As Long As My Heart Beats

“THIS is the best Christmas of my life.” Bulong ni Katerina kay Brett matapos nitong ayusin ang nakaibabaw na jacket sa balikat niya. They decided to spend Christmas in the home for the aged that he was helping. Ang akala niya ay mga bata lang sa foundation ang sinusuportahan nito. Iyon pala ay pati din ang mga matatanda.

Brett played the guitar while Katerina sang for the elders. They make a great team. It was among the many things she discovered about him. He could play the guitar so well. Ayon rito, tinuruan lang ito ng isa sa mga matatandang lalaki doon kung paano tumugtog. Nakisabay din sila sa pagkain ng mga naroon at nakipaglaro sa mga ito. Brett was the one who prepared for the food and for all the gifts.

It made Katerina feel embarrass at first. Dahil maliban sa sarili niya, wala na siyang ibang dala papunta sa nursing home dahil wala siyang idea na doon siya dadalhin ng binata. But everyone there was so easy to get along with that she later on forgot about her anxiety. And now, the elders were resting since it was past nine in the evening. The elders looked tired but they were happy.

Today was the second time that she saw Brett danced. Noong una ay sa Christmas party. At ngayong araw kasama ng mga matatanda. For a man who once claimed that he didn’t believe in the good things, for a man who was once tagged as the ‘ogre’, these things were unexpected. Every day, she discovers something new about Brett which makes her fall deeper in love with him.

Kasalukuyan silang nasa terrace ng dalawang palapag na nursing home at nagpapahangin. Katatapos lang nilang maghapunan kasama ng mga staff doon. They decided to rest for a while before they leave.

“Thank you for taking me here, Brett. I had so much fun.”

Inakbayan siya ng binata. “I’m glad that you liked it here. This is our first Christmas together so I wanted this to become more special for the two of us. But I didn’t know where to bring you. I’ve researched for so many places but I gave up when I thought about your job and how you’ve seen some of the most beautiful parts of the world already. That’s why I took a risk and brought you here instead. Gusto kong makilala mo ang mga nandito dahil malapit silang lahat sa puso ko. This is where I spend holidays.”

That was another secret he unfolded. Sumandal si Katerina sa balikat ni Brett habang tahimik na nakikinig.

“Whenever I’m stressed out, I would find myself going back to this place. I only saw about this place when I was browsing the net five years ago. Sinubukan kong pumunta minsan hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na dumalas na nang dumalas. Maybe because you were right. I was lonely. I was searching for someone to be with, to sit with, to eat and talk with. And the elders here became my companion. They knew exactly what I feel even when we don’t talk about it. Sometimes, after playing chess or after the jamming session, we would just sit together in a comfortable silence and think about what’s going on with our lives.”

you for sharing these things

you mind if I share

“I would be more than

“I used to be a very proud man, Katerina. It was only when you came into my life did I learn how to acknowledge how lonely I’ve been all these years. You know my story. You know how I’ve lost faith in love that’s why I didn’t think that I would fall in love

ang mga mata niya nang maglabas ito ng

you, and going back to bed without you. And I want to change that. I want us to do things together. I can’t promise to always make you happy but I promise that I will always be by your side. Katerina, I love you. I

ni Katerina. “Of course, Brett. For you, I’d

nang makarinig ng mga palakpakan sa paligid. Noon niya lang namalayan na naroon din pala sa terrace hindi lang

ang Christmas mo mula ngayon, apo.” Anang isa sa mga matatandang lalaki doon na nagturo kay

right, Lolo Bert. With Katerina around, it will definitely be a Merry Christmas from now.” Isinuot ng binata ang singsing sa daliri niya bago tumayo at niyakap siya nang

I was happy enough today. I didn’t want to ask for anything more. Who would have thought that I would go home with

ka siguro kung bakit ako nandito o kung paano ko nalaman ang address mo.” Kaagad na bungad ni Andrei kay Katerina nang ang lalaki ang mapagbuksan niya ng pinto sa kanyang apartment nang umagang iyon. “The

na iyon. Dahil maaga pa lang ay nagpunta na ito sa Antipolo, Rizal matapos nitong makatanggap nang sunod-sunod na mga reklamo mula sa mga empleyado ng Buddies’ roon ng pang-aabuso umano sa

“Can I come in?”

her that the man would not personally visit her there if it was

man siya nito ng matiwasay sa restaurant noon ay makakasiguro pa rin ba siyang magiging ganoon pa rin ang mangyayari kung papapasukin niya ito sa loob mismo ng kanyang apartment? Para namang nabasa ng lalaki ang pag-aalinlangan sa anyo