Epilogue

Three years have passed since I completed my doctorate in Australia. It feels incredibly fulfilling to have achieved this despite the challenges I faced. Now, new opportunities await me.

As I stood in the airport, ready to return to the Philippines, I asked Mama, "When did Ate and her family arrive?"

"Just yesterday, Ara. We're all so excited for you! I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Ma! I've missed you all so much. Let's celebrate when I get there, okay?"

"I'm proud of you, Ara. You've stayed strong and achieved your dreams despite everything. You're just like me."

"Ma, you're getting emotional again! But I have to agree with you." A wide smile spread across my lips, though her words almost brought tears to my eyes. "I'm about to board. I'll call you when I arrive," I added.

After the call, I breathed deeply and closed my eyes, still smiling. Mama was right. The experiences I went through shaped me. My tears had dried, and memories of Hector no longer brought pain. In the past three years, I've changed so much.

As I walked to the departure area, I felt a sense of closure, leaving behind the memories of Hector as part of my past.

***

When I returned to the Philippines, I immediately started working on reopening my clinic. Today, after a meeting with the hospital director, I was stopped by two familiar faces as I walked through the hospital hallways.

"Eric, Melay, how are you?"

I hadn't expected to run into them. Eric was holding their child, and it was clear that his resentment had faded. As for me, I felt no guilt about seeing him again.

"This is Melric," Melay said with a laugh. "We combined our names—Eric's idea."

I hugged her and smiled at their child, who looked much like Eric. They seemed like the perfect family.

"Congratulations, Ara. You're quite the big shot now," Eric said, his tone free of lingering anger or bitterness.

Melay chimed in, "Hey, there's a celebration tonight."

I raised an eyebrow. "Celebration?"

"Tita Cecile's engagement party," Eric replied.

The words caught me off guard. Eric and Melay exchanged a knowing glance, chuckling.

"Engagement party? Are you serious?" I asked, still processing the news.

"Very serious," Melay said, chuckling again as their child stirred. "It's at seven tonight at Bellagua Garden in Ortigas. Your name's already on the guest list."

"We need to run—we have an appointment with the pediatrician," Eric said as their child started to cry. As they left, Eric turned back to remind me, "Don't forget—Tita knows you're back in the country."

I stood there, stunned. I missed Tita Cecile, and whatever decisions she made, I was genuinely happy for her.

***

I arrived at my unit at dawn, only to find it empty. My whole family had come home for a short vacation, but when I called my sister, she said they'd all gone to the mall. I felt a little upset that they didn't wait for me, but I remembered Tita Cecile's engagement party tonight. So, instead of sulking, I decided to find something to wear. The party started at seven, so I needed to get ready in time to avoid the traffic. I chose a simple black dress I bought in Australia—perfect for my thirty-year-old self.

I texted my sister to let her know I'd gone out so they wouldn't worry if they returned before I did. As I dressed, I couldn't help but smile, thinking about Tita Cecile's engagement. She deserved this happiness, and I believed I'd find mine someday, too.

I arrived at Bellagua Garden five minutes before seven. After parking, I hurried inside and checked in at the reception. Just as I started walking down the red-carpeted hallway, someone blocked my path, and I was surprised to see him.

"Marco, what are you doing here?" I asked.

He ran up and hugged me, and I hugged him back, unable to ignore how much he looked like Hector. Nostalgia hit me hard, memories of Hector's face flooding back.

"Come on, Ate Clara. They're all waiting for you inside."

I was puzzled. If Marco was here, did that mean Mommy, Gloria, and Daddy Ben were here too? Marco led me to a large double door. To my surprise, the room beyond was dark, with a spotlight in the center. Marco guided me into the light before running off into the shadows.

I stood there, clueless, my heart racing. Memories of the accident with Hector suddenly flashed through my mind. We had survived, but Hector and his family decided to return to the U.S., leaving me behind. It was a painful separation, but I'd come to accept it.

Suddenly, the lights flickered on, filling the room with a warm glow. I gasped as I recognized the faces around me—friends and family who had witnessed my journey. They were all scattered across the room, smiling at me.

Melay, Eric, their child, and the whole gang were there. Tita Cecile sat in a corner with tears in her eyes, her two boys beside her. My entire family was present, including Mommy Gloria, Daddy Ben, and Marco. I was also surprised to see Rachel, Ma'am Yolly, Pete, and Father Dan. Kuya Drei was there, too, with his wife and child.

I took a step forward, but they motioned for me to stop. Anxiety coursed through me as I tried to figure out what was going on.

Then, I heard a voice that made me freeze.

"Clara."

I turned, and there he was—Hector, standing just a few meters away. I'd promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore, but I couldn't hold back the tears.

"Hector," I whispered, running to him and wrapping my arms around him.

"Do you remember this?" he asked, showing me a folded photo. My brows furrowed in astonishment.

Before I could ask, he explained, "Maya gave me this before she died. It's from our sophomore year in college. You were part of my past, Clara. You know, before the accident, you were already on my mind. And when Maya gave me this picture, I tried so hard to remember you."

Tears welled up as I looked at the picture. "Do you remember now?"

"I'm sorry, Clara," he said, his eyes filled with sadness. "The doctors in the U.S. said I might never regain those memories. But it doesn't matter. While I was there, you were always on my mind. I fell in love with you, Clara—because of everything you did for me."

I laughed through my tears. "So, it was still love in the end."

"You see this ring?" Hector asked, holding up a ring that made me gasp.

"How, Hector?"

"Eric gave it to me. He came to see me in the hospital," Hector explained, and suddenly, everything made sense. Eric's visit, the feeling that someone had been watching over me when I went to the Columbarium, was all clear now.

"He told me I should marry you," Hector continued, his voice thick with emotion. "Because we're meant to be together."

Those words pierced through me, mingling with my tears.

"These people," Hector said, gesturing to everyone in the room, "helped me remember that once, you were a part of my life."

If this was a setup they'd planned together, I didn't care. I'd suffered for years, but in the end, we were together again. It didn't matter if he couldn't recall our past—what mattered was that he loved me now. I felt whole again.

"Mama Celia said this ring was meant to unite us," Hector said, his voice breaking. "But the accident changed everything."

I nodded, tears streaming down my face.

Marco suddenly interrupted with a microphone in hand. "I forgot, Papa," he said, making everyone laugh, even through the tears.

Hector took the microphone, smiling through his tears. "But Clara, that can still happen, right?" His voice trembled with hope. "Let's start again. Help me rebuild my memories of you. But we'll be together forever—marry me, Clara."

Hector didn't kneel, but he slipped the ring onto my finger. The crowd cheered, but their voices faded as I focused only on him.

"Hector, I've waited so long for this," I said, barely above a whisper. "I thought it would never happen."

I fell into his arms, overwhelmed by the realization that the man I had loved, lost, and longed for had returned to me for good.

Hector was my destiny. I had nothing left to wish for.

I gazed up at him, feeling an indescribable happiness. Words failed me, but I didn't need them. Instead, I spoke from my heart, words I'd yearned to say for so long.

"Hector, I love you."

With that, I kissed him, sealing our forever.

THE END

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