Tease Me, Bella Beatrice

59:

"That's a really good choice of name." I complimented her. "Alam kong masaya ang anghel natin as we speak and reconcile today."

Hindi maitago ang pagluha ni Bella. The overwhelming emotions are very transparent in her. I am congratulating myself for holding back my tears too. Mabuti naman at kinakaya kong ngayon ay manatili lamang na kalmado. Hindi nababasag iyong boses dahil sa pagpipigil sa luha.

I'm really really strong today and I thank God He's letting me borrow some strength to forgive and to let go.

"Alam mo sobrang tagal ko nang pinagdasal na dumating 'tong araw na ito. Sobrang saya ko ngayon kasi akala ko hindi na 'to darating and we will end up walking our separate ways with unsaid feelings and emotions." She said crying. "Sobrang pinagdasal ko na darating iyong araw na magaan nating mapapag-usapan ang baby natin. That we will one day talk about it. Na sana one day, I will have this kind of strength to talk it out."

"It was a long wait, but it is worth it."

Lalo na lang siyang umiyak. Hindi ko alam kung yayakapin ko ba siya o aaluin ngunit nanatili na lang akong nakaupo sa tabi niya. I think my presence is enough.

"I prayed and begged so much that one day this will come."

Mayamaya pa ay kinapa ang leeg niya. Ang kwintas niyang suot. It is a heart locket na agad niyang tinanggal. Nanginginig at medyo excited niya iyong binuksan. I wasn't really expecting anything from it, but I was stunned on what happened next. Inside that locket, there's a little version of it. Iyong mismong pendant lang saka niya iniabot sa akin. Noong una ay tiningnan ko lang ito at hindi masyadong tiningnan ang detalye ngunit nang magsalita siyang muli, doon na ako hindi makahuma.

"Do you know what that is?"

"No."

"Kalahati iyan ng suot kong kwintas. It's a custom-made couple blood vial."

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko habang hindi makapaniwala. It is slowly sinking into me what she is trying to say with all her tears of happiness. I don't know what to feel. Sobrang overwhelmed ako na naiiyak na lang ako pero hindi ko ginawa. I stayed cool.

"Wala akong mapapanghawakan sa nawala nating baby kung hindi ang dugo niya. So, a drop of blood each is sealed inside our blood vials to remember him."

"Bella,"

"Iyon lang iyong tanging bagay na naisalba ko, e. The closest our baby would be by our side. It's not that much but I am hoping it will matter to you as much as it matters to me. That's our angel's blood."

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Hindi ako makahanap ng tamang salita habang tinititigan ang maliit na bagay sa kamay ko. It feels surreal to know and feel what is it. To know how valuable it is.

"Sabi ko maybe one day, kapag nagkalakas na ako ng loob na sabihin sa iyo ang totoo, I will be able to have something left for the both of us to hold on and treasure aside from the memories we made."