And Probably Not Forever

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Alleana Tereese Dy

"You may now kiss the bride,"

Naghiyawan na yung mga families namin. Natawa ako, at alam kong namumula ako sa kilig ko ngayon. I can't explain how happy I am today.

"You are now officially Mrs. Kelff, Allie." Kinindatan ako ni Gian. I can't believe that my first love will be my husband. Ever since nang makita ko si Gian nung nag-SM ako noon, we both know we missed each other. Akala ko nga hindi ko na siya makikita kasi nasa Australia siya. But here we are now; standing in front of the altar.

I bit my lip, "I know. I love the ring to it."

Natawa siya, "I'm glad that you do."

"Hahalikan mo na ba ako?" I whispered, "Mr. Gian Stephen Kelff?"

Then he pressed his lips to mine.

I felt butterflies in my stomack. I heard fireworks booming behind me. I heard classical instrument humming in my ear. I felt my toes tingling. Everything with him is just fantastic.

After the kiss, hinarap na namin yung mga guests and families namin.

Pero may napansin akong babae doon sa malayo. Then, I recognized her. Agad kong nilapitan siya. "Tita Denise?" I was referring to Lean's mom.

She was in tears, she immediately hugged me. "I am so happy for you, Allie."

I became uneasy, but nonetheless, I still hugged her. Tight. "Thanks, tita. I missed you!"

"I missed you too," Tita Denise replied.

Ngayon ko lang napansin ang hitsura ni tita. Namayat siya. Tapos ang lalim na ng mga mata niya. Mas naging halata ang pagkatanda niya. May humawak sa balikat ko, si mama ko pala iyon.

"Denise?" namukhaan ni mama si tita.

"Agnes," Tita Denise smiled. Niyakap niya rin si mama. "Kumusta ka na?"

Napangiti si tita Denise, and it looked strange for her. Parang ngayon lang siya ngumiti sa buong buhay niya. "I'm g-good." She began to stutter.

Nakasunod din sa amin si Gian. "Good afternoon po," bati niya kay tita Denise.

"Gi, si tita Denis nga pala. Yung mama ni Lean?"

Napatango naman si Gian. Kilala ni Gian si Lean because I told him everything; from how we met until how we broke up.

Napatitig si tita Denise kay Gian. "Magkahawig kayo..." she murmured.

That was when I remembered that they are. Magkahawig nga pala si Lean at Gian.

"Si Lean? Kumusta siya?" Tanong ni mama.

Biglang may inabot si tita Denise sa bulsa niya. May nilabas siyang sobre na lukot na. Mukhang sobrang luma na. Then, inabot sa akin ni tita yung sobre. "Pinamimigay nga pala ni Lean..." 

Napatingala ako para tingnan si Gian. Nakuha naman niya na kailangan ko ng privacy. He kissed my forehead, "I'll be with the guys. Find me later." Tumango ako. Sumama naman si mama kay tita Denise, mag-uusap yata silang dalawa.

And then, it was just me and the envelope.

I stared at it for a while. Huminga na ako ng malalim. Whatever it is inside, it will be about me and him; yung matagal ko ng iniwan at tinanggap.

I opened the envelope, yung pamilyar na sulat ni Lean ang bumungad sa akin. I suddenly remembered his lecture notes na hinihiram ko sa kaniya. His random scribbles with his random thoughts.

I smiled.

Pero nang mabasa ko ng tuluyan ang letter, I broke down.

Allie,

I hope we're both okay when you read this letter. But if ever na mabasa mo nga ito, probably wala na ako. This letter will give you a closure of why we broke up. Magiging mabilis lang ito, promise.

I never fell out of love. I lied to you that day when I asked for a break up. The truth is, I'm sick. Lung cancer. Stage 3 na nung malaman ko. Ayoko nang sabihin sayo kasi ayokong hilain kita pababa. Because if I did tell you, naiimagine mo ba kung ano ang magiging kalagayan mo kapag nawala ako? I imagined that once I received the medical result and I can't bear to see that pain on your face. That would be unfair for you, so I had to let you go.

I know I did the right thing.

I hope you agree with me.

I will love you always,

Lean.