A Love that Stays

A Love That Stays Finale

3 Years Later

After the last conversation with Sandro, I filled for annulment.  Today, I received the letter that our annulment has been granted by the court. The annulment process is too long here in Philippines.

Mixed emotions.

Masakit padin pero I am slowly moving on.  Hindi naging madaling yung pinagdaanan ko these few years but I’m happy, I’m stronger than yesterday. I am happy with the little achievements I've made.  Natuto akong pahalagahan ang sarili ko at mga taong nakapaligid sakin.  Aaminin ko sobrang hirap noong simula but look how far I've made.

I moved to Davao after Sandro’s and I separation.  I wanted new environment and new people. God thing, I still have savings and my mother supported my venture here in Davao.  I’ve built a small restaurant and I become the sought after chef here in this small town.  I’ve learned about making new drinks and create new recipes.

I named my small restaurant ‘Luisanna’ to honor the memory of our daughter. The restaurant is located beside the ocean at sa likod nito may maliit akong bungalow na bahay.  Simpleng pamumuhay.  Sunrise and sunset are really to look out for.

Bukod sa restaurant ko, kinukuha din akong contractor engineer para sa mga small infra project ng local government since I graduated engineering. Dagdag kita at saving din para sa hinaharap.

Unti-unting nagiging mabuti yung lahat.  My health is good but I can’t say the same on my heart. Yes, everything is finally into their right places. I can say that everything makes sense right now, the pain in the past will mold you into better person and put you in the better place.  But there always a 'But'. 

I deeply sighed.

Patuloy akong nabubuhay pero may puwang sa puso ko at iisang tao lang yung kayang pumuno noon but I already accepted years ago na hindi na pwede.  Malalim na yung sugat.  And I also bet na may pamilya na si Sandro, pamilya with Lizette.

“Nanay!”

Agad akong lumingon sa maliit na boses na tumawag sakin.  Kinarga ko ang batang babaeng yumakap sa binti ko.  Lumapad ang ngiti ko ng makita ang masigla at maaliwalas niyang mukha.

She is Sandra Lusianna Ortega.

My miracle, my peace and my saving grace.

Noong nagkahiwalay kami ni Sandro, hindi ko alam kung paano magsisimula pero binigyan ako ng Diyos ng reason to live and to strive for better.  I was 3 months pregnant when Sandro and I separated. Sandra looks like Sandro, para siyang mini Sandro na girl version.   Muntik malagay sa peligro ang buhay naming dalawa noong nanganak ako.  There was even a point na pinapili si Mama kung ililigtas ako or si Sandra.  But I begged Mom to choose her dahil hindi ko na kayang mawalan ng isa pang anak. 

By God’s grace, parehas kaming ligtas at magkasamang hinaharap ang buhay.
Matalino ang anak ko.  She’s at the age na dapat nagtatanong kung nasaan yung Tatay niya but she never asked.  Don’t get me wrong.  I never told Sandro that I was pregnant. 

Sa pag process ng annulment, si Ate Lara ang humaharap sa kanya because I reasoned the health issue which that time is yung maselang pagbubuntis ko kay Sandra.  Sobrang delikado na kailangan kong mag bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy.

Never ko naman pinagdamot ang mga impormasyon ni Sandro kay ni Sandra, na sa mga kwento ko makilala man lang niya ang Ama. Lagi kong kinukwento si Sandro sa kanya at pinakita pa yung picture ng lalaki.  Kaya siguro ako hindi makamove-on totally kay Sandro.

I never heard anything about him simula ng hearing and process ng annulment. Last kong balita is he’s in relationship with Lizette.

Masakit kaya simula noon, I never want to hear any news about him from Mama and Ate Lara.  Naging big discussion din sa pamilya ko yung pagsabi kay Sandro about Sandra pero sa huli ako padin ang nasunod.  Pero ang habilin ko noong nasa emergency room na ako at si Mama ay kailangang mamili, I asked them na ibigay si Sandra kay Sandro oras na hindi ko kayanin.