SUNSET

It is stated that true love always comes back. I consistently hold the belief that I should patiently wait for it to return to me, regardless of the pain from the past or the brokenness I've experienced over the years. Nevertheless, each tale comprises dual perspectives. You're not consistently tasked with awaiting love; at times, it prompts you to come back. It's not a perpetual commitment to one side; occasionally, you find yourself on the opposing side. This duality persists: the love to be patient for and the love that comes back. Just like the sand and the sea, one is waiting, the other departs and returns. I always assumed I'd be the one waiting, but I plainly don't fit within that story. I could wait here indefinitely if I wanted to. Meanwhile, the other part of the story implies that I will be the one to return, 'cause if I want it so badly, I'd forget about the past. If I really wanted it, I'd shallow my pride. If I really wanted it, I'd be the one to fight for it. Contemplating its true worth became the refrain echoing in my mind before I made the decisive choice on that fateful day. Betrayal wove its tendrils into our connection, making forgiveness elusive if the truth held. I clung to the belief that he harbors love for me, yet the enigma deepened as he bound himself to another. Devoid of an explanation, he remained silent, leaving my question of his love unanswered. Was it his misstep? A lapse on my part? Or did we, in tandem, stumble into the realm of mistake? "I think you're going crazy." Apollo said, as he watched me packing my belongings. Apollo is an old friend and suitor of mine. We've been really close for years. Despite everything, he remained in my life. I'm in a five-star hotel in Manila. I recently returned from a trip to another country. I had a couple shots there. These last few years have been consumed with my jet-setting lifestyle. That's all I'm doing to try to forget the string of catastrophes that have befallen my family. All of my issues, regrets, and anguish I wish to bury. The spotlight will then vanish. It gave me worth and validation, something I needed. After closing the luggage, I turned to face Apollo. "How about you? You're still here. I guess you're the one who's crazy your talking about." I said then smirk at him. He just shook his head at what I'd said, and concern changed his eyes for it. "Do you think I don't know the reason why you're going back to Isla Siquijor?" "Apollo!" I said, then turned in the mirror of the dresser. I'm wearing a flight dress. An elegant black dress, paired with red lipstick. I can't use our private chopper due to the renovation of the resort. We own only one part there, as well as the casino. But now, my dad has finally bought the Archaic so their starting renovating it. The helipad is under renovation too, so that the chopper can't land there. "I'm just going to check the renovation, I told you that's all." "Tsk. I know you're going back 'cause she's already dead. That's the truth." I turned my eyes away from him, engaging in the task of organizing things. Whatever my genuine motive might be, it's mine alone. I prefer to keep it undisclosed, not even to Apollo. We have a deep connection, sharing numerous secrets vowed to be kept confidential, but... my pride prevents me from acknowledging the truth this time. "This is quite out of character for you. I'd rather see you harboring resentment than surrendering your pride and returning to the man who caused you pain." "I am not! Swallowing my pride..." I retorted sharply. He arched an eyebrow. "So, what's your plan? Are you heading back?" "I already mentioned, I'll oversee the renovations!" He laughed uproariously. "You didn't return home for a crucial family matter, but you're going back solely for renovations, Maria Yrah?" "Yes!" I declared with confidence. He then smiled, a hint of dismay in his eyes. Shaking his head while smiling, I avoided making eye contact. His response mildly offended me. Despite the temptation to argue and reprimand him, I refrained because deep down, I acknowledged he was correct. Defending myself would only lay me bare. "I don't understand what you're talking about, Apollo." "This isn't like you," he said in almost a whisper. I prepared a small bag, packing a few essentials before ultimately departing. "I don't want to see you lose yourself..." he nearly begged. But I am already lost... I acknowledged silently. Certainly, I am enraged, unable to forgive the betrayal that transpired. Yet, I recognize my own shortcomings. His desire was to undergo training and become part of the navy. I couldn't comprehend it, but I grasped that it was the ambition befitting a man of his stature. I was born into wealth, living a life where I didn't have to work for anything. So, how could I fathom such straightforward dreams? My father holds prominence in the navy, but even before his involvement, he was affluent and exempt from labor. Hence, I couldn't grasp why... I supported him with reservation and declined to wait for him in despair. I forged my own identity and immersed myself in my career. The occurrences in between are now buried in the sands of time, but I am certain that the unraveling began there. Aries Montecielo is the kind of man who prioritizes responsibilities above all else. He loved me, and I am certain of that. I believed I was the sole recipient of his affection. So, it pained me deeply when I discovered there was someone else. It caught me off guard, and I couldn't come to terms with it. Yet, over the past year, I've come to understand that this is inherent to his nature. He consistently places responsibility at the forefront. Always... He made an mistake, and he stuck to it, even if it meant losing me. Unfortunately, yes, that defined him. It was always about responsibility and principles, prioritizing them over everything, even love. He admitted his responsibility for the mistake. Yes, a mistake. I mentioned he's responsible, but I never claimed he's flawless. He made an mistake, and he's taking accountability by confronting it directly... by letting me go. Or, at least, that's my understanding now. I tucked a letter into my bag before ultimately deciding to depart. "Myrah..." Apollo repeated. "Say whatever you want, Apollo. I'm returning to Isla Siquijor," I declared before he could interject. The path to reaching that decision took a considerable amount of time. It encompassed years of pain and bitterness. I felt like a feather drifting in the air, directionless, allowing the wind to carry me. I felt like a boat without a compass or an anchor in the tumultuous sea. The waves pushed me in any direction, and I didn't care where I ended up. I didn't have a life. And I didn't care. After years, I felt a renewed sense of vitality. I was like a boat with a clear direction, a compass guiding me. It was as if I finally had a purpose, like a feather discovering the wings to which it belongs... It felt both fitting and alluring. In spite of Apollo's threats at the airport, nothing deterred me. He even offered to accompany me, but I declined. "You don't want me around because..." I immediately understood his thoughts. "I know you're concerned about me, Apollo. But I'll be concerned about you if you abandon your business just because you think I might be in danger with what I'm doing." He sighed. "Have a little faith in me. As you said, you know me better. So don't worry about me." Somehow, he accepted it. Perhaps because, even with those concerns, he still had some trust in me. I reached Isla Siquijor in the afternoon. I absorbed it all, taking my time. From the view of windmills crowning the mountains during the journey, passing by my former school, observing the subtle changes in the surroundings, recognizable paths leading to familiar spots, to the entrance of our house. It was tranquil without my family. Kuya Perseus is occupied inspecting some properties. Picses is in Batangas. I'll be alone in the mansion, where I spent the majority of my teenage years. In every nook of the house, a multitude of memories inundated my thoughts. Mama's wisdom, my brother's mistake, tears I shed, and the contemplative days that shape my present. Seeing this place again after all these years felt peculiar. I stared at the sea from the house's veranda. I crossed both arms, captivated by the gentle rhythm of the waves on the familiar white and fine sand that holds a special place in my heart. I've visited various locations, including beaches. Isla Siquijor might not be the finest beach, but it's the only one that stirs something within me. Was returning the right decision? Reflecting now, after a few months of being here... I am still very certain that it was. I anticipated it to be straightforward. He didn't have feelings for Alona. He loved me. For years, I believed it was a mistake, that he didn't love me. He seemed like an undeserving man. I held contempt for him. However, that year, I awakened and found hope. I returned with a resolute heart. After weeks and weeks of facing rejection, with only a glimmer of hope, my passion intensified. It was as if his resistance fueled my determination. I know him, I asserted. I know the man I've loved all these years. "Where is Maria Yrah?" I heard Aries' voice. I'm at the hotel, sipping on juice. I just left their house and was surprised to find another woman there. I shooe her. For some reason, it's inappropriate for him to have someone staying in their house. A twenty-year-old woman taking care of his children while he is at work is unacceptable. I placed my drink down gently, anticipating Aries to find me at the poolside table. As I lowered my drink and hadn't yet stood up, I heard his approach, seemingly bypassing security and other staff. "Why did you do that to Elise?!" he exclaimed, running out of patience and still in his uniform. He appeared agitated. The veins on his neck stood out, and his eyes were bloodshot as he approached me with determined strides. Behind him were our security and a few workers, evidently helpless in the face of his abrupt entrance. Aries is exceptionally good-looking. He's a descendant of Isla Siquijor's Montecielo clan, yet the patriarch never acknowledged Siquijor's Montecielo as part of them due to a dark past. That's why he led a modest life, far from the opulence of the Montecielos. However, he inherited their physique, and he has foreign eyes. Dark under normal circumstances, but gray when illuminated by the sun. Like steel. His presence always commands attention. My initial impression of him was that he seemed too proud and arrogant for a boy from humble beginnings. And here he is... just the same. I smiled at him, making an effort not to succumb to my thoughts about him and that lady in his home. "Why was she there?" I arched an eyebrow, the smile still lingering on my lips. "You have no right to come to my house and demand whatever you want, Maria Yrah," he said sternly. "Your son has been perfectly capable of taking care of his brother all this time. Why do you suddenly need help for that? Or is she a helper?" I calmly inquired, a smile playing on my lips. He approached me, and as he neared, I could see the frustration in his eyes. My smile almost faded when I realized he was genuinely angry. "You don't care whether I hire help or anyone to assist me at home-" "So... what is she? Help or a woman, Aries?" "The next time I see you at home, you'll regret it," he threatened. He turned his back on me. I blinked rapidly as I watched him leave, consciously holding back my emotions. "You speak in riddles. Why don't you just tell me directly? I'm asking if she's a helper or your woman, Aries!" I shouted. Since I arrived, he's always been like this. I always felt like he's half-heartedly pushing me away. Even in the past, I was easily hurt. Even the vaguest sentences and rumors would hurt me and lead to our fights. He always knew what to do and gave me assurance. He knew that. That's why I easily left and resented him back then, even if he didn't have any other reason to say... because that's who I am. I'm not sure if I was naive, proud, or insecure... but that's who I am. One wrong move, and I leave. Maybe he thinks I am the same today. That he can easily drive me away with hurtful words... no explanation for why he did that to me before. That he can hurt me, and I'll leave immediately like a cat sulking. Time has made me stronger and more calloused. The pain has made me numb, so whatever words that cut like a knife he throws at me, I won't stumble. If he wanted me gone, it won't be through inflicting small wounds. It won't be through cuts. If he wanted me gone, he'd have to kill the life out of me. If he wanted me gone, he'd have to kill my bright hope. He paused. My courage immediately receded when he turned to me, and I could clearly see the anger in his eyes. "Whether she's my helper or a woman, you don't care. My life is not your possession," he said and walked away again. I laughed, ensuring he heard it clearly. "Why not just admit that she's your significant other?" I teased. "You want me gone, don't you? It's so simple, Aries. Just confess that you love someone else. Is it Elise?" I trailed him to the lobby of our hotel to emphasize my words. "It's straightforward. I don't love you, Maria Yrah. I never loved you, Maria Yrah. So easy to say, why is it so difficult for you? Because you have principles, right? You don't know how to lie. Are you struggling?" I observed his fists clenching. "If you want to be rid of me, say it. Don't use vague hurtful words; it won't work," I stated. That's what he's been doing for the past few weeks whenever we encounter each other. "You can't, can you? Because the truth is, you still love me. Your affection for me hasn't vanished. It's still there... Until now." He left the hotel, and I trailed behind. He hopped into his pick-up. "Or perhaps you enjoy me lingering here, chasing after you? Is it a spectacle you find appealing? Does causing me pain and witnessing my return the next day turn you on?" I threw that remark to stir him up. He accelerated his vehicle, departing from our hotel. I stood there, my head slightly bowed, observing his departure. A smile gradually surfaced on my lips, despite still feeling somewhat hurt by his words. It baffled me why he was so reluctant to say it. If he genuinely wanted me to leave and cease my pursuit, why couldn't he express it? It was a dark and chilly night, and a grand party was happening at the Montemayor mansion. I was invited, so naturally, I attended to have a good time. Little did I know that Aries was also present at that party. "Good evening, Maria Yrah. Even before I saw you approaching, I knew you were here," Senyora Domitia said, flashing her usual smile. I smiled back. "I apologize, Tita. I was delayed in greeting you because-" "They swarmed you outside, am I correct?" He anticipated my arrival. I couldn't enter directly due to the multitude of greetings. The Montemayor brothers are hosting a party for their wives, and naturally, some of their friends are present. They were our mutual friends, and they were surprised to see me here. I exchanged pleasantries and engaged in conversations, causing a bit of commotion as some of my past suitors, now eager to establish a connection with me since I mentioned staying in the Philippines, were also present. "You are such a good catch, so everyone is now eyeing you, hija. Aren't you considering getting married?" I laughed. "To whom should I get married, then?" "I thought Alfredo's recommendation was suitable for you?" I merely smiled at Senyora Domitia. The Montemayors don't believe in love. They think it's only an excuse to breed. It won't last. That's why Senyora Domitia also arranged the match between Senyor Antonio. That's why my parents ended up together, although my mother loved my father from the very beginning, making them just lucky. This is why Senyora's view of marriage is distorted. She exerted great effort to marry off her scion sons to the women she desired, and she succeeded. I was also supposed to marry a Fuentevella heir, Vince. Neither of us liked each other. He was stoic and too old for me, showing no emotion. And he's gone now, in a very, very suspicious disappearance that shook high society. Senyora was referring to the new recommendation from my father. "Too old, Tita," I said. "And boring." "Or do you still want someone else?" she smirked. I smiled too, hesitating to answer. Senyora was my confidante growing up. Despite her skewed views on marriage, she had wisdom that I couldn't get from my mother, Indra. Even without answering, I knew she understood the meaning behind my smile. "Myrah," I heard Apollo behind me. It was a pleasant surprise to see him. I wasn't aware he had come to the party. I hugged him with joy. "Apollo!" "Good evening, Senyora," Apollo greeted the woman in front of us. Senyora smiled at us and raised her champagne. "Good evening, Mr. Dela Cerna. Enjoy the party." Glancing at Senyora, I noticed her doubtful gaze lingering on us before she finally joined a conversation with others. "You didn't mention you were coming. Are you alone?" I asked eagerly as we strolled towards the crowd. I observed that some people wanted to approach us but refrained, opting to discuss us among themselves. I was too excited to talk to Apollo that I paid little attention. "Yes, I'm alone. I had some business to attend to in Iloilo, so I decided to join the party spontaneously." "How have you been? You seem occupied! I have a lot to share!" Apollo picked up a drink and offered one to me. I was about to begin talking when he took my hand and guided me toward the garden. "It's about Aries," I mentioned. "I know you're going to discuss him," Apollo said seriously. "Later..." It took me a moment to grasp his intentions. People are observing us closely. They are curious. So, if we discuss Aries there, everyone will overhear. That's why he guided me to the dark and secluded section of the garden. I noticed the familiar swing in the Montemayor's garden. We were in the shadows when our conversation began. "Did you pull off something mischievous?" he questioned. "Nothing," I smirked. "Just what I informed you." "I don't believe you. I sense that you have something new up your sleeves every day. What did you do this time?" "He had a young helper before that I shooe her!" I chuckled. "W-What?!" Apollo shifted his weight. "That's not mischief! I just find it odd for a single dad to have a young woman in his house. It could lead to rumors about him... you know-" "Are you serious-" "I'm just preventing potential issues for him. If she wasn't really his girlfriend, he would face more problems if people started talking about them, right?" "But it's not your responsibility to manage the rumors about him, Maria Yrah." "We had a confrontation. He rushed into my hotel. I pushed him to deny that he loves me, he couldn't. I've done that several times, why can't he say it, right?" I confidently told Apollo. He stared at me. "Will you stop that, Myrah? This is what I was concerned about, and you told me not to worry?" I took a sip of champagne, realizing my excessive excitement in sharing that with him. I forgot that we had discussed it before. I gently caressed his face with my hand. "It's endearing how consistent you are. Always concerned about me all these years, Apollo." "I'm not joking, Myrah." "I know." I gazed at him as he looked back at me, his eyes dark, blending with the surrounding darkness. I tilted my head, giving him a playful look. "Don't worry about me, Apollo. I can handle anything, and you know that." "You can handle anything, Myrah. But when it comes to that man, I know..." he shook his head and approached with concern. I was on the verge of speaking when someone abruptly pulled me. "What the?" I was about to curse when I saw who it was. "What are you doing here?" Aries said in a low tone as he looked at Apollo with eyes like daggers. My anger dissipated quickly because he was the one who pulled me. "We're just having a conversation," Apollo replied. "Talking in the dark?" Aries then looked at me. I glanced at his hand on my arm. He immediately noticed it and withdrew his hand. A smile crept on my lips as I lifted my eyes to him. Before I could address him for what he did, he left as if nothing had happened. I was in awe as I observed him walk towards the gate of the Montemayors'. "Myrah, don't you dare to-" before Apollo could say more, I was already walking swiftly, following Aries. I couldn't care less if people gossip about us. His reaction puzzled me, and I'm aware of his jealousy; it's always been a part of him. "Are you jealous?" I inquired as I followed him. He didn't reply. Swiftly, he entered the car. Glancing at where our car was parked, I noticed my bodyguards waiting, but I didn't approach them. Instead, I opened the front seat door and hopped into Aries' car just before it began moving. "What the- get out!" he exclaimed, realizing it was already speeding, and the door remained open as I hadn't closed it. He slowed down. "Get out!" I shut the door and stared at him defiantly. "I won't!" I declared. "I'm not playing games, Myrah. Leave this car!" "I'm not engaging in any games, Aries! What's your deal? We tried to stay hidden, and you still tracked me down? I had no clue you were at the party. Were you spying on me the entire night?!" He tilted his head. Instead of slowing down or halting the car, it appeared he grasped that physically pulling me out wasn't an option. He accelerated. "And why did you intervene with Apollo? Are you jealous? Oh, please, spare me the lies. Aren't you troubled by your actions? You know you desire me, yet you're persistently denying it!" The car sped up even more, swiftly reaching our house. "Get out!" his voice thundered. "You observed me all night and got jealous of Apollo?" I remarked. He exited his car. I watched as he turned around and opened my door. "Get out, Maria Yrah!" he insisted. I stood my ground, crossing my arms defiantly. "Leave, or I'll pull you out of there!" I smirked. "You could never harm me. You'll hurt more if you hurt me." He shot me an angry and resentful glare. Then he closed the front seat's door. I thought he might go back inside, but surprisingly, he hailed a tricycle! "W-Wait!" I shouted and hurried out, but the tricycle sped away. I closed his car's door and started walking. Glancing at the highway to find a tricycle, I realized there weren't many passing by due to the late hour. Opting not to wait, I chose to run. Aries' house was nearby, easily within walking distance. I just didn't anticipate that I would be chasing after him, in a dress... tonight. To add to the challenge, rain began to drizzle. I saw the tricycle stop on their street. I was still far, so I ran, and then the rain poured. Undeterred, I kept going, determined to extract the truth from him.