Chapter 3 ~Chapter 3~ : A New Chapter

College is way different from hight school - the atmosphere was more, serene. I loved it here! Sad thing was the absence of my two best friends. Mona and Danielle were in different hostels and departments. They both were studying psychology, whilst I thought Theatre arts was the course for me. Oh well, what did i know? It's not all that bad, I mean it's always been my passion, ever since I was a child. Mum says it suits me perfectly. I loved everything about acting, and I actually wanted to pursue it. Maybe one day, I'd be a well-known actress, just maybe.

A month here, and the void is felt already, but I was determined to achieve my goals, with or without my best friends - I mean I still catch up with them sometimes. Occasionally. Ateneo de Manila wasn't that bad, to say the least. It was exactly how I thought it'd be. Beautiful tall buildings, nice people, everything seemed right. I hoped the new environment will take my mind off my past unfinished, at least I thought it was, love story - Daniel Antonio.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't know when i stumbled upon a chair, right in front of me. Just then, I felt an arm go around my waist, followed by a familiar voice.

"Hey hey hey, be careful. You could hurt yourself." That scent... could it be? I could recognize that voice and smell anywhere. The touch too, it didn't seem alien. I turned back, and boom! Daniel Antonio. I froze right there, were I stood. Clenching unto his arms, looking intensely into those large blue eyes, as they stared at me. Stared at me with longing and passion. I yearned for that look. A strand of hair, holding on to it's dear life as it swept across his face. His pale white face, that could stop a beating heart. His smirk, still the same. Did my heart stop racing now?

"You should be more careful when walking, you could get hurt." He said, looking at me with his concerned blue eyes. It had turned ocean blue now. I was still too stunned to speak. " Uhm, I- I- didn't se-see, y-y-you are h-here Daniel... ?" I broke free from his hold. I adjusted my dress and looked around to see if anyone saw that. I was embarrassed at myself, but mostly surprised and shocked by Daniel's presence. I mean what's he doing here?!! "They probably didn't see much, don't worry." He smirked. "That's not the main point... " I got closer to him and whispered sharply, "the point is how... Why are you here Daniel Antonio?!" I stood firmly, demanding a reply. I got flashbacks of our last encounter, and feigned anger. I loved that he was here right now, but I didn't want to express my happiness for him to see. I wanted to project my anger, so he could see how much he hurt me. He was quiet. He just looked up, brushing his hair off his face, with both hands this time.

"I asked a question, and I want an answer Daniel Antonio!" I said, with an increased tone this time. " Calm down, princess." Princess?

"Don't call me that, sir. Are you stalking me now? Don't you have better... " He cuts in. "Wait wait wait, 'Stalking' you? That's absurd. I'm not stalking you." "But it seems like it. How on earth are you here, of all places, you magically appeared here, exactly where I am at? How did you even find me? Who told you I was here?" I was now projecting my anger a little too much. He looked stressed. " Wait a minute, Luna... " I loved the sound of my name, right out of his mouth. "I'm not stalking you. It just so happened... "

"Bullshit!" I said and turned my face away from his direction. "Listen to me, will you?" I grumbled. "Will you?" He asked again. "Fine! I'm listening." I snapped at him.

" I know you're probably upset because of what happened that night, and you deserve to be. I know I should have reached out, but it wasn't my fault... " I was infuriated now. "Nobody said anything about that night, you don't need to explain anything. My question was why you're here, and that all I wanna know. I don't care about whatever happened that night." I clearly cared about everything that happened that night and afterwards. "Fine. Like I said I'm not stalking you. I travelled down here... because... " I became curious. "Because... ?" I repeated. "I came down here because of you! You drive me crazy with your thoughts Luna. I'm afraid I can't think well without you I can't sleep well with you. You are all that I can think of in a day. I couldn't go on living like that." He closed his eyes sharply. His eyelashes brushing his cheeks, while his eyes were shut. I was once again too stunned to speak. He slowly opened his eyes, one eye at a time. "Uhmm... " I was speechless. What was was I to say? But why? So he still thought of me? What was it about me that drove 'The' Daniel Antonio crazy. This man has literally proven to me in many ways that he wants me, but I wouldn't give in that easily. "Yes, just for you Luna." "How funny does that sound to you? You came all the way here for me, again? Why? It was easy for you to stay without me for a year, after you left the first time, then the second time? And now you come back saying all of this, when I'm about starting a new chapter in my life. Free from you and your depressing thoughts. You came back for me? Only to break my heart and leave again like the last time?!" I was borderline in tears. " No no, that wasn't and isn't my intention, Luna. I didn't mean to hurt you like that, it's just... what happened that night was a - " He grope my hands and I drew back from him. "You know what? Please, never show your face to me again. Let me start this new chapter, free from you, the pain you're constantly causing me, every broken dreams and imagination about you, please, let me go. Rid me of this tears, the pain that I have to undergo everytime you leave, I don't want any of that. I didn't ask for any of that.". "Luna... " I wiped my face with palm. "Daniel Antonio, please let me go, let me be free." I looked down and walked away. This clearly wasn't how I pictured my love story. It had too many downsides and wasn't really suitable for my mental health. I had feelings for him, but I don't want a love that'd make me compromise on my mental sanity. I looked over my shoulders, whilst walking away, and he just stood there, staring at me intensely. His blue eyes weren't visible again. It had a different color, I couldn't quite see.

I guess he'd go back to New Haven, and this chapter would finally end, once and for all. I'm hurt, but I'll be fine. I fought back the tears from falling. I was done with the rollercoaster of emotions whenever I was near him; everything that had to do with him hurt more than thorns pricking. Goodbye to my love story chapter, and hello to a next.