Into the Night - a Macolet au

Epilogue

Two Years Later
Colet

Waking up to the smell of coffee will always be my favorite. I stretched languidly on the bed, readying myself to get up and start my day.

Hirap kapag hindi morning person, I internally chuckled at myself.

I had a late night—finishing things at work so I could finally enjoy our weekend vacation. I can't believe it's our first anniversary already!

A lot has happened since I met her. A roller coaster of ups and downs that seemed fated—like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place. It's as if everything that had happened, happened for a reason. It led us to one another—making us stronger than ever.

I headed downstairs, following the smell of coffee to the kitchen. My leg still bothered me every now and then. Even after two years of physical therapy, it still felt too stiff at times.

I saw my wife softly singing to herself with her back to me. Without looking, she said in singsong voice, "Good morning! I'm almost done with the pancakes."

I just hummed in response. "Upo ka lang diyan, ako bahala," she added.

She's still in her pajamas—holding a coffee mug in her hands while keeping an eye on the pan.

I noticed the burn scars along the length of her leg that disappeared beneath the hem of her shorts. It may have lightened but some are still visible enough that it serves as a reminder of the horrors of what happened that one summer night.

I sometimes wonder what could've happened if the cops were too late. It saddens me that I wasn't able to protect her back then.

And so, since then, I vowed to protect her no matter what. A year after we've met, we had an intimate wedding wherein I vowed in front of our friends and family to love and cherish her in this life or the next.

It was the happiest moment in my life.

It's something she's always reminded of whenever I kiss or simply touch her.

I place my lips her bare shoulders and gave her the softest kiss. I gave her a back hug just as she was finishing up. "Ay ang kulit, matatapon ko pa to Colet!" she laughed at my antics.

I pouted, "I thought I was 'uyab'?"

Still laughing, she faced me and said, "Either way, I love you Nicolette Vergara."

I looked at her deep hazel eyes fondly. "Mahal kita, Mary Loi Ricalde" I told her as we shared our morning kiss.