Chapter 59 Acceptance

After four years, we finally reached the province where I first taught outside of Manila. Gale's neck twisted uncontrollably, due to the stark look and question of what things we were going through. I just wanted to visit grandma Crising and grandpa Rogelio, and give the book I made did he want to read personally.
I still remember the teases he made that he would be happy if I made a personal story that really happened and I experienced. Zeke and I's story, he was referring to.
"Ma? Can I walk?" he said weakly as I asked.
"You can't. Listen to mama, you don't know the way here. Do you want to be like your dad? He slipped and fell in the mud, you will have many wounds and then it will take a long time to heal," I threatened that really happened to Maru, then.
"No," it shook.
"We're close. Later what will you do when you see grandma Crising?"
"Mamano like this," his snout placed the back of his palm on my forehead.
"Very good. You will stay quiet when you're not asked, okay?" I asked as he nodded.
After a twenty minute walk I could see the five huts lined up. Still nothing has changed, the bamboo hangers are still on the side and the hammock Zeke made is still there. I literally smiled as Gale noticed. I walked again and then dropped Gale off when we got close to the house where the couple lived.
"Stay here." I approached the door and then knocked softly.
I feel like there was someone or not because it was so quiet. I often heard the couple laughing especially at this time of the afternoon. I was backing away from my position when an old woman came out, her hair dark and her face almost dull. Knit as he stared at me who seemed to recognize who I was.
"Do you need anything, Madam?" its question that I hear from him whenever a tourist is flirting. I smiled bitterly because he didn't seem to remember me.
"Grandma, it's me," I said smiling then took her hand to shake. "Annika." The frown on her forehead disappeared and she slowly approached me.
It came out the door and then touched my cheeks. "T-The teacher?" she asked as I nodded. "My merciful God, is that you?" making sure I nodded happily and then showed the jewelry she had given me back then.
She was overjoyed and it was as if the stain on her face had disappeared. She kissed me happily and felt his tight hug. I don't know why until he hugged me I was homesick. It slowly left the hug looking behind me. I looked at what she was looking at and that's when I remembered that I was with my son. It plays with the chicks under the cradle.
"That little boy, is he with you?" she asked keeping the gaze there.
"Gale? Come here," I called as he immediately stood up and took my hand.
They stared at each other and then Gale took the old man's hand. As we talked, he waved and then smiled.
"My son."
She literally ignored me then knelt down with the child. She touched her cheek and then smiled. "The eyes are familiar. I know this is your child because your lover once said that when you have a child you will visit here," she said happily then stood up.
"You see. Why don't you sit here first and I'll prepare a snack," she said, turning her back on us immediately.
Gale and I just smiled, and then sat down at the diner we used to eat. Mom came out with three knuckles and a straw made of bamboo. Gale's smile widened, then quickly reached for a knuckle that made us laugh. Gale was at the end because of his steady pace so my mother and I were left together. It just stared at me. The depth of his eyes, almost nothing changed. She still looks like that. I quickly looked for Grandpa Rogelio because I hadn't even seen him before.
"Where's your husband?" I asked.
She averted her eyes, looked away and then smiled. "That's really how life is. When you're at dusk, it's unlikely that someone will be left behind or leave," was her deep answer and then my heart pounded.
There's something about it that I want to ask what exactly is that. "What do you mean?"
"He has left me. He went with the bird ride he often talks to," she said with a smile.
My heart aches. She was smiling but her eyes were too dull. Is that why I didn't hear their laughter? So they don't go out the door at the same time as they often do?
"I'm sorry, I don't know."
"You really are, no change. You don't have to apologize. I've accepted everything. In fact I've already prepared myself when that happens. That's how life is Annika, just too short of time to give you of God, it's up to you how you value your life and to whom you dedicate it." I nodded.
She is right. With one person's life being too short, others are no longer able to achieve their dreams. So I just wonder at people who prefer to end their lives, while others seek to linger in the bullying world.
"You told me before that, before a person can be happy, the world will first give the painful event in his life. What if, that person is taken by the world? And that person is your pleasure? You have a right still be happy, mom? " my deep question.
We are in the same situation, the only difference is that his wife is no longer by his side. Zeke's presence is not with us. I noticed mom's smile at my son waving at us, while sipping the drink. I could see the joy in his eyes every time he looked at my son, I was like this before, when I thought there was no light.
"Acceptance. Sometimes, accepting a situation or something is the only answer for you to be happy again," its simple words then looked at me.
My eyes got wet spontaneously as the wind blew all around. I never thought that when I came back I would hear the words I had been looking for. I have long wanted to hear.
"Where is your husband? I didn't notice that man," she said softly, looking around.
Instead of answering I just released two books. Gently laid down in front of him. It looked slightly and then caressed that stump.
"There you go, what you've been saying for a long time. I wrote that after he asked me to get married and get pregnant. I just finished that this year. There was also a problem so it took a while to write," I smiled and then he smiled and looked at it.
She opened the book and immediately looked at me. "Here's my name and my husband's," she whispered as I nodded.
I acknowledged them for their words. I had so much fun and I met them, they had a lot of life experience but were able to get through together.
"Zeke had an accident and he's been comatose for three years. It happened during my birth. S-So he's not here, so I took his son with me," I smiled sweetly as I slowly released the book in her hand.
Our vision was met, darkness and light taking over her eyes because of the reflection of the place. Everything he said then came back to me. I smiled without hesitation.
"I've been accepting grandma for a long time. I'm happy now because he left something for me. I'm satisfied."
Sometimes, acceptance is the only way to be free and become happy.