CHAPTER FIFTEEN

HINDI MAPAKALI si Wyn sa pwesto niya. Alam naman niyang pagod siya at hindi na bagong natutulog siya nang may katabing lalake, pero sa pagkakataong iyon ay hindi siya makatulog kahit anong pilit niya.

Wynter can hear Daniel's breathing and his shuffling movements. Mukhang katulad niya ay hindi rin makatulog ang binata. Patuloy pa rin naman siya sa pagkukunwaring tulog.

"Emy?" mahinang tawag sa kanya ng katabi. 'Wag kang sasagot, Wyn. I swear! "Tulog ka na ba?" muling tanong nito.

Hindi pa rin naman umimik si Wynter. Nakatalikod siya sa binata kaya hinding-hindi nito makikita ang pagpilit niya na makatulog. Come on, Wyn. Sleep already!

"Alam mo ba? Hindi ko na alam kung anong ginagawa ko," panimula nito na sinundan ng mahinang tawa. "Sana hindi ka muna magising habang nagsasalita ako. Kasi paniguradong itutulak mo na naman ako palayo kapag narinig mo 'tong sasabihin ko."

Napansin naman ni Wyn na tumigil siya sa paghinga, saka unti-unting dumilat ang mga mata, at hinintay ang susunod na sasabihin ng binata.

"Emy... I'm falling for you. And I kept hoping that you'll feel the same too... I've been hoping... ever since high school." He let out a deep sigh as he chuckled. "Pero ano nga namang magagawa ko kung naunahan na ako ng kaibigan ko, diba? I even bet that you loved him back then kaya naging kayo." Saglit itong nanahimik. "I was jealous that time—when I heard about the news that you two were together. Nakailang lunod ako sa alak noon kasi naghalo-halo lahat ng nararamdaman ko. I was jealous, I was in pain, I was disappointed with myself. I should've made the first move. I should've confessed to you back then. Sana nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob—andaming sana. Pero ano na nga naman ba ang magagawa ko kung wala na? Nakuha ka na niya. Imposible na akong maging sayo." Mahina naman itong natawa. "At ako na ata ang pinakamasamang kaibigan nang malaman kong nag-break na kayo ni Mike. I was happy. I was telling myself that maybe... maybe my time has finally come. Kaya lang ayun, according to one of your interviews, you're not into relationships, so again, I got scared. Paniguradong hihindian mo ako. Kaya naman naghintay ako ng pagkakataon, Wyn. I've waited this long to finally have the courage to confess to you."

Akala ni Wyn ay nakatulog na ito pero naramdaman niyang gumalaw ang katabi kaya mabilis siyang pumikit at nagkunwaring tulog. She then felt his arm hugging her waist as he came closer to her. Wynter can feel his covered chest pressed against her back, and his breath hitting her ear.

"I'm deeply in love with you, Wynter Emerald. Please love me too," he whispered in a low voice. Daniel gave her a peck on her cheek. "Goodnight, Emy."

After that, he let go of her and went back to his side of the bed. Wynter's mind was in full chaos as she recalled her friend's confession. Now, what the f*ck?

Sa sobrang dami ng iniisip ni Wynter ay nakatulog na rin siya.

Kinabukasan ay nagising si Wynter na nawawala ang katabi. So she did her usual routine. Get the hell out of the bed and quickly leave to her unit. Unfortunately, her bedmate stopped her from doing so.

The bedroom door opened and a man carrying a tray of breakfast entered. "Hey, good morning," he greeted the frozen Wynter.

Ilang beses nagpalit ng tingin si Wyn sa tray at sa mukha ng binata. Bigla-bigla namang pumasok sa isip niya ang pag-amin nito kagabi habang natutulog siya. Now, why the hell do I feel awkward?

"Breakfast?" Bahagyang inangat ni Dan ang tray bago tinulak pasara ang pinto at dumiretso sa kama. Nanatili namang nakatayo si Wyn sa gitna ng kwarto at nakatingin sa lalake. "Sana naman pagbigyan mo 'ko. Parang kahit twenty-four hours lang," dagdag nito.

Ilang beses napakurap si Wyn bago binuksan ang bibig para magsalita. "I ahm..." For the first time, Wynter is definitely speechless.

Nilingon naman siya ni Dan saka nginitian. "Ayokong pilitin ka kaya kung ayaw mo, pwede ka naman nang lumabas. But Emy... I'm hoping."

I'm hoping.

I've been hoping... ever since high school.

I kept hoping that you'll feel the same too.

I'm deeply in love with you, Wynter Emerald.

Please love me too.

Bigla namang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ni Wynter. What the f*ck?

"Hey! Emy!" pagkuha ni Dan sa atensyon niya. Nasa harapan na pala niya ang binata at halata ang pag-aalala nito. "Ayos ka lang ba?"

Wynter blinked fast before clearing her throat and nodding. "Ayos lang." Iniwas niya ang tingin sa kaharap saka tiningnan ang tray na nasa kama. She thought of anything to change the topic. "Nice, may pagkain na. Kain muna ako. Salamat." Dali-dali siyang naglakad papunta sa kama saka bumalik sa pagkakaupo. Nang hindi niya maramdaman ang pagsunod ng binata ay nilingon niya ito. There he was, smiling while looking at her unbelievably. "What?" naguguluhang tanong ni Wyn.

Daniel's smile became wider as he neared her. "You're actually going to eat breakfast with me." He shook his head, maybe thinking that what was happening was maybe a dream.

I mean... Come on! He asked me to eat breakfast with him many times now, and then suddenly, I'm initiating. Like what? Hindi na lang niya pinansin ang binata at tuluyan nang kumain. As the food touches her tongue, her eyes close. Hmm... this breakfast is amazing!

Enjoyment was definitely visible on her face, and once she had finished the food inside her mouth, she opened her eyes and saw Daniel staring at her with a smile on his lips. "You like it?"

Wynter did not lie and nodded her head as she picked up another spoonful of omelet and rice. Once she swallowed it, she opened her mouth to speak. "Yeah, it's great. You do cook great. Wanna work sometime in Heaven Taste?" she joked before she busied herself with food.

"Kung makakasama kita nang mas matagal, bakit hindi?" Wynter raised her head to glare at Daniel. The guy then chuckled. "I'm not kidding though. If ever, that'll be an opportunity that I should never ever miss."

Wynter flatly looked at him. "Just focus on your duty. Don't mind what I said." She went back to eating. I am definitely enjoying this meal! Dapat hindi ko na pinalampas yung chance noon kung ganito rin pala kasarap yung pagkain!

"You definitely like the food, hmm? Gusto mo bang lutuan kita araw-araw?" Daniel offered.

Wynter wanted to think twice about accepting it but then, she found herself nodding while feeding herself. This is just great!

Si Daniel naman ay nanatiling nakangiti habang kumakain na rin at baka maubusan pa siya ng dalaga. That day, both of them enjoyed their morning before separating their ways for work.