Ryle Alvarez (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

THE next day came by, Ryle was ready to leave his unit. Gusto niyang makarating nang maaga para matapos kaagad ang usapan. Ang hinihintay niya ay ang pagpapalit ng shift na mga guwardiyang nagbabantay sa floor niya. After about five minutes of waiting, bumaba na sa elevator ang mga ito. Alam niyang anumang minuto ay papasok na ang mga kapalit nito. Para hindi sila magkasalubong, Ryle took the stairs and then the fire exit. Sinigurado niyang walang makakakita sa kaniya palabas. As soon as he got out of the building, he hailed a taxi. He immediately told the driver his destination.

Labis ang pagkabog ng puso niya. He kept looking back to the condominium building to check if someone was able to follow him. Nang tuluyan nang makalayo, saka lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag. T-in-ext niya si Liway.

To Liway:

On the way. Nakasakay na ako ng taxi.

The woman did not reply but Ryle was was sure she saw his message. Dahil nga may masikip pang eskinitang daraanan bago makarating sa bahay nila Liway, bumaba na rin si Ryle. He wore a hoodie and a facemask to conceal his identity.

Hindi rin nagtagal bago siya nakarating sa bahay ng dalaga. The door was closed so he had to knock. Liway slightly opened the door to make sure it's not some reporter. Nang masigurong si Ryle iyon, tuluyan na siyang pinagbuksan ng pinto ng dalaga.

Pumasok si Ryle at umupo sa isa sa mga upuan nila. Umupo sa tapat niya si Liway. Ilang minutong walang umimik sa kanilang dalawa. Nakatitig lang si Ryle sa dalaga.

God knows how much he missed her. He missed her eyes, her hair, her lips. . . everything about her. Gusto na lang niyang lapitan at yakapin kaagad ang babae, but held back.

"Liway," tawag niya. "Before everything else, I wanted to say sorry for not going the last time. May mga problema kasi sa agency and I know that's not an excuse. I know you're hurt and you're probably blaming me for what happened to your father. Kung galit ka, tatanggapin ko ang galit mo."

"Ryle, hindi kita sinisisi. Nadala lang ako ng galit kaya ikaw ang nasigawan ko."

"But still. I ditched you. It was not intentional, but please know na sobrang nagsisisi talaga ako."

"Bakit hindi ka pumunta, Ryle? Hinintay kita. Ang tagal kong naghintay at naglakad ako pauwi."

"The agency blackmailed me. Kaya nila nilabas ang rumor na iyon, kaya nasira ang pangalan mo at nadamay ka sa gulo. They blackmailed me with sex tapes, Liway. I couldn't do anything."

"Kaya ba hindi mo nililinaw ang pangalan ko?"

Tumango si Ryle. "Yes. And to tell you, tumakas lang ako ngayon. Hindi talaga nila ako pinapayagang lumabas. I broke their rules for you."

"Paano kung ikaw naman ang sirain nila?" Lumapit siya Liway at hinaplos ang pisngi ng binata.

"If they ruin me and everyone else turns their back on me, will you still accept me?"

Matagal na tumingin si Liway sa mga mata ni Ryle. Sa ngayon, may dalawa siyang desisyon, sabihin ang nararamdaman o piliing lumayo nang tuluyan. She chose what her heart wanted the most.

"Even if the world turns its back on you, I'll accept you with open arms."

There is no point in lying. She was tired of running away from him when all she wanted was to rest in his arms. It's them against the world from now on.

"Liway. . ."

"Pagod na akong lumayo. Pagod na akong maging malungkot. Gusto ko na lang maging masaya tayo."

Ryle felt relieved upon hearing Liway's response. He carried her onto his lap and hugged her tightly. He showered her with soft kisses. And knowing them, even the slightest, most gentle, and a softest kiss can turn into something intimate. . . even a slow touch can make them feel like it's out of this world.