Finally

#Wattpaddict28thmonthsary

“Ano ba, Satherine. Sakyan mo naman mga biro namin.” rinig kong reklamo sa'kin ng kaibigan kong si Marina.

Sinimangutan ko lang ito at patuloy na tiningnan ang mga padaan daang sasakyan sa kalsada. Ano naman ba kasing nakakatawa sa biro nila? Lagi nalang nila ako tinutukso doon sa transferee.

Porket nag tanong lang sa'kin saglit yung bago, maka issue sila wagas.

I'm on my way home when I see a familiar person going out of the house, a few blocks away from our house. If I'm not mistaken, siya yung transferee sa school. But why is he here?

I looked away when he caught me staring at him. I just continue to walk like he's not there. Patay malisya kumbaga. Bakit kasi sa lahat ng lugar, dito ko pa siya malapit sa'min nakita? Lalo lang tuloy akong binabagabag sa panunukso sa'kin nina Marina.

I manage to ignore him without any conflict. Diba? Ang galing ko talaga. Hindi naman sa iniiwasan ko siya. It's just that I'm uncomfortable seeing him because of my friends.

As the days passed, Hindi umayon ang tadhana sa gusto ko. Mr. Transferee became my seatmate. Yeah, katabi, as in. Now, I'm wondering why he has to take the same course as me. Andami daming ibang course jan, talagang business ad pa ang kinuha. He's my groupmate in Feasib, kaya lalo lang akong nainis.

"Mr. Lavarez." Nakapameywang na tawag ko sa kanya. He's about to leave the classroom, but stopped when I called him.

"Yes?" Parang tinatamad na tugon niya. Ano bang klase to?

"Why are you leaving first again? Pagme-meeting-an pa na'tin yung sa feasib."

Tinatamad niya akong tiningnan. Saka siya sumandal sa hamba ng pinto. "Look, Ms. Salvacion." Aniya, "I'm leaving because I feel that you hold some grudge against me. I don't even know why you are like that." May bahid na inis na dagdag niya. "

"If you don't want me to be in your group, then go. Remove my name from the list. I can do it alone. As if I wanted to be grouped with you anyway." Saka ito umalis.

Wth? Ang arogante naman ng lalaking yon! Ramdam ko ang pagtaas ng dugo dahil sa sinabi niya. Me? Holds some grudges against him? Well, Oo, meron na ngayon dahil sa ginawa niya.

He's not kawalan, me and the other members can do this together without him.

Ma's lalo akong nainis nang malaman kong na-defend niya yung feasib alone. He was praised by our professor. Walang wala kami sa kalingkingan niya, yun ang sabi ni Prof.

I was on my way to the mall when the car on the back suddenly horned. A forceful bump on the back made my car crash into the barrier. Mahilo hilo pa ako nang bumaba sa sasakyan at sinugod yung driver sa likod. I'm fuming mad right now. Daddy is going to kill me if he finds out about this.

Lumabas ang may ari ng kotse. Guess what? It was him who's the culprit. Ano ba naman to? Bakit siya na naman? Gulong gulo buhay ko mula nang mag transfer siya sa totoo lang.

"I'll pay for the damage." Agaran niyang sabi.

I breathe irritably. "Of course you have to. Ano sa tingin mo, hahayaan kitang ganyanin lang ang kotse ko?"

His expression changed. Not the usual straight face with no emotion. He looked worried, and I became more irritated. As if!

"I'm going to take you to the hospital." Aniya at akmang hahawakan ang braso ko ngunit agad akong lumayo. "No need, I can take myself to the hospital without your help." Saka ko siya inirapan at kinausap yung enforcer.

I'm really doomed.

Now, talagang family driver namin yung naghahatid sa'kin sa Univ. These past few weeks, hindi tumigil si Levistus kakahingi ng tawad. My car is already fixed, but my father forbids me to drive. Because of him, Daddy took away my freedom.

I went to my seat. I saw him holding two cups of coffee from Starbucks. He gave the other one to me, kahit sobrang sama ng tingin ko sa kanya.

But as the day passed, my irritation and anger toward him changed. He never leaves my side, kahit na ginawa ko siya mismong utusan. I managed to get to know him more. Ma's mabait at maalalahanin pa siya kesa sa'kin, which made my heart move. I'm a kind of softy pagdating sa gano'ng lalaki.

We became friends. Yeah, unexpectedly. Naging driver ko rin siya dahil lagi niya akong hinahatid sundo sa bahay. I found out na sa US pala talaga siya nakatira, and he's staying here because of some business. His mom is American, while his dad is half Filipino and half Spanish. No wonder kung bakit mukha talaga siyang banyaga.

"I really like you, Therine." Seryosong sabi sa'kin ni Levi. I just felt my heart beating so fast. Di ako makapag salita, Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya.

I like him too.

"I've done some research." Aniya at napakamot sa batok. "It says, in the Philippines, that when you like someone, you should court her." Dagdag niya. "Pwede ba kitang ligawan, Therine?" Seryosong tanong niya.

My mouth parted in shock, dahil sa pagta-tagalog niya. Ang swabe ng pagkakasabi niya. I felt my cheeks heating up because of him. I just nodded and looked away. Good thing I'm wearing a hoodie, kaya di niya pansin ang pamumula ko.

Lord, siya na ba yung the one?

He courted me for a year, even after I said yes to him. He's my boyfriend now. Feeling ko ang swerte ko sa kanya. He never fails to make my heart beat so fast for him.

"What do you want for lunch?" He suddenly asked. Tumabi siya sa'kin at yumakap sa bewang ko. Nasa bahay niya ako nakatambay ngayon. We're working on our report for Monday.

"Chicken Adobo," I answered, still looking at the monitor. He kissed me on my cheeks. Bago siya tumayo ulit. "Okay, just wait. I'll cook it for you." Rinig kong sabi niya.

Nang maka alis siya sa sala ay napasandal ako sa sofa at hinawakan ang dibdib ko. Oh my gosh, I'm so blessed.

Feeling ko tuloy lahat kaya niyang gawin. He can cook. Do laundry and wash the dishes. Masyado siyang malinis sa bahay. Matalino, tas god fearing pa. Lagi siyang nagdadasal bago kumain, matulog, at paggising. Even before he drove. In my eyes, he's perfect. Wala akong balak hiwalayan siya. He loves me so much, and I feel the same way.

But, hindi umayon ang tadhana sa gusto ko.

"Break up with your boyfriend or else." Banta sa'kin ni daddy. "I'll make his life like hell."

I'm crying. I can't just break up with Levi, dahil lang sa arrange marriage na yan.

"I can't, Dad," I said. "I love him so much. Please, please, don't do this to us." I pleaded.

But my father is deaf. He never listened to me. I was thinking of running away with Levistus, but the guards caught me. Kinulong nila ako sa kwarto at hindi pinalabas.

Marina messaged me, naaksidente raw si Levi. I feared for his life. I'm sure it was Daddy who ordered someone to do that to him.

Ayoko man, pero napilitan akong makipag hiwalay sa kanya. I'm so devastated after our graduation. I didn't go out of our house. I'm staying inside my room, crying. I can't bear to see him get hurt because of me. My dad is the most cruel person that I've met, and I'm so mad at him.

Continuation

I met Darethello Juarez. He's my fiancé. Malayo siya sa ugali na meron si Levi. But I guess, kakayanin ko namang makasama siya.

I hate this. Why can't I marry the person I love?

After the engagement party, Me and Dareth had no choice but to follow our parents. We're like a puppet controlled by the cruel person who gave birth to us in this world.

"You can still break this fucking engagement, Sathy." Gigil sa sabi sa'kin ni Dareth. He's mad. He tried to break our engagement, but something bad happened to his lover.

"I'll try." I just respond calmly. Ayokong dagdagan ang galit niya. It'll just be another fight if ever na galitin ko rin siya.

I tried my best to break the engagement, but it went nowhere. Both of us are so disappointed in our parents.

I had a bachelorette party with my friends. Only Marina knows that I'm not happy. I'm going to be married to Dareth. It breaks my heart to be tied to someone who also doesn't love me.

I'm so drunk. I think Marina called Dareth to fetch me up and drive to my pad. I wish my father would change his mind and let me marry Levi instead. God knows how much I longed for him.

I felt like I was dreaming when I saw Levi making love with me. Talagang nanalangin akong wag nang magising sa panaginip na iyon. Kaso nagising ako at worst, I'm with Dareth, and we're both naked on my bed.

I tried my best not to cry on my wedding day. I pray to God na papuntahin niya sana si Levi para pigilan ang kasal. Kaso wala, Hindi talaga umaayon sa'kin ang lahat.

Weeks after marrying Dareth. I found out that I'm pregnant. I don't know if I'm going to be happy or not. I guess wala na talagang pag-asa para sa'min ni Levi.

Dareth never fails to fulfill his responsibility. Sinasamahan niya ako sa check-ups ko. And bring the foods, na pinaglilihian ko. I know he is still seeing his lover behind the curtain. I just let him be, he didn't know that I was aware of his affair with the woman. As long as hindi siya mahuhuli at patuloy sa paggawa niya ng responsibilidad para sa'kin, ayos lang.

I'm wondering, bakit ang saklap ng tadhana para sa'kin? Why do I have to experience this kind of hell?

Dareth and I had a fight on the day of my due. I give birth to triplets in my car. Hindi ako naka abot sa hospital. My last baby didn't survive. I can't help but blame myself for being careless. If only I didn't leave our house, siguro buhay pa ang anak ko.

I named my babies after my name. Sathiel Helios for my son, and Sathielle Skyleen for my daughter. Ibinuhos ko sa kanilang dalawa ang pagmamahal ko kay Levi. I know he's not coming back anymore. Dareth told me that Levi has stayed in the US for good.

Dareth is a good father. Kahit na hindi namin mahal ang isa't isa. We pretend to be a happy family. Kahit na alam naming pareho na durog na durog na kami.

The kids grow up. They look like me, lalo na si Sky. Heli looks like a male version of me. But I can't help but think about the small resemblance of Levi to them. Maybe because I love him so much kaya ganon. I'm talking nonsense again.

Now, I inherit the business of my father. Dareth also inherited the business from his parents. I don't know kung bakit hindi nila pinag merge ang family business namin. I asked Dareth about it, and he just said, na ma's mabuti na iyon kaysa magka problema.

Pumunta ako sa paaralan na pinapasukan ng mga anak ko. I'm planning to take them out since it's been a while. Naging busy kami pareho ni Dareth at hindi na namin nababantayan ang mga bata. Bata pa rin ang tingin ko kina Sky at Heli kahit 17 na sila.

I bumped into someone. A girl with curly brown hair is with a boy who is spitting images of Levi and Heli. I felt nervous all of a sudden.

"I'm sorry po, Hindi po namin sinasadya." The girl apologized. I guess kapatid niya yung lalaki, may pagka hawig rin kase.

I smiled. "It's alright. Ingat kayo," I said. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko at hinawakan ko ang pisngi ng dalawa. A tear left my eyes when I saw Levi walking towards them.

"Dad, you're here." Masayang sabi ng lalaki kay Levi. Wow, I didn't expect this to happen. Life is full of surprises. May anak na rin pala si Levi at sa iisang school pa nagaaral kasama ng mga anak ko.

Pasimple kong pinunasan ang luha ko at ngumiti. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Lavarez," I greeted him.

Gulat siyang napatingin sa'kin. I think he just realized that it was me in front of his kids. "Therine," he said at biglang sumeryoso. "It's nice to see you too, Mrs. Juarez," he said back. I felt uneasy because of him, he looks like he's mad at me for some reason. I just ignore it.

"Mommy!" I heard Sky's voice on my back. Naramdaman ko nalang na may yumakap sa bewang ko at binigyan ako ng halik sa pisngi. "You're here! Are you fetching us? Can we go out?" Sunod sunod na tanong ni Sky.

"Good afternoon, Sir." Rinig kong bati ni Heli kay Levistus.

"Hello, Sir! Uuwi na rin po ba kayo nina Love at Hanz?" Tanong ni Sky kay Levi.

I looked at Levi, confused. Why are these two calling him sir?

Continuation

"I'm their teacher in math," said Sabi ni Levi. "Mauna na kami, Mrs. Juarez." Aniya kasama ang dalawang bata.

I just nodded and smiled. I don't like him calling me 'Mrs. Juarez'

'If only I could turn back the time and keep on fighting for our love. Siguro sayo ako kinasal at tatawagin mo kong, 'Mrs. Lavarez'

Mapaglaro ang tadhana. Iyon nalang ang masasabi ko nang maaksidente ang sinasakyang van nina Sky. Pauwi na ang dalawa kasama ang ilang kaklase nila galing Baguio dahil sa sinalihan nilang palaro. Sugatan ang ibang bata habang ang mga anak ko, kasama ng apat na bata ay kritikal ang lagay.

I prayed so hard na maligtas sila. Talagang hingal na hingal ako, mapuntahan lang ang ER kung nasan sila. I saw Levi sitting in the chair, praying. I saw the teacher na punong puno ang damit ng dugo, and I walked towards her. I found out that those children who're in a critical state right now risk their lives to save others. Four of them are my kids and Levi's twins. I just cried. I can't help but fear for my children's lives.

Lord, please don't take them away from me. Please save them. I silently pray.

The doctor went out. He said they needed a blood transfusion for my kids. What should I do? Dareth is in the business trip.
"They are AB negative. We don't have stock of AB negative blood type in the blood bank. I suggest you to call your husband because your blood is enough for one person," the doctor said.

Talagang gumuho ang mundo ko dahil sa sinabi ng doctor. For all of the blood types, why does it have to be AB negative?

"I'm AB negative." I heard Levi said to the doctor. "I'll also want donate my blood to her kids." Dagdag niya.

I looked at him. He's looking at me with a serious face. Sumama kami sa doctor para sa blood transfusion. In all the pain that I've caused him, he still saved my kids. I feel more guilty for hurting him before.

Levi handed me a document. Month after the blood transfusion. It's a paternity test. He had my kids tested, and the results are all positive.

Please don't tell me that my husband lied to me about this.

Levi told me that he confronted Dareth about the result. And Dareth answered that it was our parents who did the deed, and he just found out when he decided to take the test. My marriage with Dareth is also fake, and we've been fooled for almost 18 years.

How could they do this?

Lumapit si Levi sa'kin at niyakap ako. I'm crying and shaking in anger. All this time, they make us believe those lies.

"This time, I'm not letting you go," I heard him say. "Move with us, I'll take care of our family," he added.

I just cried. After all of those years

"I love you, Therine." he whispered. 'Come back to me and I'll  do the rest."

Finally, magkasama na ulit tayo.

——End——

HazelEViiiii •||• 09/25/23