Portville Village

3 years passed...

3 years passed....

Isa na akong real state broker sa isang real state company dito sa Makati. Then one time may isang client na nakikipagset ng appointment sa akin sa Laguna.

"Ang layo naman," tugon ko pero katext ko lang 'yung client ko na nagpakilalang Mr. Peter Sy.

Nevertheless, I gave in to his demands. May sarili na rin akong sasakyan, a silver Savannah that was the fruit of my labor. I drove around the town limits of Laguna. My heart was beating hyperactively as I veered my car towards sa binigay na address nung client.. Portville Village.

A feeling of nostalgia started to swamp all over me. I had a lot of both sweet and painful memories in this village. Then, biglang nagtext 'yung client; he was going to meet me sa isang maliit na coffee shop inside Portville. Wow, may coffeeshop na rin pala sa Portville. Well, what do I expect? Tatlong taon na rin ang lumipas naging urbanized na siguro ang village.

I texted him kung ano'ng pangalan noong coffeeshop and he replied na iyon lang naman daw ang nag-iisang coffeeshop sa loob ng village. Okay, sabi nya eh. I walked around scouring for that coffeshop, and I was frozen in tracks as I saw him standing in front of the coffeeshop.His long jet black hair before was now buzzed-- a clean cut. He was wearing a button down navy blue polo and he was flashing his sunny smile that I dearly missed.

In slow motion, lumapit ako sa kanya. "Ezra? Ezra Sullivan?"

"No, I'm Peter Sy." He grinned, taking my hand.

"So...ikaw 'yung client na nagpakilalang Mr. Peter Sy?" I chuckled.

"Yes."

"Bakit 'di ka nagparamdam? Bakit hindi mo sinabi na may..."

He then grabbed my waist and kissed me. I reciprocated. It lasted for almost 16 seconds.

"Like I said, my love for you will keep me alive. At nandito ako ngayon sa harapan mo, buhay na buhay. I've survived that cancer. Sorry for the last time Enidh, alam ko sinabi na sa'yo ni Maddis..."

I kissed him once again. "I love you Ezra Sullivan. Stop explaining yourself, ang mahalaga nandito ka, nandito ulit tayong dalawa sa Portville."

"Sabi ko na e, mahal mo rin ako," he rasped.

"Yes, ikaw na ang laman nito Ezra, and I think nakuha ko naman siguro blessings ni Eslov," I said and I planted him a kiss on his cheeks.

"Hmmm...shall we?" He egged as he beckoned me inside the coffeeshop.

After three painful years, we still ended up together. I couldn't believe in my fate brought about by the thrill and magic of Portville Village. Death kept me apart from the then love of my life, Travis and Eslov. And I almost lost hope na maaring ganun na rin ang sinapit ni Ezra knowing na may cancer siya at nawalan kami ng balita sa isa't isa for almost three years. 

Death, an inevitable circumstance that chooses anyone to strike upon. Love, a glorious feeling that never fails to raise you in a trance and got you spellbound by its magic. And between both things, there are hope and faith that never fail to leave you uncrippled by the dark shadows overcasting every tormented body and soul. 

Ezra stood there six feet above the ground, cupping my face as he lean again for a kiss.

But as we kissed, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar in my peripheral view.

There standing six ft. tall, wearing a gray tanktop paired with a distressed denim jeans, throwing me a piercingly cold stare blazing in his black orb eyes, cradling a ball on his chest. His lips were pressed into a hard line...

Eslov. I gaped with muted horror upon my recognition.

"What's wrong?" Ezra asked worriedly as he noticed my face turned pale.

All I could do was point blankly to the spot where Eslov stood and Ezra followed the direction of my trembling fore finger.

Abruptly, a loud screeching sound of tires enveloped the place. A familiar red car swerved past us and when the windows rolled down....

"Sorry...nawalan kasi ako ng preno," the lady muttered apologetically.

I was rooted on spot because I knew well that face....with her chinky eyes, and long silky black hair and fair complexion.

Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Siya talaga 'yon...

Cindy.

In a flash, umandar ulit 'yung red car leaving me aghast, and I caught a glimpse of a silhouette of middle-aged woman staring back at me, smiling faintly at me. I think I am going to faint. My head was fuzzy, straining to gather my wits. I could feel my vision going blurry and I fell into a dead faint.

I woke up with the scent of roses that filled the whole room. I fluttered my eyes open and the figure of my mom materialized before me. She was relieved to see me now awake.

"Welcome back to Portville Village anak," she said in a warm voice.

=-Finale=