"May mga extra shoe boxes ka ba?" Maia asked Chuck one afternoon while they hung out at his condo. Months after they got engaged, Maia would normally spend weekend afternoons at Chuck's condo after errands.
"Shoeboxes, why?"
"Iniisip ko kasi yung invitations ng kasal natin"
"You're going to give the shoeboxes as invitations?"
Maia sat up from the couch and nodded. "Yun din ang magsisilbing regalo nila sa atin. Bawat bisita ang magpupuno ng mga shoebox na i-do-donate natin."
Chuck thought for a moment then smiled. Maia remained kind, generous, and humble in spite of everything that's happened to her life. Her family was poor and struggled throughout their lives until Maia met Chuck. When they met Chuck, things slowly changed. Chuck didn't immediately tell them about his background and even showed them his efforts to live a 'normal' life.
"Hmm. Maybe we can also include instructions on what to put in?"
Maia stood up from the couch, got something from her purse, and gave it to Chuck.
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"A balloon?" Chuck said as he inspected the item.
"Kung nababasa mo dyan, nakalagay "save the date". Ibig sabihin, papaalam natin sa guest mga 2 months before kung kelan yung exact date nung wedding. Tapos, magpapadala tayo ng mas formal na invitation bago yung actual kasal. Ilalagay natin yung instructions para sa box sa loob ng lobo. Tapos, imbes na envelope, nakalagay sya sa shoebox" Maia explained.
"Ah. What if we get sturdier plastic shoe boxes? I can ask Jules, my secretary, to canvas."
Maia smiled and said, "Nagkausap na nga kami nina Jules and Paola. Nag-message nga sya kanina na mag-m-meeting daw kami sa wedding coordinator at mga supplier this week."
"Oh really?" Chuck was surprised how Maia was slowly coming out of her shell.
"Tapos, tutulungan din daw tayo ni Mo. Carmela para makipag-coordinate sa foundation kung saan natin i-d-donate yung mga boxes." Maia said. She glanced at Chuck and asked, "Anong iniisip mo?"
"Well, you said you wanted a small wedding, right?"
