Bizarre Connection

Epilogue

"I already got justice for what my wicked father did to me, mom. I finally did it a year ago. He's in prison now...to atone for his sins, hindi lang sa nagawa niya sa akin kundi pati sa ibang tao."

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from crying when I remembered what happened last year.

4 years ago, I spoke about everything he did to me and Shin...the violence, the sexual abuse, everything. It wasn't easy, in fact, we suffered multiple anxiety attacks while trying to recall and speak about everything we've been through.

But that didn't stop here...Karlito still got away because of lack of evidence.

Yes, he still slipped away despite all our hard work and tears.

But a year ago, he was arrested because of murder, human trafficking, and drug trafficking...which turned out that he's a member of a syndicate. The same syndicate who's behind the death of a wealthy businessman, the one who's disguised as car crash, and the attempted murder case of the latter's friend, who's also a businessman. We also reopened the case, kung kaya't patong na patong na ang nakasampa sa kanya.

Now, there's no chance for him anymore to go near us and hurt us.

"Hindi na niya kami masasaktan pa. Hindi na siya makakalapit pa sa amin. So you don't need to worry about us, mom."

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang lapida at hinaplos 'yon ng dahan-dahan.

"I will always visit you from now on, mom. Hindi na po ako mawawala ng matagal."

I smiled and wiped my tears.

"Sorry for being a burden, mom. You can now finally rest in peace."

I was about to get up when a hand tapped my shoulders.

"Sorry I'm late, love. Late na natapos ang exams."

Tumayo ako at hinalikan siya sa labi bago hinawakan sa kamay at iniharap sa lapida.

"And this, mom..." I looked at Priam's eyes and smiled, kanina ko pa siya gustong banggitin kaso naisip ko, mas okay kung nandito siya.

"I want you to meet my boyfriend...Priam Mendez."

Priam smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Good noon, Ma'am. Ako po si Priam." Magalang niyang sabi at lumuhod.

He didn't speak after that, sa halip ay nakatitig lang sa lapida, tila tahimik na kinakausap ito.

I rolled my eyes. I really want to know what's on his mind, pero mamaya nalang. Malalaman ko rin naman kasi sinasagot naman niya ako kapag nagtatanong.

"Salamat po, mahal na mahal ko po siya." He said, like mom said something to him.

Tsk. Weird talaga niya minsan, but then...his words never failed to make me feel precious and loved. At hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako sigurado kung nararamdaman din ba niya na mahal na mahal ko siya. I want him to feel so loved, too.

We went back to Manila after that dahil may flight pa ako kinabukasan habang siya ay may pasok pa sa school. Yes, my man decided to pursue his dream. He's currently in his last year in law school, and I'm so proud of him.

Takipsilim na no'ng dumating kami sa condo niya at dahil antok na antok siya ay hinayaan ko muna siyang magpahinga. Inayos ko ang buhok niya habang nakasandal siya akin. Halatang pagod na pagod sa dami ba naman ng readings nila at kung anu-ano pa, tapos bumiyahe pa siya kaninang umaga.

"I love you," I repeatedly whispered to him, bago ako tumayo at lumabas para kitain ang isang kaibigan na matagal ko ng hindi nakita.

We decided to meet near FEU dahil malapit raw doon ang condo na tinutuluyan niya. I rolled my eyes when I saw him waiting on a table.