Choice

Chapter 40. Choice

"ARE you sure about that?"

Hindi alam ni Jinny ang mararamdaman nang marinig ang utos na iyon ni Timo kay Rexton, at ngayo'y sinisigurado na ng boss niya kung gusto ba talagang mangyari ni Timo na kalimutan niya ang lahat patungkol sa misyong iyon.

"Y-yes," sagot ni Timo matapos ng ilang sandaling katahimikan. She thought she heard he was hesitant, or maybe that's what her mind was dictating her because she hoped she only heard wrong.

But that simple affirmation made her feel as if she was betrayed by the man she's trusting the most.

Hindi na siya nakapagpigil at nagmulat na siya, kaagad na bumangon at kahit bahagyang nahilo ay hindi niya iyon alintana. Bakas ang pagkagulat sa mga mata ni Timo nang mapansin siya at pagkalapit niya'y malutong na sampal ang ibinigay niya rito.

"Hindi ko alam na ganito ka ka-gago, Timo!"

Nagtatakang lumingon ito kay Rexton, at ganoon din ang huli. Hindi naman kasi totoong binigyan siya ng pampatulog dahil kumalma na siya nang siguraduhing dadalhin siya sa tirahan ni Timo. Gusto niyang mag-usap sila nang masinsinan pero hindi niya inakalang sasama rin ang ilan para masigurong ligtas siya't walang makakasunod na galing sa organisasyon.

Nakatulog na siya kahihintay sa pagdating ng mga ito, dala na rin marahil ng matinding pagod, pagkatapos ay gigising siyang maririnig ang usapan ng mga ito tungkol doon?

"Ano ito? Habambuhay mo akong lolokohin?!"

"I'm sorry," were the only words he uttered as he guiltily looked down.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang bigla nitong hinuli ang palapulsuhan niya't mabilis siyang pinaupo sa kama.

"Call Vincent," utos nito kay Rexton. "Or Dice," he urgently commanded.

Pilit naman niyang binawi ang kamay niya subalit mas nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang matitigan ito, at nagkalat ang dugo sa katawan nito! Saka siya napasinghap nang saktong madiinan, o mas tamang sabihing sinadya nitong diinan ang pagkakahawak sa kaniya.

"Tiisin mo muna. I'm stopping the pressure—"

"Pero ikaw ang dapat na maasikaso!" natatarantang putol niya sa sasabihin nito. She understood why was he applying pressure on her wrist, it's because her IV drip was removed when she got up to slap him. Ni hindi niya napansin ang mga patak ng kaniyang dugo sa puting tiles ng sahig.

"B-but you're wounded, too..." Kahit nagagalit siya rito ay mas nangibabaw ang pag-aalala niya dahil sa tinamo nitong mga sugat.

Hinuli nito ang baba niya punong-puno ng emosyon ang nababasa sa mga mata nito nang nagtama ang mga tingin nila. Sakto namang dumating na si Dice, ang lakaking nag-asikaso sa kaniya paggising niya—pero isang babaeng agent ang naglinis ng mga sugat niya sa katawan at iyon din ang naghilamos saka nagbihis ng hospital gown sa kaniya—kasunod nito ang neurosurgeon.

"We'll be putting both of you in sleep," desisyon ni Dr. Ramos.

She didn't resist anymore, but she specifically asked to not do anything funny to her. She meant not to hypnotize nor brainwash her.

"Gusto kong gigising ako na naaalala ko ang lahat."

Timo sighed his defeat. Mukhang naguguluhan din ito.

"Can you give us some time alone?" tanong ni Timo.

Umiling ang doktor. "Gagamutin muna natin ang mga sugat ninyong dalawa."

"Don't worry, we will talk," kalmante niyang hayag nang magtama ang paningin nila ni Timo. She was fuming just a while ago, but, she figured out nothing good would happen if she'd continue being blinded by her emotions. Mas lalo na kung ganoong galit siya. Ang pagsampal-sampal nga niya rito kanina ay nagdulot din ng kirot sa kaniyang dibdib, at aminado siyang nagawa niya iyon dahil hinayaan niyang lukubin siya ng matinding emosyon.

Napabuntong-hininga siya para manatiling mahinahon kahit gustong-gusto na rin naman niyang makausap ito. Pero, huwag na muna ngayon. Aside from the fact that he needed to be treated, there's also a tendency that she'd be overruled by her emotions again if they talk at that moment. At iyon ang iniiwasan niyang mangyari.

The trust she builded for this man for years wouldn't be shattered just because of some misunderstandings. There must be explanations and she's holding on to that. She'd hear him first and would decide what to do right after.

He gulped nervously as he kept on catching her gazes. Gusto nitong makasiguradong mapanghahawakan nito ang sinabi niyang iyon, kaya tumitig siya rito para iparating na sinsero siya.

She even lost her composure a bit as she saw fear in his tired eyes, but when she's able to show him she wouldn't run away from him, she noticed that little hope glowed in him, as he smiled wearily.

"Magpahinga ka na, pagagamot ko lang itong mga sugat ko," masuyong wika nito sa kaniya. Doon pa lamang niya naalalang may mga kasama nga pala sa loob ng silid at tahimik na nagmamasid ang mga ito. Nagpapakiramdaman kung sino ang unang magsasalita.

She just smiled at him and nodded once, signaling him to go now so his wounds would be tended. Nasa sala kasi ang mga gamit. At nang makalabas na ang mga ito ay naiwan si Rexton sa loob ng silid. He really have that look as if he's regretting what he did, yet, she smiled at him to assure him that he's not at fault.

"I'm still sorry... What if you were harmed badly? What if you died? Your child will be left alone..."

She tried to lighten up the mood. "Hey, I'm alright. I'll overcome what happened to me. Dice recommended some specialists to help me get over with this." That was a traumatic experience and she didn't want to live forever bearing that pain.

"Don't you want to just forget about this mission instead? That's much easier." He's not suggesting it just because he's good at it. Totoong iniisip nitong makabubuti iyon sa kaniya.

Kaagad na umiling siya. "I want to remember. Besides, I promised to Bree that I will definitely remember everything."

Nangunot ito. Hanggang ngayo'y hindi pa rin nito makuha kung bakit pinilit ni Bree na huwag siyang manipulahing kalimutan ang tungkol sa misyong kabibilangan niya.

But that's for him to find out.

Instead, she looked away, feeling a little gloomy.

"I want to sleep," dahilan niya upang tapusin na ang usapan.

Rexton respectfully went out despite of wanting to ask more questions, and the female nurse who attended her, came in. This time, she was given a sedative shot so she could rest well. She needed that.

When she woke up the next day, Bree was lying beside her on the queen-sized bed while Rexton was sleeping on the couch. She slowly got up and went to wake him up, but he didn't even flinch. So, she went to Timo's room but he wasn't there at all.

"Saan kaya nagpunta ang timang na iyon? Sinabi nang mag-uusap pa kami."

Nagkibit-balikat na lang siya at dumiretso sa loob ng banyo para maki-shower doon. Baka kasi maistorbo pa ang mga natutulog sa silid na inookupa niya kung doon pa siya magsa-shower. She took her time having a warm bath that soothed her bruises and wounds, and, when she's done, she chose to wear Timo's clothes. Iyong pinakamaluwang para ayos lang kahit hindi na siya mag-bra, at sinuot na rin niya ang boxer briefs nito. Napanguso siya nang tumingin sa salamin, she suddenly reminded about how he liked it when she's wearing his clothes and she'd end up screaming out of pleasure because he'd romance her...

Isang tikhim ang nagpabalik sa kaniyang diwa.

"You're blushing. Don't tell me you're thinking that your boyfriend's hugging you since you obviously wear his clothes."

Namula siya lalo dahil pakiramdam niya'y nahuli siyang may ginagawang kababalaghan. Napaiwas siya ng tingin sa kagigising lang na si Bree at nilayo ang usapan. "Si Rexton?"

"Told him to take a shower. He stinks."

Hindi niya napigilang matawa.

"Makikiligo na rin ako rito, kung ayos lang sa iyo."

Tumango siya. "Pahihiramin ko na lang kayo ng damit."

Nang makakuha siya ng damit na maaaring isuot ni Rexton ay akmang ihahatid niya iyon sa kabilang kwarto pero pinigilan siya ni Bree.

"Ako na."

Nasa sala na sila nang bumukas ang pinto. Nakatapis lang ng twalya si Rexton at may sabon pa sa ibang parte ng matipunong katawan nito.

"Wow, pwede ka palang maging model, boss!" biro niya.

Ngumisi lang ito. "Can I ask for men's shampoo?"

"Ang arte-arte mo pa. Eh, ang baho mo naman kanina," segunda ni Bree.

"I don't like this smell, it's too sweet."

"Tss... you used to love smelling my hair," iritadong bulong ni Bree na dinig naman nila.

Kinuha niya ang shampoo sa loob ng banyo para maibigay na iyon dito.

"Nasaan pala si Timo?" pahabol niya.

"Can he take a shower first?" iritado pa ring bulalas ni Bree.

They both took a shower on different bathrooms while she prepared for breakfast. It's just ham and egg sandwiches, and hotdogs. Mamaya na niya itatanong kung gusto ba ng mga ito ng kape o kung ano ba'ng gustong inumin ng mga ito.

Naunang natapos si Bree na ipinagtaka niya. Dumiretso ito sa kusina at sumunod siya, nanonood na kasi siya ng morning news sa sala habang hinihintay ang mga ito. Tapos na kasi niyang prituhin ang pagkain.

Minasdan niya kung paano itong nagtimpla ng sariling kape, at nagtitimpla na ito ng gatas nang tanungin niya kung para sa kaniya ba iyon. Pipigilan kasi niya sana dahil nakainom na siya kanina.

"It's for Rex. Para medyo malamig na pagkatapos niyang maligo. He doesn't drink hot milk, eh. So so lang."

Napatango na lang siya. "Hindi pa ba siya tapos?"

"Matagal talagang maligo iyan. May ginagawa yatang milagro araw-araw—"

"I can hear you, Bree."

"Tss."

"Kumain na tayo," anyaya niya.

Habang kumakain ay tinanong niya ulit kung nasaan si Timo. Doon natigil sa pagbabangayan ang dal'wa at sumeryoso.

"Nasa mansiyon siya ng mga dela Costa."

"Huh?" Napalingon siya kay Bree.

"We brought him there so we could talk with you here," Rexton said.

"Eh?"

"If we're going to erase your memories regarding this mission, you'll wake up here thinking that you slept with Timo," he went on.

"But you can pretend these didn't happen if you want to. We will tell him you're brainwashed, too."

Napatitig siya kay Bree, pagkuwa'y kay Rexton. Makikitang alinman ang maging desisyon niya ay susuportahan ng mga ito.

Malalim na bumuntong-hininga siya saka sinabing, "Kumain na muna tayo."

TIMO woke up alone in an unfamiliar place. Kaagad na hinanap niya si Jinny subalit tila wala ni isang tao ang nandoon. Nang mapagtantong nasa mansiyon siya ng mga dela Costa ay tinawagan niya si Rexton pero hindi ito sumasagot, kaya ang head ng Phoenix ang sumunod na tinawagan niya.

"Where is Jinny?" bungad niya rito.

The latter just yawned and lazily told him she's with the others in his house. Nangunot ang noo niya nang malaman iyon. At bakit pa siya dinala roon?

"Why?"

"Don't you know? They hypnotized her. They decided to do it in your house so once they're done with the process, your girlfriend will just think that she spent the night with you—"

"Fuck."

He ended the call and immediately went out. Sakto namang binati siya ng dati niyang agent na si Leigh na nasa hardin at kasalukuyang nag-a-almusal.

"Boss! Gising ka na pala, mag-almusal ka muna," bati nito sa kaniya. "Huwag kang mag-alala, nasa Davao ang buong pamilya, nakabakasyon. Susunod kami maya-maya."

Shit. Oo nga pala, isa na itong dela Costa ngayon.

"I have to go, Leigh—"

"Maligo ka muna! Grabe, mukha kang kinalahig ng mga manok." Pumalatak pa ito. "May nakahanda kang damit sa silid na tinulugan mo, nasa couch, ako ang nag-ayos kaya huwag kang mag-alala kung may tracking device o kahit ano pang device ang nakakabit sa mga iyon, wala akong nilagay," dagdag pa nito.

Saktong dumating ang asawa nitong may dala-dalang bote ng gatas na hula niya'y gatas ng kalabaw. Nang mapansin siya ng bagong dating ay mabilis itong umakbay kay Leigh.

He almost rolled his eyes but he chose to ignore him.

Hindi na rin dapat siya maliligo at aalis na sana, pero nang mapansin ang sariling repleksyon sa salamin ng sliding door—kung saan halatang nakipagbuno nga siya kahapon—ay minadali niya ang pagligo para kahit paano'y presentable siyang haharap kay Jinny.

Whether she'd remember or not, he'd still expose himself. Hindi pala niya kaya na pagtaguan ito ng sikreto habambuhay, lalong-lalo na ang tunay niyang pagkatao.

Pagkarating niya sa kaniyang bahay ay dire-diretso na siyang tumungo sa kabilang silid, pero wala roon si Jinny. Hindi na siya nakapagtanggal ng sapatos at tumuloy sa sarili niyang kwarto. Doon ay nabungaran niyang nakaupo ito at nakasandal sa headboard ng kama habang nanonood ng American series.

Nangunot ang noo niya nang mapansing mag-isa lang naman ito roon at wala ang ibang agents gaya ng inaasahan niya.

Were they done with the processes to make her forget about everything already?

Bumalik ang atensyon niya nang pinagtaasan siya ng kilay ni Jinny matapos siyang tingnan mula ulo hanggang paa. He watched her every movements, from removing the comforter that's covering her lower body, to wearing her home slippers, until she grumpily went near to him. Napalunok siya nang mapansing suot nito ang damit niya at marahil ay walang suot na panloob. Kaagad na kinastigo niya ang kaniyang sarili.

Hinila siya nito't nagpahila naman siya hanggang sa paupuin siya nito sa sofa na nasa sala.

"Why didn't you remove your shoe? Alam kong mamahalin iyan pero galing ka sa labas. Baka mamaya kung anong germs and viruses na ang kumapit diyan. "

Maang na napaangat siya ng tingin dito. She's really irritated and was frowning at him. She even put her hands on each sides of her small waist, making her looked like she was scolding him for being a naughty kid.

"I..."

"What?!"

He pouted. He's guessing that she was already hypnotized or brainwashed. He didn't know what were the processes, he just knew about being brainwashed in order to forget about the mission.

"Teka, kumain ka na ba? Ipagtitimpla kita—"

Hinila niya ito kaya impit siyang napatili at pinaupo sa kandungan niya saka mabilis siyang yumuko sa balikat nito. Sumiksik siya at humigpit ang yakap niya rito, at halos mahalikan na niya ang leeg nito kung saan naamoy niya ang mabangong body soap na gamit nito. He felt her gulped because of his sudden movement. Siya rin ay naramdaman niya ang kaagad na paninikip ng pantalon. He started kissing her neck slowly, until he reached her inviting lips.

Napakagabagal niyang hinalikan ang mamlabot nitong labi, at nang bahagya itong umungol ay kinuha niya ang pagkakataong iyon na sakupin ang bibig nito. Napakahinahon ng paghahalikan nilang iyon na mas lalong nagparamdam sa kaniya ng init at tensiyon sa pagitan nila.

Lumuwang ang pagkakayakap niya para mahawakan ang mukha nito habang si Jinny ay yumapos sa kaniyang batok. Naghihiwalay lamang sila para bahagyang makabawi ng hininga, at magpapatuloy sa mabagal nilang halikan na tila hinihimaymay ang bawat sandali.

Jinny was the one who ended the kiss as she buried her face on his neck. Parehas nilang habol-habol ang paghinga nang maramdaman niyang lumunok ulit ito.

"L-let's talk now. I'd be too tired later if we let our bodies do the talking first..."

Nangunot ang kaniyang noo at bahagya itong inilayo sa kaniya. She still looked sensual with her blushing face and swollen lips now because of they're kissing. Namumungay rin ang magagandang mga mata nito nang magtama ang tingin nila.

Umayos ito ng tindig at umupo sa tabi niya. At napagtanto niyang hindi nito nakalimutan ang nangyari.

"You remember..."

SERYOSONG tumitig si Jinny kay Timo nang mapagtanto nitong naaalala niya ang lahat. She chose to remember because she didn't want to run away. Mabilis na humupa ang pagnanasa niya dahil mas nangibabaw ang kagustuhan niyang maliwanagan.

Tumikhim siya.

"I guess you already know the truth about Luella... I'm so sorry for keeping it a secret despite of knowing that you're his biological uncle," panimula niya. "But, why did you choose to let me keep it? Mukhang matagal mo nang alam ang tungkol dito."

He gulped and caught her gazes. "I r-respected your decision."

Napaiwas ito ng tingin. There's more than that. She felt it. So, she kept still, waiting for him to spill everything. Kumabog ang dibdib niya nang maalalang sinabi sa kaniya na si Timo ang tunay na ama ni Luella.

Don't tell me...

"Baby... I'm not Luella's uncle—"

"Then, are you his father?!" napalakas ang boses niya't halos manlaki ang mga mata. If he's her real father, it'd be hard for her to accept it. Baka hindi na niya ito tanggapin bilang katuwang sa habambuhay. She'd just listen to his explanations, but could never accept the fact that he... d-did that diabolic act to his own sister...

Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik nang umiling ito, at pagkuwa'y ginagap ang palad niya.

"I'm neither her biological uncle, Ji," mababa ang tinig nito nang sambitin iyon.

Nangunot ang noo niya. "Ano'ng hindi? Wella is Tami's child. Your younger sister, Tim." Tila idinidikdik niya rito ang katotohanang iyon.

"I know."

Mas lalong nangunot ang kaniyang noo. "But, why are you telling me you're not Luella's uncle?"

Bahagyang humigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa kanang kamay niya saka tinitigan siya nang husto, nanatiling tahimik.

"Y-you're scaring me. Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm sorry..." he apologized as if he couldn't find the right words to say.

"Sorry for what?"

"I am not Timo, Jinny. My real name's Lemuel... Castillo."

Her jaw dropped as she heard him exposed his hidden identity to her. She couldn't think of it as a joke or prank anymore because it didn't fit in the situation.

Napalunok siya't bahagyang natuod.

"T-that's why you said you had a past w-with..." Bahagyang gumaralgal ang tinig niya't napapikit nang mariin. Nang magmulat ay nanatili siyang tahimik at hinayaan itong magkwento nang magkwento tungkol sa nakaraan nito.

They were both crying by the mention of his parents, both biological and not. Matagal silang nag-usap tungkol doon at nasasaktan siya sa katotohanang ang tagal nitong dinala sa dibdib ang bigat ng mga bagay na pinagdaanan nito.

"Kukuha muna ako ng maiinom," anito at hinayaan niya itong tumayo. Naitaas niya ang mga binti sa sofa para mayakap ang mga iyon nang yumuko siya at impit na umiyak.

Nang bumalik ito ay bahagya nitong ipinatong ang kamay sa kaniyang balikat na nagpaangat ng tingin niya rito. Inabutan siya nito ng isang basong tubig, pagkatapos ay tissue paper. Ilang sandaling nanatili itong nakatayo, pinapanood ang bawat kilos niya. At nagulat siya nang lumuhod ito, ang mga tuhod nito ay parehong nakaluhod, tila humihingi ng kapatawaran sa mga salang nagawa.

"Anong ginagawa mo? Dito ka umupo." Tinapik pa niya ang espasyo kung saan ito nakaupo kanina. She's trying to lighten up the heavy mood. Okey na. Napaliwanagan na siya...

He only stared at her with his bloodshot eyes and revealed that one thing she never expected to hear from him.

"I took advantage of you, baby. I..." isiniwalat nito ang bagay na ginawa nito ilang taon na ang nakalipas, noong nag-club sila ng mga kasamahan niya sa The Eve.

That thing she thought to be a wild and naughty dream, was not just a dream.

Napamaang siya at hindi alam kung ano ang mararamdaman. "All this time, I thought that our first sex was when we had a fight back then..." hindi makapaniwalang komento niya.

"We made love, baby," paglilinaw nito. "I'm sorry..." Then, he groaned and looked down as she noticed his tears were falling. She felt a lump in her throat when she gulped and knelt on the floor, too.

"H-have you been keeping that for the past years? Have you been feeling guilty...?" Gusto niyang mapamura dahil biglang lumabo ang isipan niya. Biglang sumala-salabit ang kung ano-anong haka-haka. "Is that the reason why you decided to court me? To ease your guilt? Or to see if Tami's daughter is in good hands? O baka kasi natikman mo na ko't gusto mong makaulit?!"

She trembled with that thought.

"No..." he defended weakly.

"O siguro, kaya bigla mo na lang akong pinansin noon kahit noong una nama'y hindi ka interesado... kasi iniisip mong g-ginahasa mo ako?! Nakokonsensya ka lang siguro..." Damn. That's a heavy accusation but she couldn't take back the word. Narinig na nito at hindi niya alam kung paano babawiin iyon. She bit her lower lip hard.

"What?" Nagulat ito sa at alam niyang dahil iyon sa binanggit niyang salita. "No, baby! I d-didn't. W-we both liked what we shared that night even if you're not remembering it. We made love. W-we... Fuck! D-did I really r*pe you?" Napasabunot ito sa sarili.

Napakurap-kurap siya. Both of them were being clouded by their emotions right now. Mabilis na yumakap siya rito para kahit paano'y makakuha ng lakas at huminahon muna. Ganoon din ang ginawa nito, yumakap ito nang mahigpit at paulit-ulit na sinabing hindi nito ipinilit ang sarili sa kaniya.

"If you didn't give me consent that time, I would've definitely stopped—"

"You love me, right? You love me..." she interrupted.

Kumalas siya sa yakap at tumitig dito.

"You love me. I felt that... You courted me because I'm special to you. Not because you're guilty about that bad night... You... love... me..." she dictated the last three words vividly so he'd stop being restless.

He looked so relieved as she was uttering those words. "Why do you know what's on my mind, baby?" he smiled a little, probably to lighten the mood.

Natawa siya ng bahagya at pinunasan ang luha nitong naglandas sa magkabila nitong pisngi gamit ang likod ng kaniyang mga palad.

"Damn it, Jinny... I'm so lucky to have you. I was so scared that you might push me away after knowing everything..."

"I would. If you cheated on me, or, if you are really Timo and Luella's biological dad. Iyon ang hinding-hindi ko matatanggap, Tim—or, should I call you Lemuel now?"

"Does it matter though?"

"How'd you know what's on my mind?" They both chuckled. She's loving how everything turned out good. She honestly expected for the worst because of so many what ifs. Like, what if he was really Luella's father? What if she chose to forget about happened? Or pretended to forget? What if they never talked about everything? Siguro'y habambuhay silang makokonsensya sa mga sikretong pilit nilang itinago sa isa't isa. And that'd only prove how they didn't trust each other that much. Oo nga't mahal nila ang isa't isa subalit hindi kailanman magiging sapat ang pagmamahal lamang. It comes with trust, respect, and understanding...

"It doesn't matter. Timo or Lemuel, I'll still love you as long as it is you."

"I really love hearing you say how much do you love me, Jinny. It's making me look forward for our tomorrow."

She bit her lower lip as he wiped her tears as well. Then, his big and strong hands cupped her fave gently.

"You are right. I courted you because I love you. I love you not because I'm feeling guilty about everything. It is because I truly love you. And, it's you..."

And she believed in him. Kung tutuusin, base sa mga nalaman niya, kung totoong nakonsensya lang ito kaya siya nilapitan at niligawan noon, dapat ay matagal na nitong ginawa. But he laid back, and stopped himself from coming towards her. Idinikdik nito sa sariling ayaw nitong makipagrelasyon sa mga single mom, at kahit alam naman na nitong hindi siya ang tunay na ina ni Luella ay iginiit pa rin nitong ayaw nito sa mga single mom. It took him a year or so to finally accept his feelings for her.

"Siguro, kung noon ko nalaman ang mga bagay na ito, baka hindi na kita pinayagang lumapit-lapit sa 'kin," she said honestly.

Ngumuso ito, pero ang itsura'y pinaparating sa kaniya na naiintindihan nito kung bakit niya iyon nasabi. "Hindi pa ganoon kalalim ang pagtingin mo sa akin noon. You're only lusting me—"

"Ano'ng ako? Baka ikaw! Ni hindi ka nga nakapagpigil at—"

She was shut up by his mouth when he claimed her mouth. He immediately smiled when she kissed him back. Mas mapusok na ang halik na iyon kaysa sa pinagsaluhan nila kanina.

But, she ended the kiss.

"B-baka kasi may sasabihin ka pa."

He smiled, this time, it finally reached his eyes. "I only want to say that I was glad I pushed myself to woo you back then, baby," bulalas nito nang tumayo ito at saka siya binuhat.

"And so I was," she responded and buried her face on his masculine chest.

The choice that she made—which was to remember everything—only proved that in a relationship, it's not just about happy and favorable things. May mga pagdadaanan at pagdadaanan pa rin talaga silang pagsubok at ang pinakamabisang paraan para malampasan ang mga iyon ay tanggapin ang lahat ng mga nangyari.

Acceptance was the key towards everything, because when they'd already accepted what happened, that was only the time they could finally overcome it in order for them to be stronger, and, would be able face the bittersweet reality... together.