After We Happened

XXXIX. Finally We're Home

Kabanata 39

Finally We're Home

Sobrang saya ko lang.

He's just too much. Kaya hindi ko maiwasang isipin na hindi ko siya deserve. Kasi totoo naman. Sa aming dalawa, ngayon napatunayan ko na talaga–na mas mahal niya talaga ako. At nagi-guilty ako dahil hindi ko alam kung noong kami ba ay naramdaman man lang ba niya kung gaano ko siya kamahal?

Nasa labas pa lang kami pero naluluha na ako. Seeing my most treasured design built, it's flattering yet at the same time heartbreaking, knowing that he did all the work without me. Siya nanaman mag-isa ang nagpakahirap. Binuo niya mag-isa ang bahay na kami dapat dalawa ang gagawa.

Naalala mo, Darlin. When we were still together, I used to tell him that I'd be the one to design our house. Gusto ko ako rin iyong hands-on doon. I started drafting our dream house in second year college and finished it on our fifth year. Binuo ko, pati ang interior design na gusto ko... and knowing that he kept the draft? Sobra sobra na. Kaya hanggang ngayon, hindi kita kayang ipagpalit. Kaya hanggang ngayon, mahal na mahal pa din kita.

Tama ka... sayang ang anim na taon.

But... maybe, it was meant to happen. If we didn't part ways, we'll never find ourselves. Still, I can't help but wonder... what if we never did?

Ilan na ang mga anak natin?

Masaya na ba tayong nakatira sa bahay na ito?

Memories. Traydor talaga ang mga alaala.

"I am finally home, Darling."

I glanced at him. I felt a bit awkward because all these time he was just looking at me. "I am finally home too, Daffney," sabi niya at kinuha ang dalawa kong kamay.

"Let's go inside," akmang hihilahin niya na ako papasok pero hindi ako gumalaw. Nanatili ako sa pwesto ko.

I could see fear in his eyes. Takot na baka iwanan at takbuhan ko nanaman siya. Takot na baka hindi ko nagustuhan iyong ginawa niya. Takot na hindi ako gumalaw dahil ayokong makasama ulit siya. Darlin, ako rin... natatakot. Siguro nga, duwag din ako.

"Why Daff?" he tried to sound stern but he failed to. Kitang-kita ko na maiiyak na siya kaya parang tinutunaw 'yung puso ko na makitang ganyan pa rin siya pagdating sa akin. Maybe, there are really some things that would never change.

"I just want to admire my home one last time," I told him, he nodded and immediately faced the house.

Kaagad ko siyang ibinaling sa akin.

"Look at me, my home."

Kinagat niya ang kanyang pang-ibabang labi tila pinipigilang maiyak. Hindi ko na napigilan pa, I hugged him tight. I hope this never ends. I just want to stay and savour this moment. Apat na taon. Apat na taon kitang inasam. I felt his lips kissing the top of my head.

Before going inside I glanced at it again. It was a two-storey house with the pure color white. It wasn't some typical house like the modern ones, it was more of a spanish era style. It was a manor. A manor that I designed.

Inakyat namin ang hagdanan at binuksan ang double doors gamit ang susing ibinigay niya sa akin.

I thought wala pa sigurong laman itong bahay dahil wala namang nakatira, but looking at it, made me cry even more.

It was fully furnished and even the furnitures, 'yun yung mga gusto ko. Iyon ang mga nasa design ko noon.

He knows me too well... ang mga bagay na gusto ko at ayaw ko. Alam na alam niya talaga.