"Sorry ladies," Aris said sincerely, "... you're right. I'd better go ahead. Thank you for your time and patience."
"I'll escort you to the door," Ravine said as she led him to the door.
As soon as Ravine closed the door, she broke down in tears and sat on the floor.
~~~
Loren went near Ravine and gave her a hug while she cried. Risa and Pia were standing in front of them.
"Rave naman kasi! I've already told you about this. See what just happened? Ano ka ba? Hindi kita kinontra about Lea because I know you'd be happier with her pero paano kung nabuko ka ni Mr Lim?" Risa said, "Nakakasakit na kayo ng ibang tao. Is it really worth it? Ni hindi ka nga niya kinocontact di ba?"
"Ate... alam mong hindi naman namin sinasadya ni Lea ito di ba? I never intended for this to happen. It just did. I fell in love with her and she felt the same way for me," Ravine responded.
"Pangga, 'wag mo na kagalitan si Rave," Leni said as she walked towards them and gave Risa a back hug, "She's already been through enough humiliation today and actually tama naman si Pia sa sinabi niya kanina, hindi pa naman kasal sina Lea at Aris. Ravine's not really against the law here."
"Not against the law pero nakasakit ng ibang tao and seems like nag-let go ng moral compass, oo," Risa retorted as she removed Leni's grip from her waist then walked away.
~~~
In the lounge room of the Sy residence...
Lea just arrived home and was walking across the corridor when she saw Vice.
"Okay, Anne. See you tomorrow. Bye," Vice said before he dropped the call he was in.
"Vice? Makikipag-date ka talaga sa babae kahit na..." Lea stated.
"Kahit na ano? Kahit na bakla ako?" Vice harshly responded.
"Vice, if you only know how much I do understand you right now. I feel so guilty na ako pa talaga ang nagsumbong sa'yo kay papa. Nakarma siguro ako kaya ito nangyayari sa akin ngayon. Kaya sana naman magkaayos na tayo. I just want you to be my brother again. Alam kong ikaw lang ang makakaintindi sa mga pinagdaraanan ko ngayon," Lea said.
"Wala akong pakialam with whatever you are going through right now. Iba ako, iba ka. Kaya wala kang alam kung ano yung nararamdaman ko!"
"No, Vice. We're no different. Pareho lang tayong nahihirapan ngayon," Lea continued.
"Pwede ba! Wala akong panahon para makinig diyan sa mga drama mo. Basta ingat ka na lang. Dahil pag nakilala ko kung sino yang kinalolokohan mo at sigurado akong meron dahil di ka naman uurong sa engagement ninyo ni Aga kung wala di ba? Kaya pag nakilala ko 'yan – ako mismo ang huhudas sa'yo." Vice said with so much hatred in his eyes, "ako mismo ang magsusumbong sa'yo kay papa. Para finally quits na tayo."
Vice gave Lea a mischievous smile before he left her. As soon as Vice left, Lea's phone rang. It was Ravine. She answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Rave? Bakit? Why are you crying? Are you alright?" Lea responded.
"Bakit? Bakit ako umiiyak? Let's see... galing lang naman dito sa OVP yung fiancé mo just moments ago. Nagtatanong about us. I mean tungkol sa kung sinong ipinalit mo sa kanya. Of course, I didn't say anything. So, why am I crying? And why do you seem just okay with everything? After weeks of not responding to my text messages and calls biglang susugod na lang si Aris dito na akala mo we owe him something. Lea, if you're after breaking my heart then your job's done."
"No. I'm not okay with all these. Please, Rave. Hear me out. I never meant to hurt you. I suppose we need to talk personally. There's a lot of things we need to discuss."
"I see. But I don't think I have the time now, I have a full sched tomorrow. Nagbakasakali lang ako na sasagutin mo ang tawag ko. And you did, so I am just trying to tell you whatever happened earlier today," Ravine said on the other line.
"When are you free?" Lea asked.
"Maybe tomorrow evening pa? Around 9pm?
Obviously, you can't come because of your family matters. It's fine. I'll free my schedule the day after tomorrow. Meet me sa conference room
sa Lemniscate."
"Alright. Sige. I'll be there. See you,"
Lea said then dropped the call.
~~~
>>> FF >>>
Lea was in their home's prayer room where candles, incense sticks and a sand bowl were.
"Sana po maging okay ang lahat. Sana hindi masyadong masaktan si Rave. Makikipaghiwalay na po ako sa kanya. Please make me strong and help me be able to do so," Lea prayed after she lit some incense sticks then she stuck them on the sand bowl then left the room.
After praying, Lea went to her room to prepare for her meeting with Ravine. Gail entered the room and started up a conversation with her.
"Hopefully, maging successful ang pakikipagdate ni Vice para bumalik na sa kanya ang amor ng papa niyo. At para maging normal na rin ang kapatid mo," Gail stated as she sat on Lea's bed while Lea prepped herself.
"There's nothing wrong with Vice, ma. He's just being himself," Lea said.
"Lea, nakakahiya ang ginagawa ni Vice which your father and I won't tolerate. Kagaya ng hindi ko pagtolerate diyan sa mga kagagahan mo," Gail stated, "Lea, sino ba kasi talaga 'yang taong 'yan na ipinagpalit mo kay Aris?"
"Don't bother about knowing the person. Tatapusin ko na ang lahat between us today," Lea said.
"Anak, abogada ka at alam kong alam mo na walang sikretong hindi nabubunyag," Gail responded, "kaya talagang siguraduhin mo na tatapusin mo ngayong araw ang kalokohan mo."
Lea just faced her mom and gave her a small nod.
"I should go. Bye," Lea said as she stood up from in front of her vanity mirror and left the room.
~~~
As soon as Lea got out of the house, the driver was waiting with her car outside their driveway.
"Ako na magdadrive. H'wag niyo na ako samahan," Lea said.
"Pero ma'am..." the driver protested.
Little did Lea know, Gail followed her. Gail just gave the driver a signal allowing the driver to let Lea drive herself. After Lea left, Gail got out of the house and viewed Lea as she left. Fortunately enough, Vice came home with his motorbike from his date.
"Oh, ma. Saan ang punta nung anak mo?" Vice asked his mom.
"Pupuntahan niya raw 'yung taong ipinagpalit niya kay Aris para hiwalayan na," Helga passively stated while cross-armed still looking at the same direction.
"Sinasabi ko na nga ba merong iba eh," Vice stated while looking at the direction Lea's car went.
Gail uncrossed her arms and looked at Vice.
"Sundan mo nga, Vice. Gusto kong alamin kung sino bang kakatagpuin niya. Pero sa akin mo lang sasabihin ha? Gusto kong ako lang ang makaalam. Maliwanag ba?" Gail instructed.
Vice nodded, "Okay, ma."
Vice then revved the engine of his motorbike then followed Lea.
~~~
In a public university somewhere in Manila...
Isaiah was waiting for one of the employees from a distance, one of the university professors, Miss Julia Carlos. As soon as the lady saw him, she tried avoiding him.
"Julia, sandali," Isaiah said as he tried to catch up to her.
"How could you have the face to show up here like this?" Julia said as he faced him then walked past him.
Julia kept avoiding Isaiah but he was persistent till the former stopped and faced him.
"Look, Jules, I'm sorry. Sorry if I married someone else," Isaiah said, "I admit that I got scared because I know that my family won't accept you as my partner. And mga bata pa lang kami ni Izzie ay nireto na kami ng mga pamilya namin sa isa't isa. Pero Jules..."
"Alam mo akala ko... akala ko kaya mo akong panindigan. Akala ko... akala ko ako lang ang pakakasalan mo. Pero niloko mo lang ako. Kaya pwede ba 'wag ka na magpakita ulit sa akin? H'wag mo na guluhin ulit ang mundo ko. Please Isaiah, let me move on," Julia said before she left Isaiah, who's trying to stop his tears from falling.
~~~
On the other hand, Lea already arrived at Lemniscate, Ravine's company...
As soon as she entered the building, Vice parked his motorbike across the Lea's car in the parking.
Ravine was in the conference ro, looking at photos of her and Justin on her phone. Reminiscing the good old days she used to have with her mag-ama in Spain. She loves her little boy so much. Ravine was startled with the knocks on the glass door.
"Come in," Ravine said as she wiped her tears.
Lea looked mortified which Ravine didn't notice much as she greeted her.
"Buti naman at dumating ka. I wasn't really expecting that you'd show up," Ravine said coldly, "have a seat."
"Rave, hindi ako magtatagal. Hindi ko kaya baka kahit buong buo loob ko bigla akong maduwag," Lea said as she sat down.
"Then spill your heart out. Let's get this over and done with," Ravine said as she supressed her tears. She does not like the idea of losing Lea but if it's the only way to stop them both from hurting then be it.
"Hindi ko pala pwedeng takasan si Aris. Hindi ko pwedeng suwayin ang pamilya ko. Itatakwil nila ako kung hindi ko tutuparin yung kasunduan ng pamilya namin sa mga Lim. Itatakwil nila ako pag iniwan ko si Aris kaya binalikan ko na siya. Ravine, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry pero kailangan na kitang layuan," Lea spilled.
Ravine was just quietly listening while her tears already started falling. Measuring every word that's coming out of Lea's mouth. She doesn't know what to expect next. Lea, on the other hand, was also already on the verge of tears but continued to speak.
"M-marami sila. Maraming members ang pamilya ko at iisa ka lang. Kaya... kaya kailangan na kitang layuan," Lea said as her tears fell, "masakit man ito para sa akin pero kailangan ko 'tong gawin. Kailangan kong sundin ang gusto ng pamilya ko. I'm sorry."
"Marami sila at iisa lang ako? Really Lea? That's it? Kung lalayo ka lang din naman pala at alam mong gan'to ang patutunguhan natin then sana hindi ka na lang umamin sa akin na mahal mo rin ako. Pinagmukha mo akong tanga eh," Ravine said with a shaky voice, "I am under so much pressure right now with everything I'm doing professionally tapos sumabay pa 'to. I can't get away this time, Lea. Not only because I have a hectic sched but also because I have nowhere to go to. You made Bataan memorable for me. And now it's ruined."
"Alam kong nasasaktan kita," Lea said as she looked down, "Alam ko rin na sobrang stressed ka sa work and ayaw naman din sana kitang saktan kasabay ng lahat ng iniintindi mo but I am also under pressure, Rave. Pinapapili na nila ako eh. Alam ko na nagkamali akong piliin ang sarili ko at alam kong hindi mo dapat nararanasan 'to ngayon dahil lumayo ka na sa akin nung una pa lang. I'm really sorry. I... I'm breaking up with you."
"I understand. I also understand that you're willing to risk me but I can't understand na ang talino mo pero tatanggapin mo na lang ang buhay na gusto nila para sa'yo. Mag-aasawa ka. You'll have a child or perhaps, children. You'll have a family. You'd even forget that I was a part of you," Ravine stated, "kasi I was just a tiny portion of your life in a macroscopic scale. Di ba?"
"Rave, I won't forget you. I won't forget us," Lea said, "kasi dahil sa'yo for a moment I forgot what was expected of me and I was myself."
"Talaga ba? You were yourself? If so, then isn't it harder that way? Kasi isasakripisyo mo rin yung buhay mo...'yung sarili mo... dahil ngayon alam mo na kung ano at sino ka talaga. You'll just end up hurting yourself the way I am hurting right now. But I understand, I am incomparable to your family. Pamilya mo sila and I'm just someone who barged into your life. I am but one... pero sa palagay mo ba makakatulog ka sa gabi knowing that you married someone you do not even feel anything for?" Ravine emotionally stated, "...knowing na ako 'yung totoong mahal mo pero pinili mo si Aris dahil 'yun ang gusto ng pamilya mo para sa'yo."
"What choice do I have, Rave?" Lea responded as she also cried, "I do not have a choice but leave you because I love my grandmother that much. Hindi ko kayang mawala siya sa akin."
"So, ano pang hinihintay mo? Why are you still doing here?" Ravine wiped her tears as she continued, "Don't make things harder for the both of us, attorney. Leave if you must."
"Rave, please do not hate me," Lea said.
"Ito ang gusto mo di ba? For us to split up? Then fucking leave, Lea!" Ravine almost whispered with conviction.
"I'm sorry, Rave. I'm so sorry," Lea repeatedly said as she held Ravine's hand then cupped Ravine's cheeks.
"Leave, Lea. Just leave," Ravine said as she broke down.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hindi ko sinasadyang masaktan kita ng gan'to," Lea said, "h-hindi ko rin kaya kung ikakagalit mo 'to sa akin."
Ravine held onto Lea's hands while they were on her cheeks and said, "Lea, mahal na mahal kita. Mahal na mahal na mahal kita. Ang totoo? Ayokong iwan mo ako. Ayaw kong mawala ka sa akin dahil kailangan kita. Kailangan kita dahil mahal kita, Lea."
Lea hugged Ravine so tightly. Unbeknownst to them, Vice saw everything.
"But if you must leave me to keep the ones you love most then I'll set you free. I'll let you go," Ravine stated.
"Give me time, love," Lea said, "please... just give me time."
They pulled away from the hug and looked at each other.
"Umaasa ang pamilya ko na hindi ko na iiwan si Aris. Kung pwede ko na lang iwan lahat ito. Kung pwedeng takasan na lang ang lahat then gagawin ko. But because hindi iyon posible, then I am asking for time. Just give me some time, Rave."
"Love, alam mong pwede namang takasan lahat 'to. Alam mong pwede mong gawin 'yun," Ravine said.
"Rave, kahit pa anong gawin ko, makatakas man ako and all. Do you think pag halimbawang nagsasama na tayo we'd be able to sleep soundly at night knowing that we're trying to hide and escape from reality?" Lea asked.
"Of course not, Lea. How would you sleep soundly at night kung inuusig ka ng konsensya mo na nilagay mo ang pamilya mo sa sobra sobrang kahihiyan? At palagay mo ba hindi ka ipahahanap nina papa at ng pamilya ni Aris kung sakaling tumakas ka?" Vice answered Lea's queries as he entered the conference room, "And what would papa think if he'll know na babae ang karelasyon mo and to top it all, si Congresswoman Vargas pa."
Both Lea and Ravine were startled, making them face the direction of where the voice came from. A look of horror crossed Lea's face on the sight of her brother.
"V-Vice?"
Vice quickly walked away and headed towards the elevator.
"Vice, teka!"
"Love, calm down," Ravine said.
"Calm down? This is my worst fear come to life, Ravine. I'm dead. And I am really worried dahil sigurado akong isusumbong ako ni Vice. At isa pa, alam kong sisirain ni papa ang pangalan mo," Lea said as she panicked.