Beyond The Rules (𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙀𝘿) ¦ Book 1

CHAPTER 36

Nalu’s Point of View

Nagising ako na may halong ngiti sa mga labi ng makita ko ang taong mahal ko na nakapikit at nakayakap pa rin sa akin.

“I love you, Yoshio.” I whispered. Dahan-dahan kong hinawakan at hinawi ang ilang buhok na nakaharang sa kanyang mukha. “Hmm…” mahinang ungol ni Yoshio kasabay ng dahan-dahang pagmulat ng kaniyang mga mata.

“Love?” Nakangiting sambit nito sa akin. “Yes?” Agad kong tugon sa kanya.

“Get yourself ready ihahatid na kita sa bahay niyo…” Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

“Are you insane, love? Ayoko ng bumalik ‘don sa bahay namin. Please, don't do this. Ayaw kong mawalay sa'yo.” Nagsusumamo kong sambit sa kanya.

“Ayaw ko rin’ ibalik ka sa mga magulang mo, kaya lang it's the right thing to do. I know you'll understand it someday. Hindi naman ibig sabihin ng inuwi kita ay hindi na kita makikita hindi ba? Let's just wait for the right time, at sana sa pagdating ng tamang panahon no one will ever ruin our life and promises.” Mahabang litanya niya.

“Love, I don't really understand kung ano ba talagang gusto mong mangyari.” Tumalikod ako sa pagkakahiga at huminga ng malalim. “Parang sinabi mo na rin’ na sumama ako sa parents ko sa Ireland at gawin ang pagbawalan na makita ka.” Dugtong ko.

Tumayo si Yoshio at lumipat ng pwesto at tumingin sa akin. Siniksik niya ang kanyang sarili sa akin.

“Love, mahal kita higit pa sa sarili ko. Ayaw kitang mapahamak ng dahil sa akin, marami ka pang mararating sa buhay. You're just 20 years old, but how about me? A thirty-three year old man, married and has 2 kids who fell in love with his student at the wrong time.” Kumirot ang puso ko ng marinig ko ang mga sinabi niyang ‘yon.

Tumayo ako sa pagkakahiga sa kama nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko para pigilan ako sa pagtayo.

Nagsisi ba siya na minahal niya ako?

The air inside the car felt heavy, thick with the unspoken words between us. The only sound was the distant hum of the engine, punctuated by the occasional creak of leather as I shifted nervously in my seat. I averted my gaze from Sir Yoshio, whose profile was sharply illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the tinted windows. His jaw was clenched, and I could sense the frustration radiating off him, but I remained unyieldingly silent.

The tension stretched thin as we navigated the winding roads of the subdivision where I lived. I could feel Yoshio’s eyes on me, searching for a response, for something, anything but still, I held my tongue. Minutes passed, or at least it felt like minutes, each second a drop of weight in my stomach.

Finally, we pulled up to the gates of our subdivision. The guard, Kuya Maning, stood with a look of shock as he recognized the car. He rushed to the driver's side as Yoshio lowered the window with a slow, deliberate motion, as if he was bracing himself for something.

“Ma’am Nalu, mabuti na lang po at dumating na kayo,” he said, his voice laced with apprehension. “Marami pong pulis at media ang nakapalibot sa bahay niyo. Kitang-kita sa CCTV footage kung paano magalit si Mrs. Coleis.”

I peered through the window, my heart sinking at his words. My mother’s fury was something to behold, but it was the media presence that sent shivers down my spine.

Questions echoed in my mind—what had they found?

How did they know?

“Ma’am, ano po bang nangyayari?” Kuya Maning asked, his eyes darting between me and Yoshio, seeking answers.

Yoshio squeezed my hand gently, grounding me for a brief moment. "Love," he murmured softly, “we’ll face this together.”

The warmth of his hand pressed against mine was a fleeting comfort. It was his silent promise that I would not be alone. But as he raised the windshield back up, cutting off the outside world, I knew that I needed to confront what awaited me just beyond the car door.

With a deep breath, I prepared myself. The car stopped at the entrance of our villa, where a crowd of reporters and police officers stood, their cameras flashing like angry fireflies in the dimming light of the late afternoon. I felt an insatiable urge to flee, to hide away from the world that had turned upside down in a matter of days.

“Are you ready?” Yoshio’s voice broke through my reverie, full of strength but softened by concern. His gaze was unwavering, offering a lifeline amidst the chaos.

I swallowed hard, “No. But I don’t have a choice, do I?” My voice trembled slightly, betraying the confidence I hoped to project.

“None of us really do,” he replied, his tone a blend of candor and reassurance. “But remember, whatever they throw at you, we’ll take it one step at a time.”

I nodded, steeling myself for the inevitable storm. The door handle felt cold beneath my hand, and as I pulled it open, the cacophony of questions from the media washed over me like a tidal wave.

“Nalu Coleis, how do you respond to the allegations?”

“Is it true that you were involved in—”

“Can you comment on your relationship with Sir Yoshio?”

With every question that bombarded me, I felt my resolve shake. But I stepped out of the car, Yoshio by my side, the weight of his presence solidifying my courage.

Putangina! Sino ang nag papunta sa mga media at pulis?

“Just breathe love,” he whispered, almost inaudibly. The world around me faded as I focused on him alone.

Then, I took my first step toward the media, processing the reality that wouldn’t allow me to retreat.

“I have no comment at this time.” The words were simple, yet they felt monumental.

Sir Yoshio stood firm by my side, a silent sentinel in the storm that raged around us.

“Puro ka kahihiyan!” Isang malutong na sampal ang lumagapak sa mukha ko. Napahawak ako sa pisngi kong ‘yon at tumungo ang ulo ko na parang walang nangyari.

“Wala ka na bang ibang gagawin Nalu kundi ang pahiyain kami ng tatay mo? Ano bang pumasok sa kokote mo at pumatol ka sa titser mo?” Bulyaw niya sa akin.