To His Future Lover ✔ (Haciendero #5)

Ikatatlumpong Kabanata

Kabanata 30

Cancer-free

"Neng..."

Napaangat ako ng tingin.

I was waiting for my husband in the lobby. Binalikan niya ang gamit na naiwan sa penthouse. It was one of those times that we were going outside to enjoy.

Hindi naman madalas, pero may pagkakataong lumalabas din ako paminsan - minsan. At palaging balot na balot ako. I just wanted to see the city or go to my mother's house or visit our nephew.

Naupo siya sa tapat ako. "Are you alright? May I ask about the mask..."

Huminga naman ako ng malalim.

I didn't want to be annoyed about the interaction. Ayoko rin namang madalas na mainis.

"I'm diagnosed with leukemia." I answered the old woman.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Kaya mo 'yan." She smiled at me. "I was also diagnosed and I beat it. I'm living cancer-free for decades now."

Umalis din ang matandang babae pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon. I was just staring at her until she was gone. Sakto namang bumaba ang aking asawa. Humahangos pa siya.

"I'm sorry, bebe." Hinalikan niya ang ulo ko. "Let's go?"

Tumango naman ako.

"I just had the weirdest encounter..." pagkukuwento ko sa aking asawa. "A woman went up to me and asked me about my get-up. Sinabi kong may leukemia ako. She said she beat cancer."

"Maybe, it's your guardian angel, Crim. It's your reminder to keep going and fighting." Hinaplos niya ang aking likod. "You'll beat it, too."

His eyes are full of hope. It fuels my hope as well.

***

I was always pampered even staying at home.

My husband always make sure I'm comfortable and has everything in our penthouse. Bahagya niyang minasahe ang aking mga paa habang nag-eenjoy ako ng fresh smoothie at nanonood ng K-drama.

We always spend the day with each other at the comfort of our home.

Maybe, our sacrifices before paid off.

Maybe, my stupid decisions in life made sense.

Inuna muna namin ang career bago namin binigyan ng pagkakataon ang isa't isa. Walang naging kahati ang aming trabaho dati kaya lumago ito.

Mayroon kaming sapat na ipong dalawa at patuloy na kumikita ang businesses niya. His focus was just on me. Hindi ko naging kahati ang atensyon niya pagdating sa trabaho, mas inuuna niya ako.

"Thank you, bebe." I smiled as he finished massaging my feet.

Humalik siya sa sentido ko. Inayos niya muna ang mga gamit at pansamantalang iniwan ako sa sala.

Madalas na dumalaw sina Mama sa penthouse. We would have our bonding as a family. My cousins also visited me. Yumi had no idea what happened the night of our dinner.

I didn't tell her anything about that.

Naresolba nang isyu sa pagitan naming mag-asawa.

I wasn't trying anything like that again. Not again. I was so worried of the things that might happen in the future, I couldn't focus on the present.

I'm enjoying every waking day with my husband.

This time, it makes me thankful for another day I'm able to be with him. I'm in my happier and most positive outlook in life right now.