Kissing the Agony (Agony Series #1)

Chapter 39: Of Mango Trees and Promises

The sunlight trickled through the thick leaves of the mango tree above me, casting tiny gold patterns on the ground. I adjusted my laptop on the low table in front of me, the breeze warm against my skin as I leaned forward and smiled at the student on my screen.

"Very good, Aika," I said softly. "Now can you try it again? This time, use 'was' instead of 'were.'"

She nodded eagerly, her voice tiny but clear despite the distance between us.

There was something strangely beautiful about this rhythm, the simplicity of it all.

Teaching English in my comfiest clothes, just a white pullover and black joggers, barefoot on the leaves, sunlight on my cheeks, birds chirping somewhere nearby. I wasn't bound by a classroom anymore. I could work from anywhere, under a mango tree, beside a beach, or in the quiet corners of airports while waiting for Cyrus.

And speaking of...

My eyes flicked up for a second, and there he was.

Cyrus stood just a few steps away, one shoulder resting against the post of our porch, arms crossed over his chest. He wasn't in uniform where he was just moments ago. Just in a plain black shirt, joggers, and that familiar unreadable expression he always wore when he thought I wasn't looking.

But I knew him too well by now.

His gaze was steady, calm... but full. You could feel his presence in the room.

I bit back a smile and turned my attention back to the screen, finishing the lesson with soft encouragement and a short goodbye. The moment I closed the laptop, the world felt quieter somehow. It became slower, like time decided to wait for us.

Cyrus got back here in Davao and brought me with him a few months after we got back to Manila from Siquijor. I came to live with him in his house here in Davao.

The house was way more humble than what he had in Manila. But somehow... this felt more like home.

It was smaller, quieter, tucked somewhere far from the noise of the city. But it was cozy and very warm. The kind of place where the floorboards creaked under your feet, like the house itself was alive and listening. The walls were painted white, chipped in some corners, but the interiors were soft and earthy, rust, tan, a little army green here and there.

I loved it here.

I loved how it smelled like old wood and morning coffee. I loved how sunlight poured into the kitchen during breakfast, and how the wind carried the scent of mango trees in the afternoon.

Cyrus bought this house and renovated it exactly how he wanted. Every corner, every wall, every detail was all him. He chose to have a place here in Davao because, in his heart, he already knew. He was certain that someday, he'd live here with the family he's about to build. The family he wants... with me.

So he sold his condominium and invested in a bigger space, not because he needed it now, but because he was thinking ahead. He was building something. Preparing for a future that felt more and more real each day.

The house in Manila, though, was still there, quiet and untouched for now. Lola Mina looked after it for us. We called her every now and then, and she was always delighted to hear from us. She'd tease Cyrus sometimes, saying she knew this would happen all along.

"About time," she said once with a laugh, when we told her we were living together. "Ang tagal mo nang pinapangarap 'yan, e."

Cyrus only chuckled. I turned red for the rest of the call.

Cyrus flew back to Davao a few weeks ago after receiving a call from the Office of the Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He got promoted. He's officially a Lieutenant Colonel now. I remember the way his voice shook when he told me, like he was trying to keep it cool but couldn't hide how happy he was. I was so proud of him.

He's always been passionate about what he does. He has always been dedicated, grounded, and quiet about his achievements, but always pushing forward. And now, he was finally being recognized for it. For everything he's worked so hard for.

I still continued teaching, but now... remotely. I decided to resign from the private school I used to work for and switched to online teaching. It was the more practical choice since it gave me the freedom to be with Cyrus, whether we were in Manila or here in Davao.

I'll follow him everywhere now... because I want to.

He's spent so much of his life adjusting for me... flying back and forth, showing up whenever I needed him, making space in his world for mine. So this time, it's my turn. It's my choice to stay with him. To go where he goes. To build something real with the man who never gave up on me.

I don't think that it's a bad thing, since I still get to work and do the things I love.

Ipinagpatuloy ko rin ang pagmomodelo ko, hindi ko itinigil 'yon. Pero ngayon ay pili na lang ang projects na kinukuha ko. Kung ano ang mga produkto o mga brand na sumasalamin sa mga adhikain ko sa buhay, iyon na lang ang tinatanggap ko.

Nang maisarado ko ang laptop ay siyang paglapit ni Cyrus sa akin. Niyakap niya ako galing sa likod. He inhaled the scent of my hair that made me close my eyes and cherish the moment with him.

"Are you done?" he inquired, still locking me in his arms.

Tumango ako at ngumiti, bago tuluyang bumaling sa kanya. "You keep watching me like I'm not real," I said, raising my brow at him.

He chuckled and planted a soft kiss on my temple. "Maybe I'm still dreaming," he replied simply. He was looking down at me, eyes filled with gentleness and love.

Kinurot ko ang braso niyang nasa dibdib ko.

"Ow!" he grunted before he grinned evilly. His eyes narrowed at me.

"Parang hindi naman? Parang totoo naman 'to." My smile grew wider.

He let out a hearty laugh. My hand flew to his structured jaw, gently caressing his face.

"I'm in love with this life with you, Cyrus," I whispered. His eyes focused on me, letting me blurt all the feelings I have kept for years.

"I wasn't happy with the life I had before. You know that. You were there. You saw how time, life, and the people around me broke me down. I hated my life so much that I stopped caring about it. Even when I was violated... and no one believed me, because they had already made up their minds about me. That just like my mother, I was a nobody. I was nothing. Wala akong kwenta." There was a lump in my throat as my tears pooled in my eyes.

His arms around me tightened, as if telling me that he's listening. He's there, and I can say these words aloud now, because he believes in me.

"Akala ko, buong buhay na akong mamumuhay nang masalimuot. I started believing that I was worthless because that's what people kept telling me. Because even my own parents disowned me, because I was unlovable and not worthy of anything." My voice broke.

"Shhh, Rhian. Iyon ang kawalan nila. Iyon ang kamalian nila. They never gave you the chance, not that you owe them anything, but they robbed you of your self-worth. They made you think you're unlovable when you're clearly not." He made me face him as he cupped my face with his warm hands.

"I have loved you since then. I saw you, I really saw you. I saw how life broke you, but you stayed strong anyway. You kept going. You've always been brave, Rhian. And I regret... not being able to protect you the way I should have. I should've tried harder. I should've fought more to keep you safe from all of it. I still wish I could." His voice was laced with regret and guilt. I shook my head.

"You were the only one who ever treated me with kindness. Just being with you back then... that was already more than enough for me. And I'm thankful for that every single day, Cyrus. That young Rhian... the one who was hurting, the one who felt invisible is beyond thankful. She always will be." I smiled at him.

He held my nape as he leaned lower and angled his face so he could have a better access to my lips. My lips parted in response, soft and sure, as I welcomed him... wholeheartedly.