Nine Days With Jude [CLAVERIA #1]

DAY 09

TODAY is my last day of novena. I never thought na makukumpleto ko na 'to; I never thought also na sa 9 days na 'yun, ang dami daming nangyari sa buhay ko, to think na pinilit lang naman ako ni Pam na gawin 'to.

"Tumutunog phone mo." I came back to my senses nang nagsalita si Jude. We're on our way to St. Jude, inagahan na namin kasi mamaya na ang labas ni Mommy ng hospital, baka hindi ako makapunta kung mamayang hapon pa.

I picked my phone on my pocket and read the SMS, it's from Ms. Javier's manager. I smiled upon reading her message.

"Is it a good news?" Jude asked.

I just answered with a smile.

"Mind if you share? You know...God told us to spread the good news."

I laughed.

"Pun intended," dagdag pa niya.

"Well, 'di ba The Galaxy Designs ang napili ni Ms. Javier as the event designer for her upcoming debut?"

"Hmmm hmmm"

"Aaand...they found out na I'm also a photographer so they asked me kung pwedeng ako na rin lang daw ang maging photographer for her photoshoot."

"Wow! That's great!" He placed again his palm on my head na madalas niyang ginagawa. "Inuulan ka ng mga blessings ngayon."

"Yeah. When it rains, it pours pala talaga."

And finally, marahan niyang ginulo ang buhok ko bago naunang pumasok sa loob ng church. This is habit napapansin ko...and I like it a lot.

Pagpasok namin sa loob ay agad kaming lumuhod at nagdasal. There was a big relief the moment I uttered the word "Amen", and I uttered it aloud.

I opened my eyes with big smile.

Natapos ko.

Nagawa ko.

I felt like crying right now.

I looked at the big crucifix in front of me. Thank you. Thank you for letting me feel your presence. I've been chained for quite a long time. Thank you for bringing Jude into my life, he was the key that set me free from this chain.

"We can make a wish now," Jude claimed. He's also smiling but I can see the sadness in his eyes.

Sabay kaming tumungo at humiling.

Happiness...genuine happiness. That's my only wish.

Nang matapos na ko ay umupo na ko at pinagmasdan si Jude. He's still kneeling, his head bowed down, and his eyes are closed. Nagulat na lang ako nang may pumatak na luha mula sa mata niya.

"Jude..." I almost whispered.

He slowly opened his eyes and stared at the crucifix. It took him a minute bago muling umupo.

"Are you...are you alright?" tanong ko.

He looked at me, kagaya kanina, nakangiti siya ngunit malungkot ang mga mata niya. "Can I meet you tonight?"

"Mamaya ang labas ni Mommy ng hospital. I need to take care of her first."

"Kapag...kapag nakatulog na siya mamayang gabi, pwede bang sumaglit ka lang dito?" His eyes are fixed on mine. "May gusto lang akong sabihin."

"Pwede mo naming sabihin ngayon."

"I can't." He sighed heavily. "I need to muster my courage first."

Wala akong naisagot.

He scoffed. "I'm so demanding."

"No, Jude. You're not."