawan niya ang mga pangarap niya para lang saakin. I want him to hold on to his dreams and not give it up for me.Because no matter what happens I'm still here for him. I'm still his number one fan, I wanted to tell him that but I don't have the strength to say that infront of him.

Hindi ko na alam, masyadong magulo. Ang sakit sakit na ng puso ko.

Naramdaman kong may yumakap saakin.

"Shhhh... it's alright, I'm here" he whispered and rubbed my back. Mas lalo akong napaiyak nung marinig ko ang boses niya. He hugged me tight and I can feel his heart beat,and it somehow calms me down. I can feel our hearts beating in sync.

He pulled away and cupped my face. He stared at my eyes and wiped my tears off my face with his thumb. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I stare back at him.

"I won't leave you, not anymore" he whispered before he kissed my forehead.

He pulled me in and hugged me tight. I wanted to push him away but I can't, I don't have the strength to do that. Wala akong lakas para gawin yon. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at hinayaan siyang yakapin ako.

//
Napabalikwas ako sa kinahihigaan ko. I clutched my chest because my heart is beating so fast.I just had the weirdest and craziest dream. Napanaginipan ko na nag-usap na daw kami ni Taehyung. It felt so real. Hinawakan ko ang labi ko, his kisses seemed so real. Umiling ako.

But thank God it was just a dream. Panaginip lang pala iyon.

"Oh? You're up?" Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko nung marinig ko ang boses na iyon mula sa likuran ko. Unti-unti akong bumaling papunta sa direksyon na iyon. He's standing there looking straight at me smiling. Napalunok ako.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot ko, Nakaputi parin ako.

'Am I still dreaming?'

I pinched myself and looked at him wide eyed when I felt the pain on my arms.

'So it wasn't a dream after all? '

Napalunok uli ako nung ngumiti siya ng napakalaki. "Halika na, let's eat" he said at nauna ng pumunta sa kusina. Napapikit ako.

'This is just a dream! This is just a dream! This is just a dream!' paulit ulit na sinasambit ko sa utak ko. Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko at sinampal ang sarili ko ng dalawang beses .

I sighed and closed my eyes. It's true! I'm not dreaming! The events that happened in my dream wasn't a dream after all, It's all true!

But why did I fell asleep? tsaka bakit hindi pa siya umalis? Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako at isinantabi na muna ang mga iniisip ko at sumunod na sa kusina.

Ngumiti siya nung makita niya ako pero agad din yung napawi, lumapit siya saakin at hinawakan ang pisngi ko.

"What happened to your face?" he asked worriedly. Agad kong tinanggal ang kamay niya, para akong napapaso sa mga hawak niya.

"I-It's nothing.... akala ko kasi... n-nanaginip ako" I mumbled. "This isn't a dream Kara" He chuckled and pulled out a chair for me.

"T-Thank You" I mumbled and sat down. He sat down across from me and smiled.

Tatanungin ko sana kung ilang oras akong nakatulog pero hindi na.Since it's already dark outside, I know I slept for quite a long time.

"Let's eat" he said and smiled. Nilagyan niya ng pagkain ang plato ko at tinitigan ko lang siya habang ginagawa niya yon.

"You're making me melt, Kara" he smiled. I looked away and I heard him chuckle. He started eating and I just watched him. He's eating happily. Bakas sa mukha niya ang saya habang kumakain siya.

He stopped and looked at me. "Why aren't you eating?...do you want me to feed you? " tanong niya. Umiling ako bilang tugon.

"Walang lason yan" he chuckled.

"I...I wasn't thinking about that" sagot ko. There was a long pause between us.

"Do....Do you hate me that much?" he asked sounding hurt.

"N-No! I... I don't hate you... You know I can't hate you" I said whispering the last part.

He sighed and nodded. I started eating and he did the same. We ate silently with constant glances towards each other.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagprisinta siyang siya na daw ang mahuhugas ng mga pinagkainan namin, kahit na ilang beses ko ng sinabing ako na. He insisted that he'll do it so I just let him. Pinapanood ko siya ngayon habang naghuhugas siya. Siya lang yata ang nakita kong naghuhugas na nakangiti.

"I might really melt if you keep on staring Kara. " He chuckled and looked at me.

"Why didn't you leave?"

He sighed and put down the plate he was holding before turning to face me.

"I told you... I'm not leaving you alone anymore" he smiled.

Napalunok ako.

"I won't leave, even if you push me away" he said. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa sinabi niya

He smiled and pinched my cheeks. "Kanina pa nagriring yung phone mo, baka importante yun" sabi niya. Ngayon ko lang narinig na nagriring pala yung phone ko.

"Kanina pa?" tanong ko. Tumango siya.

"Nung tulog ka ilang beses nag ring" He shrugged.

"Why didn't you wake me up then?" I asked.

"I tried to..." He smiled. "But you were in deep sleep, ayokong istorbohin ka" he said.

Iniwan ko na siya sa kusina at nagtungo sa sala kung nasaan yung bag ko. Inilabas ko yung phone ko at bumuntong-hininga.

17 missed calls

All came from Eunwoo. Bigla akong kinabahan. Hindi naman siguro to nakita ni Taehyung diba? I looked around the house napatingin din ako dun sa box kung nasaan yung mga frames na itinago ko. Hindi naman siguro yon kinalkal ni Tae diba? At hindi rin naman siguro siya pumunta sa taas para tignan yung mga kwarto don? Umiling ako at ikinalma ang sarili ko. Wala naman siguro siyang nakita, dahil kung meron kanina pa sana niya ako kinompronta.

I took a deep breath and relaxed myself.

//

"Sana hindi na matapos ang araw na to" he said while staring at me. Andito na kami ngayon sa labas ng bahay.

"I wish I could stay with you here... forever" he sighed. He held both of my hands and gave it a gentle squeeze before kissing the back of my hand.

"We can't." I smiled sadly. "We're walking on different paths now---"

"We can make it work, Kara. As long as we're together...."

Umiling ako at inalis ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko. I cupped his face and smiled sadly.

"You're a star I cant reach.... All I can do is stare at you" Hinawakan din niya ang kamay ko.

"You're out of my league, Taehyung.. and even if we try---"

"Shhhh... Don't say that... " He whispered. He pressed his forehead on mine and stared at me.

"Taehyung, we can't---"

"Stars do fall too Kara...." he whispered. I closed my eyes when I felt him lean in.

"I love you" he said his lips brushing in to mine.

"I---" I was about to answer when my phone started ringing. We both pulled away from eachother. I can actually feel my face heat up from embarrassment.

'Gosh! Kara what the hell are you doing?'

I sighed when I saw who's calling. I waited for the ringing to stop before I put my phone back in my bag.

"Why didn't you answer?" Tanong niya. Umiling ako at ngumiti.

"I-Its not i-important" I whispered. I felt guilty after I saying that. Pero ayaw ko namang sabihin sa kanya kung sino yung tumatawag. Ayaw ko ding sagutin dahil baka magtanong siya kung sino ang kasama ko.

"It's.. It's late... we should probably get going" I said. He sighed and looked at me reluctantly. Nauna na akong maglakad papunta sa kotse ko.

"Will I see you again?" his voice sounded hurt. I stopped in my tracks and looked back at him and smiled.

"Don't hide from me again, Kara" sadness flashed in his eyes. I wanted to go and hug him, but I stopped myself from doing that.

"Goodbye, Taehyung"

//

"HOY! KARA VIXEN! san ka galing?" bungad sa akin ni Yareli, pagpasok ko sa coffee shop. Ngumiti ako kay Brax na nag-aayos ng mga upuan, dahil oras na para magsara.

"Oo nga! Where have you been, noona?" tanong naman ni Brax.

"Awww na ta-touch naman ako. Hindi niyo lang ako nakita ng isang araw, miss na miss niyo na ako ha" I laughed and hopped on the counter.

"Duuuh!" Yareli said rolling her eyes.

"San ka ba talaga nagpunta? kanina ka pa MIA tapos di ka pa macontact" sabi niya.

"Jan lang..."

"Wow! Jan lang tapos hanggang gabi? Bat di mko pa sinulit? Bukas ka na sana umuwi? nahiya ka pa" she laughed and I just rolled my eyes at her.

"Tell me... nakipag date ka no?" tanong niya.

"Nope" Umiling ako.She stared at me and smirked. "I know you too well Kara Vixen" sabi niya.

"Kung di ka nakipag date bakit ganyan suot mo?" tanong niya. "Business meeting?"

"Basta..."sabi ko. Sasabihin ko sana sa kanya na nagkita kami ni Taehyung kaso baka mabatukan ako, kaya wag nalang. Saakin nalang muna to.

" Ah! nag-usap na ba kayo ni Eunwoo  hyung?" tanong ni Brax. I shifted in my seat to face him. Umiling ako.

"Hindi pa"

"Ha?! Eh bat andito ka?" tanong ni Yareli.

"Hindi ba pwede?" tanong ko.

"Kanina ka pa hinihintay ni Eunwoo hyung sa shop, noona" sagot ni Brax.

"What?!" nanlaki ang mata ko habang tinitignan silang magkapatid. Dito kasi ako dumiretso at hindi sa shop. Dali-dali akong bumaba sa counter at nagpaalam na sa kanila.

"Goodevening Miss Kara" bati ni Alyssa nung makita niya akong pumasok.

"Goodevening, umuwi ka na ako na ang magsasara dito sa shop" nakangiting sabi ko. She thanked me and I nodded before she went home. I took a deep breath bago ko buksan ang pintuan sa office. Napakunot-qng noo ko nung makitang walang tao pagbukas ko ng ilaw.

I sighed. "He's not here....maybe he left already" I mumbled think o myself. Aalis na sana ako pero may narinig akong mahinang tunog ng gitara, sinundan ko ang pinang gagalingan ng tunog na iyon. Nakarating ako sa playroom ni Celine. Nakabukas ng konti ang pintuan, dahan-dahan ko iyong binuksan at sumilip sa loob.

Napalunok ako nung makita ko siya doon,nakatalikod siya kaya hindi niya ako napansin. He's playing a guitar and is singing softly.

~play Falling by Harry Styles~

🎶"What if I'm someone you won't talk about?
I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm falling"🎶

Tahimik lang ako habang pinapakinggan siyang kumanta.

🎶"You said you cared, And you missed me too
And I'm well aware I write too many songs about you" 🎶

Napalunok ako. Ilang oras na kaya siyang andito?
Kanina pa kaya siyang naghihintay?

🎶"And the coffee's out, At the Beachwood Cafe
And it kills me 'cause I know we've run out of things we can say" 🎶

I felt the guilt inside me, He's here waiting for me.While I'm out there not answering his calls.

🎶"What am I now? What am I now?
What if I'm someone I don't want around?
I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm falling" 🎶

Napalunok uli ako. May ibig sabihin ba tong kinakanta niya? O trip niya lang tong kantahin?

🎶"What if I'm down?What if I'm out?
What if I'm someone you won't talk about?
I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm falling" 🎶

I took a deep breath. Bakit ganito? Bakit ang gulo ng buhay ko?

🎶"And I get the feeling that you'll never need me again" 🎶

Malumanay ang pagkanta niya pero damang dama mo yung sakit sa mga sinasabi niya. I'm surprised that I'm still not crying over this song.

🎶"What am I now? What am I now?
What if you're someone I just want around?
I'm falling again, I'm falling again I'm falling" 🎶

Isinantabi ko na ang mga iniisip ko at nakinig nalang sa kanta niya.

🎶"What if I'm down? What if I'm out?
What if I'm someone you won't talk about?
I'm falling again, I'm falling again, I'm falling" 🎶

I clapped my hands when he finished the song. Gulat siyang napatayo at tumingin sa akin.

"That was ama---" I was cut off when he suddenly hugged me. "zing..." I continued.

"Where have you been? Why aren't you answering any of my calls? I was so worried" He said looking at me worriedly. I felt guilty seeing him like this. I felt guilty because I can't tell him where I've been and who I am with. I felt guilty 'cause I didn't answer his calls and made him worry about me. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras na siyang naghihintay dito. At hindi ko din alam kung ilang oras na siyang nag-aalala at nag-iisip kung nasaan ako.

"I'm sorry" I whispered.

He smiled and tucked my hair behind my ears. "It's okay.... you're here now, that's all that matters" sabi niya.

"But.... don't make me worry again."

//

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he chuckled and stare at me too. Nandito parin kami sa shop ngayon. Umiling ako at umiwas ng tingin.

"Are you feeling guilty because I waited here for too long?" tanong niya. Tumingin muli ako sa kanya at dahan-dahang tumango.

"Tsk. Don't worry about that... I'm fine"

Tumitig siya sa akin at ngumiti. "Dahil kahit gaano pa katagal, hihintayin kita" he smiled and winked at me.

"You and your jokes...Ang corng mo talaga Cha Eunwoo" I laughed and playfully rolled my eyes. But deep inside my heart hurts from what he said. Hindi ko siya kayang saktan.

He held my chin and and stared at me again. "But I'm not joking, Kara" he said seriously.I swallowed and pursed my lips.

Binitawan niya ang baba ko tsaka tumawa.

"You're cute" he said and pinched my cheeks. I stared at him dumbfounded.

'What the hell was that?'

There was a long silence between us. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano bang sasabihin ko sa kanya.

"Uhm.. about the dating rumor" he started and looked at me. I nodded telling him to continue.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that we were going to confirm it---"

"It's fine by me... but why? I mean why did you tell the press you're really dating me?" tanong ko. He swallowed and stared at me.

"I'm sorry.... but that's the best decision for now" he sighed. I looked at him confused.

"They told me they were.... they were going to release photos of you.... if I deny the rumor" he said. Napanganga ako habang nakatingin sa kanya.

So he confirmed the rumor to protect me? Bakit ba lagi nalang nila akong pinoprotektahan? Wala ba silang tiwala sa akin?It's not that I'm being ungrateful, pero hindi ba nila naisip na kaya ko ang sarili ko?

"I'm sorry... I only did that to protect you and Celine" he sighed. I nodded and smiled.

"But next time don't do it for my sake, what about your image? what will your fans think? Don't worry about me because I can handle myself" sabi ko sa kanya. Umiling siya.

"I can't do that... Hindi ko yata magagawang hindi mag-alala para sayo---"he smiled.

" And I don't care what the others think.I care for you and Celine, that's why I'll do anything to protect the two of you. "

//

"Thanks" I mumbled. We were now infront of oyr house. He smiled and nodded. I bid my goodbye and turned to open the gate when he called me.

"Kara..."

I turned to face him. Lumapit siya saakin at huminga ng malalim bago tumingin muli saakin.

"Wala akong karapatang pagbawalan ka pero... Wag ka na ulit kayong pupunta sa bar na kayo lang ni Yareli" sabi niya. I looked at him confused. Paano niya nalaman? Ikinuwento ba ni Yareli sa kanya yung nangyari?Or ni Brax? o ni Kuya?

"I don't know if you remember anything---"

"NO! I... I mean... I d-don't remember anything" pagsisinungaling ko. He nodded.

"I know you wouldn't remember anything, you're pretty drunk that night... at ayoko na sanang ipaalala but, it's bothering me...." he sighed.

I raised an eyebrow at him. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? "That night was the worst day of my life" he chuckled.

"Huh?"

"Wala akong magawa eh, nandun lang ako pinapanood ka---"

"W-Wait... What?!" I asked shocked. Tama ba ang pagkakarinig ko?

"Gusto kitang hilain palayo pero hindi ko magawa dahil alam kong ayaw mong malaman ni Jungkook na magkakilala tayo....."

"You even told Taehyung hyung that you love him, and that his kiss was the best kiss you ever had---" napalunok siya. At natatawang tumingin sa akin.

"It fucking hurts here" he said pointing to his heart. "It fucking hurts seeing you that happy while you're with him,kahit na alam kong hindi kayo magkakilala" sabi niya.

Napalunok ako, Hindi niya alam na magkakilala kami ni Taehyung. Ang alam lang niya kami lang ni Jungkook ang magkakilala.

"I know you're just drunk that night and that you didn't know what you're doing.... But hearing you say that you love him over and over again breaks my heart, Kara...."

"Bakit saakin hindi mo iyon masabi?" he whispered.

"Bakit pag saakin hirap na hirap kang sabihin yung mga salitang iyon?"

"I.... what....w-what do you mean? How? H-how... did you know all of that?" tanong ko. Pano niya nalaman yung mga nangyari nung gabing yon?

He smiled sadly and stared at me his eyes full of sadness.

"Because I was there, Kara."