In Between

Epilogue

When you think possessive lang si Richard sa girls nya well think again kasi kahit sa mga boys nya specially Miggy possessive din sya. I remember when Miggy told us that his getting married next year ayon hindi kinibo ang anak nya for a week. Nagtampo talaga sya.

"Basta anak, always remember na nandito lang kami lahat lagi for you. We will support you in every step you make. In every dreams you wanna achieve. In every goal you make. Sa lahat ng gusto mo nandito lang kami lagi. Mommy and I are very proud of you. And we love you so much, anak." He finally said.

Hindi naman mapigil sa kakaiyak si Symphony after we heard Richards speech. Tumayo sya agad not minding even if his gown is heavy basta gusto nya yumakap sa daddy nya.

Humihikbi pa talaga sya when she's in her daddy's arms. She even kiss her dad on the lips which she last do when she's still ten. That was really the last time she kiss her dad on the lips, nahihiya na kasi sya kasi nga nagdadalaga na sya pero siguro hindi na nya napigilan dahil sa tuwa.

"Mommy.." Tawag nya na umiiyak pa.

I smiled at her and give her the tightest hug I could ever give her before kissing her also on the lips.

We were very emotional on the stage kaya pati yung mga guest teary eye na din. The emcee get the mic and a crack a joke to lighten the mood.

"Si mommy any words for Symphony?" The mic said.

Umiling na lang ako kasi aside sa wala na akong masasabi dahil nasabi na lahat ni Richard eh I know for myself na hindi ko na talaga kaya magsalita.

I suddenly felt an arm around my waist and then kiss my temple.

"Wag na, hindi na makakasalita to." Richard said giggling.

After that hinila na ako ni Richard to sit back on our table and then the party goes on.

***

Later that night. Nasa gilid lang ako malapit sa door papunta sa garden nung venue ng debut ni Symphony. I was busy observing the people inside who mirrored so much happiness in their faces specially my daughter who's laughing now with her friends.

Nadako naman ang tingin ko sa barkad they're sharing drinks now while throwing their own stories and jokes to the gang. Then next I glance at our parents who also enjoying the party.

Napatingin naman ako sa batang karga ngayon ni Micheal. Si Gavin, ang three old na bunsong anak ni James at Lea. Sinong mag aakala na sila din pala talaga ang magkakatuluyan.

Nagloko kasi itong si James. Nasa three years long distance relationship sila ni Leah -since Lea is a Broadway diva who perform in different theater all over the world- noon nung malaman namin na his having an affair with his secretary. Kung hindi pa nga sila nahuli ni Richard na gumagawa ng milagro sa loob mismo ng opisina ni James hindi pa namin malalaman.

Nasuntok pa sya ni Richard because of that. Even daddy nila nasuntok sya kasi hindi daw dapat ganon at wala daw sa bukabolaryo ng mga Gomez ang mambabae when in a relationship.

Halos five years din nya sinuyo si Lea after that. Sabi nga nya sobrang natauhan daw talaga sya sa suntok ni daddy nya at ni Richard specially nung nalaman ni Lea and he saw how it pains her. I know he love Lea so much siguro dala ng pagkamiss nya and needs I guess kaya ganon. Hindi rin naman kasi biro yung relationship nila cguro sa tatlong taon nilang relasyon limang beses lang silang nagkita.

I was reminiscing every moment of the past twenty years. The good times and the bad times of the last twenty years.

I was in the middle of my thoughts when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist as he nuzzles his face on my neck.

"Why are you here?" He ask me as he leave small kisses on my neck.

"Wala naman nagpapahangin lang." I said as I caress his arms around me.

I lean on him feeling his warmth. This is my home. My safe haven. I really love how I feel so secure in his arms.

"C'mon tell me what you're thinking." He said.

I sign and face him. I wrap my arms around his neck as he does also on my waist. I lean my face on his chest pulling him closer.

"I was just reminiscing everything we've been through. And I'm very thankful that finally I can say that we've achieve our goal to have a happy and complete family. Sobrang nagagalak yung puso ko dahil alam kung nakabalik na ang lahat sa dati. Sobrang saya ko dahil sa lahat ng nangyari naibigay pa rin natin ang kompleto at masayang pamilya sa mga anak natin lalo na kila Miggy at Symphony." I said.

I look at him intently in his eyes.

"And I'm thankful that sa lahat ng yun kasama kita. Wala akong ibang makita na makakasama ko sa habang panahon kung hindi ikaw. Hindi man ikaw ang first love ko pero alam ko na ikaw ang true love ko at wala na akong ibang mamahalin kung hindi ikaw lang. I love you so much, love. Thank you for staying with me through thick and thin. And thank you kasi tinupad mo yung pangako mo na happy road to forever." I said and smile at him genuinely.

Maluha-luha naman syang nakatingin sa akin.

"I love you too so much. You know that right? I can't love any other girl aside from you. I can't say anything." He said giggling.

I was about to laugh when he kiss me. He kiss me like it was our first time. His kissing me passionately as if making me how much love me.

Sa paraan ng paghalik nya sakin parang sinasabi nya sakin na kahit hindi nya man masabi sa salita how much he love me dadaan na lang nya sa gawa at yun ay kung paano nya ako halikan.

"I love you." He said as we pull away.

We're both leaning our forehead against each other as we both catching air.

"I love you too." I replied.

He smile at me before planting a long and lingering kiss on my forehead.

Sabi nila maswerte yung nakakatuluyan ang first love kasi diba nga may kasabihan first love never dies pero hindi naman sa lahat ng pagkakataon nangyayari yun. Hindi naman lahat ng first love ay ang the one mo at hindi rin naman lahat ng the one mo ay ang first love mo.

Richard is not my first. His not my friend to begin with. He was a complete stranger to me. But in one shift of the moment I have fallen deeply in love with him.

Marami mang nangyring hindi maganda lalo na sa kanila ng kapatid nya which accidentally fall in live with me at first. I was once in between of them. But destiny really tells me that I was born for him. For Richard.

And now we're on our way to forever. Twenty two years of being together is really a big blessing. Hindi naman kasi lahat umaabot sa ganon. And I'm thankful that I met someone like him.

And now we are ready to face again many challenges as we go along our journey to our own forever.

I know makakaya namin lahat with the help of our parents and friends specially with our Almighty God.

Pati na rin ng pag-ibig namin sa isa't-isa. I know kaya namin lahat.

This is Rachel Talleon-Gomez saying see you soon.

--

SABAW! HAHAHAHA! Can believe na nauna ko pang matapos ang epilogue kesa doon sa chapter 44? Hahaha! Pasensya na kayo at nadamay kayo sa istoryha kung to na wala naman talagang sense dahil gawa lang talaga out of boredom. Pero thank you pa rin ng madami dahil nagpa-uto pa din kayo sakin. Hahahahaha!! Happy ako kasi umabot kayo hanggang dito sa dulo kahit sobrang sabaw nito. Sorry din sa pa-kyeme kung to. Char. Hahaha! Basta thank you.

Comment down yung mga nauto ko. Salamat!!

_darkblood