Stay With Me (COMPLETED)

Special Chapter

Special Chapter: A Glimpse of Our Life

Ilang taon na ang lumipas ng magpakasal kami ni Matthew at magkaroon kami ng anak na si Mateo Araviel Hernandez Villamor. Matapos ang ilang taon ng magkasama, nagkaroon kami ng matibay na pundasyon ng pagmamahal at pagkakaintindihan. Nasa isang tahimik na bahagi kami ng buhay, masaya, at kontento sa bawat araw na lumilipas. Si Mateo, our precious little boy, ay anim na taon na ngayon at lumalaki siya na masayahin, mabait, at puno ng buhay.

Minsan, iniisip ko kung paano ang bilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang, batang-bata si Mateo at karga karga pa namin. I remember the days when Matthew and I were adjusting to parenthood, learning how to balance work, responsibilities, and taking care of our son. Si Mateo noon, ang lagi niyang tanong "Why this?" "What’s that?" Puno ng curiosities, always exploring, making us laugh with his innocent ways.

Si Matthew, kahit busy sa trabaho, palaging may oras para kay Mateo. I admire him so much for that. Palaging may time for family. Si Mateo ay mahilig magbasa ng mga storybook at mag-collect ng mga action figures, and minsan tinitingnan ko silang dalawa, and I just feel so blessed. Walang masyadong bigat sa buhay namin. Everything was light, peaceful, and happy.

Pero, gaya ng lahat ng pamilya, hindi rin kami nakaligtas sa mga pagsubok. Dumaan din kami sa mga moments ng challenges. Hindi madali, lalo na noong si Mateo ay nagkaroon ng ilang health issues, but we pulled through together. I remember the days when Matthew stayed up late at the hospital with Mateo, praying, and hoping that our little one would get better. Hindi ko rin nakakalimutan ang gabing iyon na nagsisigaw ako sa sobrang kaba habang pinapalakas ang loob ni Mateo na magiging okay din siya. Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok, mas lumalim ang pagmamahalan namin bilang mag-asawa, at natutunan naming pahalagahan ang bawat sandali na magkakasama.

When Mateo turned four, he started school, and it was a new chapter for us as parents. I remember him holding my hand as we walked him to school on his first day. That moment, I knew how fast time was running. Ang bilis ng mga taon, at inisip ko lang, sana hindi pa magmamadali. I wanted to hold on to his innocence, his endless questions, and his unfiltered thoughts. But I knew, as he grows older, it’s part of the journey.

At home, we all started to find our routine. There were moments of laughter, chaos, and even moments of silence where we could just enjoy each other’s company. Matthew and I would steal quiet moments, sitting together while Mateo was busy with his toys. Madalas, mapapa-amaze kami sa mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa ni Mateo. Hindi namin pinapalampas ang mga milestones sa buhay ni Mateo—his first school performance, his first bike ride, and those first moments of him truly understanding life around him.

Nung mag-six years old siya, naisip ko lang kung gaano siya kalaki. From a tiny, fragile baby na lagi ko karga-karga, to this energetic little boy who now runs around the house, asking for snacks or showing me his newest drawing. Every day was a reminder of how precious and short time is.

And then, si Matthew, as a father, still remained to be the rock of the family. Hindi kami perfect, of course, but Matthew was my partner, my best friend, and the father who provided a strong foundation for our son. His presence made everything feel more secure, kahit na may mga moments na kami din ay may pagkukulang. But that was what made us stronger, and that’s what made our family stronger. Lahat kami may mga flaws, pero we never let it stop us from loving each other.

Ngunit, despite all the happiness and contentment, there were times when we had to deal with challenges that shook us. Like the times Matthew and I had disagreements about parenting. Sometimes we’d argue about how to handle situations involving Mateo, and at times, it wasn’t easy. Pero sa bawat pag-aaway, mas lalo naming napagtanto kung gaano kami ka-importante sa isa’t isa. We always found our way back to each other, learning from those moments.

Sa tuwing papasok si Mateo sa school, ang liit ng bata pero ang bilis ng paglaki. I wonder what kind of man he’ll grow up to be. I hope he grows up with a kind heart, full of wisdom, and with the courage to chase his dreams. At lagi kong iniisip, no matter what happens, I will always be there for him. As a mom, that’s the most important thing I could do—love him, guide him, and protect him through life’s challenges.

Ang buhay namin, kahit sa mga simpleng bagay, tulad ng magluto ng pagkain together, maghugas ng pinggan, o mag-organize ng family bonding days, ay puno ng kwento. Marami kaming natutunan sa bawat isa. It’s not always perfect, but those imperfections made our story beautiful.

I’m thankful for everything. For Matthew, for Mateo, and for the family we have. Walang kasing saya ang makita silang magkasama, laughing, and creating memories. I can’t wait for the years ahead, but for now, I’ll enjoy every single moment with them.

"Mateo, honey, come here! Mommy has something to tell you!" I called out, watching him run toward me, his bright eyes gleaming with excitement.

Life was good. And no matter what the future holds, I’ll face it with my family—my rock, my love, and my everything.

Matthew's POV (Flashback to when she first saw Ara)

Pagpasok namin sa en grandeng party ng Sanchez, napukaw kaagad ang aking tingin sa babaeng nakaupo. Siya lang ang nakaupo tapos yung mga kasama niya nakatayo at nakatingin saamin, hanggang sa mapalingon na rin siya sa direksyon namin pero umiwas na ako ng tingin.

Tumuloy kami sa paglalakad, binati kami ni Mrs. Sanchez. Si Tita Kaith.

"Mabuti at dumating kayo, andito rin ang Valeria.." nakangiting sabi ni Tita Kaith saka tumingin sa gilid, napatingin din kami don, sa direksyon nung nakita kong babae. So she is Valeria.

Lumapit kami doon, nag-usap sila Mommy at ang Valeria at nagulat na lang ako ng yakapin niya yung babae, Zahaira pala ang pangalan. She's pretty.

Hanggang sa tumingin saakin si Zahaira, bahagya pa nanlaki ang mata nito ng makita niyang nakatingin din ako sakanya.

At doon nagkaroon ako ng punong-puno ng curiosity about sakanya.

----

Hi Moonie's! Thank you, thank you so much because kung hindi dahil sainyo, this is all impossible. I appreciate every single one of you for sticking with this story, and for being part of this journey with me. To those who have been supporting since day one, and even to those who just started reading, I can’t thank you enough. I hope you guys enjoy this special chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Love lots!