Epilogue
After 3 years...
"Ready?"
I smiled and kissed him passionately. Isinabit ko ang kamay ko sa braso niya matapos ko siyang halikan. Matamis siyang ngumiti sakin at hinalikan ako sa noo.
"You're so beautiful in your gown, Icona. You really are my baby."
I laughed and pinch his nose. "I'm not a baby, you ugly model."
"Yeah, whatever, baby," sabi niya at inirapan ako.
Kahit minsan kasi hindi ko siya sinabihan ng gwapo. I really just love annoying him! Ang cute niya kasi!
"Ito naman, I'm just kidding!" Sabi ko at niyakap siya nang mahigpit at saka hinalikan siya sa pisngi. I'm sure he can't resist me when I'm like this. I don't know. Kahit naman minsan hindi siya nagalit sakin. Only when I don't what to eat. He's super bossy when it comes to food.
"Alright," he gave up and smiled. Sabi ko na e. He's so in love with me that he can't be mad at me. "Let's go? I'm excited to introduce you to my family."
Napangiti ako and at the same time, kinilig. He waited so long for this day. Na ipakilala ako sa pamilya niya. Umuwi kami ng Pilipinas para lang dito. Noon pa sana niya ako sa America ipapakilala sa mga magulang niya pero palaging busy iyong parents niya dahil sa business kaya nawalan ng chance na ma-meet ko sila.
And then here it comes now...
Attending to a party, with his family.
I'm so nervous.
We went to Greco's parents who are busy talking to some business man and then excuse himself to them. May binulong lang si Greco tapos napatingin sakin agad ang Mama niya. She smiled sweetly.
Gosh! I don't think I can talk to his parents properly or without my voice stuttering. For pete's sake, Icona, it's not like ipapakasal ka na kay Greco para kabahan kana ng ganyan! Just relax.
Greco introduced me to them. At first, parang todo titig sila sakin. Akala ko huhusgahan nila ako at sasabihin nilang "we don't want you for our son" pero I was wrong. They hugged me and welcome me to their family. I even talked to Tita Janice and she was sorry for what Juster did. Sinabi ko na hindi dapat magsorry si Tita dahil wala naman siyang kasalanan doon. Ginusto iyon ni Juster. At wala nang kaso sakin yon. I moved on. Officially. Acceptance is the key to be free. And now, I'm free.
"Dude," Greco and I both turned and saw Juster holding a baby. "Can I borrow her just for a moment?"
Napatingin ako kay Greco. He nodded and smiled. Iniwan niya kaming dalawa ni Juster. Actually, kasama namin ni Juster iyong anak niya. Walang nagsasalita. Ni hindi ko tinitignan sa mga mata si Juster. Pareho kaming nagpapakiramdaman. It's been years since the day we talked. Kaya siguro ganito ka-awkward kasi hindi na kami yung dating teens lang.
"So..." he started. "Kamusta?"
Ngumiti ako. "I'm happy," I replied. That's true, I'm happy. Real happiness. "How about you? You have a family na 'diba? Congrats."
He just half-smiled.
"What's his name?" Tanong ko nalang at tinignan iyong baby. He's cute. Kamukha niya si Juster. Siguro nasa 2 years old na siya base sa nakikita ko.
"Justy."
Napangiti ako. "That's cute. Almost the same of your name."
Pareho nanaman kaming natahimik. Hindi na nga siguro namin talaga maibabalik yung dati na kumportable kami sa isa't-isa. Para bang may lamat na na hindi na kayang linisin ng kahit anong pwedeng ipanglinis. Hanggang doon nalang kami.
