Soundtrack for this chapter, "Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol," vid on the side.
Chapter 40 – 3 Years Later, Canada
3 years later, Canada.
“Sige, mom, hihintayin na lang kita sa park. Bye.” Binaba na ni Monique ang cellphone niya and then she saw the innocent looks of the children staring at her while also waiting for her to say something.
“Uhm, kids,” she started and the looks of the kids still didn’t change.
Hindi niya tuloy maiwasang matawa. Talagang napakainosente ng mga ito na nakatingin sa kanya. Well, of course, most of the kids were only six or seven.
“Teacher, why are you laughing?” Martha, the blonde kind who was sitting in the front row, innocently asked.
“No, I’m.. I’m just really happy. Teacher Monique is really happy seeing you here, listening to her attentively.” She smiled at them and the kids’ expressions still didn’t change.
Monique breathed hard and smiled at them more attentively, “Okay, so kids. Teacher will have to dismiss you early. Uhhm, Teacher has something to do right now so that’s why.. Will that be okay? Don’t worry, we’ll have to see each other next week and it’s snowing outside…” she winked. Alam niyang gustong-gusto ng mga ito na maglaro sa labas, especially when it’s snowing. The kids always love to play snowball fight or building a snowman.
“Yipee! Thank you teacher!” kaagad nagsitayuan ang lahat ng mga bata at nilapitan siya. Isa-isa itong niyakap siya at pagkatapos ay umalis din kaagad sa classroom.
“Be careful!” she told them as they moved out from the room. Hindi maiwasan ni Monique na mapangiti habang nakatingin dito. She was really happy teaching those kids. She really was enjoying teaching the children. Natutuwa kasi siya sa mga mukha nito, expressing innocence and playfulness at her. It always made her heart softened. Masayang-masaya talaga siya kasama ang mga bata.
---
Monique immediately buried her hands into the pockets of the black sweater she was wearing as she walked off through the way in going to the park where she would meet her mom, Gia. Talagang malamig na malamig ang simoy ng hangin habang naglalakad siya papunta sa destinasyon niya.
It was already three years since she started living here permanently in Canada. Tatlong taon na ang lumipas nang mangyari ang lahat ng iyon. Marami-rama na ring nangyari sa buhay niya sa mga taong iyon. Because of the things that happened into their lives, she had really learned a lot from it. Especially in dealing with life.
It was also a year ago since she regained her vision again. For the first year, when she became blind, she gonna admit na mahirap talaga mag-adapt sa new environment niya, nahihirap nga siya mismo kahit ang pag-upo lang sa upuan, of course she could not see where she would sit.
But with the help of her family, unting-unti na rin siyang nasasanay. Until the day she less expected, nakahanap ng donor ang mommy niya sa Canada na pwedeng makadonate sa kanya ng mga mata. Then everything changed again.
Now, with her new set of eyes, masayang-masaya siyang tinatanaw ang mga magagandang lugar na nakapaligid sa kanya. And because of the chance, now, she entered teaching children. With the help of her aunt na tumulong sa kanila rito sa Canada, nakahanap siya ng trabaho—generally, being a teacher.
Hindi niya alam pero.. masaya na siya sa buhay niya ngayon. Yes, she committed so many mistakes from the past and regretted everything about it.
Sa sobrang laki ng kasalanan niya kay Nick, hindi nga niya alam kung may mukha pa siyang maihaharap dito. Sising-sisi siya sa mga nagawa niya rito and she knew, giving him her eyes is not enough. So, she decided that it’s better they will broke off. Ayaw na niya kasing masaktan ito dahil sa kanya, and she also wanted him to be happy now, for real.
And she is praying everyday na sana masaya na ito sa buhay nito ngayon. Sana, nakahanap na ito ng babae na magmamahal sa kanya ng lubusan at kailanman, hindi ito sasaktan.
Hindi maiwasan ni Monique na mapangiti habang inaalala ang lahat ng iyon. Kahit naging ganun ang kahinatnan ng pagsasama nila ni Nick, marami siyang natutunan. Dahil din doon, she changed her ways.
She became optimistic.
Nakarating na rin si Monique sa park kung saan niyang napagdesisyunan na hintayin ang Mommy Gia niya. Naggrogrocery kasi ito para sa next week necessities nilang dalawa. Yes, a month ago, nagkabahay na rin sila sa Canada. Noon kasi, she and her mom used to live with her aunt. Ayaw din nila kasi maging palamunin kaya they found a way para lang makabahay na sila and of course, with her aunt’s help.
Of course, life is not that easy. May mga ups and downs na kailangan mong harapin kasi in the end, ikaw lang naman ang makakapagdesisyon kung anong gagawin mo sa buhay mo.
The same with love and marriage, not all will always result to a happy endings, and definitely, her marriage with Nick didn’t work out. Pero nagpapasalamat pa rin siya na kahit ganun, it changed her life’s perspective. Maybe, they were not just meant for each other.
Now, she’s really looking forward positively in life and hoping the best for the both of them in starting anew.
“God, it’s freezing.” She said as the wind suddenly blew. Malapit na kasing magwinter kaya ganun na ang klima sa bansa. Kahit nga puro makakapal na damit na ang isinuot niya sa araw na iyon—thick sweaters, pants and bonnet—giniginaw pa rin siya. But anyway, she was used to it.
“Mom, I’m here, where are you now?” she immediately called her mom on her phone. Nasa gilid lang siya ng isa sa mga puno na nandoon sa park na nakatayo habang hinihintay ito. Malapit lang din kasi doon ang grocery store kung saan ito narorooon ngayon.
“Malapit na ako anak, sige, just wait a couple of minutes.” Then they both ended the call.
Nilagay ulit ni Monique ang dalawang kamay niya sa bulsa ng sweater niya. Kitang-kita talaga ang lamig ng panahon dahil sa usok na lumalabas galing sa ilong ni Monique sa tuwing humihinga siya.
Pero kahit ganun, hindi niya pa rin maiwasang mapangiti, masayang-masaya talaga siya dahil binigyan siya ulit ng pangalawang pagkakataon sa buhay niya.
Now, she was happy seeing some kids playing the snow at the park.
“Nakakaenjoy silang panuorin, ano? Seeing kids playing happily will really melt your heart.” A random voice from her side suddenly barged in.
Hindi maiwasan ni Monique na mas mapangiti sa sinabi nito. Another random Filipino. She thought to herself. Well, these past few years she’s been living here in Canada, marami-rami na siyang mga Pinoy na nakilala at nasasalamuha.
Not looking back, she replied—still watching the kids play, “Oo nga e. Nakakagaan sa puso habang tinitignan mo silang masayang naglalaro.”
“Yeah. Adding the beautiful view, this country is really fascinating.” The voice added.
“Hmm. Talagang ang swerte nating mabuhay sa magandang mundo na ‘to.” she said. Talagang napakaswerte niya at hinding-hindi na niya sasayangin ang swerte na iyon.
“Oo, napakaswerte ko.” The voice then became silent after those words. Tahimik lang din si Monique habang nakikinig dito. She felt like the voice coming from the person was very soothing. Parang naging masaya rin siya dahil may Pinoy siyang kasama doon.
“Talagang napakaswerte ko. Napakaswerte ko sa kanya. Because of her.. because of her love and kindness.. I was given a chance to see this beautiful world again. Kaya ngayon, gustong-gusto kong magpasalamat sa kanya.”
Medyo nagulat si Monique nang marinig ang lahat ng iyon. At unting-unti nilingon ang may-ari ng boses na kanina pa siyang kinakausap.
Then she saw a very familiar man.
“Hi.” He said, smiling at her. Nakablack sweater din ito at gaya niya, nakabonnet din. “Long time no see.”
She immediately covered her mouth with her hands, trying to stop her tears from coming out. “N-Nick.”
“P-Paano?” gusto niyang maiyak sa tuwa ng makita ito. Hindi niya inaasahan na nandito ito ngayon nor in a million years na magkikita sila ulit. She was not expecting him to see her because of what happened and adding that it was already several years ago since they last saw each other.
She thought the owner of the male’s voice was another random Filipino but it was Nick. Nick Torres, the only love of her life.
Napansin naman niya ang pagngiti nito. “I asked your aunt kung nasaan sa kayo Canada.. and.. I found out you’re here..”
“K-Kailan? Kailan ka dumating dito? Ano.. Bakit mo alam?” parang sasabog siya dahil sa saya na nararamdaman niya. Nick, standing at her front, full and alive.
“Hmm, just this morning. Ang layo pala ng Canada. And.. I’m sorry.. if I came here so very late.” Sagot naman nito sa kanya.
Hindi pa rin maiwasan ni Monique na maattract dito lalo. Parang mas lalo itong gumwapo ngayon.
She smiled and a tear came out from her eye, indicating joy. “Uhm, how are you? Matagal-tagal na rin tayong hindi nagkita. Ah.. ano.. siguro.. may asawa ka na ngayon, I’m really hoping the best for the both you.” She said. Kahit alam niyang ganun ang mangyayari sa buhay nito, matapos silang maghiwalay, inaasahan na niyang may asawa na ito.
And she is really happy for them.
Nick suddenly chuckled, “I’m fine.” He shrugged. “Well, not so fine. I mean, nakakamiss yung uuwi ka sa bahay niyo tapos sasalubungin ka ng asawa mo ng mga yakap at halik, just like before.” Then he stared at her eyes. Well, she gonna admit, parang mas tumangkad yata ito lalo.
“And no, wala akong asawa ngayon. Because.. I’m waiting for her.” He added, eyes still focused on her. “What about you? How are you here?”
Monique smiled more. Parang naiiyak pa rin siyang kaharap ito ngayon. “I’m fine.. at.. gaya rin ng sinabi mo, not so fine kasi.. I’m waiting for him too.. na kaya pala lagi kong tinatanggihan ang mga nanliligaw sa kin dito kasi.. deep inside, it was still him all along.” She replied sincerely habang nakatingin pa rin sa isa’t-isa. Nagsimula na ring magsnow.
After a minute, bigla na lang silang nagkatawanan na dalawa.
Nick then stopped from laughing and started, “So, does this means.. no, let me be formal, Ms. Monique Valdez, will you go on a date with me? Maybe a burger date?” he winked jokingly.
Natawa naman si Monique dito, “Okay, Mr. Nick Torres.” Pagkatapos ay sabay na silang naglakad papaalis ng park.
“Text mo na lang si Tita Gia na magkita na lang tayong tatlo sa fastfood na malapit sa grocery.” He suddenly said.
Napahinto naman si Monique sa sinabi niya, “H-How.. How did you know.. I’m waiting for her?” she asked, confused.
Nick just smirked at what she said.
“Oh my god.” She giggled. “Pinlano niyo niyo ‘to ni Mommy, right? Kaya pala pinapunta niya ako rito sa park.” Natatawang sabi niya rito.
“Yes, and we succeed.” He winked.
//
