Nakatulugan ko ang pag-iyak. Naalimpungatan lang ako nang makarinig ng kalabog sa labas. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn't fully open them. Ramdam kong namamaga ang mga mata ko dahil sa matinding pag-iyak kanina.
I heard my bedroom door open. Rinig ko ang mabilis na mga hakbang patungo sa akin. I felt a warm hand touch my arm. I immediately knew who it was. Sa amoy at presensya pa lang ay alam ko na agad kung sino iyon. Lumubog ang bahagi ng kutson sa may likuran ko nang umupo siya.
"Elvira..." he whispered, his voice laced with concern.
A lump formed in my throat. I felt myself crying again. Umigting ang panga ko para pigilan ang paghikbi. Nakatalikod ako sa kanya, ang kamay niya ay nanatiling nakahawak sa braso ko.
"I'm here..."
Kusang tumulo uli ang mga luha ko. He softly kissed my arm and shoulder. Tumihaya ako at hinarap na siya habang umiiyak. I want a hug. He immediately hugged me. Dinala niya ako sa kanyang dibdib habang nakaupo siya sa kama. I cried silently on his chest. He hugged me even tighter.
"I'm here now..." kalmado at marahan niyang pag-alo sa akin.
Sumiksik ako lalo sa kanya. And somehow, I felt relieved. I feel comforted. I don't feel alone anymore. Mabigat pa rin pero kahit paano ay nabawasan ang nakadagan sa aking dibdib. I was calmed by the sound of his voice and by the warmth of his body.
Now I realize... I still have him. I still have them... I know they won't leave me. Roilan, Dani, Tita Melanie and Aaron. I still have them.
I know he already knows what's happening now on social media. But I trust him. I have faith in him. I know he has explanations. And I must listen to him. I must believe in him.
“I-I failed the board exam, Roilan…” garalgal ang boses ko nang sabihin ko iyon sa kanya.
Marahan niyang hinaplos ang likuran ko. He kissed the top of my head again. Hinayaan niya akong magsalita habang kino-comfort ako ng kanyang mga yakap at mararahang halik sa aking ulo.
“My father just died… and everyone’s bullying me in the internet… They’re accusing me of stealing you from Claire Fernandez. Kabit daw ako. Hindi naman iyon totoo, ‘di ba?”
“Shh.. That’s not true. Wala kang inagaw. I was always yours, Elvira… I was always yours.”
“Pero bakit sila gano’n? Bakit ganoon sila magsalita sa akin?” umiiyak kong sabi at tumingin sa kanya.
His jaw clenched, his eyes were dark and dangerous like he’s ready to go in a war. “I already made a statement about it before I came here. My lawyer is now taking legal action against those responsible for spreading false information and harming your reputation. The statement was already published online…”
“People just assumed that I am Claire Fernandez’ boyfriend after our picture together in Laguna circulated online six years ago. That time, I also made a statement to clear the rumors that we never dated. Hindi naman iyon totoo.”
Tumigil na ako sa pag-iyak. Kahit paano ay nakalma ko na ang sarili ko. I listened to him carefully.
“Kasama namin si Governor Fernandez noon. Business meeting ang ipinunta ko roon. May mga kasama pa kaming iba. Kasama ko rin noon si Papa. Sabay lang kaming lumabas ni Claire Fernandez. Ilang beses ko na iyong pinaliwanag at itinanggi sa publiko. I was actually disappointed at Claire Fernandez. She didn’t even make a statement to clear the rumor. Hinayaan din niyang ganoon ang isipin ng mga tao.”
He sighed. “I don’t want you to think that I was in a relationship with her before, while we were together. Kahit noong umalis ka, patuloy ko pa rin iyong itinanggi sa media. Ayaw kong isipin mo na pinagpalit na kita... kasi natatakot ako na baka... hindi ka na bumalik sa akin.”
