“Oh. Napadalaw ka ata? Asan yung kambal?”
“Uhm… Actually papa, may importante po sana akong sasabihin sa inyo.”
“Ano yun?” the old man said.
“Maupo muna kayo diyan. Magpapakuha ako ng juice kay manang.” Sabi naman ni Marivic.
“Ano yun, Elmo?” Jonathan asked again. Huminga ng malalim si Elmo at saka tumingin kay Jonathan at Marivic.
“Papa, mama, I know I may not be the best guy your daughter could ever have. I may have made mistakes and I may not be the most responsible guy in the world, but I want to take this opportunity po to ask for your blessings. I want to marry Julie na po sana.” Naluha naman ang mag-asawa nang marinig iyon. “Alam ko po, madaming beses ko na nasaktan si Julie, pero mahal na mahal ko po siya and I can’t live without her. She’s my everything po. Sila ng mga bata. Hindi ko po ginagawa to dahil lang may anak na kami. I’m doing this because I want to be with her until we grow old and I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with her.” He added. Niyakap naman siya ng mahigpit ng mama ni Julie habang si Jonathan naman ay nakangiti sa kanya.
“You have our blessing hijo. You’ve had it ever since you loved our daughter.” Sabi nito. Tumayo naman si Elmo and gave his soon-to-be-father-in-law a hug. Tapos niyakap niya ulit ang mama ni Julie.
“Kailan mo balak magpropose?” Marivic asked him.
“On the day of our wedding po.” He answered na ikinataka naman ng mga magulang ng dalaga.
“What do you mean?” Jonathan asked.
“I want to surprise her po sana. Gusto ko po, when I propose to her, I’m gonna marry her right then and there.” He said and gave them a smile.
“Haha. A secret mission it is. Andito lang kami ng mama niyo to help.”
“Thank you po.”
“Teka. Alam na ba ni Pia yan?” Marivic asked.
“I’m about to tell her po, ma. I just had to come to you first. You know mom naman. Baka mauna pa siya humingi ng blessing from you bago ako makarating dito. Hahaha.”
“The boy’s right, hon.” Natatawang sabi ni Jonathan.
“Mauna na po ako. Thank you po ulit for your blessing.” Elmo said.
“Wala yun, Elmo. And your secret’s safe with us. Goodluck! Update us ha?” Marivic said. Tumango naman si Elmo at saka na umalis sa bahay ng mga San Jose.
He drove to Antipolo on that same day. Pinapunta niya rin ang mga kapatid niya dun dahil ang gusto niya, lahat sila makakausap niya about the wedding.
“Good morning po, sir.” Bati ng maid nila the moment he got in.
“Good morning, manang. San po sila?”
“Nasa garden po. Hinihintay na po kayo.” Sagot naman nito. Tumango na lang si Elmo and walked towards their garden.
“Hi, guys!” he greeted them. Nagtinginan naman ang lahat sa kanya and flashed him a smile.
“Hi, kuya!” masayang bati ni Clara sabay yakap sa kanya.
“What brought you here, son?” Pia asked.
“Yeah. And bakit kailangan kumpleto pa kami?” Maxx asked curiously.
“Chill, Maxx. I have something to tell you guys.” He started.
“Shoot.” Arkin said, his eyes glued on his iPad.
“I’m marrying Julie.” The moment he said those three words, he got everyone’s attention.
“Really?! When?!” Saab asked.
