Blinding Lights

Prologue

A I C I A

Simon choked down a laugh, I raised my brows upward. "Tangina, mahal na mahal kita.."

Pinilit kong hindi mapangiti sa narinig. But since it was abundantly obvious--both on my face and how I act. Simon stole a peck on my lips. "Ano ba!" Kunwari'y galit kong ani.

He scratched the side of his cheeks and smiled as we watched the shore, sitting on the ground while our shoes was beside as well as our bagpacks... I rested my head on his shoulder, Simon's arms were on my waist hugging me as we watched the sunset... The light poles were on lighting thr whole place.

I felt happy at the moment, I wish I could stay here with him and just to spend my life while holding onto this peace. "Pagka-graduate natin magpakasal na tayo.." Biglaan nitong sabi, nanlalaki ang mga mata akong napaangat ng tingin.. Akala ko'y nabibingi lamamg ako ngunit ng magsalubong ang mga mata nami'y nakasigurado ako.

Hindi mali ang pagkakarinig o kathang isip..

It took me for a while to organize my thoughts as well as to process the right words. "Seryoso ba iyan?" Natatawa kong ani, tinitigan ako ni Simon ang mga mata'y walang halong biro kung makatitig. "S-Simon.."

He gave me a warm gaze that always makes my heart flutter. "Sa ngayon nangangarap palang tayo, sa ngayon wala pa tayong matinong plano pero sa lahat ng desisyon ko ikaw lang ang sigurado.." I teared up, "Aicia Gueco you're the right choice I've made.. At kahit anong mangyari hinding-hindi ko pagsisisihang minahal kita.. Kapag nakatapos na tayo sabay nating abutin ang pangarap ng isa't isa, magtatrabaho ako, bibigyan kita ng magarbong kasal... Iyong mula simbahan hanggang reception venue iyong haba ng wedding dress mo," I slapped his shoulder as he chuckles, "tapos magho-honey moon tayo sa ibang bansa, magtatravel tayo.. Gusto ko munang tayong dalawa bago magkaanak.. Tayong dalawa, sa iisang tahanan, may mga bulilit na magtatakbuhan, ikaw at ako iyon ang pangarap ko.." Ang pinipigilang luha'y tuluyan ng bumagsak, napapikit ako ng halikan ni Simon ang aking mga mata, tinutuyo ang mga iyon.

I opened my eyes and welcomed by the man I love the most.. "Ikaw din ang pangarap at desisyong panghahawakan ko. Mahal kita,"

He bit his lower lip, "tangina," namula ito at ibinaon ang mukha sa aking leeg. "Kinikilig ako," pars itong bata kung makaasta. "Pero mas mahal kita,"

The shore was swallowed by the dark clouds by the lights coming from each post was reflecting in the water making a blinding silouette.. Under it, our lips met and shared a moment that neither one of us will forget.

Magkadikit ang noo'y nakangiti sa isa't isa, dinadama ang pagkakataon. Lumipas ang ilang minuto'y tumayo na kami habang magkayakap bitbit ni Simon ang sandalas at sapatos niya habang ako'y nakasakay sakanyang likod. Midterms, expectations, performance and expenses were draining me and this boyfriend of mine came up with an idea to spend our time on nesr shore because it's relaxing, that is according to him, of course.

Sakay ng kanyang sasakyan ay nagtungo kami sa malapit na convinient store, bibili ng makakain sa hapunan. I'm living in a apartment near at our university while Simon has to come home often to see his parents. Legal kami, noong una'y maraming tutol dahil sino nga ba ang mag-aakalang sa isang tulad ko si Simon babagsak.

"Siopao?" Tanong niya, tumango ako't sumama sa loob. Nag-aasaran at nagtatawanan kami habang naiiling na lamang ang crew dahil sa ingay namin.

"I'm considering to take another course," he said out of the blue as we pay for the things we bought.

Knitted brows, I spoke. "Why? You want engineering." We went inside his car again, as he open the trunk at the back where we sat as we eat while staring at the moon.

Simon opened his cup noodles, "I don't know. Feels like it wasn't for me.. Alam mo iyon pangarap ko pero sa proseso ng pag-abot ko unti-unti kong nararamdamang hindi iyon para sa akin.." He said, the tone was coated by bitterness.

I caressed his back, cheering him up. In fact I took accountancy because of my mother, it was her dream that's why I took the course. Unlike him I'm really undecided, maraming kayang gawin pero wala ni isang nag eexcel. Ang sabi nila nalilito lang ako na meron na talaga kaso hindi ko lang mahanap. Years passed and now I'm third year, same feelings, same thoughts. Basta makatapos na lang, iyon na ang mahalaga. "Whatever your choice is remember that I'm always supporting you.. Kapag nalilito ka o malungkot ikwento mo lang sa akin.." I said as I munched at my siopao.

"Thank God you're my girlfriend. Can't imagine myself being your bestfriend and had to endure my feelings because as I stare at you I'm falling deeper and deeper.." Simon uttered, "yup, thankfully you're my girlfriend."

"Sira."

"Minsan naiisip ko kung pakasalan nalang kaya kita agad? Pwede naman tayong mag-aral kahit na kasal na."

"Alam mong hindi pupwede iyon."

"Yeah, I'm not also sure if after the wedding you can take your classes again.. Baka buntisin kita agad."

"Ikaw kung ano-ano nalang ang naiisip mo,"

"Hindi ko kasi mapigilang isipin, paano kaya kapag kinasal tayo, tatanda ng nagkasama.. Naiisip ko palang masaya na ako."

"You're so sure about me huh? Paano kung hindi?"

Simon titled his head, "paano kung hindi? " He smiled. "Pipilitin ko. At kung hindi pa rin sasabihin ko nalang sa sarili ko na ang mga panahong kasama kita iyon iyong pinakamasaya."

I shooked my head. "You're so cheesy. When we met you were silent and now..." Napatingala ako pinagmasdan ang kalangitang punong-puno nh bitwin habang katabi siya. "Alam mo natatakot rin ako e,"

"Bakit naman?"

"Paano kung iwan kita?"

"Kung ikakasaya mo, ayos lang. Masakit pero go. As long as you're happy."

"Paano kung iwan mo ako?"

"Then that proves me that I'm a fool, an idiot."

He gives me both assurance and love. Simon always been and had been considerate and respectful, this man.. I can make the worst and painful decision just to see him happy. Away from the things that can give him heart aches kahit ano pa.