"Manang..."
Manang entered the room holding cleaning things. I slowly walked to the food on the floor, just staring at it.
"You can leave me now, Manang, and... don't throw away the food she cooked for me."
"S-Sir... Tali regrets what she did... I can see that she truly loves you. I hope you can reconcile."
Those were Manang's words before she left my room.
Love is still here.
I still love her deeply, even though I know the truth. But the anger in my heart doesn't disappear. It's different when I face her. I can't control my anger. Right now, the anger is dominant because of what I discovered about her deception.
I knelt in front of the scattered food. I let go of the crutch and sat down, picking up a piece of chicken thigh on the floor and taking a bite. I grabbed a nearby spoon and then got some spilled sisig.
There's still some left in the containers.
I don't care if this food is dirty now.
"I-I'm so sorry..."
I was mad... furious. B-but I didn't mean to hurt her.
"I'm sorry, b-baby..."
I couldn't face her with a heart full of anger. I don't want what happened now to repeat. I don't want to hurt her again.
The next day, I woke up around noon, and the food on the floor had been cleaned. I got up and went to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror.
"There's no Tali... she's Thaliana..."
I closed my eyes tightly. I still love her. I still love her deeply despite what I learned, but the anger doesn't go away. I took a deep breath. I need to fix myself. I just need to take my time. I hope she can give that to me to ease the anger in my heart.
I showered and changed my clothes. When I came out of the bathroom, I paused when I saw Klari. My eyes focused on the food on the tray.
"Manang sent me the food that she cooked."
"I was so worried about you, Rozz; I only found out this morning that you had an accident. Is it because of that woman?"
I approached the table in my room and sat down. I picked up the utensils and started eating. I need to gain energy.
Klari just watched me while I ate. I didn't respond to her questions. After finishing my meal, I left my room and looked for Manang.
I headed to the kitchen because that's where she usually stays.
"Manang, did you go--"
I stopped talking when I saw Thaliana. Anger surged in my chest again. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"R-Rozzean..."
"U-Uhm, Manang went to get the the clothes at the back, but she'll be back soon."
"What are you doing here? I told you not to come back, didn't I?"
Just for one day... let me be. I just need some time for myself. Let me think and accept everything that's happening. Let me be for now because I will approach her when the anger is gone, and I'm okay.
"I was cooking because--"
"I am thankful that you ate the food I cooked, Rozz. Manang said you haven't eaten since last night. I'll cook for you again later."
He stopped talking, and I looked at Klari who suddenly appeared because of what he said.
What? He said Manang cooked that?
I saw the pain in Thaliana's eyes when she looked at the tray Klari was holding.
"Who are you?" Klari asked her.
She dropped the glass she was holding, and I looked at it.
I looked at Thaliana. When I saw that she was injured, I was about to approach when Klari held my arm. One of her hands was holding the tray. I looked at her and saw her serious eyes looking at me.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Oh no, Tali!"
When I saw her fingers bleeding, I felt extremely worried. I looked away. Fck. This is what I'm talking about.
When I was about to leave, Klari stopped me. She handed the tray to Manang and then approached to support me.
In order for her to stop coming to my house, she must see this... that I am okay.
"We'll go back to the room, Manang. If you need anything, we'll just call you," Klari said.
As we turned away and walked away, I heard Thaliana's voice again. I closed my eyes tightly when I realized she was crying.
"W-Wait."
"Just a moment..."
I was looking at her seriously.
"I... I will stop here."
"I-I won't bother you anymore. I can see that you are recovering now, and I'm happy with that. I-if... if you can't forgive me, it's okay too. I won't bother you anymore; I won't come back to your house. Just eat and take care of yourself."
"Take care, okay?"
I saw her take off the ring I gave her and place it on the island counter. My heart clenched in pain.
"I love you. I love seeing you, Rozzean, but I won't insist anymore."
After saying that, she turned away. She quickly walked out of my house. No...
"Rozz--"
"Leave, Klari."
I took a deep breath and staggered as I walked towards the island counter. I took the ring Thaliana had taken off and held it tightly.
Let me come to you after this. I'll fix myself first. I'll remove the anger from my heart.
"Manang, please set aside the food Thaliana cooked; I'll eat it tonight."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Time passed, and evening came. Klari returned to the house once again. I've told her several times not to come back, but she's persistently stubborn.
"Have you eaten, Rozz? I saw Manang bringing food for you, and I told her I'm the on--"
"Is it true that Manang cooked this, or did it come from you?" I asked.
I couldn't forget her lie earlier.
I looked at the tray, and when I opened the food covers, I saw that these were the ones Thaliana brought earlier. I sat down immediately and started to fill my plate.
I was in the middle of eating when Klari also sat down and got her own plate.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm eating with you," she said, smiling.
"Let me eat alone--"
I stopped speaking when the door opened. I saw Luther looking at me angrily. I put down my spoon and fork and then stood up. I staggered as I walked towards him.
"What are you doing here, Luther?"
But instead of answering my question, I was surprised when his fist hit my face.
Sh*t.
I fell to the floor because of its strength.
"Luther!" Klari shouted.
I understood Luther's anger when I learned what happened. It felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over me when I heard from him that Thaliana had an accident after leaving my house.
Luther was furious with me. He blamed me for what happened.
But it's not just him. It's me too. I blame myself too. It was wrong to let Thaliana leave alone earlier. Damn this anger. Damn this timing.
"You don't care for her anymore? Your love was lost? Then..."
No! I still love her deeply! I got extremely angry and said things I shouldn't have, but I regretted it all!
"I will make her fall for me."
"I like her. I have feelings for Thaliana."
I was surprised by what he said. My anger intensified. Is that why he's always by Thaliana's side? Is that why he never leaves her?
"I'll make sure Thaliana forgets everything about you."
"I will make her fall for me hard until she forgets all about you."
In my anger, I crossed the distance between us and knelt in front of him. If looks could kill, I might have killed him now. I took deep breaths while looking at Luther. I couldn't believe the words he uttered.
"Luther Rico!" I shouted in intense anger.
He smiled at me, irritating me even more. Was this his plan from the beginning? When did he start liking Thaliana? When?!
"Thaliana is now my fiancée, Cyron."
Luther's words hit me like a bomb that exploded right in front of me.
"W-What?"
"I talked to George Dela Vezca to save your company, and I told him I could be his daughter's fiancé. And he agreed. Thaliana knows about this, but she still tried to get your forgiveness because she f*cking loves you so much."
"But that's enough. I can't bear to see her hurt just because you can't forgive her."
"She returned the ring. She said she will forget about you, and I will make sure she will, Cyron. I will help her."
I thought I had nothing more to fear. But there was still something.
"She's mine... she's only mine."