The World Among Us

Timeout

"River, bakit?" tanong ni Aria. Hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala ni Ridge.

River shrugged. "Kailangan ko para kay Adara," sagot niya bago ako tinignan. "May nag-utos sa akin na kapag hindi ko pinatay lahat ng crewmates, mamamatay si Adara," kwento niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa akin.

I felt a tear fell from my eye. Binabaliktad niya yung sitwasyon namin! I was the one who did it for his sake.

"River, that's sweet but what you did is still against the law," Aria said.

"I know and I'm willing to be imprisoned just as long as you'll protect Adara," habilin niya.

"I already called the police. They should be here any minute," sabi ng isang pamilyar na boses. Sabay-sabay kaming lumingon at nakita namin si Venus. Hawak niya ang phone niya at nakatingin sa amin.

"Venus..." I uttered in surprise.

"I'm so disappointed in you, River," she said.

"I'm sorry, Venus," River said, diverting his gaze to the ground.

I couldn't take it anymore. I should be the one paying for my own sins, not him. Unti-unti ko nang nasisira ang pangalan ni River and I cannot let this go any further.

"Venus, it was me!" pag-amin ko. Nanlaki naman ang mata nila dahil sa biglaang sigaw ko. "It's not him! Please, don't give him to the police," I begged.

"Adara, stop covering for me. Alam kong nagulat ka rin and I'm sorry," River said.

"Please, stop lying!" I yelled.

We then heard someone's phone ringing. Nilingon namin si Venus nang sinagot niya ang tawag.

"Oo, ako ang nagpatawag sa kanila. Papasukin mo," Venus commanded. "The police are here," she informed us when she ended the call.

"Venus..." I said.

"River, halika na," sabi ni Venus bago inakay si River palabas. Napaluhod na lang ako habang humahagulgol.

I failed him. I failed the man that I love.

"Adara..." tawag ni Aria bago lumuhod sa tabi ko at niyakap ako.

"Kailangan ko makita si River," sabi ko bago dali-daling tumayo at tumakbo palabas. Nadurog naman ang puso ko nang makita siya na may handcuffs and naglalakad na papunta sa kotse ng mga pulis.

"Wait! Please!" sigaw ko habang tumatakbo palapit sa kanila. Lahat sila ay nakatitig na sa akin. "Kailangan ko po siya makausap. Kahit isang minuto lang," pakiusap ko sa mga pulis.

Tumango naman ito at dumistansya ng kaunti para makausap ko ng maayos si River.

"How could you do this? Bakit mo ginawa yun? Wala kang kasalanan, Riv!" sabi ko sa kanya habang hawak ang pareho niyang braso. "Paano naman ako? Hindi ko kaya ng wala ka," I said before bursting into tears again.

Even if he is cuffed, he still held my face with both of his hands and wiped my tears. "Was that enough reason for you to believe that I really love you?" he smiled.

"River!"

He kissed me on my forehead. "I'll do anything and everything to keep you safe. I can even dig a hole until the core of the Earth just so you wouldn't suffer."

"I can't bare to live without you, Riv." I placed my hand on top of his. "You are my world. Everything I do revolves around you."

"Hindi ako mawawala ng matagal, Dara. We'll see each other again and then we will live happily ever after, I promise," he assured.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before closing our gap and crashing my lips to his.

Unlike before, this kiss was different. It was not full of joy or satisfaction, it still is full of love but pain is evident. Hindi pa ako nahihiwalay sa kanya pero nasasaktan na ako. I can't imagine my everyday life without him by my side or me by his side.

When we pulled away, I buried my face in his chest and cried. "I love you, River," I whispered.

He kissed the top of my head before whispering, "I love you more, Adara."

"Ma'am, kailangan na po namin umalis," sabi nung pulis sa akin. Tumango na lang ako bago binitawan si River at umatras para makasakay sila ng maayos sa kotse.

"You are my world too," sabi ni River sa akin. "I cannot be away from you for too long because you give me life. I will come back, I promise."

I nodded. "Hurry back. Hihintayin kita."

He smiled before waving and I did the same before watching him get inside the car.

While watching the police car drive away, I fell to my knees and cried. It was very wrong of me to question his love and now, it is too late.

"Adara, be strong. Kailangan ka ni River. Magpakatatag ka para sa kanya," Aria told me.

Tumango lang ako ng tumango bago siya niyakap at umiyak.

That night, the fire kept growing and growing, temperature rising as time passes by without any water to cool it down like it has always done all day and night.