Always, In All Ways (Change Series #4)

Chapter 40

"Happy 6th anniversary!"

I hugged Gio when I saw him outside Addie's house. It was weird to greet him 6th anniversary when half of that time, we're apart... but he said that we really didn't break up. Wala naman talagang formal break up so he said that we're six years already because in that span of time that we're apart, ako pa rin at ako lang.

Gio chuckled. "Happy anniversary."

I scanned Gio's clothes. He's wearing a white polo tucked in with his black slacks and belt while I am wearing a black dress knee length with white colar.

"Saan ba kasi tayo pupunta?" I asked Gio because he said that we'll have dinner pero 5:00 PM pa lang, may dadaanan daw muna kami.

"Secret." He smirked.

Napairap na lang ako at nag-cellphone para malibang naman ako pero nahihilo lang ako kaya tinigilan ko na lang. I put down my phone and noticed that we're here at the cemetery.

"What are we doing here?" tanong ko pagbaba ko ng kotse, lumalakad na si Gio palapit sa akin. Inakbayan niya ako nang makalapit na siya at nagsimula na kami maglakad. "Ikukuha mo na ba ang ako ng lupa para kapag namatay ako─"

"Hey!" pagbabawal ni Gio sa akin at hinila ako palapit sa kaniya. Natawa lang ako at sumandal sa dibdib niya.

My lips parted a bit nang huminto kami sa parang bahay. Medyo malaki ang space at puro salamin. Inalalayan ako ni Gio paakyat sa tatlong hadan. He put the code beside the door then the door opened. After that, tinangay na niya ako papasok.

"Since you already know her," Gio said. "Papakilala na kita sa kaniya."

Lumapit kami roon sa lapida ng Mommy ni Gio. Mayroon siyang malaking picture na nakasabit sa pader. She's so beautiful. She looked like an angel.

"Ang... ganda niya." I smiled while looking at the photo.

Nakaakbay pa rin si Gio sa akin. Nakatingin lang kami roon sa lapida ng Mommy niya.

Karla Vergara

"Mom, I know I said that I won't have a girlfriend but this girl right here..." Gio pulled me closer to him. "She changed my perspective in life. Ginayuma ako." He chuckled.

I slightly hit Gio's stomach. "Hey!"

Natawa si Gio at hinalikan ang ulo ko bago tumingin ulit sa puntod ng Mommy niya. "She really reminds me of you, Mom. She can play the piano well like you, she's a nurse like you..." Gio looked at me. "She's beautiful like you," He smiled and looked at her mother's tombstone again. "And most especially... she makes me feel alive, like how are you with me and Dad. You always make us feel alive."

I put my hand on his waist and leaned myself to him to comfort him. He caressed my hair.

Gio sighed. "I miss you, Mom." he whispered.

I can hear his heavy sigh. I know that he's still hurting... I can feel on his voice how much he missed his Mom.

"You know, love... Dad and I moved out from our old Mansion when she died." Gio chuckled. "Nami-miss daw niya kasi si Mommy roon. Ayaw rin daw niya ng sobrang laking bahay dahil dalawa na lang kami."

I nodded. That explains why hindi ganoon kalaki ang bahay nila for a Judge. Malaki naman siya but I expected more like our house.

"Mom, I'm introducing to you the girl that I intend to marry. She's right here." Gio looked at me and smiled. I smiled back at him.