Chasing Rogue

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Six:
The Mission's choice

Three Years Later

"Sapphire, andiyan na naman sa labas yung man-liligaw mo." Pag sa-sabi ni Jen bago tinanggal ang boots neto na puro snow.

Three years, it's been three rough years simula ng mangyari ang lahat. Halos isang taon rin bago ako nagising, at nung naka recover ako, nag madali akong umalis ng Pilipinas para iwanan ang lahat. Naging sobrang masakit isipin ang lahat ng nangyari. Naa-alala ko lahat ng nangyari bago ako ma-comatose.

I decided to migrate to Japan. I've always wanted to come here, mabuti nalang at napag-bigyan ako ni Mama sa gusto ko. Hindi na healthy para kay Mama ang lumabas ng bansa kaya mag isa nalang akong pumunta. Pa-minsan minsan ay bumi-bisita si Geraldine para kamustahin ako, sina-samahan ako nito kapag uma-atake ng malala ang anxiety ko.

Halos isang taon na rin akong nag ta-trabaho sa isang cafe kasama ang ka-roommate ko na si Jen na galing din ng Pilipinas. At sa loob ng isang taon na yon nahanap ako ni Rogue.

I tried running away from him, isa rin yun sa rason kung bakit gustong gusto ko na umalis agad ng Pilipinas. I couldn't face him after what I've done. After what happened. I was such a failure, and I was even more of a wreck when I found out that I lost our child. Kahit hindi nila sabihin, alam ko sa sarili ko na wala akong kuwenta. I couldn't bear to see the pity in their eyes.

Nung una akong nagising, pinaki-usapan ko agad sila Mama na huwag na huwag papu-puntahin ulit si Rogue. And for two years, he stopped. But now he's back again.

"Pa-aalisin ko na ba ulit?" Tanong ni Jen. "Huy, kanina pa ata si pogi duon! Baka nani-nigas na sa sobrang lamig yon! Puntahan mo na!" Pilit nito.

I bit my lip and held my necklace, my necklace was the only thing that reminded me of our unborn son. Fortunately he was cremated and his ashes were put inside my necklace, I hold onto it whenever I'm feeling anxious.

"Nako, may himala ba?" Biro ni Jen. "Parang dati halos mag ta-takbo ka sa kuwarto mo tuwing sinasabi ko na nandito na si pogi. Ngayon pupuntahan mo talaga?" Gulat na tanong nito.

I've come to realize that Rogue has done nothing wrong. If anything, I was the one who did him wrong. Pero despite everything, he still chose to stay, he still chose me. He has waited long enough, cause if anything, I should be chasing him. I didn't deserve him, even when we were still in highschool.

Kuma-kabog ang dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba ng buksan ko ang main door ng bahay. Agad kong nakita si Rogue na umi-inom ng kape sa may hagdan sa tabi ng pinto. Napa-tigil ito ng ma-realize na naka tayo ako sa harap niya.

"S-Sapphire.." He breathed out. "It's you."

I lightly nodded. "It is me." I bit my lip trying not to get emotional. "Kanina ka pa nag i-intay dito?"

He instantly shook his head. "Kaka-rating ko lang, nakita ko pa nga si Ate na pumasok. Akala ko hindi ka lalabas eh, kakauwi mo lang din daw kasi." Nahi-hiya na sabi nito.

"Are you cold? Gusto mo ba pumasok?" Pag a-alok ko.

His eyes lit up and he stared at me as if he'd seen a miracle. "Is this really happening?" Mahina siyang tumawa.

"Yes, Rogue, this is real." I subtly smiled and raked a hand through my hair.

"Then it's a yes, I'd like to come inside, scratch that I'd love to come in." He chuckles. It sounded like music to my ears, it was so familiar. I missed hearing his laughs.

Pina-pasok ko siya at mabilis na pinaupo sa isa sa mga sofa malapit sa fire place.

"I think a miracle happened today, you actually let me in." He pointed out and smiled.

I nodded and shyly smiled back. "You've waited long enough, for me." I held my necklace again, I was very nervous.

"There's no such thing as a long time when it comes to you." He simply says.

"Are you not mad at me? After what happened? This is your first time talking to me after everything, are you not mad?" I hesitantly asked.

He took a deep breath. "I was mad at first, but in those three years I was given a chance to look at everything in all sorts of angles and perspectives. I'm sure you had your reason. Also, Isidore told me the truth, you were gonna choose me." There was a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I was.." Mahinang sambit ko. "I'm sorry, Rogue." My lips quivered.

"I appreciate you saying sorry, but I've forgiven you a long time ago." He came up to me and caressed my cheek. "Matagal na kitang napatawad sa mga nagawa mo, Sapphire. Hindi na natin mababalik ang nakaraan. Let's just be grateful that you're safe and you're here, okay?"

I nodded and bursted to tears. "I lost our baby." My voice shook.

"It's not your fault." He shakes his head. "Our Angel was not meant to live on this Earth and I've come to accept that. However, I'm very grateful that he happened, because he brought us back together. Imagine kung walang Raisin, hindi na kita makikita ulit pagka-tapos ng party na yon." He slightly chuckles as he talks about the bright side of the situation.

"Alam niya na ang Mommy at Daddy niya talaga ang para sa isa't isa." Dagdag ni Rogue.

I lightly laughed. "Cheesy."

"I missed you Sapphire." He breathed out. "Can I?"

I nodded and wiped my tears. He was gentle when he brushed my hair and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"You are worth the wait." He tells me and kisses the side of my head.

"Am I?" I chuckled, still crying buckets.

"More than anything." He smiles. "Sapphire can I ask you something?"

Nag taas ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "Go ahead."

"I understand if you're not ready yet, we have all the time in the world and now that you finally let me in, but will you let me court you? Can we start over again as lovers?" He asks, looking down and possibly feeling scared of rejection.

"We can always take it slow, you know I like it slow." He adds and laughs.

I cried even more and fell into his arms. "Yes, Rogue, you can court me. I'm finally letting you back in my heart." I hastily nodded and sobbed.

I saw Rogue shed a tear before he engulfed me in a tight bear hug. "Thank you, Sapphire. For defining the word love for me since I was sixteen."

"I missed you, love." He whispers against my sensitive ears.

"I missed you even more, love." I told him. "It was worth it chasing you three years ago, Rogue." I smile.

And with that, after what seemed like an eternity, our lips were connected again. Our souls combining into one. It was always him and I ever since. I always loved the chase. I loved chasing Rogue, but there's no need for that anymore because we have forever ahead of us to love each other without the other running away.

Chasing Rogue | katemariedolan