Chapter 50
Kandong ko ang anak namin habang naglalaro ito sa cellphone ng Daddy niya. Today is one of our family days with the Montereals and Villadas, held in Tria and Trent's new mansion.
Yakap ni Janelle ang anak na si Muse habang nag-uusap naman si Carter at Joax sa isang tabi. Daphne's with Jaguar, feeding him while her husband is muttering things to her ear that made her blush. Naglalaro naman ang iba pang pinsan nina Ardie.
"Ah!" reklamo ni Ardie at yumakap sa akin.
"Why, baby?" tanong ko at niyakap pa siya dahil bigla itong nalungkot.
"I lost, mommy..." he pouted.
Napangiti ako at hinalikan ang ulo ng anak ko.
"That's life, baby. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win..."
Ngumuso siya. "Why can't I always win?"
Bago pa ako makasagot ay binuhat na siya ng Daddy niya. He kissed the side of our son's head and chuckled. Lagi niyang pinangigilan si Ardie dahil tumataba pa ito. Maski ako gustong-gustong pisilin ang pisngi niya! Parehas sila ni Jace na matataba ang pisngi!
"Because life is not fair, Ardie. Not all things would go your way. Instead of sulking about your loss, you learn from it. Figure out where you went wrong and work from it, so you won't repeat the same mistakes..." sagot niya sa anak namin.
Sinimangutan ko siya. "Prince! Panira ka talaga, eto na nga lang ang oras na sumasama siya sa akin!"
He chuckled and kissed my cheek. Janelle giggled while Muse watched us with her curious eyes. She really looks like Janelle with her doe eyes but hazel colored from Iñigo.
Naglakad silang dalawa sa iba pang mga bata. Ardie clinged to his Daddy and started asking him things. Hawak ko lang ang cellphone ni Prince at nilagay ito sa tabi.
He tells me his passcode, in case I need to look for something on his phone. Hindi ko rin naman hinihingi dahil ayokong isipin niyang possessive ako sa kanya. I learned better now...
Life has been going well ever since Daddy's case ended. Nawala na ang away sa mga Marchelli at Gallego. I haven't talked to Mommy, Daddy or even to Tito Vance, ever since.
I just don't want to come to a time that I have to choose. They all have their own faults and I don't condone any of them.
It makes my heart warm to bond with them, like this. Mapayapa at masaya ang mga batang nakikipaglaro sa isa't isa. Kung sana, nanatili nalang akong ganito.
I don't regret anything though. All of that happened, because it had to happen. I have Ardie and I couldn't imagine life without him and his Daddy.
Napatitig sa akin si Janelle, bago ngumiti.
"Nagkausap na kayo ni Daddy?" she asked.
I sighed deeply.
"I haven't. I can't just accept that, you know? Kasi nagtaksil silang dalawa. He cheated on your mother and my mother cheated on my father."
Muse played with her hands and grinned widely at her. Napangiti si Janelle, pero bakas pa rin sa mata ang lungkot.
"Was he ever a good father to you?" hindi ko mapigilan ang itanong iyon.
He treated me like his daughter, all this time and I thought that it was just because he's nice. Iyon pala siya ang totoo kong ama at matagal na nilang tinatago ang katotohanan sa amin.
"He was... but I h-hated how h-he ignored me." she bit her lip.
It was really traumatizing for her, having gone through all that pain. Nawala pa si Joaquin at wala na siyang makapitan noon.
"I shouldn't have—"
"No. It's fine." bumuntong-hininga siya. "I go to therapy and I think I've gotten a lot more better at handling it, ever since."
Yumuko siya at niyakap pa ng mas mahigpit ang anak. Hinawakan ni Muse ang mukha ng Mommy niya. Nakaismid ito at nakanguso.
"Mwama, crying?" Muse asked.
Umiling si Janelle at humalik sa pisngi ng anak. "Mama's fine, Muse!"
Ngumuso si Muse. "Sho I call, Papa?"
Janelle chuckled. "Your papa will just freak out, baby. Mama is just happy that she has you in her arms. I love you, baby..."
"I love you too, Mama!" sambit ni Muse at bumungisngis.
Lumunok ako. She definitely had it harder than me because of all the scars that she conceals with her smile. Matagal na iyon, pero bakas pa rin sa nga mata niya ang lungkot sa alaala. At kahit wala na ang Mommy niya, naiisip niya pa rin ang mga ginawa nito sa kanya.
I heard that she didn't even see her when she died. Isang beses lang siya pumunta at hindi man lang siya sumilip doon. I totally understand her for feeling that way. She was deeply hurt and the parents that she thought could protect her, ended up hurting her. Bata pa siya noon and I wish I could've protected her, if I knew about what they did.
Parehas lang naman kaming anak niya... pero bakit nagawa niya akong protektahan? Bakit si Janelle, hinayaan niyang mamuhay ng ganon?
I'm angry with my real father! Hindi sapat na dahilan na mas mahal niya si Mommy para gawin niya iyon sa sariling anak. A parent will protect his child because of how much they love them. Not hurt them this way...
Kung mahal niya pala si Mommy, sana'y di nalang siya nag-anak o asawa pa ng iba. He could've just waited or stayed single forever. Hindi iyong dinamay niya pa ang mga anak niya.
Janelle doesn't deserve all of that. Silang dalawa ni Joaquin na biktima lang sa masamang desisyon ng mga magulang namin.
Kung sana, naging maayos lang siyang magulang edi sana kasama pa namin si Joaquin, ngayon. Edi sana, dalawa na ang Kuya ko. He could've treated them fairly, but he didn't. Sariling mali niya na iyon.
Kaya mabuti nalang din at mahal ko si Prince. I may have married him initially for Ardie, but I was reminded of the love I had for him. Mas lalo lang lumalim iyon ngayon at wala akong pagsisisi na siya ang asawa ko ngayon.
"Daddy really loves you, Emma. Kitang-kita ko na iyon noon pa man. He would do anything to protect you..." malungkot na saad niya.
I scoffed. "He did, but I didn't need all that saving. I never asked for him to protect me. Kayo ang pamilya niya, hindi kami."
She nodded slowly. "I know... but Daddy, he's just like that. He used to assure me that I am doing well whenever Mommy drags me down. He's really kind and selfless if you got to know him better."
Napatitig ako sa kaniya. She had a small smile on her face, that holds no pain.
"I'm still angry at him, yes. But it's not the same with you. He has always wanted to hold you and call you as his daughter. Naiingit nga ako sayo e... kasi ikaw... mahal ka niya."
Hindi ko maisip ang isasagot sa kanya. I didn't want to offend her or blurt out all my anger for our father. Magkapatid kami, pero magkaiba ang kinalakihang pamilya. Our father's sacrifice earned me my happiness, while she and our brother paid for his sin.
"Why don't you give him a chance? I'm sure he can be a better father if it's you. Daddy's gone through a lot and I'm sure it'll make him happy if you finally accept him as your..." she paused and gulped. "Father..." sinserong ngiti niya.
Paano niya nagagawa iyon? Paano pa niya naiisip ang kaligayahan ng ama namin, gayong sinaktan siya nito?
She should curse him! Let him experience the pain until his deathbed! He may not have hurt her physically, but he condoned it! He made her feel hell for her whole life. At hindi sapat na nagsisi siya dahil halos kalhati ng buhay ni Janelle ang paghihirap na iyon!
Nanatili akong tulala, iniisip ang lahat ng sinabi niya. Should I really give him the chance?
I can accept him as Ardie's grandfather, but I can never let go of being a Gallego. Ito na ang kinalakihan ko. I may be an Iñarez by blood, but I don't think I can accept it wholly.
I'm still Elisse Amelia Gallego.
"Hala, tulala?"
I almost jumped when Iñigo snapped his fingers in front of my eyes. I was just staring at the fridge, nakalimutan ko na ang kukunin ko at pabalik-balik lang sa pagbukas nito.
He chuckled. "Ayos ka lang, Emma?"
Marahan akong tumango. Binuksan niya ang fridge at kinuha ang gatas ni Muse. He stared at me, natawa nalang siya ulit.
"Curious ako, masarap ba 'to?" tinaas niya ang gatas ng anak.
Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "H-Huh?"
Tumawa siya ulit. "Natikman mo na ba? Ayaw akong patikimin ni Janelle e."
I stared at him, a bit confused. Gusto kong matawa sa tanong niya. Is he serious? He wants to taste his daughter's milk?!
"Ay, gago. Nawiwirduhan ka ba sa akin?" napakamot siya sa ulo. "Wala, fail pala. Papatawanin sana kita e. Pasensya na, sister-in-law... off na ata sense of humor ko."
Sister-in-law?
Pinatong niya ang feeding bottle ni Muse sa lamesa. "Narinig ko usapan niyo ni Janelle kanina."
Wala akong maisagot. Magagalit ba siya sa akin dahil muntik ko ng ma-trigger ang asawa niya?
"'Di ako chismoso, ha! Narinig ko lang talaga! Kukunin ko sana si Muse, pero narinig ko lang yung usapan niyo..." depensa niya.
I smiled. "I didn't say anything..."
"In case lang na isipin mong chismoso ako. Lagi kasi akong napagkakamalang chismoso. E, hindi naman totoo 'yon. Narinig ko lang talaga." he tells me.
Pinipigil ko nalang ang sariling matawa sa kanya. He's so defensive! Mukhang totoo nga atang chismoso siya.
A question popped out in my mind.
"Ganon ba talaga si Janelle, Iñigo? That even though, her parents did nothing but to hurt her... she'd still want their own happiness?"
Napangiti si Iñigo. "My wife has always been like that from the start."
Janelle has always been cheerful and energetic. Kaya hindi ko inasahang may pinagdaanan pala siyang ganong kalala.
Iñigo smiled. "Kaya mahal na mahal ko rin 'yon, e. Napakabait. Hinahayaan niya lang na bisitahin ng Daddy niya si Joax at Muse, kahit na malaki pa rin ang galit niya sa kaniya."
It is truly amazing how she can handle all that. Kung ako iyon, ni hindi siya makakalapit sa akin o sa mga anak ko.
I am not the type to forgive so easily. Siguro noon, kaya ko pa. Pero ngayon? Now that I have trust issues because of everyone who betrayed or lied to me... hindi na madali na tanggapin ang lahat.
"Subukan mo kausapin si Dad Vance. Sinasabi ko lang ito, dahil alam kong iyon din ang gusto ng asawa ko para sa inyo." sumaludo siya at ngumiti. "Sige, una na ako. No pressure, sis-in-law. Kung handa ka na, saka mo na siya kausapin." anito at iniwan na ako sa kusina.
What Iñigo told me, had me thinking for days.
I don't want to do anything with them, I really don't. Pero anong magagawa ko kung iiwasan ko lang ang bagay na ito? Hindi ba dapat, pinaguusapan namin ito para maayos na ang lahat. At para tuluyang makalaya na ako?
"What are you thinking of?" Prince nudged my arm.
He sat beside me and intertwined our fingers. Nasanay na ako sa ganoong gawain namin at sinandal ang ulo sa balikat niya.
"Should I talk to my real father?" I asked.
"Hmm? Ano ba ang gusto mo, Elisse Amelia?" he gently caressed my cheek.
I shut my eyes and sighed deeply.
"I don't know... it's just too much for me to handle, you know? I grew up with Daddy and he's still my father. It's not easy to let go of that..."
I can't help but to stare at the sight beside me. Our fingers entwined with each other with loud beating hearts.
Parang kailan lang nung pangarap ko lang siya. Nung iniisip ko palang ang future namin, tapos ngayon asawa ko na siya at may anak pa kami.
"Nga pala... I contacted Cairus. We'll see each other, tomorrow." uminom ako mula sa juice na hinanda ko kanina.
His forehead creased while staring at me. Parang may binubuo siyang ideya sa ulo niya habang pinapanood ako.
"You used to be an alcoholic, why do you keep on drinking juices now?" bigla niyang tanong.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa baso bago binaba iyon. Muntik pa akong mabulunan sa simpleng tanong niyang iyon.
"No apparent reason," I gulped.
His brow raised before his lips slowly twisted into a smile. Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa bago ko siya hinampas sa braso.
I gasped. "I know what you're thinking!"
"Huh? Wala akong sinasabi..." inosenteng tugon niya. "And what did you say? Makikipagkita ka kay Cairus? Tsk, for what? Don't say it's closure. Hindi naman naging kayo." umiiral na naman ang pagseselos niya.
"Sort of, I mean... I want to thank him because he helped us with the case."
"Why don't you thank me, instead? Ako kaya nagpagod para maghanap ng ebidensiya at abogado para kay Tito," inis niyang sambit.
Ngumuso ako.
"I thank you everyday with my kisses... isn't that enough?" I said.
Umiling siya.
"Tss... yun lang ba ang reward na naiisip mo?"
Nagnakaw siya ng halik at ngumisi. Ginantihan ko rin siya ng halik sa labi na kina pula ng tainga niya.
"Ano pa bang reward, pwede?" I asked.
"Kasal..." tumawa siya. "Joke lang. Aalukin kita ulit pag handa ka na. I know you're busy with residency."
Napanguso ako. Halos ilang beses na naming napagusapan ang tungkol doon at wala pa rin akong naisasagot sa kaniya. I know how badly he wants to marry me again and I'm seriously thinking about it. I've been looking into different wedding catalogues.
He sighed deeply, tiredness is seen on his eyes when he glanced at his phone. "I'll finish my papers. I have a trial to attend to, tomorrow..." hinalikan niya ang pisngi ko at tumungo na sa office niya.
Life with a good criminal lawyer like him never felt like I always have to ask for his time because he would finish his cases quickly and neatly. He's really good in defending and seeing him in court mirrored his father's trials according to other lawyers I have spoken to during gatherings.
I know how much he hates to be compared to his father. For me, he's good because he's my Prince and there is no one else like him in this world. Magaling siya dahil pinag-aralan at pinaghirapan niya iyon. Hindi dahil sa pangalan o dugo niya na nakakabit sa kagalingan ng ama niya.
I love him a lot and I always believed in his skill from the beginning. And I will continue to believe in him until the end.
Nakipagkita ako kay Cairus, maaga akong umalis dahil alam kong abala rin siya. Cairus went to medical school and took the physician's board exam and passed, but he chose not to continue with his residency. Iniisip pa rin kasi niya ang nais gawin sa buhay pagkatapos ang lahat ng gulo. It seems like he was really deeply affected with what happened to his family at mukhang marami ring nangyari sa kanila.
I saw him sitting near the cafe we hung around in college. He's sipping on his coffee with his legs crossed and eyes surveying around the area. It made me smile. Ganon pa rin siya hanggang ngayon at mukhang walang nagbago rito.
"Virus..." my dimples flushed as I approached him.
Lumingon siya sa gawi ko at napangiti. He stood up from his seat and pulled out a chair for me. Pabiro kong inirap ang mata bago umupo roon.
"Emma Gallego, ang ganda mo pa rin..." aniya habang nakatitig sa mukha ko.
I chuckled. "Damn you! And by the way, it's not Gallego anymore. My last name is Asuncion now." I jokingly flipped a hair.
Tumango-tango siya at napangiti.
"Oo nga pala. Sayang. Dapat ako nalang pinakasalan mo kaysa kay Asuncion," umiling siya at ngumisi sa akin.
"Damn, Virus! Hanggang ngayon ba, in love ka pa rin sa akin?" Nilagay ko ang bag sa table at agad ininom ang inorder niyang iced coffee para sa akin.
Napatitig siya sa akin at natawa nalang ulit. Nothing has changed with Cairus. Gwapo pa rin ito at mukhang bumabata pa nga sa pagtanda.
"Nah, I'm long over you..." anito at uminom sa kape niya. "You're that easy to forget."
I smirked. "Wow! Talaga lang, ha?"
Cairus nodded. "Oo nga. Tsk... why did you ask to see me, bunny?"
Napangiti ako roon. I miss the times where he calls me bunny.
"I want to thank you for everything you did."
He tsked. "I told you, it's Prince who did all the work. I just needed an evidence to prove my claims to help you."
"Yeah... but you chose to do what is right instead of siding with your mother and I'm proud of you for doing so. It's not going to be easy to see her and face the truth yourselves, but I'm proud of you for choosing the better choice."
Napalunok siya at bahagyang umigting ang panga.
"And I'm sorry... because it had to end up this way..." yumuko ako.
Silence filled the two of us. Isang mapaglarong ngiti ang lumabas sa mga labi niya na parang tulad dati.
"You didn't have to thank me for anything. I will and will always choose the truth than my blood..." hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "If you feel sad about what I'm going through, don't. I don't like it when I see that frown, bunny. Pumapangit ka."
Umismid ako. "Kainis ka!"
He chuckled. Hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko at pinaglalaruan iyon.
"Kainis ka!" he mocked.
We both laughed at each other. I missed hanging out with him like this. Mula kasi nung mangyari iyong kay Troy... hindi ko na rin siya kinausap mula noon.
His smile faded, suddenly. Napatingin siya sa may bukana ng cafe. My head turned to that side too. Nawala ang ngiti ko nung makita si Troy.
"Did you..." I trailed off.
Umiling si Cairus at bumitaw sa pagkakahawak sa akin. Mabilis siyang tumayo at hinawakan ang braso ng kapatid.
"Go home, Troy." rinig kong sabi nito sa kapatid.
Troy scoffed. "Bitawan mo ako,"
He attempted to approach me again but Cairus stopped him from doing so. May binubulong siya rito na dumadagdag sa pagkagalit ni Troy.
His jaw was clenching and his eyes look desperately to me.
"Emma!" tawag ni Troy.
Cairus signaled me to leave. I quickly picked up my stuff to ignore him. I swore to myself that I'll never see him again. He can already achieve the life he wants with Rie... bakit humahabol pa rin siya sa akin na parang aso?
Mabilis akong pumunta sa kotse ko. I was about to open my car door when a tight grip pulled on my arm. I gasped and tried to wriggle out of his hold. Lumambot naman ito at hinawakan ang pisngi ko.
"Don't touch me!" piglas ko sa kaniya at binitawan naman ako.
"Emma..." he said my name softly.
Namuo na naman ang galit sa dibdib ko.
"Your girlfriend is pregnant. Why won't you be a man for once and stay with her?" I smiled sarcastically.
Napapikit siya ng mariin at sinubukan akong hawakan. Mabilis akong umiwas at matapang siyang tiningnan sa mata.
"They left me..." he gulped. "W-wala na sila. Si Rie at ang anak ko."
His blue eyes are screaming of pain and suffering. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kanya.
"So? Are you here because you're going to beg to me again?" pagod na ako sa mga salita niya.
He shook his head.
"I came here to say I'm sorry..."
There.
That's it.
Ang mga katagang iyon ang pinakahihintay ko mula sa kaniya. To sincerely say sorry to me. To realize how wrong he was for hurting me, for making me feel like shit.
I swallowed hard while intently staring at his blue eyes.
"T-Thank you," I managed to utter. "For meaning it, this time. For saying sorry to all the shit I had to gone through because of what you did."
Sarkastiko siyang ngumiti sa sarili.
"I hope you get that happiness with him. Hindi ko na sasabihing nandito ako para sayo kung sakaling saktan ka niya, dahil hindi na ata kita mahaharap ulit pagkatapos ng lahat ng ginawa ko sayo..."
He smiled with bloodshot eyes. "I deserve to stay away from you and I'm setting you free from the pain, Emma. Kahit wag mo na ako patawarin, basta masaya ka nalang. Basta makalaya ka nalang sa lahat,"
He held my hand and kissed the back of it. Umiwas ako nang tingin sa sakit na nararamdaman sa dibdib.
"For the last time, Elisse Amelia Gallego. I'm glad I met a wonderful and beautiful woman like you. I'm sorry for being an asshole. I'm sorry for hurting you when you've done nothing but to love me."
"I..." I trailed off. "I can never forgive you, Troy. Sana maintindihan mo."
Tumango siya at bumitaw sa kamay ko.
"It's okay... after all the shits I put you through. It's only right that you won't forgive me." lumapit siya at humalik ng matagal sa noo ko. Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko at napatulala sa dibdib niya. "I really loved you, Elisse. I really did..."
Nahihirapan siyang lumayo sa akin at dumiretso nang alis. I was left standing there with tears slowly brimming in my eyes. Cairus approached me and asked if I'm okay.
It lessened the huge rock in my heart. Hearing him say sorry for everything. Hearing how sincere he is and how heartbroken he sounded when he finally realized how much it's hurting me.
Finally, I'm free from him. I'm free from all the burden in my heart.
Ilang buwan akong naging abala sa trabaho at hindi na inisip iyon. I studied diligently for my residency.
"As you can see, Mrs. Gonzales... he may have to..." paliwanag ni Dr. Esteves.
Titig na titig sa akin ang binata habang tinitingnan ko ang nabali niyang buto. He's a football player and he got injured recently with a fracture. It must be sad to suffer from such injuries when you're a good player.
"Doc, are you single?" the young man asked me.
My brow raised. Ngiting-ngiti siya na parang ngayon lang nakakita ng maganda.
I raised my ring. "I'm married."
He frowned and slowly nodded. Sanay na akong makaencounter ng mga ganitong pasyente. Not just guys, but also girls sometimes. Their first question will always be, are you single?
"Sayang!" he rested his head on his pillow. "I wanted to court you, Dr. Elisse..."
I tsked. "Aral muna, you child."
"I'm not a child anymore!" giit niya.
Umalis na kami roon at nagpasya akong magpahinga muna. I sat inside the sofa in the pantry and rested there. Nakakapagod din pala ang umikot sa hospital lalo pa at madali akong mapagod ngayon.
I bit my lip while counting the days in my calendar. I had my period recently, so I don't think I'm pregnant. Sadyang lagi lang talaga akong pagod dahil na rin sa trabaho.
Biglang tumunog ang phone ko na siyang nagpagising sa akin.
"Hello?" It's Gray.
"Emma? Nasa hospital ka pa ba?" he seemed panicked.
Napaayos ako ng upo dahil sa tono niya. Did something bad happen?
"Yes, I'm here. Why?"
He took a deep breath. I heard the sound of the ambulance and the busy noise of the emergency room. Minsan na rin ako na-assign doon and I could tell how stressful it is.
"Si Prince kasi... naaksidente."
My world dropped and color ran out of my face. Prince got in an accident?
"W-what? How is he?! Damn it, Gray!"
"Wala siyang malay. He got shot in the chest and he's bleeding too much... isa ata sa mga nakalaban niya sa korte. Binangga sasakyan niya tapos binaril..." lahad ni Gray na halatang wala na rin sa sarili.
Ilang mura ang ginawa ko habang nagmamadaling bumaba para puntahan siya sa emergency room. My eyes are crying again and fear revived in my system.
I can't lose him now... no.
Dumiretso ako sa emergency room. Pinigilan pa nila ako pero nagpumilit ako. It's my husband's life that we're talking about here. He's the love of my life...
"Let me see him!" I made my way to his bed and saw his lifeless body laying on the bed. Walang malay at duguan. Wala na ring mga doktor ang nakapaligid sa kaniya.
"Prince!" I held his face.
Umiiyak ako habang nakayakap sa katawan niya. I didn't care if he was bloody. All I want now is for him to wake up.
"Prince! Love, gumising ka naman..." I continued to cry.
"Ma'am," tawag sa akin ng nurse.
Pinigilan siya ni Gray at lumapit sa akin. "Emma..."
He placed his hand on my shoulder and looked at me sadly. Nakamasid lang ang mga doktor at walang ibang ginagawa kundi panoorin kami.
"What are you doing? Do something!" reklamo ko. Wala akong pakialam kung superior ko pa sila o ano. I need my husband's life to continue! Hindi pwedeng mawala siya ngayon!
"Wala na siya, Emma..." saad ni Gray. "He just passed away."
Parang nabagsakan ako ng bato sa dibdib nung marinig iyon. Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko at hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.
My eyes watered immediately and started shaking Prince's shoulders. Malungkot namang nakatanaw si Gray sa akin at pinapanood akong umiyak.
"Prince... you're my greatest love and the only man I ever loved this much. How can I carry on without you? How can I raise our child alone?" bumigat ang dibdib ko.
"Si Ardie... alam mong iiyak yun kung mawawala ka. He can't handle this. Masyado pa siyang bata para rito e... Prince! Wake up!"
Hinila ako ni Gray palayo sa katawan ni Prince. It felt like it's real. Hindi siya gumagalaw. His body is cold as ice and it feels like he's not breathing anymore.
"Emma, wala na si Prince. We need to go. We need to transfer him already..." ani Gray.
Umiling ako at nagpumilit pang yumakap sa kanya. I cried on his chest and continued crying.
"M-mahal na mahal kita, Prince. I'm in love with you too, baby. I want to marry you again, please... wake up."
I heard a low chuckle. Gumalaw ang dibdib nito at napakinggan ko ito. He's still breathing!
"Sira ulo ka talaga, Maximillian..." mahinang ani Prince at dahan-dahang bumukas ang isang mata. "Pinaiyak mo pa si Elisse!"
Tumawa si Gray kaya mabilis akong napalingon sa kaniya. The nurses around us were laughing along with him. Ganoon din ang mga doktor sa paligid.
What the actual...
Hinampas ko sa dibdib si Prince dahil sa inis na naramdaman. Mabilis itong dumaing sa sakit at napahawak doon. Lumapit naman ang doktor para tingnan siya.
"Huy, Emma! Totoong may tama yan sa dibdib! Bakit mo hinampas?!" sabi ni Gray sa akin.
My eyes widened and quickly rushed to my husband's side.
"Fuck, love! Are you okay?" tiningnan ko kung totoo nga ang sinasabi ni Gray. He was really bleeding with real blood.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Prince scrunched his nose and tapped his chest. "Tinamaan kasi ako sayo..." he chuckled again.
Gray laughed. "Corny, pre!"
Napapikit ako ng mariin at sinuntok ang dalawa sa mukha. What date is it today? April fools ba kaya puro kalokohan ang dalawang ito?
"Damn you, both!" singhal ko sa kanila.
"Elisse, your husband is dying here. Wala bang kiss dyan?" Prince tapped his lips and pouted.
Umirap ako. "Ang pangit mo!"
He acted like he was in pain again. Hindi ko na sana papansinin pero bumigay din ako dahil baka totoo nga.
"Shit... kinikilig ata ako..." he chuckled weakly.
Tears were forming in my eyes so he pulled me closer and gently caressed my hand.
"Sorry na, love... don't cry please."
I scoffed. "And who thought it was a good joke to prank me and play with my feelings, huh?" seryosong saad ko sa kanilang dalawa.
Ngumuso si Prince kay Gray habang nakahawak pa rin sa kamay ko. I gave Gray a death stare and slowly approached him.
"Uh, sige. Prince, alis na ako. Bye!" takot na tumakas si Gray at dumiretso na palabas.
"Maximillian Gray!" sigaw ko sa kaniya pero nakaalis na ito.
We brought Prince to a private room. Nilahad niya ang lahat ng nangyari at totoo talagang natamaan siya ng bala.
He was shot on his arm when he tried to fight them. Humarang lang sa dibdib niya ang braso kaya nagkaroon ng dugo.
It was not that serious, the doctor said. Natanggal na ang bala at mukhang kailangan niya lang magpahinga dahil sa tama nito.
Nakatulog ako sa tabi niya habang nagbabantay. My arms were wrapped around him with my head resting on his chest.
Nagising ako nung mapansing hinahaplos niya ang buhok ko at nakatitig lang sa akin. A smile stayed on his lips while doing that.
"Prince?" I muttered.
"Hm?"
Umayos ako ng upo at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. He cupped my chin to see me better. Akmang magdadampi siya ng halik sa labi ko nung pigilan ko iyon.
I could still feel the fear in my heart when I thought he was really dead. Paano nga kung totoo iyon? Can I handle it, if one day he does end up dead?
Lalo pa at delikado ang trabaho niya. Maraming nakakaaway na malalaking tao. Paano kung isang araw, maging totoo nga talagang patay na siya?
"I don't think I can really live my life without you..." malungkot kong sabi.
He chuckled. "Sorry na nga, love. I promise I won't play the dead prank again."
Naiiyak ako bigla sa hindi malamang dahilan. My emotions are its peak again and I want to cry but I shouldn't. I don't want to cry in front of him again.
Napapikit ako at tiningnan siya sa mata.
"Let's get married again," I declared.
Umawang ang labi niya sa gulat. Dahan-dahan naman itong napalitan ng tuwa.
"I don't want to play this game anymore. I'm done making you suffer and I thought about this a lot. I want to marry you again, Prince Draven. I want to seal the vow with you..."
"Y-You want to what?" sumilay na ang mas malawak na ngisi niya.
I smiled.
"I want to marry you again. I'm in love with the man who changed my own rules and gave me the greatest blessing in my life," I paused, caressing his face. "I'm in love with this lawyer who has blue eyes, sharp jawline, 6'3 ft. tall—"
He pouted. "Ganon rin si Troy—"
I sealed his lips with a kiss. I pulled on his lower lip, my heart kept pounding all of a sudden. Ngayon, siya nalang ang laman nito.
"And most of all, I'm in love with a man named Prince Draven Montereal Asuncion... the guy who rejected me, hurt me, married me, and the only man who I will love for eternity."
Nagluha ang mga mata niya at hindi na mapigilan ang ngiti nito.
"Fuck!" he bit on his lip. "Mahal na mahal din kita, Elisse Amelia. Would you be my wife, again?" Nilabas niya ang isang makintab na singsing na parang matagal na itong nakatago sa damit niya palagi.
It looked so pretty! Mabilis kong kinuha ito at sinuot sa daliri ko. It fits perfectly well like it's made especially for me.
I gasped. "Since when did you get this?"
The side of his lips rose up.
"Since the day I married you, love. I'll marry you again and again if I have to, just so I can prove to you how much I am in love with you..." aniya at hinalikan ang kamay ko.
I could feel all his love for me. I didn't have to beg for it anymore. He's all mine...
"Will you marry me again, Elisse Amelia Gallego Asuncion?" he asked with a wide smile.
Kinagat ko ang labi at tumango. Suot ko na ang singsing at naluluhang hinalikan ang malalambot niyang labi. It was gentle and sweet, he pulled away and lightly bit my lower lip.
"I'm all yours, Elisse Amelia..." huling sabi niya bago hinagkan muli ang mga labi ko sa mas banayad at mabagal na halik.
I played a game that tore me apart into pieces. The wounds that broke me, are healed now through his love. I've conquered everything alone throughout those years but being back to his loving arms saved me from the prolonging pain of distrust and betrayal.
With him, I can trust wholly without a doubt. Sa kanya ko nararamdaman na buo ako. Na sa kabila ng lahat ng nanloko sa akin, there is still him... that one person who would never dare hurt me again.
I'm ready to conquer everything as long as I am with him. I'm no longer scared to commit, if it's Prince that I will commit myself to.
My rules have changed from revenge to a life of forever with him. He's the only man that could get past through my everything. He and Ardie are my everything.
And in between kisses, I said yes to him again with passionate looking eyes. This time, no one can break us apart anymore.