Sarah stared at her reflection as the final touches were being done on her veil. She didn’t notice that her mother was also staring at her. “Anak, you look so beautiful…. a very radiant bride. I’m happy to see that you look so happy.”
“I am so happy Ma. Hanggang ngayon I still can’t believe that this is all happening. I never knew anybody could be this happy.”
“You deserve all the happiness that you are feeling right now. Ito ang kapalit ng pagiging mabuti mong anak at kaibigan. Kaya Anak, don’t ever let this go. Kahit ano pang mangyari sa inyo ni Gerald in the future, make sure to stand by him and fight for him.”
“I promise Mommy. I will do everything I can to make him happy. At hindi na po ako basta-basta susuko ‘pag may problema. I am stronger now Ma. And I will make sure to be always strong for the both of us.”
“That’s my girl,” Mrs. Geronimo said then gave her a hug.
Habang nagyayakapan ang mag-ina ay s’ya namang pagpasok ni Mr. Geronimo sa hotel room kung saan inaayusan si Sarah. “Pwede ba akong sumali sa hug na ‘yan?” Tinanggal ni Mrs. Geronimo ang isang kamay n’ya sa pagkaka-akap sa anak at inilahad ito sa kanyang asawa para lumapit sa kanila. May ilang minuto rin silang tahimik na nag-aakapan lamang.
Si Mr. Geronimo ang unang kumawala at sinabing, “I just came from Gerald’s room.”
“Talaga Daddy? How’s he?”
“Nervous, a little, but he said he’s so excited to see you.”
“Ano naman ang ginawa mo doon?” ang tanong ni Mrs. Geronimo.
“Wala naman. I just had a conversation with his dad about our wedding gift for them,” ang nakangiting sagot ng ama ni Sarah.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sarah ng dahil sa narinig. “May wedding gift pa po kayo? Hindi pa po ba enough itong magarbong wedding na binigay n’yo nila Daddy Randy?”
“Anong enough? Walang ‘enough’ sa pagpapakita ng pagmamahal.”
Napangiti si Sarah sa sagot ng ama. “Eh Daddy, ano naman po ‘yang gift n’yo?”
“Well, it took us quite some time to finalize our gift. We had to consult Gerald pa nga kasi hindi talaga kami sigurado kung ano pa ang kailangan n’yo. Hindi n’yo kailangan ng bagong sasakyan. Kayang-kayang ibigay ng asawa mo ‘yun sa ‘yo. Kung bahay naman ay masasayang lang dahil medyo bago pa naman ang bahay na binili ni Gerald para sa inyo. And he insisted that the two of you will be living there for the rest of your lives. At sino naman ako to argue with that? Your husband-to-be has his own business na maaring bumuhay sa ‘yo at magiging anak n’yo. Kaya pinakiusapan n’ya kami kung pwede ay ang magiging wedding gift namin sa inyo ay something more for you… ‘yung magagamit mo o ikasasaya mo,” ang mahabang paliwanag ni Mr. Geronimo.
“Sobra-sobra talaga ang pagmamahal sa ‘yo ni Gerald. Ikaw pa rin talaga ang iniisip hanggang sa ganitong pagkakataon.”
“Alam ko po ‘yun Ma. Kaya nga po I feel I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”
“Teka, hindi mo ba gustong malaman kung ano ‘yung gift namin para sa inyo?” ang tanong ng ama.
“Ay sorry po Daddy. Ano po ba ‘yon?”
“Gusto ni Gerald na may pagkaabalahan ka rin pagkatapos mong mag-M.A. He doesn’t want you to work as a teacher anymore. He wants something more for you.” Tumingin muna si Mr. Geronimo sa kanyang asawa bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. “He wants you to realize your dream.” Sarah gave her father a questioning look. “Anak, when you get back from your honeymoon we want you to serve your resignation in your current job because aside from attending your classes, you will be busy overseeing the construction of your own pre-school.”
