Chapter 214 - The Islet Mystery 30

"Take it easy, dear. Cry it all out. Whatever it is in the past, I'm glad that seeing Richard again makes you ventilate it out."

Shiela lifted her head and smiled at Mrs. Lopez for her comforting words. It felt good to know someone who understood what she was going through. Mrs. Lopez was right; crying always did wonders to relieve whatever turmoil she kept inside.

"Thank you, auntie," Shiela said as she looked up, trying to focus her gaze to Mrs. Lopez only.

"There's that smile again. I'm excited to hear about this story between you and Richard," Cherry cheered on, stealing glances at Ryan whose sharp gaze seemed to emit fire and lava from an erupting Taal Volcano.

Jane chuckled in watching the drama unfolding, and she stepped on to join. She's also a woman who knew the feeling very well.

"Richard, how about getting some food first for the two of you then bring her somewhere you can talk about it all again. How I wish you bring your guitar along with you. Music can do magic in lifting one's mood." 

Richard laughed. "Shiela sings very well. We often hang out before. Me with my guitar while she does the singing."

"How about becoming our guest in one of our singing engagement, Shie," Andrew butted in, talking to her like they knew each other already for a long time.

"I'll think about it," Shiela answered, and a round of cheers and applause erupted from all of them except Ryan.

"How about a duet, Shie?" Ajie joined in; the topic had his desire to sing awakened.

"Wow, I love that. It's such an honor to sing with you," Shiela said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"We'll talk about it later. Now, let's eat first," Ryan stepped in, ending the discussion indirectly.

Richard did as he was told, and he indeed took food for Shiela and him. He then excused themselves and led Shiela to another boulder. Placing the food in the middle, they sat down across each other with their legs crossed.

"How are you, Shie?" 

"Here, I'm fine. I just recalled the pain the moment I saw you. You used to be my crying shoulder."

"But you kept many things from me. I knew you had a deeper reason why you were dying to get a job in Japan."

Shiela smiled. How could she tell him the truth about her pregnancy when she knew she would only break his heart? Richard was only a friend, and he would remain in her heart as a friend forever. If only a heart can be taught who to love, she would always choose Richard. She could love him without having someone to fear. She didn't have to hide, no need to endure rejection.

Looking now at him as a grown-up man, her thoughts went back to the day she broke his heart. They were on the bench at their front lawn, one moonlit night. The golden lamp was floating in the grey sky, and puffs of white clouds sailed along. The night was silent except for the drumming of the cicadas and crickets somewhere in the lush fields surrounding Shiela's house in the province.

"Shie, listen to this..." Richard said, trying to get her attention. Her thoughts were somewhere else as she placed her head on top of her knees, listening to Richard as he strummed on his guitar.

Jolted back to reality as his voice burrowed into her eardrums, she nodded and fixed her gaze at him as his fingers positioned to the first set of chords he was strumming. A beautiful intro of a love song floated before Richard lifted his magical voice into the air. Her heart soared as she listened to its every word, grasping the full meaning of the love the song conveyed.

Ryan's handsome face floated into her mind, and she began to feel the beautiful beatings of her heart every time she thought about him. His image was still so vivid as he looked into her eyes before lifting her chin and drowning themselves into a passionate kiss.

"I never forget how you brought the sun to shine in my life

And took all the worries and fears that I had

I guess what I'm really trying to say

It's not every day that someone like you comes my way

No words can express how much I love you."

As Richard projected the highest note in a rounded, beautiful, and soothing voice, her heart danced as her thoughts flashed back to the scene where she gave her whole self to him. He was there inside her, taking themselves to the heights of pain and pleasure, sealing his ownership of her heart, body, and soul.

"Shiela, I have long wanted to tell you this," Richard started to speak, gathering every nerve of his system to support him. His song had long ended, but Shiela's emotion was still soaring to the thousand clouds in her reverie.

"What?" she asked, not expecting the wind of change.

"I hope you have seen me through it all, through everything I do for you."

"What?" Shiela asked again, but her eyes were far away and her heart was still wrapped up with the glorious feeling of her sweet surrender to the man she loved.

"I love you...all my life."

Shiela's eyes flew wide, and her expression was a massive shock. She never expected this. Richard was a perfect friend, committing his whole self and time in the name of their friendship. She didn't move for a long while, pinned to her worries of how to break the truth to him gently. No matter how good Richard was, in her heart, he was only a mere friend.

"Ryan, I mean...Ch-Chard," Shiela stuttered, and in her very eyes, she saw the hurt reflecting in his eyes.

"I am already expecting it, Shie. But I am such a fool to believe that you can give us a chance. You and Ryan live in two different worlds. The reality will only hurt you in the end..."

"I'm sorry, Chard..." were the only words Shiela could afford. She knew there was sense in what he said. But love is blind that lovers cannot see...and for the moment, it's what she could only care about.

"Shiela..." a squeeze in her hand, and his soft voice permeated into her ears, and it snapped her back into her senses.

"I'm sorry..." Shiela laughed as she realized she was lost in her thoughts again.

"You still don't change. You are still a daydreamer," Richard commented, his eyes were still as gentle as how he looked at her before.

"Yes, it's something I hate about myself," she replied, breaking into a soft laughter again.

"And am I right, Shiela?"

"About what?"

"That he'll be only hurting you."

Before Shiela could even react, a voice interrupted from behind. "Who is hurting who?"