Wind (a novel)

Chapter Fifteen - Better Together

The steady beeping of the machines hummed softly in the background, casting a peaceful rhythm through the room.

Paulo sat slumped over on the side of Annie's hospital bed, his hand resting gently on hers, his head nestled in the crook of his arm. He hadn't slept properly for days, but exhaustion had finally claimed him, though he never left her side. The faint sound of sheets rustling stirred him slightly, and his eyes fluttered open to the sight of Annie slowly waking.

She blinked a few times, disoriented, until her gaze settled on Paulo. A weak but radiant smile spread across her face. "You stayed," she whispered, her voice hoarse but filled with warmth.

Paulo lifted his head, his eyes heavy with concern but softening the moment he saw her awake. "Of course, I stayed," he replied, squeezing her hand gently. "I wasn't going to leave you, not for a second."

They shared a quiet moment, their eyes locking, the storm that had once separated them now a distant memory. Paulo leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair away from her forehead, his touch delicate as though she might break. "I thought I lost you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Annie's smile faltered as the memory of the storm came rushing back, but she steadied herself. "You found me," she said, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "You always find me, Paulo."

He kissed her hand softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I would've torn the world apart to find you."

They stayed like that for a while, savoring the stillness, the relief that they were finally safe, together. Annie's heart swelled with love for the man who had come to rescue her, the man she had always loved. She gazed at him, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Do you remember, when we were kids, you drew that little house? The one you promised we'd build together?"

Paulo chuckled softly, the memory filling him with a bittersweet ache. "I remember. I wrote those words beneath it—'Better together.' The same ones I wrote on the mango tree." His eyes met hers, full of the same love and promise from years ago. "I still believe that, Annie. We're better together. We always have been."

Annie's eyes shone, and a tear slipped down her cheek. "So do I. I always thought we'd build a life together, Paulo. I want that more than anything."

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers, their hands intertwined. "We will," he whispered. "We'll build that house, a family, a home. Forever by your side, like I promised."

Annie's breath hitched as she looked deep into his eyes. "Forever by your side," she echoed, her heart full.

Their promise was rekindled, stronger than ever, and in that moment, they knew nothing could ever break the bond they shared.

θ θ θ

The golden morning sun bathed the porch in a warm glow as Paulo and Annie sat side by side, their hands occasionally brushing as they enjoyed the simple breakfast before them—coffee, tea, and fresh bread. The view from Annie's family home was the rolling hills of Subic, the place where so many of their childhood memories had been forged. It had been years since Paulo had been back, and the familiarity of the place wrapped him in a sense of peace and youthful vigor he hadn't felt in a long while. It was like traveling back in time.

Sitting across from them was Annie's uncle, Pastor Vicente, a kind man with deep-set, wise eyes. He had served as the pastor of the local church at the foot of the hill for decades, a spiritual guide not only to Annie's family but to the entire community.

"I'm glad to see you back here, Paulo," Pastor Vicente said, his voice warm and calm. He poured himself another cup of tea, his eyes resting kindly on the couple. "It seems life has brought you and Annie back to each other."

Paulo smiled, glancing at Annie before turning back to Pastor Vicente. "It's been a long journey, Pastor. But I'm thankful we found our way."

Pastor Vicente nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting to the distant horizon. "The road we walk isn't always smooth. But it's not about the road—it's about who we walk it with."

Paulo took a deep breath, his voice growing more serious. "I've been thinking a lot about that lately. After everything that's happened... I've come to realize that serving in ministry isn't the same as living for God. I got caught up in trying to please people, the institution, the church itself, and somewhere along the way, I lost sight of what really matters."

Pastor Vicente raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what is it that matters most, Paulo?"

Paulo exchanged a glance with Annie before answering. "A relationship with God. I've come to see that ministry, good works, all of it—it's not what saves us. Only Jesus saves us. The rest is a result of loving Him. It's out of our devotion to Him that we serve, not the other way around."

The older man smiled gently. "You're right. Too many people confuse the two. The work we do for God is an overflow of our relationship with Him, not a substitute for it. Ministry, at its heart, is about leading others to that relationship. It's about love. Nothing more, nothing less."

Paulo nodded, feeling the truth of those words settle deep in his soul. "I want to live like that, Pastor. I want to build a life with Annie that honors God, not just through what we do, but through who we are together."

Annie smiled, squeezing Paulo's hand. "We want to live in His grace, and we want to start our life together on that foundation."

Pastor Vicente looked between the two of them, his eyes twinkling with approval. "It sounds like you've both found the right path. And how can I help you?"

Paulo took a deep breath, his heart pounding with anticipation. "We'd like to ask you to officiate our wedding. We want to make that promise before God and the people we love."

Pastor Vicente's face broke into a wide smile. "It would be my honor."

Annie and Paulo exchanged a glance, their hearts full. The promise they had made to each other as children, and now as adults, was no longer just a dream. It was becoming a reality.

And they knew, more than ever, that they were truly better together.