Epilogue

The Finale

"I think we should end this, Jacob. Wala nang patutunguhan kung itutuloy lang natin 'to, kaya please, let's just stop this." Umiiyak niyang sabi.

She went here to my condo just to break up with me. Grabe, I'm so hurt right now. I didn't expect na ganito ang isasalubong niya sakin akala ko dumalaw siya kasi she missed me after being so cold to me for almost a week.

"Ha? Bakit love? Anong meron? Bakit? May ginawa ba ako? Please sabihin mo sakin, pag usapan natin tsaka ayusin natin. Hindi 'yung ganito, bigla bigla na lang." Seryoso kinakabahan na ako sa pwedeng mangyari. I badly don't want to lose her because she's so precious to me and sigurado na ako na siya ang gusto kong makasama hanggang sa huling oras ko dito sa mundo.

"I just want to end up what we have, Jacob. Yun lang."

"Eh bakit nga? Tell me. Please baby, wag ganito." I begged.

Nanahimik siya. Tahimik siyang humikbi, lumapit ako tsaka sinubukang aluin siya pero itinaboy niya ako. Nakatungo lang siya at umiiyak.

"Love, why? Nung nakaraan ka pa ganyan. Why are you so cold to me, huh? Wala akong ginagawa. Magsabi ka naman sakin, hindi yung ganitong susugod kaagad tapos makikipaghiwalay ka? Love naman." Hindi ko napigilang hindi ilabas ang inis ko.

I sighed. "Sorry, love. Naguguluhan lang ako. Please tell me why." Hindi ko kayang magalit sa kanya.

"We should break up, Jacob, wala ng patutunguhan 'to." Hinarap niya ako tsaka pinunasan ang luhang pumapatak sa kanyang pisngi.

"Eh bakit nga, love, Wala akong gina-"

"Fuck! There's someone else, Jacob! Okay na ba?!" Sigaw niya para putulin ang dapat sanag sasabihin ko.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Ang sakit.

"No, Aeri. I don't believe you. Hindi mo magagawa 'yun. Okay pa tayo, ah? Last week ka lang naging ganyan, hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit."

"Sorry, Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit." Aniya, lumuluha pa rin.

"Tangina naman!  Saan ba ako nagkulang, Aeristell?! Ha?! Lahat naman ginagawa ko para sayo, ah? Ano pa ba ang kulang? Bakit naman kailangang humantong sa ganito?"

"I'm not happy anymore, Jacob. So please."

Nahilamos ko ang palad ko sa mukha ko tsaka umupo sa coach. I let out a heavy sigh kasabay ng luha na pumatak mula sa aking mga mata. I glanced at Aeri na nakatayo sa harap ko, nakatingin sakin.

"Can we still fix this baby, please. I don't want to lose you. So please, stay... Stay with me, baby please," Napahikbi ako. Nakita kong umiwas ang tingin sa akin ni Aeri.

"I can't... We can't, Sorry. I just want to be happy, Jacob. And let's just part our ways because with you, hindi ko mahahabol ang pangarap ko."

"That's so selfish naman. I can stay with you, Aeri. No matter what. Kahit pangarap ko, kaya kong abutin kahit kasama kita dahil gusto ko kasama kita sa lahat ng pagkatalo at tagumpay ko. I want to make all of my memories happy with you, Aeri. Ang damot mo..."

She wiped her tears. I stared at her for a while. I wipe my tears and sighed.

"But, if you are gonna be happy without me, then go, leave. All I wish for you is to be happy... even if I'm not the reason anymore... Thank you for all the days, months and years that you were with me. I promise, I'll cherish all our precious memories, love. I'm sorry for not being enough..."

Hindi ko napigilan ang iyak ko. Humikbi ako habang siya nakatungo lang sa harap ko.

"I should go now, Jacob. Goodbye..." She was ready to walk out but I grab her wrist. Nilingon niya naman ako at nagtaka.

"Can I hug you... for the last time?" Kahit hindi siya umimik ay unti unti ko nang inilapit ang katawan ko sakanya para mayakap siya.

Naramdaman kong gumalaw galaw ang braso niya, palagay ko'y gusto niya rin akong yakapin ngunit parang may pumipigil.

"You know I'd do anything for you... I only wish for your happiness and if leaving me is what will make you happy, then... leave... But I just want you to know that I love you, love. So much..."

Natahimik kaming dalawa habang magkayakap. "Be happy, always. Even if I'm not the reason anymore... Thank you for everything... Goodbye, love." I whispered and kissed her hair. Kasabay ng pagkalas niya sa yakap ko, umagos ang mga luhang naipon sa mga mata ko.

Why did this happened? Mawala na ang lahat, 'wag lang ikaw. Pero kahit ano palang ingat mo sa isang tao, kung aalis, aalis talaga. I'll let you chase for your dreams, Aeri. Maghihintay ako, kung pwede pa. I'll win you back, amore.

"Hello, Engineer Castillo, It's nice to see you again. Big time ka na ah?" Tinig ng isang babae. Kasalukuyan akong nasa Spain sa kumpanya na pinagtatrabahuan ko.

Niligon ko ang babae tsaka ngumiti nang mapagtanto kung sino iyon. I stood up to greet her casually.

"Bea, How have you been? Ngayon ka lang ulit nagpakita ah? Kung hindi ka pa pinapunta dito ni Architect Gonzales di tayo magkikita." I said. Yes, I was portraying to Elisha's dad.

She smiled tsaka tumingkayad at humalik sa pisngi ko. Nasanay na ako dito kay Bea. Ganito talaga siya sa mga close friends niya.

"It's Architect Acosta, you dumb ass. Nasa trabaho tayo, Engineer Castillo, so please be casual." Aniya na ikinatawa ko.

"Parang walang pinagsamahan ha?" She lauged too.

She became one of my friends when I started studying here in Spain. Halos 2 years na din nang huli ko siyang nakita, ang alam ko ay nasa Pilipinas siya. After Aeri and I split up, I decided to fly here in Spain to study for masters and luckily, napagtagumpayan ko 'yun. I even got the title "One of the Best Engineer in Asia."

I did'nt heared any news about Aeri after I flew all the way here but I always check the news or social medias, even her an her friends IGs just to catch up on her.

Pagkatapos rin namin mag break, nag confirm siya ng status niya na she has a boyfriend, Elisha Gonzales. The Best Architect rin sa Asia. Actually nakatrabaho ko na siya. Pero we didn't get along with each other kasi it's so awkward. Ex and present? What the?

I felt happy and sad for them especially for Aeri. Happy, kasi meron na siyang kasama and I'm sure Elisha takes care of her well. He's a little playboy ang alam ko pero sumeryoso raw kay Aeri. Sad, kasi I'm losing hope. Pero I still hold onto my love for her. Hindi kailanman magbabago iyon.

If she still loves me, then we can start over. Pero kung hindi, I will choose to let her go. Isa pa sa pinanghahawakan ko ay ang dahilan ni Aeri, hindi kapanipaniwalang hindi niya maaabot ang pangarap niya kasama ako dahil simula una pa lang siyang nangarap, kasama na niya ako at sinabi niya na rin na ang tagumpay ng isa ay tagumpay naming dalawa.

But I didn't really believed that they had relationship simula nung nag announce na sila ng engagement nila. I don't know. I just have a feeling about it. Knowing that her mom is controling her at gahaman sa mga business partners, I knew she black mailed Aeri. Hindi sa pinag iisipan ko sila ng masama pero iyon ang totoo eh.

May part sakin na I still believe na her mom blackmailed her pero may part din na nagsasabing 'wag na siya guluhin kasi may iba na talagang totoo na nagmamahal sa kanya...

But I really don't regret everything because it's best for Aeri rin naman. I'm sure may kinalaman dito ang pag pursue niya ng dream niya. I'm still happy for her of what and where she are right now. Sana lang masaya din siya.

If she still loves me, I'll win her back...

"So, tumawag ang isang agency sa Pilipinas na kung pwede kayo, Engineer Castillo and Architect Acosta ang tumnggap ng project sa La Union." Ani Architect Javier Lopez, sa wikang latin.

Ang kumpanyang ito ay kinabibilangan ng mga mahuhusay na arkitekto at enhinyero sa lahat ng bansa sa Asya. Ito ang main agency, kumbaga.

"Si Architect Elisha talaga dapat ang pipirma jan but marami pa siyang ginagawa na project ngayon plus, ikakasal na rin siya. So he's really busy." Wika ni Architect Axcel Gonzales, Elisha's dad.

"Kayo lang talaga ang maaasahan namin. Don't you want to go home?" Si Architect Ella Gonzales, Elisha's mom.

Oo nga, hindi ko naisip umuwi. It's been a while. Umuuwi naman ako kapag Christmas at New Year pero umaalis rin ako kaagad. Ngayon lang ako na assign sa Philippines.

"I'll go po. I want to go on vacation while I'm working sa Pilipinas." I said.

"Me too," Si Bea.

"Okay, I'll get the blueprints at yung contract. Nasimulan na iyon ni Elisha kaya lang sa iba na lang niya pinapatapos ang polishing dahil hindi talaga niya pagsabaysabayin."

Sabay kaming tumango ni Bea sa sinabi ni Archtect Lopez. (sa wikang latin 'yun luvs, assume nyo na lang, ayaw ko na kasi lagyan ng latin words kasi lalo hahaba kung may traslation pa hehe)

"Me too ka jan eh andun ka naman na talaga." Bulong ko kay Bea.

Siniko niya ako. "Sira, last year pa ang huling uwi ko doon dahil may inasikaso ako sa Russia." She whispered back.

"Ay ganon ba,  sorry ha. Di ko alam. Wala kasing paramdam 'no?" I whispered again. She just made a face.

We flew back to the Philippines the next day. Bea is so excited as well as me kasi marami akong namiss doon. I'm hoping that I'll see Aeri just to check if she is okay.

Dumiretso kami sa La Union bago kami umuwi ng Manila. Pinuntahan namin ang site kaagad pagkadating namin ng La Union. One week na lang ang natitirang araw sa paggawa so tinapos na namin iyon kaagad para ang last two days namin dito ay magchichill na lang.  It's a modern-style rest house na pinarenovate and may pinatayo pa na bahay sa tabi nito na natapos na.

May sinukat lang ako doon sa bahay kasama ko si Bea. Pagkatapos ay nagpaalam siya na pupunta sa beach side para kumain habang ako ay bumalik sa hotel para magpahinga dahil nag aaya itong si Beatriz mamaya sa beach front dahil may banda raw.

Nagising ako dahil sa tunog ng phone ko dahil sa tawag ni Bea. Agad ko namang sinagot iyon.

"Hello?"

"Hoy Castillo ano ba! Kala ko ba bakasyon eh tulog ka lang ng tulog! Halika na, nag sstart na yung live band. Bilisan mo! Naghihintay ako!" Sigaw niya dahil maingay na sa kinaroroonan niya.

"Oo, eto-" TOOT-TOOT-TOOT "Ay, pucha! Pinatayan ako! Walang galang talaga 'tong si Bea."

Nagbihis lang ako tsaka nagpunta na sa beachfront. Masyado ng maingay at madilim sa paligid, Pano ko ba makikita si Bea eh andaming tao!

Naglakadlakad ako at luminga linga. Nahagip ko ang itsura ni Bea sa may gitnang part mag isang umiinom. Kawawa naman 'to HAHAHA.

Nakapamulsang lumapit ako sa kanya at ng makita ako ay ngumiti at isinabit ang kamay sa braso ko.

"Tagal, pa VIP ka talaga!"aniya. Tumawa ako habang tumingkayad siya para halikan ang pisngi ko.

Halos puro inom lang ang ginawa namin ni Bea. Nagpaalam akong magpapahangin dahil medyo nahihilo na ako. May kasama naman si Bea na mga kaibigan niya raw doon kaya iniwan ko muna. I want to be alone.

Sa sobrang daming tao, nahirapan akong lumabas. Napilitan akong tawirin ang mga dagat ng mga tao sa mismong dance floor ata tawag dun. Sa harap mismo ng stage. Maraming nakabunggo sakin at nabunggo ko kaya panay ang sorry ko.

Ngunit kamalas malasang may malakas na nakabangga sakin kaya may nasagi akong babae. "Ouch." Sigaw niya. Natumba 'yung babae hindi ko makita ang mukha niya dahil nakatungo siya at medyo madilim.

"Watch your step, Mister!" Nilingon niya ako tsaka dinuro. Hindi ko nakita ang mukha niya dahil ng madilim pero parang kilala ko ang boses na iyon.

I sat infront of her to help her stand. "Sorry, Miss- Aeri?!" I said shockingly. Siya pa rin ang dating Aeri. Nothing has changed pero I can tell na mas naging maganda siya dahil sa maturity.

"J-jacob?"

"Sorry, sobrang wild ng mga tao, it wasn't my intention to push you." I grabbed her arm to help her but she wiped my hand away and told me not to touch her.

Nagulat ako ng biglang umiyak siya. Sinubukan kong punasan iyon pero pinigilan niya. Damn it, Stop Jacob!

I ask her why and she said she just had a bad day and then her PA went to her then they left.

"Sorry, I'm not your Luna anymore to light your darkest hours..." I said to myself after I saw her story...

"Hoy, Engineer! Nirerenovate namin yung part ng resort namin sa Palawan sabi ko kay Dad ikaw na lang yung kukunin naming Engineer para may discount hehe." Si Ethan.

One week had past after the La Union vacation and work and I've been staying in my condo here sa Manila pero umuwi ako sa bahay ng parents ko dahil nandito ang tropa tsaka mga pinsan ko.

"Sorry Mr. Business man, I do not give bribes." I said.

"Luh, damot ni Engineer. Ayaw mo nun may trabaho ka na nga eh!" si Ethan.

"Joke lang, Eto naman. Pero tumatanggap ako ng full payment." I winked at him. Nagtawanan naman ang mga kasama namin.

Pagkatapos ng bond time namin, sumama ako kay Ethan sa office nila para pumirma sa kontrata. I'll be leaving for Palawan in two weeks. I just want to stay here in Manila for a while kasi marami akong namiss.

Dahil namiss ko ang mag club so I went to BGC. I decided to go there a little late. Wala lang.

There I saw Aeri, mukhang problemado nanaman. Bakit ba parang walang pakealam si Elisha dito? If I were him, I'll go to Aeri wherever the fvck where she is when she needs me. Or kahit maiparamdam ko lang sa kanya na hindi siya nag iisa. Pero bakit parang lately, problemado si Aeri. Ewan ko ba! Kapag nagkikita kami laging malungkot sya.

She opened up things to me. Hindi pa rin pala ayos yung alitan nila ng mommy niya. Sinubukan ko siyang aluhin dahil humikbi na siya at hinayaan niya akong gawin 'yun. I even saw the necklace I gave her. I don't know kung may meaning pa ba sa kanya 'yu. Ayoko mag assume. Gusto ko sakanya mismo manggaling.

"I missed you, love. I'm sorry..." Nagulat ako sa salitang binitiwan niya. Did I just heared it right? Did she mean it, or lasing lang talaga siya?

"I love you, I still do. It didn't change since the day you left, Aeri..." I said before covering her with my comforter before i go out of the room.

Simula noon, nabuhayan muli akong lumaban para samin. Dahil sa sinabi niya, nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa...

We went to Tagaytay. I can't say na nagdate kami pero parang ganoon na nga. This is one of the best day. Namiss ko yung ganito kami.

"Fuck, I'm sorry. I should've not do that. " I muttered. I almost kissed her, damn. After that embarrassing moment, I went home and never went out again. Scared that I might see Aeri again. Hinintay ko na lang ang araw ng flight ko papuntang Palawan.

"Jacob? Seat mo ba 'to?" A familiar voice asked. Nilingon ko ang babaeng naka mask na maikli ang buhok bago ko ilagay sa compartment ang gamit ko.

I was shocked when it was Aeri. She looks cute on her short hair. I felt a little awkward because of what happened nung huli kaming nagkita. So I appologized.

I am really hesitating if I'm going to look for another hotel for her or just gonna let her stay at my suite. Its big tho. Sa huli, I just convinced her to stay on my suite since it has 2 rooms naman.

"Sorry, nadala nanaman ako." I said nang hahalikan ko nanaman siya pagdating namin sa suite. Fuck, Jacob! Ano ba! You did it again!

Ilang minuto pa akong nakatayo lang dahil sa gulat kaya naman bago pa ako makaupo ulit nahila na ni Aeri ang collar ko tsaka ako hinalikan. Mali. 'Yan ang una kong naisip. Pero dahil sabik ako at namiss ko ng sobra ang mga halik niya, naibalik ko iyon at mas hinigitan pa.

Tama nga ako, ang mommy niya ang may gawa ng lahat. Di ko naman masisisi si Aeri dahil kung hindi niya ginawa 'yun, hindi matutupad ang pangarap niya.

"I.. still l-love you, But do you still... love me too?" She asked. Fuck! Tinatanong pa ba 'yan?

"Yes, Aeri. After all this years, Ikaw pa rin... Ikaw pa rin talaga, Aeri." After saying that, I leaned to give her a kiss. I lost my control seconds later, so I did what I have to do... From making out to making love, speed lang...

Pagkauwi na pagkauwi namin ng Manila, we spent the rest of our time pero secretly. And then nagpaconference si Aeri about sa rumors na kumalat tungkol sa amin. Pagkatapos nun, dun na ako gumuho.

I can't imagine her eyes were so bright while saying goodbye and I love you, when she was going home when her mom called her. Even before the accident happen, she wished for my happiness. But how could I make that wish come true if my happiness went away?

Everyday, my only prayer was 'please bring her back, I don't want to lose her, I love her so much.' Thankfully, he heared my prayer. God knows how much I am thankful that Aeri waked up...

We planned to settle things after she quit showbiz for good and just pursue architecture. Inayos na rin namin ang problema sa parents niya and also sa family ni Eli.

While she is studying for architecture, I proposed to her and we got married right after. She's the happiest when she knew that we already have a house and the only thing that is missing is our future child. We are ready to make our own family...

We celebrated all of the milestones and achivements of her together. Simula ng pag graduate niya sa course niya na architecture hanggang sa nakapasa siya sa boards and got a job sa company nila Daddy Troy. And now, a blessing came. Our first child.

We've been through a lot and I am so happy and proud that we passed all of that trials together. Here we are, staying strong and living happily... Aeri is already a successful architect now and recieved a title of one of the best Architect in Asia. We are all proud of her, of course.

"Momma! Dadda! I lov-u!" Sola, our 3-year old daughter, said and giggled.

That giggle is so cute! It's like music to my ears.

"Momma and Dadda loves you more, baby." Aeri said while caressing our daughter's face.

"I love you both," I said and kissed Aeri and Sola's cheek. I softly pinched my daughter's nose that made her laugh.

"Let's go inside the house na, Your lolas and lolos are waiting for you even your titas and titos." Aeri said habang kinakalong ko si Sola. Tumango naman si Sola. She's such an angel. Ang cutee!

I can't imagine my life without them. They are my strength and weakness and also my happiness. They are the reason why I keep going.

I already got everything, I couldn't ask for more. Because having these two important girls is enough for me to survive here in this beautiful universe...

-END-