After Ever After (Ekis Babies #2)

Day 1097.5 (Narration)

To him, loving Arisa was as easy as breathing.

Hindi niya alam kung papaano siya nabuhay nang walang Arisa sa kanyang tabi. For twenty seven years, he could say the happiest he had felt was when he met Arisa.

"Nervous?"

Hindi binalingan ni Exis si Wade. Nanatiling nakahayon ang kanyang tingin sa malawak na karagatan.

"Aba, kung nagbabalak kang tumakbo, sinasabi ko na sa 'yo, ako mismo pipigil sa 'yo," anito.

He scoffed.

"Sabagay, baka nga si Arisa pa tumakbo palayo sa 'yo."

"Fuck you!"

Tumawa si Wade. Naramdaman niya ang pagpatong ng palad nito sa kanyang balikat. "Kidding aside, I'm happy for you, Exis."

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Malapit nang magsimula. Hindi ka pa ba pupunta roon?"

"Where's Arisa?"

Ngumisi si Wade. "Baka nagdadalawang-isip?"

Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kaibigan na sinagot nito ng tawa.

Hindi niya alam kung bakit niya naging kaibigan 'tong si Wade. Hindi niya alam kung bakit sa kabila ng kagaguhan niya noong college; sa kabila ng hindi magandang imahe, nanatiling kaibigan ang isang ito.

"Thank you," wala sa loob na saad niya.

Nakita niya ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Wade. It was comical how his eyes bulged as if it would fall out of its socket.

"What?!"

Tinalikuran na niya ang kaibigan saka naglakad papunta sa venue. A small smile was present on his lips.

It was a beautiful day, indeed.

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February 11, 2019.

Who would have thought that because Arisa got drunk and decided (drunkenly) she wanted another chance with Lex, she would find her true love?

Ekis was everything she needed and wanted and more. He was the air she breathe. He was the one she never thought she was looking for but she found suddenly.

Failed relationship and heartbreak made her guard her heart. Pero dumating si Ekis. Hindi nito kaagad inalis ang takot niya. Bagkus ay unti-unti nito iyong pinalitan at ginawang pagmamahal.

It wasn't easy loving him but if Arisa could choose, she would always choose this path. She would always choose to love him.

Sabi ng ilan, may dahilan kung bakit tayo nasasaktan. Sabi ng ilan, may dahilan kung bakit nagpe-fail ang una nating relationships.

Naisip ni Arisa, kung may dahilan, ano? Para saktan tayo?

Hindi.

Siguro, kaya tayo nasasaktan ay para maging malakas tayo. Siguro, kaya Niya tayo hinahayaang madapa ay para turuan tayong bumangon ulit.

Arisa realized He gave her these problems because He knew she was strong enough to face them. He made her stronger because of it. He made her realize her worth as a woman. God has His way of making us see things perfectly.

Lumabas siya sa hotel room at mula sa balkone ay kitang-kita niya ang malawak na karagatan. It was beautiful. The water was sparkling because of the sun's light.

Hindi niya alam kung ilang beses na siyang dinala ni Ekis dito sa beach resort ng pamilya nito sa Palawan pero gandang-ganda pa rin siya sa lugar. Hindi siya magsasawang tingnan ang paligid.