Star Crossed

EPILOGUE

It has been tough since Dawn passed away, but Ela was the one who signifies our love. She's the one true evidence that our love existed.

Whenever I look at her, I remember her mother. Tama nga si Dawn, siya nga ang kamukha ni Ela.

"Daddy, where is mommy?" She asked,

She's already four at napaka talino niya, Ela already knows how to read and write. Madali narin itong nakakaintindi ng bagay bagay and it seems like she love cooking a lot dahil kapag nakikita ako nito ay palaging gustong magpaturo.

Who knows? Maybe she wants be a chef like her mom.

"Your mom is in a paradise Ela," I said as I smiled at her.

"Hindi na siya babalik?" She asked and pouted.

I chuckled as I knelt down infront of her and patted her head.

"Your mom.... will always be with you, binabantayan ka niya mula doon. You may not see her but always remember that she loves you very much." I said and hugged her.

"If she loves me then why won't she come back?" She was about to cry as she asked and I tried to calm her down.

"Because God wants her to rest already, your mom is tired and hurt. Gusto mo ba masaktan lang siya?" I asked and she Immediately shaked her head.

"So it means that she's with God now? Wala na siyang nararamdaman na pain?"

"Yes, anak." I replied and she smiled at me.

"If it means that my mom will never experience getting hurt again, then I'm happy even if I don't get a chance to see her." She tried to smile but I could see the sadness in her eyes.

Me too, anak. Even if it means to let her go, masaya na ako na ngayon wala na siyang nararamdaman na sakit.

"She'd be proud of you for being so strong," I whispered at Ela and caressed her hair.

"C'mon let's go!" I said and carried her.

Were on our way to school at ihahatid ko lang siya doon while I get to work.

"Bye, daddy!" She waved her cute little hands at me as she go inside.

I smiled and wave back at her.

while I was in my car I noticed that I left my papers on my condo, hindi ko iyon pwedeng iwanan dahil mga kaso iyon and some future clients that set an appointment today.

I drove back to my condo and immediately got the papers. Napag desisyonan ko rin na kumuha ng extra polo para mamaya because I have a meeting to attend to.

As I was about to get a shirt, I noticed an red envelop near it. Kinuha ko ito and my brows furrowed as I saw my name.

To: My dear Zacchaeus,

I opened the envelop and got the letter, maluha luha ko itong tinignan when I noticed who it was from. Hindi ko pa binabasa alam ko na galing ito sakaniya, I knew the hand writting was hers.

I called my secretary and told her that I wouldn't be able to come to work today, I was in tears as I red it.

It was a happy, yet a goodbye letter from her that reminds me all of the things we did together.

I miss her and I love her so much....

I wish you could be with me today, sana sabay nating inihahatid ang anak natin papuntang school. Sana sabay natin siyang inaalagaan. Sana kasama kita... sana nandito ka.

I closed my eyes at ibinagsak ang katawan sa kama, I cried as I hugged her pictures and I stared at the bracelet she gave me.

Hanggang ngayon pala hindi ko parin alam ang ibig-sabihin nito, I opened my laptop and searched for baybayin words. Isa isa ko itong tinignan and my lips rose up as I got the meaning.

Aking Bituin.

I sighed as I stare at her picture, ang aga mo naman kasi ako iwan... but if it means you can rest, I can't do anything but to let you. I love you and I can't stand seeing you hurt. Siguro nga mas okay na yung ganito, dahil sigurado ako na masaya at payapa ka na ngayon. And I know that she'll be forever with me because she may not be here physically, but she will forever be in my heart.

Wala nang mas hihigit pa sakaniya, siya lang and our daughter ang natatanging babae na mamahalin ako, forever.

From: Your dear, Zacchaeus. Ang Lawyer ng buhay mo.

Kahit wala ka na rito, ipapangako kong ikaw parin hanggang dulo. I love you so much, Jacquelyn Dawn Gabriela Riego.

-end-