Paramours of Spring (Youthful Series 4)

Epilogue

Adi

Sometimes, I can't help but to see how people are meant to grow from phases and how beautiful it us for us to experience.

I wouldn't grow this much without Chin, and I don't I'll grow more without him.

The plants that I consistently took care of finally blooms. But some didn't make it. Chin helped me to clean the balcony where we provided space for our plants. Now, the small mini garden that we have here our condo is starting to grow crowded.

When you plant, you should patient. I am patient. I always try to even if that means waiting for years with unsure results.

"Pwede ba akong sumama? If hindi hassle?" Chin is so curious about the volunteer program that we are destined to do this week.

"Magiging busy lang din ako doon," pagpapaliwanag ko dahil alam kong sa gaganaping three-days program na 'yon ay magiging abala kami sa bawat araw.

"Promise, tutulong ako and I'll behave," he insisted harder.

We can actually invite Chin to come with us and asking my seniors isn't a problem at all. So, Chin started packing his things and we carry on from an eight hours travel before we reached the provincial destination.

Maaga pa lamang ay nagsimula na kaming magprepare ng mga gagamitin sa check-up sa mga bata. Tumulong naman si Chin sa pagluluto kasama ang ibang mga staff. Hanggang doon lang kasi ang pwede niyang magawa dahil hindi naman siya pwedeng kumilos sa mga tools and equipments namin.

Habang abala kaming nagbibigay ng mga bakuna sa mga bata ay nandoon si Chin sa dulo at kinakausap ang ibang mga magulang at bata. Madali rin siyang napalapit sa mga colleagues ko at marahil sa dahilan na hindi naman siya mahirap pakisamahan.

Magkasama kami sa iisang kuwarto at nagkasya naman kami sa iisang kama. Kinabukasan ay maaga naman kaming nagprepare para sa mga matatanda. Si Chin naman ay tumulong na rin sa pag-aasikaso sa mga donations.

"Buti sinama mo si Chin," banggit sa akin ng colleague ko.

Nang dumating huling araw namin dito ay natahimik kaming dalawa habang nagpapahinga.

"Napagod ka?" I asks, leaning to his shoulder.

"Mm," his eyes were still close when he responded. "You really love your job," he looks at me now.

"I do," I replied with genuine smile.

When I first entered in med school, I wasn't sure if this is something that I really wanted to do. Maybe I was just forced or dictated when I younger. But throughout the years of learning medicine and providing welfare that I wasn't expecting would give satisfaction to them, I felt that eagerness to help.

"You're always kind, Adi," he smiles again, "And I will always choose kindness because of you,"

I wasn't expecting him to say that. In fact, I should be the one who is saying those words to him- to say that he is the reason why I choose to be kind. And I will choose to be kind always, I choose him always.

Sa pag-alis namin, halos maiyak si Chin sa loob ng sasakyan. Nagtatawanan naman ang mga colleagues ko at maging ako rin. Ganito ang pakiramdam namin sa tuwing umaalis na hanggang sa nasanay na kami dito.

Years sprouted and we continue having a blooming season of life. We both made everything special. We rarely fight, we barely even have misunderstandings because of how we value communication.

Chin became my peace.

Inilapag ko ang isang vase ng bulaklak mula sa mesa na aming gagamitin ngayong dinner. Nagluto si Chin ngayon at day off ko naman hanggang bukas.

Malamig ang hanging dala mula sa balcony na aming kinauupuan habang nagbibigay ng matingkad na liwanag ang fairy lights na inilagay din niya mula dito.

While eating our food, I am moving weirdly from my chair.

"Bakit?" he notices.

"Nothing, I like the food," I smile which made me laugh now because of his reaction of catching me.

"Ano nga?" napatingin siya sa likod ko at dito ko na inilabas ang isang envelope.

"So, dahil wala na tayong masyadong space na pagtataniman dito sa balcony, I bought us something," I handed him the envelope.

I stare at his eyes as it travel around the paper, reading the details of it, "Adi..." his lips pouted and tears started building up. "Adi," he stood up from his chair and hugs me until we almost fell.

"Sorry if it took too long," I said caressing his back.

"It's perfect!" he sobs loudly. "We are having a house? Is this real?" he screams at excitement.

"Mm," I kiss him from his cheeks, can't control how happy I am to see him this way.

"Pwede na rin tayo mag-alaga ng dogs like Mauv, and cats na rin like Eli!" he started planning things about this. He insisted of also paying half of the share but I disagree to it. But that didn't stop him to plan from spending his own money to from other stuff that our future home will need.

This is the beauty of patience and I will always be patient to him even if it will take us years or take us back from our youth, I don't care. Chin will always make it worth it.