So this is LOVE! (ONGOING)

STILL23: RESET

A/N: I highly advise that you read again all chapters prior to reading this part. I did kasi sobrang tagal ko na namang hindi nagsulat at limot ko na. =) Stay healthy and keep safe everyone! Happy reading! GODBLESS!

BGM: If life is so short - Cover.

Vida was standing infront of Chronos. She was just a meter away.

"Is he deaf? Mute?" Takang tanong ni Vida habang nakatingin sa kanya ng wala man lang bahid ng emosyon sa muhka nito. Like a School Directress out to make your schoolyear feel like hell.

"Ch..." parang ewan na nauutal si Chronos dahil ayaw lumabas sa bunganga niya ang pangalan niya. "Ch... Ch... Ch-"

Chronos fidgeted as he stood at the middle of the crowd. Napapaligiran siya ngayon ng mga matatanda at sa mismong tapat niya si Vida.

She stood there beautifully almost like a dream. Not a strand of hair astray and all clothes ironed nicely. Nagsisi tuloy si Chronos bakit naka puting tshirt at maong lang siya. He wanted to wear something nice but his guise might be blown.

Natatarantang hinanap ng malikot niyang mata ang madre na namamalakad ng instutusyon na iyon para sa tulong. Their erlier conversation did not cover this part.

"Sigurado ka ba anak? Hindi ka namin kayang paswelduhin."

Without hesitation Chronos cannot let this grand opportunity close.

He came running like crazy that afternoon after hearing good news from Hezekiah. According to him Vida's latest tests came out clean. Ayon kay Hezekiah kahit hindi sila naalala ni Vida may posibilidad na hindi na ito aatakihin kagaya ng dati dahil naipasa naman nito lahat ng mga eksaminasyon nito mula ng huli itong inatake.

Naninindig pa rin ang balahibo niya ng malaman niyang pwede na nilang makasama si Vida.
Hindi man maibalik ang dati nilang alaala na magkasama at kahit hindi sila maalala nito kukunin niya pa rin ang opportunidad na ito.
Before he was elated by the fact that he can see her as long as him and Elle can maintain a distance from her... and now this... just imagine him soaring in the clouds because he can now interact with her without harming her. Paulit ulit na pinaexplain niya kung pwede na talaga na walang kapaguran na sinagot naman ni Hezekiah.
He was so happy he had to hug Hezekiah with all his might.
So he had to go undercover so as not to scare her.
He had to get this job so as to make it look natural.

"Kahit matutuluyan lang po at pagkain... kapalit ng serbisyo ko."

Chronos saw her eyes squint.

"You don't fit the role of someone who gives his services for food and place Mr. Chronos."

Nasa harap niya ngayon ang namamalakad na madre sa tinutuluyang institusyon ni Vida.

"You've been constantly funding us anak over the years... and I cannot thank you enough.. how can I say no to someone who simply asks for food and shelter?"

Nanlaki ang mata ng madre sa kanya. Parang bata na nagpapalakihan sila ng madre dahil hindi niya alam kung isasagot ba niya ang totoo niyang pangalan o hindi. He didn't want to come strong and trigger Vida's memory so he was cautious.  

"Charles yan." Sabi ng isang matanda sa gilid na ikinalingon ng lahat.

"Hindi siya muhkang Charles... Chuck... Chuck yan!" Angal naman ng isa.

"Chuck sa umaga pero Charmaine sa gabi! Baka Charmaine mga mother." Sabi naman ng matandang lalake sa gilid na mariposa.

His name turned out like a guessing game infront of an excited senile crowd. Parang naglalaro lang sa pinoy henyo na inisa isa nila lahat ng pangalan niya.

The head nun had to still the excited crowd to hush.

"Excited kasi sila na makakita ng ibang tao kaya ganyan sila." Nahihiyang sabi ng madre sa kanya. "Siya ang bagong all around boy natin dito sa center. Bigyan natin ng masigabong palakpakan si..." she coaxed. Again all eyes were at him.

"Chico!" walang takot na pasigaw na sabi ni Chronos sabay pikit. "Chico po ang pangalan ko."

Then there was silence that made Chronos open his eyes. Parang dumaan lang si Jesus sa tahimik ng kwarto dahil ni isa sa mga hula ng mga ito ang tumama.

"Ang gwapong bata pero ang baho naman ng pangalan niya." He heard someone say in a loud whisper. Napalingon lahat sa pinangalingan ng bulong na nagulat din dahil narinig pala ng lahat ang binulong niya. Then everyone laughed their heart out.

Gustong matawa ni Chronos. The situation was funny enough and he had to smile his heart out. It was because of the fact that he couldn't contain his happiness right now because this was happening and Vida was standing infront of him.

His smile was wiped clean ng mahagilap ng mga mata niya si Vida who was not smiling. Habang masaya ang lahat syempre poker face pa din ito dahil doon naman talaga ito magaling. But for all the years he was with her he knew this was Vida clearly being annoyed. He became nervous again because he knew this was Vida being annoyed.

"Welcome to Hapiness Neurodegenerative Rehabilitation Center." She said monotonously and unwelcomingly while everyone clapped thereafter.

Naalala ni Chronos ang paguusap nila ng madre kanina pagkatapos nitong pumayag sa set up nila.

"You really love your wife." She said in a whisper. She had to sigh long before releasing a warm smile. She extended her hand for a shake which Chronos immediately took when he didn't answer.

And now...
Holding his breath. He stood his best infront of her.
Like he was starting all over again.
Without fear, now at his heart's content.

Even if Vida couldnt see how much he loves her...
Even if she cannot and will not remember...
This is the Chronos that loved her so much through out the years.

Chronos held his chin up, and let his chest out. 

He resumed his sweet smile at her. His look unwavering.

"Chico at your service mam!"

Sabay kindat na ikinaatras ng tuod na si Vida.

>>>>>To be continued.

See you sa next update!