"Hunter! Ahh shit! Hunter nasaan ka ba?!" I screamed. Nakarinig ako ng kalampag sa itaas, habang ako'y nasa ibaba ng hagdan. Nakakapit ako sa sa rails, habang sapo ang ibaba ng tiyan ko.Waters scattered on the tiled floor.

"F-Fuck what the—" Gulo-gulo ang buhok, habang walang damit pang-itaas na tumakbo si Hunter pababa. I glared at him when I saw the confusion on his face. Tila wala pa ito sa sarili at lumilipad ang isip sa kung saan.

"Shit! Araaay! Ano pa bang ginagawa mo?!"

"B-Bakit...a-anong..." He's panicking. Napatingin siya sa baba at agad na namutla. I badly wanted to laugh, but I stopped myself.

"A-Ano?! Tutunganga ka lang ba d'yan!? Dadalahin mo ba ako sa hospital o hindi?!"

"L-Let's go..." nauna pa siya sa akin kaya napamura ako.

"Hoy! Nauna ka pa?! Buhatin mo ako!" Mukha namang natauhan siya at napabalik. Gustong gusto ko na talaga tumawa kasi wala pa rin siyang damit, kabiyak na tsinelas lang ang suot tapps naka-boxer lang.

"He was about to carry me when I slapped him."

"Gago dadalahin mo ako ng walang gamit na dala!? Saka tingnan mo nga itsura mo? Sure ka pupunta ka ng hospital na ganyan? Gusto mo bang pati patay sa morgue bumangon?" Napakamot siya sa ulo at muli nanamang napamura ng ma-realize na wala nga siyang damit.

"Wait on me, okay? K-kaya mo ba magtiis? Fuck! I can really bring you to the hospital if you want, kahit hubo't hubad pa ako, Dim. If it's too painful... Mas uunahin ko kayo kaysa sa sarili ko." ang natatawa kong sarili ay unti-unting kumalma at na-touch sa sinabi niya. When I'm not giving a response, Ibinaba niya ako saglit at nagmadaling umakyat. Napanguros ako at pinagpawisan.

Hindi pa naman kasi ako manganganak, totoong kabuwanan ko na pero hindi pa ako nakakaramdam. It was just a prank. I was just trying to see if he's ready. Training na rin niya.

It's been months since Shane passed away, and he decided to keep me and Dimaria in his house. Pareho naming iniwan ang mga bahay namin. Ang dahilan niya, so he could look after me, after us. Dahil buntis ako at hindi pwedeng wala kaming ibang kasama sa bahay.

Mayamaya ay nakita ko na siyang nakaayos, bitbit na rin ang bag na naglalaman ng mga gamit. I was playing with my fingers, kinakabahan kung paano magpapaliwanag sa kaniya. Bukas pa ang ilang butones niya, at ang iba'y sa mali pa nakasuot. Mukhang nagmadali talaga ito.

"Are you okay? Sorry medyo natagalan." namumutla pa rin na sabi niya and was about to carry me when I chuckled. Kaagad siyang napahinto at kunot-noong napatingin sa akin. Confused.

Ang mahinang tawa ay unti-unting lumakas. Pakiramdam ko pulang pula na ako samantalang siya, hindi ko alam kung anong dahilan kung bakit namumula ang mukha niya. Is it anger? Embarrassment? I don't know and deep inside me... Natatakot ako. Baka magalit s'ya.

"S-Sorry... It's a prank!" His lips parted. His confused stares shifted to amused ones as he murmured a curse before brushing his hair.

"God, Dimaria, You made me worried. You know that? I almost had a heart attack... I panicked. At tuwang tuwa ka pa ha?" panenermon niya. I tried so stop myself from laughing pero kung kailan ko pinipigilan mas lalo lang na gusto kong matawa.

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to see if you're ready." Sinilip ko ang mukha niya at tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Whatever." Tamo ang taray! Tinalikuran na niya ako at nagsimula nang umakyat. Mahina pa akong tumawa bago sumunod. I followed him until he was inside his room, and then he started to ignore me. The hell?

"Hoy sorry na," Hindi niya ako pinansin. He took his laptop and started to do his work. Sumisilip naman ako mula sa laptop niya ngunit hindi niya naman ako tinatapunan ng tingin.

I started to make some movements para magpapansin, shifting from one seat to another. Pero hindi niya talaga ako kinikibo. Tumabi pa ako sa kaniya, I even wave my hand inside his face pero tinapik naman niya 'yon.

I pouted my lips and played with my fingers. Naiiyak na ako. Hours passed. Hindi na niya talaga ako kinausap o pinansin. I was like a dog following him wherever he go, kulang na lang pati sa bathroom. Wala pa naman si Dian at Harsh ngayon, kasama nanaman ni Kimmy. Kaya wala akong kakampi. Eh kasi naman! Kasalanan ko rin.

Pababa na siya ng humabol ako.

I was trying to reach him pero mas mabilis siya.

"Hunter, sorry na! Pansinin mo na ako... It's almost evening." I chased trying to reach his shirt pero dahil nakahakbang na ulit siya namali ako ng tapak. I gasped, nakaramdam ako ng takot at kaba.

Napatili ako kasabay ng pagharap ni Hunter sa direksyon ko and he grip on my lower back and my ass. Binuhat niya ako. Mabuti na lang malakas pa siya at nagawa niyang i-balance ang sarili. We were both panting a little. Pareho rin kaming namumutla sa takot at kabang naramdaman.

"Fuck! That was close." He said, with his shaky voice. Nang mahingawan ay unti-unting namasa ang mga mata ko until set of tears fell on my cheek.

"I-Ikaw kasi... Hindi mo ako pinapansin kanina pa." I cried. I know it's too inappropriate on my ag but I can't help it. Nagtatampo ako sa kaniya, at humalo na rin ang takot na naramdaman. Marahan niya akong ibinaba at niyakap. I gripped his shirt and cried on his chest.

"Shhh, tahan na... Sorry...Sorry na..." In a hoarse voice, almost husky, he kept on comforting me.

Umiyak pa rin ako habang patuloy niya akong kinakalma, he was caressing my back, while his other hand busy on stroking the strands of my hair.

Unti-unti, tumigil na rin ako sa pag-iyak at naging kalmado. We stayed in that position for I don't know how long until he slowly withdrew from hugging me and cupped my face. He dried my tears and smiled at me before giving me a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm sorry na ha? Tinakot mo kasi ako kanina, pero sorry na. I shouldn't have ignored you." unti-unti akong tumango habang nakanguso. He chuckled and pulled me in for another hug. Unlike kanina, kalmado na kaming pareho. At habang yakap ko siya, parang gusto ko, ganoon na lang kami habang buhay.

After that, Hunter decided to cook dinner for us. Pauwi na rin ang mga anak namin, dahil nag-message na si Kimmy na on the way na sila. I was busy watching Hunter that time... And somehow I just felt something filling some empty space inside me.

Days passed. Until it's really my time. Hindi tulad ng nauna mas prepared na si Hunter. I gave birth to a healthy baby boy at halos hindi na ito tigilan ni Hunter after iabot ng nurse sa amin.

"What are we going to name him?" he was carrying the baby on his arm. Tutok na tutok ang mata niya rito na halos hindi na niya ako tingnan.

"I-Ikaw? Ano sa tingin mo?" Namilog ang mata niyang napatingin sa akin.

"You want me to name him?" I nod my head. Mukha kasing masaya at excited na excited siya.

"Tyler." He muttered.

"I want Tyler for him... Tyler Dean... Is that okay?" Sumulyap ulit siya sa akin at halos mamangha ako sa pagkislap ng mga mata niya.

"I second the motion." I said in a lower voice. Gusto ko ang ipinangalan niya. I don't know if sinadya niyang isunod ang initial nito kay Tremor... Pero para sa akin maganda ang pangalan na binigay niya. Dumating din sila Dian at Harsh na magkasundong magkasundo. Halos pag-awayan nilang tatlo kasama si Hunter kung sino kakarga kay baby Tyler.

Watching them right now. I felt the contentment. Pakiramdam ko iba 'yon. Ibang iba noon, sa ngayon.

The days passed, even weeks, months and years. Our relationship remained unlabeled.

Sa loob ng dalawang taon na nagkakasama kami sa iisang bahay, mas naging close kaming lahat. Pero hindi naging malinaw kung ano ba ang mayroon sa amin ni Hunter. Seems like we already forgot it. Mas focus kami sa mga anak namin. Kung sa akin ay ayos na lang naman na ganoon kami. We shared the same house, watching our daughters and son growing up.

"Mommy! Daddy! Smile!" Dian focus her camera's lens on us. Kasalukuyan kaming nakaupo sa likod ng sasakyan ni Hunter. Nakabukas ang car trunk nito at naglatag siya roon. He was carrying Tyler on his arms as we smile on Dian's camera. Ngiting ngiti naman si Harsh habang nakikitingin. Nasa boulevard kami kung saan tanaw na tanaw ang dagat. Habang may tumutugtog na malamyos na music mula sa malapit na seafood restaurant. The sun is already setting. The deep yellow hues were drowned out and mixed with the sea's blues. The sunset was the most beautiful we'd ever seen, with pink and gold clouds edging the sky. It gives me a comforting warmth and peaceful feeling.

"Do you remember our last date?" I heard Hunter's voice. Tulad ko'y titig na titig din siya sa papalubog na araw. Si Dian at Harsh naman ay abala sa pagkuha ng mga litrsto habang ang bunsong si Tyler ay tulog na tulog.

"Oo, that was the best date we've ever had. Bago ako umalis. That was actually our goodbye date." Ngumiti ako. It's too calm...and serene.

"Yeah and I gave you a shell after that."

"Hindi ko inaasahan na darating ang panahon na magkasama ulit tayong manonood sa araw... It was so weird to think, we watched the sunrise together only to part ways after and then now... We are watching sunset..." I didn't finish the last word.

"To start a new?" dugtong niya kaya napasulyap ako sa kaniya at nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa.

"It's too old to say but, just like what everyone knew, sunset doesn't always mean the end. Sometimes it means a new hope... A new beginning." What is he trying to imply? Naramdaman ko ang mainit na kamay na humawak sa kamay ko. Hindi ko iyon inalis, instead I hold it back.

"We're too old for this, but I want to say something." He said. Nanatili kaming nakatitig sa isa't isa.

"Dim, hindi nawala ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo. Until now... You're still here. I can't believe it's possible. Hindi ko dating pinaniniwalaan na posibleng mahalin mo pa rin ang isang tao, kahit maraming panahon na ang lumipas na hindi mo siya kasama... Na sa dami nang nangyari... Nagkaroon tayo ng sari-sariling pamilya pero in the end... Nahanap ko pa rin sa sarili ko ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo." his eyes glistened.

"I want you to know, I am already free. I am free to love you. I am free to spend a lifetime with you. Let's start again. Let's marry again... Be my wife again... Dimaria."

I cried. Pinalis niya ang luha ko, dahilan para magbitaw kami.

"Before that... I want to tell you something... I can't hide it anymore and I think you deserve to know."

"W-What is it?"

"Diana... A-anak natin siya." Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata niya bago unti-unting naluha.

"You mean... But how?"

"It was a long story... But Tremor has something to do with it. Kailan ko lang din nalaman, and it was from Tremor's recorded confession. Inamin niya sa akin na totoong anak natin si Dim." Unconsciously, his eyes drifted on Harsh and Diana who're waving their hands on us.

"We will marry each other again." he said with a finality on his voice before looking at me again.

"Do you... Still love me?" he asked and I stared at him instead of answering. Image of Tremor flashed in my mind before I could even say anything. I shifted my eyes and choose not to answer.

Mabuti na lang tumakbo palapit sa amin ang dalawa at ginulo kami. Hindi na rin naman in-open ulit ni Hunter ang tungkol sa tanong niya. After namin manggaling doon ay nag take-out lang kami ng dinner bago umuwi.

We became distant after that day. Hindi ko siya kinakausap at alam kong ramdam niya 'yon kaya maging siya ay umiiwas din.

It happened frequently.

"Bakit naman?"

"I vowed to love only Tremor."

"Oo nangako ka, pero ano ba talaga ang nararamdaman mo? Mahal mo pa ba?"

"Pero kasi si Tremor..."

"Oh shut up Dimaria. Kuya is already gone. Dalawang taon na siyang wala. Ang laki na nga ni Tyler eh. Don't you think it's time for you to marry again? Ganito lang 'yan, si Hunter andyan pa, si Tremor wala na! Hindi mo naman kailangang mamili sa kanilang dalawa. Piliin mo kung sinong andyan, magpakatotoo ka sa nararamdaman mo and don't worry about kuya because I know this is what he want too. Sinasaktan mo lang si Hunter... Umamin na 'yong tao sa 'yo pero pinaparamdam mo na nakikipagkompetensya pa siya kay Tremor." it makes sense.

Bakit ba kailangan kong pahirapan ang sarili ko? I feel sorry for Hunter.

Natakot lang ako na baka... Na baka kapag bumalik ako kay Hunter ay mabalewala ko ang pagpapakasal ko kay Tremor. But Kimmy is right.

Umuwi ako that time na wala sa sarili. I saw Hunter, talking to Tyler who's playing with the toys that Hunter bought. Mayamaya ay lumapit ako at marahang yumakap kay Hunter. Completely resting my face on his warm back. Alam kong nagulat siya at natigilan bago bahagya akong nilingon.

"Hunter..."

"Why?"

"I love you," Three words. Pero puno iyon ng nararamdaman ko. Mahal ko siya, sa loob ng ilang taon na nanatili siya sa tabi namin, minahal ko ulit siya. At handa na ulit ako. Handa na akong magpatuloy. With him and our children.

"I love you more... love." hinarap niya ako at marahang hinaplos ang aking mukha. We smiled at each other before he captured my lips and shared passionate kisses with me.

Love is constant. It thrives on growth. It thrives on movement and progress. It is present in every tumultuous situation we face. In every exhausting moment of our lives. Noong mga panahon na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon na pumili kung babalikan si Hunter, I chose not to, now I realized why? Yes, love is a feeling, a judgement, and a promise, but at the end of the day, love is simply just another decision to make.It is not a choice to fall in love; it is a choice to stay in love.

It all depends on us. There's no deadline for finding our last love. Minsan marami muna tayong kailangang pagdaanan, puntahan, bago natin iyon makamit. May mauuna, may maiiwan, may hindi agad makakasulong. Full of ups and downs. It's a rollercoaster ride. A mystery. We can't predict what will happen next.

Just like how life is unpredictable.

Whatever we strive for in life, we will undoubtedly encounter ups and downs. Just like any other relationship. There is no clear and straight path to a happy ending. We must all pass through all of life's stages before we can find peace. All of life's twists and turns come before true love, but when you accept life wholeheartedly, you always find a way for yourself.

Our story started on its darkest side. I always loved being in the dark, because I felt more safe. But when I met Hunter, I started to fear it. He's the darkness himself. He inflicts pain inside me. But how is it possible to hate and love someone at the same time? But I did. And that's how I knew it was love. We have hurt each other. We squandered time and tears, but this is where life led us.

Hunter's Wrath is long over. It is long gone. Napatawad ko na siya, at napatawad na rin niya ang sarili niya. He's a changed person now at araw-araw niya iyong pinapatunayan. He was different from before, and I could say that he's worthy of this chance. A chance to be finally happy, 'yong sayang hindi panandalian lang. And as I grab the chance to start a new beginning with him, it's something I think... we really deserve.