THE STORY OF BERNICE

EPILOGUE

Almost two years… ganon sila katagal nawala…away from the kids…

When their plane crashed on their way back to Manila, almost one month siyang nasa ospital, because she literally broke her leg and she need to be operated immediately. After the operation, they wet to the US for her to undergo theraphy, para makalad siya ulit… ayaw niya sanang pumunta sa US, she want it done here in the country, pero mas tiwala si Francis sa US… meron ding nirefer na theraphist sina Mark sa kanila, which can help them. With a heavy heart, they left their kids back home. Sabi sa US, the theraphy would last for one and a half year, or more… right then and there she wanted to back out, hindi yata niya kaya na mawala ng ganon katagal. She’s thinking of her kids… what will happen in the next two years? Will the kids be okay? Every night she cried, thinking of them… but nevertheless, Francis is there for her..he pushed her to continue the theraphy, for herself and for the kids… hindi din nito kaya na makita ang asawa na naka wheelchair all her life. The idea hurts him badly. With that, inilit ni Chesca na tapusin yun, she worked hard… pinilit niyang makalad ulit… in less than two years natapos na ang theraphy niya, and she was okay again, as if nothing happened. Pinilit niyang maging okay kaagad, para makauwi na sila kaagad… para makita niya na ang mga bata.

F: baby, I thought your asleep…

C: no hinihintay kita (nasa terrace ito, she wiped her tears and faced him)

F: it’s cold out here, let’s go inside…

C; sige susunod ako.

F: what’s wrong?

C: I was just thinking about what happened to us two yeas ago… ang bilis no?

F: I told you so..

C: thanks baby.. 

F: what for?

C: for being there.. for never leaving my side, always, and for never giving up on me.

He moved her closer to him and encircled his arms around her.

F: I promise that I will never give up on you ever.

C: thank you… parang ang dami dami na naten pinagdaanan, many years have passed and still here we are, and nothing has changed.

F: I know. I can always give up on everything, but never will I give up in you.

C: (she looked at him and can see the sincerity in his words) di ka pa din talaga nagbabago.

F: bakit?

C: hanggang ngayon bolero ka pa din.

F: hindi kita binobola… why do I have this feeling ban a hindi ka na naniniwala sa sinasabi ko sayo?

C; minsan kase parang hindi na totoo… (she looked at him teasingly)

F: ah ganun, pero kinikilig ka pa din kahet akala o di totoo.

C: hoi Mr Aquino hindi yan totoo.

F: really huh?

C: ang yabang mo pa din.

F: well ok lang, may ipagyayabang naman…

C: alam mo yan lang yung nakuha ng mga anak mo sayo.. yung self confidence mo..

F: saka looks, dba?

C; che! Ewan ko sayo…

F: ewan ko sayo (panggagaya nito sa kanya) lika na nga, it’s getting cold (binuhat siya nito papuntang room nila and lay her down in bed and massaged her legs… like he always do, after her therapy.) Does It still hurts?

C: no na…

F: great, that’s good news. (tumabi na ito sa kanya, she pillowed on his arms and hugged him) wait, (may kinuha ito from his pocket) happy Wedding Anniversary, baby! (he handed her his gift, it was a tiffany bracelet with a picture of them together and a picture of the kids inside it’s locket)

C: thanks! This is nice… wait ako din (she gave him a necklace with a nativity cross as its pendant) para safe na tayo lagi, minsan kase nakakatakot ng lumabas ng house, accident prone yata talaga tayong dalawa… especially me. (Francis laughed at her statement) happy Wedding Anniversary, Baby. I love you, Francisco Aquino.

F: I love you more, Franchesca Marie Arellano – Aquino. You will forever be my GG.. 

C: GG? Ano nanaman yun?

F: God’s Gift. 

C: ah okay… you too, my GG.

And they shared a sweet and passionate kiss. They hugged each other and feel the warmth in a cold dark night as they closed their eyes and kissed the night away.

-THE END-