Chapter 25

Nang balikan ni Illyze si Romanov ay mag-isa na lang ito. Nakatanglungko ito sa may wooden bridge at pinapanood ng paglalaro ng ilaw sa umaagos na tubig. Walang masyadong tao doon dahil halos ang lahat ng bisita ay nagse-celebrate sa party. Subalit bahagya pang naririnig sa tulay ang tugtog at tawanan ng mga bisita.

"Hey, hindi ka na bumalik sa party," aniya at nilapitan ito. "Anong sabi ni Mr. Villaranza? Mukhang maganda ang offer niya sa iyo."

"Yes. It is a very promising one. Sabi niya, ako ang first choice niya para sa project. And he doesn't think he'd let other directors handle it."

"Well, did you say yes?" she asked in an excited tone. Nawala ang excitement niya nang nananatili pa ring malungkot ang mata nito. "May problema?"

"I am not sure if I am ready to handle the project yet. I am not even sure if I am ready to face the world."

"What's wrong, Rome?" Hindi niya alam kung anong kinatatakutan nito.

Mapait itong ngumiti habang nakatuon pa rin ang atensiyon sa tubig. "Do you know how it feels to be betrayed by the person you loved the most?"

Umiling siya. "It must be awful." Lalo na kung ang taong iyon ang iniikutan ng mundo niya, masasaktan talaga siya. Who betrayed him? What happened?

"You are right. It was awful. The worst thing that happened to me. Maraming espekulasyon kung bakit ako nawala at sa iyo ko lang sasabihin ito."

Her heart thumped heavily. Hindi niya inaasahan na magko-confide ito sa kanya. "Its okay. I will listen." She was grateful with his trust. Subalit ngayon pa lang ay parang kinakabahan na siya sa maari nitong ikwento.

Tumalikod ito sa tulay at sumandal sa wooden railing. "I fell in love with someone. College pa lang magkasama na kami hanggang mag-aral kami sa New York. Tinulungan niya akong maka-recover nang mamatay ang parents ko. My whole world revolved around her. And it was crazy because I believed that she was my destiny." Nilingon siya nito. "But you know what? It was a lie. She herself was a big lie. To be betrayed by the person I trusted and loved, it was hellish. Parang wala na akong gustong pagkatiwalaan na kahit sino. I don't even want to have friends. I don't want any more betrayals."

"And you hate the world because of that?"

His face tightened. Nakuyom din nito ang kamao. "Who wouldn't? For a smart person, I am really, really stupid! How could I trust…"

Tumayo siya sa harap nito at ginagap ang dalawang kamao nitong nakakuyom. "Romanov, I don't know exactly what that awful person did to you. She might have been your world but she real world isn't that bad. Marami akong nakitang hindi magagandang bagay nang mag-travel ako. And I always wonder, how could those people survive tragedies? Siguro dahil naiisip nila na maganda pa ang mundo. It doesn't matter if things suck around you. It's up to you to make the most out of it," aniya at ngumiti.

"Like a rainbow after the rain?" He loosened his fist. Umangat ang kamay nito at isinuklay sa buhok niya. His eyes were never leaving hers as if he was talking to her with his heart and soul. "Then you must be the rainbow when you came into my life, Illyze. The most beautiful rainbow I've seen in my life."

His lips swooped and melded with hers. The kiss was sweet and gentle. Yet it was delivering millions of sensations all over her body. Her hands locked at the back of his neck. She kissed him back. Their bodies were touching and she could feel the contrast. Her masculinity against her femininity.

When an unfamiliar sound escaped from her throat, she suddenly woke up from dreaming. She suddenly pulled away from him. At nakatitig lang sa kanya si Romanov. As if he was satisfied with what he did.

"Romanov, why did you kiss me?" Of course he liked her. Pero hindi pa rin niya napaghandaan ang halik na iyon.

"I know that I like you. And why did you let me kiss you?"

She played with the lapel of his yukatan. Di siya makatingin nang diretso dito. And she even thought that she was bold enough for him. "B-Because I think I love you. I think that you are my destiny. Noong makita kita sa Mountain Trail, naramdaman ko na agad na ikaw ang para sa akin. But I didn't love you because of destiny alone. Di dahil sa hinulaan ako. Sa palagay ko iyon lang ang instrument para magkasama tayo. I could fall for any other man in his riding club, Romanov. But my heart chooses you. Only you."

She put her arms around his waist and lay down her head on his chest. Hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang pantayan ang unang babaeng minahal nito. And she didn't give a damn at all. Her love was pure. She was sure about it. At handa rin niyang patunayan kay Romanov na totoo ang pagmamahal niya. She would be ready to face anything for him.

"I am sorry that I can't offer you anything at the moment. Not my love. Not even my tainted heart," he whispered as he caressed her hair.

Tiningala niya ito. At least he was honest enough not to give her false hopes and promises. "I am not asking for anything in return, Romanov. Not your heart or your love. Especially if you are not ready for anything yet."

His lips slowly curved into a real smile. "It might be a slow process. Because even if you own my heart right now and even if I am already in love with you, I might not even be good enough for you, Illyze."

Lumabi siya. "That is not true. You are…"

Pinigilan nito ang labi niya. "I had just started picking myself up. Nagsimula lang iyon nang makilala kita. And it might take some time. But I will definitely try to go back to my normal self. Just be patient."

She laughed a little. "I traveled all around the world just to see you. I think a little more time won't hurt. If you are ready then I am always here for you."

He took her in his arms and claimed her lips. He didn't have to say anything. He didn't have to say anything. That kiss was more than enough. And she didn't care how long it would take for him to heal. She would wait for him patiently.