To Love the Dawn

25

"Mahal na mahal ninyo talaga ang isa't isa," mahinang saad ni Larrick. Umiling ako habang may ngiti sa labi. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbubukas ng mga regalo nila sa akin. Sa mga nakaraang buwan, sa tuwing may makikita sila at naaalala nila ako ay bibilhin nila 'yon. "Hindi ba? Bumubuo na nga kayo ng sarili n'yong pamilya."

"Matagal na kaming hiwalay ni David, Larrick." Tumingin ako sa kaniya at ngumiti. Halata naman ang gulat sa kaniyang mga mata. "Nagsasama lang kami ngayon dahil sa bata."

Napalingon ako kay David nang lumabas siya sa sala. Nakatapis lamang siya ng tuwalya. Mukhang bagong ligo na siya at basa-basa pa ang buhok at katawan.

"Mav, are you going somewhere?" Kaagad na umiling si David. Uminom lang siya ng tubig at bumalik na sa loob ng kuwarto. Nang lingunin ko si Larrick ay masama na ang tingin niya.

"You're okay with that? Seeing your ex almost naked?" Pinaningkitan ako ni Larrick.

"Well, I should be! We'll live together sa bahay na pinagawa niya for us soon. Don't worry, David's nice. He won't do something bad to me and our baby if that's what you're worried-"

"No, I'm just afraid he'll be a temptation, Sol. Parang anytime, bibigay ka sa kaniya-"

"Excuse me, Mr. Larrick Anderson, mukha ba akong marupok?!" Tinawan nalang ako ni Larrick.

When Larrick went home, I immediately checked on David. He was sleeping. Bumabawi nanaman siya ng tulog. Palaging pagod sa duty and classes that he had to give up a nice sleep. Kaya kapag off niya, natutulog lang talaga siya. Minsan nga ay naaawa na rin ako dahil pinipilit niyang samahan ako sa mga lakad ko. Pinipilit niya ring i-deliver iyong mga order sa amin.

I held his hand as I watched him sleep. Now it got me thinking. Do people actually need a second chance? Can we not move forward without reconciling with someone? As I stared at David, I realized that my love for him didn't end as I moved forward with my life.

Kung babalik kami sa umpisa, hindi ko naman itatanggi na gugustuhin ko pa rin siyang maging nobyo ko. Dahil para sa akin, siya ang nag-iisang sundalong hindi takot na makipaglaban, makuha lang ako. Sa buhay ko, siya rin ang nag-iisang sigurado.

"Mav, we may not be together as a couple, but my love for you remains. Through thick and thin, I'll stick with you." I smiled when David's eyes slowly opened.

"Solana..."

"Hindi ko naman itatanggi na ikaw pa rin ang tinatangi." Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya. Napangiti siya sa narinig at kaagad na bumangon upang makulong ako sa isang yakap.

As if on cue, my tears began to roll down my cheeks. Nasabi ko na ang gusto kong sabihin. I hugged David as tight as I could. I wanted to do this... I wanted to hug him like this...

It was during my last month of pregnancy when I had to stop my business for a while. For David, it was the most stressful time of the year. He had to take care of me while pursuing his dreams. I never wanted him to repeat the same choices. I never wanted him to forget that he has dreams just because he wants to prioritize me. I did everything I could to help myself. David wouldn't have to worry about me.

"Marinel, wala pa ba si David?" I was chasing my own breath. Marinel glanced at me and immediately attended to me when she noticed my situation.

"Ma'am, hanggang umaga raw po si sir David ngayon, e. Ayos lang po ba kayo?"

"N-no, please call a cab... I t-think lalabas na ang bata-"