Just This Once (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 42

#JustThisOnce

Kabanata 42 

Parker wanted to finalize everything first before we go back to Manila. Ilang araw naming inasikaso iyong wedding permit, kumuha ng seminars—everything we needed to get married.

He just wanted to be sure.

"Gen," he said. We were sitted by the shore again. It was so serene—I almost didn't want to go anywhere else.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

Hinarap ko siya. "Pang twenty five na sorry mo na 'yan simula nung dumating tayo," sabi ko sa kanya. He's just sorry about practically everything. Na para bang kapag may maling nangyari, automatic na siya ang may kasalanan. It pissed me to know that he's been traumatized enough to automoatically assume that he's the one at fault.

"I just..." He paused. "You deserve a church wedding."

"A beach wedding would be nice," I told him. "But seriously, I don't care kahit saan pa. Wala na naman akong pamilya, so it'll be pretty weird for me... Walang maglalakad sa akin papunta sa altar."

He sighed. "I should've asked for your parent's permission first. They might think that I'm disrespectful."

"Parker, you screwed me in both private and public places. I think they already think you're disrespectful," sabi ko. Napa-simangot naman siya. I laughed. "Seriously, okay lang talaga. 'Wag ka ngang magsorry nang magsorry. Hindi lahat kasalanan mo, okay?"

"My dad can walk you to the altar," he said. "He'll like you."

Natahimik ako. Hindi ko kasi sure kung magugustuhan talaga ako ng Papa niya. Parker gave up that law firm for me. Maiintindihan ko naman kung aayawan niya ako.

I shrugged to mask the uncertainty.

"I promise, he'll like you," he said, holding my hand.

I smiled. "Talaga?"

He nodded. "Yeah... remember when I told you that you remind me of someone?"

Tumango rin ako. "Akala ko nga si Imo, e," I said and then laughed. "Pero nung nakilala ko si Imo, I realized how wrong I was."

"You're the exact opposite of Imo."

I eyed him. "Dapat ba akong kabahan?"

Umiling siya at saka hinatak ako papalapit sa kanya. He wrapped his arms around me and then planted a kiss on my head. I smiled. I loved it when he's like this. Sana palagi na lang kaming ganito.

Parker rested his head on top of mine.

"Bakit mo ako nagustuhan?" I asked him. It kept me up at night sometimes. What did he see in me? I just really didn't understand. He's... Parker. He practically had everything.

"I don't really know," he replied.

"Maganda ba ako?"

"Yeah."

"Napipilitan ka lang, e."

He laughed and then planted another kiss on the top of my head. "To be honest?" I nodded against his chest. "You promise you'll still marry me if I'll be totally honest right now?"

Kinurot ko siya. "Sobrang pangit ko ba sa paningin mo kaya may ganyang disclaimer kang nalalaman?"

He laughed again. Could he just keep on laughing? Parker's laughter would always be my favorite sound. His face my favorite view. His love my favorite feeling.