FIVE YEARS LATER
"Please help me welcome, the brain behind Be-You-tiful Cosmetics, Miss Hana dela Francia! Please give her a round of applause!" anang emcee.
Umugong ang malakas na palakpakan. Hana took a deep breath before she rose from her seat to climb up the stage. Hangga't sa makatuntong siya ng stage ay hindi pa rin matapos-tapos ang nakakabinging palakpakan. She was truly overwhelmed.
"First of all," aniya nang matapos ang palakpakan. "I wanna thank you all for being here. Hindi niyo lang alam kung gaano kalaki ang pasasalamat ko sa suportang ipinapakita niyo sa BYTC. I also want to thank the people behind BYTC, my ever talented and supportive team, who helped me made BYTC possible. Without them, giving birth to BYTC would never happen. Kaya utang ko sa kanila lahat. Thank you, guys. You are truly fantastic!" She paused. "To the investors, of course. I want to thank you for trusting and for giving BYTC a chance. Without you, we won't be launching BYTC today. Thank you so much." She again paused and surveyed the crowd. Her eyes scanned for a familiar face which she didn't find. With heavy heart, she continued. "And most of all, thank you for the one person who made me believe that this is all possible."
And like on cue, nagmamadaling pumasok si Ram. He made it! And watching him enter the function room made her heart skipped a beat. She was suddenly excited. Ang buong akala kasi niya'y hindi ito makakarating.
"Thank you for not allowing me to give up on my dreams," she continued. "Thank you for trusting in me and for loving me unconditionally. To my number one fan, my other half, Mr. Ram dela Francia, I couldn't thank you enough. Thank you for everything. For without you, I won't be here today. BYTC won't be here today. I owe you everything, babe. I love you."
Lalong lumakas ang palakpakan ng mga nanduduon. Nakipalakpak na din si Ram. Abot-tenga ang mga ngiti sa labi nito. he even winked at her na naging dahilan kung bakit biglang nag-init ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Yes, after all these years, her husband can still make her blush.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in behalf of all the people who made these all possible, I am proud to present to you, the future of cosmetics, BYTC! Be-You-tiful Cosmetics!"
Palakpakan ang lahat kasabay nang pagsisimula ng video presentation sa kanyang likuran, introducing their line of cosmetics. Nagkikislapan din ang flashbulb ng mga cameras. Nakakataba ng puso ang mainit na pagtanggap ng mga nanduduon sa kanyang bagong kompanya. She felt like she was in cloud nine. After all the hardships, matutupad na din ang pangarap niyang magtayo ng sariling cosmetic company.
Bumaba siya ng stage at agad na sinalubong ng asawa. Ram hugged her and whispered something to her ear.
"Congratulations, babe. I am so proud of you," anito.
She hugged him back. She missed him. She hadn't see him for a week now. "Thank you, baby. I'm so happy that you're here. Akala ko'y hindi ka na makakarating," aniya dito.
"You know I wouldn't miss this for the world!" anito, malapad pa din ang pagkakangiti na lalong nagpaguapo dito.
Oo, guapo ang asawa niya. And through the years, he was becoming more and more handsome to her eyes.
Napangiti siya. "Thank you. I missed you."
"I missed you more," anito. "Bawi ka mamaya, ha?" ang pilyo nitong wika as they watched the video presentation together.
Palihim niyang kinurot ang tagiliran nito. 'Pilyo."
Natawa lang ito.
Then she remembered something. "How's your meeting?"
Ram looked at her and winked.
"Ohmigod," aniya. "Was it successful?"
He nodded with an ear-to-ear grin.
That made her hugged him at once. Ibig lang sabihin ay nakahanap na ito ng mga investors. Matutupad na din ang matagal na nitong plano, ang makapagbukas ng ikalimang branch --- sa Singapore! His first ever branch outside the country. Oh, she was so happy! Pakiwari niya'y walang mapaglagyan ang saya sa kanyang dibdib. She felt so blessed at the moment. Wala na yata siyang ibang mahihiling pa.
Tiningnan ni Ram ang natutulog na asawa. They're on his car, driving all the way to San Gabriel. She looked so tired kanina kaya ang balak niya'y sa Maynila nalang muna sila magpalipas ng gabi at bukas na uuwing San Gabriel. Doon nalang muna sila matutulog sa condo unit nila. Yes, they still have the condo unit. Ang balak niya'y paupahan iyon tutal 'di naman nila nabibisita ngunit ayaw ni Hana.
Kahit pagod ay gusto ni Hana na umuwi silang San Gabriel kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi ang ipag-drive ang asawa. She must missed San Gabriel so much. Isang linggo din kasi itong hindi nakauwi doon, she was so busy because of the upcoming launching of her cosmetic company. Sa Maynila ito namalagi for the whole week para paghandaan ang nalalapit na launching. And now that it was over, she was dying to come home.
They haven't seen each other for one whole week kasi nga nasa Maynila ito. He, on the other hand, was left at San Gabriel para asikasuhin ang kanyang business proposal. Kanina lang siya actually lumuwas ng Maynila for his business meeting with the investors. And he was very happy for its success. It was, indeed, an answered prayer. He felt blessed.
Medyo madilim na noong nakarating sila ng San Gabriel. Dumaan siya sa may grocery store ngunit sarado na iyon kaya dumiretso nalang sila sa bahay nilang mag-asawa. Doble na sa laki iyong grocery store ngayon at solo na din itong pinamamahalaan ni Ava. Ibinigay na actually iyon ni Hana sa kaibigan noong bago ito bumalik ng Canada. Solo na iyong pag-aari ni Ava sa ngayon.
And yes, they have their own house now. Iyong kinatatayuan noon ng bahay nila Hana, doon nakatayo ang love nest nilang mag-asawa. Hindi naman ito ganoon kalaki. It's a bungalow type house with three bed rooms and a spacious backyard. Iyon ang gusto ni Hana. She want to keep it simple.
Ram noticed on their way home the posters and flyers all over the place which reminded him na malapit na naman pala ang eleksiyon. But no, he's not running for any position. Isang beses lang niyang in-attempt na pumasok sa pulitika, hindi na iyon nasundan pa. He realized that it wasn't really his calling. Pero hindi iyon nangangahulugang ayaw na niyang paglingkuran ang San Gabriel. He was still helping the people of San Gabriel through the foundation he founded himself. Naglalayon ang foundation na iyon na mapag-aral sa kolehiyo ang mga anak ng mga taga San Gabriel, iyong hindi kayang pag-aralin ang mga anak nila na may mga potensiyal naman. Naghahanap siya ng pundo para mapag-aral ang mga iyon at mapa-graduate ng kolehiyo. The foundation's on its forth year now. Sinuportahan naman ng mga magulang niya ang foundation niyang iyon. Nirespeto at naintindihan din ng mga ito ay kagustuhan niyang huwag nang muling tumakbo sa pulitika.
"Are we there, yet?" narinig niyang tanong ni Hana. Nagising na pala ito, hindi man lang niya napansin.
"Yes, babe. We're here. Home sweet home," he said as he pulled their car to their humble abode.
"Babe, what's taking you so long?" Narinig niyang tawag ni Ram sa kanya mula sa labas ng banyo.
"Nandiyan na," aniya bago dali-daling lumabas ng banyo. May inasikaso pa kasi siya.
Ang malapad na ngiti ng asawa ang bumungad sa kanya. Nakaupo ito sa kama at tila talagang hinihintay siya.
"What?" ang patay-malisya niyang tanong habang lumalapit dito.
"Ang tagal mo kasi, alam mo namang hinihintay kita," anito sabay hila sa kanyang kamay. She landed on his lap. Napatili siya.
"Loko ka talaga!" aniya dito ngunit hindi naman siya pumalag nang hapitin siya nito payakap. She was still sitting on his lap.
"Hmmm. Ang bango-bango naman ng baby ko. Nakakapanggigil," he said as he burried his face on her hair.
"You are so pervert talaga!" ang nakikiliti niyang wika.
"Can you really blame me? Isang linggo ka yatang hindi umuwi ng San Gabriel," anito as he began kissing her nape. "Sobrang miss na miss na miss na kita."
Agad namang nag-init ang kanyang pakiramdam. After all these years, Ram was still very capable of making her blood rush beyond normal. Napapikit siya. Dinama niya ang kakaibang sensasyong dulot ng mga labi ng asawang noo'y naglalakbay sa kanyang leeg pababa.
"Nakaya mo nga 'yong 2 years, eh," aniya to distract him. Yong pagbalik niya sa Canada upang tapusin niya ang kanyang pag-aaral ang ibig niyang sabihin.
"Sus, kung kaya ko pa, 'di sana'y 'di na ako gumastos pabalik-balik ng Canada makita ka lang," anito habang tila inaamoy ang kanyang batok pababa sa kanyang leeg. "Alam mo namang hindi ako mabubuhay ng wala ka, eh. You're the air that I breathe."
"Wala na bang mas ko-corny pa diyan?" aniya, smiling while feeling the erotic sensation his butterfly kisses was giving her.
"You're the sun in my sky, the smile in my face... the... the creamer in my coffee... the.. the..."
"Tama na, awat na. Akong nahihirapan sa'yo, eh," ang natatawa niyang wika.
Napatili siya nang iikot siya nito pabagsak sa kama. Pagkatapos ay agad nitong inilapit ang mukha nito sa kanya. Nakatukod ang dalawang kamay nito sa magkabila niyang tagiliran, making her escape impossible. Not that she wanted to escape from him. She missed him as much as he does. Or even more. She was actually dying to kiss him on the lips right now, nagpapakipot lang siya. She liked it better when he seduce her.
"Oo na, corny na kung corny. 'Di mo lang alam, you made me like this. Hindi ganito ang dating Ram," anito.
"Di hamak naman na mas gusto ko ang Ram na nasa harapan ko ngayon kaysa supladong Ram noon. Mas gusto ko siyempre ang corny pero romantic at sobrang caring na Ram na kaharap ko ngayon. Thank you so much, babe. Thank you so much for everything," aniya dito habang hinahaplos ang mukha nito. "I owe you everything."
He caught her hand and kissed it. "I owe you everything, too. Thank you for making me see the best in me. Thank you for making me believe in myself. Utang ko din sa'yo kung anong meron ako ngayon."
"Mahal kita, Ram," aniya sa gumagaralgal na boses. "Mahal na mahal na mahal kita nang higit pa sa alam mo." She promised herself before to tell him as often as she could how much she loves him. Gusto niyang bumawi sa mga panahong hindi niya nasasabi dito ang mga iyon. And so far, she's doing good naman. Hindi lilipas ang araw na hindi niya nasasabi sa asawa kung gaano niya ito kamahal, kahit sa text man lang. At kapag magkasama sila tulad ngayon, hindi din siya nagsasawang ulit-ulitin iyon. She always make it a point to tell it to his face how much she loves him and how grateful she was for having him in her life.
"And I love you more, baby, and you know that. And I missed you so much. Nakakabaliw ang isang linggong 'di kita kasama," he said before he lowered down his face to claim her lips. But before he could kiss her fully, nag-beep ang cellphone niya. Which made her lightly push him away from her to check her phone.
"Sorry, babe. Must be important," aniya sa asawa. May hinihintay kasi siyang text mula sa team niya.
Dissapointed na ibinagsak ni Ram ang sarili sa tabi niya.
"Sorry. This won't take long," aniya before she checked the message. "Ohmy... Guess what?" aniya dito.
"What?" ang tila walang kabuhay-buhay na wika ni Ram.
"Andrei's getting married! Finally! Look at the picture he sent me!" and she showed the picture to him, na hindi naman nito halos tiningnan. "Oh, I'm so excited for them! Look at the ring, it's so pretty."
"So kailangan talagang ibalita sa'yo?" anito sa hindi magandang tono.
"Ohhh," aniya sa asawa. "Don't tell me you're jealous with him? Hindi, kasi siyempre close kami, 'di ba? We're friends, he's just sharing the good news. Plus I met his fiancee thrice, she's nice. I'm happy for them. Don't be jealous, babe. 'Kay? You don't have to. Really. Alam mo 'yan."
"I know, I know. I'm happy to hear the good news, too, but the timing is just so... argh!" He made a face.
Malakas siyang natawa. He looked so cute and so adorable when he do that.
"Ayan na nga, papatayin ko na 'yong phone para wala ng istorbo. Kawawa naman ang asawa ko, nabibitin." She turned her phone off and set it aside. "San na nga ba tayo?" ang pilya niyang tanong dito pagkatapos.
"Here," he said as he pulled her down to him. She shreiked as she landed atop him. Agad naman siya nitong nilamukos ng halik.
They were already kissing like two hungry teenagers nang bigla siyang may maramdaman.
"Wait! Wait!" she said as she pulled herself from him.
"What?" anito.
"Be right back!" aniya bago dali-daling tumakbo sa may banyo.
Doon ay agad siyang nagsuka sa may kubeta. Bigla kasing bumaliktad ang kanyang sikmura. Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi niya. Mabubuking pa siya ng wala sa oras.
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?" anito. Sumunod pala ito sa kanya. He looked worried.
Hindi siya nakasagot, bagkus ay tuloy pa rin siya sa pagsusuka. Pakiwari niya kasi'y hinahalukay ang kanyang tiyan. Everything on her insides seems to be racing out of her mouth. She felt so sick. Gosh!
"Naligo naman ako, nag-toothbrush din ako, bakit ka nasusuka?" she heard him joked. "hey, what's this?"
Oh no! May nakalimutan pala siya!
She looked at him and saw him picked up something from the lavatory.
"Wait, no!" aniya dito.
Pero huli na, nakita na nito iyon.
"Oh my! Does it mean... Why aren't you telling me?" ang sumbat nito sa kanya, showing her the PT kit he was holding.
Game over, she thought.
"That's meant to be a surprise!" aniya dito. "I shouldn't be telling you that, not before next week, on your birthday! Gosh, I should have kept that! So careless of me!" ang nadidismaya niyang wika na ikinatawa ni Ram ng malakas. Ngayon ay nabisto na ang birthday surprise niya para dito.
Ilang araw na kasi siyang nasusuka pero kanina lang niya na-confirm na "positive" nga siya. Akala niya'y dahil lang sa stress kaya madami siyang nararamdaman lately. Pero ang balak nga niya'y next week na sabihin dito ang tungkol doon. Pero dahil nakalimutan niyang itago ang PT kit, dahil na rin sa pagmamadali nito sa kanya kanina, 'eto't wala na. Buking na siya.
He put the PT kit aside and pulled her in a strong embrace.
"That's okay, babe. I don't mind getting an advance birthday gift! You still made so happy! I hope it's a boy!" he said as he cupped her face and touched her forehead with his. He looked so happy it almost made her cry.
"You happy, babe?" aniya dito.
"Yes, of course! Never been this happy!" And he planted a quick kiss on lips. "Lika, tapusin natin si baby, baka may kulang pa." And he carried her back to their bed.
"Teka lang! Magto-toothbrush muna ako! I just threw up, you know!" she protested.
"Mouthwash nalang para mas madali," anito bago dali-dali siyang ibinalik sa banyo.
Tawa nang tawa si Hana habang ingat na ingat ito nang ibaba siya sa harap ng lavatory.
"Faster! Gusto mo, ako nang mag-toothbrush sa'yo, eh!" anito.
"Wait lang. Excited?" ang natatawa niyang wika habang nagto-toothbrush.
"Siyempre. We have so much to celebrate," anito.
"And we're here!" anang pamilyar na boses mula sa labas ng banyo.
Agad na lumabas ng banyo si Ram. Sakto namang tapos na siyang mag-toothbrush kaya agad din siyang sumunod dito. At tama nga ang hinala niya, kay Mama Aurora nanggaling ang boses na iyon. Pumasok na ito ng kwarto nila, kasama ang dalawang taong gulang na batang babaeng kamukhang-kamukha ni Ram. It's Ram's "Mini Me" actually, their first born, si Haley.
"So my princess' here!" ang excited na wika ni Ram sabay karga sa bata. "Akala ko bukas ka pa isosoli ni Mamita."
"Pano, gusto nang umuwi dito pagkadinig na nandito na ang Mommy niya. Ang gusto nga ng Papa niyo, eh, bukas na namin ihatid 'yan dito, kaso ayaw, gusto na daw makita ang Mommy niya," anang Mama.
"Aw, you missed me, baby? Mommy missed you, too. Come here," aniya sa anak.
"No, no.'Di pwede. Bawal pakarga kay Mommy. Mahi-hurt si baby," ani Ram.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mama Aurora. "Ohmy! Don't tell me!"
"Yes, Mama. Magiging ate na si Haley," ang excited na pagbabalita ni Ram. "Do you hear it, baby? Magiging ate ka na. Isn't that wonderful?" ang baling nito sa anak.
Tumango naman ang bata na waring naintindihan ang sinasabi ng ama. Watching the two made Hana's heart swell with pride and happiness. Wala sa sariling napahawak din siya sa flat pa niyang tummy.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so happy for you, Hana! I'm so excited I feel like crying right now," anang ginang sabay yakap sa kanya.
"Thank you, Mama. We're so excited, too," ang naiiyak din niyang wika.
"O siya, siya, uuwi na ko ng mansiyon. I can't wait to share the good news to your Papa. Ingatan mo ang sarili mo, huwag masyadong pakapagod. Susunduin ko na bukas si Haley, baka ma-stress ka pa," anito.
"Ma! Kakasoli lang, eh, hihiramin na naman kaagad?" ang protesta ni Ram.
"Baka ma-stress si Hana," anang ginang.
"Naku, okay lang po, Mama. Hindi naman malikot 'tong si Halley. Saka nami-miss ko na din po siya," ang natatawang wika ni Hana.
"O siya, sige. Basta 'wag pakapagod, okay? Bawal ma-stress."
"Okay po."
"Ram, ingatan mo ang asawa mo. Bawal mapagod!" ang baling ng ginang sa anak.
"Noted!" ang pilyong sagot ni Ram.
"Okay, bye. Bye, baby. Behave ka dito, ha? Aalis na si Mamita," she kissed the child and left the room.
Naiwan silang tatlo ng mag-aama niya.
"Tulog ka na, princess, ha? At may gagawin pa si Mommy at si Daddy," ani Ram sa anak.
Tinampal niya ang braso ng asawa. "Loko!" aniya.
Natawa naman ito. "Joke lang, makapaghihintay naman si Daddy. Lika, princess, tabi tayo ni Mommey sa bed." Inakbayan siya nito habang karga-karga pa din ang anak.
Maingat nitong inihiga sa kama ang anak bago ito tumabi doon. Tumabi na din siya sa kanyang mag-ama, pinagitnaan nila ang anak.
"You miss Mommy?" aniya habang maingat na hinahaplos-haplos ang buhok ng anak.
"Yesh," anang bata. "Miss Mommy."
"Awww. Mommy misses you, too," aniya bago hinalikan ang ulo ng anak.
Made in Canada si Halley. She was conceived during one of Ram's frequent visits to Canada. She was actually already working in a big cosmetic company back then. But when she got pregnant with Halley doon niya na-realize na gusto na niyang umuwi ng Pilipinas. Na doon na niya gustong ipagpatuloy ang mga pangarap niya, kasama ng bubuuin nilang pamilya. She quit her job and went home to Ram's loving embrace. Pagkapanganak kay Haley ay doon na niya na-realize na gusto niyang magtayo ng sariling cosmetic company. It took time bago natupad ang plano niyang iyon but it's all worth the wait. She felt truly blessed lalo na't nagkasabay-sabay ang blessings nila --- ang launching ng cosmetic company niya, ang pagka-approved ng plano ni Ram na mag-extend abroad, and now ang malamang magkaka-second baby na sila. Ano pa nga bang mahihiling niya? Wala na, definitely.
"Tulog na si Haley, babe," ang pilyong wika ni Ram pagkuwan. May pa-kindat-kindat pang nalalaman.
" Ay, 'di mo narinig si Mama? Bawal daw akong mapagod," ang natatawa niyang wika dito. She was just joking, of course. She was looking forward, too, to their time alone.
"Don't worry, I'll be extra careful." At inisang hakbang lang nito ang kinahihigaan niya. He was beside her in no time. And when he enveloped her in a strong embrace, napabuntong-hininga si Hana. Her heart was overflowing with so much happiness. She was happy beyond words.
Tama nga si Ram, love will definitely find a way. In every relatinship, there will always be tests. Nasa sa inyo na 'yon kung pano niyo iyon iha-handle. And in their case, it made them grow stronger. It made them realize kung gaano nila kamahal ang isa't-isa.
Maaaring may mga pagsubok pang darating sa buhay mag-asawa nila, but as long as they have each other, lahat kakayanin nila. Lalo na ngayon at dalawa na ang rason nila para lumaban sa buhay. The love of their lives will definitely make then even more stronger.
THE END
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