The Widow

Scene 57 - You have to live the past

Scene 57 – You have to live the past

Tila’y kay bilis ng panahon. May isang buwan na sila sa Baguio at bukas ay balik Maynila na sila. Masaya ang naging isang buwan na pananatili nila sa Baguio. Naging masaya si Ralphe. Nakilala niya ang anak niya.

Nakilala niya ang kambal at nakilala rin niya si Clara.

Maayos na sila ni Clara. Magkaibigan na at ayos lang sa kanya iyon. Hindi na muna siya hihiling ng iba pa.

They were all at the backyard, the kids were playing with Clara and Ralphe just sat down, he was tired, all the running he did, it was Clara’s turn to play with the kids. God, their energy.

As he watched them, he smiled to himself. And as Clara threw her head back and laughed while trying to pick up Tatum, he realized, he really loved her. Yes, he knew he loved her but this time, he knew he couldn’t let another chance pass by.

For one month, he could see the old Clara, the Clara he knew, she was just there but then he’d also see the reminder that she wasn’t the old Clara, damn it, she still wore her rings.

That was a reminder that she wasn’t the old Clara. She was Clara Spence still.

It’d be hard to change that but he had to.

He wanted them in his life. The four of them. Not just Kieran or Clara but the four of them.

He wanted to win her back, he knew it’d be difficult. She was still grieving. He’d see it sometimes, she’d spaced out and there was always a look in her eyes.

But maybe, just maybe he could help her move on and let go. He knew of loss, he knew the pain of losing a loved one would never be gone, the pain would always be there but that didn’t mean you have to live the past. It didn’t mean you couldn’t fall in love again.

He knew that. At first, he thought, he’d never fallen in love, that Sadie was it for him and anyone else would be second best. That was why he became the Ralphe Mendez, the playboy actor, the jerk and asshole.

Because he thought, if everyone was second best why would he settle for it? He’d never settle for second best so why waste time? He lost the one so there was no need to find a replacement if she was going to be just the second best. He’d never settle for less.

But then Clara happened. He never knew it until it hit him.

He realized that you didn’t need to compare. Sometimes, life gave you more chances at love and you just never realized it.

He’d help her realize it too. He’d help Clara see that sometimes, you can fall in love for the second time again.

“Uncle Ralphe, help!” Tatum yelled as she laughed breathlessly.

He stood and chuckled. Tatum was on the ground with Clara, the boys were tickling both of them. He ran toward them, picked Tatum in one sweep motion. “Gotcha.”