"Stop sulking already. You've been avoiding him for days, love."
Napasimagot siya nang marinig ang sinabi ni Cameron na masuyong hinahaplos ang buhok niyang humahaba na. It reached the upper part of her nape. Naroon siya sa bahay ng kanyang Kuya Red at nanonood ng TV . She could've done that to her parents' house but she knew Harrison would bug her until she talked to him. But she doesn't want to talk to him. Not now.
Kaninang umaga ay nagtungo na naman ito sa kanilang bahay ngunit hindi siya lumabas ng silid. Nang makaalis ito ay pumunta siya sa bahay ni Red at Cameron. Binilin pa niya sa dalawa na kung hahanapin siya ng binata roon ay itatangging naroon siya. She knew the couple would be convincing, they were lawyers after all.
"I'm not sulking, Ate. I don't feel like talking to him after what he did. He put me in a situation where I didn't know what to do or how to handle."
"Why? What exactly are you mad about?"
"Everything! How could he offer... marriage just like that in front of my family. He should've consulted me first. I don't know what my parents think about it, they may be thinking that something's happening with me and... Harrison."
"Bakit, wala ba?" Cameron asked casually without sarcasm or mockery.
"You already know the answer to that question," she replied in a matter-of-fact tone and sighed in defeat.
"You let him because you feel something for him." Tara nodded to confirm the statement coming from Cameron. "But your feelings aren't enough to accept his proposal, tama ba? At bakit mo naman itinatago ang relasyon niyo sa pamilya mo, sa amin?"
"I... I don't know about my feelings, I don't know if there are enough to keep him. I am afraid, Ate, paano kung hindi naman niya matagalan ang ugali ako, I'm a handful, I know that at mula pagkabata para na kaming aso't pusa. What if my family finds it weird if he and I will be together? Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila?"
"Did you talk to your family about it? Did you talk to Red? To Tyler?" She shook her head as an answer. "Your family is always there for you, Tara. They may find it weird, or they may not. But I can assure you one thing, we are always here for you no matter what decision you make." Cameron smiled at her assuringly, and it helped to lift her spirit. "Red and I talked about you and Harrison, you know? He didn't think that you and Harrison together were weird. He always knew that Harrison has feelings for you."
"He does?" she asked in surprise.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Sinundan niya ang tinitigan ni Cameron. Dumako ang kanyang mga mata sa pinto ng entertainment room. Nakasandal sa hamba ng nakabukas na pinto, nakahalukipkip at nakatingin sa kanila si Red. Kanina pa ba ito naroon?
Tuluyan itong humakbang papasok at lumapit sa kanila. Kapagkuwan ay umupo sa kanyang tabi at marahang tinapik-tapik ang kanyang ulo.
Yumakap siya rito kasabay nang paninikip ng lalamunan. Hindi siya iyakan ngunit gusto niyang umiyak sa mga sandaling iyon habang nasa mga bisig ng kapatid.
"You... you like him for me?" she asked after she pulled away from his embrace.
"I can't find a reason why I shouldn't," Red answered seriously.
"He had done... stupid things, and I let him," she said, trying to hide her grimace, she half-succeeded.
"We make stupid things for love, brat. I did," anito at tumigin sa asawang si Cameron na nakangiting nakatingin sa kanilang dalawang magkapatid. With sparks of love in his eyes. "I know Harrison, we grew up together, he won't do things and ran away from it. He won't commit himself to something he wasn't sure of, and he hadn't think about the result. He did what he did because of his affection towards you."
"What if it won't work?"
"You'll make it work," Red uttered firmly. "Marriage is a partnership. Do not commit yourself to it without knowing the terms and the conditions, you need to know how it will grow and how you will protect it. The partners both need to make an effort and to have trust with each other."
"Marriage can be scary, love. But if you marry the person you love, you will have the strength to fight your fears. Being married to someone you love is the best feeling in the world." Cameron's eyes sparkled in pure bliss as she told her those things.
Nakaramdam siya ng inggit nang makitang masaya ang dalawa. They were genuinely happy and she can see it that they love each other so much. Sino bang hindi gustong maging masaya. She wanted happiness too.
"I don't know what to do," she confessed and sighed.
"You will... just listen to this," Red and then pointed his finger in front of her chest where her heart was.
She smiled at her brother and to her sister-in-law before muttering, "Thank you."
"We have something to tell you, this might cheer you up," ang masayang sabi ni Cameron paglipas ng ilang segundo.
"You already did, but what is it?" Namilog ang kanyang mga mata nang hawakan nito ang kanyang kamay at inilapat sa impis nitong tiyan. Agad niyang nakuha ang gusto nitong iparating at nang tingnan niya ang kapatid ay nakita niya ang malaking pagkakangiti nito. "You-" Hindi niya matuloy ang sasabihin dahil sa gulat at kasiyahan.
"Yes!" Cameron uttered cheerfully.
"Oh my god! Congratulations!" bulalas niya at niyakap ang sister-in-law. Sandali niyang nakalimutan si Harrison dahil sa magandang balitang iyon.
"Thank you. We wanted to surprise everyone, but I want to tell you about my pregnancy now."
"I already love my niece or my nephew. She will be spoiled," aniya na maluwag na nakangiti. Binati rin niya ang kapatid na halatang masayang-masaya. She was happy for them too.
GABI na nang umuwi siya sa bahay ng mga magulang. She didn't find her parents in the living room or the kitchen, she had eaten at Red's house before going home and had a mini-celebration on Cameron's pregnancy, and instead of going directly to her room, she went to her parents.
Iang alanganing ngiti ang sumilay sa kanyang mga labi habang papasok sa silid ng mga magulang. Nang buksan ng kanyang ina ang mga braso nito para sa kanya ay agad siyang lumapit, sumampa sa kanya at pumaloob sa bisig nito.
"My baby," her mother murmured, then kissed the top of her head lovingly. "Why did you grew up so easily?"
"Mommy," she mumbled as she felt the corners of his eyes stung. It felt so warm, she felt comforted and loved.
"We waited for you to come to us, Tara Violet."
Nagtaas siya ng tingin sa kanyang ama na nakatingin sa kanilang mag-ina. May masuyong kislap sa mga mata nito. Bumitaw siya ng yakap sa kanyang ina at lumipat sa mga bisig nito.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I love you."
"Whatever your decision, my baby, we will always be here for you," sabi ng kanyang ina na hinahaplos ang kanyang buhok. Niyapos siya nito kaya napagitnaan siya ng mga magulang.
"Thank you, Mommy, Daddy. I am lucky to have you both." She appreciated that her parents did not ask about her and Harrison's status, it means that they trusted her, they have faith on her. At kahit magkamali man siya sa landas na tatahakin niya, naroon palagi ang mga ito at nakasuporta.
Right then and there, she made a decision. She will hear Harrison out and see where it took them.
KUNG SAAN handa na siyag bigyan ng pagkakataong magpaliwanag si Harrison ay hindi naman ito nagpapakita sa kanya. Sa dalawang araw na nagdaan ay lihim niya itong inaabangan subalit kahit anino man lang nito ay hindi niya nakita. Marahil ay nasagasaan na ito ng sasakyan o natabunan ng semento sa construction site. She thought in sarcasm.
Lumabas siya ng kanyang silid at nagtungo sa ibabang palapag patungo sa kusina upang magtimpla ng mainit na kape. Masama ang panahon at kanina pang umaga malakas ang ulan, napakalamig din ng hangin kaya hindi siya nagtangkang lumabas ng bahay. Nanggaling na rin siya sa kanyang studio na naroon sa loob, nang matapos sa ginagawa ay pumasok siya sa kanyang silid at humilata. Wala ang kanyang mga magulang sa bahay at naroon sa bahay ng kanyang Kuya Red. Everyone already knew about Cameron's pregnancy and her parents' were very excited to their future grandchild.
Nang makapag-timpla ng kape ay muli siyang bumalik sa itaas. Hindi muna siya pumasok sa loob ng kanyang silid at lumabas sa Teresa. Hindi siya ganoong lumapit sa barindilya dahil inaabot iyon ng anggi. She sat on the hammock near the door while sipping her coffee.
Marahas siyang napabuntung-hininga nang muling maalala si Harrison. She wanted to call him but she stopped herself. Hahayaan niyang ito ang lumapit sa kanya, kung hindi na ito babalik ibig sabihin nagbago na ang isip nito.
She felt a pang of pain in her chest thinking that he may not comeback. It will be your fault, Tara Violet! You pushed him away, sigaw ng kanyang isipan. Napuno ng lungkot ang kanyang dibdib na lalo lang lumala dahil sa ulan na nagdudulot ng kalumbayan. The rain used to cheered her up, she love the rain. Subalit katatwang nakakadagdag iyon ng nararamdaman niyang lungkot at pangamba.
Nang maubos ang laman ng kanyang mug at makaramdam ng ginaw ay akmang muli siyang papasok sa loob nang makarinig ng mga tunog. Natigil siya sa paghakbang at pinakinggan iyon sa kabila ng malakas na ulan. Upang mapangalanan ang naririnig na tunog ay lumapit siya sa barindilya at nanungaw, hindi alintana kahit nababasa siya.
Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang matukoy na mga tunog iyon ng baril at mula sa gitna ng malakas na ulan ay nakita niya ang isang pamilyar na sasakyan at isang puting van. Tumigil ang mga putok at paarangkadang umalis ang van na sinugpo ang malakas na.
Nanginig ang kanyang katawan sa nasaksihan at kumalat ang takot sa kanyang sistema. Ilang sandal siyang itinulos sa kinatatayuan at nang makahuma ay inihakbang niya ang nanginginig na paa at bumaba sa unang palapag ng bahay. Naghanap siya ng taong maaaring mahingan ng tulog subalit nakapagtatakang wala siyang makita, ni mga katulong ay hindi makahanap ng kanyang mga mata.
Lumabas siya ng bahay at agad na nakita ang pamilyar na sasakyan na nakatigil sa labas. Nang makalapit doon ay naitakip niya ang mga kamay sa bibig ng makitang basag ang windshield, ang mga bubog ay nakasaboy sa sahig at upuan. At ang lalong nagpasindak sa kanya ay ang nakitang katawan ni Harrison. Nakapikit ito at walang malay, o wala nang... buhay? Duguan ang katawan nito, maging sa noo ay may tumutulong dugo.
Kinapa niya ang katawan upang hagilapin ang kanyang cellphone at manghingi ng tulog subalit hindi niya iyon mahanap.
Natarantang pumasok siya sa loob ng sasakyan at tinapik ang pisngi ng binata. His face looks pale and lifeless. "Wake up..." pukaw niya rito sa nanginginig na tinig. She tried it again but he didn't response. "Wake up, Harrison!" Niyugyog niya ito sa balikat ngunit ayaw nitong magising.
Nag-uunahang pumatak ang kanyang mga luha nang manatili itong walang malay. Kinuwelyuhan niya ang binata at muling niyugyog ng niyugyog. "D-Don't die... p-please... Harrison!"
Napahagulgol na isinubsob niya ang ulo sa dibdib nito. His heart was beating, but barely. No! She can't lose her.
"I still haven't told you my answer to your proposal. H-How dare you! You have n-no right to die, you need to pay for what you did!" she screamed in front of his face in anguish. "Wake up!" Still no luck. "Y-You... you know what I wished on the shooting star at that time when we... when we were on the yacht? I w-wished that it will guide me, it will... it w-will give me answers."
Muli siyang napahagulgol at sumubsob sa leeg nito.
"D-Did y-you... get.... an a-answer?"
Mabilis siyang napalayo kay Harrison nang marinig itong magsalita, nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at bigla siyang nabuhayan ng loob. Nakapikit pa rin ito at kita niya ang ekspresyon nitong tila hirap na hirap. But he was awake, oh thank god! "Y-Yes... yes! I love you, Harrison Green. I-I love you so... Please don't leave me."
"I-I d-don't have any r-reason to live... Y-You don't wa-want me," he muttered painfully and his face twisted as if he was in so much pain. He then started to gasped for air with difficulty. Tila ba mauubusan na ito ng hininga.
Hindi niya alam kung saan ito hahawakan. Her heart was beating too fast excruciatingly. It was louder than the pour on the rain that hammered a beat on the car's roof. "I'll marry you!" mabilis niyang sagot nang tila mapupugto na ang hininga nito. "God, I will marry you sa kahit saang simabahan! Just be alive, I can't marry you when you're dead!" she cried in hysterical.
"Y-You... will?"
"I will, I-I promise to god."
Ang mga luha ni Tara ay unti-unting natigil sa pagpatak nang makita ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa mga labi ni Harrison. Iyon totoong ngiti at puno ng sigla't saya. Nang magmulat ito ng mga mata ay umayos ng upo sa driver's seat ay nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at umawang ang mga labi. Ang kanyang mga luha ay tuluyang tumigil sa pagpatak.
"You swear on God's name," Harrison said while a smile while looking happily at her.
Napakurap-kurap si Tara at nang mapagtanto kung ano ang nangyari ay pinuno siya nang magkahalong relief at galit.
"You... you scum-of-the-earth! Damn you!" She trembled in anger and stormed out of the car. When the rain hit her body again, tears that halted continue to flow from her eyes.
Hindi pa siya nakakalayo ng maramdaman niyang may humawak sa kanyang braso. Ipiniksi niya iyon ngunit hindi siya nito binitawan. Sa galit niya ay umikot siya sabay sipa sa tuhod ni Harrison na agad na napahawak doon at hinimas ang nasaktang tuhod. But still, he never let her go.
"Damn you, Tyler!" he hissed under his teeth, but she heard it, though barely.
"What does Tyler get to do with this!" she asked heatedly. She wanted to punch him in the face now that she saw the fake blood being washed away by the heavy raindrops.
"It was his plan. Everything was his idea," pag-amin nito at napangiwi.
"And you agreed?!"
"Y-Yes..." alanganing sagot ni Harrison at lumarawan ang kaba nang makita ang kanyang reaksiyon. Sinong hindi magagalit sa ginawa nito! She thought that he would going to die! And it scared the hell out of her. At malalaman niyang gawa-gawa lang pala nito ang lahat! "I'm sorry, baby, I'm desperate, I need you to talk to me, I need you to give me a chance, I need you to tell me you love me back. I need you like the air I breathe." Hinawakan siya nito sa balikat subalit marahas niyang pinalis ang mga kamay nito. But Harrison did not gave up, he held her in his arms again and embraced her tight.
She can escaped from his arms so she thumped his chest with her fist. She kept on hitting him until she can't help her sobs to escape. Mahigpit siya nitong niyakap, hinalik-halikan ang kanyang ulo at noo habang bumubulong ng mga salita ng pagmamahal.
"I-I hate you... I hate you... so much..." she murmured while sobbing.
"I know. I love you," he said tenderly.
"I hate you for doing this to me. I-I thought you will going to d-die. It pains me, I d-don't know if I can live without telling you what I feel and without you by my side."
"I'm sorry for doing that to you, Violet. Please, say you'll marry me and I'll make sure that you won't regret it every single day for the rest of our lives."
Kumawala siya rito sa narinig at tinitigan ito sa mga mata. She can see the love in his eyes despite the water that kept on pouring. "You will not do this again?" Sunod-sunod itong tumango. "We will live in a beautiful house with a beautiful garden and we'll watch our children in the future play?" aniya nang maalala ang bahay na pangarap nitong itayo.
That night when she talked to her parents and her brother, she already made up her mind. She wanted Harrison for the rest of her life. Parte na ito ng sistema niya na hindi niya magagawang alisin. She loved him. She doesn't know where it started, perhaps when he kissed her for the first time, or perhaps she had loved him a long time ago. She can't tell when and where exactly, but one she's sure of, she can't live without him.
Hinawakan ni Harrison ang kanyang pisngi at lalong inilapit ang katawan sa kanya. Ipinalibot nito ang braso sa kanyang katawan kaya tiningala niya ito. "We will hang the painting you are hiding on your closet for five years in our bedroom."
Umawang ang mga labi niya sa narinig nito. Paano nito nalaman iyon! Hindi niya ipinaalam kanino man ang hubad na painting ni Harrison sa kanyang bihisan. "P-Paano mo nalaman?"
Harrison grinned at her before claiming her lips. Sa halip na tumugon ay itinulak niya ito. "I'll tell you one of these days, just let me kiss you now."
"No, Harrison! I still have to kill Tyler!" ang naiinis niyang gagad.
"I'll help you kill him." Hindi siya nito hinayaang makapagprotesta muli at isang mainit na halik ang iginawad sa kanyang mga labi. She closed her eyes and answered his kisses.
Pagkalipas ng ilang sandali ay pinakawalan nila ang labi ng isa't isa at pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Pareho silang basing-basa sa ulan.
"Where's everyone?" kunot-noong tanong niya. Kanina pa niya hindi mahanap ang mga ito.
Harrison smiled at her and kissed the top of her head before he clapped his hands. "You can come out now, guys! She said yes!" anunsiyo nito sa malakas na tinig.
Nagsilabasan ang mga kasamahan niya sa bahay na pawang mga nakangiti kaya napabuntung-hininga na lang siya. Her parents were there, ang akala niya ay naroon pa rin ang mga ito sa bahay ng kanyang kuya. She can't even have a normal wedding proposal. That would happen when you love an extraordinary man.
Harrison kissed her on the lips in front of her family and the maids. She let him until she heard a familiar voice.
"Is everything went according to plan?" ang nakangising tanong ni Tyler na kakapasok lang ng bahay may bitbit pa itong armalite na sigurado siyang laruan.
Itinulak niya si Harrison at sinulyapan ang kapatid gamit ang nakamamatay na tingin. "I'll kill you, Tyler! Come here!"
Napuno ng tawanan ang paligid na tinalo ang ulan sa labas nang habulin niya ang kapatid na tumakbo palayo sa kanya.