Elyu Series #1: Drifting with the Waves

Chapter 45

Note: Unedited

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"Huh...?"

"Humihinga ka pa ba, Ivo?"

"Anong..." he trailed off, still looking at me with wide eyes.

I smiled at him. "Ang sabi ko, will you marry—"

"Teka, teka!" pigil niya kaagad sa akin. "Ako dapat ang magtatanong n'yan, eh!"

"Eh ang bagal mo!" I laughed.

Ivo groaned in frustration. "Saglit lang, Raya!"

"Ano, magpapakasal ka ba sa akin o hindi?" I teased him, faking an impatient voice.

"Magpapakasal, syempre!" sagot niya kaagad. He looks stressed. I want to laugh out loud. "Kahit saang simbahan pa!" Ivo turned to the chapel near us. "Magpakasal tayo ngayon..."

It was my turn to drop my jaw. I stared at Ivo, my eyes widening.

"Naiwan ko ang singsing sa condo pero..." nagpalinga-linga siya. iniwan ako ni Ivo at dali-daling lumapit sa mga bulaklak malapit sa bato. Pumitas siya ng iilang santan at pinagdikit-dikit ito. He showed me the little ring of flower, slightly damp from the rain last night. "Ito muna...mamaya na yung totoong singsing."

"Seryoso ka ba?" nilapitan ko si Ivo.

He grinned, reaching for my hand and pressing a gentle kiss. Kasabay nun ang pagluhod niya sa harapan ko.

"Sereia, will you marry me?"

Tears trickled in my eyes. I blinked back my tears and scowled at him.

"Madaya ka! Tinanong na kita, eh!"

Ivo laughed, shaking my hand a little. "Ako kasi dapat ang magtatanong..."

I sniffed, my lips trembling. "Sinira mo ang moment. Tanong mo ulit."

Tumawa ulit si Ivo, nakaluhod pa rin. "Pakakasalan mo ba ako?"

I nodded, finally crying. Ivo gently placed the santan ring into my finger and pulled me into a hug. He leaned closer to capture my lips and seal his proposal with a kiss. Hindi rin yun nagtagal dahil hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa kapilya.

"Magpapakasal?" gulat na tanong sa amin ng madre. We wandered around the chapel and saw a nun sitting under the tree with the child earlier. "Ngayon?"

"Opo sana..." Ivo politely said.

Ipinaglipat-lipat niya ang tingin sa aming dalawa. "May witness ba kayo?"

"Kayo po sana."

The Carmelite sister stared at us, scrutinizing. For a moment, I was afraid that the magic would end and she'd say no. But her face softened.

"Mga bata talaga..." narinig kong bulong niya. "Nanananghalian pa si Father, pero pwede ko siyang kausapin. Makakapaghintay pa ba kayo?"

Tumango si Ivo. "Salamat po, sister."

She nodded and left us. Tiningnan naman kami ng bata mula kanina.

"Kuya, wala ka sigurong pangkasal kay Ate, 'no? Dito talaga sa lumang kapilya?"

I chuckled at his blunt words while Ivo glared at him.

"Kaya kong pakasalan si Ate mo kahit saang simbahan, 'no!" ganti niya sa bata. "Pero gusto ko ngayon, eh."

"Ang atat mo, Kuya..."

Ivo placed both of his hands on my shoulders. Parang manika niya akong ipinakita sa bata.