Chasing sunsets

Chapter 18- Marry

ELLA

Same routine everyday,

and next week will be her last week

Naka prepare na si Mama sa lahat

Sa next week na din kami ikakasal

Maybe sa last date of the month

"L-love" sambit niya

I looked at Jema

"Lovelove, I'll wash you muna ha? Malagkit kana eh" Sambit ko at tsaka natawa

Sinamaan niya naman ako ng tingin

I just smiled and kissed her forehead

I started to wipe Jema with a damp cloth

When it's all done, I changed her cloth

"Ang bango ng baby ko" I said

Tipid naman siyang ngumiti

"J-just l-let m-me g-go, E-ella" sambit niya

I heaved a sigh and held her hand

"I'll leave you in this state? No, Never. May sakit ka man or wala, hinding hindi kita iiwan... Ibibigay ko ang lahat, Para sayo. Mahal na mahal kita, Through highs and lows, Andito lang ako. Yan ang dapat laging mong tatandaan ha? Laban lang Jema, Your fight, is my fight too"I said

I saw a tear on her eyes

"Sasamahan kita, sa hirap at ginhawa. Diba, Ikaw at ako, Tayong dalawa lang hanggang dulo?" sambit ko

She slowly nodded kaya napa ngiti ako

I kissed her forehead and wiped her tears

"Sleep ka na love, I'll stay here" Sambit ko

Tumango naman siya at ipinikit ang mata niya

Ako naman ngayon ang umiyak

I don't want her to see me cry

Kasi para na ring

Para na ring suko na ako sa lahat

I promised to myself, I'll never marry anyone

Si Jema lang

"Anak" si mama

I quickly wiped my tears

"Okay ka lang nak?"she asked

"O-okay lang po mama" I faked my smile

"May pagkain dun sa baba, dun ka muna anak" sabi ni mama

"Okay lang po mama, busog na po ako" I replied and squeezed Jema's hand

"Ilang weeks ka nang hindi kumakain, Sige na anak. Kain ka na, namamayat ka na din oh" Mama said

"Okay lang po talaga mama" I said

Dadalhan nalang kita, teka lang anak ha" sambit niya bago lumabas

I looked at Jema

"Your Mama's just like you lang din love no?" I chuckled

"Besh kain ka na naman" sambit ni alyssa

"I'm fine nga! Kamusta na pala yung agency?"I said

"they have announced it to the media, about Jema...Pero hindi nila alam yung reason kung bakit ganito si Je" sagot ni Alyssa

"You really love her so much no?" Michele suddenly said

I smiled and looked at Jema

"Oo, Sobra" I said

Napa ngiti naman sila

Sabi ni mama dito na rin daw sila matulog, Kanina pa kasi umuulan

Delikado pag nag drive tapos umuulan

"Dyan kayo, I'll sleep beside Jema" sambit ko

Naglapag naman sila ng comforter at unan sa sahig

"Hindi ba maginaw yung sahig?" I asked them

"Okay lang ells, Mukhang comfortable naman" sagot ni Ly habang naka higa

"Ly penge naman ng unan" sambit ni Michele

"Tatlo na unan mo friend tumigil ka" sagot ni Alyssa

Natawa naman ako sakanila

Humiga ako beside Jema and I let her head rest on my chest

Pansin kong tahimik na yung dalawa

Naka tulog na pala

Hindi ako maka tulog

I shouldn't sleep

Lalo na't Jema's having seizures

At least, I should keep myself awake

buti nalang at nagkape ako

"L-love" Jema softly said

Napa lingon ako sakanya

"hello my love... It's already 1 am, go back to sleep na" I smiled

"I-I'm sorry, p-pati i-ikaw d-di m-makatulog d-dahil s-sakin" sambit niya

I heaved a sigh

"I'm all good, Kaya kitang alagaan the whole day, or whole night... stop saying sorry, okay? You don't have to apologize, wala ka namang kasalanan" sabi ko at tsaka hinalikan ang noo niya

We're both silent

"I'll marry you, Jema" Sambit ko

"G-gusto d-dinnk-kitang p-pakasalan e-ella" Jema said

"We'll get married okay? Just hang on, ikakasal pa tayo" Sabi ko

She slowly nodded

I kissed her forehead

"S-sing m-me a-a s-song" she softly said

I smiled

"Girl, I'll stay through the bad times
Even if I have to fetch you everyday
We'll get by with a smile
You can never be too happy in this life"