"Julie Anne, meet Elmo and Elmo meet Julie Anne, my daughter and my only child."
That was the very first time I laid my eyes on her. I was in awe. "What a beautiful girl..." was the first thing that came to my mind the moment I saw her. I was just 6 that time, same with her.
"Julie anak, we'll be staying here together with Elmo now... So please be nice to him, okay?" The beautiful girl just gave his father a nod. She's shy I guess.
"Huy! Bat tulala ka dyan" nagulat ako ng biglang may kumalabit sakin. Pagtingin ko si Julie Anne pala, ang kababata ko.
"May naalala lang...." maikli kong paliwanag sa kanya.
Nandito ako sa isang parte ng Hacienda Arrama, dito ako madalas tumambay pag gusto kong magisip-isip. Hindi ko lang namalayan na nakatulala na pala ako dahil naalala ko yung nangyari sa akin magmula nung 6 years old pa lang ako.
Umupo sa tabi ko Julie at tumingin sa akin.
"Parents mo ba?" maikiling tanong nya sa akin.
"Oo... I can't help but remember them. Today is their death anniversary, it's been 12 years since they passed away, just a day before my birthday. 12 years na rin akong hindi nagce'celebrate ng birthday because how can I celebrate it kung isang araw bago iyon, dun nawala ang pamilya ko..." mahaba kong paliwanag kay Julie.
Nakita ko naman na humugot sya ng malalim na hininga, sawa na siguro sya? Biruin mo, yearly ganito ako, bawat taon ganito ang sinasabi ko sa kanya, paulit-ulit na lang pero wala naman akong magawa dahil bawat taon, ganito palagi ang nararamdaman ko.
Hindi na nagsalita si Julie, kaya naman tumingin na lang ako sa malayo sabay inalala ang nakaraan.
I am Elmo Arroyo Magalona. I was only 6 years old when my parents died, I am turning 18 tomorrow pero yung mga naramdaman ko magmula nung anim na taong gulang pa lang ako ay nanunumbalik, hindi mawala wala...
Both of my parents died because of an accident. The car they were in lost its brake and then they fell off a cliff, they died together with my unborn sister, Celine. That's what I named her cos when they asked me, I remember that my mom told me that she wants to name my baby sister, Celine. Katunog daw kasi ng pangalan ng lola ko which is Cecilyn.
Naisip ko dati, right after the burial of my parents and Celine, that I have no one but myself or maybe, that's what I thought, cos that time, right after the burial of my parents, Uncle Julian who happens to be my dad's best friend and the care taker of Hacienda Arrama, came to me.
He asked me if I want him to take care of me and so I said yes, kilala ko rin naman kasi si Uncle Julian dahil sa hacienda nga sya nagtatrabaho. Isa pa, masyado pa akong bata noon at wala akong ibang pwedeng mapagkakatiwalaan kung hindi siya.
Since he's my guardian that time, tumira sya kasama ako. As much as I wanted to be alone, wala akong choice kasi nakalipat na sa bahay si Uncle Julian. I just didn't expect that he has a daughter.
Tulad nga ng sabi ko, matagal ng nagtatrabaho si Uncle Julian sa hacienda pero hindi ko alam na may anak pala sya. Turns out, hiwalay pala si Uncle sa asawa nya at nung umalis ang Mama ni Julie para pumunta sa ibang bansa, iniwan nito si Julie kay Uncle Julian.
Julie became my best friend, from then on.
We always have a way of understanding each other, that's why slowly, I fell for her & she knows it.
"Moe, 18 kana bukas. Don't you think it's time for you to start celebrating your birthday? You have to live your life, Moe. I'm sure your parents are not happy with what you've been doing. Gusto nilang makita kang masaya, Moe. There is a reason kung bakit buhay ka ngayon, so find that reason kung ano man iyon and start living...." Natapos ako sa pag-iisip nang muling magsalita si Julie.
Tumingin ako sa mga mata nya at hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.
I smiled at her, a genuine smile na sa kanya ko lang pinapakita.
"Julie, I think I found the reason why I'm living... I found the reason why I want to live and that reason is you. Julie, alam mo dati pa lang na mahal kita so Julie, please let me court you. I'm turning 18 tomorrow and you'll turn 18 next month, nasa edad na tayo Julie... Please...."
Kabado ako, Oo... Dahil kahit alam kong matagal ng alam ni Julie ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya, ngayon pa lang naman talaga ako pormal na nagtanong sa kanya.
Naramdaman kong humigpit ang hawak ni Julie sa kamay ko kaya naman napatingin ako sa mga mata niya..
She's smiling and her eyes are smiling. I felt a sense of relief.
Hinaplos nya ang mukha ko at tsaka sya tumango..
"You don't have to court me, Moe. I've been in love with you since we were 6 and I am planning to stay in love with you for the rest of my life. Hindi mo lang alam kung gaano ko katagal hinintay ka na umamin sa akin ng pormal...." sabi nito sa akin at maluha luha din sya.
Hinawakan ko rin ang maganda nyang mukha at nilapit sa akin...
"You mean, tayo na?" tanong ko sa kanya ng nakangiti habang magkalapit ang mga mukha namin.
Tumango sya at tsaka ngumiti...
"Tayo na..." pagkumpirma nito.
Hindi ko napigil ang sarili ko dahil sa sobrang kasiyahan, inilapit ko ang mukha ko sakanya at pinatakan ko ng halik ang kanyang mga labi.
"That's my first kiss, Moe...." kunwari ay naiinis na sabi nito sakin..
"Me too..." ngiti ko dito. Hinampas naman nya ako sa balikat pero di naglaon ay muli niyang hinawakan ang mukha ko at malambing na hinaplos ito.
"If I'm really your reason for living, then promise me that starting from now, you'll start living your life happily, okay? Let's live for each others sake and enjoy life together, hmm?"
Napangiti ako sa sinabi nito.
"Yes po." Pa'cute na sabi ko dito.
"Aba, dapat lang ha. Ayoko ng magiging asawa na laging nakasimangot no!" biglang bulalas nito.
Pareho naman kaming napatigil. Nagkatinginan kami at kita ko ang pamumula nito. Unti-unti naman akong napangiti dahil dun.
"Asawa pala haaaa. Yes, wife." pagbibiro ko dito.
"Elmo Moses!!!! Stop! Nakakahiya shet!" sabi nito habang pilit niyang tinatakpan ang mukha niya. Pilit ko namang inaalis ang mga kamay nya sa mukha nya.
"Hey, ano ba. You don't have to be shy okay? I only live for you that's why I only see myself with you, as your husband... hmm?" pag-amin ko dito.
Unti-unti naman nyang inalis ang mga kamay nya sa mukha nya, kitang-kita ko pa rin ang lalong pamumula ng mukha nya, pustahan tayo kinikilig to.
"Totoo?" malambing na sabi nito.
Niyakap ko naman sya at tsaka ko sya binulungan.
"Yes, wife. Mahal kita, mahal na mahal..."
Mas hinigpitan naman nya ang yakap nya sakin at tsaka sya bumulong rin.
"I love you too, Elmo. Mahal na mahal...." malambing na sabi nito.
Bigla naman itong kumalas sa yakapan namin at mahigpit na pinisil ang pisngi ko.
"Di pa na tayo kasal battered husband na agad ako?'' pagbibiro ko dito.
''Tseee. Just want to remind you not to tell dad yet, okay? Let's tell him on my 18th birthday nalang. I just want to make sure na hindi sya magagalit, so can we keep our relationship in the meantime? Can you wait til next month?" nag-aalalang tanong nito sa akin.
I pinched her cheeks at tumango ako.
"Yes, wife. Not a problem & it'll always be a yes when it comes to you." ngiti ko dito.
"I live my life for you, remember?" sabi ko dito at tsaka ko muling dinampian ng halik ang labi nya.
For the first time after 12 years, I am excited for tomorrow and the following days to come. I am excited to make more memories with Julie, memories that will last forever.
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Ayuuuun! Next chap? Vote and Comment please :)
