My dear readers,
1.This is not a romance story. The first two books already provided how Eunice and Terrence loved each other at their best and at their toughest.
2. This is a love journey. May our hearts ride well!
Merci beaucoup!
Yours in truth forever,
FGirlWriter ♥
***
Part One
Si Vis Amari, Ama
"If you wish to be loved, love."
♥♥♥
Chapter 1: City of Love
Year 2022.
(Four months after Book 2)
"THIS IS where love will always be sweet and alive. Welcome to the world's City of Love, Paris!"
Napangiti si Eunice nang marinig ang sinabi ng isang tour guide. There's a bus full of Japanese tourists who just came down and started to take photos of the famous Eiffel Tower.
"City of love..." Napatingala siya sa kalangitan at pumikit sandali. She uttered a silent prayer to God.
Pagkabukas niya ng mga mata, mas gumanda ang pagkorte ng mga ulap. Nagkorteng baby na parang nakaupo.
Tumayo na siya at itinaas ang isang kamay. "Bonjour, Love," she greeted her baby angel. "Mommy misses you, too."
It's been eight or nine months since her daughter went to heaven. Wala pa palang isang taon. Thank God, she's already well. Not forgetting, but peacefully contented.
Ikinabit niya ang airpods sa magkabilang tainga. She pressed the "Play" button for her work-out song to start.
You are at home in my heart,
'Cause You loved me right from the start.
When I was refusing,Your love kept pursuing...
Pagkarinig ng kanta ay ganado niyang inumpisahan ang pagja-jogging. She kept her lifestyle healthy in Paris. Bukod sa bantay-sarado si Terrence tuwing nangangamusta sa exercises niya, gusto niya ding manatiling malusog ang katawan. PCOS might not go away, but it can't stop Eunice for having a child.
May plano sila ng asawa na mag-anak pagkatapos ng dalawa o tatlong taon niya sa Paris. Kaya ngayon pa lang, hinahanda na ni Eunice ang katawan. So that her body is prepared and her hormonal disorder won't cause her and their future baby any harm anymore.
Now that I've tasted Your love,
my heart just can't get enough...
Jesus, You have me...
You have me completely...
And also, Eunice is keeping a disciplined physical lifestyle to honor God. Hindi madali, pero gusto niyang maging physically fit para makapag-serve ng maayos sa ministry na ipinagkatiwala sa kanya.
Habang tumatakbo ay may nakakasalubong siyang ilang Filipino na kasama niya sa church kung saan siya nagbo-volunteer bilang Sunday School teacher.
Ilang palitan lang ng kaway at ngiti, lumulobo na ang puso ni Eunice. Some Parisians are also smiling and waving at her. Hindi niya kilala pero gumaganti pa rin siya ng mga ngiti at kaway.
Nang matapos niya ang sampung lapses ay nag-cool down na siya. Later, she took the tram to go home—still listening to her work-out playlist.
Sa loob ng tram ay nakasabay niya naman ang mga kasama sa trabaho sa fashion house kung saan siya nagta-trabaho.
They chatted in French, just talking about silly adventures at work. Pagkadating sa first arrondissement ay nagpaalam at bumaba na siya.
"Bonjour, madame Eunice!"
"Bonjour, monsieur Serge!" bati niya sa isang matandang lalaking na French at manager ng bakeshop na lagi niyang pinupuntahan. "Is my banquette ready?"
"Tout-a-fait!" nakangiting kinuha nito ang isang basket na may laman ng paborito niyang tinapay.
Nalanghap agad ni Eunice ang masarap na amoy. "Fresh from the oven, monsieur?"
"Just for you! You're my most beautiful customer, Eunice! I make sure your banquettes are fresh from the oven every day!" the old man cheerfully said in French.
"You're so nice for my heart, good sir." She chuckled and paid. "Merci beaucoup! A demain!" pasasalamat niya at saka kinuha ang basket. Naglakad na siya pauwi.
May ilan pa siyang nakasalubong na kapitbahay. Nagbatian sila at nagkuwentuhan saglit.
Since it's Saturday, almost everyone is out to stroll around or dine out with their friends. Kaya hindi na nagtaka si Eunice na marami talaga siyang kakilalang nakakasalubong.
Her smiles are always ready for everybody. She's naturally a sociable person, too. Kaya hindi mahirap sa kanya makipag-converse sa mga tao.
"Prends soin de toi!" paalala ng mga ito sa kanya.
"Take care, too!" aniya naman at saka pumasok na sa isang Haussmannian building kung nasaan ang apartment niya.
Her aunt is already living in Champagne, France. Kaya naman siya na lang mag-isa ang nakatira sa apartment mula nang bumalik siya sa Paris.
Napakaganda ng unang apat na buwan niya dito sa Paris, sa totoo lang. Parang pagkatapos ng lahat ng pinagdaanan niya—nila ni Terrence, noong mga nakaraang taon, ito ang reward ng hindi nila pagbitiw sa Diyos.
Kontento si Eunice sa takbo ng buhay niya ngayon. Everyone around her—her neighbors, colleagues, officemates, and church mates, even the children she's handling in Sunday School—were great blessings!
Their presence made her at home in Paris. Hindi siya gaanong nangungulila sa pamilya niya sa Pilipinas. Although, hindi rin naman mapapantayan ang saya sa tuwing kasama niya ang mga ito.
Pagdating sa fourth floor kung nasaan ang apartment niya ay agad siyang pumasok. She turned-on the lights, put the basket of banquettes down, and grabbed her Ipad.
She set up the Ipad stand and put the gadget after turning it on. She clicked a universally-used videocall app and called her husband.
Agad na sumagot ito. Terrence's handsome face filled the whole screen. His brown eyes looking down at his own screen.
"Good afternoon, engineer!" malambing na bati niya rito. Philippines is six hours ahead of Paris.
It's already seven-thirty in the morning, so it's exactly one-thirty P.M. in Manila.
"Good morning, baby."
Lumapit siya sa camera. "Mwah!" she playfully kissed the camera. "I'm sorry, I'm late."
"Miss Congeniality, you have too much friends," he teased, smirking.
She giggled. "Ang dami ko kasing nakasalubong na kakilala kanina. We had small chitchats pa. Where's Cyla?"
"She's playing upstairs. We just had our lunch."
"That's great! Look at my banquette!" She grabbed a paper tissue and used it to get her bread. "It's long and hot!"
Naningkit ang mga mata ng asawa. "Long and hot?"
Natawa si Eunice at kumurot sa tinapay. "And very soft. Yours is different."
Terrence bit his lower lip to contain his chuckle. "You..." Napailing na lang ito. "Hindi ka ba nagsasawa sa banquette? Mula nang bumalik ka sa Paris ay iyan ang lagi mong kinakain."
"Masarap, eh. Madali pang kainin at mabilis akong nabubusog. Pamalit sa rice."
May kanin naman sa Paris. Sa mga piling restaurants. But Eunice don't really dine out much. She likes cooking her own food.
Nagsimula na siyang kainin ang tinapay. "So, how's your morning?"
"I just helped our daughter with her school project. Gumawa kami ng 3D model ng solar system."
"That's your expertise! Constructing. Natapos niyo kaagad, 'no?"
Tumango ito. "That's why I let Cyla play."
"You're such a cool dad, Papa Terrence." she winked at him. "What are your plans for the rest of the day, then?"
"May aayusin lang akong blueprint. Remember the company's billionaire client? He wanted us to revise everything. Not adjust but change everything."
Kalmado ang pagkakasabi ni Terrence pero halata sa mukhang naiinis. Magaling lang itong magpigil.
Eunice pouted. "That project is giving you a lot of stress. Dala mo pa iyan last month nang pumunta ka dito." Nangalahati niya na ang kinakaing tinapay. "What did the Lord say to you? Ayaw Niyang ipabitiw sa'yo ang project?"
Tumango ito, in a surrendered manner. "My devotions lately were always about enduring heavy and demanding work. Naiintindihan ko naman. Hindi tayo dapat natatakot sa distress na binibigay ng trabaho."
Pumikit ito at napabuga ng hangin.
"Kapag napapagod, puwede namang magpahinga. It's a season of growth that the Lord is allowing us to get through. And I must embrace it."
Eunice smiled, gently. "What if it became too toxic later on?"
"If it becomes too toxic, I have two responses." Tumuwid ito ng upo. Itinaas ang dalawang daliri sa isang kamay. "One, once God told me to let go, I'll let go because it means my purpose has been served. Two, if He does not want me to let go, it means He'll do something—using me, to display His power and glory. Then, I'll continue. Quitting the project or not, the Lord is pleased."
She dreamily sighed. "You should be a pastor. You speak so well about the Lord, Terrence."
He just smiled. His face softened. Nangalumbaba ito at tumingin ng diretso sa camera. "How about you, baby? What are you going to do today?"
"Sleep, eat, repeat."
He laughed. "You deserve some rest. This week has been hectic for you, too. I just wish I can kiss, hug, and spoil you right now."
Araw-araw silang nagvi-videocall ng asawa. Maliban na lang kapag oras ng trabaho, nasa ministry sila, at oras na para matulog. Kaya sobrang updated nila sa isa't isa.
Sa sobrang dalas nga nilang magkausap, kulang na lang ay dala ni Eunice ang Ipad hanggang sa shower.
"It's alright. I'm okay." Itinabi niya muna ang nangalahati na'ng tinapay. "Alam mo namang gustong-gusto ko din ang ginagawa ko."
The more her sketches turned into real clothes, the more she's inspired to do more. Nag-uumapaw madalas ang ideas sa isip niya, ang designs, ang cuts, ang patterns... At kahit minsan ay natutusok siya ng karayom, hindi iyon nagiging dahilan para huminto siya sa trabaho.
Eunice was always on fire. Since she came back as a junior fashion designer in Gaudin Haute Couture, she's been actively sharing her ideas and non-stop working with different teams and clients.
Hindi rin alam ni Eunice kung bakit tila hindi siya nauubusan ng sipag! But she believes that it's not her, but the power and strength of God's spirit within her.
Araw-araw, iyon ang una niyang hinihingi sa Panginoon—diligence and wisdom. At araw-araw, ibinibigay Nito iyon. Hindi lang sa trabaho, pero kahit sa personal na mga activities na ginagawa niya. Lalo pa sa ministry!
"Good thing you still know how to rest. And you have a lot of time with the Lord, also."
Kompleto rin palagi ang tulog ni Eunice. She trained herself to sleep for 8 to 10 hours every night. Kaya ang ganda rin ng gising niya araw-araw. Four AM ang usual niyang gising.
There's something about the quietness of the dawn that can make Eunice hear God's voice.
She takes one to two hours for her quiet time with the Lord. Kasama na doon ang prayer, bible reading, devotion at journaling. Ang pinagkaiba lang sa pag-jo-journal ni Eunice, imbes na sinusulat ay nagvo-voice record siya ng mga sinabi at ipinaintindi sa kanya ng Diyos.
She's been voice recording since her baby Love died. Ang iba ay naparinig niya na kay Terrence. There are some that she kept to herself only.
"Iyon naman ang pinaka-importante, hindi ba? No matter how busy we are with our lives, we should prioritize our relationship with Him. Hindi ko nararamdamang mag-isa lang ako dito dahil sa Kanya. I should get closer and closer to Him. I know that once I stopped, I'll go back to my old self... I don't want to be a slave of emptiness, again. I've been set free, already."
Tumango-tango si Terrence. Nakatitig ito nang mataman sa screen—sa kanya. Puno ng paghanga ang mga mata nito. Nagmamahal...
"Why?" she softly asked. Napahagod siya sa buhok na hindi niya pa pala nasusuklay mula nang nag jogging siya.
"I'm so proud of you, baby," malambing nitong saad. "Three years and you've come a long, long way already. Three years in marriage and I keep growing in love with you every single day."
Uminit ang puso niya sa sinabi ng asawa. She touched her chest. Normal lang sa kanila ang heart-to-heart talks katulad nito. Kilala na rin ni Eunice si Terrence pero nasosorpresa pa rin siya sa tuwing nagiging appreciative ito sa kanya.
They are in a long-distance marriage, physically. But there's never a day that Terrence made her feel that he's miles and miles away.
She wanted to believe their love for each other knows no distance. Terrence will always be close to her heart, as same as she will always be near his.
"Am I your great love, Terrence?" malambing niyang tanong.
"No."
"What—"
"You're my greatest love," nakangising sagot nito.
Natakpan niya ang mukha ng mga palad at nararamdaman niya ang sariling ngiti na aabot na yata sa magkabilang tainga.
She giggled like she's being tickled. "You're such a flirt!"
His brown eyes sparkling. "Je t'aime de tout mon coeur, Eunice."
Nangalumbaba siya at tinitigan ang screen kung nasaan sobrang linaw ni Terrence. "I love you with all my heart, too, engineer brown eyes."
She blew him a kiss. Terrence acted like his hand caught it. Pagkatapos ay inilagay nito iyon sa tapat ng puso nito. They shared a fun laughter together.
"Mommy Eunice, Mommy Eunice!"
Biglang lumitaw mula sa likod ni Terrence si Cyla.
"Hello, sweetie pie," she sweetly greeted her.
Nakita niyang kumandong ito kay Terrence at sumubsob ito palapit sa camera. "I miss you, Mommy!" she said in a strong Australian accent. "I know many, many Tagalog words already."
"Yey, that's great! You learned more than yesterday, sweetie?"
Cyla has the same sparkling brown eyes like her father. Nagsimula na itong magkuwento. Matiyagang nakikinig si Eunice dahil interesado din talaga siya.
Maybe others can never understand, but although Cyla didn't come from her, in Eunice's heart, she's her daughter, too. And Frances—Cyla's biological mother, was so grateful that Eunice accepted and loving Cyla more than she should.
Parang ang laki-laki ng puso ni Eunice na lahat ng mahal ng asawa niya, kayang-kaya niya ring mahalin.
Ultimate reason is that as one grows in love with Christ, the deeper he/she can love other people.
Minsan, nagugulat na lang din si Eunice sa sarili niya. Her thoughts, words, and actions were not the same three years ago, not even two years ago, a year ago, a month ago... nor yesterday.
That's when she realized that being a better person takes time, but it's the best progress one can ever experience.
Tatlong oras ang mabilis na lumipas sa videocall nilang mag-asawa. Nagpaalam na si Eunice para makaligo at makapaghanda na rin ng tanghalian niya. Terrence agreed so he can work on his blueprint.
Pagkatapos ng tanghalian ay nakatanggap ng tawag si Eunice.
"Hello, Tita Gena," sagot niya sa tawag.
"Hi, hija. Am I interrupting something?"
"No, Tita. I just finished my lunch. Kumusta po?" Inilagay niya sa lababo ang pinagkainan.
Tita Gena is also a Filipina living in Paris. Kasama niya itong nagse-serve sa ministry at leader din sa discipleship group na kinabibilangan niya. She's a fifty-nine-year-old widow, young at heart and very kind! Para siyang nagkaroon ng isang ina sa Paris dahil dito.
"We are having a little tea party here at my apartment. Come here, okay? I don't want you to miss the fun. Nandito din ang mga admirers mo."
Natawa si Eunice nang maisip ang mga "admirers" niya. Natatawa din si Terrence sa tuwing napag-uusapan nila iyon.
"Sure, Tita, I'll be there. Dadaan na rin ako ng church, so I can leave my materials there for the kids." Ilang hakbang lang din ang church mula sa apartment nito.
"Praise God! I'm excited!" nasasabik nga ang tono nito, parang sa isang dalaga. "Mag-iingat ka papunta dito, hija."
"See you, Tita."
Pagkaayos ni Eunice ay nagbook na siya ng Uber. Pagkadating ng sasakyan ay handa na ang lahat ng dalahin niya.
The church is on the 4th arrondissement. Hindi naman iyon literal na simbahan katulad ng sa tradisyonal. Their congregation is still small but exponentially growing. Ngayon ay may inuupahang isang commercial establishment kung saan ginaganap ang Sunday services. There were little rooms for Sunday school, too.
Pagkababa niya ng sasakyan ay may ilang volunteers ang nandoon, nagpi-prepare para bukas. Lahat sila, Filipino.
"Hi, Eunice! Napadaan ka?" lumapit sa kanya si Rowena, kaedad niya ito ngunit single pa. "Tulungan na kita diyan.
"Merci, merci! Pupunta ako kina Tita Gena. Naisip kong ibaba itong materials ko para sa mga bata bukas."
"Wow! Ang effort mo talaga para sa mga alaga mo."
"Siyam lang naman sila," aniya. She's in-charge of the eight-year olds. Limang babae, apat na lalaki. Mga Filipino rin, pero sa Paris na ipinanganak at lumalaki.
Kulang ang volunteer for Sunday school teachers nang dumating siya. She was asked if she would like to try, and she quickly said 'yes'.
Noong unang buwan niya, hindi alam ni Eunice kung paanong iha-handle ang siyam na bata. But eventually, she was able to get familiarized. Nakuha niya ang kiliti ng bawat isa.
Pagkatapos niyang iwan ang mga materials ay nagpaalam na rin kaagad siya. Ilang hakbang at nasa tapat na siya ng building kung nasaan nakatira si Tita Gena at ang pamilya nito.
"I brought some macaroons from Laduree!" she cheerfully said when the door swung open.
Tita Gena's eyes twinkled. "Ang bilis mong nakarating!" Niyakap siya nito. "Halika na sa taas at nakapila na ang mga manliligaw mo."
"I thought this tea party is for married women only?"
"Alam mo naman ang ilang members, hindi puwedeng iwan ang mga anak."
Pagkadating sa maaliwalas na apartment ni Tita Gena ay nandoon na lahat ang kasama nila sa dgroup. She was warmly greeted by the ladies and by...
"Madame Eunice, mon amour!"
"My angel, my angel!"
"Teacher, you're here!"
"Miss beautiful!"
And here comes her "admirers" crowding around her. Sabay-sabay siyang niyakap ng mga ito. Natawa siya at sinikap gumanti ng yakap sa apat.
Lev, Pax, Evander, and Clement are all part of her Sunday school class. They are all eight-year old Filipino boys. But they grew up in a French culture—too romantic.
Yumuko siya at ginulo ang buhok ng mga ito. "Were you all waiting for me? Our class is tomorrow pa."
"I miss you, Teacher..." Clement exclaimed.
"I miss you more, teacher!" That's Pax.
"Ako, ako, lagi po kitang pinagpe-pray na makita!" There's Evander.
"Mahal na mahal po kita!" And most vocal eight-year old, Lev.
Tita Gena and the boys' mothers burst into laughter. Natawa na rin si Eunice. Nasanay na siya sa apat na ito na may plano yatang patumbahin si Terrence.
Buong oras na nandoon si Eunice ay nakapaligid sa kanya ang mga "admirers" niya.
Pero behaved naman ang mga ito habang kumakain ng dala niyang macaroons.
The women were discussing about the Sunday message last week. Matamang nakikinig si Eunice dahil madami din siyang natutunan sa realizations ng ibang tao.
"How about you, hija?" Tita Gena turned to her, smiles were warm and kind. "Where do you think do we gain maturity?"
Ibinaba ni Eunice ang teacup sa table. "My husband is an achiever. He likes studying, researching, anything that can make him acquire knowledge, and I realized that's how he developed his mental maturity. While through tough experiences, we gain emotional maturity...
"But we can only achieve spiritual maturity, if we continue to walk with God by obeying his commands kahit may discomfort, praying consistently kahit hindi natin feel, studying His words kahit parang wala tayong naiintindihan, and lastly, sharing Jesus kahit walang gustong maniwala sa'tin. Still loving people kahit sobrang difficult nila. Honestly, that's the only maturity that matters the most to me."
Because what is being too smart, if one's soul is wandering away? What is gained experiences, if you don't know Who's with you while facing it?
Pag-angat ng tingin ni Eunice sa mga kasama ay matamang nakikinig ang mga ito sa kanya, their eyes showing appreciation, and their smiles agreeing.
"That's wonderful, Eunice! Thank you for sharing that."
"I thank God for your heart, hija," Tita Gena said. She reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. "As believers, that's the maturity we should prioritize. Remember, ladies," baling nito sa lahat. "Spiritual maturity is achieving Christlikeness. We can never perfect it until death. But we should never be stagnant. Be renewed day by day by grace."
Look, baby Love... Mommy's slowly maturing...
By six in the evening, they all enjoyed an early dinner. Sumiksik kay Eunice sina Lev, Pax, Evander, at Clement. Sinaway ang mga ito ng mga ina. Pero inasikaso niya na lang ang mga bata.
Eunice knew that the boys' mothers needed some little time-out from their sons. Napakataas naman kasi ng energy ng apat na batang lalaki.
Maya-maya pa ay isa-isa nang nag-uwian ang mga ito. Nakatanggap pa siya ng apat na flying kiss mula sa mga bata.
"I better go, too, Tita," paalam ni Eunice. "I don't want to miss my bedtime."
Tumango ito at ngumiti. "By the way, nakapagdesisyon ka na ba kung kanino ka magse-share ng gospel?"
There's this personal challenge that their group suggested. To be able to save more souls, iisip sila ng kaibigan o katrabaho na puwedeng share-an ng gospel at ma-guide na rin, spiritually, later on.
Dalawang tao lang ang pumapasok lagi sa isip ni Eunice. But those two weren't living in Paris anymore. Although she never stopped praying for them.
A year ago, she lost contact with them. Partly, her fault. She can't even find them even in social media...
"I'll pray for it more, Tita. I'll let you know, too, kapag mayroon na po."
She understandingly nodded and gave her a motherly embraced. "Off you go. Para makapagpahinga ka na din. Thank you for today and see you tomorrow."
"Merci, Tita! Bonne nuit!" she said her thanks good night.
Pagkauwi ni Eunice sa apartment niya ay sobrang tahimik. She went straight to her bedroom and prepared for bed. Tumawag sandali si Terrence para mag-good night at makapagdasal sila bilang mag-asawa.
They praise, repented, and offer a thanksgiving together in their prayer as a couple.
Pagkatapos niyon ay ipinatong na ni Eunice ang cellphone sa bedside table. She bent on her knees. Then, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and prayed her personal prayers.
Eunice sincerely uttered her request.
Lord, please take care of Addie and Soleil wherever they are. I admit it's my fault that we suddenly drifted apart. But, Lord, wherever they are may you bring them closer to you. May they seek you with all their heart, Lord. Gumamit po sana Kayo ng mga tao na magiging instrumento para makilala kayo ni Addie at maging mas matatag ang faith ni Soleil.
Lord Jesus, if ever that it's me you wanted to use, may you make a way for me to find them, reach them, and rebuild our friendship, again.
In Jesus' name.
"Amen." Humiga na si Eunice sa kama at agad ding nakatulog.
The next day was bright and lovely like the other days. After attending the Sunday service in the morning, Eunice taught on Sunday school for the afternoon.
Nakakapagod pero laging puno ang puso niya sa tuwing umuuwi. She's excited to call Terrence on her way home.
Pagdating niya sa sariling apartment ay natigilan siya.
Two women were standing outside, in front of her door.
Napasinghap siya nang makilala ang mga ito. Sabay na napalingon ang mga ito.
"Eunice!" they exclaimed, happily.
Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata niya at hindi niya alam kung bakit. Sinugod niya ng yakap sina Addie at Soleil.
"I'm sorry!" Eunice cried.
Humagikgik ang dalawa. Mas hinigpitan ang yakap sa kanya.
"I miss you, brat!" Addie said.
"Tu me manques, Eunice..." Soleil whispered she missed her.
May kung anong hindi mapaliwanag na damdamin ang lumukob kay Eunice. Like a warning.
But she ignored it.
She's more than happy her two best friends are finally back!
The Lord already did His part. It's her turn now.
The challenge to share her faith to her friends starts today.
***
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***
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