Chapter 29: Wedding

"The suspect is in custody. He was beaten badly by miss Cojuangco before she lost consciousness. He's already inside being interrogated by our detectives."

"This is probably done by the Uytingku's to get even?"

I heard faint voices. Sinubukan kong igalaw ang mga kamay at paa ko. I sigh in relief when I felt it moved. What happened?

Oh, I was attacked.

"Why was she even there in the first place?"

He's kind a familiar. Hindi ko masiyadong maalala pero sigurado akong nakita ko na ang mukha niya noon. When was it?

"Baby..."

I open my eyes and saw Anton. Bakas na naman ang pagaalala sa kaniya. When will I ever stop making him worry? Ang hirap makita na ginagawa ko ito sa kaniya. I hope these violence just stops. Matagal na akong wala sa magulong mundo na 'yon.

"Are you okay?"

Tumango ako. Unti unti akong bumangon para maka upo. I only have minor injuries. Why did I faint? I used to have lots of cuts before.

"The doctor said you are fine. Nawalan ka lang ng malay dahil sa pagod at sa anesthesia na tinurok sayo."

"I'm sorry if I made you worry again."

He sighed heavily, "Bakit hindi mo sinabi na pupunta ka roon? Sinamahan sana kita."

I saw him looking at my arm. Napatingin din tuloy ako sa kung saan may benda. "I had it removed. Hindi ko na sinabi kasi saglit lang naman sana."

"I didn't even know na may ganon ka. Bakit mo pinatanggal?"

"Once we get married, you may want a child. We haven't talked about that but I thought I shouldn't have that anymore."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Ang mga tingin niya sa akin ay malalim, pero may kulay. I smiled to assure him that it's okay.

"I can't wait to marry you, damn it!"

Natawa ako. Lumapit ako para halikan siya. I couldn't explain whatever this is about but I feel very happy. There were humps but I am happy to overcome it all, if he's in the end of the line waiting for me. This the kind of feeling I longed, for years... when I thought he will never come back to me. I didn't even wish for him to come. It just happens. Like God knew what I need and He gave it. He really knows what's for you.

I remember my life before. All the violence and blood I spilled, who would have thought that I will get to have a future like this? When he came, colors filled my black and light vision. Anton didn't change me. I changed for him. To be a better person, for him. To be deserving for him.

I would never feel ashamed anymore.

Bumukas ang pinto. Pumasok ang dalawang pulis kabilang na si officer Magalang. Anton stood up to face them.

"Good evening, mister Zobel, miss Cojuangco.."

"Is there an update?" Anton asked.

"The suspect has confessed and we are here to verify his statement. He's Orlando Miguel, 30 years of age and a gangster. He said you know him. Maraming beses na daw kayong naglaban noon sa arena."

"Marami akong nakalaban noon pero pamilyar nga ang mukha niya sa akin. Was this an act of revenge?"

The officer nods, "That's what he's telling us. But, we are not closing any doors yet. Maaari na may kinalaman din dito ang Uytingku lalo na't malaki ang galit nila sa'yo. Patuloy pa namin iimbestigahan ito."

What happened to me wasn't broadcasted by the media. Nakatulong ang pagiging private ng mga Zobel dahil doon. I spent days healing on my house. Kung magtagal pa kasi ako sa hospital, dadami lang ang makakapansin.

The wedding day is coming fast. Everything is settled and we were hoping na hindi na magkaroon ng aberya. Or I doubt something like that would happen given that it was organized by Donya. That woman accepts no error. Although I don't feel at ease whenever she's near, I'm starting to be familiarize with her presence.

Ismael my brother is on school vacation. His friends are also invited to the wedding. Medyo naka recover na rin siya sa mga nangyari.

"Ate, come!"

Nagulat ako sa sigaw ni Ismael. He sounded rush kaya napatayo agad ako para daluhan siya. Mabilis siyang tumakbo papunta sa kwarto ni mama. My heart started pounding.

Pagpasok ko, nasa paligid niya ang dalawang nurse niya. I immediately went beside her. Nakahiga siya at naka suot pa ng pantulog. But what surprise me is that she's looking at me...

She is looking at me?

"I'm going to call her doctor, ma'am. She's now responding with us."

"M-Mama..."

She couldn't speak. But her looking at me is a good sign. I saw her fingers move. Hinawakan ko agad ang kamay niya at dinampi ito sa pisnge ko upang maramdaman niya ako. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pag iyak.

"Ma... We miss you! We are here. We are here with you..."

"Ma..." Ismael also broke down.

She try to stretch her face, for a smile. Napahagulgol na ako sa iyak. Niyakap namin siya ni Ismael. I'm so happy she's now with us. Wala pa ang doctor pero magandang senyales ito.

I heard the nurse called me and said the doctor is on his way. I remain my eyes on my mother. I don't want to take my eyes off her. What if this was just a dream? No, impossible. This is real. She's finally back with us!

Hindi ko napigilan ang saya at magpasalamat ng sobra. It's been years. We waited for this to come. Ilang taon siyang unresponsive at tulala lang. I don't know how it happened or I won't even care, as long as she's now okay. And, she will be at my wedding!

After the doctor examined her, he prescribed a different medication that could help her more. Nag recommend na rin siya ng professional physical therapist to help my mother moves. If she continues to be okay, within a month or so, maaari na raw siyang maka lakad. But right now, she's back here.

She's acknowledging everyone. When somebody asks her, she nods. Nakakaintindi na siya. Pagsasalita na lang ang kulang. But that's fine!

I was so delighted when I told Ali about it. Pauwi na siya rito galing business meeting. Hindi ko na lang din muna pinagsabi sa mga kakilala para maiwasan ang pag dagsa nila sa bahay.

Ali immediately hug me. I was smiling and tearing up until now actually.

"I'm glad she's back, baby. How is Tita?"

"She couldn't speak yet, but she's now answering to us. Na kwento ko na sakaniya ang tungkol sa atin. She's waiting to meet you."

Si Ismael at isang nurse na lang ang natira sa loob ng kwarto ni mama. My brother never left her side since she comes back. Tumayo lang siya ng makita kaming dalawa ni Anton.

"Ma, si Ali po.."

"Good evening po, tita."

My mother smiles, and nods to acknowledge Anton. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at naupo sa dulo ng kama.

"I told you. Hindi ka kasi naniniwala sa akin kanina e." I joked, tears burst again.

Umiling siya, nakangiti pero naiiyak na rin. Tumango ako at hinaplos ang paa niya. I know mama, I know. You have always like him for me. I know.

"I'm glad you came back with us, tita. You will finally see the woman she become, successful and contented." Ali

Kinuwento ko ang nangyari sa kumpanya mula nang mawala si Papa. And right now, na maintain ko ang paglago ng kumpanyang iningatan nilang dalawa. Iniwasan kong banggitin masiyado si Papa dahil parang sumasama ang mood niya but I know, she has the rights to know everything.

Mama wanted to visit the Uytingku in jail. Mabuti na lang at napigilan namin ni Ismael. Hindi makakatulong kung makita niya lang ang mga hayop na 'yun. Her doctor also advised us not to put her in stress kasi maaari na bumalik na naman siya sa dati kung ma-trigger na naman ang depression niya.

Tinulungan ako ni Beni sa bridal gown ko. Siya at yung lawyer na naging kaibigan ko ang ginawa kong bride's maid. They are the only girl friends I have. I also invited some of my gangster bro. Ilan sa kanila ang nagsabi na pupunta. I tried to contact Hades but I heard he's missing? Ewan. Magulo pa rin yata ang buhay niya. The last time he went to me was when he asked me about something in the gangster world. I still had my connections inside kaya natulungan ko siya. I wonder what he's up to?

I closed my eyes and call Him. I just want to ask for forgiveness, for the mistakes I made, for the sins I committed, for the shortcomings I ignore to my family, to the ones I hurt, I hope someday, you will forgive me. For the past years, I never forget to call Him and ask this. Hindi ako mapanampalataya pero naniniwala pa rin ako sa Kaniya. Hindi rin ako naniniwala talaga noon sa karma pero siguro nga, iyon ang dahilan ng lahat ng sakit na naranasan ko.

Although hindi na maibabalik pa ang mga nangyari, umaasa pa rin ako na pakinggan Niya ako at tanggapin ang kapatawaran ko.

Those years I have suffered, it paid off.

Katulad ng palaging sinasabi ng iba, wala na nga yata akong hihilingin pa. As I look back from my previous life, I'd say I am truly contented and happy, more realistic than what I presume was happiness before.

Who would have thought that a trouble maker like me, a woman with no bright future will be experiencing this? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nagawa ko para mabigyan ng ganitong hanggan.

Do I deserve this? I think I do. I deserve to be happy, to feel loved, to be matter to someone, to be appreciated, I want all of this. Thanks to the man who have love me unconditionally. I promise to give back your love, kindness and patience through a happy family.

I bit my lip. My lips are shaking. I try to stop myself from crying, but when I saw my mother's tears, it just went down uncontrollably. She may not be able to speak up, voice out her words but I feel her feelings for me. Nararamdaman ko ang kasiyahan niya para sa akin.

"Baby, stop crying please?" then, I turn to the love of my life. The man whom I promised to share life forever. He's holding my hand, forcing himself not to shed tears but when the vocal starts singing the song Beautiful in white, he lost it. He cries in front of everyone, looking so in love, for me.

The man I swore to protect. The man I will swear with in this very front of the altar, with everyone watching, including Him, with this love I swore to never end, to be with him in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, through light and darkness, the man who will be part of me and the man who dreams a happy family with me,

"I have loved you, I love you and I will ever always love you, Antonius."

The man who accepted my past without doubt. He loved every darkness within me, and painfully embraced my torn even if it bruises him. The man who I thought would never look at me, is the same man who came back to me when I had started to open myself up. The man who patiently waited me for all these years, longed for my lost love but never gave up.

"the Gangster Queen— Arden Cojuangco Zobel, you're finally fucking married with me."