"Are you really sure about this?". Dinig ko ang pangamba sa boses ni Tyrone habang nagmamaneho siya.
I look at him and reach for his hand as I held onto it, "To be able to move forward, we should face everything that is blocking us from doing so". I said sincerely.
He threw a glance at me and nodded slightly, hinawakan niya ng mas mahigpit ang kamay ko at nagpatuloy ng magmaneho.
"He's in jail". Maikling sambit ni Tyrone na nagpalaki ng mata ko, what happened?
"A-anong nangyari?". Puno ako ng pagtataka ang aking boses.
"I ask for Cole's help, he is not yet fully licensed but he refers me to a professional lawyer".
My heart suddenly beats fast, he set his own father to jail just to give us justice? Just to give my sister's case justice?
My gaze focuses on him while he's driving, "Y-you really did that for my sister?".
Mahina kong wika at nakita ko siyang tumango, "I did that for her but for you especially, I told you I will protect you from anything".
What did I do to deserve this man?
Si Tyrone yung klase ng lalaki na totoo sa mga salita niya, he once broke his promise to me pero sa totoo lang. Hindi naman talaga siya umalis, he watches me from afar being contented na mahalin na lang niya ako ng patago.
He is the only man who can take care of sanity, sa pitong taon na hindi ko siya kasama. I realize I can grow by myself but to be able to be genuinely joyful, I should be with him because he is what my heart longs for.
We stop indicating that we arrive at our destination, napahinga ako ng malalim at naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Tyrone ang kamay ko. Hinarap niya ako sa kaniya at tinunaw ako gamit ang mga mata niya.
"I'm here with you, kapag hindi mo na kaya nandito lang ako. I will not leave your side ever again". His statement is full of sincerity.
I nodded and smile at him, "I know".
Nauna siyang lumabas at pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto, I sigh deeply as we start walking. May kinausap si Tyrone at dinala kami nito sa lugar kung saan pwedeng madalaw ang mga nakakulong.
Tyrone told me that his father is sentenced to be imprisoned for 25 years because of attempted murder and for being the mastermind of the failed kidnapping of me.
Naupo kami sa isang mahabang upuan at nanariwa lahat ng masakit na alaala sa akin nang umupo sa harapan namin ang ama ni Tyrone, Cross Martinez.
I felt Tyrone's grip on my hand tightened, securing and assuring me that he is there.
Tyrone's dad is looking at my eyes directly and I do the same, "Because of your love for my mother, you plan something wicked for our family".
Panimula ko at paunti-unti kong nararamdaman ang sakit sa dibdib ko.
"I was 12 years old that time, sa murang edad na dapat ay naglalaro at nagaaral lamang ang problema ko. I experienced being judge, I experienced being left alone".
Tears started to fall from my eyes.
"Walong taon kong ininda lahat ng iyon, walong taon kong sinisi yung sarili ko sa pagkawala ng kapatid ko. Dapat ako yun eh, kung hindi niya lang siguro hinarang ang sarili niya para protektahan ako". I chocked on my tears as I reminice that day...
"K-kung hindi niya lang hinarang ang sarili niya, d-dapat nabuhay siya. Dapat kasama ko siya, there's no valid reason for you to do that to us".
I poured my heart into every word that I am uttering.
Tyrone's dad's eyes were now full of guilt as he cries with me,
"I-I was blind, y-your dad stole your mom away from me. She was my first love, sa akin siya noon kung hindi lang siya kinuha ng daddy mo". May kumurot sa puso ko sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito.
"I-I thought if I kidnapped you, I can use you to make your dad give up your mom". Mas lalong nanikip ang dibdib ko sa mga sinasabi niya.
He reaches for my hand to hold it, "S-sorry, I know my apology won't bring back your sister's life. N-nanghihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng sakit na naidulot ko sa inyo, sa pamilya niyo". He said as he chokes on his own tears.
"I am a father, once a good father to my son".
Dahan-dahan ng tumulo ang mga luha sa mata nito, I look at Tyrone and saw him looking down.
"Hindi ko man lang naisip kung gaano kasakit ang mawalan ng anak, I was once a good father to him. I was his role model but because of my messed-up decision in life, I did not just ruin your family".
"I ruined mine also".
Humikbi ang ama ni Tyrone habang hawak pa din nito ang kamay ko, I saw Tyrone trying to stop himself from shedding tears.
Alam kong masakit para sa kaniya na gawin ito sa sarili niyang ama, he looks up his dad kaya alam kong hindi lang ako ang nasasaktan sa puntong ito.
Mr. Martinez threw his glance at Tyrone, patuloy pa ding tumutulo ang luha sa mata nito.
"T-tyrone anak, I-I am sorry. I'm sorry I failed you and I ruined you, I am sorry for causing you and your mom so much pain. I love you and your mom so much, mahal na mahal ko kayo".
Suddenly, Tyrone lifted his head and faces his dad. Tears were now evident in his eyes, ang sakit makitang nasasaktan siya.
"Your love still can't erase the pain, dad. I wasn't the only one who's suffering, m-mom. You cheated on her".
I rub Tyrone's back trying to tell him that I am here,
"Mom always annoys me with her high standards but I love her so much that I can't bear the fact that you hurt my mom".
Paunti-unting pumapatak ang luha sa mga mata nito.
"I-it hurts me seeing my mom cry painfully and I can't do anything to ease that pain, hindi ko din kayang makasama yung babaeng mahal ko. I need to be apart from Cassandra to protect her". His voice was full of pain and sorrow.
"I was lost, dad. I tried to be strong because you told me I should man up; I am man enough to handle every problem but at that time, I have nothing with me".
Naluha ako sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya.
I have my family and my friends when I was hurting pero siya, wala siyang kasama nung mga panahon na kailangan niya ng pahinga. Wala siyang choice kundi magpakatatag para sa sarili niya, he was alone. He has no one.
"But this woman right here, makes me realize that it's worth it. Every pain, every sleepless night, every doubt and fear. She made it all worth it".
I smiled at him as tears run down my face.
He held my hand and looks at his dad in the eye, "I can only wish you the best when you're finally free. Do visit us, dad".
This is what I also love about him, his heart is kind. He doesn't hesitate to forgive; he is just too precious.
He looks at my eyes and nodded as we both stood up, I look at Mr. Cross and smiled at him.
"My sister already forgives you, sir. Her heart is as pure as gold so, I know she already forgave you". He nodded while still sobbing.
"Till we meet again, dad".
Sambit ni Tyrone at sabay na kaming naglakad palabas. When we both exit that place, he immediately pulled me in a hug and buried his face on the crook of my neck.
I rub his back and I whisper, "We're now free from the pain, love". I felt him nod as he remains in his current position.
"I'm sorry for letting you suffer alone, I'm sorry for not being present while you were hurting". Sambit ko, he raises his head and looks at my eyes.
"Your feelings are valid; I know you were hurting too. You lost your sister and I choose to give you up; I should be sorry as well". Tugon niya, he always validates my feelings and I really love him for that.
I tip-toed and reach his forehead and place a kiss on it, I look at his eyes and smile at him. "I love you, Tyrone".
Ngumiti siya ng malawak at tinugon ako, "I love you, Cassandra".
Tyrone is now driving while holding my hand, "Saan tayo? Naku ka ahh, kinikidnap mo na ako". Biro ko sa kaniya, I saw his chuckle as he kisses my hand that he is holding.
"You're safe with me, baby". I just hum and agree with what he said.
"Pasalamat ka gwapo kang kidnapper ka kundi sumigaw na ako ng kidnap dito".
Pangaasar ko sa kaniya, he looks at me and raises his eyebrows.
"Are you saying that you only love me because I am handsome?". Tinawanan ko siya sa sinabi niya at pinitik ang noo niya, ang feeling talaga!
"Dagdag points na lang yun, kahit mukha ka pang aso basta ikaw 'yan". Sabi ko at kumindat pa, he chuckled at me and nodded slowly.
"Okay, forgiven". Pabiro nitong sambit. Loko!
Tumigil kami sa isang lugar na talagang pamilyar sa akin, an overlooking in Tagaytay where he asks permission to court me.
He held my hand as we walk together, inalalayan niya ako at umupo kami pareho sa pareho ding upuan na inupuan namin noon.
"Memories still fresh?".
Tanong niya sa akin, tumingin ako sa tanawin na nasa harapan namin at tumango. "Parang kahapon lang ano?".
He nodded and he pulls me closer to him, nakahiga na ang ulo ko sa balikat niya habang hawak namin ang kamay ng isa't isa. "I never thought I would be holding you again like this". Sambit niya.
"Ako din, kahit sinasabi kong wala na akong pake sayo. There's still a hint of hope in me na baka balikan mo ako, na baka bumalik ka and here you are. You did". Tumingala ako at ngumiti sa kaniya.
He places a feathery and soft kiss on my forehead, a kiss on the forehead is sweeter than the kiss on the lips. For me, it means a man is treasuring you and he is respecting you as well.
"It was unexpected when you bump at me on your father's event. You manage to make my heart beats fast again, ikaw lang talaga nakakagawa nun sa akin". Wika niya.
"Ikaw din naman ah, hindi kaya ako makagalaw sa pwesto ko nung nakita kita. Ginalingan mo kasi masyado mahal eh". Pangaasar ko sa kaniya.
He giggled and pinches my cheeks, "I miss that endearment".
Kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya na ikinatawa niya, "Puro ka kalokohan".
He lets out a peace sign and laughs at me. "Just kidding, love". My heart stops beating for a second, he can still manage to blow my breath away.
Natahimik kami habang nakasandal pa din ako sa balikat niya at hawak namin ang kamay ng isa't isa.
Bigla siyang napatingin sa akin at mukhang seryoso, "Anong nangyari sayo?".
He just remains serious and held my hand tighter and ask me a question that makes me stop breathing for a while.
"Pakasal na kaya tayo".
Biglang nanahimik ang paligid at nag-echo ang mga salitang iyon sa isip ko, my breath hitched and my heart beats fast.
"Kaya mo bang magintay ng another 3 years?".
Mahina kong tanong, I will keep my promise. I will finish my study first because this is what my heart longs for.
He nodded and smile, "Kahit paghintayin mo pa ako ng mas matagal, sayo lang ako magtitiyagang maghintay, Cassandra".
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Kamusta naman puso niyo?
I am getting emotional dahil patapos na ito but I remember that this would be the start of another journey na kasama kayo.
I love you all!
-KC