THE RETURN OF A CALDERON (COMPLETED)

#20 FINALE

LATINA'S POV

I'm in a party full of expensive people. I mean, around me are rich humans that came from other part of the world.

Mao na guro ni ang pinaka engrande nga engagement party ang akong na atenan.  But different from other parties, this party is a torture for me.

It's because my family including me was invited to this party. Which is my boyfriend's engagement party.

His engagement party with other woman.

Actually kadtong nadawat nako ang invitation to wala ko kabalo kung kinsa ang pakaslan niya but the moment I arrive here,

I saw him with a familiar girl. I remember that girl kadtong birthday sa akong friend. As far as I can remember, she's Sofia.

Dang girl! You're holding my man's arm.

“Kung maka matay ang tan'aw no, hagbay ra nang ni hapla si Sofia.” hunghong ni Kuya.

I roll my eyes ug nihunong nakog tan aw kay Nikko ug kay Sofia nga lingaw kaayong nang welcome sa mga bisita.

“Nya mo singgit taraw ka dirig, ihunong ang engagement!!” sumpay nasad ni Kuya. Buang bataa.

My parents are not with us karon kay tua sila sa laing table. Kami rang duha ni Kuya sa isa ka table ug ang amaw, sige kog sungugon.

Akoa syang gi lingi, “You're not helping at all. Pasalamat ka wala si Merell.”

As I mention her ex name, he gave me a sad face and then shrugged his shoulder. Wa na dayun sya ni tabi pag usab.

•

I was peacefully checking my cellphone when I felt a figure stood beside my seat.

“Luca?” shock nga tawag niyas akong ngan.

I look up to check who's this human being. Namugnaw ko pagka kita kay Naomi. The first person nga gisultian namo kadtong na official naming Nikko.

Nauwaw ko pagka kita niya specially karon nga naa mi sa engagement party ni Nikko. Imagine the embarrassment I'm feeling right now.

“Long time no see. Kumusta?” Naomi starts making chika so nalingaw nalang sad kog tubag sa iyang questions.

Nagka chika me gamay about personal life but she didn't mention anything related to Nikko and I.

Then Nikko's father called everyone's attention. Everyone clap the moment he mention the engagement of his unico ijo.

I'm in pain as he called Nikko and Sofia to take over the mic.

Tangina pare legit pain. Pero bisan sakit kaayo sa buot, I manage to clap my hands too.

I really want to run away and cry because this is torturing me, but I want to see Nikko and I'm still happy for him. I love him ug kung aha sya malipay, I'll be supporting him.

Nikko was the first one to hold the mic to thank everyone that came here. He look so happy and I can't see any hesitations in his eyes.

He even mentioned Sofia's name, “And thankyou Sof. Thank you a lot. ” he wink at her before giving her the mic.

Shit! Harap harapan gyud? Agay ha!

“Tissue?” tingog ni Naomi.

Gidawat nako ang tissue nga iyang gi tunol then I carefully wipe the stupid tears on my cheeks.

I end up crumpling the tissue I'm holding tungod sa pain nga akong gibati. Layo sa intestine pero gagi walay anesthesia diha? Sakit kaayo mga badi.

•

“Hi po. Ahm, do you still have the invitation card pa ba? I just wanna clear things.” Sofia smile genuinely.

For a seconds, everyone got busy looking at their invitation cards and they look back to Sofia.

“As you can see that invitation card didn't mention any names about Nikko's fiance right?” unexpectedly her eyes met mine.

“And that's because her fiance haven't answered him yet,” she stated.

Nag sugod ug hunghongay ang mga tao sa palibot. They're talking about Sofia's words not until,

—

Not until Nikko walk down from the stage and carefully take steps kung aha akong table.

Kusog kaayog beat akong heart. It's like I'm in a fairytale love story where everything happened is imposible.

Pero no, Nikko is actually standing right in front of me, “Can I have the tissue you're holding?” he asked.

Akoang gi tan aw akong kamot ug nag duha duhag tunol niya sa tissue.

He unfolded the tissue and everyone's in Aww the moment a ring showed up.

Wait what? Aha gikan nang singsing?

Confused nga nilingi ko ni Naomi, she smirk and shrugged her shoulders.

Everyone cheered as Nikko kneel down one of his knees,

“Luca,” I averted my attention to him, “Latina del Franco Salvador,” kompleto niyas akong ngalan.

He even held my right hand before he continues, “Will you give me the privilege to put this on, on your ring finger?”

I am in shock. Like, what is happening? Wala ko kasabot sa gakahitabo pero nitando ko. It's like my brain didn't understand what's happening pero my body does.

“So it's a yes?” he tried to hide his smile.

My mouth uttered that made Nikko smile widely, “Yes”

“God! Thanks God! I waited weeks to see you again. And I'm sorry hon for not contacting you this past days, I really have to prepare myself for this.” he explained as he hug me.

Namakpak na tanan tao ug nang congratulate pero lutang gihapon kaayo ko.

“That was planned?” I asked out of the blue.

Nikko nodded, “Yes. I want to surprise you ug gi diretso na nakog engagement party para di nakam balibad.”

Naay mga nangatawa ug didto nako naka realize sa mga nahitabo.

“N-Nikko,”

I cried as I realized that this engagement party is actually his way to propose to me.

“Shhh hon. I know I made you wait for 1 week and I'm really sorry for not answering your messages.” gigakos ko niyag usab.

I can't. I really am speechless. I thought I'll be losing this man forever.

I hug him tight, “I miss you, I miss you so much Nikko. Hon I miss you”

Mura nakog bata ari nga nag hilak tas balik balik ra ang gina sulti.

Nikko wipe my tears before holding my hand, “Can I introduce you to everyone know?” he ask for permission.

I nodded, trying not to cry again.

»»»

“Hello ladies and gents I am Nikko Ricardo Calderon and this is my fiancé Luca Latina Salvador. My soon to be Mrs. Calderon.” he introduced us.

Gosh I can almost see butterflies as I heard the sound of wine glasses.

I look at Nikko and for the first time in history, I heard him say,

“I love you hon.” he kissed my forehead.

“I love you a lot.” dungag pa niya.

I giggle. I am contented enough for I already have the man I prayed for. My childhood crush, my first love, my hon, all in one man. I'm so blessed.

“I love you too” tubag nako.

Nikko kiss me smack on the lips before someone interrupt us.

“Cheers to the love we can't have,” Kuya Lucas shouted.

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The book had official ended. Thankyou so much for reading! You guys really mean a lot to me. I love you all.
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