Final Phase: Marry Her

Terrenz tried to live her normal life when she got back. What happened on the island was left on the island. Yun ang naging motivation niya to move on. She didn't hear anything from Red ever since then. Tila pinanindigan nitong hindi siya ang pinili. It just proves that Red chose Llanie over her. Siguro nangibabaw ang awa nito sa kaibigan kumpara sa pagmahahal nito sa kaniya kung meron man.

It has been almost a month. Terrenz is moving on. There are times when she still has this urge to fight for her love but kapag naiisip niyang Red chose to marry Llanie, pinapanghinaan na siya ng loob. She doesn't want to live a life of a mistress. Mas pipiliin niyang magpalaya.

Like her usual morning, pumasok na siya sa opisina. After the island project, she had been assigned to 4 more projects. Hindi niya iyon tinanggihan for she wanted to keep herself too occupied. Makaiwas lang sa pag-ooverthink.

Binati siya ng guard pagpasok niya sa building. She just smiled in response. She went straight in the elevator paakyat ng floor nila when her phone rang. It was Layla. Napangunot noo siya but declined the call. Sa taas na lang niya ito babatiin. As the elevator door opens, bumungad sa kaniya ang natatarantang si Layla.

"How dare you cut me off?" anito na. Mabilis siyang hinila nito palayo sa elevator.

"Wait! Bakit?" nagugulumihanang tanong niya. Hinila siya nito papasok sa fire exit.

"What did you do?" ani Layla na tila natataranta at problemado.

"Ha?" Nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

"Terrenz, the Islanddd projjjeeecccttt," ani Layla with frustration on her face. She was clasping her hands na parang nangigil. Nahilot pa nito ang ulo.

Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ni Terrenz. "Pwede ba, tapusin mo yung sasabihin mo? Anong naging problema?" iritableng turan na niya.

"The client is complaining. Madami daw issues sa construction and there are designs na hindi daw nasunod. Terrenz, they are threatening to sue," naiiyak na turan ni Layla.

"What?!" Mas lalong nagdikit ang kilay ni Terrenz. Napataas pa ang boses niya as she exclaimed.

"Galit na galit si boss kanina pa and he was waiting for you. That's why I had to stop you before he sees you."

"Teka nga!" awat niya. She's starting to get furious. "What do you mean madaming issues and marami akong hindi nasunod? It was the best project I have done in my entire career!" she said with a smirk.

She felt insulted. Anong madaming issues and hindi nasunod? Sa lahat ng trabahong ginawa niya, the island project had been her most passionate project ever. It was her dream! She gave them her dream! Kahit masakit sa kaniyang tanggapin na iyon ang pangarap, she still did it. Are they pushing her to her core? How can they be so cruel?

"Terrenz, hindi ko rin alam eh. Naiiyak na nga ko eh. As far as I know, everything is settled hindi pa man tapos ang project. But we just received the news this morning," sabi ni Layla.

Hindi sumagot si Terrenz. She stormed out sa fire exit and headed straight the elevator. Humabol sa kaniya si Layla. Nagpupuyos ang kalooban niya as she stepped in sa elevator kasunod si Layla.

"Terrenz, anong gagawin natin?"

"I'm furious rather than worried! Call them and make sure that you set up a meeting with me! I'll deal with it." utos niya sa rito. Mabibigat ang hakbang na lumabas siya ng elevator as it opens. Dumiretso sa opisina ng boss nila.

"What the hell, Katrenza!" bungad ni Mr. Paredes nang basta na lang siya pumasok sa opisina nito. "I'd been looking for you all this morning. I told you not to mess this up."

Napasinghap si Terrenz. Nadagdagan ang pagka-furious niya. Sa tagal ng taon na nagtrabaho siya sa kompanya, there is no single time that she messed up any project. Kahit sabay-sabay pa na hinawakan niya, she can finish it with full satisfaction from the client.

"Forgive me if I may sound rude, but boss naman. Have I ever messed up anything simula ng nagtrabaho ako dito?" she said. "This is frustrating. Please let me deal with them. All I ask is for you to trust me."

Napabuntong hininga si Mr. Paredes. He was just so worried kaya tila nataranta ito. But talking to her calms him down. "I do trust you. But you're sure you can deal with them?"

Hindi siya agad nakasagot. Hindi pa siyang handang harapin si Red o kahit sinuman sa mga kaibigan nito. Aminado siya sa sariling nasa phase pa siya nang tuluyang paglimot dito at hindi man lang siya nangalahati pa. Hangga't maaari she would avoid all things na nagpapaalala sa kaniya kay Red. Dahil kahit pinipilit niya ang sarili niya, malakas pa rin ang urge na gusto niyang makausap ito. But once and for all, she has to fight for her peace of mind.

"Of course," pilit niyang sagot mas para sa sarili. "Besides, were old friends..."

"They were be arriving in 30 minutes," turan ni Mr. Paredes.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Terrenz. That fast?! Hindi na siya nakasagot nang may kumatok sa opisina ni Mr. Paredes at pumasok si Layla.

"Sir, Engineer Tuazon is here," ani Layla.

Napatiimbagang si Terrenz. Tila siya nanigas upon hearing Red's name. Hindi niya talaga alam kung kakayanin niyang harapin ito. Natatakot siyang baka ipagkanulo siya ng totoong nararamdaman. How could she faced him? She might beg Red to choose her instead kapag nakaharap niya ito. Baka hindi niya kayanin kung tatanggihan ulit siya nito. Alam niyang wala talaga siyang lakas para muling kausapin ito.

'One last time, Terrenz,' bulong niya sa sarili mustering her courage. 'Just one last time..'

Napalunok siya. And took a deep breath. "Tell him to wait for me sa conference room. She looks at her boss. Tumango lang ito. Nagpaalam siyang lalabas na.

She went first to her office bidding her time. Kailangan niyang makahugot ng sagad na lakas para masigurong kaya niyang harapin si Red. It took her a few minutes bago niya napilit ang sarili na tunguhin ang conference room. She stopped at the door, breathe in, saka itinulak ang pinto papasok ng conference room.

Red was standing at the center of the room. Nakapamulsa ito and bahagyang nakayuko. Napaangat ito ng ulo and sinalubong siya ng seryosong tingin as she entered the room. His lips were slightly pursed. She couldn't read what he could've been feeling. He's just staring her blankly.

Hindi niya magawang salubungin ang tingin nito. Bahagya niyang iniiwas ang tingin rito. But Red kept his stares at her. Napilitan siyang salubungin ang tingin nito. Pairap na binato niya ito ng tingin.

"What's the problem?" she asked in her coldest tone.

"You left without telling me," Red replied in a very low voice. Hindi nito inalis ang tingin sa kaniya.

She smirked. "I believe tapos na ko sa trabaho ko dun. I did a turn over nang maayos. You weren't there. Dapat ba hinintay kita?" Wala siyang double meaning sa sinabi niya but it doesn't sound like that. But then, hindi na niya mabawi ang sinabi niya.

Hindi sumagot si Red. Patuloy lang siyang tinitigan nito ng diretso. Sinubukan niyang salubungin ulit ang tingin nito but she just can't. Nahihirapan siyang makipagtitigan dito. Natatakot siyang mabasa nito ang totoong nararamdaman niya.

If she is being honest to herself, pagpasok pa lang niya, naubos na agad ang lahat ng lakas ng loob na binaon niya. She's just pretending to be tough pero ang totoo, she is controlling herself na magmakaawa sa harap nito. She missed him badly. Kahit anong pilit niya sa sarili niya hindi talaga totally nawala ang pagmamahal niya rito. Makalipas man ang limang taon o ang anim na buwan. When they met again, she has this hope na babalikan talaga siya ni Red. But things happened. And this time, umaasa na naman siyang may pag-asa pa rin sila.

But Terrenz mustered her hardest na iwasiwas yun sa utak. Masyado ng masakit ang pinagdaanan niya. Baka kapag umulit ulit, ikamatay na niya.

Bumuntong hininga siya. "Ano ba talagang problema? May kailangan ba kaming i-back job? If so, can you just send me the details at ipapaayos ko na lang?" She said. She just wanted to walk away. Nauubusan na talaga siya ng lakas. Lalo pa't Red kept staring at her and hindi niya mapagtanto kung ano ang iniisip nito.

But to her surprise, Red started to walk slowly towards her. Hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang tingin sa kaniya. Kinabahan siya sa paglapit ni Red sa kaniya. She froze on her spot. Tila huminto rin ang paghinga nga. And when Red was just an inch away from her, napaangat siya ng ulo as he towers over her. Sinalubong niya ang tuwid na tingin nito sa kaniya.

She wanted to at least step back or push him away for her heart is pounding so loud at ayaw niyang marinig iyon ni Red. But she really doesn't have any more strength to do that. Bagkus nakatingin na lang sila sa isa't-isa. Napalunok siya. She felt her throat drying up dahil tila wala ng hanging dumadaloy roon.

"I know I used up my last chance that night on the island," turan ni Red slightly grinning. "But I'm betting on my final straw for the last time."

Lalong nanigas si Terrenz sa kinatatayuan. Nagugulumihanan man, she somewhat felt surprise sa biglang pagbabago ng mood ni Red. Red became warm and sincere na kanina lang ay cold and serious. His eyes showed pleading but hopeful.

"Ayoko ng magpaliwanag. Isa lang ang gusto kong sabihin," ani Red. "I love you, Terrenz. I really do."

Bumuka ang bibig ni Terrenz in awe. Hindi niya alam kung matatawa or magtataray. Out of nowhwere Red is confessing again. Nililito nito ang takbo ng sistema niya. She's been holding herself back tapos mag-i-i love you na naman ito bigla-bigla.

She snorted with almost laughter. Somehow, she liked what she heard but she had to control her excitement first. She has to be sure this time. Bumuka-sara ang bibig niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin. But she had to hide her amusement with resenment.

"Out of nowhere? Ano ba 'to, Red? Prank?" she said sarcastically.

Red didn't even smile. But his facial reaction softens yet his eyes didn't leave her face.

"Red..." napakamot siya sa ulo in frustration. "Akala ko ba tungkol sa project bakit magkaharap tayo ngayon? Tas bigla kang magcoconfess na naman? Ano bang trip mo?"

Red grinned in a boyish way. Tila ito teenager na napahiya. "Sorry. I am so frustrated these last weeks. Gulong-gulo na rin ako kung anong uunahin ko. I wanted to solve all my pendings trouble bago sana humarap ulit sayo but it just keeps piling up and before I could solve all of it, nauubusan na ko ng time sayo. My life's a mess, Terrenz. But I know the only thing that I really want. And that is to have you back. So I am putting everything aside but you."

Bumagsak ang panga niya. She was half amused. "What the hell, Redentor?!" Hindi na niya alam kung pano magtataray dito.

She was about to step back malayo lang dito but Red pulled her and locked her in a tight embrace. Nanlaki ang mata niya in surprise but she couldn't let go.

"Stop running away, Katrenza," anito in an almost whisper. His face is so close to her at hinuhuli nito ang mata niya. "Nababaliw na ko kakaisip kung pano makikipag-ayos sayo so I had to made up stories. Kung hindi kita madadala sa mga padasal, I'll do force. If I had to kidnap you and held you hostage I'll do so."

Red has this devilish grin on his face. Halos nakatingala siya rito while Red was couching over her. Halos nakadikit na ang mukha nito sa kaniya. Sa higpit ng yakap nito sa kaniya, Terrenz knew he isn't letting her go. Kinabahan siya at baka may biglang pumasok sa conference room.

"R-red... this isn't the right place to talk about this."

"It doesn't matter, my sweets. I'm not leaving this building nang hindi ka nakikipagbalikan sakin." Pwersahan na kung pwersahan but Red seemed winning her back desperately.

Naningkit ang mata niya. If Red is forcing her, sasabayan niya ang katigasan ng ulo nito. If he is this stubborn, she can be stubborn as well. Hindi sa ayaw niyang makipagbalikan dito, but she wants being treated worthy. Hindi pinipilit. Tinarayan niya ito.

"Redentor!" She forced herself to let go on Red's tight embrace. Nakawala naman siya. "If this is your way to win me back, think again. I deserve more than being forced to," aniya. Nawala ang malokong ngiti sa labi ni Red. Tila ito natameme. "Gusto mong balikan kita? Then do it right! Ikaw 'tong alis ng alis. Ikaw 'tong layo ng layo. I never left! For five years I stayed where I am. Alam mo kung san ako hahanapin. I even gave you my dream. Tapos pinaasa mo na naman ako. Tas nawala ka na naman. Ano ba, Red? Gusto mo ba ako ang maghabol sayo?"

Hindi nakasagot si Red. He just looks at her in an apologetic way. Nahilot ni Terrenz ang ulo. She breathes in despair.

"Nababaliw ka kakaisip pano makikipagbalikan sakin? Sa tingin mo ba ako ok lang? I kept on redoing moving on. Hindi pa ko tapos pinag-uumpisa mo na naman ako. Tapos ngayon babalik ka naman, forcing me to have you back nang ganun kadali? Don't you think I deserve better than this?"

"Terrenz, tell me, what do I need to do just to have you back? Lahat gagawin ko," Red sounded frustrated.

Terrenz lips twitched a little. Bahagyang iniwas niya ang tingin kay Red. She knows what she want. And this time she is ready to risk it. Matalim ang matang binalik niya ang tingin kay Red. In a strict serious stares, she voiced out what she wants.

"Marry me."

Red's eyes sparkle. His face lit up. He heard it loud and clear. Sinalubong niya ang tingin ni Terrenz.

"That's the only assurance I could have. Na kahit umalis ka ng umalis, I would know you will come back," madamdaming turan ni Terrenz.

Red become so delighted. Sa sobrang saya niya, he wrapped one arm in Terrenz's body while the other held her head and pulled her towards him and reached for her lips. He locked his lips to hers without hesitation.

Terrenz kissed him back. As if it's she was waiting for it. She even lifted her arms and wrapped it around Red's neck. It was a passionate kiss filling up all her longingness all these years. She doesn't want to let go kahit pa nauubusan na sila ng hininga.

For a moment, it's as if the world stops revolving around them. They were too engaged with each other na hindi nila napansin ang pagbukas ng pinto ng conference room. Naunang pumasok si Thor kasunod sina JV, Buboy, at Matt. Mabilis na nag-about face si Thor nang madatnan sila Red at Terrenz in a still kissing scene. Napaatras din ang tatlo pa niyang kaibigan.

Naramdaman naman ni Terrenz na biglang may pumasok sa pinto, kaya't ito na ang mabilis na kumawala sa paghalik kay Red. Mabilis itong napatingin sa pinto na tila nahihiya. Nadismaya si Red nang kumawala si Terrenz. He rolled his eyes as he looked at the door.

"Get in," tawag ni Red sa papalabas na mga kaibigan. Obvious ang disappointment sa boses niya. Binato niya rin ng disappointment look ang mga kaibigan na alumpihit namang pumasok.

"Sorry, we thought you were not here yet," nakangising turan ni Thor.

"I told you he is desperate," ani Matt sa mga kaibigan.

"Why are you here?" iritableng tanong ni Red sa mga kaibigan.

"We just thought you needed help," sagot ni Buboy. "Alam naming ubos na yung ideas mo how to win Terrenz back and we thought may nasabi kami kay Terrenz na hindi niya nagustuhan. So we just wanted to clear it out sana."

"But, I think he doesn't need our help anymore," ani JV na tinuro pa ang braso ni Red na nakaangkla sa balakang ni Terrenz.

Napalingon din si Terrenz sa tinuro ni JV. Hindi niya napansing, nakakapit pa rin sa kaniya si Red. Nilingon niya it. But Red just looked at her as if telling her not to take his arms away. Napayuko siya in embarassment. But she smiled at napailing-iling.

"You came in at the wrong time," reklamo ni Red. "Besides, I didn't ask you to come."

"So ungrateful," ani Thor. "Besides, we are worried for Terrenz, not you. Kita mo naman, wala ka man lang delikadesa. It's Terrenz's working hours and you are wasting it for your personal pleasure," panunukso nito. Napatango-tango naman ang tatlo pa niyang kaibigan.

Red smirked at his friends. Saka humarap ito kay Terrenz. "Ignore them. Now, where were we?" he said holding Terrenz's hands.

"Ahmm..." hindi alam ni Terrenz kung anong sasabihin. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya kay Red at sa mga kaibigan nito. "I- I think their right. I-I'm kind of working right now."

"Seriously?" ani Red in disbelief.

"We'll talk later," iwas niya. Kumawala siya pagkakahawak ni Red. Humarap siya sa mga kaibigan ni Red. Ngumiti siya. "Seniors, I know there's a lot of patching up that we need to do. But I'm kind of busy today. So, bahala na muna kayo sa kaibigan niyo. It's nice to see you all again."

Akma na siyang lalabas when Red pulled her again.

"I am not leaving. Unless you want me to stay here with you the whole day or you'll come with me.".

"Dud---" sasagot sana si Thor.

"Stay out of this!" pigil ni Red sa pagsingit ni Thor.

Thor just shrugs.

Pairap na tinitigan siya ni Terrenz. But Red didn't budge. Determinado itong totohanin ang sinabi.

"You asked me to marry you. Consider it done today," ani Red in his most serious way.

"What?" When she asked Red to marry her, it doesn't mean today. Besides, she just said it as her way to tell him na gusto rin naman niyang makipagbalikan rito.

"We will register our marriage today," deklara nito.

Bumalik sa pagkainis sa reaksiyon ni Terrenz. Nagshift sa mataray na tingin na naman ang binato ni Terrenz kay Red. Red buckled up.

"Talaga bang iniinis mo lang ako, Redentor? Pumapayag na kong makipagbalikan sayo but it doesn't mean basta-basta mo na lang ako itatali sayo. Can you make it something that I deserve?" she sarcastically said.

Napakamot sa batok si Red. Napatingin sa mga kaibigan na tila napapahiya. Napapailing naman ang mga kaibigan nito. Parang batang yumakap ulit ito kay Terrenz and pouted.

"I just want to make sure that I can give you the assurance you need," anito. He gave a smack on her lips na hindi naman nito tinanggihan.

Inirapan niya ito as she slightly smiled for the kiss. "This is your last chance, Redentor. The final and very last one," aniya na may halong pagbabanta. Bumitaw na siya rito. Inirapan niya ulit ito saka humarap sa mga kaibigan nito. "Kayong apat, can you restrain your friend? I have four projects to accomplish. Kung ayaw niyong mabunton ang stress ko sa inyo, get out of here and wag muna kayong manggulo." She gave Red a somewhat threatening stares and started walking palabas ng conference room.

"Final Phase: Marry her, check!" anunsiyo ni Red sa mga kaibigan pagkalabas ni Terrenz. The Warrior Fived jeered together.