Back From Beginning #WATTYS2020 (Next Cycle Playlist #1)

XLVIII

Back From Beginning
Chapter Forty-Eight

"I'm glad you said yes." panimula ni Tita Amelia na ikinagulat ko.

Together with Ate Sunny, lumipad talaga sila patungo dito as soon as Noah gave the permission to visit me. Mas lalo lang silang naexcite na pumunta dito nang ibinalita ni Noah ang nalalapit naming kasal.

"When I saw you at the airport, I silently prayed na sana magkita ulit kayo ng anak ko. I never thought my prayers were answered right away..."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko as she smiled at me.

"Thank you for loving him, Julia."

Her tears started to roll down her cheeks kaya medyo nag panic ako. She immediately wiped her tears as she laughed at me.

"You know, that kid, he's always proud. Hindi ko alam kung nabanggit niya sa'yo pero obvious naman atang magkahiwalay na kami ng daddy niya."

I nodded when my long-time question has finally been answered.

"But when you were in danger, nalaman kong tinawagan niya pala ang daddy niya knowing that his father is a respectable military official and he has access to men in the police department. He even begged for his help without any hint of the proud Noah I raised, kaya sa sobrang pagkamangha ng dati kong asawa, hindi niya na naiwasang hindi ikwento sa akin ang nangyari."

My eyes widened at her story. Kaya ba confidential ang identity ng daddy niya? Kaya ba hindi isinasapublikong buhay pa ang daddy ni Noah kasi nasa militar ito?

"You really did shaken him up that time. He must have been so scared, thinking he'd actually lose you."

Nilingon ko si Noah na nasa kitchen counter ngayon, tinutulungan si Ate Sunny sa pagluluto ng lunch.

Something in my heart hurt a bit nang narinig ko ang kwento ni Tita Amelia. I couldn't imagine how frustrated Noah must have been that time. Now I feel guilty for deciding to give up on life for a few seconds during that tragedy.

"Kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat ako na pumayag kang magpakasal sa kanya hija. I know you started as a temporary person in his life, but I hope you will stay and be that permanent person who will stick by his side. He needs you Julia."

Unti-unti ko na ring naramdaman ang mga luha sa pisngi ko. I nodded and smiled at her.

Simula nang naramdaman kong mahal ko na rin si Noah, I began to forget the kind of life I'd have if he was not with me. I imagined what the future would be like if he was still with me, and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

We started the preparation for our wedding by attending Marco's trial in Manila. Kitang kita ko ang gulat sa mukha ni Marco nang nagkaharap ulit kami. He must have thought I hated him, when in fact, I only felt sorry for him.

Katulad nang isinumpa ko bago ako tumayong witness, I only told the truth about everything that happened that night. Inilahad ko rin ang paghingi ko ng tawad kay Marco when I unconsciously hurt him emotionally.

"Marco... I want you to know that I am standing here hindi para maghiganti sa'yo kundi para itama ang pagkakamali ko. I know that if I don't stand as a witness against your case, hindi tayo matatahimik."

Nakita ko kung paano siya naiyak sa sinabi ko. Napangiti ako nang nakitang kahit papaano, naroon pa rin naman ang dating Marco na kilala ko. The sane Marco that I used to love.

"I want you to know that I don't hate you. It's my fault that it happened, and I'm really sorry. Sana pag nabigyan ka ng pangalawang pagkakataon sa buhay, change for the better. Do not seek revenge. Revenge only makes us feel more lonely and hateful, making our world closed from the possibility of a happy and carefree life."