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                                                                Chapter 1

        Mike's father visited him in his house. They sat facing each other in his living room. 
        "I didn't know you were coming to visit me in my house dad, is there anything important that you want to talk to me huh Dad?" he asked looking at his father, Enrique.
        "I want to see you son and you're right there's something I want  to talk to you about," his father's answer to him intently looking at him. "You know son, I'm getting older and older and you know that I've been longing to have a grandson."
        "I know that dad," he answered smiling at him.
        "You're already thirty years old and you have already proven to me and to so many people how good you are at managing our businesses. You're already a highly respected and successful businessman Mike."
        "I know that Dad," he replied grinning at him.
        His father just smiled at him. "But up to know you're still single."
        "And I intend to keep it that way; besides, I still have a lot of plans for our companies," he answered.
        "All you do is work. All you think about is to expand our businesses. You keep on working but you don't really have a family of your own to share it with. Who do you intend to leave all your wealth and properties, to me huh?" smiling a little he asked his beloved son.
        Mike laughed at what his father had just told him. "You really dad," he just said.
        "This is what I really came here for son," he said. "You know for a fact that I already have someone in mind, someone I want you to marry. When you were twenty-three and was already working in our company, I asked you to marry my best friend's daughter, Margaret. You refused and told me that you want instead to focus on your work, on our businesses. I give in and respected your decision. From then on I haven't brought up that topic anymore. But now, just like what I said earlier, you have proven yourself to everyone, to me son. Just do this for me son. Go and see Margaret. Just take her out, for a date. She's the best lady for you son. She's beautiful, any man would be proud to have her as his lady. Again son, just do this for me. If you still won't like her still after you had taken her out for a date, I promise I will no longer ask you to marry her," he ended seriously.
          Mike looked at his father intently. He thought for a moment before he started talking. "Okay Dad, I'll do what you're asking me. But afterwards and we still haven't got along, you're no longer bringing up that marriage stuff once again," his calm answer to his father.
         His answer made his father smile. "That's great son," happily he exclaimed. Afterwards he held on the sofa and stood up.
        "Where are you going now Dad. Don't you want to stay longer here in my place and have lunch with me huh?" his question to his father.
        "No son, I'd rather leave immediately, so you could start preparing yourself for your date with Margaret. It's a Sunday and you don't have work today," his answer to Mike smiling at him. Slowly, 

he headed towards the door and after he opened it he glanced back at his son. "Charm her son, show her how handsome my son is," he said grinning and finally went through the door leaving Mike behind in his own house.
        After his father had left, Mike headed to his room. Slowly, he walked towards his huge bed. He laid in the middle of it. He rested his head on his mattress with his hands behind his head. He stared at his ceiling and thought. Mike and Margaret's families were very close. And even when they were still both children, Mike and Margaret were already friends and very dear to each other. And they remained close when they became older. The last happy memories they had was when he was still nineteen and Margaret was eighteen.  
They had just finished playing table tennis on Margaret's backyard. They headed inside the house ask for snacks from their parents. When they reached the second floor of the house, they headed towards the balcony. Their mothers who were close friends since they were both children were in the balcony talking to each other. Smiling and holding each others hands, they walked towards their parents when they both heard their conversation. Mike and Margaret both overheard and learned of their mothers's plan to marry the two of them in the future. And from that day on, Mike noticed Margaret's coldness towards him and avoiding him.
        Every time he went back to her house with his mother to visit the two of them, Margaret just wouldn't go down to see him. And every time they met, Margaret wouldn't talk to him like she always did before. She would just say hi to him and leave him immediately after. The same thing happened every time they saw each other in Margaret's house and even on other places. Until they became more distant to each other. After a year her mother died. And another year passed and Mike's mother died. And because of this, Mike and Margaret hardly saw each other.
        When they were both older and were already working Mike still noticed Margaret's coldness towards him and avoiding him. Mike focused his attention on his work and continued strengthening and expanding their business. Mike was tall, dark and handsome. He had a beautiful girlfriend. But his relationship with her ended soon. He also heard Margaret had a boyfriend. He felt something in his heart when he heard of this. He continued working hard at their company and built his own life. 

At the age of twenty-five Mike became the chairman of the board. His family held the 65% of the shares of stocks in their company, the Llamanzares Inc.. He got the position not only because of their family's large share but also because the other stockholders had their full trust on Mike's capacity to manage and head their company. Mike has proven himself as a businessman in fact he was always awarded as one of the youngest and best businessmen in Cebu City. He also owned many wide lands in the whole of Cebu Province. But the biggest of these lands was in Cebu City itself. There were many big and tall buildings standing on this land. And the rent alone that Mike earned from this lands made Mike wealthier. Mike was one of the richest businessman in the whole of Cebu Province. 

         Margaret also hailed from a wealthy family. She chose to work and live as a teacher. She taught 
at a Elementary School. She was teaching grade-five students at a prominent private schools frequented by rich children in their city. Her father continued managing and heading their businesses. They held the biggest Cargo Forwarding Business in Cebu City, the Arnaiz, Inc. They also owned many lands in the whole of Cebu Province and even in Negros and Bohol. Margaret's family was wealthy but Mike's family much more wealthier. 
         Mike took a deep breath. He decided to see Margaret in their house. He headed to his bathroom and took a bath. Afterwards he changed and left his house. When he reached her house, he learned that she had attended a school activity with the students at the school where she was teaching. So he drove his car and headed for the private elementary school. In just a short span of time, he reached the school. He saw from his car, that he was trying to park, the group of teachers and students going out of the school through the wide gate. Carefully, he searched for Margaret among them. He didn't fail for he saw her walking out of the tall gate of that school. Immediately, he went down of his car. He closed his door before turning and walking towards Margaret. They're eyes instantly met. But she immediately avoided him and looked the other way. He shook his head. But still he decided to approach her and talk to her. He walked fast and tried to meet her while she was walking. He noticed her glanced back at him. So he smiled at her immediately. When they were finally standing right in front of each other, he immediately greeted her. "Hi, Margaret," his short greeting to her.
         "Hi," she just said greeting him back.
         Nothing has changed, Margaret was still as beautiful as ever, he softly whispered to himself. "Are you going home?" he asked softly looking at her pretty face.
         "Yeah, I am," she answered him and smiled at the young students leaving and saying their good bye to her.
         "If that's the case, I'll bring you to your home then," he told her looking intently at her eyes.
         "No, don't bother Mike; besides, our driver is with me, he's waiting for me," she answered glancing towards her parked car with their driver on board. But she stood in front of him instead of walking towards her driver waiting for her. She looked intently at Mike. "Okay, Mike, I'll let you bring me home. The truth is, I have something to tell you," she said seriously, intently looking at him.
        Her statement made Mike smile. He gently held her elbow and escorted her to his waiting car. She gave him a look, and in reaction he took his hand off her. Shaking his head and smiling a little, he walked beside her going to his car. When they were already on the side of his car, he slowly opened the door and looked back at her. He raised his right eyebrow fast and smiled at her just like what he used to do when they were much younger when she amused him. He noticed what he did made her smile a little but she immediately turned her smile off her face. She stepped her right leg going into his car and he stared at her white and smooth legs. He held his breath for a moment. She sat on the front seat. He then gently closed the car's door and slowly circled in front of his car. When he was walking right in front of the car, he saw her looking at him, so Mike improved his stance and walked as manly as he could for her. When he reached his other door, he gently opened it. He stared at her beautiful face before stepping his right leg into his car. He inhaled and held the steering wheel of his car. He glanced at her on right and gave her his most dashing smile.  She looked down a little on the floor. He saw a smile playing on her lips. And it made him felt good and so he coughed slightly for he wanted her to look up to him and see her smile better. She did and he noticed she focused for a moment on his dashing smile playing on his manly lips.

         “Hi Margaret,” he greeted her once again without looking at her.

          He heard her giggle a little but she did not say a word. He held on his car's steering wheel tightly and started driving his expensive car. He continued driving on the road and after some time he spoke once again.
          "Margaret," he said.
          "Mike," she just said looking at road in front of them.
          "Margaret, there's something I want to tell you," he stated as he continued driving carefully on the road.
          "What is it?" her soft question to him.
          "Do you still remember that thing before... that..." he said softly and glancing at her he realized she knew what he was talking about so he decided to go on with it. "That thing about the two of us, that the two of us are supposed to marry each other when the right time comes." He noticed her face suddenly turned serious. He hesitated so he decided not to go on and stopped talking.
         "Mike, that is also the very reason why I accepted your offer to bring me home," her seriously sounding statement to him. She glanced at him by her side and continued. "Dad also talked to me about that recently."
         "Really, he talked to you about that too," Mike just said glancing at her on his right. He wanted to tell her something but he chose to listen to her first.
         She continued speaking. "Mike, I really would like you to go and talk to my Dad," she uttered and stopped for a moment. She took a deep breath before continuing with what she wanted to tell him. "Tell Dad that you disagree with their plan to marry the two of us," her next statement and once again took a deep breath beside him.
         Mike did not move for a moment hearing her words to him. He slowly glanced at her by his side and looked intently at her. "No, I'm not telling him that Margaret," he stated gently but firmly. "Margaret, what I want is for us to give it a try, see if we could like each other, as a man and woman, the two of us." After he took a deep breath he looked back on the road and continued driving his car.
        "Mike," she uttered closing her eyes tightly. When she opened her eyes she saw Mike looking at her once again at her, gazing at her eyes. 
        "No Margaret, I want the two of us to try and see if we could like each other as a couple," he repeated.  "And immediately tomorrow, I'm going to fetch you outside your school and you're going with me."
         "But Mike," she uttered once again looking at him.
         "No buts Margaret. Tomorrow I'm going to fetch you," his firm statement and smiled at her. "And besides, you've got a lot of explaining to do to me. And I already want to hear your answer."   
          "What am I going to explain to you?" she asked him.
          "What did I do to you? Did I do you wrong?" his successive questions to her.     
          "N-no, you did not do anything wrong Mike," her hesitant answer.
          "Oh, so I didn't do anything wrong to you. Then I'm fetching you tomorrow and bring some clothes," he told her.
          "Why would I bring some clothes?" she suddenly asked him.
          "Just bring some clothes along, just like before, when both our families would go to your rest house by the beach. And I'm calling your dad to ask for his permission right after I reach my own house."
         "Mike..." she just aid.
         "Margart..." he just said too. Took a deep breath, smiled and continued driving his car on the road.

                                                                          Chapter 2


        Mike and Margaret instantly saw each other as the later was leaving and walking through the big gate of the private school she was teaching. He bowed his slight down to his side and smiled at her greeting her. Hesitant but she smiled back at him. He immediately walked towards her. When they were already near each other, he greeted her once again. "Hi Margaret." He saw her looking at her female co-teachers near them outside the school. He also smiled at all of them and afterwards looked back at Margaret focusing on her once again.
         "Margaret, who's that handsome and tall man smiling at you huh?" Eleonor, Margaret's dearest friend and co-teacher asked her.
         "I'm Mike, Mike Llamanzares" he introduced himself and did not wait for Margaret to introduce him to her.
         "Nice to meet you Mike, by the way, I'm Eleonor. Margaret's best friend," her introduction of herself to him. "This is the first time that I saw you here."
         "This is my second time to come here," his answer to her.
         "Wait, didn't you just said your name was Mike? her sudden question. He saw Margaret suddenly looked intently at her.
         "Yes, I'm Mike."
         "Then you're the-" He saw Margaret looked even more intently at her. The two women stared at each other intently like they were talking to each other through their eyes. "Right, you're the big businessman that the two of us, Margaret saw in one of the cover of a popular magazine," she just said suddenly.

         Mike felt that wasn't really what Eleonor intended to say and what was in his mind made him smile and felt good. He saw Eleonor's eyes brightened when she repeated saying his name. He brought his attention back to Margaret.
         "Are you ready Margaret?" he asked her. "I'd already asked for your dad's permission and he already agreed. So you have nothing to worry about."
         Margaret didn't say a word. She was just looking up and staring at his really handsome face. Her driver went out of her car suddenly and hurriedly approached the two of them outside the private school.
        "Sir Mike, here's Ma'am Margaret's bag. Where will I put this?" his immediate question when he got near the two of them.

       "You're really ready Margaret," he said grinning at her. She just shook her head slightly smiling a little. "What are we waiting for, let's go Margaret."
       "Okay, let's go Mike," Margaret just said.
       "We'll go ahead of you Eleonor," Mike bid good bye to Eleonor and to the rest of Margaret's co-teachers who were all staring at him.

        "Bye Mike, bye Margaret," smiling, Eleonor bid good bye to the two of them.
        He noticed Eleonor once again looked intently at Margaret and giggled slightly. What he noticed from the two girls made Mike smile from where he was standing. He then took Margaret's other hand and gently brought her to his car. When he opened his car, he made her sat where she sat the other day. He circled once again going to the other door of his car. He sat on the driver's seat and afterwards he opened his other on the back so he could place Margaret's bag besides his. And when he had already closed all the doors, Mike started driving his car. They had traveled  far but Margaret remained quiet on her seat beside him. He spoke once again. "We're going to the house of my close friend on a beautiful island. He and his whole family are in America so I borrowed it from him."
        "Really," Margaret just said.
        "That is the only house in that island Margaret," he told her. "So it will just be the two of us down there. No one will disturb us," he said and immediately glanced at her beside him. He looked at her and like what he thought her face was slightly red. It made him smile, Margaret looked even more beautiful every time her face turned slightly red.
         "Only the two of us down there huh?" she asked him.
         "Yes, only the two of us on that beautiful island and no one is going to disturb us," he repeated smiling at her.
         Margaret quieted for a moment. She suddenly sighed from her seat while she was looking at the road they were following. "Mike are you doing this because your father asked you to do this huh?" she asked as she continued looking at the road ahead of them.
         Mike didn't answer. The expression on his face suddenly changed and turned serious. After a moment he spoke once again. "I want to be with you Margaret," his soft and firm answer to her. He glanced at her by his side. He noticed a smile forming on her beautiful and sweet face. He suddenly breathed air. The expression on her face made him smile. He saw that smile on her face which he hadn't seen for a long long time. After some time, they reached a small port. He immediately opened the car's door, got out and went around to where she was seated. He then held her hand and assisted her getting off the car. 
         "What are we going to ride to go there Mike?" she asked while she was looking at the sea in front of them. 
         He pointed at a sea-vessel tied on a small rounded post on a small port. "There on my speed boat," he answered her. Afterwards he took both their bags at the back seat of his car. After he had closed and locked it properly, the two of them walked together towards his docked vessel. He jumped carefully going to inside the vessel carrying the bags on his shoulder. After he placed the bags on the seat on the side, he reached for her hand and assisted her getting inside the speed boat. Margaret jumped in. And when her feet landed on the floor, the vessel shook slightly so Mike placed his right arm around her waist to steady her. Close to each other, the two stared at each other for a moment. He smiled at her and slowly removed his arm that was hugging her waist.
        "Sit here Margaret," he commanded her.
        She first looked at the part of the vessel that he pointed at and afterwards moved towards it. After she got herself seated, Mike immediately sat beside her. He took a deep breath and glanced at her beside him. He closed his eyes. Moments had passed but still he remained seated beside her. When he opened his eyes, he saw Margaret looking at his face. He smiled at her once again, stood up and started driving the speed boat. 
        He was standing holding the steering wheel of the boat with his two hands. He drove it slow first. After a short while it started peaking up its speed. The two immediately felt the strong sea-winds caressing both their faces. After some time they saw the island that they were heading for. It was so beautiful and it got even more beautiful as they continued nearing it. They noticed that the sea around it was so clean and clear. When they got near the small port, Mike immediately climbed up and stood on the long and narrow wooden port. He swiftly turned back to get the bags from Margaret. He placed them on his right shoulder. He then gently reached for Margaret's hand to pull her up. He held on to his other hand when her feet finally touched the wooden floor of the small port. He released both her hands and place his right arm on her shoulder. Margaret just smiled at him. The two walked together on the long and narrow wooden port. And in just a short while they finished walking on the wooden port and then they walked on the cemented pathway going to a big garden. As they went nearer they started seeing the the big mansion of Mike's friend. Margaret was impressed by the view of the entire mansion and its surroundings. She surveyed the entire place. Afterwards, Mike asked her to continue walking with him going inside the big mansion. They stepped on the stairs with five steps and afterwards they approached a big door in front of the mansion. He immediately took the key from his pocket and keyed it in. When it opened, he pushed slowly opening it. They saw the breathtaking view inside the mansion. They watched the entire household before they started walking towards the living room. 
       "Let's sit first Margaret," he invited her.
       "Okay," she answered him and immediately sat. Mike sat beside her. He sat really near her. He intentionally exhaled aloud so she would glance at him beside her. She looked up and glanced at him. "My friend,s mansion is beautiful isn't it Margaret?"
       "Yes, this mansion is really beautiful," she answered and once again surveyed the inside of the entire household.
       "Did you get tired on our trip going here Margaret?" he asked glancing at her beside him with his face close hers.
       "Not really. Besides our trip didn't took that long," she answered him.
       After they had rested for a short while, Mike asked her to go up the mansion. She nodded and followed
Mike who walked ahead of climbing up the stairs. When they finally reached the second floor, they immediately walked along the lines of really big rooms. They stopped in front of a elaborately carved door.
        "This will be your room Margaret," he told her. "And this one beside it, will be my room. He then slowly opened the room for Margaret. When it got opened, he walked going inside it. He saw the huge and stylish bed. He went near it and made sure that it would be comfortable for Margaret. He looked back at her, he saw that she was still standing outside and in front of the opened door. That made him smile slightly. "Come here Margaret, sit beside me on the bed," smiling he asked her and immediately sat on the side of the huge bed. But Margaret didn't move from where she was standing. So Mike, stood up and walked towards her. When he got near her, he gently held both her hands. "Come inside, let's sit beside each other," he invited her once again. He walked backwards still facing her and holding her hands. Hesitant, but Margaret followed him looking up to his face. In just a few steps they already stopped walking backwards. He looked at her beautiful face for a moment and afterwards continued walking backwards. When the back of his legs touched the side of the bed, Mike sat. He was looking up at her with her hands still on his. He smiled at her.
"Sit beside me Margaret."
       Margaret's face slightly blushed and slowly sat beside him. They sat beside each other on the bed for a moment. Margaret was just quiet and Mike was smiling looking at her beside him. Afterwards he moved away from her so he could place his legs on the huge bed. He laid on the bed and looked at her intently on his side. "Margaret..." he called her. She did not say a word so Mike slowly got up and moved kneeling towards her sitting on the side of the bed. When he was at her back, he gently hugged her. He gently touched her right face with his left face. He kissed her gently on her face. "I like you Margaret..." he whispered to her. "I am attracted to you for a long time now... and I want you to know that now..." Margaret still did not say a word so he released her from his gentle embrace and slowly moved in front of her. He gently pulled her up facing him. Holding both her hands, he asked her. "Do you like me too Margaret..."
        Margaret gently placed her face on his chest. "I like you too Mike..." Mike walked back slightly.
        "He cupped her face with both his hands and tilted it upwards to him. "You like me too Margaret?" he asked once again wanting to hear her say it to him once more.
        "Yeah Mike, I like you too..." her answer to him.
        Mike immediately bowed his head to kiss her on her lips. He vowed some more until his lips finally touched her soft and reddish lips. Afterwards, he embraced her once again. He embraced her tightly in his arms. He released her from his embrace only to clear something between them. "I thought you didn't like me, that's why you had been avoiding me before."
       "I also thought you didn't like me that's why I'd been avoiding you," her answer to him.
       "How could you think that I didn't like you?" his immediate question looking intently at her face.
       "I felt you were against our parents plan to marry us because after we heard both our parents talked about marrying us, you did not look at me afterwards, the whole time I think. I really felt you got mad with we both heard that day," her confession to him.

       "Yes, I remember that. But that was only because I suddenly felt embarrassed towards you. I didn't know what you were thinking on that day. I thought maybe you didn't like the idea of the two of us getting married because I was just a friend for you and nothing more," he explained. "But after a few days, I already started approaching you. But you wouldn't talk to me..."
        "But that was only because I felt you were only forced to do it. Remember, three days after, you and your mom went back to our house. And still you didn't say anything to me, nor approach me. You only approached me when your mother told you so while she was talking to my mom."
       "Yes, I remember that but I really wanted to approach you and talk to you then, I just didn't know how I was going to. And when my mom told me to talk to you, I immediately grabbed on the opportunity. I suddenly got a reason to approach you. But still you did not talk to me, nor look at me. And then you immediately turned your back on me. And from then on, you never faced me. You had been avoiding me. But that's not important now Margaret. What matters most now is that we know that we both like each other. And I'm so happy to know that Margaret," he said softly and embraced her once again.
       "I'm also happy to know that you like me too Mike..." her soft whisper to him while she was embracing him.
       "Come, let's go outside, I want to do the things that we used to do when we were both still young on the  
beach front," he invited smiling at her.
       "Okay, if that's what you want," she answered smiling and looking at him.

    

                                                                       Chapter 3
     
       Margaret went down with her skinny jeans, tank top and sandals. Mike immediately looked up to her from where he was sitting in the living room. He was captivated by her beauty. He immediately stood up to meet her going down. And she got near him, he reached for her hand. He brought her right hand to his lips and kissed it. He kissed her on the back of her palm.
       "You're so beautiful Margaret," he praised her still looking at her.
       "Thank you," she answered. "And you too, you still haven't changed, you're still as handsome as I could remember."
        "Well, it's good to know that you know that I was always handsome ever since," he answered her teasingly.
         He placed his arm around her shoulder and walked her out of the big mansion. Once again, they passed the big and beautiful garden. They continued walking and after a short while they started seeing the beach front. The sands was remarkably white and fine.
        "When we were still children we always walked around and played on the beach front Margaret," he said reminding her of their childhood.
        "Yes, you always accompany me every time I asked you," she answered.
        "Yeah, and even if I'm already tired I still did what you wanted me to do because I didn't want you to be sulky with me," he reminded her once again.
        "That's why you had always been my favorite friend ever since."
        "And I felt the same too, you were also my favorite friend.." They stopped walking when they were a few steps away from the shallow sea-water. They felt and inhaled the fresh air that was coming from the wide sea in front of them.
        "Like always, the whole of the beach could make us both feel good," Mike stated looking at her smiling as she was looking at the wide sea and around the place.
        "Yeah it always does," she replied glancing at him near her.
        "I remember chasing you around the beach, and every time I caught you I would carry you on my right shoulder and ran around and pretend that you're my captive," he said laughing a little.
       "And I would pretend to protest. But every time you put me down back on the sand and walked away. I would run back to you and ask you to carry me some more. And I remember you looking excited every time I did that. You would carry me as long as you could and impress me how strong you really were."
       "And...?" he asked looking at her face.
       "And I was always impressed," she answered smiling and looking up at him.
       He then hugged her gently in his arms and looked down on her beautiful face. She just looked up and smiled back at him. Mike and Margaret talked some more and reminisced on their happy childhood and teen years. They couldn't help but smile and laugh at every thing they remembered doing together. The two then decided to change on their swimming apparels. They looked at each other and realized that they had changed a lot. Mike had become manlier and Margaret more of a woman. They were both gorgeous. Mike then held both her hands and gently pulled her and walked backwards going to the shallow sea water. She just smiled and looked up at him as he continued walking backwards holding her hands. In just a few steps the two started feeling on their feet the cold and clean sea-water. When they were both in the right depth, Mike submerged his body and head into the water. He surfaced right after. Looking down he watched her face in front of him. He became even handsomer with his wet hair. He shook his head and some sea water sprinkled on Margaret's face. That made her smile. Margaret submerged too and immediately surfaced. She also shook her head and some sea water sprinkled on Mike's face. He laughed but stopped immediately and caressed her cheeks. Margaret looked even more gorgeous with her wet hair. He then hugged her gently and carried her in his arms. He stood looking at her in his arms for a moment and lowered his head to kiss her tenderly on her lips. With her eyes closed Mike kissed her. He stopped immediately and walked towards the deeper part of the sea. And when he thought they were already on the right depth he gently lowered her down. Margaret needed to swim because the sea level was already above her height though she was also tall. While Mike just smiled at her, still standing on the sand for he was really tall. Mike took some more steps forward and holding her hand. And when they were in the deep part of the sea, they started swimming together. They swam and swam together and after some time, Margaret felt Mike embracing her from below her. He guided her arms around him. And when she was already hugging him Mike started swimming. Mike swam for the two of them. While they were underwater, Mike gently swam cyclical going farther away from the beach front. Mike was a strong and excellent swimmer and he could easily swam Margaret using his strong legs and arms. After a short while, Mike gently removed Margaret's arms around him at swam once again beside her. They swam once again going farther and deeper in the wide sea. Mike and Margaret enjoyed each others company and their swim. They missed each other and now that they are together they made the most of it. When they had swam enough, Mike asked her to go back to the beach front. And when they were in the part of the sea where Mike could already walk, he carried Margaret on his big and muscular arms. Margaret was just looking up at him while he was walking and carrying her. On the beach front, Mike laid on the sands.  Mike watched and admired the beauty and body of Margaret. From where he was lying,  he reached up for her hand. He pulled her towards him. Margaret laid beside him. With admiration, Mike glanced at her lying beside him. They stayed on the sand for some time and then Mike moved and laid on his side so he could watch Margaret's face better. Gently, he caressed her soft and smooth face. Margaret closed her eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her once again in her soft and red lips. Afterwards, he moved and laid on his back once again. He held her hand, smiled and looked at the sky above them. He squeezed Margaret's hand gently and glanced at her once again. Margaret glanced back and smiled at him. He then pulled her closer and hugged her tenderly with his left arm beneath her. They both savored the joy and happiness of being beside each other after a long long time.
       Suddenly, Margaret heard something. "Mike, something's approaching," she told him.
       Mike released Margaret from his embrace and looked at the direction of the source of the sound. Margaret eased up a bit and looked at the sea. The two of them saw a motorized-boat approaching them.
       In just a short while the motorized-boat stopped. An elderly woman bridged down, with her was a ten-year old boy. The two just arrived waved at Mike and Margaret.
       "Sir Mike!" Lady Teodora called aloud. The mother and child walked fast towards Mike and Margaret.
Near them she said, "It's good you have already arrived Sir Mike." She then glanced at Margaret and greeted her. "Good afternoon Ma'am."
        "Good afternoon too," Margaret greeted her back.
         "Good afternoon Lady Teodora. By the way this is my girlfriend, Margaret," he greeted and introduced Margaret to her.
        "I'm happy to meet you Ma'am," pleasantly, she said.
        "I'm happy to meet you too Lady Teodora," her pleasant answer to her.
        "Ah... I really don't want to disturb the two of you. I'm going to the kitchen now so I could cook some food for you and Ma'am Margaret," she told them and immediately held the hand of her son.
       "Okay, Lady Teodora and thank you so much," Mike said. He smiled at the young boy. Hesitant, the young boy smiled back at Mike and to Margaret. Margaret too smiled at the boy who kept looking back at them as he walked with his mother going to the big mansion. When the two had disappeared from their sight, Mike held Margaret's hand. "Let's stay here on the beach and walk around," he suggested to Margaret. "Maybe sometime later, we'll already have some food for dinner."
       "Okay Mike," her answer to him holding his hand back on her side.
       Mike and Margaret started walking around the whole island. There were so many coconut trees around.
There were also many different kind of trees in the place. It was so beautiful to watch the many ripe papaya fruits hanging on the short papaya trees lining around the beautiful island. Margaret saw and noticed a huge rock on one part of the shallow sea near the beach front they were walking. It was a pale blue huge rock.
        "Look at that rock Mike, isn't it beautiful," she said admiringly as she continued looking at it.
        "Yes, it's beautiful Margaret, I think it's about twice as big as my speed boat," he commented looking at the bluish rock formation on the shallow sea-water.
       "I had noticed that when your speed boat was approaching the wooden port. But I must say, it is more beautiful up close. I wonder how it ended down there. It's just the only one on that area. It looks like it's guarding the whole island from someone. It's really really beautiful Mike," she praised once more.
        Suddenly Mike turned his head behind them, he felt some footsteps approaching them. Mike and Margaret saw Juan, the son of Lady Teodora who arrived earlier. The boy followed them after his mother had gone inside the mansion.
        "Juan, you're there," he greeted the young boy.
        He smiled slightly at the two of them. The young boy then approached Mike and Margaret.
        "How are you," greeted Margaret to the young boy.
        "I'm fine," his pleasant answer to her.
        "Is there you anything you want from me Juan that you followed me and Margaret?" he asked the young boy.
       "Ah... Sir Mike... I-I just want to thank you," the young boy said looking up at him.
       "Really, what for, what are you thanking me for huh?" Mike's pleasant question to the young boy.
       "You helped Sir George to pay for the whole mortgage of this mansion and you also helped him save his
business from going bankrupt. You helped him recover this big mansion and put his family business back to where it is now. Thank you, thank you so much sir. It's Sir George who sends me and my other brothers to school. If Sir George had gone bankrupt and lost his business, probably I and my brothers couldn't go to school anymore and also my mother could have lost her job too. And so I really would like to thank you sir...thank you so much, you're really a good man sir, you're very kind," gratefully the young boy thanked Mike.
        "Really, you need not thank me. George have been my close friend way back in College so I helped him with his finances," Mike answered and glanced at Margaret who was smiling at him.
        "We're really all happy for your help with Sir George, that's why I and my brothers and also the children of Sir George honored you," smiling he answered Mike.
        "Huh, you all honored me?" his question to the young boy wondering.
        "Yes Sir Mike, do you see that one and only big and bluish rock on the shallow sea-water. We named it after you, sir Mike."
        Smiling, Mike spoke. "Thank you then Juan. It's my honor that you named that big rock after me."
        "And as long as that bluish big rock stands on that part of the sea, we will always remember you sir Mike," he added. "And again sir, thank you, thank you so much for your kindness." Afterwards, the boy slowly turned around and ran fast going back to the big mansion.
        Smilingly, Margaret watched Mike. "So that great rock was named after you Mike," Margaret just said.
"By helping your friend, you also in turn helped a whole family, a family in need."
        "Yeah, I never thought of that," he uttered. "This is the first time that I received an honor from children, Margaret. It feels good too..." he just said. Mike, once again, placed his arm around her shoulder and continued walking around the island.
        "How about me, would my young students honor me too... I'm a good teacher too, my co-teachers told me so..." her soft statement thinking seriously. "If they would honor me what stone could they possibly named after me..."
        Mike suddenly smiled at what Margaret said.
        "What stone could that possibly be..." she repeated once again.
        Mike thought for a moment and answered. "Probably, they'll name a rock that looks exactly like that after you," he said looking at the pale blue huge rock.
        Margaret's eyes brightened at what Mike told her. "Really Mike," she uttered looking up at him.
        Mike then answered. "And they'll probably put that stone besides mine. Because that's where I always want you to be, beside me Margaret." Mike then held both her hands and walked backwards along the beach front looking and smiling down at her. Margaret just smiled looking up at him as she continued walking
with him. Mike then released both her hands, turn around, knelt his left leg on the sand and patted his shoulder with his hand looking back at her. Margaret knew what that meant, so she went nearer him. And when he felt her arms around him. He gently held her thighs and carried her on his back. He stood up and continued walking. They toured the whole place once again, and once in a while Mike would reach up for Margaret's lips and kissed her tenderly. When it became darker, Mike and Margaret decided to head back to the big mansion.

                                                                     Chapter 4

       Mike and Margaret decided to take a shower first before going down for dinner. After Mike had checked Margaret's bathroom and closed her door, he went out of the room and headed to his own to take bath. They finished showering almost at the same time in their respective bathrooms. Mike wore a black leather jacket and a denim. Once again, he waited for Margaret to go down the stairs of the mansion. Margaret went down on her exquisitely designed evening dress. Gracefully, she went down the stairs. She looked like a goddess going down and approaching Mike. He held his breath looking up at her, admiring her. And when she got near him, he reached for her hand and kissed it on the back of her soft hand.
        "You look gorgeous Margaret," he praised her.
        "And you look dashing and handsome Mike," he complimented him
        He circled his right arm around her waist and held her on the side. Mike then walked her gentlemanly towards the elegant dining room of the big mansion. When they reached it, their dinner was already waiting for them. There were five delicious dishes that Lady Teodora cooked and left them. Nearing the twelve-seat antique table, Mike pulled a finely carved chair with a soft back cushion so Margaret could sit. Margaret sat glancing at him and in turn Mike sat at the head of the long table. Margaret was on his right. He chose to make her sat beside rather than at the opposite end of the long table. He wanted her to be near him so he could reach her anytime he wanted. Margaret and Mike smiled at each other, looking at their beautiful and handsome faces. They started eating. All the dishes that Lady Teodora cooked for them was superb and delicious. They were both impressed with Lady Teodora's cooking. Mike moved his glass in a circling motion and slowly drank his champagne. He sipped slowly as he stared on Margaret's enticing lips. Margaret stared at Mike as his manly lips was on his glass, drinking. They continued eating their dinner and in between they recollected about their past together. Mike also talked about his life while they were away from each other. He told her about some of the struggles that he had to face in life and how he rose above it. He also shared her some of his experiences with his friends and other people he met as the chairman of the board of their business. Likewise Margaret told him about her own struggles and how she survived it. Also she shared to him some of her experiences with her co-teachers and with her young students. Mike and Margaret talked about life and about other things both important to them. And in the middle of their conversation Mike would throw some jokes making Margaret smile and laugh. Margaret in turn would tell him her own stories and jokes that made him smile and laugh too.
       "I'm so happy we're together now Margaret," he said as he wiped his mouth with his big handkerchief.
       "I'm happy too Mike," her answer to him.
       "I've dreamed for this moment for a long time now Margaret," he confessed. "I really thought it would never happen anymore."
       Margaret just smiled at him. He pulled his chair backwards before he stood up. He stepped towards the back where Margaret was sitting. "Shall we," he whispered. He gently pulled her chair backwards. With Mike's hand holding hers, Margaret stood up. Mike placed his arm, once again, around her slender waist and gently held her on the side. He brought on the part of the big mansion where dances were held during lavish parties. The red carpet covering the whole floor was soft. There was a beautiful antique chandelier hanging on the ceiling. And expensive oil paintings were hanging on the walls. The whole room was so beautiful, as if they were in a grand ballroom in a big palace in Europe. Mike walked Margaret going to the middle. The mellow music playing in the background was beautiful.
        In the middle of the big ballroom, Mike danced Margaret gently and slowly. His head was slightly bowed down and his arms were around her slender waist. Margaret's waist was so soft. She looked up at him with her hands around his neck. Margaret could feel his breath. Mike also felt her breath. And she smelled so fragrant.
        "We used to dance a lot when were both much younger Margaret," he said reminding her.
        "And I really liked it, every time you danced with me."
        "And I always made sure that it is only I who could dance with you in all the parties that we had been to before."
        "Yeah I noticed, the expression in your face would immediately change every time a young man approached me to ask me for a dance. That's why I would immediately refused them so you woudn'tt get mad," she recollected and rested her head on his wide chest.      

        "I really didn't like it when another man approached you. I wanted to be your one and only escort and dance partner."
         He continued dancing with her with the slow and mellow music playing in the background. "Are you happy dancing so close to me Margaret..." he whispered.
         "Yes Mike, I'm very happy," she confessed. 
         Mike and Margaret savored the joy of each others nearness. The night was getting colder so Mike hugged her closer as he continued dancing with her with the beautiful music still playing.
          "Margaret, I feel like I'm the luckiest man now that you're here in my arms, dancing with me," he whispered to her.
          Margaret just smiled and held on tighter with her arms around his neck. She looked up to him with her enticing smile playing on her soft lips. Mike held his breath. Slowly he bent his head down towards hers. Their lips touched once again. He kissed her and hugged her tighter. It was getting late so Mike decided to bring Margaret to her room. 
          Outside her door Mike kissed her some more. He kissed her gently cupping her face. He then opened the door for her. Margaret went inside and looked at him though the opening of the door.
         "Good night Margaret," he said his good night to her.
         "Good night Mike," she answered looking up to him.
          But Mike just couldn't stop himself, he took a step and went inside her room. He kissed her once again and hugged her even tighter. He stopped and held her in his arms. They hugged each other for some time near the door. Mike asked something to Margaret. 
         "Margaret... did you love that man that I heard about huh, did you love your boyfriend before?" he asked her.
         "Boyfriend... boyfriend who?" she answered and asked smiling slightly at him.
         "Huh," he uttered looking down to her and starting to understand her words. He then cupped her face with his two hands. "You never had a boyfriend huh? You mean the news that that I heard about you wasn't true huh?"
        "Yes Mike, the news on TV was wrong. Dad got mad and immediately went to the TV station and so  that reporter stopped and never did it again," she answered. "Than man actually was the boyfriend of my distant relative."
        "Really Margaret, you mean that kiss this afternoon, that was your first kiss huh?" his fast question to her.   
        "Yes, that was my first kiss Mike," her simple answer smiling at him.
        "Margaret," he uttered. He exhaled aloud in his happiness. He hugged her once again but stopped himself from kissing her. "I'm so happy Margaret!" He then lowered his head and gave her one last kiss for the night.
        "Good night Margaret. I'll see you tomorrow..."
        "Good night Mike..." her soft answer.        

                                                                       

                                                                  Chapter 5

         When Margaret woke up, she immediately showered and changed clothes. Afterwards she went out of her room and walked. She stood on Mike's door and knocked gently, he didn't open and she realized it wasn't locked she pushed it open. She saw Mike lying on the bed. He wasn't wearing any shirt and was just covered with a blanked from his waist down. She was about to close the door when Mike started waking up and saw her. He smiled at her and hurriedly stood up in his pants and hurriedly walked towards her. He held her hand and stared at her face for a moment. He smiled once again and hugged her gently. 

         “Good morning Margaret,” he greeted her.
         She hugged him back greeting him in turn. "I'm going down and prepare our breakfast," she told him.
         "How about you stay up here and hug me some more," his soft answer to her.
         "I'll go down so I could make you coffee," she just said as he continued hugging her.
         Mike just smiled and cupped her face. "Okay, I'll just shower and then I'll go down to be with you." He hugged her once again before he went to the shower. Margaret then went down. In the dining room, she realized that Lady Teodora, who had left had, had already prepared them breakfast. Margaret prepared coffee for Mike. Afterwards she sat at the table and waited for Mike. Mike soon went down and immediately walked towards her. While he was seated he reached for her and hugged her once again. Happily the two had breakfast. After their delicious breakfast they decided to go for a walk on the beach front holding each others hands. Afterwards, they decided to go back to the city. Mike carried their bags placing the straps on his shoulder. He jumped in first going into his speed boat. He immediately lowered their bags. When Margaret jumped into the speed boat, Mike hugged her, supporting her.
         "Come here, help me drive my speed boat," he told her. He guided her and made her hold the steering wheel of his speed boat. Together they drove the sea-vessel. Mike was at the back of Margaret. Mike's palms was on top of hers as she held to the boat's steering wheel. While they were sailing, Mike couldn't stop himself from kissing her lips. Margaret took his kiss smiling a little at him. And after an hour they had reached the city once again. Mike immediately took her to her house and after he said his good bye, he headed to his own house. And from that day on, Margaret and Mike called and met each other as often as they could. Mike brought Margaret to his favorite places and Margaret did the same to Mike. Mike made sure that he finished his work early at the office so he could take Margaret out for a date. Their dates was always full of happiness and always memorable. Margaret's friends noticed her happiness in her face and the people at the office working with Mike noticed the same on Mike's face. For the next three months, Mike and Margaret would be with each others company almost on a daily basis. Dates that always gave them great joy and happiness. 
         After one week, Mike called Margaret to say good bye. He told her that he need to go to Bohol for business down there. It was having some problems and it was important that he took good care of it personally. He felt her sadness with what he told her. And so before going to the airport, he visited her at her house and talked to her some more. His farewell was filled with tender kisses and hugs. He promised her that he would try to return as fast and as soon as he could so they could be together once again.

        While he was in Bohol and taking good care of their business that was having problems, he made sure that he could call and talk to Margaret in Cebu. But still they couldn't stop themselves from extremely missing each other. And after a month, Mike traveled back to Cebu longing to see her as soon as he could. And after he had rested enough in his own house, he hurried to her house so he could finally see her once again.

                                                                                  Chapter 6

         After her father said good bye to her, Margaret waited and longed to see Mike in her house. And the moment Mike saw Margaret, he rushed to her hugging her tightly, terribly missing her. 
         "I missed you so much Margaret..." he uttered softly as he kept hugging her tightly. Margaret just listened to him as he continued talking. "When we met once again and reconciled, I avoided telling you what I truly felt for you Margaret. I stopped myself from admitting what I really felt for you. I only told you that I just like you before but the truth is... I really, really love you Margaret... I love you much..." He cupped her face with his hands and looked intently on her. "Do you love me too Margaret..." he asked her softly.
        "Yes Mike, I also love you... I love you so much Mike. When I was eighteen years old, I was already sure how I truly felt for you. When I heard that you already had a girlfriend, it hurt me deeply Mike. I was so jealous Mike, I couldn't take it. But I stopped myself from seeing you because I thought you didn't feel anything for me," her confession to him.
       "You're wrong Margaret. I've loved you for a long long time, Margaret. And you need not be jealous of any girl because I never felt for them what I am feeling for you all this time. You're the only girl that I love my whole life, Margaret. You don't have to worry about any girl. I'm only yours and you're only mine. I love you so much Margaret," his heartfelt confession to her. He cupped her face once again and kissed her soft lips. Margaret accepted his kiss with all her heart. She embraced Mike and kissed him with all her love. Mike only stopped kissing her so he could see her beautiful face once again.
         He took a deep breath and said, "You're so beautiful Margaret. And I'm so lucky and fortunate that you love me too."
         "I'm so lucky and fortunate that you love me too Mike," her answer to him. Hearing each others words, Mike and Margaret laughed slightly as they continued staring at each other admiring each others looks.
        "Is your father home Margaret huh?" he asked her.
        "No Mike, he left much earlier," she answered him.
        "Good," grinning Mike just said.
        Margaret laughed slightly at what Mike uttered so she changed the topic of their conversation. "Have you eaten huh?"
        "No, I haven't. And I skipped meal on purpose because I really wanted us to eat together Margaret," his quick answer to her.
        "Okay then, come inside so I can prepare you some food," her offer to him.
        Mike immediately followed Margaret going inside her house. She made him sat on their elegant sofa in their living room. He waited for a moment and afterwards Margaret returned with some food and drinks. After they had eaten, Mike and Margaret talked once again. Mike explained to her why it took him month in Bohol before he could return to her.
        "One of our business was having trouble in Bohol because of our strongest competitor. And when I investigated, I learned that our strongest competitor was beating us because our former employees transferred to them. I discovered that our new General Manager wasn't treating our employees properly. He did not give them the right amount of wages and worst he did not even pay them on time. When I arrived down there, there were not much employees at the workplace. The remaining staffs even made some advertisements to replace those who had left us. But the problem was, not many applied because the bad reputation of our company because of that General Manager had already spread in the city. And because of that they had frequent work stoppage because of the severe lack of employees. So what I did was I talked to our disgruntled former employees properly and I asked for an apology. And I also promised them that I'm going to reinstate all the benefits that they used to receive. And when they heard that I had already removed our irresponsible General Manager, they eagerly and hurriedly decided to return to our company. And because they were already happy and contented with their working conditions, our company problem was instantly solved. And it's our competitor that is having problems now," his explanation and long narration.
        After Margaret heard his explanation, her attention focused on their old photo albums. So she reached for it underneath the rectangular glass-topped table in front of the two of them and showed it to Mike. Once again, they looked at their pictures together taken on many different beautiful places that their parents used to bring them to. Pictures that showed and reminded them of their very happy childhood together. One picture took Mike's attention the most.
         He pointed at it immediately. "Look Margaret, you look really really cute on this picture. I think, I was probably ten years old at that time," he said immediately.
         She immediately looked at the picture he was pointing to. "Yeah Mike, you also look so cute on that picture," she said looking at the picture. "Our picture really looks great inside that garden while you were holding my hand," smiling she said.
         He suddenly looked at her and grinned. "Look Margaret, I think it's you who is holding my hand," he said and pointed at it. 
         She then looked at it carefully and immediately realized that it was indeed she who was holding Mike's hand. Margaret blushed. Mike laughed looking at her blushing face, so he gently squeezed her right cheek. She retaliated and pinched him on his side. He jerked slightly grinning at her. "Ouch... that feels good, can you do that again huh." The two then laughed looking at each other. 
          Afterwards, they looked at their other pictures together. Pictures that made the two of them smiled and laughed. In just a short while they heard the sound of car parking outside the house. The car of Margaret's father. Margaret immediately made Mike sat properly. Her dad had arrived. Going inside, her father saw the two of them on the sofa. He looked at Mike for a moment. 
          Mike immediately greeted. "Good afternoon uncle."
          He approached them in the living room. "Have you been here long Mike huh?" his question to him.
          "Yes uncle, I've been here for some time now," his immediate answer. "We had just finished eating and now we're watching my pictures with Margaret," he said, glanced and smiled at Margaret. 
          He immediately noticed the way Margaret smiled at Mike. He went straight to what he wanted to say. "It looks like you two are now getting along pretty well. What now are you two getting married huh?"
          Mike was just about to answer when Margaret stopped him with a look. She glanced at her dad. "Daddy, marriage is still not a part of our plans. We're just starting with our relationship. It's been a long long time that the two of us haven't seen each other. We're still trying to get to know each other once again," she explained to her father.
          Her looked alternately at Mike and Margaret. "You know Margaret, I have my full confidence here with Mike. You're beautiful and he's handsome. You two really really look good together. They're rich. Mike could definitely give you a good life."
          Mike was again about to answer him but Margaret again stopped him with a look. So Mike decided not to say anything. Her father noticed it. Her father continued speaking. "Mike, you know that it is you who I really want to marry my daughter. Why don't you make your move. Why don't the two of you get married right away."
         Mike decided to speak this time. "On my part uncle, at the moment I'll just do whatever Margaret wants. I just don't want her getting sulky with me once again," smiling, Mike answered her father.
         "Daddy, Mike and I have just reunited recently. I think you should allow us to spend more time together before we think of marrying each other," she explained once again.
         Her father just shook his head and alternately looked at the two of them. His face turned slightly serious. "Margaret, you know that I'm sick. I could be gone any time now. What I want is to leave you with  someone who holds my full confidence before I'm gone..."
         "Dad, we're still going to give us enough time and besides you won't be gone. I love so much Dad, and I'm taking good care of you like I always do..." she assured her father.
          He then stood. "Mike, Margaret, just consider what I just told you once again, okay. Think about it some more," his soft statement to the two of them before the climbed up the stairs and headed to his room.
          Once again, Mike and Margaret was left to each other in the spacious living room. Mike sat nearer Margaret. "Don't you really want to marry me now Margaret huh?" he asked her.
          She looked intently at him. "Why, how about you, do you want to get married now huh?" her soft question to him.
          "I don't know what to say, but what I know is, I really really love you and I don't want to loss you," his serious answer to her.
          "And I feel the same way Mike," she confessed. His face brightened hearing what she said.
          "By the way, my employees in Bohol said they wanted to meet you. Would you agree to go with when 
I decide to go back to Bohol huh?" he asked her.
          "Okay Mike, if you want to introduce me to them, then I'm going with you," her answer to him.  
          "I"ll count on that, you're going with me when I go back to Bohol then," his happy statement to her. Afterwards he went much nearer Margaret. He immediately hugged her tightly and kissed her on her lips. He 
was bending his head down as he continued kissing her tenderly on her soft and red lips. Margaret accepted his tender kissed on her and kissed him back. Mike then stood and gently dragged her towards the door going outside her house. When they got out of the door, Mike gently closed it with his right leg and kissed Margaret once again on her lips. He hugged her tightly with her back resting on the door. He stopped and cupped her soft and smooth face. He looked deeply into her eyes. "I love you Margaret."
            Margaret embraced him too and answered. "I love you too Mike..."
            Mike breathed with what she said as he continued looking into her face. And after some time, he bid good bye to her. She looked at his face for a moment like she wanted to hear something. So Mike promised her that he would return to her the following day. A promise that made her smile and made him smile too.

                                                                    Chapter 7@@@@@@@@

     

      

        "Aasahan ko iyan ha, sasama ka sa akin pag nagpunta kong muli sa Bohol," masayang sabi nito.  Pagkatapos ay tumingin-tingin muna ito sa itaas ng bahay nila at nang makasigurado itong walang ibang tao sa palibot nila ay kaagad itong lumapit pa kay Margaret at kaagad siyang yinakap nang mahigpit at muling hinalikan ng marubdob sa mga labi nito. Nakayuko at nakaupo itong patuloy na pinagsawa ang mga labi sa paghalik sa malambot at mapupulang mga labi ni Margaret. Nagpaubaya si Margaret at hinayaan siyang halikan siya nang matagal nito. Tumayo ito at hinatak palabas ng bahay si Margaret. Pagkalabas nila ng pintuan ay ipininid nito ang pintuan at muling hinalikan ng marubdob si Margaret. Muli siya nitong yinakap nang mahigpit na mahigpit. Tumigil ito at muling sinapo ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Tinitigan siya nito sa mga mata. “Mahal na mahal kita Margaret.”

        Yumakap muli si Margaret dito at sumagot. “Mahal na mahal din kita Mike.”

        Napahugot ng hininga si Mike sa sinabi niya habang nakatingin pa rin ito sa mukha niya. Ilang sandali pa'y nagpaalam na ito sa kanya. Tumingin naman siya sandali sa mukha nito na tila may ibig sabihin dito. Kaya nangako kaagad itong makikipagkitang muli sa kanya sa susunod na araw. Pangakong nagpangiti sa kanya na nagpangiti rin dito.  1730

                                                             Chapter 7

         SA SUMUNOD na isang buwan ay panay na naman ang pagkikita at pagtatagpo ng dalawa at bawat pagkikita nila ay nagbibigay parati sa kanila ng nag-uumapaw na kaligayahan. Habang tumatagal ang kanilang samahan ay mas nagugustuhan at mas minamahal pa nila ang isa't isa. Wala ng ibang babae para kay Mike kundi si Margaret at ganoon din ito sa kanya. Yinayang muli si Margaret ni Mike para sumama rito. Pumayag naman kaagad siya. Subalit nang makarating na ang sasakyan nito sa bahay niya ay ang driver lang nito ang dumating. Tinanong niya kaagad ang driver kung nasaan si Mike. Sumagot ito na ang bilin lang dito ni Mike ay sunduin siya. Kilala naman niya ang driver ni Mike kaya sumama siya rito. Naupo siya sa likuran ng sasakyan ni Mike. Pagkatapos ng mga isang oras na pagbibiyahe ay dumating na sila sa kanilang destinasyon. Gabi na ng dumating sila roon. Mula sa kanyang kinauupuan sa loob ng sasakyan ay kaagad na hinanap ni Margaret si Mike. Ilinibot niya ang kanyang paningin sa buong lugar subalit hindi niya ito nakita. Tinanong niya ang driver kung nasaan si Mike subalit ngumiti lang ito at binuksan ang pintuan para makalabas na siya. Pagkalabas niya ay nagpaalam na kaagad ang driver na ipinadala ni Mike at umalis. Naiwan siyang nakatayo sa may buhanginan. Maliwanag ang buwan at kita ni Margaret ang karagatan sa harap niya. Ilang sandali lang ay may lumabas na apat na mga batang puti ang polo at pantaloon. May buhat-buhat silang lamesang pabilog saka dalawang puting upuan. Kaagad na inilagay ng mga iyon ang lamesa sa harapan ng nakatayong si Margaret. Sinubukan niyang kausapin ang mga ito subalit ngumiti lang ang mga ito sa kanya. Nang maisaayos na ng mga bata ang dalawang upuan at pabilog na mesa sa buhanginan ay marahan siyang hinatak ng isa sa mga ito paupo sa isang upuan. Nagpaunlak naman siya. Pagkatapos ay may lumaba pang sampong mga batang pawang nakaputi din ang suot. May dala-dala silang mga basket na punong puno ng mga mapupulang bulaklak na rosas. Mabilis na mabilis inihulog ng mga bata sa palibot ni Margaret ang mga rosas. Nangigiti lang siya habang pinagmamadan niya ang mga ito sa kanilang ginagawa. Makalipas ang ilang sandali ay napalibutan na si Margaret ng napakaraming bulaklak na rosas. Para siyang nakaupo sa napakagandang pabilog na carpet ng mga mapupulang rosas. Hinanap niyang muli si Mike matapos makaalis ng mga bata. Lumingon siya nang may maramdaman siya sa likuran niya. Naroon si Mike nakatayo ito sa likuran niya.

           “Mike…” usal niya na nakalingon dito.

            Ngumiti lang ito sa kanya at hinagkan siya ng magaan sa pisngi pagkatapos ay lumipat sa kabilang upuan para maupo. “Mabuti’t nakarating ka Margaret,” sabi lang nito.

            “Ano bang ginagawa natin dito Mike?” tanong niya. Subalit hindi ito sumagot, ngumiti lang ito at senenyasan siyang kumain na muna. Nang mag-umpisang kumain si Mike ay kumain na rin si Margaret. Tahimik lang ang dalawang nagtitinginan habang kumakain. Pagkatapos ay sabay nilang ininom ang mga wine sa kanilang mga baso.

             “Mike, ba’t ba hindi ka nagsasalita diyan, papogi ka lang nang papogi diyan,” biro niya rito.

              Nangiti lang ito sa sinabi niya. Tumayo ito pagkatapos ay lumapit sa likuran ng upuan niya. Marahan niyang hinatak iyon paatras para makatayo siya. Tumayo naman siya at kaagad na humarap dito. Inilakad ni Mike si Margaret nang mga ilang hakbang palapit sa mababaw na dagat. Nakaharap silang dalawa sa dagat na magkahawak ang mga kamay. Tumingala siya sa kalangitan. Kabilugan ng buwan at napakaraming makikislap na mga bituin. "Nagagandahan ka ba sa kalangitan ngayong gabi Margaret?" tanong nito sa kanya.
           "Oo napakagandang pagmasdan ng mga ito.," sagot niya rito habang patuloy na nakatingala sa magandang buwan at sa mga makikislap na tala.
            Hinawakan pa nito ang isa pa niyang palad para magkaharap sila. Nakayuko ito habang pinagmamasdan ang magandang mukha niya. "Mahal na mahal kita Margaret," punong-puno ng damdaming sabi nito. "Napakasaya ko ngayong kasama kita, pakiramdam ko'y ako ang  nagmamay-ari ng buong kalangitan." Dahan-dahan itong lumuhod sa harapan niya. Hinalikan nito ang kanyang kaliwang palad. Pagkatapos ay may hinugot sa kanyang bulsa. Isinuot nito iyon sa palasingsingan niya. Napatitig siya sa ginawa nito.
          Bahagyang nagtataka. "Anong ginawa mo Mike?"
          Sumagot naman agad ito. "Isinuot ko sa iyo ang alay kong singsing."
          Nagtaka siyang muli sapagkat wala naman siyang nakitang singsing na isinuot nito sa kanya. "Pero wala akong makitang singsing sa daliri ko Mike?"
          Tumayo kaagad ito mula sa kanyang pagkakaluhod sa buhanginan. Lumibot ito sa likuran niya saka bahagyang niyapos ang beywang niya. Lumingon at tumingala siya sa mukha nito. Nginitian siya nito. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan ang kaliwang braso niya at itinaas at itinuro sa kalangitan. Ang kanang kamay naman nito ay marahang itinakip sa isa niyang mata. "Itapat mo ang palasingsingang daliri mo sa napakagandang bituin na iyan." Ginawa naman niya ito. Napangiti agad siya sa namalas niya. Nagmistulang makislap na bato ang maningning na bituin sa hindi nakikitang singsing na inalay nito sa kanya. Napahugot siya ng hangin sa malabis na kariktan nito sa ibabaw ng kanyang palasingsingan.
         Habang nakatakip pa rin ang isa nitong palad sa kanang mata niya ay muli itong nangusap. "Ang kaligayahan ko'y ikaw. Ang lahat ng mga bituing nakikita mo ay akin Margaret.... at ang lahat ng sa akin ay sa iyo..... pakasal ka sa akin Margaret..." Napaluha siya nang bahagya sa alay na kasal nito.  "Pakasalan mo ako Margaret..."
        Ngumiti siya at bahagyang kinalma ang sarili. Kinalas niya ang palad nitong nakatakip sa mata niya at dahan-dahang lumibot sa likuran nito. Niyapos niya nang bahagya ang beywang nito. Napalingon at napangiti ito sa kanya. Itinaas niya ang kaliwang kamay niya at itinakip sa kaliwang mata nito. "Pagmasdan mo ang bilog na buwan. "Anong titik ang nakikita ng kanang mata mo?" marahang tanong niya.
       Bahagyang nagtatakang sumagot ito. "Titik O." Tinanggal naman niya ang kaliwang palad sa mata nito at itinaas ang kanang palad niya at itinakip sa kanang mata nito. "Anong titik ang nakikita ng kaliwang mata mo Mike?"
       Nakatanaw at nakatingalang sumagot ito. "Titik O." Napahugot kaagad ito ng hangin at napangiti nang dahan-dahang maunawaan nito ang kasagutan niya. "Ang ibig mong sabihin ay..."
       "Ikaw ang buwan ko. Ikaw ang mundo ko. Oo Mike, oo ang sagot ko, pakakasal ako sa iyo..." Humarap kaagad ito sa kanya at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. Pagkatapos ay muling lumingon at tiningala ang napakaliwanag na bilog na buwan. "Tayong dalawa lang sa bago nating mundo. Ikaw lang at ako habang-buhay, magkasama... magkasalo..." Dahan-dahang hinawakan nito ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Yumuko ito para mahalikan siya. Hinalikan siya nito ng marubdob. Matagal na naglapat ang kanilang mga labi. Pinagsawa ni Mike ang sarili nito sa paghalik kay Margaret. Ilang sandali pa ay may hinugot ito sa bulsa nito. Naramdaman niyang may isinuot ito sa daliri niya. Isa iyong sing-sing. Sinulyapan niya ito sandali at nang mapansin ni Mike na napangiti ito ay muli siya nitong siniil ng maiinit nitong mga halik. Hinigpitan pa ni Mike ang pagyakap kay Margaret. Magkadikit na magkadikit ang kanilang mga katawan. Naramdaman na lang niyang binuhat siya nit sa kanyang mga bisig. Nginitian siya nito pagkatapos ay dahan-dahang naglakad papunta sa maganda niyang beach house sa likuran nila. Nang mabuksan na ni Mike ang bahay ay naglakad itong muli papunta sa kwarto nito. Nakatingala lang siya sa mukha nito habang buhat-buhat pa rin siya nito sa kanyang mga bisig. Ibinaba siya nito sa gilid ng malaking kama. Nakatayo silang magkaharap, malapit na malapit sa isa’t isa. Tinitigan siya nito sa kanyang mga mata at pagkatapos ay muli nitong inilapat ang mga labi nito sa labi niya. Muli nitong siniil ng halik si Margaret at ipinadama sa kanya kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal nito para sa kanya.
        Kinaumagahan nagising siya sa kama. Kaagad niyang muling tiningnan ang singsing na ibinigay sa kanya nito. Napahinga siya nang malalim sa malabis na kagandahan nito sa daliri niya. Narinig niyang may kumakatok sa may pintuan. "Mahal..." marahang tawag nito sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay sinbukan nitong buksan iyon para makapasok ng kwarto. Subalit hindi ito nagbukas, nakakandado ito. Humirit kaagad ito. "Mahal naman ba't ka naman basta na lang nangangandado ng bahay nang may bahay, kwarto nang may kwarto ha? ngingiti-ngiting sabi nito.
        Nagsalita naman agad siya. "Anong sabi mo, di ba sabi mo ang lahat ng iyo ay akin din ha..." malakas at ngiti-ngiting sagot niya.
        "Oo nga pala ano..." ngingisi-ngising sabi nito. "Pero pagbuksan mo na ako mahal."
        "Bakit wala ka na bang binabalak gawin, tulad kagabi ha?" pabirong tanong niya rito.
        Nakangiting huminga lang ito nang malalim. "Oo mahal wala na, I’ll behave I sweari."
        "Sigurado ka..." sabi lang niya mula sa loob ng kwarto.
        "Oo," mabilis nitong sagot. Pinagbuksan naman kaagad niya ito. Agad siya nitong yinakap at hinalikan sa ibabaw ng buhok niya. Ngumiti ito sa kanya. "Nagugutom na ako mahal..." sabi nito. Nag-almusal naman kaagad silang dalawa. Matapos nilang makaligo at makapagbihis ay nagpasya na si Mike na bumalik at ipaalam sa ama ang kanilang planong pagpapakasal.itong bumalik at harapin ang kani-kanilang mga magulang. Pagkarating na pagkarating nila sa bahay ni Mike ay tuwang-tuwang tinaggap ng ama ni Mike ang napakagandang balita. Walang mapagsidlan ng kaligayahan ang kanyang ama. Binati niya ang dalawa  para sa nalalapit nilang pagpapakasal. Pagkatapos ay tumuloy naman sina Mike at Margaret sa bahay nilang mag-ama. At gaya ng ama ni Mike tuwang-tuwa rin ito sa kanilang ibinalita. Wala rin itong mapagsidlan sa malabis na kaligyahang nadarama na sa wakas ay magpapakasal na ang pinakamamahal na anak nitong si Margaret kay Mike. Binati nito ang dalawa para sa kanilang nalalapit na kasal. Nang muli silang magkasarilinan ay nagkasundo sina Mike at Margaret na magkita kinabukasan para pag handaan na ang kanilang nalalapit na pagpapakasal.

                                                                                   Chapter 8

       PAGKAGISING na pagkagising ni Margaret ay kaagad siyang naligo at nagbihis. Bumaba kaagad siya para makasamang mag-almusal ang kanyang ama. Napakasaya nang almusal na iyon para sa kanilang dalawa. Excited na excited pareho sa pagdating ni Mike para sunduin siya para kumuha na ng kanilang marriage license. At matapos na matapos lang silang mag-almusal ay narinig na kaagad ng dalawa ang pagbusina ng kararating lang na sasakyan nito. Nakangiting nagpaalam kaagad siya sa kanyang ama at mabilis na naglakad palabas ng kanilang bahay para salubungin ito sa harapan ng kanilang pintuan. Binuksan kaagad nito ang kanyang bintana at binati siya. "Mahal andito nang mahal mo. Halika na nang makakuha na tayo ng lisensya para ating pag-iisang dibdib." Napangiti kaagad siya sa kagalakan sa tinuran nito. Nakita niyang kaagad nagbukas ang pintuan ng sasakyan nito. Kaya kaagad siyang lumapit at dumungaw. Inabot naman kaagad siya nito at binigyan ng isang halik sa kanyang labi. Pagkatapos ay sumakay at umupo na kaagad siya sa tabi nito. Nang maisara na ang pintuan ay kaagad pinaandar nitong muli ang sasakyan nito. Dumaan itong muli sa nakabukas na gate. Pagkalampas na pagkalampas nila sa gate ay natigilan sila. May isang dilaw na taxi na biglang humarang sa kanilang dinaraanan. Napaapak kaagad ito sa kanyang break. Tinitigan nito ang nasabing taxi na nakaharang pa rin sa harapan nila. Nag-katinginan sandali ang dalawa sa loob nang sasakyan. Napakunot ang nuo nito nang makilala ang dilaw na taxi. Natatandaan nitong napansin nitong sumusunod ito rito habang papunta ito sa bahay niya. "Sandali lang mahal, babain ko lang ito," paalam nito sa kanya. Pagkababa na pagkababa nito sa sasakyan ay kaagad na bumukas ang pintuan ng taxi. Lumabas ang isang babae. Buntis ito at kaagad itong tumitig kay Mike pagkatapos ay pilit na tinanaw si Margaret sa loob ng sasakyan nito. "Esmeralda, anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong kaagad ni Mike sa babae. Lumabas na rin siya ng sasakyan at lumapit sa tabi ni Mike. Napansin kaagad niya ang pagtitig nito sa kanya. Napatitig siya sa tiyan nito. Bigla siyang kinabahan. Napatitig siya kay Mike na bahagyang nagtatanong kung anong nagyayari. Napansin niyang may galit na namumuo sa ekspresyon nang mukha nito habang patuloy na tumititig sa kanya.
       Nakatitig sa kanyang kinausap nito si Mike. "Siya ba ang dahilan kung bakit mo ako hiniwalayan Mike ha?" Napatingin si Mike sa kanya. Pilit ngumiti ito sa kanya para panatagin siya. Pagkatapos ay kinausap si Esmeralda. "Naghiwalay tayo nang maayos Esmeralda. Nang makipaghiwalay ako sa iyo ay naalala kong tinanggap mo ito nang maluwag sa iyong dibdib. Inamin ko naman sa iyo na hindi talaga kita mahal kaya minabuti kong makipaghiwalay na sa iyo. Alam mo naman ang damdamin ko para sa iyo mula sa umpisa at tinaggap mo iyon. At napag-usapan natin na pag kinakailangan na nating maghiwalay ay tatanggapin natin pareho iyon nang maluwag sa dibdib. At saka nang makipaghiwalay ako sa iyo hindi ko pa nakikilala noon si Margaret. Kaya pakiusap ayusin mo ang pananalita mo sa kanya. Wala siyang ginawang anumang kamalian sa iyo."
      Ngumiti lang ito at muling nagpatuloy. "Wala ka bang napapansin ha Mike?" tanong nito na nakatitig rito pagkatapos ay bumaling kay Margaret. "Buntis ako at ikaw ang ama!" Parang may sumabog na bomba sa pandinig nito. Nanlamig ang buo nitong katawan. Nag-aalangan at natatakot na napatingin ito sa kanya. Ibinuka nito ang kanyang bibig para panatagin siya subalit walang ni isang katagang lumabas sa bibig nito. Nakita nitong bahagyang napapaluhang naguguluhan ang mukha niya.
       Huminga ito nang malalim at muling bumaling kay Esmeralda. "Papanong nabuntis kita..." nag-aalang tanong nito rito.
       Humalakhak lang ito. Umiling-iling na parang nanuya. Pinasadahan pa nito siya ng tingin. "Apat na buwan na akong buntis Mike. Magbilang ka ng buwan Mike!" utos nito rito. Nanlalamig na nag-isip ito. Napaatras ito sa napagtanto nito. Apat na buwan na ang nakakaraan ng magkasama silang dalawa sa isang hotel.
Napalunok ito. Pinagpapawisang napatingin ito sa kanya. Lumuluhang tumitig siya kay Mike. Nakataas ang mga kilay na halinhinang pinagmasdan ni Esmeralda ang mga mukha ng dalawa. Kaagad itong may inilabas na papeles at iniabot kay Mike. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na binasa nito ang nilalaman ng papel. Isa itong dokumento na nagsasaad na apat na buwang buntis na ito. Pirmado iyon ng isang Doktor mula sa isang kilalang Hospital. Inangat nito ang ulo nito at muling tumingin sa lumuluhang si Margaret. "Margaret...." usal nito. Humakbang itong papalapit sa kanya. Hinawakan nito ang dalawa niyang mga palad. Magpapaliwanag ito. Subalit bago pa man may lumabas na kataga sa kanyang bibig ay tumalikod at luhaang nagtatakbong papasok pabalik siya sa kanilang bakuran. "Margaret!" malakas at muling tawag nito. Subalit parang wala siyang naririnig nagpatuloy siya sa pagtakbo papasok ng kanilang bahay. Hahabulin sana siya nito subalit kaagad itong hinawakan sa kanang braso ni Esmeralda.
      "Ako muna at ang magiging anak natin ang atupagin mo Mike!" nakatitig ritong mando kay Mike. Subalit kinalas ni Mike ang nakahawak na kamay nito dito.
      "Mag-uusap tayo oo. Pero sa ngayon mag-uusap muna kami ni Margaret!" mariing pahayag ni Mike sa harapan ni Esmeralda.
      Nandidilat ang mga matang tumitig si Esmeralda kay Margaret. Subalit kaagad nitong kinalma ang sarili at ngumiti kay Mike. "O sigi Mike mag-usap kayong dalawa. Pero pagkatapos na pagkatapos ay magtungo ka kaagad sa bahay ko para kausapin ako. Pero huwag na huwag mong kalillimutan sa akin ka may pananagutan at hindi sa kanya!" pagtatapos nito saka mabilis na lumakad papasok sa sinakyan nitong taxi.

        Pagkaalis na pagkaalis nito ay kaagad itong pumasok sa bakuran nina Margaret. Pagkarating na pagkarating nito sa malapit sa may pintuan ay nakita nito ang ama ni Margaret na nakatayo at nakatingin dito. Atubiling lumapit si Mike dito. Sinikap ni Mike na tingnan ito ng tuwid sa mga mata nito. Napansin ni Mike na may alam na ito sa mga nangyari. Lumapit pa ito sa ama ni Margaret. "Tito patawarin niyo po ako... hindi ko inasahan na may mangyayaring ganito..."
       Kalmadong tinapik lang nito ang balikat ni Mike. "Alam ko ang naging buhay mo Mike. Naikwento sa akin lahat iyon ng Daddy mo. Nangyari ito bago mo pa man kayo muling nagkita at nagkasundo ng anak ko. Wala kang dapat ihingi ng paumanhin sa akin Mike."
       Napatitig na nagpasalamat si Mike dito. "Marami hong salamat at nauunawaan mo ako."
       "Andoon si Margaret sa may pool. Kausapin mo ang anak ko," utos nito kay Mike. "Kung ako ang tatanungin Mike, walang nagbago. Gusto ko pa ring magpakasal kayo ng anak ko..."
       Nakaramdam naman kaagad nang pag-asa si Mike at tahimik na umasa na sana ay ganoon din ang ang sasabihin niya pag nakausap na siya nito. Pagkaalis ng Daddy niya ay kaagad na nagtungo sa may pool ito para kausapin si Margaret. Nakita siya nito kaagad. Humagulhol si Margaret. Lumuluhang nakatutop ang isang palad niya sa kanyang bibig. Napansin niya ito. Patuloy na lumuluhang napatitig siya sa paglapit nito sa kanya. Ilang sandali lang ay nasa harapan na sila ng isa't isa. Hinawakan nito ang kanyang mga palad. Yinakap siya nito. "Margaret... patawarin mo ako..." usal nito.
        "Wala kang kasalanan Mike..." sagot niya sa kanyang paghikbi.
        Hinigpitan nito ang pagkakayap sa kanya. "Mahal mo pa rin ba ako ha Margaret..."
        Walang pag-aalinlangang sumagot siya. "Mahal pa rin kita Mike... mahal na mahal..." Yumakap rin siya nang mahigpit rito. "Pero naguguluhan ako... hindi ko alam kong may karapatan pa ba ako sa iyo... may pananagutan ka na..."
        "Pero wala pa ring nagbabago. Mahal pa rin natin ang isa't isa. Tayo pa rin. Tayong dalawa pa rin ang nakalaan para sa isa't isa," mariing sagot nito. "Tatanggapin ko ang batang iyon, ang magiging anak ko pero hanggang doon lang..."
         Humagolhol na isinubsob niya ang kanyang ulo sa dibdib nito. "Mike.... Mike...." Hinayaan lang nito na magpatuloy siya sa pag-iyak. Yinakap siya nito nang mahigpit na mahigpit. Pilit na ipinadarama sa kanya kung gaano siya nito kamahal. Umaasang makakayanan nilang dalawa ang napakalaking pagsubok na dumating sa buhay nila.

                                                                                         Chapter 9
 
        PAGKAALIS ni Mike sa bahay nina Margaret ay kaagad siyang nagtungo sa tinitirhang apartment ni Esmeralda. Matapos niyang makagarahe ay kaagad siyang kumatok. Si Esmeralda ang nagbukas ng pintuan. "Mabuti naman at naisipan mong puntahan ako rito Mike," salubong kaagad nito sa kanya. Binuksan pa nito ang pintuan para makapasok siya sa loob. Kaagad siya nitong niyayang umupo. Pagkaupo niya ay kaagad itong umupo sa may harapang kanan niya sa pang-isahang sofa. Bumuntong hininga siya bago nag-angat ng ulo para kausapin ito. "Ano ba ang gusto mong mangyari Esmeralda?" tanong niya rito.
        "Mike natatandaan mo naman siguro, nang makipaghiwalay ka sa akin ay tinanggap ko iyon ng maluwag sa loob dahil sa iyon nga ang napag-usapan natin bago pa man tayo nagkarelasyon," umpisa nito. "Pero iba na ngayon, buntis ako, may responsabilidad ka na sa akin at sa magging anak mo."
        Kinabahan siya sa tono nang pagsasalita nito kaya atubiling muli siyang nagtanong. "Anong ibig mong sabihin Esmeralda?"
        Sumagot kaagad ito ng derecho. "Pakasalan mo ako Mike." Tiningnan siya nito nang mariin habang hinihintay ang sagot niya.
        Napailing siya sa sinabi nito. "Esmeralda may iba na akong mahal, magpapakasal na kami ni Margaret," sagot niya.
        "Papano ako ilalagay mo ako sa kahihiyan ha? Papanong magiging anak ko, palalakihin ko siyang isang bastardo ha?" sabi nito sa galit at matining na boses nito.
        "Unawain mo naman ako, ikakasal na ako Esmeralda. Pero huwag kang mag-alala ibibigay ko ang pangalan ko sa magiging anak natin. Susuportahan ko siya. Bibigyan ko kayo nang maayos na tirahan at pag-aaralin ko siya."
        Ipinikit nito nang mariin ang mga mata nito. "At anong ibig mong sabihin, dadalaw-dalawin mo lang kami ng magiging anak mo ha? Hindi iyan ang gusto ko para sa magiging anak ko. Anak ko 'to kaya ipaglalaban ko 'to. Ang gusto ko'y lumaki siya kasama ka sa iisang bahay."
        Muling napabuntong-hininga siya sa sinabi nito. Pinilit niyang magtimpi rito. Napansin nito ang pagpipigil niya sa totoong nararamdaman niya. Umupo ito nang tuwid at tiningnan siya ng derecho sa mata. "Nakikita kong walang kahihinatnan ang pag-uusap nating dalawa Mike. Kami na lang ni Margaret ang mag-uusap, babae sa babae,” madiing sabi nito sa kanya.

        “Huwag na huwag mong guguluhin si Margaret Esmeralda kung hindi mananagot ka sa akin!” malakas na pagbabanta ni Mike dito.

        Ngumiti lang ito sa kanya. “Mag-uusap lang kami Mike,” kalmadong-kalmadong sabi nito sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay naglakad ito papunta sa pintuan nito at binuksan iyon. “Makakaalis ka na Mike. Bumalik ka na lang dito matapos ka naming mapag-usapan ni Margaret.”

                                                                                          Chapter 10

          NAGLALAKAD si Margaret palapit sa kanyang driver nang biglang sumulpot sa harapan niya si Esmeralda. Nginitian kaagad siya nito.

          “Hi Margaret, natatandaan mo pa ba ako?” tanong nito sa kanya.

           Kinalma ni Margaret ang sarili niya. “Oo natatandaan kita, ikaw si Esmeralda,” mahinahong sagot niya dito.

            “Mabuti naman kung ganoon,” sabi nito.

            “May kailangan ka ba sa akin?” mahinahong tanong niya dito.

             “Mabuti naman at ikaw na mismo ang nagtanong niyan. Oo may kailangan ako sa iyo Margaret. Gusto kong pag-usapan natin si Mike.”

      Pumayag si Margaret sa kagustuhan nito at sa isang restaurant na pinagdalhan sa kanya nito ay naupo silang magkaharap sa isang misa. Kakaunti lang ang tao sa restaurant na iyon at medyo malayo ang kinaroroonan nila sa ibang customer ng restaurant na iyon. Nag-umpisa kaagad silang mag-usap na dalawa.

       “Mahal mo ba si Mike Margaret?” tanong nito sa kanya.

        “Oo mahal ko si Mike,” sagot niya dito.

        “Sa tingin ko mahal ka rin naman niya,” pagpapatuloy nito. “Nagmamahalan nga kayong dalawa. Nakakainggit nga kayo eh. Eh ako, ano ba ang nararamdaman mo para sa akin, ano ba ang nararamdaman mo para sa magiging anak ko kay Mike?” madiing tanong nito na nakatitig ng mariin sa mga mata niya.

          Natigilan si Margaret sa tinanong nito sa kanya. Napansin iyon ni Esmeralda kaya nagpatuloy ito. “Ako ang buntis at hindi ikaw Margaret. Sa akin at sa magiging anak ko siya may pananagutan Margaret. Kaya inuutusan kitang hiwalayan mo na siya!” pagalit na utos nito.

         “Hindi madali ang hinihiling mo Esmeralda, kinakailangan ko munang pag-isipan ito nang mabuti. Mahal ko si Mike mahal na mahal,” madiing sagot niya pagkatapos ay nagpaalam na dito.

          Nang sumunod na araw ay nasa labas ng eskwelhan si Margaret kasama ng ilang mga malalapit niyang kapwa guro at maraming mga batang estudyanteng papauwi na sa kani-kanilang tahanan. Dumating si Mike para sunduin siya. Yinakap siya nito nang marahan.

          “Margaret, mabuti naman at naabutan kita. Gusto sana kitang makausap,” sabi nito sa kanya. Tumango siya kaya hinawakan nito ang isa niyang kamay para maglakad papunta sa kanyang nakaparadang sasakyan. Subalit pagkatalikod na pagkatalikod ng dalawa ay tumambad sa kanilang harapan si Esmeralda.

           Galit na galit itong nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. Bigla itong kumalma at ngumiti sa kanilang dalawa. Pagkatapos ay nagsalita ito sa pinalakas na boses nito, nakatingin sa mga kapwa guro ni Margaret at maraming mga batang estudyanteng naroroon. “Alam niyo ba kung sino ang ama ang ipinagbubuntis kong ito ha?” tanong niya sa lahat ng naroroon. Napatitig rito ang lahat. “Walang iba kundi itong si Mike na gustong pakasalan ng pinakamamahal niyong gurong si Margaret!”

           “Tumigil ka na Esmeralda, huwag kang mag-eskandalo dito!” utos ni Mike dito.

           “At bakit nahihiya kang malaman ng lahat ng mga naririto na may dapat kang panagutan sa akin ha?” tanong nito kay Mike.

           “Pakiusap Esmeralda sa ibang lugar na lang natin pag-usapan ito,” pakiusap ni Mike dito.

           “Gusto kong dito tayo mag-usap sa harap ng maraming tao, para malaman ng lahat na itong si Margaret ay inaagawan ng ama ang anak ko! Ako ang pakakasalan mo Mike at hindi ang babaeng ito. Kung may natitira ka pang awa diyan sa puso mo Margaret layuan mo na si Mike. Layuan mo na ang ama ng magiging anak ko!”

           Nakaramdam ng pagkahiya si Margaret sa sinabi ni Esmeralda. Hindi niya matiis ang mga titig sa kanila ng mga batang estudyante at maging ng mga kapwa niya guro.

            “Halika na Margaret,” sabi ni Mike sa kanya. “Sumama ka na lang muna sa akin at ako na ang bahala kay Esmeralda pagkatapos.”

             Tumango lang si Margaret at sumama kay Mike. Inihatid siya nito sa kanilang bahay para muli silang mag-usap. Habang nakaupo sa kanilang sala ay kinausap ni Mike si Margaret. “Margaret, sana ay hindi ka magpadala sa mga sinabi sa atin ni Esmeralda. Gaya ng sinabi ko na sa iyo paninindigan ko ang batang iyon pero tayo pa rin ang magpapakasal.”

             “Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko Mike, mahal na mahal kita at ayokong mawala ka sa akin. Subalit naawa ako sa anak mo, pakiramdam ko’y inaagawa ko siya ng ama. Pakiramdam ko’y inaagawa ko siya ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng isang buong pamilya Mike.”

              “Hindi kaya natin ‘to Margaret. Bibigyan ko nang magandang kinabukasan ang batang iyon. Sisiguraduhin kong mararamdaman niya ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya bilang ama niya. At magagawa ko iyon kung nasa tabi kita. Hindi ko makakayang mawala ka sa akin, Margaret.”

              “Hindi ko rin kayang mawala ka sa akin Mike, nahihirapan ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin sa pagkakataong ito.”

               Isinantabi na muna nina Mike at Margaret ang plano nilang paghandaan ang kanilang kasal gayuman ay nagpasya silang magkita pa rin tuwing may pagkakataon sila. Sa eskwelahang pinagtuturuan niya ay napapansin ng ilang mga kaibigang guro ni Margaret ang pagiging tahimik niya gayong kadalasan ay palagi siyang nakikinig o nakikipagkwentuhan sa kanila. Ang pinakamatalik niyang kaibigang si Eleonor ay sinikap na pasayahin siya at pinayuhan din siya nito. Sinabi nitong huwag siyang paapekto kay Esmeralda. Ipinaliwanag pa nito sa kanya na wala siyang dapat alalahanin sapagkat siya naman ang totoong mahal ni Mike. Pinayuhan siya nitong ituloy pa rin ang kanilang pagpapakasal ni Mike. Maging ang ama niya ay kinausap din siya at pinayuhang magpakatatag. Pinayuhan siya ng ama niya na huwag na huwag siyang makikipaghiwalay kay Mike. Idiniin nitong silang dalawa ang tunay na nagmamahalan kaya sila ang dapat na magkatuluyan. Pinuntahan din ng ama ni Mike si Margaret para kausapin siya. Ipinaliwanag nito sa kanya na hindi lang naman sa kanila ang nangyari ang ganoong bagay. Marami namang mga batang lumaki ng maayos kahit namumuhay at nakatira sa ibang tahanan at hindi kasama ang kanilang ama. Sinabi nitong mamahalin at pag-aaralin naman ni Mike ang magiging anak nito sa hinaharap. Hindi ito magkukulang sa pagmamahal at pag-aaruga dahil siya mismo ay palaging magpupunta at dadalaw sa bata para masigurong lumaki itong masaya at puno ng pagmamahal. Biniro pa siya nito napakaswerte ng batang iyon sapagkat magkakaroon siya ng isang lolong napakabait at higit sa lahat ay galante. Sinabi nitong ipapasyal niya ang bata palagi at isasama pa nito ang bata sa kanyang pagbebeyahe sa ibang bansa at kung kinakailangang isama pa nito si Esmeralda ay gagawin nito masiguro lang na maging masaya ang kanyang apo. Kaya ipinagpatuloy pa rin nina Mike at Margaret ang kanilang pagkikita. Parati pa rin silang nagdi-date at namamasyal. Sumama rin si Margaret sa mga business functions na pinupuntahan ni Mike. At sa mga business functions na ito ay nag-uunahan ang mga press na kunan sila ng letratong dalawa. Lahat ng mga nakakita sa kanila ay nagsasabing bagay na bagay silang dalawa. Maging ang press ay kumampi din kay Margaret. Naibalita na rin kasi ang pagkakabuntis ni Esmeralda. Subalit ipinaliwanag ng mabuti ni Mike sa publiko na maayos silang nagkahiwalay. Ang paghihiwalay nila ay tinanggap noon ng maluwag ni Esmeralda pagdidiin nito.  At siniguro din nitong magiging mabuti at responsable siyang ama sa magiging anak nito kay Esmeralda. Sinigurado nito sa publiko na magkakaroon ang magiging anak nito ng maganda at marangyang buhay.

         Subalit hindi pa rin tumigil si Esmeralda sa pag-eeskandalo kina Mike at Margaret. Sinusundan pa rin nito ang dalawa  at pinipilit si Margaret na hiwalayan si Mike. Sinisikap nilang dalawa na huwag na lang itong pansinin. Subalit habang tumatagal ay mas lumalala na si Esmeralda sinusugod na nito si Margaret at pinagtatangkaan pang saktan siya. Kaya napilitan na ring kumuha ng mga bodyguards ang kanyang ama para sa kaniya. Sa eskwelahan at maging sa kanilang bahay ay sinusugod pa rin ni Esmeralda si Margaret. Nagwala ito sa labas ng kanilang bahay at nanghahagis ng kung anu-ano para mapilitan lang si Margaret na labasin ito at kausapin. Napapaalis din naman si Esmeralda ng kanilang mga security guard. Subalit bumabalik pa rin ito pag nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon at patuloy na nanggugulo. Pinipilit ni Margaret na panatagin ang sarili niya subalit hindi pa rin niya maiwasang mabalisa sa mga  pinaggagawa ni Esmeralda sa kanya sa kung saan-saang lugar na makita siya nito. Parati rin siyang pinupuntahan ni Mike tuwing mababalitaan nito ang ginagawang pag-eskandalo ni Esmeralda kay Margaret. Pilit siyang pinapanatag nito at pinapanagakong gagawa ito ng paraan para tigilan na siya nito. Subalit kahit anong pakiusap ni Mike dito ay hindi pa rin ito tumigil sa mga pinaggagawa nito laban kay Margaret. Patuloy pa rin nitong sinusugod at inieskandalo si Margaret. Si Mike naman ay wala pa ring tigil sa pagpaparamdam nito ng pagmamahal nito kay Margaret. Sinisigurado nitong mapapasaya at mapapangiti nito si Margaret tuwing magkasama sila para mawala sa isip nito ang problemang kanilang kinakaharap.

                                                            Chapter 11

          TINAWAGAN ni Margaret si Mike para sila ay magkausap tungkol sa kanilang dalawa. Pinuntahan kaagad ni Mike si Margaret. Sa may hardin nina Margaret ay muli silang nag-usap.

         Pinagmasdan ni Mike ng mariin si Margaret bago ito nagsalita. “Margaret ano ang gusto mong sabihin sa akin, nag-aalala na ako,” umpisa nito.

         May namuong mga luha sa mga mata niya. May luha sa mga matang tumingin si Margaret kay Mike. “Mike… mahal na mahal kita at ayokong mawala ka sa akin. Subalit kinakailangan na nating maghiwalay na dalawa.”

         Natigilan si Mike sa narinig nito sa kanya. “Margaret, pakiusap huwag mo namang sabihin sa akin iyan. Nasasaktan ako sa sinasabi mo.”

        “Nasasaktan din ako Mike, pero kailangan nating gawin ito,” sagot niya rito.

        “Akala ko ba mahal mo ako. Hindi mo na ba ako matatangap nang dahil lang sa magkaanak ako sa ibang babae. Pero alam mo namang nangyari iyon bago pa tayo nagkaroon ng relasyon. Hiwalay na kami ng muli tayong magkita. Kung nakokonsensya kang magpakasal sa akin ng dahil sa bata ay hindi ka dapat makaramdam ng ganoon dahil sinabi ko na naman sa iyong mamahalin ko ang batang iyon. Bibigyan ko siya ng masaya at marangyang buhay Margaret. Maging ang ama ko ay nasisiguro kong mamahalin at aalagaan din ang anak ko. Magiging masaya ang buhay ng magiging anak ko kahit na magpakasal pa tayong dalawa Margaret.”

       “Alam kong mamahalin mo ang anak mo Mike. Alam kong bibigyan niyo siya ng maganda at marangyang buhay Mike. Subalit hindi ko kayang may masamang mangyari sa anak mo. Sinusugod niya tayo at ineeskandalo sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Papano kung sa ginagawa niyang pagsugod at pageeskandalo sa atin ay may mangyaring masama sa anak niyo. Hindi kaya ng konsensya kong may masamang mangyari sa anak mo ng dahil sa akin Mike. Alam mo ba ang naramdaman ko ng makita ko siyang madapa minsan ng hinahabol niya tayong dalawa, Mike. Para akong pinapatay ng konsensya ko Mike. Ikaw Mike ano ang mararamdaman mo kung sakaling may mangyari masama sa anak mo ng dahil sa ating dalawa?”

        Natigilan si Mike sa sinabi niya rito. Nagpatuloy si Margaret. “Wala tayong magagawa, hindi tayo titigilan ng kakahabol at kakeskandalo ni Esmeralda at hihintayin pa ba nating may mangyaring masama sa anak mo bago tayo maghiwalay ha Mike. Mike ayoko talagang makipaghiwalay sa iyo, pero kinakailangan kong gawin ito. Kinakailangan kong gawin ito para sa kapanatagan ng loob ko.”

       Subalit hindi pa rin pumayag si Mike na makipaghiwalay sa kanya. Sinabi nitong naguguluhan lang siya. Sinabi nitong babalik na lang siyang muli para sila’y muling magkausap. Subalit simula sa araw na iyon ay sinimulan na siyang iwasan ni Margaret. Sa tuwing pupuntahan siya nito sa paaralan ay hindi na niya ito kinakausap pa. Maging sa tuwing nagpupunta ito ng bahay nila at pinapapasok ng kanyang ama ay hindi na rin bumababa pa si Margaret mula sa kanyang kwarto. Nasasaktan si Margaret sa ginagawa niyang pag-iwas kay Mike at lalo pa siyang nakakaramdam ng sakit sa kanyang puso sa tuwing nakikita niyang nasasaktan si Mike sa kanyang pag-iwas dito. Sa kanyang kwarto ay tahimik siyang lumuluha at tumatangis. Kahit nasasaktan ay pinipilit niya ang sariling panindigan ang naging pasya niyang hiwalayan ang lalaking pinakamamahal niya. Nag-file na rin si Margaret ng leave sa eskwelahang pinagtuturuan niya para maiwasan niyang makita pa si Mike. Sapagkat ang kanilang pagkikita ay nagdudulot sa kanya ng malabis na pighati dahil batid niyang wala nang katuparan pa ang kanilang pagmamahalan. Gabi-gabi ay tahimik na umiiyak si Margaret. Hinahanap-hanap niya si Mike sa tabi niya. Parati niyang naalala ang masasaya at punong-puno ng pagmamahalang pagkikita nilang dalawa. Mahal na mahal pa rin niya si Mike. Subalit ang masasayang alaalang iyon ay lalo pang nagdudulot ng hapdi at sakit sa kanyang puso. Kinakailangan niyang magparaya at pakawalan si Mike. Lumuluha ang mga matang tinaggap niya ang katotohanang hinding-hindi na sila magkakatulyan pa ng lalaking pinakamamahal niya. Marahil sa pangungulila at pagdadalamhati ay nagkasakit si Margaet. Umaga pa lang ay nilalaganat na siya. Kinagabihan ay dumating si Mike sa kanilang tahanan. Kumatok ito nang kumatok subalit hindi niya ito pinagbuksan. Nagpunta ito sa harapan ng kanyang kwarto sa kanilang bakuran. Nakabukas pa ang ilaw nito kaya nasisiguro nitong gising pa siya. Sa malakas na boses nito ay muli itong nagsumamo na mag-usap silang dalawa. Nakatayo itong nakatingala sa kanyang kwarto at naghihintay na dumungaw siya. Biglang umulan nang malakas. Hindi ito natinag at nagpatuloy ito sa pagsusumamo sa kanya na muli silang magkabalikan. "Margaret, harapin mo naman ako... kausapin mo ako..." pagmamakaawa nito sa gitna ng gabi at sa nagngangalit na kulog at kidlat. "Margaret mahal na mahal kita, hindi ko kakayaning mawala ka sa buhay ko. Hindi mo na ba ako mahal. Nawala na ba ang pag-ibig mo para sa akin Margaret..."
         Lumuluha ang mga mata niya habang pinagmamasdan  mula sa itaas ng kanyang kwarto sa likod ng kanyang nakasarang bintana ang pagmamakaawa at pagsusumamo nito sa kanya. Nag-alala na siya dahil kung baka kung anong mangyari dito. Matagal na itong nakababad sa ulan at mukhang nilalamig na. Kaya napilitan na siyang kausapin ito. Binuksan niya ang kanyang bintana. Pumasok kaagad ang malakas na hangin at nabasa na rin siya. Nagsalita siya sa malakas na boses. "Mike umuwi ka na may pananagutan ka na! Magkakaanak ka na. Mas kailangan ka niya kaysa sa akin. Kaya pakiusap umuwi ka na... pabayaan mo na ako Mike please..."
         "Mahal na mahal kita Margaret... kung mawawala ka sa akin ay wala na ring halaga ang buhay ko..." madamdaming sagot nito. Nanatili itong nakatayo sa gitna nang malakas na buhos ng ulan. Nakita niyang napaluhod ito sa kanilang hardin. Umiiyak ito. Lalo pang pumatak ang mga luha niya. Hindi na niya matagalang makita pa ito sa ganoong kahabag-habag na ayos. Nagpasya siyang bumaba at muling kausapin ito. Pagkabukas niya nang pintuan nila ay dahan-dahan niyang nilapitan ang nakaluhod pa rin sa harding si Mike. Napansin siya nito kaya kaagad itong tumayo at yinakap siya. Yinakap siya nito nang mahigpit na mahigpit. Lalo pang lumakas ang pagbuhos nang ulan. "Sabi ko nga ba't hindi mo ako matitiis Margaret... mahal mo pa rin ako..." Hindi siya sumagot. Pinilit niyang hindi na magsalita sa pangamba niyang baka pag ginawa niya iyon ay masabi niyang mahal na mahal pa rin niya ito at nais niya itong muling makasama. Hinayaan lang niyang yakapin siya nito sa pagbabakasakaling maibsan nito ang sakit at pait na dulot ng kanyang pakikipaghiwalay dito. Lumuluha pa rin si Margaret.

          "Tayo na ulit hindi ba Margaret... magpapakasal na uli tayo hindi ba..." nagsusumamong tanong nito habang patuloy siya nitong yinayakap. Subalit hindi pa rin siya sumagot. Patuloy lang ang pagluha niya sa mga bisig nito. Naramdam nitong nangingig siya sa mga bisig nito. "Mahal na mahal kita Margaret..." Huling katagang narinig niya bago siya nahimatay. Nahimatay si Margaret sa mga bisig ni Mike. "Margaret ! Margaret !" lumuluhang sambit nito sa pangalan niya. Subalit nanatiling nakapikit ang mga mata niya. Kinarga kaagad siya nito at mabilis na itinakbo papunta sa sasakyan nito. Halos liparin na nito ang kahabaan ng kalsada makarating lang kaagad ito sa hospital. Nang makarating sila'y kaagad na inasikaso ng mga doktor sa hospital ang wala pa ring malay na si Margaret. Nag-aapoy siya sa lagnat at nagdedeliryo. Sinasambit niya ang pangalan ni Mike. Luhaang naghintay ito sa labas ng kwarto niya. Alalang-alala at natakot ito na baka tuluyan nang mawala siya rito. Napagulhol ito sa kanyang pagkakaupo at sinisi ang sarili sa nangyari sa kanya. "Kasalanan ko to... kasalanan ko to..." Makalipas ang ilang sandali ay dumating ang ama niya. Nakita kaagad nito si Mike na patuloy na naghihintay pa sa labas ng kwarto niya. Tumabi ito sa pagkakaupo nito. "Patawarin niyo ako Tito..."
         Tinapik lang nito ito at sinabing wala itong kasalanan dahil nagmamahal lang ito. Nag-isip nang nag-isip si Mike. Hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang makapagpasya. Lumabas naman ang doktor na nag-asikaso kay Margaret. Sinabi nitong maayos na ang kalagayan niya at kinakailangan na lang niyang mabantayan at maalagaang mabuti para magtuloy-tuloy ang paggaling niya. Tahimik na nagpasalamat nang taimtim si Mike. Kinausap nito ang ama niya. "Tito nakapagpasya na ako. Pakakawalan ko na siya.... palalayain ko na si Margaret..." Pagkatapos ay nakalaglag ang mga balikat na tumayo at umalis. Lumuluha at nasasaktan sa tuluyang pagkawala sa buhay nito ng pinakamamahal nito.

                                                                                        Chapter 13

       HINDI  na muling nagpakita pa kay Margaret si Mike. Nagpasya siyang sundin na ang kagustuhan nitong panagutan ang pagdadalang-tao ni Esmeralda. Sa bahay na ipinagpatuloy ang pagpapagaling ni Margaret. Napansin nitong hindi na siya nagpupunta sa bahay nito. Nasasaktan pero pinilit nitong tanggapin ito. Pinuntahan niya si Esmeralda para ipaalam ang kanyang pasyang pakasalan na ito. Tuwang-tuwa kaagad ito sa sinabi niya rito. Habang magkaharap sila sa sala ng tintuluyang apartment nito ay tinapat niya ito na pakakasalan lang niya ito para sa kapakanan ng bata sa sinapupunan nito at dahil na rin ay sa iyon ang kagustuhang gawin niya ng pinakamamahal niyang si Margaret. Napabuntong-hininga ito sa sinabi niya. "Pag nakasal na tayo at nagsama nang matagal nakasisiguro akong matutunan mo rin akong mahalin Mike," sabi nito sa kanya. Hindi na siya sumagot pa rito. Sapagkat para sa kanya batid niyang wala na siyang pakaiibigin pa kundi si Margaret. Pagkatapos ay sinabi niyang ang Daddy na niya ang bahalang mag-asikaso ng lahat ng kakailanganin nila para sa kanilang kasal. Napansin nito ang ka-walang gana nito sa pagpapakasal nila. Subalit sinikap nitong tanggapin iyon dahil masaya na ito na napapayag siya nitong pakasalan ito. Pagkatapos ay nagpaalam na siya sa kanya. Lumipas ang dalawang linggo at naihanda na ang lahat ng kakailanganin nila para sa kanilang pagpapakasal. Mabilis na natapos iyon ng ama niya sa kahilingan na rin niya. Isang buwan na lang ang bibilangin at magpapakasal na silang dalawa. Nasa kanilang bahay siya at malungkot na nag-iisa at nangungulila kay Margaret nang bigla itong makatanggap ng tawag mula kay Esmeralda. Humagolhol nitong sinabi na dinala sa hospital ang maysakit nitong ina. Kaagad namang sumugod siya sa hospital para samahan ito sa pagbabantay rito. Pagkarating na pagkarating niya ay nakita niyang umiiyak ito at yakap-yakap ang ina sa kama nito sa loob ng kwarto nito. Nakaramdam siya ng habag para sa mag-ina. Kaya dahan-dahan siyang lumapit kay Esmeralda. Napalingon ito nang maramdamang bahagyang hinahagod niya ang likod nito para payapain ito. "Dumating ka na pala Mike, pasensya ka na hindi kaagad kita napansin." Ngumiti lang siya rito.
       "Ito ba ang sinasabi mong mapapangasawa mo ha Margaret?" tanong ng nanghihina at nakaratay sa kamang ina nito na nakatingin sa bisita nito.
       "Opo ma, ito po si Mike," pagpapakilala nito sa kanya rito.
       "Kumusta na po kayo Tita," magalang na bati niya rito.
       "Ito nakikita mo naman, pero kaya ko ito," sagot naman agad nito. Umupo si Mike sa tabi ni Esmeralda at sinamahang bantayan ang ina. Nalaman niyang may colon cancer ito. Nagtagal pa sa hospital ang ina nito. Isang araw dumating si Esmeralda at nadatnan nito si Mike sa tabi ng kanyang ina na nagbabantay at magiliw na kinakausap ito. Napansin nitong magaan ang loob ng ina nito sa kanya. Nahuhuli nito ito na nakangiti ito habang nakikipag-usap sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay lalapitan ni Esmeralda si Mike para magkasama nilang mabantayan ang may sakit na ina. Nakikita nito ang pagmamalasakit niya para sa ina nito. Si Mike na rin ang nakikipag-usap sa mga tumitinging doktor rito. At kaagad namang ibinibigay niya ang lahat ng mga pangangailangan nito at ang mga ipinabibiling gamot para rito. Kapag gabi na at kailangan nang umuwi nito ay ipinahahatid niya ito sa kanilang driver at nagpapaiwan siya upang bantayan at asikasuhin ito. Sa tuwing babalik ito sa hospital at nadaratnan nito si Mike na taos pusong inaalagaan ang ina nito ay naantig ang puso nito. Napapahinga ito nang malalim sa kabutihan ng puso niya. Maging ang ama niya ay nagpakita rin ng pagmamalasakit para sa may sakit na ina nito. Kinakausap rin nito ang mga doktor para kumustahin ang kalagayan nito. Sinabi rin nito rito na huwag itong masyadong mag-alala para sa kanyang ina at baka kung mapano pa ang bata sa kanyang sinapupunan. Biniro pa nito ito na pakaingatan nito ang bata at tiyak na magiging poging lalaki ito katulad nito paglabas nito. Naramdam nitong unti-unti na itong natatanggap ng ama niya. Minsan nang marahan nitong buksan ang pintuan ng kwarto ng ina nito ay nakita at narinig niyang nag-uusap ang ina nito at si Mike. "Mike, hijo nagpapasalamat ako at ikaw ang mapapangasawa ng anak ko. Panatag ako na maiiwan ko siya sa isang mabuting lalaking katulad mo."
        Narinig rin nitong sumagot ito. "Huwag po kayong mag-alala at kahit na anong mangyari ay aalagaan ko ang anak at magiging apo niyo." Dahan-dahan itong lumapit sa ina nito at sa kanya. Bumaling kaagad ang dalawa rito.
        "Halika rito anak," sabi nito sa nanghihinang boses nito. Lumapit pa ito sa kanila at umupo sa tabi ni Mike. "Anak, napakapalad mo at itong si Mike ang makakatuluyan mo. Nasisigurado kong magkakaroon ka ng maganda at masayang buhay kasama si Mike, Esmeralda. Sana ay patuloy kayong magmahalang dalawa.”
        Ngumiti naman kaagad si Mike rito at sumagot para rito. "Opo iyan po ang gagawin namin, kaya panatagin niyo ang sarili niyo at magpagaling para makadalo pa po kayo sa kasal namin." Nangiti ito sa sinabi niya. Hinawakan niya ang dalawang kamay nito at pagkatapos ay hinagod nang marahan. Naluha nang bahagya si Esmeralda sa ipinapakitang pagmamalasakit niya sa ina nito. Pagkatapos ay unti-unti nitong ipinikit ang mga mata. Hindi na gumanda pa ang kalagayan ng ina ni Esmeralda. Habang lumilipas ang mga araw ay lalo pa itong naghihina. Dumating naman ang doktor nito at tinapat na sila sa totoong kalagayan nito. Sinabi nitong wala na silang magagawa pa para sa ina nito. Ilang araw na lang ang bibilangin at tuluyan na itong papanaw. Napahagulhol kaagad ito. Napayakap ito kay Mike. Yinakap naman niya ito at hinagod nang marahan para maibsan kahit papano ang pagdadalamhati nito. Siya man ay naluluha rin sa matinding habag na nararamdaman niya para sa mag-ina. Subalit kailangan niyang maging matatag kaya kaagad niyang kinalma ang sarili niya. Buntis ito at hindi nito magagawang asikasuhin pa ang ina nito. Sa nalalabing mga araw ng ina nito ay hindi na umalis ng hospital si Mike. Sinamahan niya ito at patuloy na binabantayan para kay Esmeralda. Dumating si Esmeralda at nakita nitong hawak-hawak ni Mike ang mga palad nito. Nakita ito ng ina nito. Kaagad itong lumapit sa dalawa at umupo sa tabi nila. Nag-aagaw buhay na ito. Hinawakan nito ang mga palad nito at ipinatong sa palad niya. "M-mike.... huwag mong pababayaan ang anak ko… mahalin mo siya at paligayahin para sa akin.... Esmeralda mahal na mahal kita anak…” Pagkatapos ay ipinikit nito ang mga mata at tuluyan nang pumanaw. Humagolhol at sinasambit ang pangalan ng ina na niyakap niya si Esmeralda. Ramdam niya ang malabis na pagdadalamhati nito sa pagkawala ng ina nito.
        Kaagad namang inasikaso niya ang lahat ng mga pangangailangan para sa lamay at pagpapalibing nito. Dumating rin ang ama niya para magpaabot ng pakikiramay para kay Esmeralda. Pagkalipas ng ilang araw ay inihatid na nila sa huling hantungan ang ina nito. Pumatak pa ang mas maraming mga luha sa mata ni Esmeralda at sa lahat ng sandali ay nandoon si Mike para panatagin at damayan ito. Makalipas ang isang linggo matapos ang libing ay muling nag-usap ang dalawa. Napagkasunduan nilang ipagpatuloy pa rin ang pagpapakasal nila.

                                                                                        Chapter 14@@

      NAKITA ni Margaret ang amang may binabasang dyaryo habang nakaupo sa may sala ng kanilang tahanan. Napansin niyang parang malungkot ito. Bumuntong-hininga ito pagkatapos ay muling itinupi ang dyaryo at inilagay sa ilalim ng maliit na mesa sa gitna. Pagkatapos ay nagtungo ito sa may pintuan at lumabas ng bahay. Narinig niya ang tunog ng makina ng papaalis na sasakyan nito. Nagpasya siyang alamin kung ano ang nabasa nito sa dyaryo na mukhang nagdulot ng kalungkutan rito. Mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa nila ay inabot niya mula sa ilalim ang itinuping dyaryo ng kanyang ama. Kaagad niya itong hinawakan sa dalawa niyang kamay para mabasa ang nilalaman ng pahayagan. Nanginig ang mga palad niya. Tumulo ang mga luha sa mga mata niya at mabilis na naglandas sa kanyang dalawang pisngi. Halos mabulag siya sa dami ng luhang nakaharang sa kanyang mga mata. Nabitawan niya ang dyaryo at nahulog ito sa may sahig sa paanan niya. Bukas na ang kasal ni Mike at ni Esmeralda. Humahagolhol na napatakbo siya sa labas ng kanilang bahay. Gabi na noon at tulog na ang lahat ng kanilang mga katulong sa bahay. Sa kanyang pagtakbong tumatangis ay napatigil siya sa gitna ng kanilang hardin. Natutop niya ang kanyang bibig. Halos hindi siya makahinga. Pakiramdam niya'y parang pinupunit ang kanyang puso. Bukas ay tuluyan nang mawawala sa buhay niya ang pinakamamahal niya. Napaupo siya sa upuan. Humihikbing tumangis siya ng tumangis. Naramdaman niya ang singsing na ibinigay sa kanya nito sa may dalampasigan. Sa luhaang mga mata'y muli niya itong pinagmasdan. Hinubad niya ito at inilagay sa kanyang bulsa. Tumingala siya. Patuloy sa paghikbing tumayo siya. Sa mga mata niyang may nag-uunahang mga luhang pumapatak ay pinagmasdan niya ang mga bituin sa kalangitan. Kabilugan ng buwan. "Mike... Mike... Mike..." daing niya. Itinaas niya ang kanyang kaliwang braso. Itinapat niya ang kanyang palasingsingan sa isang bituin. Naramdaman niyang parang nasa likuran lang niya si Mike at yakap-yakap siya. Subalit kaagad siyang nagising sa katotohanang wala na ito para takpan ang isang mata niya para magmistula iyong makinang na bato sa palasingsingan niya at muli siyang alayan ng kasal. Luhaang muli siyang napahagulhol. "Mike... Mike... Mike..." Wala nang saysay ang mga bituin sa langit dahil wala na sa kanya si Mike. Muli siyang napaupo at isinubsob ang mukha sa nanginginig niyang mga palad. Tumangis siya ng tumangis.

      NAKATANAW si Mike sa kalangitan. Nakita niya ang mga bituin at ang bilog na buwan. Huminga siya nang malalim. Naalala niya kung papano sinagot ni Margaret ang alay niyang kasal sa pamamagitan ng bilog na bilog na buwan. Nangiti siya. Para sa kanya'y iyon ang pinakamaligayang gabi niya sa tanang buhay niya. Subalit ang alaalang iyon ay wala na ring saysay dahil bukas ay ikakasal na siya. Bukas ay tuluyan ng mawawala si Margaret. Nagsisi siya at nanghinayang. Kung sana'y sinunod niya ang hiling ng kanyang ama na makipagkita noon pa rito ay hindi na sana nangyari pa ang lahat. Sana'y nakilala na niya ito bago pa niya nakilala si Esmeralda. Siguro'y napakasaya namin ngayong gabi. Siguro'y kaming dalawa ang ikakasal bukas. Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata niya. "Margaret... Margaret mahal ko... bakit kinakailangang mangyari sa ating dalawa ito..." Sa gabing iyon ay sabay na tumangis ang dalawang pusong nagmamahalan.
       Nagising si Mike sa tunog ng pagkatok ng kanyang ama sa pintuan ng kanyang kwarto. "Anak, kinakailangan mo nang maghanda para sa kasal mo," pagpapaalala nito. Kailangan na niyang harapin ang katotohanan. Ikakasal na siya sa araw na iyon kay Esmeralda. Mawawala na sa kanya nang tuluyan si Margaret. Bumangon siya at nagpunta sa kanyang banyo at naligo. Pagkatapos makapagbihis ay magkasama silang nagpunta ng ama sa may simbahan kung saan gaganapin ang kanilang kasal ni Esmeralda. Pagkarating nila ay naroon na sa nakagayak na simbahan ang mga bridesmaids at ang kanyang best man. Binati kaagad siya ng mga ito. Ngumiti lang siya pabalik sa mga ito. Tahimik na tinaggap niya ang kanilang mga papuri at pagbati. Lahat ng mga naroon ay nakangiti at mukhang masayang-masaya. Maliban sa kanya. Napansin niyang nagawa pa ring ngumiti ng kanyang ama sa kanilang mga kakilala at mga bisita. Hindi pa rin dumarating si Esmeralda. Kasama at katabi ng kanyang mga matatalik na kaibigan ay hinintay nila ang pagdating nito. Pumatak pa ang ilang minuto ay hindi pa rin dumarating ito. Patuloy sa kani-kanilang kwentuhan ang lahat ng mga tao roon. Inaantabayan ang pagdating ng bride. Nagliwanag kaagad ang mga mata ng marami ng makitang parating na ang isang puting bridal car. Dahan-dahang umusad iyon papalapit sa may simbahan. Nakita kaagad ng mga tao ang sakay noon. Nakita nila si Esmeralda sa kanyang napakagarang bridal gown. Ngumiti kaagad ito sa kanila. Napahanga ang marami rito. Nagtama ang paningin ni Mike at ni Esmeralda. Nginitian kaagad siya nito. Pagkatapos niya itong ngitian ay naglakad siya papunta sa may altar sa loob ng simbahan. Bumaba na rin si Esmeralda sa kanyang sasakyan. Ang lahat ay kaagad nang nagpuntahan sa kani-kanilang mga pwesto para maumpisahan na ang kasal. Dahan-dahang lumakad si Esmeralda papunta sa pintuan ng simbahan. Tumayo ito sa gitna ng pintuan. Pinagmasdan kaagad siya ng lahat ng mga panauhin. Napakasaya ng lahat habang pinagmamasdan siya sa kanyang napakagandang wedding gown. Mula sa kanyang kinatatayuan sa harap ng altar ay lumingon siya kay Esmeralda. Nagtama ang kanilang mga paningin. Nginitian niya ito. Sa labas ng simbahan ay napansin ng marami ang napakalaking kasalang iyon. Marami sa kanila ang nangangarap na magkaroon ng ganoong kagara at kaengrandeng kasalan. Sa kanilang bahay ay tahimik na nakaupo si Margaret. Ngayon na ang kasal ni Mike at ni Esmeralda. Huminga siya nang malalim. Sana ay maging masaya ang araw na ito para sa iyo Mike, tahimik na dalangin nito. Alam ni Margaret na mahal pa rin ito ni Mike. At mahal pa rin ni Margaret si Mike. Muli siyang huminga nang malalim. Tumungo ito at tahimik na tinaggap ang kapalaran nito.

                                                                               Chapter 15

      ISANG ARAW na ang nakalipas at nagising si Margaret sa kanyang kwarto. Naisip niya si Mike. Pinilit kaagad niyang magpakatatag. Ngumiti siya at bumangon sa kanyang kama. Magiging masaya ako sa araw na ito pangako niya sa sarili. Kaagad siyang nagpunta sa kanyang banyo at naligo. Pagkatapos ay kaagad itong nagbihis at bumaba sa kanilang bahay. Nakita siya ng kanyang ama. Niyaya siya nitong mag-agahan. Sinikap niyang maging masaya sa harapan ng kanyang ama. Ayaw niyang malungkot ito ng dahil sa kanya. Ilang sandali lang ay natapos na silang mag-almusal. Tumayo kaagad siya at nagpaalam sa kanyang ama. "Dad, aalis muna ako ng bahay," paalam niya.
       Tiningnan siya nito ng mariin at kaagad nagwika. "Anak, alam kong malungkot ka ngayon. Ama mo ako at nararamdaman ko iyon."
        Huminga lang ito nang malalim at pilit ngumiti rito. Muling nagsalita ang kanyang ama. "Ang mabuti pa'y doon ka na muna sa bahay bakasyunan natin sa may isla. Pwede kang umiyak doon hangga't gusto. Alam kong pinipigilan mo ang sarili mong malungkot sa harapan ko. Huwag kang mag-alala sa akin. Andiyan naman ang mga katulong natin para asikasuhin ang mga gamot ko."
        "Opo Dad, kung iyan po ang gusto niyo," sagot lang nito na pilit pa ring pinasasaya ang sarili sa harap nito.
        "Napagbilinan ko na ang driver natin. Ihahatid ka niya sa yateng magdadala sa iyo roon," pagtatapat nito sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay nginitian siya nito at bumaling sa paparating na driver nila.
        "Sir nakahanda na po ang sasakyan," sabi nito. Bumaling ito sa kanya. "Magandang umaga..."
        "Magandang umaga rin," bati rin niya rito. "Papano Dad, tatawag-tawag na lang ako para kumustahin ang kalagayan niyo rito."
        "Sigi hijo ingatan mo itong anak ko," bilin nito sa driver nila.
        "Opo sir, pakaiingatan ko po si Ma'am Margaret," sagot naman agad nito rito.
        "Bye Dad," paalam niya na kaagad lumabas at sumunod sa driver na papunta na sa nakaparadang sasakyan sa labas ng kanilang bahay. Ipinagbukas kaagad siya nito ng pintuan. Magiliw na magiliw ang ngiti nito sa kanya kaya sinikap din niyang maging magiliw rito. Pagkasakay niya ay kaagad siyang naupo sa likuran at gilid ng sasakyan. Kaagad namang nagmaneho ito. Lumingon siya sandali sa kanilang bahay ng lumampas na sila sa kanilang gate. Huminga siya ng malalim habang pinagmamadan ang kanilang tahanan mula sa umuusad na sasakyan. Pagkatapos ay muli itong humarap at itinuon ang atensyon sa dinaraanan nila. Bumuga siya ng hangin at kaagad ngumiti. Mahal kita Mike at mamahalin kita habang buhay, tahimik niyang sambit. Gumaan nang bahagya ang pakiramdam niya. Nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho ang kanilang driver. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay narating na nila ang pier. Natanaw kaagad niya ang isang malaki at napakagandang yate. Inilapit naman kaagad nito ang sasakyang menamaneho nito. Nang tuluyan nang makalapit ay kaagad itong tumigil at liningon siya. ":Andito na po tayo Ma'am Margaret," sabi nito at pagkatapos ay itinuro ng daliri ang napakagarang yate. "Iyan na po ang yateng sasakyan niyo. Ikaw lang po ang magiging sakay niyan at ng Kapitan."
         "Ganoon ba," sabi lang niya. Bumaba naman kaagad ito at pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan. Bumaba na rin siya. Nakatayo siyang pinagmasdan ang puting yate na magdadala sa kanya sa kanilang bahay-bakasyunan sa may isla. May kung ano sa yate na napagpagaan sa pakiramdam niya. Kusa siyang ngumiti habang patuloy itong pinagmamasdan.
         Matapos muling maisara ng driver ang pintuan ay kaagad itong muling sumakay sa sasakyan. Nang maisarado na nito ang pintuan ay ibinaba nito ang bintana. "Papano po Ma'am Margaret, maiwan ko na ho kayo," paalam nito sa kanya at kaagad nang pinaandar ang sasakyan at iniwan siya.
         Huminga muna siya nang malalim pagkatapos ay naglakad na papunta sa nakahimpil na yate. Kaagad siyang tumulay papasok rito. Pagka-apak niya sa loob ng yate ay kaagad siyang luminga-linga at sinbukang hanapin ang Kapitan nito. Subalit hindi niya ito nakita. Tumuloy pa rin siya at naglakad papasok. Nakakita siya ng isang upuan sa may deck. Kaya nilapitan niya ito. Tumayo siya malapit rito. Linanghap niya ang sariwang hangin ng dagat. Muli siyang lumingon sa pinagparadahan nila kanina ng kanilang driver. Napansin niyang napakalinis at maayos ang pagkakamintini ng pantalan. Nabigla siya ng maramdamang tumunog ang makina ng yate. Napaupo kaagad siya sa upuan sa tabi niya. Ilang sandali lang ay nagsimula nang umusad ang yate. Nasa gitna siya ng deck sa harapan. Dahan-dahang bumilis ang takbo nito. Hangang sa tuluyan na itong makalayo mula sa pantalan. Lalong lumakas ang hanging dumadampi sa pisngi ni Margaret. Kusang lumipad ang maganda at malambot niyang buhok. Nagtataka siya na sa kabila ng kanyang pinagdaraan ay napakapanatag niya sa gitna ng laot. Ngumiti lang siya at patuloy na pinagmasdan ang karagatan at ang mga naggagandahang mga islang dinaraanan nila. Nakita rin siya ang maraming mga ibon na lumilipad sa kalangitan tila hinahabol at nakikipagkarera ang mga ito sa sinasakyan niyang yate. Lumingon siya. Nakita niya sa likuran niya ang isang lalaking nakatayo sa itaas at nagmamaneho. Marahil ay iyon ang kapitan ng yateng ito, pagtataya niya. Napansin niyang nakasuot ito ng malaking shades. Kahit hindi niya masyadong nakikita ang mukha nito dahil sa suot suot nitong baseball cap ay napansin niyang nginitian siya nito. Pinangiti lang niya nang bahagya ang mata niya rito pagkatapos ay muling bumaling sa harapan. Huminga siya muli nang malalim at linanghap ang sariwang hangin sa malawak na karagatan. Nagpatuloy sa paglalayag ang napakaganda at napakalaking yate. Pagkalipas ng ilang sandali ay napansin niyang bahagyang bumagal ang takbo ng yate. Naging mas komportable siya sa mas mabagal na takbo nito kaya dahan-dahan siyang tumayo at naglakad sa pinakaunahan at dulo ng yate. Nasa pinakadulo at pinakaunahang bahagi ng yate siya ng bigla niyang naalala ang isang pelekulang napanood niya. Kulang na lang ay dumipa siya at sumigaw ng kung ano, nangiti siya sa naisip niya. Subalit bahagya ring naluha nang muling maalala si Mike. Ang lalaking pinakamamahal niya na pinakawalan niya. Humikbi siya nang bahagya. Sa kanyang paghikbi ay naramdaman niyang may nakatayo sa likuran niya. Kaagad niyang pinahid ang mga luha niya. Ayaw niyang makita ng tao sa likuran niya ang mga iyon.Tuluyan na ring tumigil sa pagtakbo ang yate. Nagsalita ito. "Ma'am pasensya na ho pero tumirik ho ang yate ko, tumirik ho tayo..."
        Hindi pa rin lumilingon dahil sa patuloy na pagpahid niya ng mga luha niya gamit ang kanyang panyo ay sumagot siya nang marahan. "Ganoon ba..."
        Muling nagsalita ang lalaki sa likuran niya. "Kailangan ko po ng tulong..."
        "Ha anong tulong..." muling marahan niyang sagot rito at muling ibinalik ang panyo niya sa kanyang bulsa.
        "Kailangan ko po ng magandang babaeng makakasama ko sa buhay ko, kailangan ko po kayo,” sabi ng tinig sa likuran niya.
        Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa pagkabigla sa narinig niya. Subalit bigla ring bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. Ang boses na iyon, bulong niya sa sarili niya. Mabilis siyang tumalikod para makita ito. Nasa harapan niya si Mike. Nakangiti ito habang pinagmamasdan siya. "Mike..." usal niya.
         "Margaret..." sagot lang nito.
         "A-anong ginagawa mo r-rito..." marahang tanong niya na nakatingin rito.
         "Ha... eh di sinasamahan ko ang mahal ko..." sagot agad nito na humakbang ng isa papalapit pa sa kanya.
         Napaatras siya nang bahagya sa ginawa nito. Subalit humakbang uli ito sa pag-atras niya. Sa nakangiting mga mata nito ay tumitig ito sa kanya. "Sinunod ko na ang gusto mo Margaret. Sumipot na ako sa kasal ko.... kaya ang kagustuhan ko naman ngayon ang susundin mo..."
         Dumagundong ang dibdib niya sa kaba sa sinabi nito. "A-anong ibig mong sabihin..."
         Sumagot kaagad ito. "Gusto kitang makasama... gusto kitang mayakap at mahalikan Margaret..."
         "Ano!" bulalas niya. "At gagawin mo pa akong isang... isang kabit!"
         Sumulyap ito sa itaas saka ngumisi nang bahagya. Habang nakatingin sa kanya ay ipiniling nito sa kaliwa ang pisngi nito pagkatapos ay ang sa kanan. “Ikaw talaga,” ngiti-ngiting sabi lang nito sa kanya. “Hindi mo ba na miss ang kaguapohan ka ha?” tanong nito na panandaliang tumitig sa kanya. “Ako na miss ko iyang kagandahan mo Margaret.”

        “Mike naman, huwag mo na akong biruin ng ganyan,” sagot niya rito.    

        Tumawa lang ito nang bahagya sa sinabi niya. “Ano hindi mo ba talaga ako na miss ha Margaret,” sabi nito na kaagad humakbang pa palapit sa kanya. Nagkadikit ang kanilang mga katawan. Namula ng husto si Margaret. Natawa lalo si Mike sa kanya. “Tingan mo nga iyang mukha mo pulang-pula ka na. Na miss mo nga talaga ako. Nadikit lang ako nang bahagya sa iyo’y nagkakaganyan ka na kaagad. Pagkatapos ay umakmang yayakap ito sa kanya. Subalit kaagad itong umatras at tumalikod dito. Pinigilan naman siya nito kaagad. Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay at marahang pinaharap sa kanya.

        “Mike may asawa ka na, tanggapin na natin hindi na talaga tayo magkakatuluyan pa,” halos naiiyak nang sabi niya rito.

         Kinuha naman kaagad nito ang panyo nito at iniabot sa kanya. Tinaggap naman niya iyon at marahang pinahid ang kanyang namumuong mga luha. Pagkatapos ay muling may iniabot ito sa kanya.

         “Ano naman iyan?” tanong niya kaagad dito habang nakatingin sa inaabot nito sa kanya.
         Idinikit nito ang papel sa kanang palad niya. Kinuha na lang niya ito. Tumalikod rito at dahan-dahang binuksan ito. Isa iyong liham. Naramdaman niyang muling humakbang ito palapit sa kanya at tinangkang muling yakapin siya. Subalit sinaway kaagad niya ito nang nakatalikod. "Diyan ka lang, huwag kang yayakap sa akin!" Hawak-hawak sa dalawa niyang mga kamay ay sinimulan niyang basahin ang liham. Galing iyon kay Esmeralda.
  
        Dear Mike:

               Kagabi ay pinag-isipan ko ang maraming mga bagay at dumating ako sa isang pasya. Sa mga nagdaang mga araw ay nakita ko kung gaano ka kabuting tao. Inalagaan mo ang pinakamamahal at may sakit kong ina. Ibinigay mo sa kanya ang pagkalinga na kailan man ay hindi ko nakita sa mga naging kasintahan ko dati. Napakabuti mo Mike. Sa kabila ng iyong kalungkutan sa pagkawalay sa iyo ng pinakamamahal mong si Margaret ay nakuha mo pa ring samahan at damayan ako. Ako na naging sanhi ng mapait ninyong pagkakalayo. Nakita ko kung gaano mo napasaya ang mama ko sa mga huling araw niya sa mundo. Inalagaan mo siya at itinuring na parang sarili mong ina. At dahil diyan ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo. Kasabay ng aking pagpapasalamat ay ang paghingi ko ng kapatawaran sa iyo Mike. Patawarin mo ako Mike. Nagsinungaling at linoko ko kayo ni Margaret. Nang magkaharap tayong tatlo sa bahay ni Margaret ay hindi totoong apat na buwan na ang dinadala ko dahil ang totoo'y limang buwan na akong buntis noon. Nabuntis ako ng dati kong kasintahan. Ang ipinakita kong medical certificate sa iyo ay hindi totoo. Napilitan lang gawin iyon ng kaibigan kong doktor dahil sa minsan ay natulungan ko siya. Tumatanaw lamang siya nang malaking utang na loob sa akin. Nang magkahiwalay tayo ay nalaman kong buntis na pala ako. Nakakasiguro akong hindi ikaw ang ama noon. Subalit sa galit ko sa lahat ng mga lalaking nanloko sa akin ay idinamay kita at hindi ko rin itatangging hinangad kong makibahagi sa kayaman mo at ng iyong pamilya. Subalit ngayon ay nagbago na ang lahat. Nag-iba na ang pananaw ko. Dahil sa kabutihan mo sa aming dalawa ng ina ko ay mas gusto ko nang makita na maging masaya ka na rin. Malaya ka na Mike... malaya ka nang mahaling muli si Margaret...  Kayong dalawa ang tunay na nagmamahalan kaya kayo ang karapat-dapat na magkatuluyan. Paalam...

    Humihingi ng iyong kapatawaran,

    Esmeralda

    Muli niyang ng tiniklop ang liham na binasa niya. Huminga siya nang malalim. Naramdaman niyang humakbang ito papalapit sa kanya. "Malaya na tayong magmahalan Margaret..." bulong nito sa kanya.
    Humarap siya rito at tumingala para mapagmasdang mabuti ang mukha nito. Muling nagsalita ito.  "Matapos maglakad ni Margaret sa loob ng simbahan papunta sa akin ay kaagad niyang ibinigay ang sulat na iyan sa akin. Pagkalapit naming dalawa sa pareng magkakasal sana sa amin ay kinuha niya ang mikropono at sinabi sa lahat na hindi na matutuloy ang kasal naming dalawa. Sinabi niya sa lahat ng naroroon na hindi matutuloy ang kasal dahil hindi siya karapat-dapat para sa akin. Hindi niya linawag ang kadahilan sa loob ng simbahan. Muli siyang lumapit sa akin at humingi nang tawad. Sinabi niyang kapag nabasa ko na ang liham ay mauunawaan ko rin ang lahat. Bago siya tuluyang umalis ay ipinagbilin niyang ihingi ko siya ng tawad sa iyo, Margaret," salaysay nito. Ngumiti siya at sinabing pinapatawad na niya ito.
      Hinawakan nito ang dalawa niyang mga palad at bahagyang nakayukong pinagmasdang mabuti ang napakagandang mukha niya. "Akala ko kahapon ay talagang hindi na mangyayari pa ito. Akalay ko'y wala na talaga tayong pag-asang magkabalikan pa. At ngayong muli na naman tayong magkasama ay nais ko sanang muling yayain kang magpakasal. "Will you marry me Margaret?"
      Sumagot siya kaagad. "Yes, I will marry you Mike."
      Nakangiting napailing ito. "Sayang at nakalimutan kong bumili ng bagong singsing Margaret."
      Ngumiti lang din siya at kaagad na hinawakan at inilabas ang bahagi ng kanyang kwentas mula sa loob ng kanyang damit. Nakakabit roon ang napakagandang singsing na ibinigay sa kanya dati nito sa may dalampasigan. Kinalas kaagad niya ito at ibinigay rito. Pagkatanggap ay kaagad nitong isinuot iyon sa kanya. "Nakipaghiwalay ka sa akin subalit hindi mo inalis ang simbolo ng pagmamahal ko sa iyo."
      Nakatingalang muli siyang nangusap. "Oo, ang relasyon lang natin ang isinuko ko, pero hindi kailanman ang pagmamahal ko para sa iyo. Mahal na mahal pa rin kita Mike."
      Sa malabis na kasiyahan sa narinig nito mula sa kanya ay kaagad siya nitong niyakap. "Mahal na mahal rin kita Margaret." At sa ibabaw ng yate at sa gitna ng malawak na karagatan ay muli siyang siniil ng mga halik nitong punong-puno ng pagmamahal.
      Sa napakabilis na paghahanda ng mga ama nila sa kanilang kasal ay ikinasal kaagad ang dalawa. Sa piling nang isa't isa at sa dalawa nilang mga anak ay namuhay silang maligaya habang-buhay.


                                                                                             The End