Kinaumagahan, ginising ni Jay si Marla habang hawak ang laptop.

"Good morning, Mrs. Guillermo," sabi niya, may ngiting puno ng biro at pagmamahal.

"Good morning," sagot ni Marla, sabay hikab. Ngunit nang makita niya ang laptop sa kamay ni Jay, nag-panic agad siya. "Wait—hindi mo dapat binabasa..."

"I already did," sagot ni Jay, na may malanding tono. "Tapos ko nang basahin lahat. And I must say, I'm impressed. So, this Juan Carlos guy—ako ba talaga 'yon? O nagkataon lang? He's also handsome, playful, and intelligent, seven years younger than Maria. Plus their names, huh? May pagkakatulad sa pangalan ko at pangalan mo."

Namula si Marla at hindi makatingin kay Jay. "Jay! Hindi mo dapat pinakialaman ang laptop ko!"

"Why not? It's beautiful. You're beautiful, you and your mind. And knowing na ako ang inspirasyon mo... I'm honored."

Tumahimik si Marla, pilit na iniwas ang tingin. "Past time ko lang ang pagsusulat. Hindi ko naman masyadong sineseryoso."

"How can you say you're not taking it seriously? Ilang taon mo nang nililihim 'yan, hindi ba? Walang nakakaalam ng writer's side mo," Jay revealed. He smiled to show how proud he is.

"Jay, ibig sabihin ba, alam mo nang nagsusulat ako?" Mas lalong tumindi ang kaba at embarrassment ni Marla. She knew Jay would judge her skills and silly things she had written.

"Matagal na, Marla. Ever since you rejected me, I've been stalking your social media. Nakita kong may post ka one time. It was more than seven years, Marla. Kaya hindi ka na dapat mahiya. And to be honest, I'm one of those people rallying behind your back," masuyong pag-amin ni Jay.

It was as if, in that moment, nothing else mattered because she was happy. Even though she knew Jay was angry at her rejection that time, she still received the support she needed as a writer.

"At hindi ka lang basta supporter? Binasa mo lahat ng works ko?" Mas lalong naantig ang damdamin niya.

"Yes, Marla. Kaya sa pamamagitan ng mga akda mo, doon ko nararamdaman na nagka-interact pa rin tayo," pag-amin naman ni Jay at hinawakan mga kamay ng asawa. "They're not just good—they're all amazing. You're amazing. The world deserves to see this side of you, para mas maka-relate naman sila sa akin at maunawaan nila kung bakit kita hinangaan nang ganito."

"Pero Jay, hindi ako sikat. Hindi naman ako magaling," nahihiyang sabi ni Marla.

"You wouldn't be able to finish a novel if you're not skilled enough. Popularity doesn't matter too. Your finished works will carry you in the long run. Don't underestimate what writers like you could do; like, you even painted me as a traitor in our own country, at muntik pa akong mamatay sa kwento mo," kunwaring mapaghimutok na sagot ni Jay.

"I'm sorry. Ganti ko lang 'yon sa ginawa mo," biro ni Marla.

"I understand why you really held that rage against me." Napahalakhak si Jay

"Aayusin nating lahat ang writing journey mo, Marla. Either mag-self publish ka or magpasa sa publishing houses, nasa likod mo pa rin ako," he continued, encouragingly holding her hand.

"Sigurado ka ba?" tanong ni Marla, puno pa rin ng alinlangan.

"Absolutely, yes," sagot naman ni Jay. "This has been your dream since then, Marla. And it's my job to make sure you achieve it."

"Sobrang swerte ko sa'yo," malambing na pakli ni Marla, saka isiniksik ang sarili sa mga bisig ni Jay, which only made him feel about something else again.

"But do you know what else you're good at, aside from exceptional writing?" Jay asked provocatively as he placed the laptop on the bedside table.

"Ano pa ba? Ang asarin ka?" Napaisip si Marla, but she already had a clue upon seeing her husband's kind of grin.

"You're also good at..." He paused deliberately. "So good at loving me."

He gently pushed her to lie back on the bed, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"You just slept last night, even though you knew how much I've missed you," he said, pretending to be upset.

"I'm sorry, Jay. Pero ang aga pa natin para sa mga ganito," Marla said, sounding like she was about to refuse. Pero kilala naman niya ang kanyang sarili; anumang oras, handa siyang ibigay lahat sa kanyang asawa. She just let out a meaningful laugh.

"So what? Have you forgotten what we did here? Our first night? I missed that, and I missed you even more," Jay teased.

And just like that, Marla gave in. She was the first to kiss him, taking the lead, as they both felt the love they shared.

***

Hindi nagtagal, inilunsad na rin ang unang published book ni Marla. Ang pamagat nito ay "Love in a Dangerous Time," at naging usap-usapan ito sa literary community. Agad itong nakakuha ng atensyon mula sa mga mambabasa, at maraming reviews ang pumuri sa kanyang pagsulat.

Sa book launch event at book signing, hindi maitago ni Marla ang kaba. She had dreamed of it a long time ago. Nakalimutan na nga lang niya na pinangarap niya iyon dahil marami siyang priorities na inuna.

Habang nasa likod pa ng stage, lumapit si Jay at hinawakan ang kanyang balikat. "Relax, Marla. You've got this. And remember, I'm right here, your cheerful and handsome husband."

Ngumiti si Marla saka huminga nang malalim at tumango. "Huwag kang mawawala sa crowd mamaya."

"I won't leave," pangako ni Jay. "Huwag mo na rin akong iiwan."

Pagkatapos ng event, nag-toast sina Jay at Marla habang nakaupo sa kanilang maliit na hardin sa bahay ni Lola Carmen.

"To my favorite novelist," sabi ni Jay at itinaas ang baso ng wine.

"To my muse," sagot ni Marla habang ngumingiti.

They discovered true happiness in the middle of their modest life—a peaceful but purposeful living, full of love, support, and dreams. Jay discovered how to live a simple life and to care for the people around him. On the other hand, Marla realized that despite her strength, she must accept being loved by the person who is prepared to show his worth. Their differences in life and age will no longer matter as long as they are in love.

"Marla, you have had my heart for around 12 years. You must love me for the rest of your life in return," Jay murmured tenderly before planting a kiss on her lips.

"Oo naman, Jay. Mamahalin kita, panghabambuhay," Marla said before she accepted her husband's affectionate kiss.

Wakas.

—Michielokim

12/22/24 10:59 PM