At some point in time, we come to realize that people stay in our hearts but not in our lives. And actually, it's not the goodbye that hurts us but the flashbacks that follow. It is only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love. Moving on is simple. It's what we leave behind that's painful. And the saddest part of all is saying goodbye to someone you wish to spend your lifetime with. Pero ganoon talaga ang buhay. Sabi nga, people come and go.
"Mommy, we have a visitor!" pukaw ni Lauren sa ina na abalang naghahanda ng hapunan.
"Sino?" Coline called from the kitchen as she wah the vegetables for the salad.
"Hija, magtatampo na ako sayo. Hindi mo na ako binisita." Wika ni Don Miguel at inhanda ang mga kamay upang yakapin ang anak.
"Pa! What a surprise. Nagpasabi ka sana para nakapaghanda ako ng mga paborito mo at nakapag ayos ako ng gagamitin mong kwarto."Saka ito humalik sa pisngi ng ama.
"No, hija. Hindi rin ako magtatagal. Mas gusto ko ang klima sa Pilipinas. Kinakamusta lang kita at namiss ko na ang mga apo ko." Then he sat on the head of the seats. "Hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa, anak. I heard about Victoriano and you. And to tell you honestly, hindi ako sang-ayon sa mga Lionheart. You're free from the law, ilang taon nang namayapa ang asawa mo. You need to be happy too."
"Pa, please. Ayoko nang pag-usapan. Tapos na kami. I moved on."
"Coline, Coline, Coline... You really are like your mother. Alam kong mahal mo siya anak. At ganon din siya sayo. As a matter of fact, kinausap niya ako tungkol sayo at hinihingi ang kamay mo."
"You should've declined."
"No. I won't do that. It won't make you happy. Both of you."
"Pa, ayokong mawala ang mga anak ko sa akin. Tama sina Mama't Papa. My children are Lionhearts. Ayokong magkaroon sila ng confusion pagdating ng panahon. I don't want them to lose their name."
"Anak, ang pagmamahal, nagsasakripisyo. Timbangin mong mabuti. "
"But I can't sacrifice my children."
"Kaya siya na lang ang sinakripisyo mo? Tell me anak. Naging masaya ka naman ba pagkatapos non?"
"Pa, anong gusto mong gawin ko? "
"Coline, you know what to do. Just take that one step of courage. I'll support you all the way. Alam kong ganoon din ang sasabihin ng namayapa mong asawa."
"But--"
"Mahal mo siya, hindi ba? "
She opened her mouth to answer pero hindi niya nagawang masabi ang mga salitang gusto niyang sabihin. Of course, you love him. Naisuko mo na nga ang pagkatao mo sa kanya. Dikta ng utak niya.
"I know you do, anak. I just want you to realize that you're depriving yourself and the children of happiness. I heard Lauren was fond of the gentleman."
"Pero, Pa, anong sasabihin ng mga tao?"
"Let them be. You're not indebted to them neither owe them any explanation. Just follow your heart no matter how imperfect the situation seems. Time waits for no one. You made that mistake once. Huwag mo nang ulitin yon. You know, we're not promised tomorrow."
