The Golden Rule (Kaleidoscope #10)

#TGR109

DIALOGUE

A.I.S SCHOOL GARDEN - GAZEBO
10:10 AM

DIVINE:
I'm sorry, but let's end whatever is between us . . . Luxury.

LUXURY:
Paki-ulit nga, m-madam, mali ata d-dinig ko, e. Haha.

DIVINE:
Let's cut our connection off.

For some reason, despite hearing her words clearly, Luxury was still on the verge of denial. Hearing those words coming from the person he had been admiring for years felt like his world crumbled under his own feet.

LUXURY:
Did I do something wrong, Divinity?

DIVINE:
You didn't.

LUXURY:
Then, why? Why cut what we have right now? I mean, alam ko namang ako lang ang nag-iisip na may espesyal na namamagitan sa ating dalawa, pero, Divinity, kailangan ba talagang humantong sa ganito?

Pain rushed through Luxury's words like rain. Divine slightly flinched. She didn't expect him to react like this, especially since the moment they shared together wasn't long enough.

DIVINE:
Luxury, I know you liked me.

LUXURY:
W-What? H-How?

Divine smiled.

DIVINE:
How did I know? Simply because unlike me, you're a transparent person. You're not a complicated person that I find it easy to read your emotions. At hindi rin ako manhid katulad ng sinasabi ng iba.

For a moment, Luxury lost almost all of his words. He didn't know what to say.

LUXURY:
I . . . Can I ask you something

DIVINE:
Hmm.

LUXURY:
On those days we shared together, ni katiting ba na pagkagusto sa akin ay hindi mo naramdaman?

DIVINE:
I did have feelings for you, Luxury. Funny may it sound since hindi naman gaanong katagal simula noong naging malapit tayo sa isa't-isa, pero gusto kita.

LUXURY:
Then, let's not end up with what we have and let's work on this together.

DIVINE:
I like you, yes, but my feelings for you ain't enough for us to work. I can't be with you, Luxury, especially since I still have the rule for myself.

Luxury completely lost his words. Kahit anong kapa niya sa mga alpabeto, wala talaga siyang nabubuong salita. And that's the cue for Divine to continue speaking.

DIVINE:
I am born with a bronze spoon, Luxury. That's why I set a golden rule for myself; that is not to be distracted by any guy while pursuing my goals. Ako lang ang pag-asa ng pamilya ko, Luxury. Kaya kahit na gusto na rin kita, hindi ko pa rin nakikita ang sarili kong magkaroon ng relasyon sayo. I'm so sorry.

LUXURY:
P-Please . . . D-Divine . . .

Luxury stuttered. Her words are like a sharp thing, sending wounds to his already broken heart.

DIVINE:
You still have a long journey to go, Luxury. I'm sure, while you're taking that journey of yours, you'll find someone more deserving of your love.

LUXURY:
And that someone is you . . .

Luxury answered immediately as he can, almost whispering. Divine smiled at what she heard. How can he still think of her after hurting him with her words? How can he still think of her after she planted a wound in his heart?

Huminga ng malalim si Divine. She wanted to end their conversation as much as possible. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang maaari niyang gawin kapag nagtagal pa silang dalawa sa iisang lugar. And seeing him hurting because of her, she's now fighting the urge not to back what she said.

DIVINE:
A-Ah! Before I f-forgot . . . I have something to give you.

Divine kept her smile to somehow lighten up the mood.

DIVINE:
Here . . . I personally made it for y-you . . . You can do whatever you wanted to do to that. You can keep it or t-throw it away . . .

Divine approached Luxury's direction. With her trembling hands, she carefully handed him the mini acrylic painting of his favourite cartoon character.

DIVINE:
I-I hope you can find happiness after this day ends. And I'm so sorry for tainting you with pain. Hanggang sa muli, Luxury. Paalam.