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I LET the cold wind blew my hair. Malamig sa garden pero mas gusto ko ang ambiance rito. I'm wearing a short floral dress at wala akong jacket na suot.

Maingay sa loob ng bahay. Yes, dito kami nagcelebrate ng engagement ni Kuya Onyx at Ate Ciara. The loud boom of music and the dancing lights makes the darkness of the night shine.

I felt a pair of warm hands and a familiar black jacket on my shoulders. Nilingon ko si Seven na umupo sa bench kung saan ako.

He smiled at me. Namumungay ang kaniyang mga mata, kanina pa kasi sila umiinom sa loob.

"You're drunk na?" I asked gently.

He shook his head. "Just tipsy," namamaos ang boses na sagot niya.

Natahimik na kami pagkaraan ng ilang minuto. We both watched the sky full of stars. Naglakbay ang isipan ko sa mga nangyari sa amin noon.

We both talked about it a few days ago. Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya sa akin. Palihim akong napangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang papalit niyang katawan.

"What are you doing?" I teased. He paused. Nangungusap ang mga mata na tinitigan niya ako.

Kinagat ko ang labi at lumapit na rin sa kaniya. I closed my eyes as I felt him embrace me in his arms. Napasandal ako sa dibdib niya. Nanatili kami sa ganoong posisyon, until I felt him kissed the top of my head.

I missed this. So much. Our memories flashes on my mind one by one. From being best friends, to hiding our feelings, being in a relationship and the day when he hurt me.

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. I can feel his heart beat on my back. Mabilis. Ngunit payapa.

He placed his chin on my shoulder. Bumuntonghininga siya.

"I missed you. I love you, mahal ko..." He whispered. Those words made my heart beat faster than usual.

Lumabas ako ng grocery store. Nasa likod ko si Seven na nakasunod sa akin. Nang makalayo na kami sa dami ng tao, nilingon ko na siya.

Napalunok siya. "I'm sorry..."

I watched him. Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko.

I can feel him controlling himself. Parang gusto niya akong lapitan pero hindi niya magawa dahil hindi siya sigurado sa mararamdaman ko.

"I'm sorry for hurting you. For leaving without saying anything. And I'm sorry for breaking my promise." Umigting ang panga niya.

I just stood there. Waiting for more of his explanation.

"My abuelo came back to the Philippines that day. We had a fight while having dinner. And he was rushed to the hospital."

Napalunok ako. May dumaang lungkot sa mga mata niya.

"I feel so guilty. Kasi alam kong kasalanan ko. Hindi ako pumayag sa desisyon niya na magpakasal ako sa iba." Ngumiti siya ng mapait. "Because I have you. And I only want you."

Bumuntonghininga siya. "The only thing to make it up with him is to do what he wants, kahit na labag sa loob ko. Sumama ako sa kanila ni Sabrina sa abroad dahil ayaw ko na mapahamak ka."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "W-What do you m-mean?"

"My abuelo can do anything in his power to harm people who won't obey him, Twila. My mom was his first victim. And Silas hated him because he did the same thing."

Napasinghap ako sa mga sumunod niyang sinabi. Oh, God. Hindi ko alam na ganoon ang mga pinagdaanan ni Silas.

"B-But why are you h-here in the Philippines? Where's your abuelo?" I asked.

"He's dead."

"W-What?"

"He had another attack in his office. At hindi naagapan kaagad. He was already dead before arriving at the hospital."

Napakurap ako. Namalayan ko na lang ang sarili na nakalapit kay Seven, nakahawak sa mga kamay niya at pinisil iyon.

"I'm sorry..." Umiling siya.

"H-How about your fiancé?"

"She's abroad. But she's as crazy as my abuelo. Hindi ako kampante sa pagiging tahimik niya ngayon."

Napatango ako. "I heard rumors about her. I don't know what was true or not."

Napabuntong-hininga muli si Seven. He stared at my face for a long time.

"I missed you so much. Walang araw na hindi kita iniisip. Alam ko na galit ang lahat sa akin. You, my brother and my friends. And I know I deserve it. Kung papipiliin ulit ako, hindi magbabago ang desisyon ko. I'll take all the pain and blame, hindi lang kayo mapahamak. And I always thought of going back, to meet you again and for me to love you over and over again."

—————

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seven.archive Back to zero but still thankful
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| pogihunting Napakapogi mo naman
| shaihalee 😍😍😍

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| jaralnd ahhhh grabe na kayo panindigan niyo 'tong kilig ko
| shiningshimmeringdara come back home~