Love Me Tomorrow

EPILOGUE

"But you came unexpectedly. But we're still staying here for atleast a week."

"But I plan to go back to Greece this week, Tage. Exam na nina North." alma ko.

"I emailed his school already." balewalang sabi niya.

"Kailan mo balak ipakausap sakin ang anak ko?"

"Are you going to marry me?"

"I thought we're taking this relationship slow?" he heave a sigh and tightened his hug.

"Of course." pagsuko niya.

Napag-alaman kong dito pala ikinulong ang pamilya ni Tage. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pa siya pumunta dito, e, hindi naman maganda ang naging alaala niya dito. Marcus' with his girl and I often hear how much she wanted to go home but Marcus wouldn't permit. Mukhang pahirapan ang pagpapaamo sa babae niya.

I'm at the seaside, watching the sunset. I asked Tage to remove the guards because they're seriously ruining the view and I don't really feel good when they're around. North's asleep with his Dad. Iniwan ko sa kwarto para masilayan ang paglubog ng araw. Ikalimang araw na namin dito at ngayon ko lang makikita ang paglubog ng araw. It was gloomy the past days and it's making me sick. Iba ang pakiramdam ko sa panahon.

Ang kahel na kalangitan ang bumalot sa kapaligiran. Napakaganda!

I felt someone's presence, so, I looked back. And there, I saw the father of my son walking near me, holding a bouquet of flowers. Kalmado ang mukha niya at para bang kuntento na sa mga nangyayare sa paligid niya. He smiled at me. Nang nasa harapan ko na siya ay inabot niya ang bulaklak. Kinuha ko 'yon at inamoy. It smells so good.

Hindi ko inasahan ang sunod niyang ginawa. He kneels in front of me. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at umawang ang mga labi. May nilabas siyang maliit na kahon at dahan-dahan 'yung binuksan.

"My regret in life, I wasn't able to kneel in front of you, shown you a ring, and asked you to marry me." he said.

Napakurap-kurap ako.

"I know it was sudden but I badly want you to carry my name again. Your surname sound foreign to me now. I want it to be a Del Prado, Ynessa."

"Tage..."

"I didn't secure you of my love for the rest of our marriage but give me this lifetime to show and give you my love. Ynessa will never be good in my ears without the Del Prado. Baby, would you like to be part of my future and be the woman I'll go home to?" my tears trickle. The past days made me complete. Hindi ko 'yon naranasan sa nakalipas na mga taon. I still have my doubt but I finally feel the same love I felt eight years ago. Tage awakened my sleeping feelings. Tama si Gabe. Natatabunan lang ng takot ang nararamdaman ko para kay Tage. I still love him. Hindi nawala, walang nabawas, natabunan lang.

I'm ready to answer him but North's crying voice stopped me from answering. Tumingin ako sakanya at umiiyak siya habang hawak ang cellphone ko.

"Mommy... D-Dada." the mention of Gabian made me run to my son, leaving the man who's offering me his lifetime. Humagulhol ang anak ko na nagpasikip ng dibdib ko.

"W-What's wrong? What h-happened?" kinakabahang tanong ko. Nanginginig niyang inabot sa akin ang cellphone ko. Ongoing ang call doon at nakakonekta kay Gazini. Nanginginig ko 'yung inabot at nilagay sa tenga ko.

"H-Hello?" kabadong sabi ko. Mga hikbi at hiyaw ni Tita Gigi ang narinig ko.

"G-Gaze... anong nangyayare?" I nervously asked.

"K-Kuya... K-Kuya c-committed s-suicide. H-He's d-dead." nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko at nanghihinang napaupo sa buhangin. Humagulhol ako habang paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Gazini.