Love from afar (Montecarlo Heir #1)

Kabanata 50

You have reached the final chapter. Thank you for being with me in this amazing roller coster ride of emotions!
-----
Exhausted from crying for hours, nakatulog kami parehas ni Rico. Ramdam ko ang pagkahilo sa kakaiyak at gutom ng magising. Mag aalas dos na ng hapon ng makababa kami para kumain.

We are both silent when having our late lunch. Sa sobrang tahimik.. kahit ang mga kasambahay hindi magawang lumikha ng kahit anong ingay at pinapanood kaming kumain.

Narinig nila marahil ang sigaw ni Rico kanina. Patago akong tumingin sakanya at kunot noo siyang nakayuko habang kumakain. Tinuon ko ang atensyon sa sariling plato para matapos na rin.

After our late lunch, Rico wasted no time and asked their family doctor to contact another hematologist in Manila. He wanted to book the next available flight for us pero sinabi kong abala na iyon. Sinabi ko naman na magaling si doktora Vangie at kakilala siya ni Marina pero gusto niyang marinig sa iba pang doktor kung ano ang magiging diagnosis.

"We can halt the wedding. This is far more important-"

"No Rico. We will still push through with the-"

"What are you saying? You need to get treatment this instant! Maghihintay ako Rein. Mas importante ang-"

I hugged him to calm him down. He hissed but he let me hug him still. Mugto ang mata ko at wala na ata akong iiiyak pa.

"I don't want.. to waste time. Let's get married. I'll have my chemotherapy after that." Malungkot kong sabi. Pinapangunahan ng takot sa maaaring mangyari sa hinaharap.

"We will have all the time we need, baby. I know it's scary, but I want you to know that I am here. I'll be with you through this." He rocked me gently while planting kisses on my forehead. Muli nanamang nanunubig ang mga mata ko. Shit.

"I'm.. I'm sorry.. I should've known... I'm sorry you have to go through this alone-"

"We are not doing this, Rico." I looked up to him and saw his forlorn eyes. He bit his lower lip then looked up in the sky, probably to stop him from crying.

"I don't want to ever hear you blame yourself again. You did nothing wrong. It's.. my fault. I don't want to hear you apologize because you feel like everything that's happened was your fault." Naiiyak kong sabi. My man, please. This is the reason...

Napasinghap ako para pigilan ang luha. "This.. is why I'm scared.. to tell you... dahil ayokong mag-iisip ka... at sisisihin mo ulit ang sarili mo sa kung ano ang nangyari... kahit na wala ka namang kinalaman.."

He leaned forward and claimed my lips. I closed my eyes and felt a tear fell on my cheek.

"I love you. We'll get through this. We'll get help from the best." He said, assuring me. I smiled. Yes. We will. We will fight.

"I wanted us to get married first. And... I have considered y-your offer..."

He tilted his head in question. "G-Gusto ko subukan.. ang sinabi mo... gusto ko na magkaroon tayo ng anak.. gagawin natin iyon."

He shut his eyes tightly as if he is so in pain. Nahabag ako sa nakita.

"We will. Let's not rush things, please. I want you to get treated first-"

"Still, Rico, please... we don't know what will happen in the future at gusto ko masiguro na-"

"Don't fucking say that!" His menacing voice thundered from the far reach of their garden.

Diniin niya ang noo sa akin. Begging, "Please, let's not lose hope. Ayokong mag-iisip ka ng ganyan. Let me fight for us. I'll be your strength. I'll shield you from your fears. We can do this."