"I Don't Want Time ever to Move again because I would perfectly be Happy Living in this Moment Forever"
Juliana and I got married in Texas, five hours before I aboard the cruise ship. We vowed on the matrimony in front of her Dad and his family, and our close friends Michy, Franz, Ethan, Levi, Chris, Nadine and Suzy, her bridesmaid. At least, Ryan still manages in Skype to be my best man. Reverend Rufino Evangelista leads the ceremony.
That is the time that I ever did see Juliana to be this happy, as all her wishes finally come to reality, and all at once, I want to freeze everything in time- this moment, this day, this incredible feeling of peace and contentment that has swept over me. I want to grab that feeling and hold it so tight. I will always remember what this moment feels like.
"I love you, my sunshine, superstar," I tell her.
As I kiss her goodbye and finally aboard the ship, I tell myself, that I will write our story together.
____________________
"You changed a lot kid. Look what that girl brought you." I look at Dinah only to see her genuine smile. She walks towards me and fix my neck tie. Right after that she taps my shoulder. "Nat, I've seen you grow up, and my heart is filled with so much joy knowing how strong you are to move forward," she said as she points to my heart.
"I never wanted to lose her you know," I said. "I'd been questioning God for years, but I realize that vanities of all vanities are still vanities. However, purpose is knowing that you are part of something bigger other than yourself. When I look at Julienne and I see Juliana on her, that I know that I am needed and there are still so much things for me to work for." With that I smile to Dinah.
"You know Dinah, I thought I give up in finding my mom."
"And what did you get for that?" she inquires.
"She already served her sentence of taking care some old man in town with his two delinquent kids. Maybe it's time for her to show up," I said to her with a smile as tears fall down on my eyes.
"For how long does you know?"
"That you're her? My Dad had this locket given to me years way back. It contains our family picture."
"So Roman already told you."
I nod. "Not really. He just said that it might help me figure out my own person. It happened just before he invited us back here. He shipped me your locket."
"I thought I lost that," she said as tears flow down her cheeks and hugs me. "I am always watching you, you know. I love you son."
"I love you to mom."
"Roman isn't a bad person if you just open your heart to him."
"I know," I reply.
After I went off, I decided to visit Juliana's grave in Pampanga. It is her choice to be buried beside her parents so even it is so hard for me to set her free that way, I still did the thing that can make her happy.
As I set my feet in front of her tombstone, I realized that I could never love again as true and deep as with her.
In her grave I read:
Juliana Antonette Escalante y Villarta
September 11, 1983-May 08, 2009
A loving wife, mother, and Daughter
She that captures every heart may rest in peace to His loving arms.
A tear fell from my eyes once more. "I love you my love."
As I am leaving for my flight that time, I received a call from Washington. "There's a letter for you sir. Straight from the Philippines."
"Fax it to me," I said.
When the fax finally arrived at our house in QC that day, I immediately received it and take charge on reading the letter.
To: Mr. Nathaniel Chance Villarta
927 Villarta Frontier Corporation
25th F Villarta Tower
Lakeside, Washington
Fr: Nathalie Evangeline Evangelista
Palm's View People's Magazine
2301 Belle View Tower, Salcedo Village
H.V. Dela Costa Street, Makati City, Philippines