Grave of Dead Dreams (COMPLETED)

41. Found

Ryoc’s POV

"Ryoc?"

She stared at me for a long time. I wanted to run and hug her and tell her that I love her. Pero this is it. This is the moment I've waited for a very long time. Baka kapag pinairal ko ulit ang emosyon ko, lumayo ulit siya. And worst, baka hindi ko na siya talaga makita pa ulit.

"Kilala niyo ang isa't isa? That's nice! Laine, puwede mo bang i-tour si Mr. Cristobal sa facilities natin? Para raw sa nalalapit na outreach. Nasa opisina lang ako at may mga aayusin pa kasi akong mga documents."

Mukhang napilitan si Laine. She flashed a half-hearted smile to the woman before she left.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. Startled, napalayo siya sa akin.

I sighed. I placed my hands inside my pockets.

" Laine, hindi kita sasaktan. "

" Bakit ka nandito? Did you came here to find me? Sinong nagsabi sa'yo na nandito ako?"

"Kagaya ng sabi ng babae kanina, I'm here for the outreach. Everything's purely coincidental. And besides, what's wrong if I see you? You're still my girlfriend, after all."

"We broke up two years ago, Ryoc. I broke up with you on our 7th anniversary." mariin na sabi niya.

"No, Laine. Maybe it was over for you, but not for me."

We just stared at each other. Kita ko sa mga mata niya yung lungkot. I just keep on restraining myself from locking her up in an embrace.

"Is that the reason why you broke up with me?"

Tinalikuran niya ako.
"Tara na, Mr. Cristobal. Kailangan mo nang mag-tour para makapagpahinga na rin ako."

She walked away. I followed her. Tahimik lang akong nakasunod sa kanya. She's not saying anything and so  am I. But inside my heart, I'm starting to answer every question. Every why and every what. But I'm still waiting for her to tell me those words.

"I have Grade IV Glioblastoma. I only have five months left to live. And yes, Ryoc. You were right. I broke up with you because of this."

Nakatalikod pa rin siya sa akin habang sinasabi 'yon. Hinawakan ko siya sa balikat at marahang iniharap sa akin. Laine's shaking. At sa pagharap niya sa akin, kitang-kita ko ang pagbubos ng mga luha sa kanyang mga mata.

" Laine, why didn't you tell me? We could've solved this together. Or atleast sana man lang nakasama kita nang mas matagal pa. Why, Laine? Why did you have to keep this a secret from me and disappear suddenly? Why?"

I stared at her face. Tinitigan ko ang mga mata niyang pagod. Maputla na ang kulay ni Laine. Nawala na ang mataba niyang pisngi. Medyo dry ang kanyang mga labi. And she touched me with her bony fingers. She placed it on my cheek.

" Ryoc, I just don't want to burden you... Noong tayo pa, lagi mo akong iniintindi. You always took care of me. Ayoko lang na kapag umalis na ako, maiwan kita na attached. I wanted you to look for another girl. Another girl na deserve yung pagmamahal mo. Another girl that could fulfill our dreams and promises to each other. I wanted you to move on... Without me..."

I embraced her. It feels like embracing a child. Sobrang pumayat si Laine. And I can feel the struggles she felt on the times she tried to stop her disease from getting worse.

Oh Laine, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't there...

" No, Laine, you're not a burden. And you would never be a burden for me. Mas pipiliin ko na nasa tabi mo kahit nasa dulo na tayo kay sa naman sa paglayo. Laine, all I want is to be at your side even at the end of our lives... Please, Laine, huwag mo na akong taguan ulit. Please, stay by me... "

She shook her head.

" I can't stay. I only have five months Ryoc. Open your eyes! When I die, I'm just going to hurt you! Please, Ryoc, I'm begging you, leave me alone... " she choked on her own words. Umiiyak na rin ako. Sinusubukan niyang kumawala sa yakap ko pero dahil nanghihina na rin ang kanyang katawan, hindi niya ako magawang itulak." Lumayo ka na, Ryoc. Hangga't maaga pa. Iwan mo na ako. Please. I'm doing this for our own good. Please..."

"No, I'm not going to leave, Laine. I searched for you for two years! Laine, you are the best part of me! Please, huwag mo akong itaboy, kasi hindi ko na yata kakayanin na kahit sa huling hininga mo alam ko na hindi ako yung kasama mo... Please, Laine. This is all I ask. Please huwag mo akong itaboy. Kasi napapagod na akong hanapin pabalik yung daan ko papunta sa'yo."

I gently rocked her inside my arms. Tears are streaming down my face. Nararamdaman ko rin na medyo basa na ang polo ko na suot, most probably dahil sa luha naming dalawa. I kissed her forehead and cusped her face on my hands. I stared into her eyes. Her bony fingers locking on my wrists.

"Hindi ba nangako ako na hanggang sa huli, ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko?"

She didn't answered. She's still crying. Pinahid ko ang mga luhang tumutulo sa kanyang pisngi gamit ang daliri ko.

"Then let me prove it, Laine. Kahit na ito lang yung pangarap na kaya kong tuparin, please, Laine. Let me love you, again."