Marked by the Gent (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Four

Bahagyang napaatras ang ulo ko dahil sa pagkagulat. Ang nagalaw ko lamang ay tumitigtig sa muhka niya at subukang iproseso ang narinig.

"You don't want us to get married?" His voice was worried. 

Sa kabila ng nangyari at pagkatapos ng lahat ng sinabi ko, muhka pa bang ayoko siyang makasama habang buhay? 

Kinolekta ko ang sarili ko at bumalik sa realidad. Gumalaw ang mga mata ko at napatitig sa itaas na tila nag iisip. "Hmm, I might consider if you have a ring right now-joke! I was joking."

I laughed out of amusement. But it ended when he fished something out of his pocket. It was a ring!

"You thought I wasn't ready to propose?" I looked at Pius. He smirked at me!

Napakayabang talaga ng isang ito. He is always so proud of himself because his surprises are always successful. 

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa singsing sa harap ko dahil sa ganda noon. "Ito ba iyong sinasabi mong kailangangan mong gawin sa sulat mo kanina?"

Umingit siya at sumandig muli sa balikat ko. "Yes. Apparently, I received some call that you went out to look for answers."

Inagaw ko iyon sa kamay niya at nilagay na sa palasingsingan. Nilayo ko ang kamay ko at tiningan ang kabuunan noon.

Bahagyang kumikinang ang singsing kapag tinatamaan ng ilaw. It fitted my hand just right. It's so beautiful. Paano nahanap at napili ni Pius ito? 

"Why did you put it yourself? I should be the one doing it!" Sumimangot ang muhka niya.

"Why? It is me saying 'yes'. Ayaw mo?" I nonchalantly said. My attention was still fixed on the ring.

"Of course I want! Come on, let's do it again." His voice was frustrated. 

Tinapik nito ang hita ko upang patayuin ako. He slid the ring out of my finger! Doesn't he know about the superstition about rings? Ako na tuloy ang sumimangot.

"Why did you take it off? Hindi mo ba alam na magkakagalit tayo? Dapat ako ang nagtanggal!"

He rolled his eyes. He got time to show me some attitude, huh? "Stop believing nonsense. Even with or without that belief, I will always try my best not to make you mad at me."

Tumikhim na siya at unti-unti nang lumuhod sa harapan ko. My heart fluttered. This is really happening. Huminga ako nang malalim. 

"I know it took us awhile to get here. But I am beyond grateful that I was able to come home and ask you this question,"

"Will you marry and spend your lifetime with me?" His eyes were so hopeful. Naka-oo na nga ako kanina, eh! What's there to worry about?

Hindi ko alam kung pang-ilang iyak ko na ito ngayon araw. But this moment is really special. This time was perfectly intended just for the two us. And I will always remember this even we didn't have any witness.

"Of course." I smiled genuinely at him. He slowly slid the ring on my finger. It felt much right when he was the one doing it. Natatawa siya habang umiiyak.

Tumayo siya at pinaloob ako sa yakap niya. "I love you, Chlea."

I was so happy to get here—with him. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, it all went well eventually. My heart is finally at peace.

Sinusubukan ko si Lucas ng pagkain. Kaunting araw na lamang at makalabas na raw siya rito ayon sa doktor niya. Pinapahilom na lamang ang mga sugat. 

His brain is now functioning well, too. He can now do the tests the doctors were facilitating on him.

"Mommy, I want to go back to the beach. I want to play with Aseah." Biglang sambit niya pagkalunon ng pagkain.