Turning Tables

Unconditionally

"There is no fear now,

let go and just be free

I will love you

Unconditionally"

Katy Perry

***

The journey to the aisle was a long time coming.

The road was littered with heartbreak, sacrifices, time lost and betrayal.

But despite the misery and the drama, the clear blue Baguio sky never hinted about the treacherous road we had to trek to get to where we are.

Instead, the sky held a promise of forever.

I saw infinity written in the horizon and it gave peace to my heart.

***

I watched in my hotel room window as the golden yellow light welcomed me to my destiny.

It was only five o'clock in the morning and despite the fact that I didn't get to sleep, I felt so alive.

Jade was in another room.

The night before, she texted how she wished she could spend the night cradled in my arms.

"I miss you lablab," she wrote.

My heart overflowed with love as I read the message repeatedly.

The moment was a far cry from the months we endured after she woke up from her coma.

***

On the day Jade woke up, the same doctor who wanted to charge me with trespassing frankly told us there are long days ahead for Jade and her family.

Her muscles atrophied while she was comatose.

Jade had to undergo therapy for her body to function normally.

She also needed neuro testing to make sure the impact of the fall to her head doesn't have long-term effects to her cognition and memory.

I was in the same room with Oscar and Amanda for reasons unknown to me.

"I will explain later," he told me as we followed the doctor to the office.

In my mind, David should be the one with them. Not me.

They are still married and whatever Jade decides to do about their relationship, I had to wait.

But Oscar had other plans.

"I am not under any illusions that things will be the same after this," he said as we walked side by side.

Amanda was dismayed to hear the doctor talk about the effects of the coma.

She laid her head in Oscar's shoulder as he calmed her down.

"We are not alone in this," he reassured her and then glanced at me.

Although unsure of what he meant, I nodded my head in understanding.

I remembered what I told him when we were at the cafeteria.

I professed my love for Jade.

That means being on her side in sickness and in health.

***

The following days and months were spent going to numerous doctor's appointments and countless therapy sessions.

I made sure that I was with Jade 24/7.