Between Two Hearts [to be published under Bookware]

Chapter 48

Isang simpleng tango lang ang naisagot ko sa kanya, dahil sa sobrang tuwa. I didn't know how to react or what to say. Hindi ko alam kung nananaginip lang ba ako, o totoo talaga 'to. Ang hirap kasing paniwalaan na parang kahapon lang ay tinutulak ko siya palayo, tapos ngayon ay hinihingi niya na ang kamay ko.

"Say it, darling. I want to hear it from you."

"Yes, Leo. I am very willing to spend the rest of my life with you," I finally said.

He smiled and kissed my hand before putting the ring on it. Lahat ng sakit at pait na matagal kong kinikimkim ay parang isang ligaw na bula;kisaptamang naglaho.

"A-ang ganda, darling." Naiiyak kong sabi sakanya. Saktong-sakto ang sukat ng singsing sa daliri ko. It was just a simple diamond ring, but I really appreciated it. He stand up after putting the ring. He cupped my face and slowly leaned forward to give me a kiss. He deepened the kiss, and I have no choice but to respond and enjoy the moment.

"Maganda, kasi maganda rin ang nagsusuot," pambobola niya sa akin ng matapos ang halik. Pinagdikit niya ang noo namin at muli akong hinalikan, pero mabilis lang 'yon. He interwined our hands and faced the crowd.

"Everyone, she's Tatiana Cara Corsanes-Soriano, my fiance." The crowd cheered for us. They clapped their hands and congratulated us. Bahagya naman akong namula, dahil ngayon ko lamang na-realize na kanina pa pala nila kami pinapanood. "And becuase she accepted my proposal, drink all you can, it's for free. My treat."

Mas lalong nagsigawan ang mga tao. The band, Air Supply, also congratulated us. Nakipagkamay ang mga 'to kay Leo, at maging sa akin din. Iginaya at inalalayan niya ako pababa sa hagdan.

"Congrats pokpok!" Sabay-sabay na sigaw ng mga kaibagan ko nang makalapit ako sakanila. We hugged each other. I missed them so much. Bihira na lang kaming magsama-sama, at makumpleto.

"Congratulations, Tatiana, Leo!" Cristan, greeted the both of us.

"Thank you," pagpapasalamat ko. Nag-fist bump sila ni Leo, at kalaunan ay nagpaalam dahil mayroon daw silang pag-uusapang mahalaga. Leo gave me a light peck on the lips before living. Agad naman akong namula sa ginawa niyang 'yon, and because of that, my friends keep on teasing me.

"Cheers!" Sabay-sabay nating ininom ang hawak-hawak naming beer. Isinama ko sila dito sa pwesto namin kanina ni Leo. Speaking of Leo, he's nowhere to be found, and I don't know where did he and Cristan go. Kanina pa umalis ang mga 'to, pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin sila bumabalik.

"2/4, sino kaya mauuna sa ating dalawa, Ernisha?" she asked. Cassandra and I were both engaged.

"Probably, it's you for sure. I've got no plans for settling down," simple niyang sagot na siyang ikinatawa naming lahat.

"Parang kailan lang iniiyakan mo siya, pero ngayon pakakasalan mo na siya. You're strong, Tatiana, and I admire you for that," Ernisha muttered and gave me a smile. "You don't deserve those pain, you deserve to be happy."

"Ikakasal lang ako, hindi pa ako mamamatay!" Pabirong singhal ko sakanya, na siyang ikinatawa nilang tatlo. Sunod-sunod silang tumayo, at hinila rin ako patayo at palabas ng Resto Bar.

"Saan niyo ako dadalhin? Baka hanapin ako ni Leo," pagpigil ko sakanila. They just laugh and pull me out of the place. Ilang beses ko silang inusisa, pero puro tawa at 'basta' lang ang isinasagot nila sa akin.

"He loves you so much," Cassandra said. "He's willing to do everything for you, just to make you happy."

"Okay?" I looked at them curiously. They're getting weirder now. "Be happy, Tati. We were always be here for you."

Maluha-luha ko silang niyakap, at pinasalamatan para sa lahat ng ginawa nila para sa akin. They stayed through my up's and down. Hindi sila 'yong tipo ng kaibigan na iiwan ka sa ere, o kakalimutan ka na kapag may nakilalang iba.

"Hindi na ikaw 'yong iyakin naming kaibigan," pagbibiro ni Vettinah. "Sige na. Your prince charming is waiting there for you," she continued and gestured me to enter the place.

I bit my lower lip as I moved my feet. Ito 'yong garden pool malapit sa Casa. Dito ako usually pumupunta kapag gabi, para ibabag ang paa ko sa tubig at tumulala. Ilang hakbang pa ang ginawa ko, ay mayroon ng mga tulips sa dinadaanan ko. I picked them up and smell them. Punong-puno na nang petals ang carpet na dinadaanan ko.

I saw him near the infinity pool, beside the dining table that he surely prepared for us. He never failed to surprise me, and make me smile.

I'm lying alone with my head on the phone
Thinking of you till it hurts
I know you hurt too but what else can we do
Tormented and torn apart
I wish I could carry your smile and my heart
For times when my life seems so low
It would make me believe what tomorrow could bring
When today doesn't really know, doesn't really know

Nagsimula na siyang kumanta, at nagsimula na rin akong umiyak habang naglalakad palapit sakanya.

I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I'm all out of love, what am I without you
I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong

"Nakakainis ka talaga!" Bahagya ko siyang sinapak ng makalapit ako sakanya. He just laughed and escorted me into our dining table.

"Did you like it?" He asked as he pour the wine and put some dishes on my plate.

"I did," I answered. "Lahat naman ng galing sayo ay nagugustuhan ko." 

Tumawa lang siya, at nagsimula ng kumain. Sinimulan ko na ring kumain, pero nilimitahan ko lang. Ilang beer din ang naubos ko baka pumalya pa at sumuka ako.

"May I take this dance, Mrs. Soriano?" He asked and offered for his hand. Ngumiti ako at tinanggap 'yon. The violinist started to play his violin, at kasabay non ay isinasayaw niya na rin ako.

"Did you prepare all of this?" I asked as I encircled my hand into his neck.

"Yes," he replied. "But I don't want to get all the credit. Cristan, specially your friends, helped me to finish this."

I was actually surprise to see them here. I thought they would be surprised kapag nagkwento ako.

"Buti nahagilap mo sila at napapayag."

"I did, because I love you. Kahit saang sulok pa sila magtago, hahanapin at hahanapin ko sila para sayo."

He cupped my face and looked at me directly in the eyes.

"I love you!" I said and kissed the point of his nose. He laughed and pulled me more closer to him.

"I love you more," he replied and kissed me.