Carrying the Real Trophy ✓

Chapter XXXVII

XXXVII: Beautiful

Last Chapter

"You with the sad eyes. . ." He began to sing with his fingers dancing across the strings of the guitar.

The kids surrounding me erupted in applause the moment they heard his voice.

Nagalak ako at pumalakpak na rin habang pinagmamasdan ang asawa kong seryoso, hawak ang gitara, at buong pusong umaawit sa harapan naming lahat. We're all sitting on the ground, while he occupied a chair at the front.

"Don't be discouraged—Oh, I realize. . ." He smiled at us. "It's hard to take courage. . ."

Walang palya. We are all captivated by his beautiful voice. Kahit siguro tumanda at pumuti na ang buhok namin ay hinding-hindi kukupas ang boses niyang nagsisilbing musika sa aking tainga.

"In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all. . ."

The kids drew closer to me, some wrapping me in hugs as they watched and listened to my husband's singing. My eyes teared up, and I did my best to embrace them all.

"Lapit pa kayo saakin. . ." banayad kong sinabi sa mga bata.

"And the darkness inside you can make you feel so small. . ." Rafael's eyes met mine.

His smile is a dedication not just to the music but to the challenges we'd faced and conquered together on life's winding path.

We had faced bumps along the way, but we always managed to steer clear of the smallest and the biggest ones.

"Show me a smile then," kanta niya at nginitian ang mga bata. "Don't be unhappy—can't remember when. . ."

"I last saw you laughing," sumabay ako sa pag-awit.

I glanced at the kids and playfully pinched their cheeks.

"This world makes you crazy, and you've taken all you can bear. . ." he meaningfully sang.

Muli akong tumingin kay Rafael at tuluyan nang sumabay sa pagkanta.

"Just call me up 'cause I will always be there. . ."

Kumindat ito bago kami nagpatuloy.

"And I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors, and that's why I love you. . ." We serenaded the kids. "So don't be afraid to let them show. . ."

I held them even closer in my embrace.

"Your true colors, true colors are beautiful. . ."

My eyes closed, and happiness washed over me like a gentle wave in the sea.

"I see you true colors shining through. I see your true colors, and that's why I love you. . ." A single tear slipped from my eye. "So don't be afraid to let them show your true colors. . ."

"True colors are beautiful. . ."

Binuksan ko ang aking mga mata at isa-isang pinagmasdan ang mga bata.

"Like a rainbow. . ."

In our year of marriage, while we waited to have children of our own, we dedicated ourselves to visiting orphanages both in the Philippines and Africa. Our mission was simple yet meaningful—to be the parents these children were waiting for, to show them that amidst this harsh world, having loving parents was still possible.

Our aim was to shield them from the emotional void we'd once known, where having parents was a mere formality without genuine care. We want to envelop them in love and nurture their growth into beautiful souls free from the burden of negative thoughts.