Everlasting Love

The Beginning and the Ending

IRENE MARCOS' POINT OF VIEW

( 7 years old )

As I walk downstairs, I can already hear their chitchats. I headed completely downstairs with my puffy eyes. Their loud voices woke me up, to be honest. This guy caught my attention, he's looking at me with his polite smile. I smiled back at him when I realized that I'm only in my pyjamas. Daddy will be mad at me again! 

I quickly ran upstairs to change. I just wore my favourite t-shirt and palda. I went downstairs na and their attention goes to me. This guy is smiling at me, kanina pa sya. Mukha namang mabait, we can be friends! 

I am here sa kitchen, drinking coke hehe... It's my favourite drink kaya! Then my Ate Imee went in, with the guy earlier. 

" Oh, he's thirsty daw! Get him some water nga, chubby Irene " Ate Imee teased me infront of him! Nakakahiya kaya! Lagi nalang akong inaasar ni ate porket mahilig ako sa chocolates! 

I got him water na and binigay sa kaniya yun. I offered him coke pero ayaw nya. Psh! Bahala sya! Masarap nga 'tong coke eh, akin nalang.

" Hello! What's your name? You're so cute oh, ang chubby ng cheeks " He said. Pati ba naman sya iinisin ako? They don't love me na, they're always teasing me for being chubby! 

" I'm Irene.. and, psh! I'm not chubby kaya! " I replied back to him. Oh, wait! I forgot to ask his name hehe! Mommy said, don't talk to strangers!! 

" What's your name pala, Mr. mapangasar? " I asked him, most likely teasing him. I wanna annoy him naman, lagi nalang ako eh!

" I'm Gregorio, but they call me Greggy. Tsaka, hindi ako mapang-asar noh! I'm just telling the truth, you're cute kaya! And these chubby bunny cheeks oh! " he said and pinched my cheeks. Ouch! That hurts ah! 

" Araaay! Susumbong kita kay Daddy! " I said and ran through the hallway. Isusumbong ko talaga sya! Ang sakit ng kurot nya sa cheeks ko! Namumula na ata eh! Huhuhu! MOMMY!! DADDY!

But then, I suddenly stumbled. Buti nalang nandyan si Mr. mapangasar to help me. He's good din pala eh!

" Thank you huhu! Now, I won't call you Mr. mapangasar na! I'll call you kuya hero nalang hehe! " I said and hugged him. I am so happy, he saved me kaya! Tsaka, I have a new kuya na! Aside from Kuya Bong who's always teasing me as 'chubby' 🥺

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It's now my 18th birthday. Nakakainis nga eh! We're partying naman kaso may malaking cake dito na ayaw nilang buksan! I just wanna know what's inside eh!

Greggy is here partying with us. He kept teasing me nag magaasawa na daw ako eh ayaw ko pa nga! Hmph!

While I'm assisting the guests, biglang gumalaw yung cake. OMG! Is this a robot cake? Cuteee!

Then suddenly, it opened. And there I saw Jimmy. Waaa! OMG! He's so cute, he's my friend nga eh!

I covered my mouth in surprise. Waaa! I thought he was in California pa! 

" Jimmy!!!! " I shouted and hugged him. I missed him so much!!! 

" Happy Birthday, Irene! " He greeted.

............

" Irene " Nagulat naman ako ng may nagsalita. It's Greggy. 

" Yes? Hmm? " I asked him. He looks nervous... Hala, bakit kaya? Is he sick?

" You know, I've been keeping this for a while now and... I just wanna say... I like you, No! I love you... " He confessed. Wow! I don't know what to answer. He's gwapo naman and he's also matangkad and kind.

" Can I court you? I promise to love to for eternity... And I can prove it, Irene " he held my hands
" I understand if you're not ready for commitment yet, you just turned 18. But please, let me prove myself to you. Let me love you... " 

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As I walk to the aisle, tears were flowing on my face. This is it, I'm getting married to the man of my dreams. I can't believe he waited for too long... I can't wait to be his wife and him be my husband. 

I looked eat him deep in the eyes. Damn, I love this man. He held my hand and I feel sparks. Sparks of love...

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" AHHHH!! "

" Just hold on, Mahal. You can do it " He said calming me. Yes, I am now undergoing labour. And it hurts!!!

" Ikaw kaya ilagay ko dito sa kama?! ARAY GREGORIO ANG SAKIT!! "

Finally, lumabas na si baby. He's so cute like his dad. 

" Look hon oh, he's so cute "

" Oo nga, tignan mo yung eyes, mana sayo! Singkit HAHAHA! "

" Thank you, hon.. this is the best day of me! I'm finally a father! "

" You'd be a good husband and father to us, Gregorio "

" Salamat sa lahat.. Mahal na mahal kita.. Kayo ng baby natin "

" What should we name him? "

" Alfonso... "

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Gregorio, iniwan mo na'ko. Ang pangako mo sa akin ay aalagaan mo ako, kami ng mga anak mo hanggang sa puti na ang buhok mo. Tinupad mo nga yun, pero.. Hindi ba dapat magkasama tayo dyan? Bakit nauna ka pa? Ngunit kaylangan kong magpakatatag.. Hintayin mo ako dyan, mahal. Gagabayan ko pa ang ating mga anak.

Masakit 'man ngunit kaylangan ko ng tanggapin. Mahal ko.. Maganda bang desisyon ang palayain ka? At tanggapin na wala ka na? Ikasasaya mo ba iyon at ikapapayapa? Kasi kung oo ang sagot mo, handa akong magpalaya.. Handa akong tanggapin ang kamatayan mo.

Madami kang pinangako sa'kin.. Mostly naman natupad.. Pero isa lang ang napako mo. Ang sabi mo sabay tayo? Bakit inunahan mo na ako? Sabi mo lagi akong mangunguna sa lahat, pero bakit nandyan ka na sa taas? Napakadaya ng Tadhana.. Nag simula nung bata, hanggang ngayon sa pagtanda. Ngunit masakit talaga na mawala ka. You've been my kuya hero. But now, you're my world.

" The sunset is beautiful, isn't it? "

You're always there right beside me. Now, it's my turn to return the favour. You will always be in my heart, Gregorio.. Remember that.

" Gregorio, I'm now letting you go.. "

"It didn't seem possible to take the next breath. But I realize today that I am surviving your death"

"Some days are hard when weakened by sorrow. Remembering you inspires me to face my tomorrow"

"A million words would not bring you back, I know, because I've tried. Neither a million tears, I know, because I've cried"

IN LOVING MEMORY OF 

GREGORIO MARIA ARANETA III