Arts of Heart (Compilation of OSS)

ART 117

FIFTY YEARS HAD PASSED YET IT'S STILL HER

Naghahanap ako nang mauupuan sa loob ng simbahan nang maagaw ng dalawang matanda ang aking pansin. They must be a couple. Saktong may bakante sa kanilang tabi kaya nagpagpasyahan ko na roon na maupo.

My heart moved when I caught the old man taking a picture of an old woman beside him. 'Yon ang kanina ko pang napapansin. Wala man lang kamalay-malay ang matandang babae sa ginagawa ng katabi. She's seriously looking in front while waiting for the mass to start.

Sa sobrang dala ko sa nakita ay hindi ko napansin na nakatingin na pala sa akin ang matandang lalaki.

"Pasensya kana, hija. Huwag mong sasabihin sa kaniya ha? Pihadong magagalit na naman siya." Napakunot ako sa sinabi ng matanda.

"Bakit naman po siya magagalit?" I asked politely.

"Ayaw niya na kinukuhanan ko siya ng larawan. Hindi raw siya photogenic at napakadugyot niya," saad nito na sinamahan pa nang mahinang pagtawa.

'Sana all' na lamang ang tanging nasabi ko sa  aking isip.

"Bakit po parang hindi niya kayo napapansin? Mukhang ang seryoso rin po," bulong ko pabalik habang nakatingin sa matandang babae.

He took a glimpse on her before he gets something on his wallet. I was surprised when he handed me it then there I saw a picture of a young lady. She wasn't looking on the camera, it's actually a stolen shot of her while laughing.

"Siya po ito? Maganda naman po siya ah." That's true. Maganda nga ito lalo noong kabataan pa. Walang mababakas na kadugyutan kahit mukhang luma na ang larawan.

Mabilis na tumango ang matanda. "Mukhang lang talaga siyang masungit at seryoso pero napakabait niyang tao. Isn't she lovely?"

Kung puwede lang lumabas ay nagawa ko na. Gusto ko lang naman magsimba at humiling pero hindi naman kasama na mabitter ako. But I really admire how this man loves his wife. They're so cute.

"Noon, gustong-gusto ko laging makita ang mga ngiti niya. It was my favorite view. Doon palang kuhang-kuha na niya ako. I even imagined my future with her."

As I looked at him, I noticed how his eyes glittered with happiness. Then something came up on my mind.

"First love niyo po ba siya?" Nakangiting tumango ang matanda.

Hindi ko mapigilang humanga. Marahil ay matagal na silang nagsasama. That kind of relationship is rare. Your first became your last. Hayst. Sana all ulit.

"I love her since we were 18 and now that we're 78, walang pa ring pagbabago. Siya pa rin ang babaeng mahal na mahal ko."

I couldn't help but to admire this old man. I wish I can find a man like him. 'Yong handa akong hintayin, mahalin at syempre gusto ko siya na ang first and last ko. Hindi bale na matagal pero atleast worth it naman ang dumating.

May naghudyat na magsisimula na ang misa kaya sabay-sabay kaming napatayo. Saktong napatingin naman ang matandang babae sa amin at pareho kaming nginitian.

Tama si lolo, she seems very nice.

"Grabe lo, ang solid niyo naman po magmahal. Napakaswerte naman po ng asawa niyo sa inyo," humahangang sabi ko matanda.

The man looked in front then a small smile escaped from his lips. There's a hint of sadness in his eyes. Nagulat ako sa sunod niyang sinabi.

"Hindi ko siya asawa. I used to be her bestfriend for over 50 years yet never in my life I had the courage to tell it so she ended up being with someone else. 50 years had passed and my heart still belongs to her," mahinang sabi niya bago nagsimula ang misa.

Then I realized something. When you still have time to say to your love ones that you love them, don't hesitate. Don't be afraid of rejection. Don't be afraid to take a risk. It's always worth it because He has a better plan for you. Manalo o matalo atleast alam mong may ginawa ka. Huwag mong hayaan na pagsisihan mo ito sa huli kung kailan nasa kamay na sila ng iba.