The one that got away

4. Gray eyes

"Robi, I have waited ten years for this day to finally come true. I have dreamed of this day so many times that right now, I wanted to punch you right in the face just to make sure that this day is really happening." 

People laughed as Ian -- the girl who can't be moved/ Neon's drummer, recite her vows in front of Robi. People around Calen was actually happy because finally the much awaited Robian wedding was happening. On the other had, Calen finds it very --- boring. 

"You are actually happy?" bulong niya kay Lex. Siniko siya ng kaibigan at saka inirapan. He hated days like this, he disgusts weddings, anniversaries, and other occasions that couples celebrate to let other people see how much they love each other. 

"Focus, Calen. This wedding is not about your bitterness." Lex whispered. He just made a face. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit gustong-gusto ng mga ito ang nangyayari. Maybe it was because of the fact that Kerky and Lex have found their matches and they were really feeling the ceremony because they were in love. 

He had accepted the fact that two of his friends have plunged in the love plague. Wala na yatang gamot sa sakit ng mga ito. He sighed. Mas matindi pa sa zombie apocalypse ang nangyari sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Ibinalik niya ang kanyang atensyon sa dalawang taong nasa harapan -- Robi and Ian. 

Ian looked really pretty wearing that long white dress, and Robi looked cool wearing whatever he was wearing. He could see the love on both of their eyes. Hindi naman sa hindi siya naniniwala sa pag-ibig. Naniniwala siya. Hindi nga lang siya matatawag na fan nito. He thinks and he believes that love is bogus and love only make the people around him stupid. Alam niya, he had experience what they called the magic of love and it wasn't a good experience for him. 

Nang dahil sa pag-ibig na iyan, maraming nawala sa kanya. 

Nang dahil sa pag-ibig na iyan, maraming nagbago. 

If only he could turn back time, he will make sure he will never fall into that trap again...

Never.. 

------------

Some years ago...

"Happy one year anniversary!" 

Inilagay ko sa kandungan ni Cinderella ang boquet ng white roses na binili ko para sa kanya. It was our first year anniversary as a couple and I am really glad to have spent it with her. 

"Thank you, Cal." She kissed my cheek. Ngiting-ngiti siya habang nakatingin sa bulaklak na bigay ko sa kanya. Kumuha siya ng isa at saka pinutol ang tangkay niyon at inilagay sa likod ng kanyang tainga. "Do I look pretty?" she asked. 

"Of course. You are always pretty." hinagkan ko ang kanyang kamay. She looked at me. 

"What do you wanna do today?" She asked me. "Pero mukhang pagod ka pa... Tough day at school?"

"I like it when you speak tagalog. Speak more, para masanay ka pa lalo." napapangiti ako. Gumagaling na sa pagtatagalog si Cinderella. Isang taon na rin kasi siyang nandito sa bansa at madali na para sa kanya ang intidihin ang paligid. Panaka-naka ay nababawasan na ang pagsasalita niya ang english at hanggul at natutuwa ako dahil mas nagkakaintindihan na kami ngayon. 

"Tumatawa ka kasi kapag namamali ako." ngumuso sa siya. Hinapit ko ang kanyang baywang at saka siya niyakap. "Calen, baka makita tayo ng mga bata." 

Nasa park kami noon. We were sitting at the bench not minding other people. 

"Hayaan mo nga sila. Inggit lang sila, maganda ang girlfriend ko." Nagblush pa ito. Natawa naman ako. Lalong gumaganda si Cinderella sa tuwing namumula ang pisngi nito.