CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
"LOLA Vani, aalis na po kami. Marami pong salamat sa pagtanggap sa'min dito."
Sadness came across Lola Vani's face. "Aalis na agad kayo? Bakit napakabilis naman yata? Hindi niyo ba nagustuhan ang pananatili niyo rito?"
Mabilis na umiling si Sapphire habang hawak ang kamay ng matanda. "No, Lola. We enjoyed it here. We had fun knowing you and hearing your stories. Pero kailangan na po kasi naming umuwi. We promise to come back and visit you as often as possible."
Nakakaintinding tumango ito at nginitian sila. "Pagpasensyahan niyo na pala ako minsan kung lagi ko kayong nakakalimutan. Nag-u-ulyanin na kasi ako. Nakikita ko ngang mukhang naging masaya kayo rito. Pero...ano nga ba ulit ang mga pangalan niyo?"
"Ako po si Johann, Lola," walang sawang pagpapakilala ni Johann sa sarili. "At siya po ang asawa ko, si Sapphire."
"Kinagagalak ko kayong makilala. Sana'y makabalik kayo at muli akong bisitahin. Saan nga pala kayo nauwi?"
"Sa Manila, Lola," sagot niya.
"Ah! Maynila!" Kumislap ang mga mata ni Lola Vani. "Sa pagkakaalam ko ay doon nakatira ang isa ko pang apo na anak ng bunso kong si Valerie. Puwede niyo ba siyang hanapin para sa akin? Malaki ang kasalanan ko sa batang iyon at gusto kong makahingi ng tawad at bumawi sa bata..."
Napatingin siya kay Johann. Nakatingin ito kay Lola Vani na nakangiti at ang mga mata nito ay puno ng emosyon nang pagmamahal para sa lola nito.
Johann held Lola Vani's other hand and kissed it. "Huwag kang mag-alala, Lola. Nahanap niyo na siya. Napatawad na po kayo ng apo niyo. Nakabawi na po kayo sa kanya. At masayang-masaya po siya na nakasama niya kayo at muling nakilala."
Lola Vani's eyes widened while looking at her husband. Parang natulala sa gulat si Lola Vani. Umangat ang kamay nito na hawak niya kanina. Hinaplos niyon ang mukha ni Johann, then the old woman started crying.
"Lola?" Nataranta si Johann. "Lola, b-bakit ka po umiiyak?" Niyakap nito si Lola Vani.
"You are Johann Lawrence...Y-You're my grandchild... Ang tagal kitang hinanap, apo. K-Kami ng lolo mo, bago siya namatay gusto ka niyang ipahanap..." Lalong lumakas ang pag-iyak ni Lola Vani kaya lumapit na sa kanila ang dalawang nurse na nag-aalaga rito.
Pinigilan niyang makalapit ang dalawa. "No. Let them be," utos niya. Tumingin siya sa mag-lola.
Nakayakap na rin nang mahigpit si Lola Vani kay Johann. Hindi niya nakikita ang reaksiyon ng asawa dahil nakayuko ito habang yakap-yakap si Lola Vani.
"P-Patawarin mo kami, a-apo...Patawarin mo kami... Mahal kita. Wala lang akong kapangyarihan noon na ipagtanggol ka at.. at..." Mas napahagulgol pa ng iyak si Lola Vani. "Huwag ka na sanang magalit, apo ko. Hindi kita ikinahihiya. Tanggap na tanggap kita sa puso ko dahil ikaw ang natatanging alaala ng bunso ko sa'min. Patawarin mo sana kaming lahat. Pinagsisihan namin ang mga nagawa namin noon..."
Sapphire's eyes got misty. Kahit hindi naman siya ang apo nito, ramdam niya ang pagsisisi, pagmamahal, at sinseridad sa boses ni Lola Vani. After all these years, the Velasquez regret everything they did to a little boy. At sa paglipas rin ng mga panahon, si Lola Vani na lang ang natira para hingin lahat ng kapatawaran kay Johann.
"Tapos na po iyon, Lola. Kalimutan na po natin..." gumagaragal ang boses ni Johann. "Salamat po sa p-pagtanggap. Mawawala na po iyong sakit ng kahapon dahil natanggap ko na po ang matagal kong pinagdarasal na maging parte ng pamilya na 'to. At mahal na mahal ko rin po kayo." Johann kissed Lola Vani's forehead and hugged her once more.
She knew that right from there, Johann will have his insecurities no more. He already conquered his fear. And he gained a family again.
***
"TUTULOY na po kami, Manang Bing," ani Johann sa matandang katiwala. "Nag-iwan po kami ng mga contact number para po kung sakaling kailangan po kami rito ay matawagan niyo po kami ng asawa ko."
Luminga-linga si Sapphire bago sila lumabas ng mansyon ni Johann. "Nasaan po pala sina Rafael at Sylvia, Manang?"
"Ang señorito ay maagang pumasok sa trabaho. Si Ma'am Sylvia naman ay sinundo ng mga kaibigan niya kaninang umaga. Baka namamasyal lang."
"Oh. Alright..." Pagkatapos nang naging engkuwentro kagabi nina Rafael at Johann, iyon na ang huli niyang kita sa mag-asawa.
"Aalis na po kami, Manang! Sa susunod na buwan po siguro ay babalik kami. Kayo na po muna bahala kay Lola Vani!"
After a while, nakasakay na sila ni Johann sa kotse at nagmamaneho na ito palabas ng village.
"Mister, sa tingin mo, ano nang mangyayari kay nila Sylvia at Rafael? Tumatak kaya sa kanila iyong sinabi mo? The holy part?"
Nagkibit-balikat si Johann. "Hindi ko alam. Siguro, oo. Siguro, hindi. Pero pagdasal natin na sana, na-touch sila ng Holy Spirit. Mukhang puwede pa namang mabalik ang love at trust."
Sumandal si Sapphire sa upuan at tumingin sa labas ng bintana. "Malalaman siguro natin iyon pagdating ng reunion party. Si Sylvia ang nag-organize niyon, eh. For sure, Rafael will be there if...they worked things out." She inhaled and exhaled.
Bago niya malaman na buntis siya at sabik pa siya sa pag-aayos ng mga puwede nilang puntahan ni Johann, she was kinda expecting that all the experiences in their adventures would be worthwhile. Na-i-imagine na niya kung paano iyon isusulat. She imagined how it would be a good read for the readers of her blogsite.
Ngunit nang malaman na ngang buntis siya, Johann canceled everything she planned for their baby's safety. Una, nakaka-disappoint pa. But then, maybe it was really meant to be. Because she got not only experiences, but learnings as well, in their simple vacation. Mas nakilala niya pa si Johann. Mas nakita niya pa ang puso nito. Mas naging malalim pa ang pag-intindi niya tungkol sa pagpapatawad, pagtanggap, pagmamahal sa mga taong minsan nang nagawan ka ng malaking kasalanan.
She got to know what family is made up of.
"Ang tahimik mo yata?" untag sa kanya ni Johann na habang nagmamaneho at ngumunguya na naman ng rambutan.
"I was organizing the things I would write for my blog."
"Wala pala tayong masyadong naging adventure, ano? Sa Pagsanjan Falls lang."
She smiled. "Oh believe me, we had been through a lot of adventures. Kung saan-saang drama tayo sumuot."
Johann laughed. "Biruin mo iyon? Ang plano lang natin ay magbakasyon pero nauwi pa tayo rito sa Tarlac at nagka-tsansa ako na makita ulit sina Lola."
"It only proved that... God's at work. We can plan all we want, pero Siya pa rin ang masusunod. Unforeseen events come with unexpected learnings, afterall."
Napasulyap sa kanya si Johann. "Nagto-talk holy ka na rin, Misis. I like that!"
She chuckled and grabbed the basket of tupig on the backseat. "Pagbalik natin ng Manila, I'll talk to Mommy na," she finally decided. "Walang-wala ang drama ng buhay mo sa drama ng buhay ko. Kung napatawad mo sina Lola Vani, wala akong karapatan para maging matigas pa kay Mommy dahil lang tinago niya sa'kin ang katotohanan about Daddy Darwin."
"Hay, salamat! Na-gets mo rin!"
Kumuha siya ng isang tupig sa basket at binalatan iyon. "And maybe, I should talk to Sir August...tatanggapin ko na iyong alok ni Daddy Darwin na makilala ko rin nang lubusan ang biological father ko. Wala naman sigurong mawawala," sabi niya pa. Sa totoo lang, diskumpiyado pa siya na makaharap ang totoong amang tinakasan ang responsibilidad sa kanya. But it was all in the past now.
Ang mahalaga ay buhay naman siya ngayon at nakahanap ng bagong buhay na bubuo rin ng pamilya kasama si Johann.
I'm getting dramatic and poetic now.Ugh.
But she liked it. She liked the changes in her. Because it's good, it's healthy, and it's holy.
"Misis?"
"Yes?" aniya habang kumakagat ng tupig.
"Alam mo na ba iyong iba't ibang positions sa kama na puwedeng gawin at safe habang buntis ka?"
Napataas ng kilay si Sapphire at malakas na hinampas si Johann sa braso. "Ano na namang kamanyakan iyan, Mister?"
"Normal na pinag-uusapan iyon, Misis. Sige nga, kailan tayo huling-"
"Really? Iyan ang pag-uusapan natin?" Parang nag-init ang magkabila niyang pisngi.
"Anak ng..." Tumawa ito. "Nagba-blush ka pa, ah. First time?" pang-aasar nito.
"May mga bagay na hindi pinag-uusapan habang nasa biyahe."
"So, hindi ka nagre-research?"
She pouted. "I did."
Ang lakas ng tawa nito. "Uy, interested."
At buong biyahe ay wala na silang ginawa kundi magkulitan. Pabawas at pabawas na rin ang wholesomeness ng mister niya.
Well, it's a good kind of naughtiness.
***
LIVING THE LIFE--THE SAPPHIRE WAY
Blog Entry #2020: Self-Transforming Adventure.
You have known me for being the socialite, lifestyle blogger Sapphire Danaya Monteverde. Since I finished college and put up this blog, I have shared countless classy ways of lifestyles, book and movie reviews, fun adventures, tons of product advertisements, and the way I live my wealthy, powerful life.
Each blog entry gave you a sneak peek of how I live my life-my own way. Some said my blogs are helpful, entertaining, a good read, and a way to understand how the rich live in a daily basis.
I can't deny I have earned money by just putting up a personal blog that, at first, was just a "diary" for me. My opinions matter to me, big time. That's why I love writing it down, putting eccentric comments and callous kickbacks. As I reviewed my past blogs, I laughed at myself. Wow. I used to be a high and mighty bitch, "maldita"-in a classy way. Maybe because I thought that bearing the name of Monteverde gave me the power to be like that.
And when my grandmother died, I jumped into an adventure that changed my life, changed the way I view things, and changed a whole lot in me. This particular adventure changed my deepest soul and fragile heart.
Mrs. Sapphire Danaya M. Anderson. A new name that I would just carry for a while-I thought. Little did I know, embracing marriage and accepting love would make me find a true friend, a constant companion, a forever partner-in my husband's arms, I found home.
Falling in love, it's the greatest thing one would feel-if we fell in love with the right man that is close to God. I am not religious and all. But Johann Anderson, he has this amazing power to make me know the mightiness of our Lord God. He's kinda gay (a soft boy) but he's a magnificent husband!
You'll just love every part of him--the way he talks, the way he makes fun of things, the way he curses, the way he smiles, the way he looks at me with love, the way he takes care of me, and the way he brings me closer to God. He's all perf! With a sexy ass, don't forget about that. Abs? Oh, not important at all!
Anyway, living with him was the first extreme adventure in my life. He's the only man I've been with, and he's the only man who made me clean a toilet bowl! (Jeez!) He taught me how to do the house chores, how to conserve water, electricity, and how not to spend my money extravagantly. I thought I was gonna die because he took all the fancy things I was used to. But, I was just exaggerating.
Because the first thing I learned from that adventure: The greatest things come in simplest forms. Happiness is not having everything but being contented on what you have. Luxurious life is awesome. But living in a simple bungalow that's filled with sweetness and "Johann Talks" is beyond wonderful.
My future bookstore is in progress, as well as my marriage with Johann. Now, there's an precious life inside me. I'm carrying an angel who would complete our family. It's my second adventure.
Pregnancy fears me. I'm not yet ready to be a mom-or so I thought. Then, my husband reminded me, it's not just "my" adventure anymore, it's ours. Together, we would face this (did I mention, he's the one who's "naglilihi" for me? Well, yes, he's having the morning sickness and grumpy attitude). I'm not alone. We are a team.
This second adventure taught me that marriage is helping each other as you grow in love each passing day. Feeling the fear is just okay, but don't linger on that emotion alone. Find a way to turn your fears into your strengths.
Speaking of fears, it led us-me and my husband - in another adventure. My Johann, although almost perfect as he can be, kept insecurities and pain inside the deepest part of him. He kept it for years, but by God's grace, we found a way for him to be free from his fear-the fear we all don't want to experience-rejection.
So, this unexpected adventure led us to meet again the people who wronged him. But they are not the person they used to be. To cut the long story short, Johann forgave them with all his heart, never looking back to the years they have hurt him. I quote, "Ang pamilya, kahit ano mang maging ikot ng mundo, ay pamilya pa rin. Sa kanila ka galing. Ano mang tampuhan, pagkakasakitan at awayan ang mangyari, patatawarin at patatawarin mo sila. Dahil ang pusong marunong magmahal ay mapagpatawad."
Unforseen events come with unexpected learnings. Unexpected learnings result to self-reflections.
I want to be like my husband. I want to be as understanding and as forgiving as he is...
Niyakap nang mahigpit ni Sapphire ang Mommy niya.
"Hija, forgive me again for keeping things from you. I just thought at that time na kapag kanila Darwin, hindi malaki ang tsansa na maibigay niya lahat ng gusto mo sa paglaki. Hindi katulad dito kanila Mama, lahat ay mapapasaiyo. Bata pa ako niyon at materialistic. Kaya akala ko, kahit wala kang kikilalaning ama, magiging masaya ka dahil maibibigay ko sa'yo ang mundo," pagpapaliwanag ng Mommy niya. "Hindi ko pa lubos na maintindihan noon na hindi lahat ng mamahalin sa mundo ay nabibili ng pera."
"I understand, Mommy... We make mistakes. We make bad choices. But it doesn't mean we don't deserve a second chance to make things right," nakangiting sabi niya. "Gusto ko, pagkalabas ng baby namin ni Johann, maiintindihan niya rin ako kapag may mga pagkakamali ako-kami ni Johann sa pagpapalaki sa kanya. I forgive you, Mommy, because I love you. I don't want to bear a grudge against you again. You're my family. You're the only one that I would love even beyond time."
Her mom blinked tears in her eyes and kissed her cheeks over and over.
I'd like to be my husband. I'd like to give second chances, third, fourth, fifth...and so forth without getting tired.
A second chance can pave way for more blessings to come into your life. Recently, my youngest cousin Haley got married with the noble and honorable Vice-Mayor of Amora. It's their second chance at love, and as I watched them getting married, saying their vows, looking at each other sweetly, I know that sometimes or most of the times, second chances are worth the risk. It will make you happy and free once more.
Nang makita ni Sapphire ang kanyang Daddy Darwin ay agad niya itong niyakap.
"Ah, kumusta ang anak ko? Kumusta ang bakasyon niyo ng asawa mo?"
"It was great! Baka next week, umalis ulit kami since matagal pa naman bago matapos ang semestral break," aniya sa ama-amahan.
"Mabuti iyan," nakangiting sabi nito. "Nabalitaan kong buntis ka? Congratulations, hija!"
"Thank you, Daddy! May wild guess na nga agad si Johann na magiging boy daw ang baby namin." Luminga-linga siya kahit malakas ang pagkabog ng puso niya. "Kasama niyo po ba si S-Sir August?" Hindi niya pa rin alam kung ano ang dapat itawag sa totoong ama.
Lumungkot ang mga mata ni Darwin at umiling. "Sorry, Saphi, wala ngayon sa bansa si Augustine para sa isang bakasyon. Ngunit, siguro sa pagbalik niya ay puwede ko siyang isama para makilala mo na rin siya ng lubusan. Tutal naman ay handa ka na, hindi ba?"
Marahan siyang tumango. Kahit papaano ay nawala na ang kaba niya. Baka hindi pa iyon ang tamang oras para sa kanila ng tunay na ama. "By the way, Daddy Darwin, Johann's with me. And kasama rin namin si Mommy..."
Pinilit nila ni Johann na sumama ang Mommy niya sa lunch date na iyon dahil nalaman nila na recently ay nag-break na daw ang Mommy niya at ang boyfriend nito. Kaya malungkot na naman ang Mommy niya at naisip nilang isama sa mga lakad nilang mag-asawa.
"Ah, ganoon ba?" Daddy Darwin acted cool but he seemed tense and excited perhaps?
May tumikhim sa likod nila at nandoon na pala ang Mommy niya kasama si Johann.
"Hi, Darwin," mahinang sabi ng kanyang ina.
"Magandang araw sa'yo, Mercy."
"Yo, what's up, Sir?" pa-cool na bungad ni Johann. "Pa-pogi yata kayo ng pa-pogi, Sir, ah? Inspired?"
Daddy Darwin contained his laugh. Pero napangiti ito. "Napakaloko mo talaga, Johann."
"Part ng charm, Sir."
"But, Johann's right," her mom said. "You look...great. Aging has become you, Darwin. You look more handsome, indeed."
"Ah...At ikaw ay parang hindi tumatanda, Mercy. Ang itsura mo ay katulad pa rin ng dati. Hindi ka ba tumatanda?"
Her mom chuckled. "Bolero."
Lihim na nagkatinginan sina Sapphire at Johann na magkatabi na sa upuan. Nakita nilang pinaghila ni Daddy Darwin ang Mommy niya ng upuan at magkatabi ang mga ito.
"May spark, Misis!" bulong sa kanya ni Johann.
She secretly giggled. Para rin siyang kinilig para sa dalawa. Could her parents have a second chance?
As I end this article, I know that my adventure continues. I know that I would never stop learning because life never stops teaching. On my way to motherhood, experiences would be tougher. However, I believe that in every adventure and experience we will face, there's always a hidden moral lesson at the end of it. Years ago, I hated when life bitched. Then, I came to understand that life was never a bitch. It's more of a learning field and God's the teacher. And it's exciting to learn from Him.
I learned how to listen more often, to be aware of the people around me, to care for those who need caring, and to love like Christ (well, this is a lifetime progress). Physical adventures may give you a thrill, but simple spiritual quests? It gives more than the pleasure, gives more than something your memory would ceaselessly remember...
One of the true adventures in life is becoming the best that God wanted you to be.
I am Mrs. Sapphire Anderson. A "misis" to my "mister". A "nanay" on the way. The adventures I faced made me a better version of myself. For now, this is the best of me.
How about you? What's your latest adventure that made you better than before?
Nag-inat si Sapphire pagkatapos niyang i-type ang latest article na ipo-post niya sa kanyang blog kinabukasan. Naghikab siya at saka pinatay ang Macbook. Humiga na siya ng kama pagkatapos at saka niyakap si Johann na mahimbing nang natutulog. Nakanganga pa at humihilik!
She tried to close his mouth. Nang masara niya iyon ay bumukas lang ulit. She giggled and kissed his cheek.
Sa ngayon, ayos na ang lahat. Panatag ang loob niya. Wala na silang parehong problema ng mister niya.
Siniksik niya ang mukha sa leeg ng asawa na bahagyang kumilos para yakapin siya. Nakatulog siyang nakangiti.
***
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