BGT 03: HIS BEAUTIFUL PUNISHMENT ✔

Chapter 5 - Ikaapat na Yugto

Was it healing when love became just a piece of memory in the past? She used to adore him. Saw him as the only reason for her being. Her reason to smile.

Mahigpit na ikinuyom ni Roanne ang mga kamao habang hinahabol ng tingin si Rheeva. This is the first time she'd seen him again in person after her long years in jail. Pagdating sa lalaking ito tila ba laging hindi handa ang buong sistema niya. He has this some kind of atmosphere that can stop anything from moving.

Inipon niya ang lakas ng loob at tinawag ito, "Rheeva?"

He paused from walking. Lumingon ito sa gawi niya. His eyes somehow were calm seeing that it was just her. Humakbang siya papalapit.

"Myrre-"

"Roanne, I've dropped that showbiz name long ago."

"Roanne, alright." Tumango ito. "You look great."

"You as well." She smiled. It would be a lie to deny that she is missing this man all these years. It's not like she hated him when they separated their ways.

Kinapa niya ang puso. Naroon pa rin ba ang pamilyar na tibok? Kung may nararamdaman pa rin siya para kay Rheeva makangingiti ba siya ng ganito? Magiging magaan ba ang paghinga niya tulad ngayon? Payapa ba ang kanyang isip?

Hindi niya alam kung ano'ng tunay na mga palatandaan. Masaya siya na nagkaroon muli ng pagkakataong makita ang lalaki nang malaya na siya at wala sa likod ng mga rehas. She paid her crime, she redeemed herself, and now she is building a new life together with Javier and Aki.

"Can you wait for a while? I just want to introduce you to someone," she asked.

Tumango si Rheeva. "Go ahead, I'll stay here and wait."

Pumihit siya at tumakbo pabalik sa loob ng bar. Nagtatakang tumayo si Javier pati ang mga kasamahan nang mapansin ang pagmamadali niya.

"Javier! Come with me," she scooped Aki from the seat and grabbed Javier's arm. Dragged him outside.

"Hey, where are we going?" Natatawang nagpapatangay sa kanya ang binata.

"Rheeva is here!" nakangiting sagot niya.

His eyebrows knotted. Pero hindi naman ito umangal at hinayaan lang siya. Ibinaba niya si Aki at hinawakan sa kamay. Ipinulupot niya ang isang braso sa baywang ng nobyo habang tinutungo nila si Rheeva na naghihintay. Nagpalitan ng kaswal na tango ang dalawang lalaki nang makalapit sila.

"This is Aki, anak namin ni Javier," may pagmamalaki niyang pakilala sa bata.

"The resemblance is almost creepy, Javier. He has every inch of your face," komento ni Rheeva na hinaplos ang ulo ni Aki. "Hi, there!"

"Hello!" masiglang bati ni Aki na nakangiti ng malaki at tumingala sa mga magulang.

Natawa si Javier. "And more of this face is coming soon to say hello."

"I'm guessing so." Amused na tumingin sa kanya si Rheeva.

"Invited ka sa kasal namin, kayo ni Anne Marie," sabat niyang malambing na tumingin kay Javier.

"Expect us to be there, rain or shine."

Nagkamay sina Javier at Rheeva at tumuloy na sa elevator ang lalaki. Kinarga ng binata si Aki habang siya ay kumapit sa braso nito. Sinilip niya ang mukha ng nobyo.

"What?"

"Hindi ka nagseselos?"

"Gusto mong magselos ako? I'm not going to display that ugly part of me if not needed. It would be a major turn-off." Ngumisi ito ng pilyo. "But for a change, I can always cry like what you did at the shop the last time you got jealous with Anne. I think that is more effective than going wild like a madman."