A LOVE OF A LIFETIME
The first time, we were in college. You asked me out on a date, and I
said
yes, later, when
school's over for the summer. You were happy with that for a moment but
the
next moment you wanted more. "I'll wait for you after class, ok? "You
told
me.
"My last class is until nine." "I'll wait." "Why?" "So I can walk you
home." "Why?"
"So I can make sure you're all right." And you waited until nine that
night
and many
more TThS (Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday) nights afterwards. Until almost
every night, you were already walking me home, which actually meant we
had
to take two jeepney rides and an LRT ride together. At around 11:00
p.m.,
after you've said goodnight to my parents, you'd take another three
jeepney
rides (because the LRT had closed).
You'd get to your home at past midnight. Seven hours later, we'd see
each
other again at school, and you'd smile at me as if you'd had enough
sleep,
and I'd smile back as if I hadn't stayed up wondering if you were ok.
The
hundredth time, I was in Makati. I was getting used to my first job and
you
were getting used to yours. I thought graduation meant we would soon
have
to break up and either tries to be friends or try to forget about each
other. When you had to work and live in Cavite, I knew in my heart that
everything would soon be over. But it was never over because you called
me
one lunchtime and said, "I'll pick you up." So from Cavite to Makati
you
came, then to Paranaque to make
sure I made it home all right. You called each lunchtime afterwards and
made that
seven-hour trip each evening to bring me home safely and then get back
home
to your place. My friends made me realize that not all boyfriends do
the
things you do. My mom made me realize you would take care of me for the
rest of my life. The three thousandth time, we were married. And now
you
weren't just picking me up anymore. In the mornings you would drive me
first to my office before driving on to yours. You endured each hour I
spent in the bathroom putting on makeup, patiently looked over the
clothes
I kept pulling out of the closet, ignoring each memo from your boss
that
told you to come in earlier. In the afternoon you still waited for me
(in a
car this time, so no more jeepneys), ready
to make sure we got home to
our
baby safely. The last time, I think we'd be really, really old... Our
kids
would all be grown up with families of their own and you would've lost
yourhair and I would've lost my 24-inch waistline. On that day, the sun
will be
shining, but I'll be crying because the doctor will tell me there's
nothing
more they can do for you. I will see your calm face as they cover you
with
a white blanket and for a moment I will think, "Who's gonna make sure I
get
home all right?" But then, in that hospital room, I will suddenly
look
up,
and you'd be there beside me looking as cute as when we were in
college.
"Come on," you will tell me. "Let's walk home together." And I will
take
your hand, stand by your side and together we'll walk away from that
hospital room. And that will be the last time, because from then on you
wouldn't need to look after me because we'll never have to leave home
again.