Beyond Measure

Chapter 15: Non Ti Arrenderò

"Hello Mom!"

"Risse, anak! Kanina pa kitang tinatawagan."

"Sorry. Naka silent ang phone ko. I'm really busy. Ang dami ko pong backlogs since I'm on leave last week. Bakit po?"

"I just want to remind you na umuwi ka dito sa bahay. We'll have dinner, magluluto ako ng favorite mo, bunsoy."

"Yes. Of course, mom."

"Good. So how's your date with Zeke?"

"Ugh. Mom, let's not talk about it now, ok? I'm busy. Tsaka you embarrassed me in front of him! Nakakahiya."

But she just chuckled. "Sorry anak. But I find it cute. I like him already."

"Ma, kakabreak ko lang, tapos you're shipping me to Zeke agad agad? Nakakaloka ka."

"Don't be such a party pooper, bunso. Eh ano ngayon kung kaka-break mo lang? At least Ezekiel is far better than your ex."

"Mom! Please. Mamaya na lang tayo mag usap, ok? Marami akong deadline kay Panot. Bye!"

I didn't let her talk. Hahaba lang ang usapan namin ni mom.

I heaved a deep sigh. After our breakfast, hinatid ako agad pabalik ni Zeke sa office ko. It was an awkward breakfast but he managed to lighten our atmosphere by some random and 'fun' conversation. Hindi na sya nawalan ng kwento.

He talked about his life, his tattoos and his rebellious kid days in Italy. I find it so amusing and I wasn't really bored. Hindi lang ako masyadong nagsasalita dahil hiyang hiya ako sa kanya.

Hanggang sa entrance nya lang ako naihatid. He has a menu to make for lunch for a client that's why he left in a hurry. Na ipinagpasalamat ko naman.

Somehow, I forgot about my miseries when Ezekiel is around. Somehow, I couldn't feel the pain. But now that I'm alone, I couldn't help but to think about Raf.

I wonder what he's doing right now? Maybe he's taking care of his wife-to-be.

Ah.. Ang sakit. I still can't believe that we ended like that. But I can't do anything about it.

I closed my eyes for seconds to gain my composure and worked again. I'll just keep myself busy to completely forget him.

I'm in the middle of designing a school when my phone rang. It's an unknown number so I ignored it. But it keeps on ringing. Nakakairita kaya sinagot ko na lang.

"Hello. Who's this?"

"Risse..."

I swallowed hard.

"R-Raf."

"God, I miss you so much babe!"

"Stop it Rafael. We're done. Just... Just focus on your family."

"But how can you I, when all I can think of, is you? You know that you're the only that I want."

"Raf, paulit ulit na lang ba tayo? Sana naisip mo yan noon bago mo binuntis si Cristine. Tigilan mo na ako. Hayaan mo na akong magmove on." My voice is shaking as I utter every word.

"Hindi mo na ba ako matatanggap? Hindi mo na ba ako mahihintay Risse? Just a year. Isang taon lang naman." he pleaded.

"Damn you! Are you hearing yourself? Maawa ka naman sa baby, Raf. Ano, iiwan mo na lang sila ng ganon-ganon na lang?"

Hindi sya nakaimik agad.

"Let's just end this. Raf—"

"No! Ayoko! F*ck! I couldn't make it kung hindi ikaw ang makakasama ko habang buhay Marisse. Hindi mo na ba ako mahal?"

Mahal na mahal kitang gago ka. Pero ang sakit na.

"Please, stop it. Tigilan... Zeke!"

"Stop pestering, Marisse, you f*cking idiot!"

"Zeke! Akina na yan!"

But he just stopped me. He is squeezing my phone so hard.

"Marisse is mine now! She's never yours.... Hah! Try me, you son of b*tch. Coward!"

He madly shouted before he slammed the phone and broke it.

"Argh. Bakit mo tinapon?! You broke my phone, you moron!" I said as tears run down from my eyes. I picked up the pieces of the phone that scattered on the floor while tearing up.

Suddenly, I felt a warm arms enveloped my body.

Lalo akong napaiyak.

"Shhhh. Tahan na. He's not worth your tears, cara mia."

I wasn't able to answer. Napahagulgol na lang ako at napasalampak sa sahig.

He hugged me so tight and cradled me in his arms. He's wiping my tears while whispering Italian that I couldn't understand.

"You're hurting me while I'm mending your wounds, cara mia. But I'd gladly do it for you because you're worth it." he whispered.

I closed my eyes. "Then, just stop."

I bravely answered.

He pulled away and turned my head to face him and tenderly said..

"Mai, amore mio. Non ti arrenderò."

And with a swift move, his lips crushed to mine.

******

She is so painfully beautiful. And it hurts me seeing her so miserable.

I carried her inside the adjacent room of her office. I kissed her and I'm happy she didn't fight back. But she's crying. She's so broken. She's shattered and sometimes I'm in the dark on how could I ever make her forget about that idiot. Her love for him is screaming all over her body. And it's killing me with that thought.

I sighed as I watch her sleep. Nakatulugan na nya ang pag iyak. At awang awa na ako sa kanya.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Miro.."

"What happened to her?" he asked as she leaned to his sister.

"The ex called and bombarded her peace. Nakatulugan na nya ang pag iyak."

His jaws and fist tightened. "I'm gonna kill that idiot." he said in gritted teeth.

"As much as I want to, hindi worth it ang pag kakakulong ko nang dahil sa kanya. I still have to take care of your sister." I said grinning.

"You're a love sick twat." he teased.

"Look who's talking? Aren't you head over heals in love with Ali? By the way did you find her, already?"

He heaved a sigh and sit on the chair. "No. But let's not talk about her. What are you going to do now? It's obvious, my sister still loves the demon."

I shrugged. "Nothing. I'll just be here for her." I said as gently caressed her hair. Damn, she's beautiful even she look so stressed. I wonder what she will look like when she's happy and free.

"Just be careful, bro. Your love for my sister might ruin you in the end." he warned.

"Nah.. I know what I'm doing. I know what it might cost me. And I know what I'd end up, if she doesn't learn to love me. But the risks won't stop me. I didn't reform my life just to give up, bro. She's worth it, anyway." I said smiling. I couldn't help but to kiss my cara mia's forehead.

"F*ck you, gaytard! Tell that in front of the patriarch. "

*****

To be continued...

"Mai, amore mio. Non ti arrenderò." (Never, my love. I won't give up on you)