Forgotten Love

Chapter L

(A/N: This the last chapter. Salamat sa mga nakaabot dito.)

Warning: SPG

L

Bound Me

"WILL YOU MARRY ME?" I ask.

Her answer, like the usual, is "No."

"Why, Ria? You have every reason to marry me. Mahal mo ako, at mahal kita. Magkakaanak na nga tayo."

"Basta, ayoko." Umiling siya. "If you didn't get me pregnant, siguro hindi mo ako aalukin ng kasal ngayon."

"I'll still ask you, nonetheless," I say, frustrated now. She's been very irrational and stubborn, and she's giving me the same reason all over again. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ko makuha ang 'oo' niya. It's probably because of her hormones. "Why can't you say yes?"

"K-Kasi hindi ako handa," sagot niya. "Takot ako."

"Do you need to be ready? If we wait for the time you're ready, then it'll never be happen." I rub at my temples. "How about our Baby?"

"Pwede pa rin naman natin siyang alagaan kahit hindi tayo kasal."

"Ria, please . . ." I plead.

"Basta ayoko. Wag mo na ngang ipaulit sa'kin," naiinis niyang sinabi.

"Give me a reason."

"Hindi ako sigurado dito. Takot ako na baka magkahiwalay tayo sa huli." She bites her lower lip. "Hindi biro ang kasal, Benedict. Panghabang-buhay 'to. Gusto ko na kung sakali man na makasal ako, dapat isang beses lang. What if hindi pala tayo ang para sa isa't isa? Kung dati madali lang akong naka-oo, bata pa kasi ako noon. Hindi ko pa masyadong napag-iisipan ng mabuti. Pero ngayon, iba na."

"Why aren't you sure of me?"

"Hindi naman sa hindi ako sigurado sa'yo." She looks at me reluctantly. "It's just that . . . b-baka mawala kita ulit. Nawala ka sa'kin ng pangalawang beses, pwede pa din mangyari 'yon. Kung sakali man mangyari yun, h-hindi ko kakayanin. Dalawang beses akong um-oo, pero hindi natuloy lahat ng yon. Baka pag um-oo ulit ako, hindi na naman matutuloy." Nakita ko ang pangingilid ng luha sa mata niya. "S-Sorry talaga. A-Ang dami kong iniisip ngayon."

I hug her to my chest. "I'm willing to wait, Ria. As long as you end up with me. I'm your endgame, remember that."

Baby, help Daddy convince your Mommy. Can't you tell your Mommy to just say 'yes' so we'll be a happy family? Talking to our unborn child is crazy, but maybe it will help.

***

"How do I get her to say 'yes'? She's very stubborn."

"It takes patience, Elliot," untag ni Kuya Brad. "Plus, you mentioned that she's pregnant. She's very irrational right now, and she can't decide properly. You know . . . hormones."

"Paano mo ba napasagot si Ate Maia?"

Ngumiti siya. "Ours is an interesting story to tell. One night isn't enough for me to spill everything." He shrugs, downing the scotch in one gulp.

"Damn it couz. I remembered before that you were so allergic to commitments. But look at you now, you're trying to woo this woman and get her to marry you," kumento ni Nick.

"She said yes to me before . . . twice," I mumble, "but I don't know what happened now."

"Don't worry about it much, Elliot. She's pregnant with your child, and she loves you. Right now, she's probably just afraid. She'll come around," Kuya Brad assures me.