Canvas and Melody (Arts & Love Series #2)

CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13

BLOSOMMING LOVE

"Uhm, Jake..."

"Yeah? May gusto ka pang kainin? We'll just order, tell me what you like." Nakikita ko sa kanyang mga mata ang saya, perhaps he is happy because I am here? But I need to tell him what's on my heart, I need to tell him the truth that he is not the one I chose.

Hinawakan ko ang magkabila kong kamay at nilaro ang mga daliri, naramdaman niya siguro na may gusto akong sabihin kaya napahinto siya sa pagkain at tinignan ako.

"M-may problema ba? You can tell me."

I took a deep breath, summoning all the courage I had. "Jake, there's something I need to tell you. It's important."

His smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "Of course, Harmony. Whatever it is, nandito ako para makinig."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. "You've been nothing but kind and understanding, Jake. And I've enjoyed every moment we've spent together. But..." I trailed off, my voice trembling.

"But?" he prompted gently, reaching across the table to take my hand.

I squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth and comfort it offered, but knowing that I had to be honest. "But my heart belongs to someone else."

His expression shifted, a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? M-may iba?"

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, there is. And it wouldn't be fair to you, to lead you on when my feelings for someone else are stronger."

Jake looked down at our joined hands, his grip tightening for a moment before he let go. "I see," he said quietly. "'Yung lalaki bang palaging pumupunta sa coffee shop tuwing malapit na ang closing time?"

I swallowed hard, surprised by his insight. Tumango ako. "Yes, siya nga. Paano mo―"

He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "I had a feeling. Ayaw mo na ako ang maghahatid sayo pauwi, so, nagpagpasyahan kong alamin kung bakit. Kaya pala, the way you two look at each other, it's different."

"I'm so sorry, Jake. I never meant to hurt you."

He shook his head, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Alam ko, Harmony. And I appreciate your honesty. It takes a lot of courage to tell someone the truth, especially when you know it's going to hurt them."

"You're a wonderful person, Jake. I hope you find someone who can love you the way you deserve."

He nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Sana nga. I want you to be happy, Harmony. Even if it's not with me."

I reached across the table, taking his hand one last time. "Thank you for understanding. Your kindness means more to me than you'll ever know."

He squeezed my hand gently, then let go. "Go to him, Harmony. Follow your heart."

I stood up, my heart aching with both sadness and relief. "I wish you all the best, Jake."

He smiled, a bittersweet expression. "And I wish the same for you. Goodbye, Harmony."

As I walked away, I felt the weight lift from my shoulders. It was painful to let Jake go, but I knew it was the right thing to do. My heart belonged to Liam, and now, I was free to follow it.

Nagmadali akong lumabas ng restaurant at pumara ng masasakyan. Sinabi ko sa driver ang lugar kung saan ginanap ang concert ni Liam.

Sa isang open field ginanap ang concert niya, malapit na kami at dinig na dinig ko ang hiyawan ng mga dumalo.

"Naku, ineng. Mahirap nang lumapit pa doon sa lugar, traffic na masyado."

Sumilip ako sa bintana at totoo ngang halos hindi na gumagalaw ang mga sasakyan. Kumuha na lang ako ng pambayad at binigay sa driver. Bumaba ako at nagsimulang maglakad na halos tinatakbo ko na rin. Nang makarating ako sa gate ay marami ng fans niya ang lumalabas sa venue.

"Uh, excuse me Miss... Tapos na po ba ang concert?" tanong ko sa babaeng may hawak na banner at light stick na naglalakad mag-isa. I was surprised na ang co-admin pala ni Lily ang na tsempuhan ko.

She was also surprised when she saw me. "Ikaw yung kasama ni Lily sa coffee shop right?"

Tumango ako. "A-ako nga."

"The concert was finished early than we've expected. Eclipse seems distracted but he pulled it off naman."

"I see." I flashed a smile. "Sige, thank you." Iniwan ko na siya at lumapit ulit sa gate, may mga guard na nakatayo at binabantayan ang entrance.

Pinapasok na ako ng guard nang maka-alis na lahat, I guess umalis na rin ang team nila Liam. Dahan-dahan akong lumakad patungo sa gitna ng field, may iilang nakakalat na banner. Pinulot ko yung isa, may picture niya sa harapan at sa likod ay may nakasulat na 'Eclipse'.

Hinaplos ko yung banner ng marahan. "Na late na ata ako ng dating." I muttered.

"Who told you that you're late?"

Napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko at biglang lumakas ang pintig ng puso ko. I felt a warmed embrace behind me, wearing his favorite outfit which is the hoodie. I can smell his scent that lingers my body, ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito.

I touched his arms that wraps me. "Liam..." It was almost a whisper.

"Harmony," he said softly, his breath warm against my ear. "I've been waiting for you."

Bumalikwas ako para humarap sa kanya, "Akala ko umalis ka na." His eyes met mine with an intensity that took my breath away.

"Nakita kitang pumasok dito habang palabas na ang kotseng sinasakyan ko. I told my manager that I want to be with you now."

I can't contain my feelings. "Liam, I choose you. Alam kong hindi magiging madali ito, pero ikaw ang pinili ng puso ko."

His eyes softened, and he held my face in his hands. "Harmony, I love you. Pero kailangan mong malaman, hindi ito magiging madali. Being with me means facing a lot of challenges, lalo na dahil sa pagiging idol ko."

"I understand," sagot ko, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me. "Alam ko kung ano ang pinapasok ko. I'm ready to face those challenges with you, Liam."

Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko, wiping away a tear that had escaped. "Are you sure? The media, the fans, the constant pressure... It can be overwhelming."

Tumango ako, my eyes never leaving his. "Yes, I'm sure. Kaya kong harapin lahat ng iyon, basta kasama kita. Wala akong ibang gusto kundi ikaw, Liam."

He pulled me into a tight embrace, his heart beating in sync with mine. "I promise, I'll do everything I can to protect you, to keep us strong."

"Hindi ko naman inaasahan na magiging perpekto ang lahat, Liam. Alam kong may mga pagsubok. Pero handa akong harapin lahat ng iyon, basta kasama kita," I whispered against his chest.

He pulled back slightly, looking deep into my eyes. "You mean everything to me, Harmony. But I need to know you're prepared for the public scrutiny, the invasive questions, the gossip."

"Alam ko, Liam. And I trust you. Kung ano man ang pagdaanan natin, kaya natin 'to." I smiled through my tears, my heart swelling with love and determination.

Hinaplos niya ulit ang pisngi ko, and then leaned in to kiss me gently. "Thank you for choosing me, Harmony. I'm so lucky to have you."

"I should be the one thanking you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "You made me realize what true love is. And I'm willing to fight for it, no matter what."

His lips curved into a tender smile, and he kissed me again, this time with more passion and promise. "We're in this together, Harmony. Always."

"Always," I echoed, my heart full of hope and love for the future we would face together.

"Ngayon, anong gagawin natin?" tanong niya, his voice a mixture of determination and concern. "How do we move forward from here?"

Humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya, finding comfort in his warmth. "We take it one step at a time, Liam. Alam kong may mga pagsubok, pero hinding-hindi ako susuko. We can do this together."

Tumango siya, his resolve matching mine. "I'll talk to my manager, set some boundaries. Hindi ko hahayaang sirain ng trabaho ko ang meron tayo."

"Salamat, Liam. Hindi ko rin hahayaan na maging hadlang ang mga takot at duda ko. We’ll face everything head-on."

"You know," he said, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "There will be moments na mahihirapan tayo, moments na magtataka tayo kung bakit natin ginagawa 'to. But those moments will make us stronger."

"I know," I replied, feeling the weight of his words. "We have to trust each other, more than anything."

Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko, his touch gentle and reassuring. "I trust you, Harmony. At alam kong kakayanin natin. This is our story, and we’ll write it together."

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in, feeling the truth and love behind them. "I love you, Liam."

"I love you too, Harmony," he whispered, his voice full of promise. "More than you'll ever know."

Sa ilalim ng madilim na langit, with the stars shining down on us, we stood there, holding each other, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of peace and hope. Together, we could overcome anything.