Loving You...The Second Time Around

Chapter 12

I wrote this story way back in 2013 (ata)! It took me 9 years to finish! Hopefully, magustuhan ninyo. :)

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Emerald woke up in an unfamiliar room."Are you okay? Don't move, I'll call the nurse." Nababahalang sabi ni Cooper at dagling lumabas ng kuwarto.

She looked around her surroundings, mukhang isang maliit na clinic dahil may nakita siyang mga kagamitan na nasa isang dulo ng kwarto. Hindi nagtagal ay bumukas ang pinto at pumasok muli si Cooper at kasunod ang isang babae na nakasuot ng uniporme ng isang nurse.

"This is Shiela, the company nurse." Anunsiyo ni Cooper.

"How are you feeling Mrs Reynolds? Are you feeling any pain?" Umiling siya bilang sagot sa tanong sa kaniya.

"Okay, good. We can't find anything wrong with her, temperature is fine and she doesn't feel any pain. However, if this continues you may want take her to the hospital." 

Ngumiti it at saka ay lumabas na ng silid."Are you sure na walang masakit sa'yo?" Bakas pa din ang pagkabahala sa tono ni Cooper.

"I'm sure." Matipid niyang sagot nang biglang maalala ang babae kanina sa opisina ng lalaki. It's their second chance to love and ayaw niyang magduda o pag-isipan ng masama ang lalaki. "W-who was that woman in your office?" Medyo garalgal ang kaniyang boses.

Kumunot ang noo ng lalaki, pero sinagot pa din ang kaniyang tanong. "She's Diana, a family friend. Why did you ask?"

"Why was she in your office?" Di niya napigilang tanong.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ng lalaki. "Whoa, are you sure you're okay? I'm very much worried about you. Then, out of the blue you're asking so much questions about Diana. What is wrong babe? Tell me anything and I will listen." Seryosong tanong ng lalaki.

Umayos siya sa pagkakahiga at mabilis naman siyang inalalayan ng lalaki. There is no point of running away from it. If she wants to move forward with Cooper, she needs to know where she stands in his life."I-I saw her before. " Saad niya. 

"Where?" Seryoso pa din ang ekspresyon ng lalaki.

"The day I had the accident, I went to your office but I saw both of you kissing." Hindi niya napigilang mapaluha ng maalala ang nakaraan "Who is she to you? Are you still having an affair?" Umiiyak na tanong niya. 

Finally, she managed to ask those questions. Ang mga tanong na bumagabag sa kaniya noon pa man.Ilang segundong nakatulala ang lalaki nang biglang may maalala. 

Malalim na buntong hininga ang ginawa nito at naihilamos ang mga kamay sa mukha. "Oh my god, I'm so stupid. I'm so sorry babe." Niyakap siya nito ng mahigpit."I'm so sorry for all the pain I've caused you. And I was the reason why our baby died. I didn't know, I-I didnt .." 

Hindi na nito natapos ang sasabihin."That day in the office," pagpapatuloy ng lalaki at humarap sa kaniya. Namumula ang mga mata at may mga luhang umaagos sa mukha nito. "She was visiting me and I've told her the big news that I just got married and to introduce you to her at some point. She started crying and sinabi niya na she loves me. I see her as a good friend, nothing more or else why would I marry you. I tried to console her but she started kissing me. I tried to push her. There was nothing between us. It's you, always been you sweetheart. Believe me, there is nothing between us. She was in the office earlier for a visit, her dad is also in the country at may inaasikaso."

Napamaang siya. It was all a misunderstanding, malaking akala. She realised she judged her husband too soon. What if she went in the office? What if she confronted them at that time? Andaimng "what ifs"na tanong at panahon na nasayang.

"I-it's partly my fault, I should've not ran away. I should have confronted you. I'm so sorry." Hindi niya rin napigilang mapaiyak. It was all a big misunderstanding. 

"Babe, it's always been you. Nobody else. Just you. Promise me to not leave me again like that." Seryosong sabi ni Cooper.

"I promise." At mariin siyang kinabig at hinalikan sa labi.

Isang buwan ang nakalipas at isang engrandeng kasal ang nagaganap sa Hacienda Mariana. Cooper wants to have their Philippine wedding as soon as possible. Instead of the long planning, they managed to squeeze it in a month.

All of their close family and friends were invited. His mother was so excited helping with the wedding details. Mabilis naman nakagaanan ng loob ang daughter-in-law nito.

"Do you take Cooper John Reynolds to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Tanong ng pari kay Emerald. 

She looked at her husband. It felt surreal. After all these times , sa simbahan padin ang kanilang tuloy. The love of her life she thought to have cheated on her, pero nagkamali siya ng akala. She should've confronted her husband right there and then. They could've saved their marriage, wala sanang nasayang na panahon. But it's not too late. Their relationship is much stronger than before, and a great future is waiting.

"Yes, I do". She felt very happy.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Masayang anunsiyo ng pari.Cooper looked dashing on his navy suit. She looked at those eyes that promises a happy future. Itinaas nito ang suot niyang belo at dahan-dahang yumuko para halikan siya. It lasted a few seconds at nang matapos ay matiim siya nitong tinitigan and he mouthed "I love you." It was bliss.

Isang masigabong palakpakan ang kanilang narinig sa mga bisita na dumalo. 

A year later...

Isang matinis na iyak ang kaniyang narinig. He checked the clock and it's only 3 AM in the morning. He instantly look on his side where he found the love of his life comfortably sleeping. He slowly creeped out of the bed para hindi maistorbo ang tulog ni Emerald. 

Dali-dali siyang lumabas ng kwarto at pmasok sa nursery kung saan niya nakita ang yaya na pinapatahan ang umiiyak na sanggol.

"Yaya, give Jordan to me. Ako na ang bahala dito. You can go back to sleep." sabi niya sa yaya ng anak. 

Ibinigay naman nito agad ang sanggol na umiiyak pa din at nagpaalam na.Ipinaghele niya ang anak. He learned a few tricks sa mga baby classes na dinaluhan nila ni Emerald habang nagdadalang-tao pa ito. He tried to be very supportive and hands on sa pag-aalaga sa anak nila. 

His wife has been through a tough 9 months, this is the least he can do.After a few mins, Jordan is silently sleeping in his arms. Dahan-dahan niya itong ibinaba sa crib. He waited for 10 minutes to make sure he's asleep before he left the nursery room.

He went back to their room which is adjoining the nursery. His wife is still sleeping so he came back to bed very gently. Bigla naman naalimpungatan si Emerald. 

"Is everything okay?" tanong nito.

"Yes, pinatulog ko lang si Jordan. Go back to sleep darling." At niyakap niya ang asawa at masuyong hinalikan sa ulo. His everything, his world in his arms. Their love is sweeter the second time around.

----END-----