Pagod ako.
Pagod akong matakot.
Pagod akong magduda.
Pagod akong itulak palayo ang lalaking hindi na sumuko sa akin.
Tahimik kaming nakaupo sa garden ng rest house ni Livia, overlooking the city lights. Malamig ang hangin, pero hindi ko iyon alintana. Elijah was inside, fast asleep after such a long, emotional day.
Katapat namin sina Livia at Damian, parehong tahimik, parang hinihintay kung sino sa amin ni Adrian ang unang magsasalita.
"I never wanted to bring him there," I finally admitted, breaking the silence.
Adrian sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I know. And I should’ve listened to you."
Damian leaned forward, his deep voice calm yet firm. "What’s important is that you both made it through. You faced them together."
Tumingin ako kay Livia, ang matalik kong kaibigan na hindi kailanman nawala sa tabi ko kahit noong panahong iniwan ko si Adrian.
Her eyes were warm, understanding. "But what happens now, Celeste?"
Napatingin ako kay Adrian. Sa lalaking kahit ilang beses kong itinulak palayo, ay nanatili pa rin.
He was staring at me, something intense and unshakable in his gaze.
And then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
I sucked in a breath. "Adrian—"
"I'm not doing this just because of Elijah," he interrupted, voice steady. "I’m doing this because I should have done it years ago."
He got down on one knee, right there in front of Livia and Damian, our closest friends, our family.
"Because I want to spend my life with you, Celeste."
A tear slipped down my cheek.
"I never stopped wanting a future with you," he continued, opening the box to reveal a ring, simple, elegant, timeless.
Just like us.
Livia let out a soft gasp. Damian smirked, crossing his arms as if he already knew this was coming.
Adrian’s voice softened, filled with something deeper than just love.
"Celeste Vivienne Villanueva," he said, "will you marry me?"
The weight of his words crashed over me.
Kaya ko ba?
Kaya ko bang bumalik sa kanya nang buo?
I thought of Elijah, how much he loved Adrian, how much he needed him.
I thought of myself, how much I still loved Adrian, kahit anong gawin kong paglaban dito.
And then I thought of all the years we lost, all the pain, all the doubts.
Tumingin ako sa kanya, hinayaang makita niya ang takot at pag-aalinlangan ko.
"One more broken promise, Alistair Adrian Salvatore," I whispered, "and this time, I walk away for good."
His grip on my hand tightened, his eyes steady. "Then I’ll make sure you never have to."
A beat of silence.
And then, finally, I nodded.
"Yes."
Livia squealed, rushing forward to hug me. Damian chuckled, patting Adrian’s back. "About time, man."
Adrian let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his face. He slipped the ring onto my finger, his touch lingering.
From inside the house, a small voice broke the quiet.
"Mommy?"
Napalingon kami, only to see Elijah rubbing his sleepy eyes, looking confused.
I smiled, reaching out for him. "Come here, sweetheart."
He climbed onto my lap, still groggy. "Why are you crying?"
Napatawa ako, realizing that, yes, may luha pala akong pumapatak. Hindi ko man lang napansin.
"Because I'm happy," I whispered, kissing his forehead.
Elijah looked at Adrian, then back at me. "Are we a family now?"
Adrian reached out, cupping the back of our son’s head. "Yes, buddy. We are."
Livia wiped a tear from her eye, smiling at us. Damian just shook his head, amused.
And for the first time in years, I felt something I thought I had lost.
Peace.
Hope.
Love.
And this time, I was ready to embrace it.