Felipe's
Two years later...
Valleta, Malta
"DAD! DAD!"
I smiled widely as I watch Oceania – Ruel's daughter ran after her father at the beach. They were having a good time together. My brother was laughing so loudly that I could hear it from where I was sitting. Beside me is a very pregnant Andromeda who was all smiles while taking pictures of the father-daughter duo.
"My god, ang ganda – ganda ng anak ko." Sabi pa ni Andy habang tinitingnan ang mga pictures sa camera na hawak niya. I nodded at her. I agree. Oceania or we fondly call her Nana – cause her name is mouthful and all – is beautiful. She takes after her father. Palagi ngang sinasabi ni Andy na napaka-unfair ng buhay dahil siyam na buwan niya raw dinala sa sinapupunan niya pero noong paglabas, kamukha lang ng tatay. Sobrang unfair daw noon. But I could see that she loves them despite of it all.
When Nana came to our lives, everything changed. Suddenly. Avo wanted to be better. Gusto na niyang magpagamot at lumaban sa sakit na mayroon siya. She said that she wanted to be with her great-granddaughter for a long time. Kaya itong si Santino, ginagawa ang lahat para mahanap ang best care para kay Avo. Dahil rin sa pagdating ni Nana sa buhay namin, lalong naging determinado si Elias Martin na hanapin ang mag-ina niya. It's been four years. He really wanted to see them and now he is moving heaven and earth just to find them. Pagod na si Martin, pero paulit – ulit niyang sinasabing hindi siya basta susuko. Kahit kailan ay hindi raw niay susuuan si Eris Ireena and I am praying to God that he finds them or else he will go crazy.
"Ngiti nang ngiti, ah, Felipe. Saya yarn?" Tudyo sa akin ni Andy. I only shook my head. If someone asks me how I am, I'll tell them that I am getting better. I am on the verge of getting my true happiness. Why? Because I feel like Rafaelle is coming around.
Two years ago, we talked in Spain, we told each other that we will make things work. We compromised with each other, so far, everything is good. Rafaelle is busy building her own clothing Empire. She is now based in New York, palagi niyang sinasabi noon na ang New York ang puso at kaluluwa ng Art niya. She is now taking the New York Fashion industry by storm. Kilalang – kilala na siya sa New York and her designs have walked the runways, Met Gala and even the Red Carpet at the Oscars. I am so proud of Rafaelle. I've been wanting to call her my girl again but I am giving her enough time to make a name for herself and know herself more.
The last years have been her lost in the vastness of the dark. Ngayong nakikita ko na unti – unti na niyang nakikita ang liwanag at kinang ng kanyang bituin, I want other people to see that too.
"I am happy, Andy. Surprisingly." Wika ko pa sa hipag ko. Tumaas ang kilay niya saka ngumisi.
"Kahit na hindi mo madalas nakikita si Yaffa?" She teased me.
"We call every now and then." Sagot ko pa sa kanya. The last time I saw Yaffa was seven months ago. We met in Paris. We spent three days exploring the city, eating out, going around the museums and all that boyfriend – girlfriend things, but after three days, the Paris Fashion week started and I saw less and less of her. She is busy, nakaalis ako ng Paris nang hindi na kami nagkitang dalawa at tawag na lang ang nagawa ko para makapagpaalam sa kanya. Tawag na hindi man lang tumagal ng limang minuto. Kung minsan, iniisip ko kung worth it ba ang lahat ng ito. It's like I was back in square one – noong ang kalaban ko ay ang pagmamahal ni Yaffa sa Mama niya. Hindi pa rin naman ako ang priority, but then I suddenly remember the pain in her eyes, her tears and the sadness written all over her face. Ayoko nang makita iyon, ayoko nang malungkot si Yaffa kaya heto ako, tahimik na naghihintay. I told her that I will wait for her no matter what and that is exactly what I am doing now.
