LIGHT WAS surrounded by his friends. Drinking and happily conversing about their new life. Sinarado ni Alistair ang buong bar niya para sa kanilang magkakaibigan, although, wala silang plano na ubusin ang mga alak ni Alistair kagaya noon.

"Meralco! Kailan ang kasal?" Pasigaw na tanong ni Castiel sa kanya.

Kinasal na si Jillian at Laur. And as for them, Vyrlle was still busy with her company at hindi nila basta maisingit ang kasal nilang dalawa. Ayos lang naman sa kanya. He's willing to wait.

His heart was already happy. They're living together and they have Vystrelle.

"My sister is still busy. Though, my wife is helping her prepare for their wedding. Hindi nga lang decided ang date." Jyrelle answered on behalf of him.

His friends immediately teased him. Baka raw nagbago na ang isip ni Vyrlle na pakasalan siya kaya pinapatagal ang kasal. Tipid lang siya na ngumiti sa mga kaibigan. No amount of teasing can pissed him off.

Because even him was having a hard time believing what they had. It feels like he was still in his dream. Nandoon lang siya at nakakulong. Because everything arounds him was moving as if they're following a plain path. Everything was going according to that path.

As if it was impossible to get hurt.

"Paano kung hindi nga matuloy ang kasal niyo?" Ryker asked him. Diretso lang ang tingin nito sa kanya.

Tumungo si Light at pinaglaruan ang baso na nasa kamay niya. What if...

"I honestly don't know what to do," mahinang sagot niya sa kaibigan. "If that happens... Ryker, I'm willing to kneel and beg her to take me back."

Bumalik siya sa katinuan niya nang may bumato sa kanya ng lata. It was Alistair grinning like an idiot.

"Gago, takot ka na? Mag-iisang taon na rin kayong engaged ano?" Killian asked and he nodded his head.

Yes, it has been a year. At sa loob ng isang taon na 'yon, their relationship wasn't always in a good shape. There's a lot of misunderstanding, and they always find a way to solve it. Those were the times that reminded him of reality.

It was possible to feel bothered, to feel anxious... It was possible to get hurt.

And every time na mag-aaway silang dalawa ni Vyrlle. Light can't help but to feel scared. Scared that the small fight would turn big and eventually separate them. He still had his insecurities. What if one day he'll fail and break the mask of being the perfect man?

"Hindi, mahal ko yun e," aniya.

His friends tapped his shoulder, ang iba naman ay sinadya na lakasan ang tapik sa balikat niya. Parang bumubuhos ang sama ng loob sa kanya.

Unlike before na sa mismong bar sila ni Alistair natutulog, iba na sila ngayon. Umuuwi na silang matino. Si Yves ang pinaka masaya noong mag desisyon sila na 'wag na masyadong magpakalasing.

"Sunshine? I'm home..." Light trailed. Wala kasing sumalubong sa kanya.

He suddenly wondered if he did something she doesn't like before he left to drink with his friends. Hinubad niya ang suot na sapatos at niluwagan ang necktie bago siya pumasok sa loob ng unit. They're still staying at his sister's unit. The village was still on construction.

"Sunshine?" He called for Vyrlle using their endearment pero hindi ito sumasagot. Hindi rin niya marinig ang boses ni Vystrelle.

Their daughter was usually good at making noises when she heard his voice.

Marahan siyang bumuntong hininga at dumeretso sa banyo, sa loob ng kwarto nila. He knocked three times before he twisted the knob and pushed it open.

"Vyrlle! What happened?!"

Agad siya na lumapit kay Vyrlle. Nakaupo ito sa sahig ng banyo, with her knees folded, her hands were shaking as her pale lips trembled in pain and fear. Light eyed his sunshine and he felt like someone held his heart and squeezed it hard.

He was shaking inside but he forced himself to calm and moved as fast as he could! Kinuha niya ang towel at binalot sa katawan ni Vyrlle, nagkalat ang dugo nito sa banyo nila. Pati ang kamay at legs nito ay puno ng dugo.

"L-luca... I'm..." Light glanced at her. Wala itong boses at nahihirapan na huminga.

"Shh, I'm here. Dadalhin kita sa hospital, okay?"

It was a wise decision not to get drunk. Binuhat niya si Vyrlle at agad na lumabas sa unit niya. He was lucky enough to bump with Castiel. Kahit papaano ay may tumulong sa kanila.

Si Castiel na ang nag-presinta na dalhin sila sa hospital ni Caleb.

"Sunshine... how are you feeling?" mahinahon na tanong ni Light. He needs to be calm.

Pagod na tumingin sa kanya si Vyrlle. Bakas ang pagsisisi sa mga mata nito, she's white as snow and her hands were also cold. Marahan niyang hinalikan ang noo nito.

"I'm... sorry... our baby... our baby, Luca. I'm so sorry..." Vyrlle sobbed.

His heart sank.

"Akala ko... normal lang yung sakit. Iba na pala 'yon. I'm sorry!" Vyrlle was apologizing to him.

Light gathered her in his arms and tightened his hold to her. He closed his eyes as tears slowly streamed down on his face. He was hurting, so was Vyrlle. Light kissed her forehead continually until they reached the hospital.

Avis was waiting for them and immediately aided Vyrlle. Nasa waiting area lang siya at nakatulala sa hangin. They're having a hard time conceiving, because he had undergone a vasectomy reversal. They've been waiting patiently. Still, they lost their little one.

"Bud, magpalit ka muna." Inabot ni Castiel sa kanya ang isang t-shirt pero hindi niya 'yon kinuha.

"Later... Hihintayin ko si Vyrlle."

"Hindi ako magaling mag-comfort, bud. And I'm not gonna ask if you're fine, because I know you're not. Be strong, Light. We're just here for you and Vyrlle." Tinapik ni Castiel ang balikat niya.

Hindi siya iniwan ni Castiel hanggang sa ilipat si Vyrlle sa private room. Tsaka lang din siya nagpalit ng damit. Umupo siya sa monoblock chair malapit sa kama ni Vyrlle at hinawakan ang kamay nito.

Her pale face was still vivid in his mind. Masakit para sa kanya ang mawalan ng anak. But just thinking of losing Vyrlle too. Light was already thinking if he could live a life without her by his side. He'll probably die too.

"Light," kuha ni Avis sa atensyon niya.

She smiled sadly at him and later on explained what happened to Vyrlle and what was the cause of her miscarriage. Light was just listening while caressing Vyrlle's hand. Ayaw niyang bitawan ang kamay nito.

"It wasn't her fault. It was mine. Maybe if I didn't leave her alone, mabilis sana kami nakapunta dito." Light answered Avis. Kapagkuwan ay malamya siya na ngumiti kay Avis. "Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes, of course! She just needs to rest for now and I'll check her up kapag nagising na siya." Avis said.

Avis excused herself after saying that she'll be back. Pinagsiklop ni Light ang mga kamay nila. He kissed the back of her hand while whispering how much she loves her. Hanggang sa hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya na hawak ang kamay ni Vyrlle.

Nagising lang siya nang maramdaman na may sumusuklay sa buhok niya. Agad siya na umayos ng upo at nakita na gising na si Vyrlle. She was smiling at him, painfully. Guilt was written all over her face, as her hand dropped on her bed.

"May masakit ba sayo?" Agad na tanong niya at tumayo para i-check ito.

Vyrlle shook her head.

"Luca... I'm sorry."

Light sighed. He had enough. "Why are you saying sorry?" malambing na tanong niya kay Vyrlle.

"Kasalanan ko. Hindi ako maingat. Ang tagal nating hinintay 'to, ni hindi ko namalayan na isang buwan ko na palang dinadala ang anak natin." Vyrlle cried and with her trembling hand, she caressed his face. Napapikit si Light sa sobrang gaan ng hawak nito.

"Shhh, we're good, sunshine." Hinuli niya ang kamay nito na nasa pisngi niya at marahan na pinisil 'yon. "I know it's going to be a tough road for the both of us... we're going to be okay, hm?"

"Our baby," she whispered.

"Our baby is now in a good place." Light answered. He gently cupped her face and pressed his forehead against hers. "Ibabalik siya sa atin... Just believe in him, okay?"

Marahan na tumango sa kanya si Vyrlle. He's being extra careful around her since that incident happened to them. But after three months of trying again. Light saw the beautiful smile of Vyrlle again, his sunshine was back.

"Hey, is there a problem?" Nag-aalala na tanong niya nang dumalaw ito sa office niya. Nakahiwalay na ngayon ang office niya sa kapatid.

"Wala naman. Dinadalaw ka lang namin ni Vystrelle. Say hi to Dada, little Luca!"

"Hi Dada!"

Malawak na ngumiti si Light nang marinig ang boses ng anak nila. Hindi na ito nauutal at diretso na magsalita. Although, sometimes she's having a hard time pronouncing some words.

"We have a surprise for you, Luca!" Excited na sabi ni Vyrlle.

Naningkit ang mga mata niya sa dalawa. Their little sunshine giggled and covered her mouth cutely with her hands and Vyrlle-his wife was grinning.

Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na mapangiti habang nakatingin sa dalawa. Hinihintay ang sinasabi na surprise ng mga ito. Kinuha niya si Vystrelle sa bisig ni Vyrlle at siya na ang nagbuhat.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Light sa palasingsingan ni Vyrlle. She's wearing three different rings. The promise ring, the engagement ring and lastly, their wedding band. They settled with a simple garden wedding last month while planning to have a grand wedding next year.

"What is it, sunshine?" Light was curious as fuck!

Tumaas ang kilay ni Light dahil sa tagal nito na magkalkal sa bag na dala nito. Vystrelle's bag.

"Found it! Close your eyes, Luca." Utos sa kanya ni Vyrlle.

Not wanting to spoil her surprise for him. Light closed his eyes, mahina siyang natawa nang maramdaman na tinakpan ni Vystrelle ang mga nakapikit na niyang mata.

"Oookay! Open up!"

Vystrelle removed her small hands as Light open his eyes. Kumunot ang mga mata niya nang makita kung ano ang nasa palad ni Vyrlle na nakalahad sa kanya. He was confused as hell not until his eyes caught the word 'positive'.

"Positive? Buntis ka? Nakabuo tayo?" Hindi makapaniwala na tanong ni Light kay Vyrlle.

Sunod-sunod na tumango si Vyrlle sa kanya habang kagat ang pang-ibaba na labi nito.

"Yes, Luca, we made it!" Vyrlle squealed and Vystrelle clapped her hands.

"Thank God!" Light exclaimed happily.

He cupped her nape and leaned closer to kiss her lips, torridly. Light slid his tongue inside her mouth and let Vyrlle sucked it. Mahina siyang dumaing sa ginawa nito.

"Nasa harap natin ang panganay natin, Light," nakangiti na sabi ni Vyrlle.

"Right. Our little sunshine is here." Bitin na sagot ni Light. "Let's go home. Ibabalita ko lang na magiging tatay na ulit ako!"

Vyrlle chuckled and let him drag her home. To their new village. Light was glancing at Vyrlle and their daughter from time to time. He was still floating in happiness. Their little one was finally back.

"Luca, this coming Sunday..." Vyrlle trailed.

"Hm? No need to ask me, sunshine. Of course, sasama tayo." Light answered and caught her hand, interlocked it with his.

Their relationship got stronger and so was their relationship to him. To God. They were still drinking and doing some things he might not like nor favor but as much as they can, iniiwasan na nilang magkakaibigan 'yon.

They started going to church every December. Kinukumpleto nila ang simbang gabi. Hanggang sa naging every Sunday na.

Light stopped his car when they reached the new village's main gate. They need to stop and give their card to their security to swipe their card. They're still using the same card they used in the Lust community.

Their gate split into two and the village welcomed them. Nakakalat ang mga kaibigan niya sa daan kasama ang mga anak nila. Hindi na siya nag-abala na i-park ang sasakyan nila ni Vyrlle sa parking space. He jumped off on his car and waved his hand at them.

"Buddies!! Vyrlle's pregnant! We're having a new baby!"

Light was crying because of happiness as his friends congratulated them.

His relationship with Vyrlle wasn't perfect and living with her, living in the same village with his friends. Light realised that there was no perfect relationship at all. Having an argument and misunderstanding were part of marriage life.

Hindi ibig sabihin na may edad ka na, ay matured na rin mag-isip. There were times that they're all immature as fuck. It was irritating the hell out of their wives.

Light seeks for his wife. His sunshine. The one who gave Light to his life. The one who will be with him through his darkest night.

Just like a flower, she bloomed. She's like a sunflower dancing and smiling upon facing the Light.

He stilled when she looked at him. Natulala si Light nang tangayin ng hangin ang buhok nito, she smiled at him and mouthed 'I love you'. Those three words that always take his breath away.

Lumipat ang tingin niya sa mga kaibigan niya na yakap ang asawa ng mga ito. They're capable of loving someone. Their love were immeasurable. It was deep.

At last. Light can finally say, "Lust community was no longer existing. Literally and figuratively speaking."

Lumapit siya kay Vyrlle at niyakap ito mula sa likuran.

"Welcome to Luca's Village, everyone!"

☕

My last cup of coffee for Light and LCS