Kissing the Agony (Agony Series #1)

Chapter 37: Where Peace Begins

I found peace when I left everything behind and chose to live in a quiet urban town. Living alone in a place where no one knew me gave me a sense of freedom I didn't know I needed. It helped me heal, especially with a view as breathtaking as Siquijor's.

But when I returned to Manila, everything shifted. I was always in a rush, caught up in college, the board exam, and modeling. I didn't even realize I had forgotten how to breathe. My mind was constantly clouded, weighed down by pressure and expectations I raised for myself.

This is the first time in a long while that I've felt calm again. My thoughts are quiet. My breathing is steady.

I used to think peace meant disappearing... starting over in a place far from everything and everyone. But now I understand that peace isn't always about where you are.

Sometimes, peace is when you finally set your mind free. When you allow yourself to be who you are without the fear of being judged for the wounds and scars you carry.

Peace is when the ghosts of your past no longer have power over you.

I smiled at the sight of the familiar establishments, the ones I used to visit whenever I needed something from the town proper. The fresh wind brushed gently against my cheek, a quiet reminder of how much I missed this place. Then I felt Cyrus' arm resting on the back of my seat. I turned to him... and found him already looking at me, smiling.

"I should have known you're just here," he whispered against my ear.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Bakit? Para nasundan mo ako rito?"

He chuckled and pinched my cheek. "Yeah. But I won't interrupt you. You won't even see me. I'll just—"

"Watch me from afar?" I countered. He grinned.

"I just want to make sure you're safe, Rhian."

"I was safe. The people here are nice and the whole place is quiet. It's what I needed at that time," I told him.

He didn't respond as he just rested his chin on my shoulder. We both enjoyed the tricycle ride, the wind in our faces as we made our way to the hotel where we'd be staying.

We left Manila this afternoon and we arrived just about when the sun was about to set.

After my heart to heart talk with Lola Mina, my heart felt lighter and the rest of the evening was filled with small laughters from Cyrus' jokes and stories. Siguro ay alas tres na ng umaga ako nakauwi, hinatid naman ako ni Cyrus sa condo.

Nahihiya pa nga ako kay Lola Mina nang magpaalam ako pauwi dahil pati siya ay napuyat. Aniya'y minsan lang daw at napasarap naman daw ang kwentuhan kaya ayos lang daw iyon.

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit noong inihatid niya ako sa gate nila. Cyrus was already holding the car door for me, waiting for me as I bid goodbye to his grandma.

"Salamat sa pagpunta, hija. Lagi mo akong bisitahin, kung hindi ka abala sa trabaho." She smiled genuinely. My heart leaped from joy.

"Salamat po sa pagtanggap, Lola."

Cyrus and I were all smiles as he drove me to my condo. I could feel how delighted he was, knowing that my relationship with his family had finally gotten better.

The days that followed went by smoothly. Cyrus started driving me to and from school, and he even accompanied me to some of my modeling gigs. Our relationship grew stronger and closer, but he still wasn't my boyfriend.

When he asked about where we were heading, I told him I wanted to take my time. He understood. He said he was content, as long as he could be with me.

Ang totoo niyan, naghihintay ako ng tamang oras at pagkakataon bago ko siya sagutin bilang boyfriend ko. Kaya nang niyaya niya akong magbakasyon, agad kong sinabi na gusto kong sa Siquijor kami pumunta.