Marcial Is Home

The Wind Beneath His Wings

Corazon's POV

Its been more than a year since Marcial got into that horrific car accident. We are back into our normal lives. And that accident made my relationship with Marcial even more stronger. Our love for each other grows deeper each day. Life has never been this good. Four months ago, Rhian gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, her first child with Franco. Both me and Marcial can't get enough of baby Sofia Franchesca, our second grandchild. Marcial even requested Rhian and Franco to live with us so that we can be with baby Sofia every single day. But the couple declined because they want to live on their own as they start a family. But they always spend the weekend with us. Just like today, Rhian has a very important military assignment and Franco needs to accompany her. So they brought Baby Sofie to our house for us to baby sit.

I just finished cooking for our dinner and goes to our room to check on Marcial who's baby sitting our grandchild. It was such a delight to see Marcial carrying baby Sofia in his arms while singing a lullaby song at pinaghihele ang apo namin. Memories of Arabella  being carried by Marcial in his arms when she was still a baby flashes back on my mind. A feeling of dejavu.

"Hi Lola Mommy", Marcial smiles when he saw me at the door watching them. I walk towards my husband and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Napatulog mo na pala si Baby Sofie. Good job Lolo Gen", I told him.

"Kamukhang kamukha niya talaga si Rhian noong baby pa, Ma. She's like an angel. Every time I stare at her, nawawala lahat ng pagod at stress ko", Marcial replied as he planted a kiss on baby Sofia's head.

"She really is Marcial. Everytime she's with us, it felt like parang nagbalik tayo nung kabataan natin. Noong mga panahong baby pa si Rhian. Inaalagaan natin. Mga panahong ang saya saya natin".

"You know what I've been praying for every night?", he asked me. "Ang pagkalooban pa tayo ng mahabang buhay para masaksihan natin ang paglaki ni Edgar at Sofia", Marcial sincerely uttered.

"Yan din ang lagi kong pinagdadasal Marcial. Ang tumanda kasama mo, sa piling ng mga anak at apo natin". He gently put Baby Sofia into my arms when his phone rings and excuse himself.

"Hello, Senator Martinez", I heard him addressed the person on the other line. I followed him at the veranda to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Senator, you know how much I want to serve this country. Pero buo na ang desisyon ko. Mas importante sa akin ang pamilya ko. Ang asawa ko. Pinagawayan na namin ni Corazon ang tungkol sa bagay na iyan noon. Ayaw ko na maulit pa", I heard Marcial said over the phone.

Kahit hindi nagki kwento si Marcial, alam ko marami pa din ang kumo kumbinse at nakikiusap sa kanya para tumakbo bilang Presidente sa magaganap na eleksyon sa susunod na taon. Hearing those words he uttered to the person he is speaking on the phone, made my heart full. Choosing to prioritize our family and my feelings over his desire to serve the public. Marcial is really one in a million. On the other hand, it made me feel guilty too. Am I that selfish para maging hadlang sa kagustuhan ng asawa ko na maglingkod ng tapat sa bansa? Politics in the country has gotten worst each day. Corruptions are everywhere. Human rights violation and abused of power are rampant. Ipagkakait ko ba kay Marcial ang pagkakataon na baguhin ang maling sistema? To be the change he wants to see. I remember my conversation with Jo the other night when we had dinner at their home. Nasa garden kami ni Jo while Leo and Marcial are drinking on the lanai.

"Nabasa mo ba yung survey na nilabas kahapon, Corazon? ", Jo asked me.

"Anong survey?", tanong ko.

"Survey for Presidential candidates. Naglabas sila ng pangalan ng mga gusto ng mga mamayan na maging susunod na Presidente. Nangunguna ang asawa mo".