Isla Del Fuego (Alejandrino Trilogy 2)

Epilogue

Everything's going perfect. The skies have a mixture of the sunset hues. Our close friends and relatives are watching me as I walk towards Hugo. Nasa tabi ko ang mga magulang ko na alam kong sobrang masaya rin para sa akin ngayon.

"You look gorgeous, anak," Mom whispered.

"Thank you, Mommy."

"In a few moments, hindi na lang ako ang lalaki sa buhay mo. You won't be my princess anymore," Dad said.

Pasimple kaming nag-uusap habang naglalakad. "Dad, I'm too old to be called your princess."

"You'll always be my princess, Kassandra. Kahit may asawa at kahit may anak ka na."

I smiled. I looked straight at Hugo, expecting na nakatingin rin siya sa akin. Pero nakayuko siya at tumatawa si Daddy Alfonso kasabay ng pag-abot niya sa panyo. Hugo's crying and it made me tear up as well. Nang makarating kami sa altar, nagmano muna si Hugo sa mga magulang ko bago angkinin at halikan ang kamay ko.

"I trust you with my daughter," sabi ng Daddy.

"Thank you, Dad," Hugo answered.

Mom and Dad kissed me then went to sit down with my brothers and daughter. Humarap kami sa pari, at nagsimula na nga ang kasal. All along, Hugo's been squeezing my hand from time to time. Talagang nakikinig siya sa pari pero ang laki-laki ng ngiti niya na parang nasa ibang mundo siya. Parang sobrang bilis ng pangyayari. It's now time to give vows, and I'm about to say mine.

"Babe, nandito na tayo. After all those doubts, pain, and fear we went through, narito na tayo sa wakas. I don't know what to say, because words cannot express my emotions." I had to stop because he's already at the verge of crying. "Being here today, is such an amazing thing. Ito ang patunay na tayo ang itinadhana para sa isa't-isa. Today is a new beginning for us. A chapter of our lives may have ended, but I'm glad I'm starting a new one with you. I will cherish every second of my life. I will serve you. I will give you my all. I will love you even when our hair turns white. Thank you for choosing me. In the name of the Lord, I take you to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward 'til death do us part. And with this ring, I give myself to you, as your wife."

A wide smile formed across his lips. He wiped my cheek with his thumb, kahit na naiiyak din siya. I handed him the microphone for him to speak.

"Before I start, I thank the Lord for giving me a chance to have you in my life. I know this journey wasn't easy. We had to go through different pain before we get to meet each other. You're right, we had uncertainty and sorrows, but for me, it's all worth it. Knowing that I get to spend the rest of my life with you, I know I did the right thing facing those struggles. I will forever be thankful to God that he gave me you and Isla, the best blessing he ever gave me." He paused and but his lip before continuing. "Kassandra, I promise a happy life with you. You shall never get hurt, for I will be your shield. I will divide your sorrows and multiply your happiness. I will serve you and give you all of me, in this life, to our next. And with this ring, I pledge my love for you."

"You're now man and wife. You may kiss your bride," the priest said.

Dahil wala namang veil na nakatakip sa mukha ko, inilapit na niya kaagad ang mukha ko sa kaniya. He planted a soft, tender kiss on my lips as people clapped and congratulated us.

"I love you, Hugo."

"Mahal rin kita palagi."

Then, Jackson interrupted. "Mag-picture na tayo para makakain na. Bilis!"

I rolled my eyes but Hugo just giggled. Kinarga ko si Isla na six months na ngayon. She looks so happy rin. She's looking at her Dad and Hugo, being the best father he is, started cooing her. He took her from me and carried her.

"Look, Isla. Your Mommy is pretty, 'no?" Isla giggled and clapped her hands. I gave her a peck and when I faced Hugo, he's pouting his lips. "I also want a kiss."

I playfully punched his arm and faced the camera because Jackson is already complaining. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha niya, akala ko hindi makikikain.

We took a few shots before the guests boarded the yacht. Hindi ito iyong ginamit namin dati dahil mas malaki ito. Hugo, Isla and I boarded last. Isla is mumbling random sounds, pero hindi pa naintindihan dahil bata pa siya. I was playing with her when I noticed Hugo staring at the sunset. Lumapit ako sa kaniya para kausapin siya.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo?" I asked.

He shook his head and wrapped his arm around my waist. He closed his eyes and whispered, "I was just thanking the Lord for giving me a wife and a daughter."

"Ang suwerte natin, ano? Nahanap natin ang isa't isa. Sa dinami-rami ng taong nakakasalubong natin, pinagtagpo pa rin tayo."

He nodded. "Thank you rin, for choosing me. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam na alam mong may makakasama ka hanggang sa huli. Alam mo, we'll face more sturggles in the future, pero hindi ako natatakot. Alam ko kasing kasama kita, kayo ni Isla."

Again, Isla giggled and clapped as if she understood what her Dad said. "I love you. I won't get tired of saying it."

"Mahal na mahal din kita."

I smiled as we watched the sunset together. Unconsciously, a smile crept across my lips as I reminisce everything. Ang dami kong napagdaanan bago ako makarating dito.

I once loved, then got broken. I got scarred and was scared to love. I caged my heart, but Hugo managed to break down my walls and cross my bridges. He gave me hope and made me feel secure. Nagpasalamat talaga ako dahil pumunta ako rito. Ito siguro ang paraan ng tadhana para sabihin sa akin na ang kasiyahan ko ay narito sa islang ito. Narito ang pag-asa, narito ang tahanan, at dito ko matatagpuang muli ang sarili ko.

In Isla De Fuego, I was healed. I am myself again.