Six months later.

"Where's Rik?" tanong ni Morriah sa staff nito na nagbabantay sa reception desk. "Bumalik na ba sila from the day tour?"

"I think hindi pa, Miss Mo," sagot nito. "Pero five o'clock na naman po, I think pauwi na rin sila from their trip."

"Sige, thank you. . ."

"Do you still need any help, Miss Mo?" she inquired.

"I think I'm good for now. You're doing well,  Divine. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you, Miss Mo!" she excitedly responded.

Morriah had her hands full on the hotel and for the past months required more manpower when viral videos circulated over social media. It was shocking for the couple when they discovered why they were getting more guests for the past few months. Alleah, one of their guests six months ago, continuously shared videos and experiences of why they should go to Baler, and where they should stay. Nang mapanood nila ang videos na ginawa ni Alleah, they reached out to her to thank her for doing those kinds of videos that ultimately had good feedback for them—and free marketing on their side. On that note, they invited her back for a free stay at Casa Casillas.

Alleah promised she would back to Casa Casillas after graduating college.

Karamihan sa mga guest ng hotel ay binabanggit ang viral videos ni Alleah. She highlighted one of the things they loved the most on staying at the hotel at iyon ang special occasions na inihahanda ni Morriah para sa kanilang guests. Everyone loved it. New guests were looking forward what they would do, but for the past few months, kumuha na siya ng tauhan na mag-aasikaso sa kanila dahil sa kanilang sitwasyon.

Morriah looked up to the sky and it was turning orange. Napagpasyahan naman niyang pumunta sa beachside para masaksihan ang paglubog ng araw. One of the things they've improved on for the past few months was putting lights on the pathway down to the beachside. Kapag gabi, madilim na ito at kung hindi mag-iingat ang isang tao ay pwede pa siyang magpagulon-gulong sa buhanginan. They set up lights down to the beach front of their hotel and it was one of the things she was proud of.

She sat down in one of the logs they placed a month ago for their guests to sit while resting on the beachside. Huminga ito nang malalim at ngiti na lamang ang nangibabaw sa labi niya.

"Ma. . . Pa. . . I think I made it," mahina nitong usal habang nakatingin sa kalangitan. "You know how much I struggled when I reopened the hotel and I thought I would fail. Sinabi ko pa noon na kapag hindi nag-work out ang mga plano ko, hindi ko na itutuloy ang operation ng hotel dahil paniguradong malulugi lang ako. I've spend most of they money you've left for me during that time. Ibinuhos ko ang buong atensyon ko para maibalik sa dati ang hotel. Eventually, I could see all the changes and all the things that the hotel started to achieve. . ."

She tried to utter a few more words, but tears started breaking her down. It wasn't sad tears, but happy tears. Masaya ito na narating niya ang gustong mangyari ng parents niya. They told her when they were still alive that once they were gone ay siya na mismo ang magpapatakbo ng hotel. Hindi naman sila nagkamali dahil nasa magandang kondisyon na ang hotel. Many guests flocked to visit and see what was the viral videos talking about. She hadn't heard once na may na-disappoint sa pag-stay nila sa hotel. Casa Casillas proved them na kahit hindi sila isang five star hotel, they could do more and provide a safe space for everyone.

"And do you see this?" Itinaas nito ang kamay kung nasaan ang engagement ring niya. "I knew you were there the moment he asked me to marry him again. If you were there alive, I'm sure you would be happy for me. I won't make the same mistakes I did before. I won't break up with him. I won't call our engagement off. Rik. . . Rik. . . He's someone I would love to spend the rest of my life with. There's no question about that anymore. I wouldn't question myself. I wouldn't question my love for that man. I'm happy he went back because I never thought a second chance would even happen."

Morriah took a deep breath. At that moment, wala na siyang ibang hihilingin pa. She thought she got it all. Kung may hihingin pa siyang ibang bagay, iyon ay ang maging maligaya lamang sila sa mga susunod na taon at panghabang buhay.

Sinundan ni Morriah ng tingin ang isang aso na naglalakad sa dalampasigan. She tried getting the attention of it, pero hindi siya pinapansin nito hangga't sa may sumisit mula sa kanyang likuran at dali-daling tumakbo papunta sa lalaki ang aso. Lumuhod si Rik at kanyang hinimas ang ulo ng aso saka ito may binato sa tabi ng dagat saka tumakbo ang aso para kunin iyon.

"How long have you been there?" Morriah asked him. 

Rik chuckled. "I've been here with you since the moment you sat down."

"So, you heard all of the things I said?"

He nodded, giggling. "Yes, and I'm happy I did. . ."

He sat down next to her and put his arm over her shoulder where she rested her head. Pinanood lamang ng dalawa ang aso na kinuha ang isang maliit na kahot na inihagis ni Rik kasabay ang paglubog ng araw. 

"How was the day tour? Nag-enjoy naman ba ang guests?" tanong pa ni Morriah.

Tumango naman si Rik. "I think they did. They were all laughing at whatever I said."

Morriah chuckled. "I told you, you should've onboarded Carlos para siya na ang nag-handle ng day tour today."

"Yes, he was with us. He doesn't even have a choice anymore though."

"Yeah, because you'll be leaving me again. . ."

Rik shook his head. "But not for long. I only have to fix something in Amsterdam so I can finally stay here for good. You know how much I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. There's no question about that. I love you, Momo."

He kissed Morriah on her head while his hand traveled over her stomach. "And to our baby. . . I'll be back sooner than you thought, alright?"

Tumango naman si Morriah. "I know you will. I trust you with my whole life. . ."

Saglit lang din nang bumalik ang also sa kanila at inilapag ang piraso ng kahoy sa harapan ni Rik. Kanyang hinimas ang ulo nito at saka nila napagpasyahan nang bumalik sa itaas sa hotel. He got up first and grabbed her hand to assist her. Morriah was only two-month pregnant, but Rik made it seemed like she was already on her due. Natatawa na lamang si Morriah kapag sobrang aligaga ang lalaki sa kanya. Ayaw niyang ma-stress ito sa iba't ibang bagay.

As soon as they made their way back to the hotel, Rik let Morriah sit in one of the table at the dining area while he said he would be getting something from the kitchen. Nagtataka naman si Morriah kung ano iyon kaya sa pagbalik ng lalaki ay lumaki na lamang ang ngiti nito sa labi nang makita na may hinanda siyang cake para sa kasintahan.

"Happy birthday, babe," he greeted. "You thought I would forget it, right?"

She giggled trying not to try. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate you."

"As I am. . . I know your parents would be so happy to have you as their daughter."

"I know they did. . ."

For the rest of the night, Rik and Morriah stayed with their staff and guests, making her birthday even more special. She didn't want it to end, knowing that once she woke up the next day, she'd begin longing for Rik's presence. They didn't know how long he'd be staying in Amsterdam, but she knew he'd come back for her.

She was holding on to his words.

Morriah said she won't sleep as she wanted to lay down next to Rik all night, but she slept after thirty minutes of getting into bed. The next day, it was hard for her to see him leaving the Casa. She didn't want to let him go, but she knew it was for the better. Hindi ito 'yong panahon dati na pinagtabuyan niya si Rik dahil sa pagkakataong ito ay alam niyang may babalikan siyang pamilya kapag umuwi siya ng Baler.

"I'll be waiting. . ." Morriah said, making her hug so tightly on him.

"I know, babe. I know you will. . ." Rik said. He let go of her hug so he could see and talk to her face. "Promised you won't stress yourself out, okay? Don't do such a thing that won't be good for you and our baby. Ask for help. I'll be back soon, babe. . . I love you. . ."

"I love you, babe. . ." Morriah uttered, and then they sealed it with a kiss.

Rik jumped into the van while Morriah watched it drive away and after that, she only missed him right away. Minsan OA lang talaga siya mag-isip dahil magkakausap naman sila on video calls and he promised na mag-uusap sila every day. Dala na rin siguro ng pagbubuntis niya at halos emosyonal na siya palagi. Well, at least, Rik planted something on her for good.

After a month, Rik returned to Baler for good, marrying Morriah at an intimate wedding with their close friends and relatives, and both live happily waiting for their first baby to be born soon.