Epilogue
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When did you realize that you were already in the hands of the right person?
I wasn't looking for anything when I met Rav. But believe me, you'll find it when you're not looking. I used to say that our love was almost perfect, but I realized that what's perfect isn't real, and what's real love was enough for us to last a lifetime.
Life teaches us to forgive the things we used to hate. To remember the things we used to forget. And to make sure we do everything so we have no regrets.
"Do you still think of me when you look up at the night sky?" I asked Rav out of nowhere.
Nakaupo kami sa harap ng dalampasigan.
Maingay ang hampas ng alon sa aming harapan. Naaaninag ko sina Kuya sa dulong bahagi ng resort.
"Everytime. I always think of you, by." Inabot nya ang kamay ko at hinawakan ng mahigpit. His hand was warm. I feel like it was the safest place in the world.
Ang bughaw na kalangitan sa aming harapan ay unti-unti nang napapalitan ng kahel na kulay. Malamig ang hangin. Magaan rin sa damdamin.
"Your tattoo, kaya pala familiar dati. It's because I can see myself at them." Inilabas ko sa aking bulsa ang bracelet na binigay nya sa akin. Hinanap ko ito matapos kong makauwi galing sa hospital.
Everything seems to be smooth.
"I got it when I lost you, by." I handed it to him at isinuot nya ulit ito sa aking palapulsuhan.
I remember when I was in college. Hindi ko sinusuot itong bracelet pag nasa duty or sa school. It was prohibited. So I usually kept it in my bag.
I looked at him and smiled. "We have a thousand things left unsaid, Rav."
"We've got a lifetime to talk about it, by." He answered and kissed my hair.
There are so many realizations in my mind. And I have a list of all the questions I wanted to ask.
"Who saved you from all the chaos, Rav?" Ang maliliit na batong nakukuha ko ay dahan-dahan kong binabato sa dagat.
"No one rescued me, by. I was not saved at all." He started. I was too stunned to speak.
"But now, you literally saved me, by." He added and I blew a deep breath.
I laughed at his answer. I know what we are doing right now might sound a bit ridiculous, but reminiscing about our past was kind of fun to talk about.
He told me what really happened. He told me everything. And I did the same. We shared the secrets that we fear to tell. He was all my cliches that I never thought of.
"Life's been tough for the both of us, by. But always know that I'll never get tired of loving you."
"Your Papa. Nagbanggit mo na ba ako sa kanya?" I worriedly asked. He smiled at me and nodded.
"He was the one who told me to pursue you. Bago pa ako kausapin ni Kuya Cavin, tumawag na sya sa akin. I told him that we didn't work out. He got mad. Wag daw akong uuwi ng bahay nang hindi ka kasama."
We both laughed at his answer.
"Dad saw me at my worst state, by. He said he regretted it. He was not a perfect Dad for me."
Napatingala ako sa langit nang maramdaman ang patak ng ulan. Rav smiled at me and kissed my forehead. He held my hand tightly.
It was raining, but everything felt right.
"I'd never hurt you again, by. I swear, I'd ease your pain." He whispered and hugged me.
Yes, we've been broken and a lot of things have changed, but our love keeps getting stronger.
