Forty five years of marriage has pushed their children to be independent. Both July and Czarina were retirees. It was this time that they enjoyed being together once more, staying at home together, sharing the household chores together without the fear of being late in their work. They seemed to return to year 1974...a newly wedded couple. A childless man with a woman. An unemployed man who courageously got married to his beloved Czarina who was also unemployed. After five months from their elopement, he was luckily employed. After more than 32 years of employment, both of them were unemployed once more. However, they were over with their fear of not providing for their children. This time it was the other way around. Their children's fear was how to provide them well as they were not yet prepared to lose their very own loving parents, July and Czarina. As for these old husband and wife, they were to watch over their progress and fulfillment of their dream. What they both are wishing for were to marry off their five unmarried children who are already in their marriageable age.
The amorous love of July for Czarina was never arduous. Although they are not showy of their love for each other yet they are very much in love despite their age. Their affection for each other really proves that love can move mountains as So many predicted that he would not be a responsible husband nor a father. However, their predictions were all wrong. Some would even argued behind their back that July was a hen pecked husband for whenever he arrived home from a far away job destination, he became a very willing houseband even to the point of washing the dirty clothes, baby sitting our infant child, cooking, cleaning the house and its yard. He was the opposite of those other husbands who devoted their time in drinking wine with their pals and neighbours, playing cards, smoking a pack of cigarettes or more... He would no longer attend a dance party for married men and women. Instead, he went with his wife and his children during Sunday Mass.
They were on their ripened age who took care of their grandchildren. Old July was still as gentle as a sheep in taking care of their grandchildren, while old Czarina was still strict but loving. Their conversation had changed that frightened their children especially the youngest son and their only daughter.
"July if you die first, I would be very lonely. So, hope God would take me first. But, the children might neglect you."
"Czarina... It is better that I die first than you. It will be very painful if you would have left me first."
"Then let us ask God not to take our life yet. Let us pleas imploringly to let Him give us more strength and healthy life despite the body pain that we are experiencing."
So, old July and old Czarina were praying to God for a longer life for their children and grandchildren. Some of their children were willing to let them stay with them so they could have taken care of them. But... Would they be willing to live back in the capital city when they enjoy the simple and peaceful life of their birthplace? Or... Would they prefer to spend the remaining of their lives in the place where Czarina spent and purchased her dreamed house and lot?
These two old couple were afraid that they would be dumped by their children. Unlike other parents, they were never demanding. They were only waiting for their children's petty graciosness with them.
While spending their lives at home, oftentimes they would sing to karaoke to their heart't content. On the part of old Czarina, she was being more considerate in serving her old beloved July as he was already a lamed man. Alas, she polished the Cane of July that he made for himself. She has to fetch him some pails of water whenever he would need some.
On the other hand, Old July would never be arduous of being a cook for his beloved wife. Even though old Czarina would critize his cooking style harshly, he was still willing to cook for her. The gentleness of this old man has never faded. His thoughtfulness from the time he started to wooe his Czarina when he was still an eighteen year old had never been discarded. Until their olden years, his Czarina would have still enjoyed his kindness and tenderness. His being supportive to her career life was undeniable. Czarina, on the contrary, would never dream to be on the top position knowing that her beloved husband might be left out in the world that she might have evolved... forgetting his love for her. She could have evolved into somebody as a career woman as she had the talent, wit, skills, perseverance and love for work but... She had her beloved July. She did not want to be very far behind her.
As a man, he was very proud of her wife. He knew that she was not only an asset of their family but also of the school she was working with. And so... for every activity that his beloved wife would be involved he was there to give his all-out- support.
So much love resulted to so much understanding... So much love caused a lover to be patient not to be overbearing but to remain humble.
July was just a human being who committ mistake against his wife like his disobedience in going back to the medical institute where he used to work as a permanent employee. All he did was to humbled himself staying with Czarina and their children even though his wife never take to him for almost a year.
Like him, Czarina was also a woman who tends to have weaknesses. She would have come home midnight from her sister's place as she was engrossed with her in a pleasant conversation. Twice her husband sent their two sons to fetch her to go home, twice she didn't heed him. Knowing that she was wrong, when her husband opened the door for her, she quickly kissed her and apologise.
"Don't you know that I was very mad at you?" he said.
"So, are you still angry with me?"
"You kissed me. It took away my anger with you." He added and whispered in her ears, "I love you."
In fact, the more they quarreled the more they become closer. After their pent up emotions were expressed they would made up and apologise. The rule they made? Whoever committed mistakes should be the first to apologise. And it was it and so it was done.
The result? They were in their 46th years of marriage come August, of the recent year. As they started their marriage as unemployed, their olden years have made them unemployed again but not unloved. This unemployed man with the name of July has made Czarina's World go on spinning.
(The end)