Author's Note:
Hi! Thank you for reaching this far and supporting my journey in writing. This would be the last Kabanata, thank you for being with Raszea and Jac's journey!
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Kabanata 40 : Happy Ending
He literally flied the plane and we arrived at the helipad of the hospital I'll be staying at for most of the time here in Thailand. Buong biyahe ay nakatingin ako kay Jac o 'di kaya sa clouds at sa view sa baba.
Sinalubong ako ng doctors sa hospital. I talked to them for a couple of minutes before I looked back at Jac who's still there standing beside the chopper. They told me where I would be staying.
I excused myself a bit and walked towards him. The doctors went down first. "Are you gonna go back to the Philippines immediately?" I asked and hoping no as answer.
"Hmm, I can stay here for a bit then head back to the Philippines tonight," I grinned widely and hit his biceps lightly.
"Sige, I'll just drop off my things to the place I'm staying at then libot muna tayo," tumango siya. Ibinaba niya iyong mga gamit ko sa chopper at tinulungan akong buhatin iyon.
We rented a car to go to The Grand Place, Bangkok. Bukas pa ang briefing ko kaya buong araw muna kaming maglilibot ni Jac dito sa Bangkok.
"Love, let me take you a picture." I said grinning widely. nahihiya siyang lumapit sa akin at ibinaba ang phone ko. Inasar ko tuloy siya kasi para siyang ewan na ayaw magpapicture kaya naman palihim ko nalang na kinuhanan siya ng picture. I smiled widely, mission accomplish.
We toured around Bangkok and I keep on taking pictures. Syempre matagal ako rito kaya dapat na may picture ako ni Jac. I will really miss him.
"Bakit ka nakanguso diyan?" Tanong niya at inakbayan niya ako at tinignang maigi.
"I don't want to be away from you," Mabilis kong sabi at tinakpan ang mukha.
"My Raszea is so clingy," he said teasing. Hindi ko pa rin inaalis ang pagkakatakip ng mga palad ko sa aking mukha kaya naman pilit niya itong tinanggal. "I'll visit you, if I have time. I promise you that." Ibinaba niya ang palad ko at pinilit akong tignan siya sa kaniyang mga mata. I can see his sincerity that made me feel secured and calm.
So we enjoyed our time in Bangkok, hapon na nang pabalik kami sa Hospital. Nag-taxi nalang kami kasi naibalik na namin iyong nirentahang kotse. While we were on our way back to the hospital ay sumiksik ako sa kaniya at inilagay naman niya iyong braso niya sa aking balikat at marahang hinahaplos ang aking buhok.
"This is our first out of the country date," he whispered. "I didn't expected this," he added.
"Unexpected happenings were always the best." I replied.
I stared on his face and memorizing every details of it. From his thick eyebrows to his nose and to his lips then I went back up to his eyes. I would always want to see that part of his. The one where his eyes shine because of happiness.
***
My whole stay in Thailand was a roller coaster ride. I've learned and experienced new things, conquering different fields and developing my self.
Jac... Jac was visiting me if he have time. He would just suddenly pop out of nowhere and we would go eat at a near resto or in the street market where there are tons of food. He was my escape while I'm in Thailand.
It was a great experience and I'm on my way back home today. Na-miss ko ang Pinas at ang mga pagkain, well nakakain pa rin ng ako ng mga Philippine dishes kapag pumupunta si Jac at pinagluluto ako ng sinigang at adobo. Minsan ay nagluluto rin ako kapag may time ako, Jac always reminds me to eat on time at sabi niya tiwala na daw siya sa akin sa mga kinakain ko kasi healthy diet naman daw ako.
While I was sitting at the plane back to the Philippines, yes I took the plane back because I got dismissed early and I want to surprise Jac. I'm planning on inviting Jac and my parents over a dinner. I also think this is a good time 'cause Kuya Rasheed and Ate Helsy is in Manila.
I want them to know that Jac, is the only man for me, would and will always be.
The plane landed at Clark International Airport around 2 in the afternoon at bandang alas tres pasado na ako makalabas sa arrivals kasi ang daming tao. I took a cab and thinking of where should I go. Hindi ko rin naman kasi alam kung nandito ba si Jac or may flight siya so I just decided to text him.
To: My Captain
Love, where are you?
I sent that and waited for his reply but a couple of minutes had passed, he didn't texted back.
Kaya sa Ospital nalang ako nagpa-diretso at wala rin sila Iya at Jane kasi may Medical Mission nanaman. It's been almost a year since that incident kaya siguro pumayag na rin ang Zarate Med.
I was sitting at the lobby of the hospital when my phone vibrated.
From: My Captain
Hi wifey! Just landed here in Clark, have you eaten?
I smiled by his simple text. napaka kulit niya at lagi niya kong tinatawag na wifey sa text. I typed a reply and said where is he headed to after. He replied that he'll be going home later at kinulit tuloy ako kung kumain na daw ba ako at kung hindi ay lilipad siya papuntang Thailand para lang pakainin ako. This guy really.
I hailed a cab again and went to there house. Alam kong mauuna pa ako kasi marami pa iyong gagawin. Good thing I know where he's hiding the spare key to their gate and house.
Nang makarating ako roon ay hila hila ko ang maleta ko papasok sa bahay nila. I went to his room and got a pair of shirt and boxers from his closet before going to the kitchen to cook something for my Captain.
I was so proud when he was promoted as Captain but sadly I was in Thailand that time. I was searching something to cook online when I heard some light footsteps entering the house. Inabot ko ang frying pan at dahan dahan ring naglakad para tignan kung sino iyon.
"Who--" Napatili ako nang makita si Jac at may hawak na baril. I almost hit him with the frying pan and when he saw me he immediately put his gun down and stared at me with wide eyes.
"You're here?" He asked and went nearer to me to see if I am real. Nang mahawakan niya ako ay lumawak ang ngiti niya at agad akong binuhat paupo sa countertop. "When did you arrived? You should've told me."
"I just arrived earlier and besides I want to surprise my Captain." His hand were holding my waist then it moved at the small of my back and craned his neck and took a peck on my lips.
"Well, you surprised me. Akala ko may magnanakaw," Tumawa ako. "Pero yun pala yung nagnakaw ng puso ko ang nandito," Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa ko at nahihiya siyang umiwas ng tingin.
"Babanat banat ka diyan tas hindi mo paninindigan," I said still laughing. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng kaniyang uniform at ang medyo magulong buhok ay mas lalong nagpatindi ng kaniyang kakisigan.
"E 'di panindigan," He abruptly said and attacked me with his kisses. Halos mapahiga ako sa countertop. Sabi ko magluluto ako! Pero mukhang hindi muna.
He carried me still not parting from kissing. I clung onto him tightly as I rummage his hair. His kisses went down to my neck and he slammed me to the wall that I groaned.
"Sorry," he said huskily and kissed me again before I could even utter a word.
He opened the door to his room and I thought he'll threw me again in the bed but he placed me on his study desk. His hands were roaming at my back and I almost shouted at him when he tore the shirt I'm wearing and threw it somewhere. I zipped down his top while his lips was still on mine.
Without even blinking, I was already on top of him, kissing while his hands were on my back.
He pulled me closer to him. "Welcome home, Mrs. Montalez." and whispered huskily.
We went to Manila after a day I spent in Clark. Technically, in Jac's house. I told him that we're gonna meet my parents and he was nervous that his hands were dead cold. Kahit ako rin naman ay kinakabahan pero hindi lang ako pahalata. Jac met my parents naman na noon.
"We're here," I said. Sa isang resto nalang kami mag-didinner kasi alam kong busy rin si Daddy at alam kong isiningit niya lang ito and Kuya Rash and Ate Helsy would also be there so as Mommy.
"Don't be nervous, love." I whispered as we make way to the entrance of the restaurant. "I'm gonna marry you even if they say no to us. I'm making my own choice now."
***
I thought everything was going on the way I wanted to be but fate wanted to play with us one more time.
Rydelle and Ryland got married but fate was harsh to them. Ryland was gone too soon, he didn't even got the chance to see his son and be together with Rydelle as they grow old.
But fate wasn't done playing when I was almost stabbed to death.
It was a fine day and we were conducting a medical mission in Abra when a teenager almost stabbed me to death. The pain was unbearable and I thought I'll lose my life, I was so scared that time that I wouldn't have the chance to say goodbye to Jac.
I survived but the child inside my womb didn't.
"Rara, at least eat something." Ate Helsy was trying so hard to feed me but I can't and I won't.
I just lost my child. The pain was unbearable, I feel like dying.
"Raszea," Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Jac na kararating pa lamang. By the reaction plastered on his face, I knew he knows what happened.
"Raszea," he just went to me and kneeled while his hands draped over my waist. "I'm sorry I wasn't there," he cried. Nagsituluan rin ang luha ko. Pagod na akong umiyak. Nakakapagod. Nakakatakot na uli maging masaya dahil masiyadong masakit ang pagbawi ng tadhana.
He was with me the whole time I was in the hospital. But I just couldn't moved on by the fact that I lost my unborn child. The pain would forever live in my heart.
I was out my room and walking, when my feet brought me in front of Dad's office. The door was ajar and was about to push it when I heard a loud thing breaking inside the room.
"She lost her child! What if I lose my daughter too because of you?"
Sa maliit na giwang sa pinto ay nakita ko kung paano nakayuko si Jac sa harap ni Daddy.
"I'm sorry sir," I heard Jac said to daddy. Malabo na ang paningin ko dahil sa luha pero nagawa ko pa rin na humakbang. Itutulak ko na sana ang pinto nang magsalita uli si Jac. "Tell your daughter that I'm leaving, that I won't see her again." He manage to say it fast. So fast that it broke my heart.
He saw me standing on the door but he just left without even saying a word. I tried my best to ran after him and I saw him going to the rooftop. I took the other elevator and followed him.
"J-jac.." I manage to say as I stopped walking because my wound suddenly ached. I'm not yet done mourning for my unborn child but now.. he decided to leave me too?
"What are you doing here?" He said coldly but pain was flashing through his eyes.
"Why are you leaving?" I asked. I need to ask why.
"I'm sorry, Zea." I cried and almost fell to the ground. "Your safety is the paramount before anything else." A tear fell into his eye, agad niya itong pinunasan at humakbang uli.
"Then you don't love me enough?" My heart ached because I just couldn't picture why.. why is he suddenly leaving me? After all we've been through! We lost each other but we've found ourselves together again!
"Don't judge my love for you, Zea. I love you, have and will always be but I won't risk it, I can't risk everything if in the end I will lose you too." Tumalikod agad siya pagkatapos niyang sabihin lahat ito at sumakay sa chopper na naghihintay sa kaniya.
That day I cried again.
I just lost my child, I lost him too and I think I'll lose myself too.
***
Siguro hindi pa kami tapos kasi pagkatapos ng ilang buwan ay muli kaming pinagtagpo ng tadhana.
He explained everything including the reason why he left. I was so close on not listening to his explanations when he told me he received some death threats. He doesn't have a choice but to leave me, for my own good.
We are so close on making up together again, giving him a chance again but life's really harsh.
The plane we're riding crash landed at Villamor Airbase. He was the pilot, he saved all the crews and the passengers of the plane including me.
"Jac,"I was silently praying for Jac to get out of the plane now but it exploded beyond my eyes.
It's been two months and he's still unconscious. He's in a coma and I found myself crying again.
Why does life have to be this fucked up? Why can't I have the happy ending I deserve?