Tides Turned (Ruin #1)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Pagkatapos akong baliwin ni Hervisca sa matamis niyang halik, I can't stop myself from wanting her more. Araw araw at gabi gabi ko siyang tinatawagan at tine-text. Even during meetings, I can't resist answering her texts or calls promptly. It's a feeling I can't ignore, and I love that she's finally showing interest in me.

"Kael, can you just settle down?! Hilong hilo na ako sa kaiikot mo!" reklamo ni Autumn sa akin.

Napatigil ako. "May mali talaga, Autumn. Why she didn't text me back? Did I do something wrong? What's the matter? Kanina lang ay nakakatanggap pa ako ng messages niya but now is different!" I bit my lower lips. "What's wrong with her?"

She rolled her eyes. "Siguro natauhan na. She finally realized that you are not worth of her time. Perhaps, she find someone else now, looking more handsome and perfect than you."

Mabilis kong kinuha ang ilan sa papeles na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa ko at inihagis sa pagmumukha niya. I made a face at her as she began screaming out loudly, cussing at me. Tumakbo ako palabas ng opisina ko at iniwan siya roon. Muli kong tinawagan si Hervisca at sa wakas, sinagot niya na rin ang tawag ko.

"Hervisca, are you alright? Did you eat? Is there something wrong? Hindi ko alam pero kanina pa talaga ako hindi mapakali," huminga ako ng malalim. "Tell me, are you alright?"

Inaasahan ko na magsusumbong siya sa akin. Ngunit ganoon na lamang ang pagkadurog ng puso ko nang marinig ko ang malakas niyang hikbi sa kabilang linya. I knew it.

I rushed to my car, the echoes of her cries haunting me even as I drove. I arrived at the mansion in mere minutes, asking her to come outside. The moment I saw her, the pain in her eyes spoke loudly. . . and without hesitation, I took a step forward as I pulled her closer, embracing her.

Ibinaon niya ang kaniyang mukha sa balikat ko at doon napiling umiyak. Sinaktan na naman nila ang Hervisca ko. Hindi naiwasang mamuo ng luha sa gilid ng aking mata habang yakap yakap ko siya.

I wanted to ease the pain in her heart but this is all I could do. Lalo na at ayaw niyang lisanin ang lugar na ito. She will never find peace if she chose to stay here.

Hinarap niya ako. "You don't have to wait for me, Kael."

Her words pierced through me, shattering my soul. The pain of asking me not to wait cut deep in my heart. Why? Had I done something wrong? Was it still about Risen? Did she now realize her true feelings for him?

The pain deepened, as I realized she couldn't love me the way I desired. I wasn't asking for everything, just a small portion of her time, even if it meant being with him first and coming with me an hour later.

Iyon na lang ang hinihiling ko ngunit bakit hindi niya maibigay? Mahirap ba talaga akong mahalin?

"I am now ready to love you. . ."

Her words hit me like a surprise wave, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Stunned and amazed, I stood there, trying to process the fact that she was finally ready to love me. Ang isinisigaw na ng puso niya ay ang pangalan ko.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at sunod sunod na bumagsak ang luha sa aking mukha. Wala akong ibang nagawa kung di ang yakapin siya ng mahigpit habang patuloy sa pagbagsak ang aking mga luha. Para akong isang bata na umiiyak habang yakap yakap siya.

"Mahal kita, Skyelle Rouiveo Zuchevas. . ."

My heart filled with so much gratitude as I thanked God. The wait, the longing from a distance – it all seemed worthwhile. Now, I could finally hold her hand and proudly tell the world that the woman I had loved from afar was now truly mine.