EVERYTHING

35

"Oh, tapos? Anong nangyari? Huy—"

Halos matawa ako sa itsura ni Ate Nhila sa harap ko. Kanina pa siya iyak nang iyak dito sa harap ko. I am telling her the story of my proposal to Sarah. How it happened. Saan ko ginawa ang proposal. Umipisa pa lang, naiyak na siya. At halos humagulhol siya sa part na lumuhod na ako sa harap ni Sarah.

"Syempre, she said yes. She's my soon to be Mrs. Sarah Anderson."

"Ano nga kasi— ano pang nangyari?"

Napailing na lang ako saka pinagpatuloy ang pagkekwento ko kay Ate Nhila.

"Thank you. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako kasaya ngayon. Thank you for accepting my proposal Babe."

I cupped her face with my both hands and kissed her. We are both crying. I could taste the saltiness of our tears.

"I love you and I can't wait to marry you. I can't wait to call you, Mrs. Sarah Asher Geronimo-Anderson."

"I love you too. I told you before na alam ko naman na ikaw na."

I took my phone out and we took a selfie. She's leaning on my chest with her left hand on the right side showing her engagement ring. It was picture perfect. I took her hand and kiss it.

"You made me so happy, Babe."

"Masaya rin ako. And this ring, its beautiful, Babe. Ang hirap namang hindi mapansin nito lalo na kapag sinuot ko nang madalas."

"You deserve everything, Babe." I kissed her again. "May I have this dance?"

"Without music?", nakangiti niyang tanong sakin.

"Yun ang akala mo—", I took my phone out and search for the music. "Meron ako dito, perfect song. Ang ganda pa nung kumanta at sobrang galing pa."

"Hmm. Let me hear it. Tingnan natin kung maganda nga."

I watch her reaction nang narinig niya yung music. I smile formed on her lips.

"Fallin'? Wala na bang mas cheesy pa diyan?"

"Don't kill my vibe, Babe. We just got engaged."

I put her hands on my shoulder saka siya hinapit palapit sa akin. We started dancing. Napangiti ako when she sing the few lines.

"That's always on my list, Babe. Because of that song, US started."

I looked at Ate Nhila na nakalahad ang kamay sakin na parang may hinihintay na ibigay ko.

"What?"

"Patingin ng photos. Sabi mo meron."

"Ate naman. Private property."

"Gerald, please. I want to see."

I sigh saka hinanap ang photo namin sa phone ko saka ibinigay kay Ate Nhila.