Chapter 37 – FINALE

"Ate, may bisita ka na naman," pabirong pinaikot ni Kyla ang mga mata nito nang bumalik ito sa kinaroroonan niyang kasunod ang asawa niyang one hour ago ay nagpaalam na papasok na sa trabaho. "Ligpitin ko na ang mga ito para makapagsarilinan kayo ng manliligaw mo," patuloy nitong biro na kinuha ang mga pinagkainan niya.

"Thanks for the privacy, Ky! May reward ka sa akin, anong gusto mo, in kind or cash?" sakay ni Ethan sa kapatid niya.

"Bayad ka na, kuya," sincere ang ngiting ibinigay rito ni Kyla bago ito umalis at iwan sila.

Alam nilang tatlo kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Kyla. Sa pagmamahal pa lamang ni Ethan sa kanya at sa kanyang ina at kapatid, sobra pa ito sa bayad. He was family.

Ethan smiled at her. The kind of smile that makes her fall for him time and again. He was already his husband, yet whenever he would look at her, Ally could still feel the butterflies in her stomach.

Kinikilig pa rin siya kahit naman alam niyang ang mga mata nito ay wala nang ibang tinitingnan kundi siya lang. As if she was the most beautiful in his eyes.

"Hindi ko tatanungin kung may naiwan ka," she rolled her eyes at him playfully. "I told you, I am okay. You could've just called, you know."

"Iba pa rin kapag nakita mismo ng mga mata ko na okay ka," tugon ni Ethan na naupo sa harapan niya at ginagap ang mga kamay niya.

"You are being paranoid," aniya kahit naman touched siya sa tuwing nag-aabala itong bumalik ng bahay.

But somehow, she could still feel his fear.

"Call it whatever you like. But you cannot stop me from making sure you are alright."

"Faithless. Ethan Montenegro, I am well. God has healed me. You of all people should know that," malumanay na paalala niya.

"I know. Without a doubt, I believe that. But give me more time, alright, love? I just can't help myself," he answered, searching her eyes for understanding.

"Of course," ngumiti siya. "Come closer and give me a hug."

Ethan obliged and gave her a warm embrace. She closed her eyes para namnamin ang init ng yakap nito.

Several months ago, although she had wished for moments like that with Ethan, she never thought she would actually live to do it.

She had already recovered. Medyo hindi pa bumabalik sa dating normal niya pero malaki na ang improvement sa kalusugan niya.

Sa katunayan, her check ups were showing unexplainable results. Sabi ng mga Doktor niya, wala ng bakas na minsan ay nagkaroon siya nang matinding karamdaman.

She was healthy like she never got sick. Pero gradual ang pagbawi ng katawan niya. Bantay sarado ang diet at nag-umpisa rin siya ng mga gentle exercises. Alam niya, she would be in perfect shape in no time.

"Do not be scared anymore, Ethan," she whispered. "I am not going anywhere."

"I love you, Ally." He pulled away a little at pinagdikit ang mga noo nila.

"And I love you too," she smiled.

Ang pangalawang buhay niya ay regalo ng Diyos sa kanilang dalawa ni Ethan. Wala na siya dapat. But Ethan's faith restored her back to life. It was a miracle that God gave to them.

Kaya naman hindi niya sasayangin iyon. She would live for the glory of God, as a witness, a testimony of His faithfulness.

And for Ethan, for the man whose love for her was beyond life…

"Aren't your parents arriving tonight?" Pag-iiba niya ng usapan. She felt a little nervous. Pero wala pa siyang sinasabi ay napick up na nito ang nararamdaman niya.

Unang beses kasi sa anim na buwang kasal sila ni Ethan na uuwi ang mga magulang nito. Kaya hindi niya maiwasang ma-tense.

"They are your parents too, Ally. And besides, if my parents still do not approve of you, dapat noong bago tayo kinasal, pinigilan na nila ako," paninigurado sa kanya ng asawa.

"Because they thought I'd die shortly after," aniya.

"No, love," Ethan gently squeezed her hands. "My parents have nothing against you. Whatever happened between you and Mama in the past, kalimutan mo na 'yon. I'm telling you, Andrea Montenegro knows in her heart that our love is true."

"I hope so," she smiled. Kung ano pa man, Ally decided na hayaan na lang. But she was hoping that her husband was right. That her in-laws really accepted her as part of their family.

"I was on the phone with Yanah kanina and she said they already found a bone marrow donor for Angel," sabi nito na bahagya siyang binigyan ng espasyo.

"Great!" natutuwa niyang sabi, halos maiyak pa nga. "I knew it. God has heard our prayers. Alam Niyang importante sa atin si Angel."

"Hmn." Tumango si Ethan. "And that little makulit is asking me kung kailan natin siya dadalawin. She missed you."

"Can we visit her later? Just before we go to your parents' house?" Umaasang tanong niya.

The first time that she saw Angel, kaagad na silang nagkaroon ng instant connection. Parang noong nagkatitigan sila noon ni Ethan. That feeling of knowing in your heart that you've just met someone who will hold a place in your life.

Lalo pa nang malaman niya ang papel nito sa miracle story nila ni Ethan. Right there and then, she wanted to adopt her. Bagay na sinang-ayunan naman ng asawa niya.

And so, the adoption papers were being prepared. Kapag naging maayos na ang pag-adopt nila sa bata legally, iuuwi na nila ito at ito na ang magiging panganay na anak nila ni Ethan.

Mainam din iyon para matawag agad silang pamilya habang hindi pa nila alam ni Ethan kung sa tamang panahon ng Diyos ay bigyan din sila ng miracle baby.

Right now, Ethan was patiently waiting for her to fully recover. Their marriage will be consummated at the right time.

"Of course, love," he said, smiling gently at her bago kinintalan ng halik ang kanyang noo.

She smiled back. Umaapaw ang pagmamahal sa puso niya para sa asawang ipinaglaban siya hanggang kamatayan.

Bukod dito, malaki rin ang pasasalamat niya sa lahat ng mga kaibigan nila na nagdasal, at umasa na gagaling siya.

Zion, Leio, Shanna, Yanah, Michael, Katie and everyone else. Parte ang mga ito ng tagumpay nila ni Ethan.

—

The dinner that night wasn't just some ordinary dinner as Ethan's parents requested Ally's family. Ninenerbiyos man ang kanyang ina at kapatid at maging siya na rin, Ethan never left their side.

Pormal ang mga magulang ng asawa niya. But he was right, they gave their blessing to their marriage. Alam ni Ally, hindi pa fully accepted ng mga ito ang pamilya niya. She could feel it.

Nevertheless, she believed that there's a perfect timing for everything. One day, magiging maluwag din sa loob ng mga ito na tanggapin siya. Pero sa ngayon, kuntento na siya na civil sila sa isa't-isa.

Humingi rin ng pasensya si Ally kay Andrea lalo nang mga panahong nilalabanan niya ito para hindi sila nito paghiwalayin ni Ethan.

"Let's try to start anew, Allison," Andrea said. "I hope you'll recover fully to give us grandchildren. The vast wealth of this family needs an heir."

Nakangiti siya pero lihim siyang napalunok. Naramdaman na lang niya ang masuyong pagpisil ni Ethan sa balikat niya.

"Of course, Mama," si Ethan ang sumagot.

"I meant your child, Ethan. Not some adopted one."

Syempre, may maitatago ba sila kay Andrea Montenegro? Alam na nito ang tungkol kay Angel kahit 'di pa nila sinasabi.

"She's also our child, Ma. But don't worry, bibigyan ka namin nang maraming apo. Make sure na mapapamanahan mo sila lahat, Mama," dagdag na biro ni Ethan sa ina nito.

And she caught his aristocratic mother suppressing a smile. Kahit paano gumaan ang loob niya kahit deep inside, napressure siya sa pagkakaroon ng anak.

"Don't mind her," bulong ni Ethan nang iwanan na sila ng ina nito. "Hindi sanay ang Mama na magpakumbaba. But did you expect that? She's looking forward to being a grandmother!"

"Ethan," napakapit siya sa braso ng asawa. "What if–"

"Ngayon ka pa ba magdududa, Allison?" Mataman siya nitong tiningnan nang diretso sa mga mata niya. Alam nito kung ano eksakto ang pinangangambahan niya. "Alisin mo ang pagdududa sa puso mo, okay? God restored your life, and I know He'll do it again. He'll give us a miracle again."

"Yes," she agreed and smiled back at him.

"If only I can prove it to you now," bumaba ang tingin nito sa mga labi niya. She knew what he meant kaya naman automatic na nagkulay rosas ang mukha niya.

Napangiti ito lalo bago yumuko at masuyo siyang hinalikan sa mga labi niya. Not giving a care in the world kung naroon man sa paligid ang pamilya nila.

Tinugon niya ang maingat na halik nito. Ethan's been very gentle and patient with her. As if she were an expensive glass that was highly fragile.

Allison's heart was about to burst. Ethan's love for her was more than she could ever ask for. His love was pure, one without greed, selfishness, mistrust or jealousy.

"I love you, Allison." He finished the kiss at pinagdikit ang mga noo nila habang nasa magkabila niyang pisngi ang mga palad nito.

"I love you too, Ethan." Tears of overwhelming gladness escaped her eyes.

Ethan gently kissed her tears away and embraced her lovingly.

Allison knew that she was one blessed woman to have Ethan Montenegro's untainted love. The kind of love that was kind, patient, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not self seeking, believes all things, hopeful and endures…

Above all, she was enjoying love and life because of God who first loved them.

God is love. How precious is His unfailing love!

End -

To God be the glory!