Kissing the Agony (Agony Series #1)

Epilogue

"Please, Dorothy... Help me out," I begged.

Kakalapag pa lang ng eroplano at palabas pa lang ako ng airport nang tawagan ko ang malapit na kaibigan ni Rhian.

I came home from Davao. It's been months since I last came home to Manila. I kept myself busy for the past few months because I know I will be asking for a leave. So the moment I filed for one, they didn't think twice to approve it.

"I've been helping you out, Cyrus! Ilang taon na akong personal spy mo?" her tone was laced with annoyance. I chuckled lightly.

Baka hindi niya na ako tulungan?

"Yeah, I know. You've been a great help. I appreciate all the information from the past years," I said sincerely.

She heaved a heavy sigh. "Baka hindi pa siya handang makita ka ulit?"

That struck me for a while but I still managed to answer, "That's for me to find out, right?" I trailed off. "Besides... it's been years. And based on your stories and every time I go home to visit her, she seems more happy."

"Hay. Sige, at tatawagan ko." Dorothy finally gave in.

Finally... I badly want to see her right now. Not from afar, but up close. I want to feel her. I miss her so much.

For years, I lived with the kind of contentment that hurt. I found comfort in the little things such as hearing about her from afar, catching glimpses I wasn't supposed to see.

I stayed close, but never close enough.

I was always hiding in the quiet corners of her life, just enough to feel her presence... but never enough for her to notice mine.

So when I followed her in that coffee shop in Taguig, I knew in my heart that I would do everything in my power to keep her close to me. Ang tagal ko nang nagtiis. Ilang taon na.

I knew she needed that time for herself. To heal, to grow, and to chase the life she dreamed of. So I endured the ache of distance, the ache of loving someone from the shadows.

Because I loved her enough to let her go.

But now... Now I see her thriving... graceful on the runway and passionate in the classroom. She's now strong and steady. So maybe... it's no longer selfish to let her feel my presence. Not to chase her, but to stand beside her fully.

She let me woo her. She let me pursue her and she even acknowledged me as her suitor. I drive for her to and from school. I go with her to every modeling gig. I can't help but be fascinated with her range.

She's different with kids when she teaches and she's very different when she models for brands, especially if the concepts are daring. She transforms into something... that makes me uncomfortable. I had to tilt my head and shift on my seat from time to time.

I was so sure that we won't be having problems anymore, the reason I decided to tell my Lola about her.

"Lola, may nililigawan po ako," I said casually.

It was a normal morning in our house. Dalawa lang kami sa hapag dahil ang mga kasambahay at mga nurses niya at tapos nang kumain. Lola's curious eyes immediately flew to me.

She wiped the sides of her lips with the table napkin before she spoke. "Bago na 'yan, hijo?" Her tone was hopeful at first. But when I didn't answer... It was when she knew it was the same girl.

"Apo, kailan ka ba matututo?" Umiling siya sa akin, dismayadong dismayado.

"Mahal ko po si Rhian, Lola," I answered, as if the reason alone was enough. And it certainly was for me.