As Long As My Heart Beats

"KAYA PALA hindi kita mahanap-hanap, kasi kung saan-saan ka nagpupunta, anak." Parang bukal na bumuhos ang emosyon ni Martin habang pinagmamasdan ang nakangiting litrato ng kanyang si Eirene na ngayon ay kilala sa buong mundo bilang si Kate Alvarez.

Talaga nga palang hindi niya ito matatagpuan dahil mula nang magkamalay siya sa ilang taong pagka-comatose ay tanging sa sariling bansa lang siya naghanap. lyon pala ay kung saan-saan na nakarating ang kanyang maligalig at lagalag na bunsong anak. Kahit naluluha ay sumilay pa rin ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Eirene's eyes, nose, and hair were the tiny bits of him. She got her lips and skin from his wife, Althea. Sa litratong kuha ng inaanak niyang si Andrei, makikita ang kwintas nito na iniregalo niya bago sila magkahiwalay.

Lumuluhang napatitig siya sa kalangitan. He was right all along, Eirene was alive. Mabuti na lang at kahit kaila ay hindi siya nawalan ng pag-asa. Mukhang napabuti ang kanyang dalaga. For the first time after several years, he was relieved. Marahil ay ginabayan pa rin si Eirene ni Althea at ng kanyang dalawang anak mula sa itaas.

"Thank you so much, son." Sinserong sinabi ni Martin sa inaanak na naroroon lang sa kanyang tabi. Hindi niya na pinansin ang DNA result na hawak nito. The confirmation was all over Andrei's smiling eyes. "Magpagaling kayo, Ninong." Sa sobrang tuwa niya marahil nang mapag-alaman niyang may resulta na sa paghahanap sa kanyang anak nang tawagan siya ni Andrei noong nakaraang linggo ay inatake siya sa puso. Mild lang iyon pero kinailangan niyang magpahinga nang husto. Bukod doon, pinagbawalan na muna siyang magbiyahe para sunduin ang kanyang anak. "I promise I will bring her here soon." Tumango si Martin. Hindi niya alam kung paano ito nakakuha ng hibla ng buhok ni Eirene dahilan para mabilis nitong ipa-DNA iyon. Hindi naman na ito nagkwento. Pero hindi na siya nag-usisa pa. Amused na lumawak ang pagkakangiti niya. Kahit kailan talaga ay maabilidad ang inaanak niyang ito.

Muli niyang tinitigan ang larawan ng anak. Years may have painfully passed, but Eirene remained his baby, she would always be. "You and Daddy will see each other again soon, baby."

KUMUNOT ang noo ni Katerina nang makitang nagpupunas ng luhang lumabas si Carmie, isa sa mga waitress sa Buddies', mula sa opisina ng magdadalawang linggo niya nang boyfriend na si Brett. Animo walang nakita ang babae nang dumaan sa harap nila ng kausap niyang si Margie. Sa halip ay nagmamadali pa itong umalis ng restaurant.

Sa loob nang ilang buwan na pagtatrabaho ni Katerina sa Buddies', nakilala niya na si Carmie. Mabait ito at masipag. Sa katunayan ay ang babae ang napupuna niyang may pinakamalaking dedikasyon sa pagtatrabaho kaya ano'ng posibleng nangyari?

"Wow! So Shrek was back on his old duty again... you know, scaring people." Ani Margie bago ito maagap na napatakip sa bibig. Nag-aalalang tiningnan siya nito. Hindi naman na kaila sa lahat na girlfriend na siya ngayon ng kanilang Boss. "I'm sorry, Kate. Concern lang ako kay Carmie."

Bumuntong-hininga siya. Gustuhin man niyang depensahan si Brett ay hindi niya naman alam ang totoong kwento. Bukod doon, paano niya mapapatunayang mali ang pagkakakilala ng mga ito kay Brett kung hayun at kalalabas lang ng lumuluhang empleyada nito mula sa opisina? Carmie's tears were more than a statement.

"Papasok na muna ako sa loob." Mahina niyang sinabi. "I will go and check what happened."

Malapit na siya sa pinto ng opisina ni Brett nang matigilan siya sa pahabol ni Margie. "Do you honestly believe that an ogre can really be redeemed, Kate?Mahirap ng baguhin ang isang tao, lalo na ang mga nakasanayan nito."

Humugot si Katerina nang malalim na hininga para kontrolin ang sama ng loob na bigla niyang naramdaman para sa kausap. Kung makapagsalita ito, para bang hindi ito empleyada doon. "Kahit kailan, hindi ko naman naisip baguhin si Brett. Mahal ko siya, Margie." Prangkang sinabi niya nang muling humarap sa babae. "And if loving him means I have to deal with the ogre side of him every single day, then help me God but I'll deal with that. Besides," Nagkibit-balikat siya. "If you love someone, why would you want that person to change?"

"But if he loves you, why wouldn't he change?"

"STOP THIS, Margie."

Nahinto sa paglabas ng opisina niya si Brett nang marinig ang mariing sinabi na iyon ni Katerina. Nakatalikod ang kanyang girlfriend sa direksiyon niya, paharap sa empleyada niyang si Margie na naging kaibigan na nito sa kalaunan. "This is not a question of who loves more and who loves less. Nang mahalin ko si Brett, complete package na 'yon. Besides, I'm sure he has his reasons why he did that to Carmie."

Dahan-dahan niya nang isinara ang pinto. Muli siyang bumalik sa kanyang swivel chair. Hearing Katerina defend him like that made him feel like the luckiest man on the planet. He doesn't really care what his employees think about him but Katerina's opinion matters a lot. Dahil ibig sabihin niyon ay hindi pa man nito naririnig ang panig niya ay pinagkakatiwalaan na siya nito.

God... what did I do for a woman like that to love me back?

"Come in." sinabi niya nang makarinig nang mahihinang katok sa pinto ng kanyang opisina. Hindi pa man nakikita ay alam niya na kung sino iyon. Nang pumasok na ang kanyang girlfriend, pinigilan niya ang sariling tumayo at yakapin ito.

"Brett, I... I saw Carmie. Nanggaling siya rito and she was crying." Mahinang sinabi ni Katerina pagkatapos nang ilang ulit na pagbuntong-hininga. "Ano'ng... ano'ng nangyari?"

He smiled mischievously. Prenteng sumandal siya sa back rest ng kanyang swivel chair. "I fired her, Kate. No reason at all."

"God, Brett." Bumakas ang matinding pagkagulat sa magandang mukha nito. Mayamaya ay mariing naipikit nito ang mga mata. Nang dumilat ito ay pilit na ngumiti sa kanya kahit pa nakabanaag ang frustration sa mga mata nito. "Then I guess, I'll just have to help Carmie find another job. Maganda naman siya at masipag. Siguradong makakahanap siya kaagad ng trabaho. Maybe this job's not for her or maybe-"

"Or maybe you can just kiss me." Tumayo na si Brett at masuyong hinaplos ang mga pisngi ng dalaga. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya pa rin lubos mapaniwalaang kanya na ang napakamapagmahal na babaeng nakatayo ngayon sa kanyang harapan. Who would have thought that this girl from the bridge would one day find him and change his views in love?

"Carmie's sister died because of a car accident. At kanina niya lang nalaman kaya nagpaalam siya kaagad sa 'kin kung pwedeng mag-leave kahit tatlong araw lang." Naaaliw siyang napangiti nang makita ang sayang sumungaw sa mga mata ni Katerina. "Nakakahiya mang aminin dahil masisira ang image ko pero para sa ikatatahimik ng loob mo, binigyan ko siya ng pera kasabay ng pangakong may trabaho pa rin siyang mababalikan kahit na isang linggo pa siyang mawala at-"

He was surprised when Katerin put her arms around his neck and kissed him. She didn't have to say anything anymore because her kisses said it all. Damang-dama niya sa halik na iyon ang pinaghalo-halong relief at pasasalamat na nakita niya kanina sa mga mata nito. He responded with equal intensity and suddenly, it was just the two of them once more... in their own lovely world.

Nang sa wakas ay pakawalan nila ang isa't isa, masuyong ngumiti si Katerina. Her deep blue eyes shimmered. "I'm glad you're... you, Brett."

NATIGILAN si Katerina nang makita ang sundo niya. Christmas party ng lahat ng empleyado ng Buddies' mula sa anim na branch nang gabing iyon. Ice-celebrate iyon sa function room ng isang five-star hotel. She heard that it was the first time for Brett to attend such event. She did not even need to ask him to come this time.

"Do you want to attend the party?" Naalala ni Katerina na tanong sa kanya ni Brett noong nakaraang araw.

Excited na tumango siya. She had lost count of how many gatherings she had attended for the past years not because she wanted to but because she needed it to build her portfolio. She was required to attend to those things. She could not remember having fun in discussing the price of jewelries people wear, the latest trends, the hottest couple in town, and the likes that women there seemed to love to talk about.

Pero iba ang party para kay Katerina sa gabing iyon. Dahil mula nang magtrabaho siya, ito ang unang gathering na hindi siya napipilitang puntahan. She was actually looking forward to it because the party was about the Buddies, about Luis, and more importantly, about Brett. It was about celebrating everyone's hard work in Buddies' for the entire year.

Gaya nang nakagawian, hinayaan nina Luis at Brett na um-attend din ang pamilya ng mga empleyado ng mga ito. Katerina knew that even if the two men were not vocal about it, they treated their employees as their family. And she was happy that she was a part of that family now.

May bonus pa. She gets to be escorted by the big boss himself who was looking so dashing that night in his midnight blue single-breasted tuxedo. Ngayon niya lang nakitang nagsuot nang ganoon si Brett. Matagal na siyang aware kung gaano kagwapo ang binata. Even his employees acknowledge his looks and admire that about him no matter how cold he gets at times. Iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit maraming mga babae ang bumibisita sa branch sa Buddies' kung saan mas madalas naroon si Brett, lalo na nang kumalat sa social media ang picture nito nang may isang customer na kumuha ng stolen shot nito.

Mula niyon ay dinumog na sila sa restaurant. She could tell that their customers enjoyed their food, but it was not their main priority in coming there. It was Brett who was forced to show himself from time to time to greet the customers, especially the women. He was like a celebrity now in his own way. And she was very proud of him and of the man he had become.

"Can we just skip the party? We have a lot of male single employees. If they see you like this, I'm sure you'd take their breaths away." Ani Brett nang makalapit siya rito. Tumawa si Katerina. "And how can you be sure of that?"

"Because that's exactly what happened to me when I saw you coming out of your door. You look very beautiful tonight, babe. That's why I feel like I'm going to be busy being on guard tonight." He grinned as he took my hand and softly planted a kiss on it. "Thank you for making me feel the luckiest guy for having you beside me."

"If people will look at me, it will be because of you, because I'm with you. I'm sure everyone will be surprised that they will finally get to spend the party with you. You look amazing tonight. I love the color of your tux." Si Brett ang nagregalo sa kanya ng isusuot niya para sa gabing iyon. It was a midnight blue one-shoulder gown. Hindi niya inasahang magkakulay ang isusuot nila dahil wala iyon sa personalidad ng binata.

Minsan niya nang nabanggit kay

Brett na isa sa mga bagay na gusto niyang gawin kapag nagkaroon siya ng boyfriend ay ang magsuot ng magkaparehong damit. She bought couple shirts for the two of them last week. She thought he would never wear it since he looked uncomfortable when he saw the color since it

design, especially the the

was pink. But to her surprise, Brett came to his office wearing the shirt the next day. Ganoon din ang suot niya kaya buong maghapon silang nakatanggap ng panunukso mula sa mga nabiglang empleyado na binalewala lang ng binata.

And now, they were wearing matching outfits again. Kuminang ang mga mata ni Katerina. Whoever said that her ogre didn't know how to sweep a woman off her feet? He was actually sweet and thoughtful. He pays attention to whatever we talk about.

"Shall we go?"

Ngumiti si Katerina. Inalalayan siya ni Brett papasok sa kotse nito. Nang makapasok na sila pareho, hindi nito agad na pinaandar ang kotse.

"Is something wrong?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.

"I'm sorry, babe, but I think you would have to redo your lipstick."

Kumunot ang noo ni Katerina. "But why? Does it look bad-"

Before she could even finish, Brett leaned closer and kissed her on the lips. Just like that and she was lost again, lost in the world he would create exclusively for the two of them whenever he would kiss her. Pilyong ngumiti ang binata nang maghiwalay ang kanilang mga labi. Habol ang hiningang napatitig siya rito. Wala sa loob na hinaplos niya ang mga pisngi nito. The ogre's eyes were gleaming. And it was for her. How blessed could she get?

"I love you," Katerina whispered, still dazed.

His face lit up. Inabot nito ang mga kamay niyang nakahawak sa mga pisngi nito. "I love you more."

"KATE, pakikurot nga ako. Baka kasi nananaginip lang ako. O baka naman lasing na ako? Pakiramdam ko kasi, nagha-hallucinate na ako."

Natawa si Katerina sa sinabi ni Margie nang lumapit ang babae sa kanya. The woman looked really shocked. "Bakit? Ano ba'ng nakita mo?" "Pakikurot na muna ako."

Game na kinurot naman niya si Margie. Ngumiwi ito saka gulat pa ring humarap sa kanya. "Ibig sabihin, totoo 'to? Hindi pa ako lasing? Hindi din ako nananaginip?" Sumulyap ito sa likod nito. "Ibig sabihin, totoong nandito si Sir Brett ngayong gabi at siya talaga ang may karga sa pasaway na anak ni Alfred?"

"What do you mean?" Sinundan ni Katerina ang direksiyon na tinitignan ni Margie. Umawang ang bibig niya nang makumpirmang si Brett nga ang kasalukuyang may buhat sa palagay niya ay dalawang taong gulang na batang lalaki. Nakayakap dito ang bata at tulog na. Nakatayo si Brett habang nakikipag-usap kina Luis at Alfred, ang isa sa mga branch manager ng Buddies'.

Alfred looked embarrassed but it seemed like Brett didn't mind. Walang bakas ng pagkaasiwa sa anyo nito. Katerina doubted if he was aware that he was attracting the attention of his employees. They were now looking at him with newfound fondness in their eyes.

Minsan nang nabanggit ni Luis na

may foundation para sa mga bata

na sinusuportahan si Brett. Once a month daw kung pumunta ito sa foundation kaya once a month din kung mag-abot ito ng tulong. Katerina assumed that Brett wanted to keep it a secret that's why he had not told her about it yet. Luis said that he accidentally found out about Brett's activity just last year, nang ito ang makasagot sa phonecall ng isa sa mga katiwala ng foundation noong hindi sinasadyang naiwan ng binata ang cell phone nito sa opisina kung saan nagkataong naroon din si Luis.

Brett was obviously fond of kids. But this was a side of him that nobody had ever seen. Ang bunsong anak ni Alfred na kalong nito ang kanina pa takbo nang takbo sa buong function room. Bago siya pumunta

sa ladies' room, narinig niya pa ang malakas na pag-iyak ng bata at ang nahihiyang pagsaway rito ng mga magulang. Pero mukhang si Brett ang nakapagpatahan sa bata. And he did more than just calming

the boy.

Sumilay ang magiliw na ngiti sa mga labi ni Katerina. "Brett would make a good father, don't you think?"

"I think he would make a good

husband, too. At naging posible 'yon dahil sa 'yo." Şingit ng asawa ni Luis

na si Sarah. "I've seen Brett many

times before but he never smiled,

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not even once. Pero nagbago 'yon mula nang makilala ka niya, Katerina. Dati, hindi siya nakakatagal nang isang oras sa mga gathering nanapipilitan lang siyang puntahan.

But it's been almost two hours now. And he seems to be having fun. He's smiling and laughing a lot now. He's become easier to talk to as well. It's all because of you, Katerina. The Brett before and the Brett now are like two different people."

"No. I don't want to take the credit for something that big and beautiful." maagap na tanggi ni Katerina habang nananatiling nakatingin sa direksiyon ni Brett. "Because it really isn't because of me, Sarah. The Brett that you are seeing now is the same Brett that I first saw many years ago. Nalimutan niya lang sigurong ngumiti sa loob nang mahabang panahon. He's been in too much pain. But he didn't really change. He's just going back to his old self. He's slowly remembering how to smile and live again."

"Curious lang ako. Kung nagkataon na hindi ba bumalik si Sir Brett sa dati, mamahalin mo pa rin siya, Kate?" Singit ni Margie.

"I love Brett, Margie. I love him when he's in ogre mode and when he isn't. 'Di ba gano'n naman talaga dapat ang pag-ibig? It's about loving everything about that person. We can't just choose to love one side of them and dislike the other side. Love means having to accept and understand all sides of them."

"Ikaw na, Kate. Wala na kaming masabi. Sa 'yo na ang korona." Pilyang sinabi ni Margie.

Bumungisngis si Katerina. "Thank you." Nagpaalam na siya sa mga kausap saka naglakad palapit sa kanyang boyfriend.

"Hey," Agaw niya sa atensiyon ni Brett. Nang humarap sa kanya ang binata, sunod-sunod na kinuhanan niya ito ng litrato gamit ang cell phone niya. He looked way too adorable tonight that she had to take pictures as many as she could as remembrance. The camera loved Brett. He could make a living with just his face. But of course, he didn't know that. And even if he did, he would not care. He was actually allergic to things like this. "Come on, Brett. Show me a smile."

"Why are you suddenly taking pictures?"

"This is important. I have to save this image of you tonight because I think I just fell in love with you all over again tonight."

Sa isang iglap, huminto sa pag-iwas sa camera si Brett habang nagsimula namang magkantiyawan ang mga empleyado sa paligid nila. Pero hindi na nila binigyan ng pansin ang mga iyon. And then suddenly, Brett just smiled. Sa hindi na mabilang na pagkakataon sa gabing iyon ay natigilan uli si Katerina. That... was the most charming smile she had ever seen. Love was written in his eyes. And all she could see in those eyes was her reflection.

Namasa ang mga mata ni Katerina. "Did I tell you that you have the most beautiful smile?"

"If I could smile, it's because you are here. You are all I see."

"Tama na. You can continue that somewhere else. Masyado na kaming nilalanggam dito. Hand me your phone, Kate. At this rate, I doubt if you can still take his pictures. Kaya sige na, ako na ang mag-a- adjust. Ako na ang kukuha ng pictures para sa inyo."

Damang-dama ni Katerina ang pamumula ng mga pisngi niya sa sinabi ni Luis. Ganoon pa man, inabot niya pa rin sa lalaki ang cell phone niya. Brett carried the little boy in his one arm as he gently pulled her closer to his side. Hinapit siya nito sa baywang saka sila magkasabay na ngumiti sa camera.

Nang matapos ay sumandal siya sa balikat ng binata. Nanatili naman ang kamay nito sa kanyang baywang na para bang balewala rito ang timbang ng chubby na batang karga nito. He and the little boy looked so good together. It made her imagine about the future kids they were going to have one day. "I don't think I've ever been this happy before."

"That's supposed to be my line." Hinagkan siya ni Brett sa noo. "Thank you, babe, for this happiness."¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶