Sa loob ng ilang buwan, walang araw na hindi magkasama sina Adi at Zed. Nagsimula silang mag-travel, sinunod ang mga plano nilang napurnada at ang European honeymoon na pinlano nila anim na taon na ang nakalilipas.

Hindi nila iyon nagawa dahil bata pa sila, nag-aaral, at hindi pa naman kaya financially.

But after the championship, Zed acquired multiple endorsements and offers that made him stable enough and gifted his wife a whole-month trip to Europe.

The whole month of December, they were in Europe. They spent Christmas in Switzerland and New Year's Eve in Finland. Tour after tour, trip after trip, they landed in the Philippines refreshed with new plans ahead. This time, together.

Napag-usapan nilang posible na silang maghanap ng bahay o bagong condo para sa bagong simula ngunit pareho nilang hindi ma-let go ang unang bahay nila. Isa pa, nag-decide na si Adi na mag-enroll para sa susunod na school year at malapit ang unit nila sa university.

Sinimulan naman ni Zed ang pagpasa ng requirements para sa draft. Aasikasuhin din niya ang pag-aaral para sa mga natitirang subject para maka-graduate nang maayos. It was one promise he made. He would be an athlete with degree. Kaya kahit na maraming offer noon na mag-pro league na siya at puwedeng maglaro sa ibang bansa at sinabing ituloy na lang niya sa susunod, hindi niya iyon tinanggap.

Pagkagaling sa Europe, sinimulan nilang ipa-renovate at ipaayos ang unit nila. Adi wanted a fresh start and it their home was the main project. Inalis na rin niya ang mga damit na hindi na niya gusto, mga gamit na hindi na nila kailangan, at mas pinaluwag ang unit nila para mas malaki ang space sa living area. It would be her study room and Zed's entertainment space.

Sakto lang ang kwarto, sapat para maging pahingahan. Ipinaayos niya ang walk-in closet nilang dalawa, sinigurong naka-sort ang gamit nila para hindi magulo, hindi nakakalito.

Ipinakabit ni Adi ang bookshelf niya, inayos niya ang gaming system ni Zed at niregaluhan pa ito ng bago. Bumili siya nang bagong TV dahil usapan nila na tuwing gabi, bago matulog, manonood sila kahit isa o dalawang episode ng series na napag-usapan nila para sa isang buwan.

Habang nakahiga, sinusuklay ni Zed ang buhok ni Adi na ginagawang unan ang braso niya.

"Do you think we'll make it?" Zed asked lowly. "I don't mean to be negative or anything, pero may mga araw na iniisip ko, kakayanin ko kaya ang pro-league? I know you'll do well and—"

"Of course. Ikaw pa ba?" Adi immediately cut Zed off. "It's normal to be scared or doubt ourselves, but I'm here. Kaya nga ako nandito to cheer you up. Regardless of the result or your plans, we'll figure it out."

Zed didn't know what to respond and just kissed Adi's forehead. Takot siya, iyon ang totoo. Natatakot siyang hindi niya maibigay kay Adi ang buhay na plinano niya noon pa. He knew that Adi never asked for anything, just his time... pero paano kung hindi siya makuha sa pro-league? Paano kung hindi naman pala siya ganoon kagaling? Paano kung hanggang university lang siya?

Maraming paano o iba pang tanong.

Gustong-gusto niyang bumili ng bahay para kay Adi, hindi iyong nakatira lang sila sa condo. He could, but what would happen in the future if basketball weren't in the picture anymore?

Unknown to Zed, Adi noticed the overthinking but didn't push it. Sasabihin naman iyon sa kaniya ni Zed kapag kumportable na. She wanted to assure her husband that everything would be alright, and whatever the future holds, she would support him in ways she could.

May takot din naman sa parte niya lalo na at prone ang pro-league sa injuries, pero ayaw niyang maging negatibo. Hanggang gustong maglaro ni Zed, susuporta siya... tulad ng pagsuporta nito sa mga ginagawa niya nitong nakaraan.

Recently, Adi searched for certification and programs specializing in autism support. Aside from Down syndrome certification, she was most interested in autism, developmental, and behavioural programs.

Kahit nasa travel sila ni Zed, panay ang basa niya ng articles and statistics tungkol sa autism.

"Babe, naalala mo 'yong batang nagwala kanina sa mall?" tanong niya kay Zed na hindi pa rin tumitigil sa paghaplos ng buhok niya. "People kept staring, some were looking with judgment and nalungkot ako kasi kulang talaga ang education and awareness about autism dito sa Pilipinas."

Naramdaman niya ang malalim na paghinga ni Zed. "Kaya nga, eh. Nakita ko rin kung paano nila tingnan iyong parents na para bang walang ginagawa."

"They're doing a lot and staring won't help," mahinang sambit ni Adi. "Nag-join ako sa isang group kanina. I was reading posts and comments at nakakalungkot, ang daming indenial. I read some comments asking kung may cure ba ang autism, and some would even say na sana gumaling na ang anak nila o baka naman may magagawa pa."

Mahabang katahimikan dahil pareho nilang naalala ang batang nagwawala sa mall. Hindi iyon basta childhood tantrum. The child was clearly autistic, and the parents looked conscious of how people stared. The mom even apologized to people, when clearly... she didn't have to.

"Ang dami ring indenial, Babe. Nakakalungkot. Nakakaawa 'yong mga batang may mga magulang na ayaw intindihin ang situwasyon ng anak nila," pagpapatuloy ni Adi nang maramdaman niya ang namumuong luha sa mga mata niya. Tumingin siya kay Zed. "I didn't know I'd be this affected about the situation! Hindi naman ako ganito dati."

Zed wiped the tear using his thumb. "Kasi exposed ka na. Maganda nga 'yan, eh. Madadagdagan ng special education teachers or possibly therapist kung magtutuloy ka. Nabasa ko rin noong nakaraan na halos kaunti lang dito sa Pilipinas kaya medyo mahal."

Sa sinabi ni Zed, mas naging desidido si Adi sa gagawin sa mga susunod. Mahal niya ang pagtuturo at habang nagbabasa ng articles, ito na ang gusto niyang gawin.

Marami siyang puwedeng gawin, offer after offer... she could even go abroad, but chose Zed and something more.

—

Mula sa kubo ng farm na pag-aari ng pamilya ni Zed, nakaupo si Adi at kumakain ng hinog na mangga habang pinanonood ang asawa niyang makipaglaro sa mga trabahador. Nagbabasketball ito mula sa make-shift court na nasa loob ng farm.

After Zed's graduation, they decided to spend time with Zed's family. Wala naman silang gagawin at bago magsimula ang draft, makapagpahinga muna sila.

Pero iba ang definition ni Zed ng pahinga at naiintindihan naman iyon ni Adi. Araw-araw itong naglalaro kaya mas naging batak ang katawan at na-emphasize pa ang muscles dahil medyo naging tan.

"Gusto mo pa, 'Nak?" Lumapit sa kaniya ang mommy ni Zed. "Matamis ang mga bagong pitas. Buti nga namunga nang maayos kasi last year, halos pangit dahil umulan."

"Okay na po ako, My," sagot niya at tinitigan ang mother-in-law niya. "Sabi ni Zed, pinagre-retire na kayo ni daddy. Ayaw n'yo pa po?"

Mahina itong natawa at umiling. "Sabi ko, one year na lang. Ayaw ko pa, eh. Parang hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko kapag hindi na ako doctor. Puwede pa naman, kaya ko pa naman... medyo stressful lang nitong mga nakaraan kaya hindi mapakali si dad."

Pinakinggan ni Adi ang kuwento ng mother-in-law niya tungkol sa buhay ng mag-asawa sa probinsya. Masaya silang nagtatawanan at kumakain ng bagong pitas na mangga.

Naalala niya ang unang beses niyang makilala ang mga magulang ni Zed. May laro noon, nanood siya kasama ang mga magulang niya dahil ayaw siyang payagan. Bago lang sila ni Zed, ipinakilala na nila ang isa't isa sa mga magulang nila.

Both parents guided their relationship. Bata pa sila, both explained that it was okay for them to be together, pero sana unahin ang pag-aaral at ang extra curricular activities.

Funny tho, they used that to blackmail their parents. Not their proudest moments, and they would still laugh about it, but never regretted any of it.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," Zed's mom bit her lower lip. "May plano ba kayong magkaanak? Don't answer the question if you don't want to. Curious lang ako."

"I think yes, po," she gazed at Zed. "We really haven't talked about it yet, My. Parang nawalan kami ng chance na pag-usapan noon kasi naging busy kami then we... had a break."

Zed's mom smiled and looked down. "Sobrang lungkot namin ni dad noong nangyari 'yon, pero it's part of the past at mas importanteng nandito kayong dalawa. Huwag kong ma-pressure to have kids. You guys are young!"

Ibinalik ni Adi ang tingin kay Zed. "I want him to enjoy his career muna, My. We can have kids anytime, we're both stable and able... but I want him to enjoy his career."

"Thank you." Hinawakan ng mommy ni Zed ang kamay niya. "Thank you for loving my son, Audrey. It means so much to us, anak."

Kinagabihan, pagkatapos ng dinner... inaya siya ni Zed na maglakad sa bukid. Walang pananim dahil kaaani lang kaya maaliwalas. Madilim ngunit sapat ang liwanag galing sa bilog na buwan.

Hawak niya ang kamay ni Zed. "I'll be busy next month. Start na ng draft and there will be time na sobrang pagod ako... that I won't be able to bond with you and—"

"It's okay," mahinang natawa si Adi at pinisil nag kamay ni Zed. "Bawi ka na lang kapag tapos na. May training camp after, but we'll make time. I'll make time. Kung gusto mo ihatid-sundo pa kita, eh."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Zed sa sinabi niya. "You don't have to."

"I want to," mabilis na sagot ni Adi. "Magiging busy rin naman ako sa certifications and programs na na-enroll ko, so I won't miss you that much."

"What?" Mas lalong lumalim ang guhit sa gitna ng kilay ni Zed. "Miss me. Dapat palagi mo 'kong miss."

Natawa si Adi sa sinabi ni Zed na humantong pa sa mahinang paghampas niya sa braso nito. "Grabe, clingy. But okay. I'll always miss you."

"Ako rin, eh. One request, Baby." Zed faced her and kissed the side of her lips. "Don't beat yourself this time. Papayag akong mag-aral ka ulit while working in Eastern U, pero huwag nang pagod na pagod. Just chill and enjoy this time, Audrey. No more sleepless nights."

Adi encircled her arms around Zed's neck and leaned for a kiss. "We've been together one decade today."

"One decade down," Zed buried his face into the hollows of Adi's neck, while hugging her tightly. "Please, don't give up on me," he murmured. "Shortcomings, bad decisions, and disagreements sometimes, but I'm doing all of these for you... for us."

Adi didn't say a word, but her lips curled into a smile while tears pooled.

"Please be the only face I see in the crowd," Zed kissed her bare shoulder. "Be the only familiar face I look for."

"Zed naman," Adi chuckled and sniffed. "More than half of our lives, we're together. I don't even know how to live without you. Kaya nga rin hindi ko tinanggap lahat ng offers abroad. I don't like the idea of being away. Two floors is okay, a thousand miles isn't."

Zed smiled. "Thank you and sorry," he frowned. "But I honestly I don't remember how to live without you, Audrey. So thank you..."

—
T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com