Naked Souls (Completed)

Naked Souls (44)

Author's Note: F I C T I O N

(Continuation from the previous chapter)

—
"So? What bothers you, love?"

"Natatakot ako, RJ..."

"Huh? I didn't expect that answer, alam kong naba-bother ka, pero hindi ko ine-expect na sa lahat ng ma fe-feel mo eh yong takot? We're not criminal.."

"No. It's just that, nagiging comfort siya sa akin, love."

"You mean? Hiding?"

"Yes. I remember those times na nag-aaway pa tayo because feeling ko at one point noon di mo naman talaga ako mahal kasi di mo akong makuhang ipakilala sa public, and then when some fans became soooo possessive na halos awayin na lahat ng katrabaho or kasama natin which nakakahiya na talaga sa kanila, we decided to just keep whatever we have in private nalang muna, sabi mo nga, the less the public knows about our private lives, the better for us, as we can always move freely, yon nga lang we need to do ninja moves, we learned how to be very careful, we do white lies when asked in public—"

"—I was afraid that they'll ruin what we have if the public knows. Imagine how massive that would be, love, if they know right there and then about us—nakakatakot siya that time, but then kahit may mga pinagdaanan tayo before, we we're able to lick our wounds in private, though at some point mahirap ang pag gising sa umaga tapos you'll put your mask in public kasi they shouldn't know about our struggle, pag-uwi ng bahay payapa ka pa ding iiyak at mag move on ng pribado ng walang taong nangingialam except those few people who knows the truth. Can you imagine how to deal with a broken heart in public?"

"Yeah. I get that, kaya I am grateful na din na tinago natin until now. If I will ever go back and choose again, yon pa rin ang pipiliin ko..."

"Because, Maine...aminin man natin o hindi, maraming nangingialam sa paligid, pero ako naman hanggat nagkakaintindihan tayo, yon ang mas mahalaga. Kasi this is us. Relasyon natin to, tayo ang bubuo nito hindi sila."

"Kaya nga sinabi ko nagiging comfort na siya sa akin. Now, I feel like if the public will know, baka masira na naman."

"Teka lang nasaktan ako diyan..."

"Love, sorry na, hindi naman sa ganon. Don't get hurt."

"Nasasaktan ako, kasi parang bakit ganyan ang iniisip mo ngayon about us? Aren't we strong enough? And are you allowing outside force to break us if ever meron man, Maine?"

"NO!"

"Then, bakit ka takot? Saan ka natatakot?"

"I am sorry, please understand, na hindi ko hawak ang pag-iisip ng tao, ang pwede ko lang ma-assure is yong ako, kung ano ang magiging decision ko, kung ano ang pwede kong gagawin."

"Exactly, love. IT IS YOUR DECISION, MY DECISION, OUR DECISION to make this work. Walang magbabago sa formula na yan, and it will never change because dalawa lang tayo sa relasyon na to. People's opinions won't matter, Maine."

"I know that. I am sorry, the pessimist in me is doing overtime right now."

"Come here..."

"..."

"What do you feel when I hug you like this, Maine?"

"I feel secure. Your hugs will always be my home, RJ."

"Then, why are you afraid? I am here. I will always be here. These arms will always protect you, Maine. I don't want to hide anymore. We are done with that, aren't we?"