Raindrops of Astalièr (Tonjuarez Series IV)

Epilogue

Finale

"You're doing it again." Disappointment was laced on my tone. This time I didn't even bother to hide it.

She stopped midway down the corridor and turned to me. She put her luggage on the floor. It's a cold dark night, yet my heart is burning. I gave her a tired expression. Tired of asking her not to go. Tired of begging her to stay. Tired of everything.

She sighed deeply. "Alam mong kailangan, Craig. Pwede bang intindihin mo ako kahit ngayon lang? Nakiusap naman ako 'di ba?" Sagot nito na para bang kasalanan ko pa na aalis ulit siya.

I scoffed silently. Ngayon lang? Gusto kong matawa.

She left me twice this year. This is the third time. Iba pa ang nakaraang taon. Maiintindihan ko sana kung aalis lang siya, pwede naman siyang bumalik. Pwede niya naman akong balikan. Maghihintay naman ako. Pero bakit kailangan makipagbreak kapag umaalis? Ano ba ang ginagawa niya sa malayo? Bakit kailangan wala siyang responsibilidad sa akin?

Pakiramdam ko sinasadya niya nalang ito. Paulit-ulit na ganito. Alam niya kasing kahit umalis siya, kahit iwan niya ako may babalikan pa rin siya. Na tatanggapin ko pa rin siya. Well, she's right. When she comes back, I'll welcome her with open arms.

"Is this some kind of routine, Isabel? Mas madalas pa tayong magbreak kesa magkita! Am I a joke to you?" I muttered painfully. My eyes were shaking as my forehead creased, I went near to her.

She swallowed sharply and I could see tears pulling in her eyes. She's gonna cry again. She'll use that trick again. She knows it's my weakness. I hate this. I hate that she has wrapped all her fingers in me. Like I was under a spell, I couldn't even crack. I'll kneel to her, if she asks too.

I stared at her beautiful face. Beautiful yet dangerous. Her soft features contradict her strong effect on me. Our eyes met.

"M-Mahal kita, Craig... Hindi pa ba sapat 'yon?" Galargar na tugon nito.

I looked down at her frustratedly.

"O, hindi ka nagtitiwala sa akin?" There's a little disbelief in her voice. "Hindi? Craig?" She slowly raised her brows, her eyes watered.

Now the tables have turned. I am the villain again. I clenched my jaw.

"I trust you." I answered under my breath, not looking at her. "You know I trust you, Isabel."

"Bakit iba ang nararamdaman ko? Parang takot na takot kang aalis ako. Parang hindi na ako babalik sa'yo. Bumabalik naman ako 'di ba? Hindi ko ba tinupad ang mga pangako ko dati?"

"Tinupad." I gulped.

"O, 'yon naman pala e! Anong problem ngayon, Craig? You don't trust me, don't you?  You're not sure about our future!" She nailed like a nagging mother. I looked at her and matched her intense gaze.

"What are you talking about?!" I exclaimed. I stepped closer. "I am always sure about you!"

"Then trust me! I promise I'll come back! Last na, Craig. Promise. Pag uwi ko... Hindi na ako aalis ulit." Yumuko ito, humugot ng malalim na hininga. I confusedly stared at her. "Pagbalik ko... Pipiliin na kita... Wala nang maghihiwalay sa ating dalawa. B-Basta payagan mo ulit ako ngayon... Please?" She pleaded.

Hirap ko siyang pinanood. I can't let her go again. Just thinking about it... It tears my heart apart. Mahal na mahal ko siya.

"Kailangan ako ni Mama. Alam mong wala siyang ibang aasahan kundi ako... Alam mong wala akong tatay---"

"Fine." I cut her off immediately before she mentioned that part. We're both sensitive to that part, I don't even want to talk about it.

Her eyes lit up a little with my disengagement to my plan.