Galleria

Chapter 39

I don't know why but I am quite nervous at the moment. I don't know how many times I let go of a heavy sigh nor clenched my stirring wheel so my nervousness will go away.

I stopped the car as soon as I parked it.

I am on my way in when I saw an unfamiliar figure sitting on a bench near the gate.

I walked slowly to her direction. She looks like she's in deep thought as if she is currently sailing on her ocean of thoughts.

"Good morning po." She spoke sweetly without looking at me.

"G-good morning." I answered.

"Galathea po. Ako po si Galathea." She smiled.

"Minsan, nabanggit po kayo sa akin ni ate Roya. Sabi niya, nahanap na niya iyong lalaking handa niyang makasama habang buhay. Alam ko po kung gaano kayo kamahal ni ate Roya." She started talking and I can't help myself but to listen. Her voice is slowly keeping me at ease.

"Noong panahong ikinikwento niya kayo sa akin, kakaiba iyong tono ng boses niya. Iyong boses na pawang bahid lang ng saya. Sobrang kontento niya nang mahanap niya iyong lalaking magmamahal sa kanya."

"Hindi ko po kayo nakikita. Pero nararamdaman ko po kung gaano ninyo kamahal ang isa't isa." So that explains it. That's why she can't meet my stare.

"Kapag naalala niya po kung sino kayo sa buhay niya. Sana po, wag niyo na po siyang hayaang nalulungkot. Sana po kayo iyong pupunas ng luha niya at hindi iyong taong dahilan ng pag-iyak niya."

"At alagaan niyo po si ate Roya. Halos buong buhay niya, inilaan niya sa pag-aalaga sa iba. Panahon na pong may mag alaga rin sa kanya." She smiled without breaking her eyes from the ground.

"Galathea. I love her so much. I promise I'll take care and continue to love her for the rest of her life."

"Hinihintay na po kayo ni Ate sa loob. At thank you po."

Roya raised these children well. She showered them unconditional love and endless support. Maybe she'll raise our children like this too. If only I didn't hurt her, maybe she won't suffer miscarriage. It's my fault.

As I approach the reception of Bahay Kalinga, I can hear every beat my heart makes.

My world suddenly stopped when I saw her.

Again, she look so pretty in her red dress.

The space between us feel so far as I walk towards her. I never known what it felt like to have a butterfly flutter in my stomach until now.

My wife. My Roya.

She turned around and looked at me with that innocent face and a shy smile. Her sweet scent tickles my nose and it suits her perfectly. She smells like a sweet ripen berries.

"You ready." I asked her. It still feels like a daydream.

"Yes." she nodded. Her cheeks are blushing and she keeps on avoiding my eyes.

She silently followed me going to the car.

I don't know what she's thinking but there are times when I catch her eyes glaring at me.

She don't have any idea how beautiful she looks right now. She's like a goddess descended from heaven. Her fair skin, long wavy raven hair, her almond shaped eyes framed with long lashes, her red soft lips and her eyes. Her eyes that once shine whenever she smile, yet I made them dull.