Blood Line

Prologue : It was my last year as a law student when I met him again. “Siguro it’s much better Ria to put your luggage in our hotel room. Paniguradong pagod kayo sa biyahe. Take a rest and later we’ll catch up” I didn’t expect that he would be here. Lagi siyang absent kapag may reunion ang barkada so I am complacent, not until now have I seen him with my own two eyes. If I remember it correctly it’s been 5 years, I don’t know how my heart races everytime our eyes meet. I completely ignored it in those years, so why? “Jesus, Ria calm down” tawa ni Dane. Sinundan pa ng pang-iinis ni Sam at Eds kaya lalo lang akong nailang na lumabas at makisama sa kanila. To be honest, it’s their reunion, sabit lang ako. Kumbaga ako ‘yung pumalit sa kanya ever since that thing happened. “Are you still in love with Doc, Ria?” I was completely astonished by that question and went silent. Mas pipiliin ko na lang siguro na manahimik at hindi pagbigyang tuon ‘yung kakaibang pakiramdam na muli kong nararamdaman at parang isang buto na tinanim at ngayon lang mamumukadkad. “Let’s just say that it’s nice knowing that he’s fine” sabay ngiti ko ng matipid. “Let’s go at baka hinihintay na tayo ng boys” they all agreed kaya naman bumaba na kami to meet them. Those years without him, I withered. Matagal bago ko naiahon ‘yung sarili ko and I’m proud of myself that I did it, without expecting him in return. Kinaya ko ng ako lang. I could say that my life turns upside down, but it's worth it, because I value myself more than I expected. “Riri, I thought hindi ka na lalabas sa lungga mo” Ryder said with his teasing smile. “Nako, Ryder enough with your teases! Masyado akong ginisa ng girls that’s why ang tagal namin. So stop na.” with my genuine smile. “Aria, you ready?” Ryken asked with his most sincere concern smile. “Of course! Why wouldn’t I? We know that he’s still part of your barkada”. Ryken has always been protective of me. Hinihintay na lang namin ‘yung order tsaka ‘yung mga wala dahil natagalan daw sa pag-aayos ng cabin na gagamitin for the next two weeks. I divulge on my cases so I could use my time wisely while waiting for them. I do really want to chill but as a 4th year law student it’s hard but thank God it’s our break and I deserve it dude. I read my cases like it’s my life dahil unting mali ko lang may buhay na masasayang, may pamilyang mawawalan at may mga taong masasaktan. Years have passed but I’m still emotionally scarred with all of the cases I handled. Bumalik ako sa ulirat when I heard Dane prays. At sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, ang aming mga mata ay nagkatitigan at ang mga kamay ay muling nahawakan. Wala pa rin pa lang nagbago kung paanong ang puso ko’y tumatalon sa saya, nangangatog ang mga tuhod, at parang isang alon, ako’y nagbalik sa nakaraan.