CHEERLEADER SERIES - JULIE

Chapter XXXVI

"Is everything set attorney?"

"Well, we have officially transferred forty five percent of your over-all shares to Brad. Gusto ko lang din linawin, this will give him the chance to win the company. Is that what you really want?"

"Yes." she sighed, stuck in deep thoughts.

Palabas na sana ang abogado niya nang bigla niya itong pigilan.  

"Attorney?"

"Yes Julie?"

"How did you stay married for a very long time?" she knew he was married but never had children.

Napahalukipkip ang abogado sa tanong niyang iyon.

"I'm sorry, I don't.. you don't really have to answer that."

"Well, if you must know, unlike your circumstance, I married my wife because I was in love with her. But to answer your question, regardless of the circumstance, I stayed married to her despite and in spite of all challenges because it was my choice."

She turned towards the old man who was now silently smiling, na para bang may kung ano'ng dumaang alaala sa harapan nito. She could not help but smile along with him. He's an epitome of a man who has so much devotion to his wife and his family. 

"As you are now married, you'll learn soon enough that staying and well, loving someone, is always a choice. Marriage is ugly and most of the times, it's terribly challenging. You will discover things of the people you are married to na maaring hindi naayon sa sarili mong mga panuntunan. But if you look beyond all those lapses, beyond all those shortcomings, you'll realize that the better days are always the best. No one is perfect. And no relationships will ever be perfect. But you'll have to remember, that the choice you made of exchanging vows with them, has been the scariest reality you've ever had in your life. And at the same time, it's the decision you will constantly need to make moving forward. The choice of staying and loving the very person who also made a choice to be with you, in that lifelong contract. I did that kahit pa man alam kong hinding-hindi kami magkaka-anak. I chose her. I stayed because I love her, childless or not."

Tuluyan na siyang nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. Ni hindi niya namalayan ang paglabas ng abogado mula sa opisina niya. 

She realized tat no one taught her about the rules of relationships. No one told her how hard or how easy it is. But the decision she made of asking him to marry her was done because she knew, deep in her, she loves him. She just couldn't tell him about it. 

Coz every time she'd try, muli lamang nanunumbalik ang alaala ng nakaraan kung paano'ng hindi niya nakuha ang sagot na gusto niyang makuha mula rito. 

Choice. Marriage is a choice. Love is a choice. Iilang beses na ba niyang narinig iyon?

Her thoughts were suddenly cut-off with the ring from her phone.

"Hello?"

"Babe? You available now?"

"Gunner. Kumusta? Yep. I guess I am. Why?"

"Tracy just responded to me. She'd want to meet you personally."

"Talaga ba?"

"Yes. She'd like to know if I'm not lying."

"That sounds interesting. Bakit? Ganun ka na ba ka sinungaling?"

"Well, there's a little bit of history with that. But it's nothing thatyou need to know. So, can you come and meet us?"

"Sure. I'll be there. Text me the address."

"Gotcha."

She got out of her office and dropped by Brad's. Suddenly, it seemed customary for her to inform him of her whereabouts.