Unbreak My Heart

Epilogue

Happy Ever After

"What is this?" Tanong ni Andres sa asawang si Scarlett.

Tinutukoy ni Andres ang isang notebook o mas akmang tawaging journal na ginawa ni Scarlett. Nakatala sa journal na iyon ang mga importanteng kaganapan sa buhay nila ni Andres. Isinulat doon ni Scarlett kung paano nabuo ang pag-iibigan nila ng asawa. Lahat ay isinulat niya kahit pangit man o maganda ang pinagmulan gaya nang kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Andres at kung paano naghiwalay at muling nagkabalikan.

Scarlett smiled sweetly at Andres. Kinuha niya mula sa asawa ang journal saka tinungo ang balkonahe at naupo sa lover's couch na naroroon.

"Isn't it obvious? It's a journal." Sagot ni Scarlett.

"I know." Sabi ni Andres saka tinabihan ang asawa na agad na sumandal sa kanya. "You wrote all those?" Masuyong tanong nito sa asawa.

"Hmmm..." Sagot ni Scarlett.

"For the past twenty years?" Tanong ulit ni Andres.

"Yeah. For the past twenty years." Sagot muli ni Scarlett. "I actually got the idea from the movie "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks wherein the wife wrote all her memories with her husband in a notebook but in the end, she was the one who forgot everything due to dimentia. Her husband loves her so much kaya ang ginagawa ng lalaki ay nag-stay siya sa home for the aged kung saan nag-stay ang asawa niya. Dahil hindi siya natatandaan nito ay kinaibigan niya ang babae at kinwento dito ang nakaraan nila. At 'yong kinukwento ng lalaki ay mula sa mga alaala na nakasulat notebook na isinulat ng babae. Somehow, he wants her to remember their wonderful past. And when she did, they were found dead the next morning. It was one of the loveliest and at the same time saddest movie I've ever watched." Kwento ni Scarlett sa asawa.

"And you're crying." Puna ni Andres na iniharap ang asawa at pinunasan ang luha nito. "How come I didn't know this story?" Tanong ni Andres.

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Scarlett sa asawa.

"You see. I wrote all these. Sinulat ko ang love story natin. I included both the good and bad times that were very significant to our lives. 'Yong mga good dahil napasaya tayo at 'yong mga bad dahil may natutunan tayo from those." Madamdaming pahayag ni Scarlett. "I wrote these because I don't want to forget. Na kapag dumating 'yong time na nakakalimot na tayo, this notebook will serve as our reminders on how our story started and went on." Dagdag pa niya.

Andres softly caresses her face and lovingly looked at her. Twenty years have passed as if it just happened yesterday. Memories of the past stay at the past. Twenty years have been added to their lives. A fulfilling twenty years. Twenty years have been added to their love story. A fruitful and colorful love story. May tatlong naggagandahang anak; twin boys and a girl.

"Scarlett, my memory may fail but my heart will not." Masuyong pahayag ni Andres sa asawa saka ito ginawaran ng halik sa noo. "That, I can assure you." Dagdag nito. "When it comes to you, all I have to trust is this," turo nito sa sariling dibdib na ang tinutukoy ay ang puso nito. "and it will instantly recognize you." May katiyakang saad ni Andres. "Sigurado akong hindi ka kailanman gugustuhing makalimutan ng puso ko, asawa ko, because you are the only woman I love with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my being." Punumpuno ng pagmamahal na saad ni Andres.

And she was touched. For the past twenty years, pinaramdam sa kanya ni Andres ang isang wagas at tapat na pagmamahal. Tiyak na kinaiinggitan siya ng nakararami dahil mayroon siyang Andres na minahal siya ng buung-buo. Totoong bumawi ito sa mga naging pagkukulang nito sa kanya. Itinuring siyang sentro ng buhay nito at tinratong isang reyna. She was pampered like a highness. Hindi na niya kailangan pang humiling sa asawa dahil gagawin na nito ang lahat ng bagay na maisip nitong gawin para sa kanya.

She was loved, cherished and treasured in many ways.  He had given her the things she deserves and let her experience the things she wasn't able to experience in her past. At wala na siyang mahihiling pa. She has Andres and their three full grown children.

"Happy 20th anniversary, asawa ko." He sweetly said to her.

She blushed. Twenty years have passed but she can't still suppressed her kilig feeling towards her husband.

"Happy 20th anniversary." Sagot niya sa asawa.

"What a blushing wife I have." Nakangiting komento ni Andres before claiming her lips.

Scarlett's now fifty and Andres' now fifty three. Because they are living happily and as much as possible avoid stress, they look ten years younger as if they are immortals who defy age and time. Still at the prime of their face and body. Still strong and enjoying all the benefits of life.

"I will always love you, Scarlett. The way I promise you. Until we grow old. Until we eat without teeth. Until we are both weak." Saad ni Andres na nagniningning ang mga mata.

"And I can't wait to grow old with you, Andres." She softly said.

"Happy anniversary!!!" Narinig nilang sigaw ng kanilang mga anak nang pumasok sa silid nilang mag-asawa.

Pinuntahan at hinarap nila ang kanilang tatlong anak; Andrei and Andrew, their twin boys who were their first children and Andrea their youngest. All are very sweet and lovely. Pinalaki na puno ng pagmamahal at may tamang disiplina. More than their wealth, these three are their true treasure na hindi mapapalitan ninuman.

Mabilis na yumakap si Andrea sa ina at ang dalawang lalaki ay hinalikan siya sa magkabilang pisngi.

"Why do I have this feeling na mas mahal niyo ang mommy niyo kaysa sa akin?" Kunwa'y tanong ni Andres sa mga anak.

"Nahhh" halos sabay-sabay na sambit ng tatlo at hinila ang ama at nagyakap ang buong mag-anak.

"I love you..." He mouthly said without sound.

"I love you, too." She answered back.

T H E
E N D

❤

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In a story, a writer can write a happy ever after ng walang kahirap-hirap. Surely, we cannot predict how one family handles their problems and life challenges. But you know what, if you know your plans and goals in life, pwede naman maging happy ending ang lahat ng bagay. Especially, when you have faith in your heart.

Salamat po sa lahat ng sumuporta sa istorya ng pag-iibigan nina Andres and Scarlett. Nahirapan ako sa pagsusulat nito dahil ang daming dumating na pagsubok. Salamat sa mga matiyagang naghintay ng matatagal kong update. Salamat po sa inyong pasensya at pang-unawa. I am always thankful dahil nandiyan kayo at naaappreaciate ang mga gawa ko.

I have a promotion on next part. Papasupport ko po sa inyo.

Keep safe and healthy. God bless us all.

Love lots,
Bhebe Cheekay