Evanesce

Chapter 13

I stop dead from walking under the sun, blinking and content with a warm smile on my lips. I used my left hand to cover my bare face from the sunshine to see clearly the bliss of the noontime sky. There's a breeze strong enough to set the tides together with the trees into a relaxing mood. Oh, I really love beaches because of their picturesque sceneries. Wish I could use one of 'em as my wedding destination.

Bahagya akong naantala at nagulat nang may biglang yumakap sa akin patalikod, pero kalaunan ay natawa nang matanto na boyfriend ko pala ang may gawa 'non.

"Baby..." he spoke in a whisper when he reposed his chin on my shoulder.

Napapikit ako at napahawak sa malambot niyang mga kamay, nilalanghap ang pabango niyang humahalo sa pawis at dinadama ang bawat sandaling ito na kasama namin ang isa't isa.

This is what I've been wanting to do ever since we became official five years ago. I always wanted to be with him this way but I just couldn't because of the conflicts and complications. Anyhow, he made it happened and it's enough for me.

"I shall say and ask you this question," he whispered again with a hoarse sound, reason for me to stop myself from imagining and fantasizing things about him.

Umikot ako para makaharap sa kanya habang hindi niya inaalis ang kamay niya sa baywang ko.

I gave him my sweetest smile.

"What about it?" I asked gently as I caressed his both cheeks while looking straight into his eyes.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Sana ganito na lang kami palagi.

Binigyan niya ako ng masayang ngiti. Inalis niya ang kamay niya mula sa pagkakayapos sa akin saka marahang hinalikan ang mga kamay kong nasa pisngi niya. Lumayo siya ng ilang pulgada sa akin.

What is he trying to do?

May ilalabas sana siya sa bulsa niya nang biglang mag-ring ang cellphone niya. Nag-alinlangan pa siyang sagutin iyon pero nang makita niya kung sino ang tumatawag ay sinagot niya rin naman agad.

"Excuse me," he said then walked away from me.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Hindi pa rin talaga maiiwasan na may mangyari bukod sa magaan at masayang senaryong ito. Sino kaya 'yong tumawag?

Tahimik akong naghintay sa kanya habang pinagmamasdan lang ang kabuuan ng likod niya. Hindi ko masyadong marinig ang mga sinasabi niya sa kausap niya sa cellphone pero halata sa kilos niya na hindi maganda ang hatid na balita sa kanya ng kausap niya.

Is it bad news again? I hope not.

Nang makabalik siya ay bigla na lang siyang lumuhod sa harapan ko na siyang ikinagulat ko. He's smiling from ear to ear as if the call was nothing. Inilabas niya ang isang maliit na box mula sa bulsa niya.

The moment he showed me the ring, hindi ko na maiwasang mapaluha dahil sa sobrang kaligayahan. But I knew to myself that somewhere deep in my heart, it terrifies me.

"Aislinn Sinclair, do you want to change your surname to Cronin?"

It took me a minute before I could give him my answer. God, this is not what I'm expecting for our stay here in Palawan for three days and two nights. This is our last day and it became the most unforgettable and memorable moment of my life. Bakit ba palagi niya na lang akong ginugulat?

"Yes! I will marry you!" I said joyfully as the tears continue to fell from my eyes.

Nilagay niya agad sa palasingsingan kong daliri ang singsing saka ako hinalikan sa labi na may galak. Yinakap niya ako nang mahigpit at naririnig ko ang paulit-ulit niyang pasasalamat sa akin sa marahang boses.