You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

ISAVELL'S POV

"...and magpapalit na kami ni Isavell, alam ko namang mas mahal niyo na siya kesa sa akin." The audience laughed at Ate Iska's remark. She went down the stage, smiled at me, and tapped my shoulder. "Ikaw na, beh." I nodded and headed my way, smiling at the cheers that the audience brought.

"Hello everyone." They cheered again. "So, today before I do your requests, gusto ko sanang kantahin ang kantang talagang mahalaga para sa akin. It has been a year since I sang this song, in this bar." I started strumming the guitar.

I smiled after singing the first four lines.

The song I sang when I first met him. He was smiling at me and I called him a weird creep. I couldn't help but smile at our memories together.

From our first laugh, first conversation, first date, the first argument, and our very first kiss.

I glanced at my wedding ring. It has been a year since we were married. The very same day he left me.

I felt a tear running down my cheek. I sadly smiled.

"L-Loralei Isa... vell Ang... Angeles, right from t-the moment I s-saw your picture," He chuckled. "y-yes picture pa... pa lang n-nakuha mo na ang... ang puso ko." He smiled at me even though he was having a hard time talking. "I kn-knew I'll love you.... With all... all of my heart. I-I want to l-live longer fo-for you. B-But this... this will do." Tears were falling from our eyes but we couldn't remove our smiles. "I love you, Vell... S-So much. And thank... you for... loving me... too."

"Do you, Rain Alfonz Isaac Esguerra, take Loralei Isavell Angeles to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do"

"Do you, Loralei Isavell Angeles, take Rain Alfonz Isaac Esguerra to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

And with that first kiss, his strength faded. My Rain fell asleep forever.

"Woooo!"

"Isa paaaa!"

"Ang galingggg!"

Cheers from the audience filled the bar. I looked at my mom sitting on the chair that Rain used to be on. She gave me a smile while she was clapping her hands.

I sang two more songs before exchanging with Ate Iska, once again.

"I'm so proud of you." Mom hugged me when I reached her table.

"Mom, it has been months since you began watching me perform." I chuckled.

"And I'll never get tired of it." She gave me a kiss on my forehead. "Your little brother missed you already. They're outside."

"Sige po, magpapaalam lang po muna ako kela Madam J." She nodded before heading outside. Ako naman ay lumapit na kela Ate Madelene. "Early off ko po, today."

"Sure sure. Alam naman namin kung bakit. Ito rin yung mga bulaklak namin, sorry kung di kami makakadalaw, ha?" I smiled at Madam J.

"Nako, ayos lang po, madam. Rain would understand."

"Oh siya sige, mag-ingat kayo ha? At a-attend ka pa raw bukas sa binyag ng panganay ni Ruby." Ate Mads reminded me. I nodded and bid goodbye.

Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko ng pinto sinalubong kaagad ako ng yakap ni Sergio. "Come on, Ate. Kuya Rain is waiting for us." I smiled at his last sentence.

"Let's go." We walked hand in hand towards the car. Nilagay ko sa backseat ang mga bulaklak na binigay nila Madam J. "They can't give it personally," I said, answering Jason's confusion.

"I didn't ask." I just chuckled. He still has his red days, but he really is as caring as a brother. "Nothing's funny, why are you laughing?"

"Your face is funny," I snorted, making Sergio laugh as well. Jason glared at me before putting on his earphones.

Ilang minuto lang ay huminto na ang sasakyan namin. We all went out of the car and took our stuff. Si Jason ang nagbitbit ng picnic basket, si Sergio naman sa blanket, at kami ni Daddy Joseph sa mga bulaklak.

"Hey, I hope we're not late," sabi ni mommy tsaka nakipagbeso kay Mrs. Esguerra—I mean Mama Glenn.

"Kararating lang din namin." Tumingin sa akin si Mama. "How are you, my daughter?" She gave me a hug.

"I'm fine, Mama. Nami-miss pa rin si Rain, every day." I smiled and she sighed.

"We do too." She sat down on their prepared blanket beside Rain's tombstone. She tapped her side, making me sit beside her and so I did. "It has been a year, Isavell. Rain would understand if you'll find another man." I smiled at her.

"I hope you understand, Mama. Ever since I said I do, I promised Rain and myself that my body, heart, mind, and soul belong to Rain and Rain alone. I'll stay loyal to him, until my last breath." A tear fell down mama's eye before she pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you, Isavell. Thank you for loving my son. But if you ever find another man, we'll be happy for you, okay? Don't close your heart. You still have lots of years ahead of you." She let me go and smiled at me.

Nagsimula naman na kaming magdasal at kumain na. We're currently celebrating Rain's birthday. A month after our wedding, saka ko lang nalaman na birthday niya pala nung una kaming magkita. They also told me about Rain's feelings ever since he saw my picture. Si Jason din ang nagkwento ng stalking adventure ni Rain, and I never got tired of hearing them again and again.

For me, Rain deserves a lot of love and he may not physically be with me anymore, but inside my heart and mind, I know he's with me, and I'll love him with every beat of my heart.

"I love you, Rain," I whispered while caressing his tombstone. I suddenly felt a cold breeze brushing against my skin. It was as if he was hugging me. I smiled at that thought. I'll never leave you too. I promise.

~*~ The End ~*~