CHAPTER 10
1040 Words
LIBBY
Sinundan niya ng tingin ang tumalikod na si Jacob.
Ang lalaking minahal niya.
Ang lalaking sinaktan niya.
Ang lalaking, sa kabila ng lahat, ay piniling itali ang sarili sa kanya sa paraang hindi niya inaasahan.
He wants to marry her.
Marahil iniisip nito na iyon ang paraan para ikulong siya. Para siguraduhing hindi na siya muling tatakbo, hindi na mawawala, hindi na muling mag-iiwan ng sugat at tanong sa likod niya.
But despite his obvious intentions, Libby felt hopeful.
He wants to marry her.
For the past few days she wasn't sure what would become of her.
There is permanence in the word 'marriage'.
Sa unang pagkakataon mula nang muli silang magkita, may panghahawakan na si Libby—isang bagay na matagal na niyang inakalang wala na.
Chance.
Even if Jacob believed this is a form of punishment, she's welcomed it with wide open arms.
Hindi ito magiging madali. Alam niya iyon.
Hindi ito magiging patas.
Hindi ito magiging puno ng lambing, pangako, at matatamis na salita.
It's going to be filled with anger, with silence. Ng mga bagong sugat na maaaring mas masakit pa kaysa sa mga nauna.
But—
It is still a chance.
Minsan na siyang naging tanga. Minsang naging duwag. Minsan na siyang tumakbo sa takot, iniwang wasak ang taong mahal niya.
That's not going to happen again.
The determination that enveloped her whole being was so strong, she almost laughed.
There will be no running away anymore.
In fact, this time, even if Jacob wants to push her away, she will cling onto him tightly.
She will stay.
Haharapin ang bawat araw. Harapin ang bawat tingin ni Jacob na puno ng alaala ng sakit na siya ang may gawa.
She will stay.
Not only for herself.
Not only for Leo.
But most of all for Jacob.
Jacob who needed to heal. Jacob who needed learn once again how to breathe without anger.
But first, he needed to feel her sincerity.
She needed to prove to him that she will never leave again.
Paglabas niya mula sa pintuan ng kusina upang hanapin ang lalaki, may kung anong nagising sa loob niya.
Ang dating Libby.
No longer afraid.
No longer a coward.
Kundi ang babaeng minsang nagmahal nang buong-buo at handang gawin iyon muli—this time, braver and ready to fight.
Ngumiti siya.
Little did she know her sudden show of bravery will be tested right away.
Parang nagulat si Jacob nang makita siyang palabas ng kusina dahil kakaiba ang aura niya. Ngunit hindi ito nabigyan ng pagkakataong magsalita.
The sound of engines pulling into the driveway shattered the silence.
Too many.
Halos sabay silang humakbang papunta sa pintuan. Jacob reached it first at tumigil si Libby ilang talampakan mula sa likod nito.
Bago pa man iyon mabuksan, nahulaan na ni Jacob kung sino ang dumating.
His family never arrived quietly.
He was right.
Naunang tumigil ang kotse ng mga magulang at nagmamadaling lumabas ang mama niya.
“Jacob!”
His mother’s voice came first—sharp with panic, already running towards them. Pagdating sa loob, agad siyang niyakap, hands on his face, inspecting him like he might still fall apart any second.
“Are you okay? Fiona said--" napatigil ito nang mapansin si Libby sa likod ng lalaki.
Si Libby na gustung-gustong tumakbo at maglaho.
She just decided to fight to win Jacob back tapos family confrontation agad ang first exam?
Lucia frowned, searching her memory. She saw it click slowly—hospital a pale girl standing outside the glass window, eyes swollen from crying.
“You’re…,” simula ni Lucia, uncertain. “The girl from the hospital,” she finished coldly, more statement than question.
Libby stiffened. Bravery flying out the window.
Before anyone could make it worse, Jacob's father, Anton, walked in. Followed by his sister Marilyn and his brother Bruce.
Jacob's dad was carrying Leo na nasalubong mg mga ito sa labas. As if magkakilala na ang mga ito nang matagal.
Leo, traitor that he was, was so comfortable in his arms.
Anton beamed. “Big boy,” he said proudly, bouncing him once. Tumingin ito kay Jacob “You didn’t tell us you had a son.”
Jacob didn't get the chance to say paano niya sasabihin sa mga ito eh hindi niya nga rin alam.
"Son?" mahinang sabi ni Lucia.
“Surprise!” came a voice from behind Bruce.
Fiona.
Of course. The traitor.
When they were in the mountains she comforted Jacob gently, earning his trust. He never imagined she'd go to his family right away.
She peeked out from behind Bruce like a child playing hide-and-seek, eyes wide, lips curved into a grin that had always meant trouble.
“Well,” she said cheerfully, “sinabi ko sa kanila na may dapat silang makilala, pero hindi ko sinabing reproduction mo yung kikilalanin nila."
Libby’s mouth twitched.
Jacob saw it.
The tiniest, most traitorous hint of a smile.
She actually found this funny?
He shot Fiona a warning look.
She raised both hands. “Relax. It was with the best of intention. Mostly.” said Fiona who loved drama.
“Jacob, what is going on?” naguguluhang tanong ni Lucia sa anak. Tumingin kay Libby. "You never told us anything in detail about this girl we saw briefly in the hospital. But I knew she was the reason you were in so much pain emotionally and mentally." she accused.
"Lucia." ang tangin sabi ng asawa nito, as if that would make her stop.
Numiti si Lucia. "But of course if I were wrong, then forgive me, and I am so glad to meet you." taas ang isang kilay nitong diniretso ang natamemeng si Libby. The older woman was challenging her to deny it.
Jacob inhaled.
This was it.
No more hiding.
“Everyone,” Jacob said. "Meet Libby and my son Leo. And,” he added, voice steady despite the chaos tightening around them. Isang bagsakan na lang. “Before any more words are said, I want you all to know that Libby and I are getting married.”
The silence was immediate.
Then—
Fiona gasped dramatically. “Wait. Married married?”
Walang nagsalita.
“Well,” Fiona said, nodding slowly, “this escalated quickly. Congratulations!”
- Writer
