Epilogue
Epilogue
I
T WAS
twilight. Halos babahagyang mapulang sinag na lang ng lumulubog na araw ang natatanaw ni Lora sa kanluran. Mula sa upper deck ng
Lorabelle
ay payapang pinagmasdan ni Lora ang baybayin ng Paso de Blas.
Ikinasal sila ni Karl sa isla, sa tabing-dagat kaninang hapon. Reception was held at the ship. Walang ibang bisita maliban sa malalapit na kamag-anak at matatalik na kaibigan ng mga Fortalejo at Cervantes.
Sa bahagi niya’y ang
t
iya Lagring niya at ang itay niya. At ang magkasintahang Glen at Lynette, who was her bridesmaid.
Her grandfather promised her that he would one day take her to this exotic island. Karl fulfilled her grandfather’s promise. In her heart, how Lora wished her grandfather was alive. Tulad din ng pag-asam niyang sana’y naroon din ang inay niya.
She sighed. Hindi niya gustong bigyan ng puwang ang lungkot sa mga sandaling iyon. It was the happiest day of her life.
Before the wedding, Karl showed her the island. At tama ang lolo niya sa pagsasabing isa iyong paraiso. And they would live there, sila ni Karl. They would raise their children in the island.
Children... she shivered with anticipation. They would set sail today to the ends of the earth for their honeymoon.
She gazed at the starry heavens. At mula sa kalangitan ay may liwanag siyang nakitang gumuhit pababa hanggang sa mawala iyon sa kalawakan.
“I’m surprised you didn’t make a wish,
querida
...” Karl said softly behind her back. Then his arms went around her and planted a soft kiss on her nape.
“I am so happy I couldn’t think of anything to wish for, Karl...” Niyakap niya ang mga braso nitong nasa katawan niya.
“That night... when we first met...” wika ni Karl. His lips moved to her shoulders. “Nang nasa basnig tayo sa gitna ng laot, what did you wish for?”
Humarap si Lora at tumingala sa asawa. She smiled. Her hands went up to curl on his neck. Tumingkayad siya. She raised her mouth slowly to kiss him.
“My darling...” she said as her lips touched his. “It just came true.”
WAKAS