CHAPTER 27:THE TANGIBLE VARIABLE
666 Words
The hum of the air-conditioned Partas bus engine was a steady, vibrating drone against the glass window. Outside, the afternoon sun was starting to dip, casting a warm, golden orange hue over the coastal landscapes of Bauang and Caba as we headed south.
I leaned my head against the high backrest of the seat, feeling the heavy exhaustion of the past week finally catching up with me. Beside me, Reuben was quietly scrolling through a digital audit reviewer on his phone, his thumb moving rhythmically, but his shoulder was deliberately relaxed, leaning just close enough to mine to offer support without crowding me.
I looked at him, then down at the drafting tube resting across his lap—which he still refused to let me carry. A sudden realization hit me, and with it, a heavy wave of guilt.
"Reuben," I called out softly, my voice barely audible over the sound of the bus AC.
He instantly locked his phone, turning his full attention to me. "Hmm? Bakit? Masama ba pakiramdam mo? Malayo pa tayo sa Agoo, pwede ka munang matulog."
I shook my head, my eyes searching his calm face. "Bakit mo ba ako hinahatid pauwi?"
Reuben blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden question. "Anong bakit? Syempre, para sigurado akong safe kang makakarating sa bahay niyo."
"Pero taga-San Fernando ka," I pointed out, my chest tightening as I calculated the sheer logistics of what he was doing. "Robinsons is literally in your home city. Tapos sasakay ka ng bus ng isang oras pababa ng Agoo para lang ihatid ako, tapos sasakay ka ulit ng isa pang oras pabalik sa inyo? Reuben, ang gastos sa pamasahe, tapos nauubos pa 'yung oras mo sa review. Hindi mo naman kailangang gawin 'to."
For a moment, Reuben just stared at me. Then, a slow, incredibly gentle smile broke across his handsome face. He locked his phone completely and slid it into his pocket, turning his body slightly towards me in the narrow bus seat.
"Malia, look at me," he murmured, his deep voice carrying a level of sincerity that made my breath hitch. I looked into his dark eyes, finding absolutely no regret or hesitation in them. "Sa accounting, may tinatawag kaming sunk cost—mga gastusin na kahit anong gawin mo, hindi mo na mababawi kaya hindi mo na dapat pinapoproblema. Ang pamasahe, ang oras, ang pagod? Lahat 'yan, nababawi. Pwedeng kitain ulit 'yung pera, pwede kong bawiin 'yung tulog."
He reached out, his hand gently grasping the top of my drafting tube, his knuckles brushing against my jacket.
"Pero 'yung kapayapaan ng isip ko na alam kong ligtas kang nakauwi pagkatapos ng nakakapagod na linggo? Iyan ang walang katapat na halaga," Reuben continued, his voice dropping into a soft, private whisper. "Kahit triplehin ko pa ang biyahe araw-araw mula San Fernando hanggang Agoo, basta ikaw ang ihahatid ko, Malia... hinding-hindi ako manghihinayang sa oras."
My heart did a violent, erratic somersault. I had no witty engineering comeback for that. In my past life, Mark treated his time and money as leverage—everything had a price, and every favor came with conditions. But Reuben? Reuben was giving away his most valuable assets—his time, his effort, his protection—without asking for anything in return.
Unable to speak, I simply looked away, my cheeks burning with a fierce, uncontrollable blush.
Reuben let out a low, satisfied chuckle, clearly amused by how he had completely rendered the usually sharp-tongued Queen of Engineering speechless. "Matulog ka na nga muna. Gisingin na lang kita pagpasok natin ng Agoo."
I didn't argue this time. I closed my eyes, and as the bus swayed gently along the national highway, I let my head drift, finally letting it rest securely against his firm shoulder. Reuben didn't move. He simply adjusted his position, his shoulder becoming the sturdiest, safest anchor I had ever known in two lifetimes.
- Writer
