The Life That Echoes

CHAPTER 32: It Was Fear

Multimedia: Diego and Rebecca

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《Past Life》
March 16, 1980
Saturday | 9:13AM
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The bell rang softly, echoing through the quiet morning air.

White petals fell slowly down the aisle as Rebecca walked forward, nanginginig ang mga kamay niya habang hawak ang simpleng bouquet ng puting bulaklak.

Her dress was modest, handmade, but she smiled like it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Diego was standing at the end of the aisle.

Nakasuot ng barong, nakaayos ang buhok, at halatang kinakabahan ang mga kamay.

But his eyes... his eyes were steady.

Parang matagal na niyang napagdesisyunan, bago pa man dumating ang araw na 'to, na si Rebecca lang ang tanging siguradong bagay sa buhay niya.

When Rebecca reached him, she let out a small laugh.

"You're shaking," she whispered.

Diego exhaled. "So are you."

That made her laugh a little louder.

And just like that, the priest spoke, the vows were said, and they promised forever under a roof that barely sheltered their dreams.

But it was enough.

At that time.

Lumipas ang ilang taon, masaya silang namuhay, mapayapa, puno ng tawa sa bawat paggising sa umaga.

"Ang gulo mo talaga," natatawa sambit ni Rebecca habang inaayos ang collar ni Diego dahil maya-maya lang ay papasok na ito sa trabaho.

"E ikaw kaya, lagi mong nakakalimutan kung saan mo nilalagay susi," balik ni Diego habang inaabot ang tasa.

"Hindi ako makakalimutin."

"Talaga?"

"Teka... saan nga ba?"

Pareho silang natawa dahil don.

Ganito sila sa mga unang taon.

Hindi pa nakakabangon si Rebecca sa kama ay naamoy niya na ang kapeng itinimpla ni Diego para sa kanya.

Hindi pa nakakauwi si Diego sa gabi ay nakahanda na ang pagkaing niluto ni Rebecca para sa hapunan nila.

Sa lahat ng paraang kaya nila, ganon nalang ang pag-aalaga nila sa isa't isa.

Ngunit kahit gaano pa kaperpekto ang relasyon, tila ba parang hindi sapat.

Ilang beses nilang sinubukang magkaron ng anak, ngunit kailanman ay hindi sila makabuo.

Ilang dasal na ang inulit, kahit sa albularyo na ay lumapit, ngunit doktor narin ang nagkumpirma ng katotohanang kay pait.

"I know you've both been waiting for answers," Sambit ng doktor. "And I want to explain everything clearly."

Rebecca tightened her grip on Diego's hand as the doctor exhaled softly.

"We ran several tests over the past few weeks, and based on the results... it will be very difficult for you to conceive naturally."

Mariing napapikit si Rebecca, hindi na siya nagulat pero mas masakit pala kapag kumpirmado na. "Difficult... or impossible?"

The doctor paused, choosing his words carefully.