Canvas and Melody (Arts & Love Series #2)

CHAPTER 16

Chapter 16

THE MOM IS HERE

Mabigat ang loob kong pumasok sa trabaho, wala akong natanggap na text mula kay Liam. Natiis niya talagang hindi pag-usapan ang naging away namin.

"Ate Harmony, tignan mo, oh. Naka attend pala si Eclipse sa kasal kung saan naging live painter ka. Ang suwerte mo naman, nakita mo ulit siya."

Ngumiti ako at ininom ang iced americano na ginawa ko. It's already lunch time, sinipat ko ang aking cellphone pero walang kahit ni isang text galing sa kanya.

"Ate," she reached my hand. "If you have a problem, you can tell me."

Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti. "Wala 'to, Lily. Kaya ko 'to." Pero alam kong hindi ako ganap na nakakumbinsi.

She stared at me, kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalala sa kanyang mga mata. "Ate Harmony, alam ko na may problema ka. Hindi mo kailangan itago sa akin. I maybe younger than you, pwede naman akong makinig at magbigay ng payo."

Napabuntong-hininga ako at tumingin sa kanya. "Lily, hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin 'to, pero nag-away kami ni... ng special someone ko. Remember yung kinuwento ko sayo?" Tumango siya. "Maliit na away lang naman, pero ang bigat sa pakiramdam."

Sumeryoso si Lily at tumango, hinihintay ang kwento ko. "Sige, ate. Ano bang nangyari?"

"He surprised me last night, he was in the venue too and said he was invited dahil kaibigan niya ang couple na ikinasal." Medyo nagdadalawang-isip ako kung iku-kwento ko ba yung tagpong yon but when I look at Lily, she is still waiting for the continuation. "Then, muntik na kaming... y-you know."

"O-okay, gets ko ate. So, you're both official na?" Marahan akong tumango. "Continue?"

"A-ayun, muntik na kaming mahuli. Gusto niyang ipagpatuloy namin sa condo ko but I refused because―b-because it 's complicated. I don't want to hide our relationship, gusto ko ngang ipagsigawan sa mundo na siya ang boyfriend ko. But the situation we are in right now, natatakot ako sa magiging reaksyon ng mga tao. At parang… parang hindi niya ako naiintindihan. I wanted to protect him."

Nag-isip si Lily sandali bago muling nagsalita. "Ate, alam kong mahirap 'yan. Pero kung talagang mahal mo siya, kailangan mong maging tapat sa nararamdaman mo. Kailangan mong ipaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit ka natatakot. Baka hindi niya talaga naiintindihan dahil hindi mo pa nasasabi sa kanya ng maayos."

Tumango ako, iniisip ang sinabi ni Lily. "After we became official, we are both aware about the complications that may occur. Akala ko nagkaintindihan na kami ngunit hindi pala."

"Perhaps you guys need to talk again and make it crystal clear." She cackles.

Natawa na lang rin ako. "What if we can't meet half way?"

"Kung mahal ka talaga niya, ate, maiintindihan ka niya. At kung hindi man, kailangan mong isipin na ang isang relasyon ay dapat may respeto at tiwala. Just try to talk to him again, everything will be okay."

Tumingin ako kay Lily at ngumiti, kahit papaano'y gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. "Sana nga, Lily. Pero minsan talaga, natatakot ako sa magiging reaksyon ng mga tao. Baka masira ang imahe niya dahil sa akin."

Hinawakan ni Lily ang kamay ko at tinitigan ako nang diretso sa mga mata. "Ate, hindi mo kontrolado ang magiging reaksyon ng mga tao. Ang mahalaga, tapat kayo sa isa't isa. Kung totoo ang pagmamahalan niyo, walang makakapigil sa inyo. At tandaan mo, hindi ka dapat matakot sa sasabihin ng iba. Ang importante ay masaya ka at nasa tama kang relasyon."

Napabuntong-hininga ako at naramdaman ko ang init ng suporta ni Lily. "Tama ka, Lily. Kailangan kong magpakatatag. At kailangan kong maging totoo sa kanya at sa sarili ko."

Ngumiti si Lily. "Tama yan, ate. Alam kong kaya mo 'yan. At kung kailangan mo ng kausap o tulong, nandito lang ako lagi."

Nilapitan ko siya at niyakap nang mahigpit. "Salamat, Lily. Ang laking tulong ng mga sinabi mo. Pakiramdam ko mas kaya ko nang harapin ito."

Bumitiw ako sa pagkakayakap at ngumiti ulit. "Sige, aayusin ko na ang mga bagay. Kakausapin ko siya ulit at sasabihin ko ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko."

"Good luck, ate. Alam kong magagawa mo 'yan," sabi ni Lily habang ngumiti siya nang buong suporta. "At sana dumating yung araw na ma-meet ko rin siya. Base sa mga kwento mo, mukhang hindi lang siya basta na normal na tao."

"Sa takdang panahon, Lily."

***

It was a long day at the cafe, and the weight of the misunderstanding with Liam was heavy on my mind. I was just about to close up and head home when the door chimed, signaling a late visitor. I looked up and my heart skipped a beat. It was Liam.

He walked towards me, a determined look on his face. "Harmony, can we talk?"

I nodded, surprised and a little nervous. "Sure, Liam. Let me just grab my things."

We left the café together, and Liam led me to his car. The drive to my condo was quiet, filled with an awkward silence that made my heart race. I didn't know how to start the conversation, but I knew we had to address our issue.

When we arrived at my condo, Liam parked the car and turned to face me. "Harmony, I'm sorry sa inasal ko kagabi. I know we've had a misunderstanding, and I can't stand the thought of us not being okay."

"I can't stand the thought of us not being okay. Pero hindi mo man lang ako sin-end ng kahit isang text." humalukipkip ako. I sighed, gathering my thoughts. "Liam, ayokong itago ang relasyon natin. It's just... natatakot ako. I'm afraid of what people might say. Ayokong maapektuhan ang reputasyon mo dahil sa akin. Your hidden identity, your fame... I don't want to ruin all your efforts to get to this stage of your life. I just wanted to protect you."

Liam reached for my hand, his touch reassuring. "Harmony, I understand your fears, but we can't let other people's opinions dictate our happiness. Gusto kitang makasama openly, I can be Liam without thinking what other people say. I am willing to fight for this relationship, I can expose myself. I can do it, for us."

I looked into his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words, ngunit 'di na niya iniisip ang kapalit nito. "I know, Liam. I also want to be true to us, alam ko rin na kaya mong gawin ang mga sinabi mo. But it's too early, siguro, kailangan lang talaga nating balansehin muna ang lahat."

He squeezed my hand gently. "We'll handle it together. Let's take it one step at a time. Maging honest tayo sa isa't isa at alamin natin kung ano'ng best para sa atin."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Right. Ayokong mawala ka, Liam and I'm also sorry for what happen last night."

"You won't," he assured me. "We'll face this together, no matter what."

I leaned in and hugged him, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Thank you for understanding, Liam. I really appreciate it."

He hugged me back tightly. "Always, Harmony. We'll get through this. Together." Hinalikan niya ang tuktok ng ulo ko at kumalas kami mula sa pagkakayakap. By just staring into each other's eyes, nabasa naming dalawa kung ano ang gusto naming mangyari.

"Liam," I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions. "I just want to be with you, to feel safe and loved."

He gently cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away a tear that had escaped. "You are safe with me, Harmony. Always."

He leaned in slowly, his lips meeting mine in a tender kiss. It was soft and full of reassurance, a promise that we would face whatever came our way together. I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss as my fears and doubts melted away.

When we finally pulled back, both of us were breathless but smiling. "Let's go inside," I suggested, taking his hand. "I want to spend more time with you."

We walked hand in hand into my condo, the warmth of his presence calming my racing heart. Pagkasara ko pa lang ng pinto ay hinila na niya ako, we settled on the couch, snuggled close together. Nakadagan siya sa akin at pareho naming naririnig ang malakas na tib*k ng aming puso. Unti-unting lumalapit ang kanyang mukha sa akin, sabay kaming napangisi and with just a flick of an eye, we are sharing an intimate kiss.

Nagsisimula na namang maglakbay ang kanyang kanang kamay, he is gently stroking my legs up and down. Hindi ko na rin mapigilan ang init na nabubuhay sa aking katawan, parang may sariling buhay ang aking mga kamay. My left hand is on his nape and eventually run my fingers through his hair, the other hand of mine was slowly entering his shirt to touch his body and I succeeded.

Huminto siya sa paghalik sa akin at inangat ang katawan niya. He is taking off his shirt at tumambad sa akin ang kanyang mala-adonis na katawan. I can feel that my half is getting wet, umupo ako upang abutin ang kanyang nagtitigasang mga pandesal. Da*mn! From the scale of 1 to 10, gaano ako ka suwerte sa lalaking ito?

The intensity of his desire is really visible in his eyes, nang akmang hahalikan na niya ako ulit ay may tumunog na cellphone.

I heard him groan and say a bad word, kinuha niya ang cellphone sa bulsa at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag. He didn't bother to answer it and put his phone on top of the coffee table. He kissed me again at inihiga ako, I reached for his belt as his lips savored mine, until tumunog ulit ang kanyang telepono.

"I think you should answer it, baka importante."

The frustration was visible on his face as he arranged himself and sat on the couch. Inayos ko na lang rin ang sarili ko at umupo sa tabi niya, 'di maipinta ang mukha niya. Kahit naman ako, hindi ko ma-i-deny na nanghihinayang ako dahil nahinto na naman ang gusto namin mangyari.

He answered the call, it was his manager.

"Liam, sorry to disturb you, pero kailangan mong malaman ito," his manager's voice came through, sounding urgent.

"What is it?" Liam asked, clearly annoyed but also concerned.

"Your mom is here in the Philippines. She just arrived and she's looking for you."

Liam's expression changed from frustration to shock. "What? Why is she here? Wala siyang sinabi sa akin na pupunta siya."

"Apparently, she decided to come on a whim. She's at the hotel now, and she's asking to see you."

I could see the conflict in Liam's eyes. His mom showing up unexpectedly was a big deal, and I knew he felt torn between dealing with this sudden family issue and being with me.

"Alright, I'll be there soon," he said, ending the call. He turned to me, his eyes filled with regret and worry.

"Harmony, I'm really sorry. I have to go see my mom. I didn't expect this at all."

I nodded, trying to hide my own disappointment. "It's okay, Liam. I understand. Family comes first."

He reached out and held my hand, squeezing it gently. "I promise, we'll figure everything out. I don't want to leave things like this."

"I know," I replied, managing a small smile. "Go. I'll be here."

He kissed me one last time, a lingering, tender kiss that spoke volumes of his feelings. "Thank you for understanding. I'll call you later."

I watched as he left, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. As much as I wanted to continue our night together, I knew this was important. I just hoped we could find a way to balance everything and keep our relationship strong despite the challenges.

Sitting alone in my condo, I couldn't help but think about the conversation we had just shared and the love that was so evident between us. I believed in us, and I was willing to wait, no matter how complicated things got.