Limitation of Love

after story: the final chapter

"After the experience, what do you learned? What do you discover to yourself and to your ex?" It was Leighton who asked the question but she was not in the video. Edward was sitting in the same sofa that was seen in the first interview. Ang pinagkaiba lang ay siya lang ang nandoon at wala si Karleigh.

"After forty eight hours, I learned so many things about her. She's still the same Karleigh I knew but more stronger and successful. She is an amazing woman and a mother to her kids." Napangiti pa si Edward nang sabihin niya iyon sa huli.

After a second Karleigh's face was shown in the video. Siya lang ang nandoon sa sofa. They are interviewed separately.

"It brought so much emotions inside me. It made me realized that not everything in our relationship is about sadness and grief, we were happy back then. Our marriage is not perfect, it was clearly not, but if I'm going to live again and choose between this life or have a different pathway, I would still choose this life because I don't actually regret marrying him. Hindi ako nandito ngayon kung hindi dahil sa mga pinagdaanan ko."

Narinig ang pagsang-ayon ng producer na si Leighton sa background. "One hundred percent agreed."

Karleigh laughed.

"Every couples has a different stories, different struggles and trials in their marriage and if you actually made it together, cheers to you guys!" She even clapped while smiling.

"Last message to your ex husband?"

Matagal na nangiti lang si Leighton hanggang sa nagsalita siya. "Alam kong di ko pa ito nasasabi sa'yo ng personal, but I already forgive you, Edward. For everything."

"Last message to her?"

"I'm waiting."

The video ended and I instantly hid my phone under my pillow when Ophelia entered my room. "Dad? Gising ka pa po ba?"

"Yes, Tina?"

She switched the lights on when she knew I was awake. Kaagad kong sinuot ang salamin ko sa mata nang lumapit siya sa akin. "Tulog na ba sila Autumn?"

"Opo. Kanina pa." Tumabi siya ng upo at niyakap ang braso ko. Kahit malaki na siya at may asawa't anak ay hindi naalis sa kanya ang pagiging maalagain at sweet sa akin.

"What is it, my daughter?"

"You love me right?"

"Of course. You're my favorite girl in the world." I answered wholeheartedly because she really is.

"Totoo ba?" dudang tanong niya at binuklat iyong unan. Pinakita niya sa akin ang screen ng phone ko. "Kung ako pala ang favorite girl mo, anong role ni Tita Karleigh sa buhay mo, Daddy?"

Hindi ako nakapagsalita kaagad sa sinabi ni Ophelia Christina. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. I knew in myself that Karleigh was the love of my life but I can't just say it in front of my daughter's face. I was so nervous as she stared at me with those glare until she chuckled.

"Niloloko lang kita, dad. Sige na, pahinga ka na." Tumayo siya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi. "I love you, daddy. Tomorrow is the hardest day for me but I knew it will make you genuinely happy so I'm fine with it."

Nagtaka ako sa sinasabi niya. "Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo, Ophelia? Kinakabahan ako sa sinasabi mo."

There are tears on her eyes but she smiled and shook her head. "Wala ito, Daddy. Hormones lang. Good night."