skip to main |
skip to sidebar
When Brenda saw us, she dropped her luggage and ran toward us. She hugged Josh first, lifting him up and holding him close as tears streamed down her face.
Anak ko… miss na miss na kita. Sorry sa tagal ha. Mahal na mahal kita. Hindi na ako aalis ulit nang ganito katagal.
Josh buried his face in her neck.
Miss na miss ko rin po kayo, Mommy. Bakit ang tagal niyo po? Si Papa Franz, lagi niyang sinasabi na maghihintay lang kami sa’yo.
Brenda looked at me over Josh’s shoulder. For a few long seconds, neither of us spoke. The months of separation, the pain, the waiting, the losses — everything was there in that look. She stepped forward and hugged me tightly. I felt her body tremble as she whispered,
Franz… salamat sa pag-alaga kay Josh. Salamat sa hindi mo ako iniwan kahit kailan. Hindi ko ‘to nagawa nang mag-isa.
Welcome home, I replied softly, holding her close. Matagal na nating hinintay ‘to. Welcome home, Bru.
That night, after putting Josh to sleep, we sat outside the house. The air was warm and familiar. For a long time, we just sat there in silence, side by side, like we used to do on the Love Bus many years ago. The years had changed us, but the connection between us had never really disappeared.
Franz, she finally said, her voice shaking, Habang nasa Qatar ako, maraming beses kong iniisip ‘yung lahat ng nangyari sa atin. Mahal na mahal kita. Matagal na.
My heart pounded. I had waited years to hear those words.
Ako rin, Brenda. Mahal na mahal kita noon pa. Natakot lang akong sabihin dahil ayaw kong maging hadlang sa happiness mo. Pero ngayon… hindi ko na kayang itago pa. Mahal kita. Matagal na.
She reached for my hand and held it tightly. Tears fell from her eyes.
Ako rin. Natakot lang ako. Pero ngayon… pagod na akong tumakbo. Gusto ko nang maging masaya. Kasama ka. Kasama si Josh. Kasama ang bagong buhay natin.
That night, under the quiet stars, we finally let go of all the years of fear and unspoken love. We kissed. It was not the kiss of young lovers, but the deep, healing kiss of two people who had gone through fire and still chose each other. The Love Bus had brought us together many years ago. Now, it felt like the ride was finally leading us home.
→ story continues in Chapter 5 Live on July 13!
A quiet thought came to me as I rode the Love Bus alone one night… the longest waits often lead to the most beautiful returns. After all the pain and separation, Brenda was finally back. And for the first time in years, I truly believed we had a chance to build something lasting.
Updated July 11, 2026 from original post date October 5, 2011.
Previous
