This is the last chapter! Next would be the epilogue and it would be written from Zoren's point of view. The epilogue will contain a few parts. Masyado kasing mahaba kung pag-iisahin ko. Thank you so much for reading the story of Kesian and Zoren! Thank you for commenting and hyping me up to continue writing their story. I hope you will support the other installments of the Montevinski Series too. I love you all so much from the bottom of my heart. Super duper grateful kahit kaunti lang kayo. At sana dumami pa kayo❤️🌼
Chapter 42
Perfect
We always see that life is unfair. But we only see it that way when things don't favor us. But if things happen according to what we want, and if it favors us, we don't say anything. After so many struggles and hatred for life, I realized it's not unfair. Life is not unjust, after all. It's fair. But it varies the way others see it on their perceptions. But for me, it's fair.
Life will make people leave you. But life is only a challenge. People are the players of their own lives. They make their own choices. We decided on our own... So, we don't blame it on life. We blame everything on people, to ourselves.
I'm watching the love birds sharing their vows. Narinig ko na naging masimuot din pala ang tadhana sa kanila. And by that, I realized again that it's normal.
Everyone suffers... but just in different ways.
Tumulo ang luha ko nang magtagpo na ang mga labi nila. I know it's not my wedding, but the scene was too emotional. Kahit ang mga tao sa paligid ko, naiiyak...
Lumingon ako kay Zoren sa gilid. Seryoso lang siyang nakatitig. Mga titig na hinding hindi ko pagsasawaan. He's worried while watching me cry so I smiled even though I surely looked stupid.
"I love you," he mouthed, and I cried even more.
Rhione was crying, too, so she wasn't noticing me.
"I love you, too," I mouthed and smiled genuinely.
Zoren is one of the people I'd trade my life for. Noon, hanggang ngayon, siya lang naman at walang iba.
"Ate, picture lang kami ni Ashi," bulong sa akin ni Kenzie habang nasa iisang table kami.
I looked at Ashi.
"Picture lang, sister in law. Grabe makatingin..." aniya na parang hinuhusgahan ko siya gayong nilingon ko lang naman
"Wala naman akong sinabi," parinig ko.
"'Yong mata mo kasi. Ang taray," parinig din ni Ashi sa akin.
Kenzie laughed sweetly. "Diyan lang kami, 'Te... See you later!" aniya at hinila na si Ashi palabas ng magarbong tent.
We're here inside a huge classy tent that was elegantly designed by one of the best event organizers here in states. Isang sulyap, alam mong nagsusumigaw ng ilang numero ang bawat kagamitan na nandito. Even the people that were invited look really expensive. Mga bagay na dapat mong asahan sa mga Montevinski...
"Your dad didn't go. Bakit?" asked one of my father's colleagues. Kapatid ng Daddy ni Zoren. Si Tito Renzoe.
Sila ang bumisita sa amin dahil ka-table namin sina Alanis at ang ilang pinsan ni Zoren.
"Busy po sa divorce process," I honestly answered.
Alam naman na nila ang tungkol doon. Kasabay ng ingay ng isyu ng mga magulang ni Dimples ang pagsabog ng katotohanan tungkol sa cheating issue ni Mommy. Related din kasi sila sa mga Escovar kaya pinag usapan talaga. May malalaking businesses pa... Noon una, hindi ako kumportable, pero patagal nang patagal, naging maayos naman na.
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that, hija," ang asawa ni Tito Renzoe. She
She seriously looks expensive. Para ngang first lady ng presidente kung titignan, e.
"Okay naman po. We're getting better every day," I smiled, and she smiled.
Maraming bumabati sa akin dahil kay Daddy. The connection was really overwhelming. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang impluwensya ni Daddy sa mundo nila.
We're rich, but not much like them. I don't think they're just millionaires... I believe they're more than that. Halos lahat ng mga anak ni Don Zandro ay successful. Si Don Zandro ang panganay sa magkakapatid. Lolo nina Zoren. May dalawa pang lolo sina Zoren, kapatid ni Don Zandro at wala silang mga pamilya. They're all old and single because of the siblings' history. Sina si Don Zario at Don Zakaryo.
I chuckled and nodded. Naramdaman ko ang haplos ng kamay ni Zoren sa braso ko dahil nakaakbay siya sa aking upuan.
Nakasandal siya sa upuan niya at bahagyang nakakayang. He looks even more manly and appealing. Kausap nya ang mga lalaking pinsan sa harap na lamesa.
"Tinatanong ni Lolo Zario kung sino raw ang susunod na ikakasal," bungad ni Eccaias nang bumalik sa lamesa nila. "Sabi ko, secret muna..." at saka ito kumindat sa mga pinsan niya.
"Ano na, Zeus, Trevor at triplets?" si Rhione na malakas na natawa.
"We're not in a rush," malamig na sambit ni Zeus at uminom sa kanyang wine.
"We're not in a rush," gaya ni Trevor sa kay Zeus.
Our tables were filled with laughter. Montevinskis are warm to people they're close with. Kung hindi ka nila kilala, masungit at madilim ang pakikitungo nila sa inyo.
Napatingin ako sa triplets. They kinda resembles each other, magkakaiba nga lang ng haircut at mga mata. Ang agaw pansin sa kanilang tatlo ay 'yong may nunal sa ibabang gilid ng mata.
They really look cute when united. Hindi kami ganito kalapit ng mga pinsan ko dahil magkakalayo ang mga tirahan namin. But maybe if we're united just like them, maybe our bond would be this strong.
"Kesian, samahan mo na ako?" si Alanis.
Tumango ako at tumayo na. Naunang lumabas ng table si Alanis. Kanina niya pa sinabi na kung maaari ay samahan ko siya sa kan'yang kwarto. She doesn't seem comofrtable, and I think I know why.
"Where are you going?" tanong sa akin ni Zoren. Nasa kabilang table kasi ang atensyon niya. Nadala sa kwento nina Lorcan at Eccaias.
"I'll just accompany Alanis. Sa room lang..." paalam ko.
"Hatid kita," aniya na agad na kinantsawan ng mga pinsan niya.
"Ano ba 'yan, nakakasakal!" biro ni Mooze at uminom sa kanyang wine. Ngumisi ito sa akin.
"That's normal. Gan'yan din ako..." ang groom na nakatayo at hawak ang asawa sa baywang.
"The room is just a fucking walking distance, Gray... The fuck?" Tiago reacted.
I chuckled and looked at Zoren who's kinda pissed right now. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang agawin na ni Alanis ang kamay ko sa kanyang kuya.
"Ako na ang bahala sa kan'ya, okay? I'll just get something in my room," she snorted and dragged me away.
"Attitude," asar ng isa sa mga triplets sa kan'ya.
Nagpaalam pa kami sa ilang Tita ni Alanis dahil nadaanan namin. Kahit si Tita Renaya ay hinarang pa kami kanina. Kitang kita ko naman ang pagkairita sa mukha ni Alanis.
Pagpasok namin sa kwarto niya, sa kanilang resthouse, malakas siyang huminga at binagsak ang sarili sa kanyang kama. She looks stressed and not happy at all.
"Okay ka lang?" I curiously asked and sat in front of the vanity table.
"Yup. Just a bit uncomfortable... "
"Bakit? Almost everyone that was invited is your relatives."
She rolled her eyes and sat properly. Ang maalon nitong buhok ay nagulo ng bahagya. She's really beautiful. Nakakapagtaka na ayaw niyang mag-boyfriend. Her eyes even speak of power and superiority. Medyo bitchy nga lang siya minsan.
"They kinda hate me, you know... I know they still hate me," she said like it was nothing. Or maybe she was just masking it out.
I know her past struggle, and it was really leaden. At a young age, she faced that kind of obstacle and trauma. Sobrang bigat at grabe ang epekto sa akin nang unang beses ko 'yong narinig. I told her it was not her fault but to no avail.
"Moving on," she rolled her eyes again. "I'm really happy you and my brother are back together," she chuckled and sighed.
Natuwa naman ako ro'n.
"I am happy that you can make my brother happy. I'm not really sweet towards him, and thank fucking goodness you filled my spot. At least he's not the same grumpy Gray anymore..."
I don't know her purpose in saying these things, but I really am happy. Para sa akin, ang laking bagay nito. I could see the sadness in her eyes, though.
"I just wanted to leave their crowd kaya nandito tayo... Kung gusto mo, you can leave now and go back there. Sabihin mo na lang na masama ang pakiramdam ko."
Binagsak niya ulit ang sarili niya sa kama. I shook my head and lied beside her. Nagtaka siya sa ginawa ko.
"Mamaya pa naman 'yong ibang events. I'll stay..." I smiled and closed my eyes.
Napagod din ako sa mga nakaraang island hopping namin.
Hapon na nang lumabas kami ni Alanis sa kwarto. I fixed myself inside since I fell asleep. Pagbalik namin, nakatayo ang mga pinsan niya at nagku-kwentuhan. Zoren quickly walked to me.
"I'll go to Hiraya. Thanks," Alanis said to me before she turned right.
Bumaling na ako kay Zoren na nasa harap ko. Humawak ang isang kamay niya sa baywang ko, ang isa niyang kamay ay may hawak na wine glass.
"Took you so long to be back," he whispered, kissing my cheek.
"I fell asleep. I'm sorry," I chuckled, and we walked together, heading to his cousins. "Anong nangyari? Next event na ba?"
"Yeah... Dancing and shits," he said, and I laughed.
"Isasayaw mo naman ako, 'di ba?" I asked and held his hand on my waist.
Nilingon niya ako patagilid kaya nadepina ang adams apple niya.
"Of course, ako lang naman ang pwedeng magsayaw sa 'yo," taas ang kilay niyang sabi.
I laughed. "Before, I never imagined you could be like this towards me... You were so heartless at me way back. Made me cry so many times..."
Nasa gilid kami ng palm tree, ilang metro ang layo sa mga pinsan niya. Mamaya-maya siguro, bababa na ang araw. Kuma-kahel na kasi ang kalangitan.
Sumandal si Zoren sa katawan ng puno habang hawak pa rin ang baso. Nang maubos niya ang inumin, basta niya na lang initsa ang wine glass sa buhangin. Tinapik ko ang braso niya samantalang hinila niya naman ako palapit sa kanya.
"Kung nabasag 'yan!"
Ngayon, dalawang kamay niya na ang nasa baywang ko. His hands were touching my waist directly since my dress was cut in the middle. Inverted wine glass ang suot ko ngayon. Tss.
"What were you saying?"
Ilang segundong kumunot ang noo ko bago naalala.
"Our past set up! Ang sungit-sungit mo sa 'kin noon. Tapos ngayon..." Umiling ako at tumawa. "Patay na patay ka na sa'kin..."
He hissed and never tore his eyes off me. Nakangisi lang din ako habang nakatingala sa kanya. Ang laki kasi ng itinangkad niya.
"I was just protecting my heart."
"In exchange for breaking mine?" I fakely glared at him, but he remained serious.
"I didn't know you were really serious..."
"Hindi pa halata sa lagay na 'yon?!" Sinadya kong lakasan para may diin.
He sighed. "You were vague, alright? I didn't want to risk and play with you way back..."
I groaned, and he chuckled.
"Hindi naman laro ang habol ko sa 'yo noon! I kept on telling you that..."
"Yeah, but your actions were questionable."
"Kasi nga may hiya pa rin naman ako! And that was my way of getting your attention. Para rin hindi ka magsawa... And I was afraid I might creep you out..."
Looking back at our memories before, I couldn't help but smile of victory. Sa akin pa rin naman pala ang bagsak niya... Worth it lahat ng pinagdaanan ko makuha lang ang atensyon niya. I was like a thread trying to enter the smallest hole of a needle. But everything is really worth it.
"I like it every time you chase me..." he confessed, and I burst into laughter.
"Maybe the reason why you made me do it for a long while!" tumatawa kong sabi habang nakahawak sa kanyang dibdib. Bukas ang tatlong butones. Binuksan ko pa ang pang-apat. Wala naman siyang reklamo.
"Not really," he smirked. "I loved it when you were always mad and jealous. But some part of me was afraid, too. Because your jealousy was dangerous..."
"Talaga!" I reacted.
Hindi ko gusto ang mga ginawa ko noon, but I guess that was part of my growing as a person. Ang mahalaga ngayon, nagbago na ako. Hindi na ako bayolente... Parang ayaw ko na ngang balikan ang mga ginawa ko noon, e. Nakakahiya kasi kung iisipin pa...
"If you're given a chance to like someone else, who would it be?" he asked, and I chuckled.
"And why?" dugtong ko at saka tumawa ng malakas. Nahawa siya sa tawa ko.
"Answer."
"If I were given a chance to like someone else, I wouldn't take it. And why? Because my heart only beats for you..." I tiptoed and smiled widely in front of his face. Tinapik tapik ko ang pisngi niya. Mas lalo akong dumiin sa kanyang katawan.
"I'll fire you a question, too..."
"Fire it away," he said cockily.
"If you're given a chance to have someone else in your life, who would it be? And why? Hindi pwedeng ako!" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata.
Niyakap niya ako bago sumagot. "Hindi na lang ako maghahangad ng iba pa..."
And that made my heart go wild... like it was so eager to escape its cage and meet Zoren's heart. Napangiti ako ng matamis sa sinabi niya.
"You really won't replace me?" malambing ko tanong, and already tempted to kiss him, too.
"Even if you told me so..." seryoso niyang sabi.
"Although there are moments I am hard to handle?" I asked again since I liked his honest questions.
"Although there are lots of moments you're hard to handle, I won't. You're hard to handle, but it would be the hardest if I'll let you slide away..."
Hindi maalis ang ngiti ko. Sa sobrang saya ko, parang gusto kong maiyak at yakapin siya habang buhay. Kita ko rin sa kanyang mga mata ang tuwa. Tuwa na hindi ko alam kung para saan at anong dahilan. Siguro dahil sa akin... Dahil meron siyang Kesian.
He smirked and looked up. Ginaya ko siya. Nakita ko ang pagdilim ng kalangitan. The stars were visible now and I am amazed how visible they were. Payapa akong huminga at tumalikod kay Zoren para masaksihan ng mabuti ang paglubog ng araw.
"You never removed this?" tukoy niya sa kwintas na nasa leeg ko. It still has the mini ring pendant that will never fit my finger.
"Bakit ko naman tatanggalin? You are embedded in this necklace, like in my heart, Zoren..."
I heard him smirk. Tumahimik na naman kaming dalawa hanggang sa binasag niya ulit ang katahimikan.
Hangang hanga ako sa ganda ng sining na nakikita ko. Like Him, his creations are all masterpieces. The sun's radiance was complimenting the turquoise color of the water. I somehow felt the romance between the ocean and the sun. The sun always leaves at a specific time, and the sea always waits to see the sun every time it travels up and shines. The ocean always waits... Kahit ilang beses pang umalis ang araw.
The sound of the waves is relaxing. One of the noises I'd never get tired of hearing all the time.
"Do you fear falling out of love?" I asked all of a sudden. Marahan at mahina.
"No. I trust us. I trust our love for each other..."
I smiled. "I won't lie. I still fear it. I fear watching you fall out of love with me. I fear you were leaving me behind. Same as through with me. I fear doing the same. Pero mahal na mahal naman kita. Sobra, Zoren..."
Ayaw kong isipin niya na wala akong tiwala sa aming dalawa. Sa pagmamahalan namin, pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilan. I know life is full of uncertainties, at sana hindi kami kabilang sa mga bagay na walang kasiguraduhan.
"We both love each other. Noon, hanggang ngayon, at sa mga susunod pang panahon. Don't fear something that wouldn't happen. Don't fear something impossible."
I sighed. He was idealistic, while I'm realistic. Pero natanto ko na, hindi dapat pinapangunahan ang hinaharap. Hindi dapat natin pinapairal ang mga negatibong bagay. There's always a respective room for negativity. Never treat negativity as vitamins you always need to take. Unlike the vitamins, it only made our life miserable.
"You've been through hard things. Life was harsh on you, so let me be the life that will soothe you. I'll promise to erase the fear and doubt you have, baby..."
I nodded and leaned my back on his chest. Hinahangin ang buhok ko. Yumakap siya sa aking likuran.
"I've never been this sure... I've never been this eager. I've never been this dreamy. I've never been this demanding... "
I felt something cold covering my finger. Slowly, it's sliding way up to the end. Awtomatikong bumagsak ang mga luha sa aking mga mata habang nakatitig ako sa kamay kong hawak ni Zoren. He pulled me to face him and his eyes were bloodshot.
I was crying. Parang sasabog ang puso ko.
"I'll marry you... And we'll be married until death do us part..."
I smiled while crying. Tango ako nang tango habang nanlalabo na ang paningin. Sobra sobrang tuwa ang nararamdaman ko. The happiness was so much that it pains me.
"Ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko, at ako lang din ang mamahalin mo. It's selfish. And I am selfish, baby. Ipinagdadamot kita..."
"I love you... I love you so much..." I kept whispering as I hugged him so tight. I clung to his neck and kissed his cheek.
I could feel his peaceful breathing, very opposite to his heart that's pounding furily. Ilang minuto kaming gano'n, magkayap lang hanggang sa dahan-dahan niya akong hinila paatras ng kaunti. He wiped my tears with his gentle hands until it remained there. He was cupping my cheeks.
"Thank you for occurring in my life..." he whispered, and I cried again.
I was laughing while crying. Tuwang tuwa ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala! It was my dream to marry him! At magiging totoo na.
Bumaba ang titig ko sa singing. It was familiar. It's just that... There was a bigger stone in the middle. Kinuha ko ang pendant malapit sa dibdib ko at natanto na may hawig silang dalawa. The other was smaller and doesn't have a bigger diamond stone in the center. Pero hawig talaga.
"They're alike," sabi ko na nasundan ng hikbi dahil hindi pa tapos sa pag-iyak.
"When I gave this to you," hinawakan niya ang pendant ng necklace. "I was already sure I'd give you my name. This is actually my promise ring... I promised myself that it's you who only I'll love until my death. Whatever happens, I'll keep on coming back to you..."
He kissed my forehead. His words were all too good to be true. Anong nagawa ko para regaluhan ng ganito kagandang karanasan?
"And that ring you're wearing is my promise to myself and that I'd love you forever... And the other ring I'd give in front of the altar is the ring that promises I'd be married to you only... forever."
I was sobbing while nodding.
"I want to have that ring!" parang bata kong mungkahi sa kanya.
"He chuckled. You sure will have," he whispered and started caressing my face. "Let's go..."
I was clueless where we would go, until I saw some of his relatives outside the tent, waiting for us. Nakapinta sa kanilang mga mukha ang tuwa. Some were even emotional! Natawa ako at napatutop sa aking bibig.
"Congratulations!" some said in unison. Nakita ko pa si Kenzie na umiiyak haban nakahawak ng cellphone. I saw Daddy watching via video call!
Rhione was filming while sobbing. They all cheered when the bride started walking towards me. Binigay sa akin ang bouquet ng flower at napatingin ako kay Zoren. He smiled at me like he was the happiest man in the universe.
Hinila ako nina Maddizon papasok para sa picture taking. Grabe ang pagtanggap sa akin ng mga relatives nila. Panay ang lapit nila sa akin at sinusuri ang diamond ring na engagement ring ko. Huling lumapit sa akin si Tita Renaya.
"The ring is beautiful as you," she said and hugged me. "From now on, own me as your second mother. Welcome to the family..." she whispered.
I appreciate it so much. May aalis, pero may idadagdag sa buhay natin. At grabe ang naging kapalit ng lahat ng sakit. Everything is really worth it. No words could ever describe my feelings right now.
The dance floor was officially opened. They were still talking to me since not all have a partner. Panay ang libot ng mga mata ko pero hindi ko makita si Zoren.
"Hanapin mo na, baka umiiyak na 'yon. Kaka propose pa naman!" tawa ni Rhione.
"Congratulations ulit..." bati nila sa akin.
Mabagal akong naglakad palabas ng tent. Paglabas ko, nakita kong nag-uusap si Tito Gray at si Zoren. They both looked at me and it was awkward! I bit my lip and saw how his father tapped his shoulder. Naglakad na ito papasok, at madadaanan ako.
"Congratulations," he formally greeted me and smiled at me.
"Thank you, po," I sincerely said and smiled, too.
Tuluyan na siyang pumasok sa tent kaya dumiretso naman ako kay Zoren. Sinalubong niya ako at humawak kaagad sa aking baywang. I snaked my arms around his neck. Rinig hanggang dito ang romantikong musika sa loob.
The song was Perfect by Ed Sheeran, and just like its title, it's perfect for us.
Tahimik ang gabi, nagsasayaw kami habang nakatitig sa isa't isa. Nakangiti ako. He was serious while I was smiling genuinely. Na parang pareho kami ng iniisip.
Ito na 'to. Siya na talaga.
Simula ng dumating siya sa buhay ko, ang dami kong natutunan. Ang dami kong pinagdaanan, pero gaya ng palagi kong sinasabi, it's all worth it.
Pain could crumple our tower of strength in just one blow. Looking back, I know I've been there. It even changed me. It changed everything. I got scared. I didn't realize that if there's something that could wreck you apart, there's also something that could fix you back. And that's love.
I was too blinded that I didn't realize that it was love I needed the most. It was him I needed the most. And now that I have him again, he'll always be my reason to be strong and choose to love and live at times I couldn't anymore.
"You're back," he smirked. "Akala ko hindi mo na ako babalikan dito..."
I chuckled. "Pwede ba 'yon? I'll always come back to you, Zoren. Throw me like a ball, in the midst of traveling, I already know where to land..."
"Hmm?" tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya.
"Sa'yo lang... Sa'yo lang babagsak, sa'yo lang babalik..."
I smiled when he pulled me up for a kiss. He kissed me full of love and care I will always be grateful about. He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.
"Ikaw lang... Ikaw lang ang sasaluhin, ikaw lang ang tatanggapin pabalik."