A Love that Stays

Struggles and Suspicion

A month passed when the Sandro proposed to me on our favorite restaurant, all details and preparation of our wedding are all set. 

Simula noong araw na yun, tumira na siya sa bahay ni Sandro sa Quezon City.  It’s a two-storey house na may malawak na garden.

Mas lumala yung kondisyong niya nitong nakaraang linggo, mas lumala yung pagsusuka at mas lalo siyang pumayat. Sandro witnessed all of it pero ano pa bang matatago niya kay Sandro, he has seen her at her best and now, her worst.

By this time, I only have two months to live.
On our last check up, the doctor declared me as infertile.  I cannot bear a child anymore. Akala ko wala ng sasakit pa nitong nakaraang buwan pero yung marinig na hindi ka kailanman magiging ina, hindi ko alam pero mas masakit pa noong binigyan siya ng paunang taning ng doktor.

I’ve always wanted to have a complete family of my own with Sandro.  We’ll have and raise our 3 kids together, 2 sons and 1 daughter for him to spoil.  Pero kailangang kong tanggapin na hanggang dito nalang yung magiging papel ko sa buhay ni Sandro.
Sandro wanted to give me a lavish and expensive wedding but I refused it.  Wala din siyang nagawa sa huli kundi pumayag.  Inayos lang yung garden namin sa bahay for the simple wedding ceremony.  Only few are invited, my mom, sister and besfriend Ada.  Sa side naman ni Sandro, he just invited his two business partners who he considered as bestfriends.

"Ate Lara, nakita mo ba si Sandro?" Tanong ko kay ate na nag-aayos ng isang table.

"Hmmm.  Nakita ko siyang kasama no Luca na lumabas kanina. Baka nasa garden?"

"Salamat, Ate.  May importante kaseng tawag sa phone niya at naiwan niya sa kwarto namin."

Nagpaalam ako kay ate at agad na tinungo yung daan papunta sa garden.  It is my most favorite place in Sandro's house.  He made it especially for me since alam niyang mahilig ako sa mga bulaklak.  There are daisies, sunflowers, different kind of orchids and all kind of color of roses.  The garden is oval space and there's narra table set on the middle.  This is where I spent most of my time with Sandro these past few days, we read books and plan our uncertain future.

Agad akong napangiti nang makita ko ang mga bulaklak na pasibol na.  Sa 'di kalayuan, natanaw ko si Luca at Sandro, seryosong nag-uusap.

'Is there something wrong in their firm?' Napabuntong-hininga ako kase naaalala ko yung pag-aaway namin ni Sandro last week about sa kanyang indefinite leave.  For God Sake's, hindi maaaring mawala ang CEO ng isang kompanya ng matagal.

Christian, one of Sandro and Luca's, bestfriend and business partner, visited our house last week because of important business deal.  Sobrang intense ng pag-uusap nila at hindi ko sinasadyang marinig yun.

"Sandro, this is stupid! We worked hard for this contract and you'll throw us under bus, iiwan mo kami sa ere."

"Christian, you wouldn't understand me but my priority is Isabelle and her health. You and Luca are very competent and clients trusts you two."

"They trust us because of you Sandro! Mr. Sy  didn't sign the contract since he knows you won't lead the construction of his 5-star hotel." Huminga ng malalim si Christian.  "This is our dream, be recognized internationally and you're only throwing this for a woman? She'll gonna die anyway."

I was hurt but I didn't have time to dwell on it when I heard commotion inside Sandro's office.

Sinuntok ni Sandro si Christian at akmang susuntukin ukit, agad akong humarang sa pagitan nila.

"I can't believe how insensitive you are Christian.  I'll buy your share and will kick you out of my company!" Galit na sabi ni Sandro.

I know natablan si Christian sa sinabi nito.  Si Sandro ay laging cold and nasungit pero bihita itong magalit.  And right now, Sandro is very angry and no one should be messs around.  Pilit ko siyang pinakalma and I draw circles on his backs.