"THERE'LL BE NO DISTANCE TOO FAR"
Haru's PoV:
9 years later...
"Haru, aalis ka na naman?" Tanong sakin ni Takeo.
"Babalik ako sa Germany." Simpleng sagot ko.
"Bakit? Napagdesisyonan mo ng magpakita kay Dylan?" Tanong naman ni Flynn.
I averted my gaze. "Kailangan ko ng magmadali dun lalo ng may umaaligid sa kanyang punyeta."
"Atleast, gaya ng sabi mo hindi nagkaroon ng karelasyon si Dylan." Sabi naman ni Takeo.
Oo nga. I can still feel that Dylan is waiting for me. I don't want to let her down. I let her wait quite long enough.
"Sige na lumayas ka na dito." Pagtataboy sakin ni Takeo. "Baka magulat ka na lang wala na si Dylan dun sa--- Takumi, you brat! Get down there!"
Bigla na lang sumigaw si Takeo at agad na tumakbo papalapit sa apat na taong gulang niyang anak na lalaki na si Takumi. I heave a long sigh. Napag-iwanan na ako ng mga kaibigan ko. Masaya na sila sa kanya-kanya nilang mga pamilya.
Humagikgik naman ang anak ni Takeo. "Wahh! Daddy is mad!"
"Takumi! Where's your twin? Where's Tamara!?"
"Daddy!!!" Matinis na sigaw naman ng kambal ni Takumi na si Tamara.
"You two devils behave. Kapag may mangyaring masama sa inyo patay ako sa mommy niyo. Behave." Sabi naman ni Takeo at agad na bumalik sa pagkaupo sa harap kong upuan.
"That's tough." I commented.
"Yeah... a real pain in the ass. But I'm happy." Takeo said.
Tumango na din ako.
"Wag ka ng mainggit, Haru. Bilisan mo na kasi at bumalik ka na dun sa Germany para makabuo agad kayo ni Dylan---aray!" Tumawa pa niyan si Flynn pero agad din itong nabatok ni Takeo.
"Aalis na ako." Sabi ko sabay tayo.
"Ayos! Pasalubong namin ha?" Sigaw pa ni Flynn.
"Haru, chocolates lang akin." Sabi naman ni Takeo.
I showed the two of them my middle finger as I continued walking. Akmang sasakay na ako sa sasakyan ko ng mag ring ang phone ko. It was Hannah.
"Hello?" Sagot ko.
"Daddy!!" Nailayo ko agad ang phone sa tenga ko dahil sa sigaw na yun.
"Yume? Where's your mom?" I asked her.
"Mama is cooking." Sagot nito.
I chuckled at her. "Why did you called, baby? Do you need something?"
"Daddy, can we eat outside?" She asked.
"That's a great idea, Yume. Daddy is going there in Germany again. Wait for me okay, baby?" I said as I open the door to get inside my car.
"Yey!" Bakas ang kasayahan sa boses ni Yume ng sumigaw ito. "I'll wait for you, daddy. Ba-bye po!"
Nang binaba na ni Yume ang tawag ay pinaharurot ko na ang sasakyan ko papunta sa Fly Airlines.
This is the day where Dylan and I will be with eachother again. And I swear that no one can seperate us ever again.
***
Dylan's PoV:
"Beautiful, aren't you going to take a break?"
Agad akong bumaling sa taong nasa harap ko ng magsalita ito. I instantly arched my eyebrow at him.
"What are you doing here, Naveen?" Mataray na tanong ko sa kanya.
"Ano ka ba naman, Dylan. Nandito ako para bisitahin ka. Simula ng makilala kita ay nilulunod mo na ang sarili mo sa trabaho." Naveen said with hand gestures. "Why don't you take a break and have fun just for once? Find yourself a man!"
"Ayoko! Wala akong plano kaya pwede ba, Naveen, lumayas ka na sa harap ko. Get lost." Pagtataboy ko sa kanya at pinagpatuloy na ang ginagawa ko.
I've been in Germany for nine years now. Dito na din ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Pagkatapos ay ako na din ang nag handle ng isang company ni daddy. Sa loob ng siyam na taon ay marami akong naging manliligaw. But I chose not to entertain them.
I'm still holding on to his promise... his promise that he will find me and marry me in a church.
Aaminin ko na may araw na parang nawalan ako ng pag-asa na mahahanap niya ako. Pero mas pinili kong panghawakan ang pangako niya. Kailangan ko siyang pagkatiwalaan.
"Kung ako na lang kaya ang maging boyfriend mo?" Nakangising sabi ni Naveen.
I showed him my poker face. "Wag akong ginagago mo, Naveen. Tantanan mo ako sa kalokohan mo at lumayas ka na dito."
"Dylan naman eh!" He whined like a kid.
Nang nag-aaral ako dito sa college ay nakilala ko tong si Naveen. Muntikan ko na tong masuntok noon dahil sunod ng sunod sakin. Pero ng marinig ko siyang nag tagalog ay pinansin ko siya agad.
"Naveen, please lang alis na!" Inis na sabi ko.
Pero hindi man lang siya nagpatinag at nag puppy eyes pa sakin.
"Sige na, Dylan, kahit lunch lang ngayon. My treat." Pagpapa-cute niya.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at kapagkwan ay hinablot ko na lang ang bag ko sa gilid at tumayo.
"Ngayon lang." Sabi ko at nauna ng lumabas.
"Nice one, Dylan!"
Napailing na lang ako ng sumuntok sa hangin si Naveen. Sabay na kaming pumasok sa elevator at pumunta na sa kakainan namin. Actually, dun lang naman pala kami kakain sa Collins' Cuisine na siyang pag-aari niya.
Nakaupo kami ngayon sa pandalawahang lamesa habang hinihintay ang inorder niyang pagkain namin.
"Naku... first date na ba natin to?"
Langhiyang to...
"Gago! Hindi date to. Ito ay isang simpleng lunch ng dalawang magkaibigan." Sabi ko.
"Ouch! You really never hesitate to hit where it hurts." Sabi ni Naveen na nakahawak pa sa dibdib niya.
Natigilan naman ako sa sinabi niya. A memory just flashed inside my head that made me smile.
"You said that you busted your suitors because they aren't your type. Well, I consider myself as your suitor and it's fine with you if I court you. So I assume, I am your type."
"Bless your delusional heart, Haru. Hindi din naman kita type!"
"Ouch! You really never hesitate to hit where it hurts."
"Haru, stop being so assuming. Don't expect anything. It's better to be surprise than disappointed, am I right?"
"But you like me, right? Because if you don't you can push me away anytime but you didn't"
"Yun nga lang... you're not my type... but I like you."
"Romantically?"
"Yes... r-romantically."
"I like you too, Dylan... with all my heart."
"Dylan? Are you listening to me?"
Napakurap-kurap naman ako dahil sa boses ni Naveen na tumatawag sakin. Napahawak naman ako sa pisngi ko ng maramdamang parang basa yun.
"Ba't ka umiiyak?" Bakas ang pag-alala sa boses ni Naveen ng tanungin niya ako.
"Nothing... napuwing ata ako." Palusot ko na lang. "Ano nga ang sinasabi mo kanina?"
"Nevermind that. But why are you smiling like a love sick fool a while ago? Na tamaan ka na sakin nhu?" Pag-bibiro niya na inirapan ko.
"Walang papatol sayo." Simpleng sabi ko at ginala ang tingin ko sa paligid.
Too many people. It's very obvious that Naveen's restaurant is a boom.
"Daddy, I don't want to eat carrots."
"Carrots is good to your body, baby."
Napatingin naman ako sa may likod ng marinig ko ang boses ng batang yun na ayaw daw kumain ng carrots. That baby girl look so cute.
"But, daddy, I don't wanna." The girl whined with a pout.
"Okay, okay." Her dad replied in a very deep voice.
The kind of deep voice that seems like it's hypnotising you. It sounds like a lullaby. And it calm down my nerves.
Napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan ng dumating ang waiter at nilagay na ang mga inorder ni Naveen. Habang kumakain ay marami din kaming napag-usapan.
"Bakit mo ba ako binibwiset, Naveen? Maghanap ka na lang kasi ng ibang babae dahil hindi ako interesado sayo." Sabi ko habang kumakain ng dessert na cake.
"Hmp! I'm also not interested at you, Dylan. Gusto lang naman kitang makasama kasi dahil sayo nababawasan ang pagka-miss ko sa Pilipinas. At isa pa... my heart already belongs to someone." He explained.
"And who is this someone?" Tanong ko naman.
"Someone who I made a promise that I intend to fulfill." He said with a smile.
Ngumiti na lang din ako hanggang sa makatapos kaming kumain. Naghintay pa ako sa labas dahil kinuha ni Naveen ang sasakyan niya sa parking lot.
Napatingin naman ako sa harap ng makita ulit ang batang babae na ayaw kumain ng carrots.
"Daddy, I want to talk to mama." Sabi niya habang nakatingala sa daddy niya.
Bumaling ako sa dad niya at bahagyang lumaki ang mga mata ko ng makitang kamukha niya si... si Haru.
"Hannah? Yume wants to talk to you." Sabi nito sa phone at agad na binigay sa bata. "Here, baby."
"Mama!" The child beamed. "Yes po. I'm having fun with daddy. Sad lang po kasi aalis na tayo bukas. I know po. Bye po! I love you, mama!"
Binigay naman agad ng batang nagngangalang Yume ang phone sa kamukha ni Haru.
"Do you want to go home na, baby? Your mama is waiting for you." Sabi nito sa bata.
"Sige po, daddy!" Sagot ng bata at sabay na silang umalis.
Hearing that child calling him daddy is breaking my heart. No... kamukha lang yun ni Haru. Nasa Pilipinas ngayon si Haru kaya napaka-imposible nun. Hindi.
"Dylan, tara na."
Masama ang loob na sumakay ako sa sasakyan ni Naveen at agad na nag seat belt. Parang binibiyak ang puso kong isipin na may asawa na si Haru at hindi ako yun. Ang mas masaklap pa ay may anak na ito!
All this time.. I've been holding on to his promise all this time. Tapos ito lang pala ang kahihinatnan nun? It hurts!
"Dylan, ayos ka lang ba?" Hindi ko na pansin na tinigil na pala ni Naveen ang sasakyan niya.
"What? Uhm... y-yeah. I'm fine!" Pinilit ko pang ngumiti.
"No you're not." He pointed out. "You're crying."
Agad kong pinunasan ang pisngi ko. But weirdly, my tears keep on flowing out like a river while my heart feels like it was about to shatter into millions of pieces. Nang maramdaman ko ang yakap sakin ni Naveen ay napahagulgol na ako ng iyak.
"Hush now, Dylan. Ssshh..." pag-aalo sakin ni Naveen na mas nagpapaiyak sakin.
Ilang minuto din akong umiiyak bago ako tumahan. Tumigil lang sa pagtulo ang mga luha ko ng wala na itong may iluluha pa.
"Sorry, nabasa ko pa ang damit mo." Hingi ko ng tawad sa kanya.
Naveen smiled at me. "It's fine."
Nagpasalamat na lang ako ng hindi na naisipan ni Naveen magtanong at sinimulan na ulit na paandarin ang sasakyan niya. Sa Kertia Company na niya ako ibinaba at agad naman nagpaalam. Nang makarating ako sa opisina ko sa may top floor ay tinawagan ko agad si Mira.
"Bespren!!!" Agad na tili ni Mira sa kabilang linya.
"Mira, keep it down." I told her.
"Sorry... bespren, I have something to tell you." Excited na sabi niya.
Now I'm curious. "What is it?"
"I'm three weeks pregnant with my second child!"
"My gosh! I'm so happy for you, Mira." Masayang sabi ko.
"Salamat."
Mira is now three years married to Jensen Alexander Mergas Manuel Barboza. For short... she's married to Jamm. And they already have a cute baby boy named Jayden. And they are happy being together lalo na't buntis na naman si Mira.
"Pero, bespren, kelan ka pa uuwi dito? Namimiss na kita." I can sense on Mira's voice that she's pouting.
"Hindi ko pa alam eh." Sagot ko. "But, can I ask you something?"
"Anything!"
"Uhmm..." I cleared my throat. "May
... may asawa na ba si Haru?"
Natahimik pa ata si Mira sa tanong ko sa kanya pero agad din naman itong nakabawi.
"I'm not sure, Dylan. Simula kasi ng nawala ka hindi na naka-stay put si Haru dito. Lagi kasi siyang umaalis sa bansa. Pero ng galing siya sa New York may inuwi siyang batang babae at isang babae dito." Sabi naman ni Mira.
"Salamat..."
Yun na lang ang nasagot ko at binaba ang tawag. Nag-uunahan agad na nalaglag ang mga luha ko sa narinig. I guess... he already have a happy life.
Kung sabagay... Haru deserves a painless life.
Napaigtad ako ng biglang mag ring a phone ko. Nang makitang si daddy ang tumatawag inayos ko agad ang itsura ko at sinagot ang tawag.
"Hey, dad!" I made my voice sound cheerful.
"Hello, honey... I called to tell you that you need to prepare yourself tonight." Sabi nito.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa sinabi ni dad. "Is there an important event tonight?"
"Not really. I just thought that you are already twenty-five. I guess it's time for you to have a husband who can take care of you. Your soon to be fiancée will be waiting in our house." Dad said that made me stiff.
I want to say no. Pero naisip ko na wala na pala akong hinihintay, wala ng may naghihintay sakin. Haru already moved on... siguro nga na tama si daddy na isa lang yung puppy love. I just have to date someone so that my feelings will fade away. That's a great idea.
"Sure, dad."
"Great! He will be waiting in our house. I'm still in Greece so be nice to him." Dad said with authority and ended the call.
Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at napasandal sa swivel chair ko.
Panahon na siguro na mag-move on. Maybe the sixteen year old me is just so naive that she believes that her first love will fulfill his promise.
Nilunod ko muna ang sarili ko sa trabaho habang pumapatay ng oras. Nang makitang ala sais na ng hapon ay agad kong inayos ang pagmumukha ko at lumabas na. I was siIent as I drive myself home.
Hindi din naman kalayuan ang mansion ni dad sa kompanya namin kaya nakauwi rin ako kaagad. Nang makababa sa sasakyan ay kinuha ko muna sa likod ng sasakyan ang box na may lamang mga regalo sa mga manliligaw ko na nakatambak sa opisina.
Pinaparami ko na para mabigay ko sa bahay ampunan. Hindi ko naman kasi magagamit tong mga teddy bear. Kaya napag-isipan kong ipamigay. Binuhat ko ang may medyong kabigatan na box habang papasok ako sa kabahayan namin.
"Tulungan na kita."
But when I was about to take another step someone just suddenly grabbed the box away from my hand and walk infront of me. I can't see his face because his back is facing me. Pero hindi ko naman masasabing magnanakaw to dahil naka tuxedo. Siguro ito na yung lalaking sinasabi ni dad na soon to be fiancée ko daw. Kaya sinundan ko na lang siya.
Nang makapasok kami sa loob ay nilapag niya agad sa sahig ang box. Narinig kong napabuntong hininga muna siya at dahan-dahan na tumingin sakin.
Those ocean blue eyes instantly made my heart beat frantically crazy. He stared at me for a minute or two before he showed me his bright smile that made my tears fall.
"I bet... you're the second daughter of Mr. Kertia. If I were you... I will let the guard carry this box inside here." He said with a smile while still staring at me.
"No need. K-kaya ko naman eh." Nautal na sagot ko.
He smirk at me. "But... I'm the one who carried the box for you."
"It's because you suddenly grabbed the box away from my hands. Hindi ko naman hiningi ang tulong mo." Sagot ko ulit habang walang tigil pa ding umiiyak habang nakatingin sa lalaking nasa harap ko.
He chuckled at me. "Just thank me already, woman."
Nagbibirong tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay. "Bakit ko naman gagawin yun? Did I asked for your help? Hindi naman diba? Ginusto mo yan kaya wag kang maghanap ng kapalit."
Katahimikan ang bumalot samin. Nakatitig lang kami sa isa't- isa. I can't believe that I'm looking at him this up close. It's been so long since I last saw his handsome face. Pero anong ginagawa niya dito?
Nang maalala na may anak at asawa na ito ay agad akong napayuko. Ayokong makita niyang nasasaktan ako.
"Hey... woman."
I flinch when he spoke again. Ayaw kong mag-angat ng tingin. Natatakot ako. I'm afraid if I raised my head and look straight in his ocean blue eyes... I might drown.
But he's really persistent. He gently holds my chin and slowly raised my head so that our eyes meet again.
"W-what?" I can feel his warmth on my chin. Paano pa kaya kung yakapin na niya ako?
"I'm Haru... Haru Saijou Alexandrov."
"I know..."
He chuckled at me and wipe away my tears using his thumb. "Unamaehua nan desuka?"
"Sorry to say this, Haru... but I don't speak gegemon." Sagot ko na ikinatawa niya.
He look at me and then his eyes suddenly sparked with so many emotions I can't name.
"I mean... what's your name?" He translated.
"Dylan... Dylan Kertia."
"That's a nice name for a beautiful woman." He said with a watery eyes. "It's nice seeing you again... love."
Napahagulgol na ako sa huli niyang sinabi. Nang magsimula na akong umiyak ay agad niya akong niyakap. At gaya ng tingin ko kanina... Haru is really warm.
Nang tumahan na ako ay kumalas muna ako sa yakap niya at kunot noong tinitigan siya.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"W-what? I'm here because... I promised to find you." He answered.
"Pero... pero may anak at asawa ka na. Sana hindi mo na lang ako hinanap." Mapait na sabi ko.
Natigilan naman si Haru sa sinabi ko. Nagulat pa ako ng hawakan niya ako sa magkabilang braso.
"Dylan... I'm not married. I also don't have a child." Sagot niya sakin.
"Liar! Nakita kita kanina may dala kang batang babae. She even calls you daddy. Tapos sabi sakin ni Mira may inuwi ka daw na mag-ina noon sa Pilipinas!" Sabi ko habang walang batid na umiiyak.
Niyakap na naman niya ako habang mahinang tumatawa. Gago din to! Bakit to tumatawa? Haru is... really weird!
"Love, I am a one woman kind of a man. And as far as I can remember the name of my girl who is now a woman and the woman I wanted to marry is Dylan Kertia." He said as he caressed my hair.
"Sinungaling..." sabi ko pa din.
"The baby girl you saw her name is Yume... Ayuma's daughter and she's my goddaughter that's why she calls me 'daddy' as she calls Ayuma 'papa'. It's just great timing that she's here with her mother in Germany. I just want to bond with the kid that's why we ate in the Collins' Cuisine." Haru explain.
Parang nanghihina ang tuhod ko at muntikan pa ako matumba. Mabuti na lang at nasalo agad ako ni Haru na parang nag panic pa.
"Dylan! Are you okay?" He asked as worry is visible in his eyes.
Pinangko na niya ako at dinala ako sa may salas namin. Umupo siya sa may sofa habang buhat-buhat pa din ako na parang baby.
"Haru... I miss you." My voice cracked as I cried again.
I felt Haru kiss my nose. How I really miss how Haru kiss my nose. I miss everything about Haru.
Nanghina ako kanina kasi parang nabunutan ako ng tinik sa dibdib ng malaman na anak pala yun ni Ayuma ang kasamang bata ni Haru. I felt so happy that Haru is still mine.
"I miss you too, love. And I'm still foolishly crazy in love with you." He said.
Hindi ko na napigilang paglapatin ang mga labi namin. I also miss kssing him. I can feel in our kiss that we really miss eachother. Haru drop a lot of kisses on my whole face and then back kissing my lips. He explore my wet cavern using his tongue that made me whimper.
Pero bago pa kami madarang ay pinutol na namin ang halik. Niyakap ko naman sa leeg si Haru at tinago ang mukha ko dun.
"I'm so happy." I said at loud.
"Me too." He replied. "Eight years. I've been searching for you in eight years. I almost lost hope that I will find you. But my desire to be with you is so strong that I didn't gave up. And I glad I didn't because I finally found you. My struggles is all worth it."
Napaangat naman ako ng tingin sa kanya. "Pero sabi kanina ni dad nandito daw ang soon fiancée ko sa bahay namin. By chance... is it you?"
"Yes." He said with a smile. "I've been pestering your dad last year. I came from his office and beg him to let me marry you. At first he refused... like a lot. But I didn't gave up. Everyday I went to his office just to ask for your hand. I even lost count of how many 'I refuse' he gave me. Last December 30, the day of my birth. I went to his office again. As usual he refused but I knelt infront of him with tears flowing from my eyes and beg him to let me have you. Because I love you so much and I want to be with you.
"And I was so shocked that he laughed and said that not all men will cry and kneel to have his woman. He even smiled at me and said that... he can now rest well knowing that his youngest daughter can be with someone who can throw away his pride just to be with her. It was the most amazing present I ever recived."
"Y-you did that for me?" I asked him.
He nodded with a smile. "I can do anything for you, Dylan. Because I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too... with all my heart." I also said with a smile.
Haru chuckled as he let our foreheads touch. He even kiss my nose that made me laugh a little.
"By the way... what have you been doing for nine years, love?" He asked.
I kissed his lips and look at him with full of love. "I've been loving Haru for nine years. And I'm still loving Haru untill now."
Haru smiled at me. Then he crashed his lips on mine.
Loving Haru is one of the most happiest moment in my life. And I never regret a single thing about Loving Haru.
🌹THE💜END🌹
(A/n:
Finally! Natapos na din siya! 😂 sorry lang guys kung napakapanget talaga ng gawa ko. Beginner kasi ako. But salamat pa din sa nagbabasa kahit walang comment. Ayoko naman mag demand ng comments. But sooner or later I will start writing His Love Series 2. Yeah! Yun na nga 😂 salamat talaga! Peace out! 😆✌
Love, Iccy.)