Chaining Lockets

Wakas

This is Chaining Lockets' Wakas! I am so glad and honored you are with me in this journey, I hope you cherished what you have learned in this book in your hearts. This is now my new favorite book! You can use the hashtag #ChainingLocketsWakas on twitter! Let's parteyyy!

I dedicate Chaining Lockets to you. For everyone who are fighting their silent battles, for the survivors, for the victims and for the people who felt like they lost their own voice. We are always here for you, we will listen no matter what. For the people who think they are not good enough, you are brave and amazing. The right time will come, you will shine. I will pray for everyone's healing. You can do it!

--

Wakas

"Hon, alam mo may nabasa ako." A soft voice spoke and my gaze from the setting sun went to her.

"Hmm?" I hummed and smiled, "what is it, Ver?"

"I just read this somewhere pero I wonder, what if hindi naman pala talaga tayo ang para sa isa't-isa?"

Nawala ang ngiti ko sa narinig, "what? What are you saying?"

Binalingan na niya ako, her black soft eyes smiled too when she chuckled. "Loko, kunwari lang! Na-curious lang kasi ako sa nabasa ko."

"Tss, we're getting married, Ver." I said, medyo nairita sa sinabi niya. "What are you saying na hindi tayo sa isa't-isa?"

"What if pala kung TOTGA mo lang ako?" she asked kaya mas kumunot ang noo ko.

"What's that? Isn't that a song?" gulong sabi ko pero mas tumawa lang siya, kumislap pa ang mga mata habang pinagmamasdan ako.

"TOTGA, The One That Got Away." She smiled. "'Yong akala mo 'yon na, pero hindi pa pala?"

"The heck are you saying? As if I would find anyone aside from you." Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko. "I'd never even try to look."

"Oh, h'wag ka magsalita ng tapos." She punched me playfully. "Love comes voluntarily, hindi 'yan napipilit at napipigilan."

"We're getting married, Veronica." I pointed out. "What are you trying to imply? I will cheat on you?"

"No, baliw! The last person I'd ever think capable of cheating is you." She laughed and the annoyance I had vanished when I heard that. "I'm just saying na paano pala if this is just a pace for you? What if I'm just a lesson for you? Tapos hindi pala talaga tayo sa dulo?"

"Edi ipipilit ko hanggang dulo," I shrugged at mas tinawanan niya lang ako.

"Kunwari nga lang! H'wag mong seryosohin, curious lang ako. Kunwari hindi talaga ako ang true and greatest love mo, paano 'yon?"

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya.

If it wasn't her? What will I do?

"I don't know," I said. "I don't even wanna think about it." Sagot ko, hindi nagugustuhan ang naiisip.

If it's not her? I don't even think I am capable of loving again. We're getting married. Why is she asking me this?

"Kunwari," she quoted in the air. "Kunwari hindi talaga ako, I will pray you'll find someone better than me."

"There's no one better than you." Matabang kong sagot, hindi na nagugustuhan ang usapan.

"Don't be such a killjoy, hon! Example nga nga, if ever na hindi tayo magkakatuluyan gusto ko makahanap ka ng tamang babae para sa'yo, 'yong magiging masaya ka." She said and took my hand, slowly touching it. "I will pray for someone to come and meet you and then suddenly, kahit ayaw mong aminin na hindi ka na magmamahal biglang ding! In love ka na ulit!"

I glared at her sideways, mas naaliw naman siya at pinisil pa ang pisngi ko.

"Don't worry, I don't even wanna think na hindi tayo sa huli kasi prayer ko rin 'yon na tayo na talaga pero you know, Lorcan, things are inevitable. No matter how much we try wishing for something, may mga dasal talagang hindi natutupad."

"We are getting married, Ver." I tugged her hand. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"No!" her eyes widened in horror. "I'm not! I was just curious sa nabasa ko nga, about sa paces ng love sa buhay ng isang tao. Nagka-girlfriend ka na noon, right?"

"That's just a child thing. Highschool pa 'yon, 'di ko na nga maalala ang feeling." I said.

"Edi puppy love 'yon." Aniya, "and I am your first love. Malay ko ba kung ako rin ang true at greatest?"

"You can never measure one's love, Ver." I said. "Sabi mo nga kapag nagmahal ka, nagmahal ka."

"Oo nga, you can never measure but there are intensities, Locket." She said. "Sana tayo na nga, I hope God would permit but if not, ako ang huhusga sa next mong mamahalin."

"You're being crazy, Abad." I shook my head.

"What? Basta nga, you deserve the best kasi! You're a good man, a man with principle. You are standing for what's right kaya I want you to be happy, kahit hindi ka na sa akin."

Umiling ako, natatawa na lang sa topic naming dalawa.

"If ever na may someone else, or someone new tapos hindi talaga tayo. I will make sure she will be an amazing woman." She said, "I will make sure you will be happier with her, I will make sure she will love you right."

"Hindi nga ako maghahanap ng iba, Veronica Abad." I answered bitterly.

"Hindi p'wede, kapag hindi na ako gusto ko happy ka!" she exclaimed, nagagalit na pero hindi tunog galit sa lambing ng boses.

"Masaya naman ako sa'yo," I answered. "Galit ka na niyan?" I glanced at her angry soft face.

"Oo, I am mad!" she hissed, "kasi gusto ko masaya ka tapos kinokontra mo."

"Because it's like you're telling me na hindi tayo." I reasoned.

"Hindi mo kasi nage-gets ang pino-point-out ko pero ayon nga, kung hindi tayo maghahanap ako ng para sa'yo, kapag ayaw mo mumultuhin kita kahit buhay pa ako." Tawa niya at naiiling na inangat ko ang kamay para pitikin ang noo niya.

"Ewan ko na lang sa'yo, Veronica." I said, intertwining our fingers before gazing at the setting sun.

I watched how the orange shade from it faded as the darkness of the sky ate it and after a few minutes ay binalot na ng dilim ang lugar.

Nothing really is permanent in this world, even the bright sun sets, walang araw ang lalagpas na hindi binabalot ng dilim ang mundo and our relationship comes to the point where it was almost blurry and frustrating.

"I wanted to help the girl, Ver!" tumaas na ang boses ko kakapaliwanag sa kanyang kailangan kong tulungan 'yong babaeng kasama ni Eugene.

"It's Eugene, Locket!" she exclaimed frustratedly, "and...and there's no reports! How sure are you na kailangan niya ng tulong? Paano kung kaibigan niya 'yon?"

"I'm sure it's not," I sighed. "The girl's drunk, Ver."

"How did she react? Did she look scared? What?" she asked me, frustrated too.

"No..." I sighed, "nagreklamo siyang maingay tapos 'yon lang."

"Then, maybe she's not forced?" she asked pero umiling ako.

"I should at least ask, Ver. Kung ayos siya edi ayos pero kung hindi, I wanted to help her. If possible, h'wag naman sana but if ever Eugene hurt her or something, p'wede rin nating mailaban 'yong iyo." I said pero umiling siya at pumikit.

"Eugene is an asshole, you know that, right?" pagod niyang sabi. "No one believed me inside that house when I told them I was harassed! Who would believe us, Locket? The police forces in his side!"

"I believe you!" I exclaimed, sitting beside her and cupping her cheek. "Naniniwala ako sa'yo, Ver. We have Earn, Adam, Brent...ako, naniniwala kami sa'yo."

She stared at me, her tears fell while looking back at me.

"B-but I am scared, Locket. T-that's Eugene, p-paano kapag idamay niya kayo? I-ikaw? Paano kapag saktan ka niya?" she sobbed and I shook my head, touching her cheek more.

"L-look at me," I said gently. "Shh, hon, look at me." When she did, I saw how the pain filled the hollows of her black eyes. "We will be alright. W-we will fight for you, okay?"

"P-pero wala naman tayong ebidensya, a-ah? H-he can easily tell anyone na gusto ko lang siraan siya sa p-pamilya..." she sniffed, shaking and it hurt me seeing her like that.

"Kaya nga susubok akong hanapin 'y-yong babae, 'di ba?" marahan kong sabi. "We can help her and we can help you too, it's beneficial for everyone. Maliligtas natin siya tapos ikaw...hon, please, please understand what I am trying to do."

Luckily, Ver told me she'll allow me to look for the girl but days passed and still, I received no reports at the station and women's desk. No suspicious things done by Eugene and no leads about the girl and it sucks whenever we will meet a dead end for this case pero hindi ako sumuko.

I looked for every CCTVs near the hotel to check where Eugene and the girl came from and it was hard to obtain, halos wala na akong tulog kakanuod ng mga footage kahit tinutulungan na ako ng tatlo.

"I waited for you, Lorcan Keith!" she raised her voice in the other line. "I-I was fitting my gown and waiting for you but you didn't come!"

Natigilan ako roon at napasinghap, "I'm sorry, hon. I just found out anong mga lugar ang malapit na pinuntahan no'ng babae—"

"Quit it, Locket!" she exclaimed, "wala na 'yon! Stop pushing it!"

"Malapit na tayo sa kanya, Veronica!" I explained, "kapag nahanap ko na 'yong eksaktong lugar nasaan sila no'ng araw na 'yon—"

"Paano naman ako, huh?! I was waiting for you but you didn't show up! We're planning the wedding, Locket! B-bakit...bakit mas inuuna mo pa 'yan, huh?" she asked me, her voice sounded like she's about to cry kaya mariin na akong napapikit, naupo sa upuan ko at sinuklay ang buhok.

"I can't sleep thinking I could help you both, Ver." I confessed. "Gusto kong maayos ang kaso mo, gusto kong malaman kung ayos lang ba talaga 'yong babae. I hope you could understand me."

"I am trying, Locket, pero ang gulo-gulo na! You are too preoccupied with that! Ni wala nga tayong assurance tungkol sa kanya! Ni hindi nga tayo sigurado kung kaibigan niya lang 'yon! P-paano kapag kaibigan, huh? Edi nagsayang tayo ng oras—"

"Paano kung hindi?" I closed my eyes tightly and massaged my head, "paano kung napahamak talaga siya? Paano kung kaya natin siyang tulungan pero tumigil tayo? Paano kung matutulungan ka rin niya sa kaso mo pero hindi tayo nagbaka sakali?"

She stopped, I can hear her heaving a sigh, controlling her breath.

"Ang gulo-gulo na, Locket." She sighed, "g-gusto kong hanapin rin 'yong babae p-pero ano ba naman, i-ikakasal na tayo, oh?"

"Babawi ako, promise." I said gently. "Let's fix this, okay?"

"How, huh? Ni hindi na nga kita masyadong nakakausap nitong nakaraan dahil abala ka sa trabaho at kakahanap!"

"This is also for you, Ver." I said, "come on, let's just compromise, hmm?"

"Ewan ko..." she sighed, "parang ayaw ko na nga."

My heart pounded at that, "w-what? What do you mean?" my voice is almost shaky but I tried my best to calm down.

"Hindi ko alam," matabang niyang sabi. "Naiintindihan ko namang trabaho mo 'yon at gusto mo siyang tulungan atsaka ako...pero...parang pinaglalaruan lang tayo ng tadhana. I was curious about her and wanted to know if she's really fine pero alam mo, I-I felt like Eugene just wanted to play with us."

"Ver..." I called her, "let's both calm down, hmm? Let's see each other tonight? Let's eat and talk, ayos lang sa'yo?"

Hindi siya sumagot, dinig na dinig ko ang malalim niyang paghinga.

"Hey," I called. "Let's meet later, hmm? I will just verify what bar are they in and we will talk. Let's meet in our favorite restaurant."

"Okay..." she then answered me after a while, "see you there."

"Padlock!" I lowered my phone and glanced at the door, nakita kong nakadungaw na roon si Adam at naglalahad ng papel. "Chineck ni Earn 'yong iba tapos ito 'yong tatlong hindi pa, mas mapapadali ang hanap mo."

It made me smile, tumayo ako at inayos ang uniporme.

"Thanks, man." I said and he saluted at me kaya tumango ako at tinapik ang balikat niya.

The three then even walked with me towards the car.

"Goodluck, Padlock. Sana talaga ayos lang 'yong babaeng hinahanap mo pero kung hindi, sana mahanap mo at matulungan." Brent tapped my back.

"I hope so," I sighed, "I'm really sorry for being busy these days and taking my shifts. Babawi ako."

"Kahit h'wag na," ani Earn. "Basta ba matulungan natin si Ver at 'yong babae kung sakali. Ayos na 'yon."

Nagpaalam ako sa kanilang aalis na pero habang nasa byahe ay iniisip na ang swerte ko sa tatlong 'yon. They're my friends eversince I got a position in this line of work and I met them. At first, we weren't talking, I wasn't even close with anyone because I wanted to do things alone more. Kami lang naman ni Ver ang madalas magkasama but when the boys and I were in the field work, madalas ko na silang nakausap ang unknowingly, I slowly opened up friendships with them and I'm lucky because they shared the same principle as mine.

Veronica, I met her in the academy when I decided to pursue this profession, she was there when a senior was introduced, Eugene Yuzon, her step-brother. She suddenly asked me about why did I want to be a policeman and I told her my reasons. Simula no'n ay nag-uusap na kami and feelings were developed and I fell for her, hard.

She's kind and shy at times but she's adorable. Hindi man masyado kaming nagkakasundo sa mga bagay-bagay ay napag-uusapan namin kaya tumibay ang relasyon hanggang sa tuluyan na akong naging pulis.

I asked her to marry me because I wanted to commit to her. I have never fall in love with someone but her, she taught me things and we became each other's shoulder to lean on.

I remembered her crying to me, telling me she left her home because of Eugene and no one even believed her and it pained me, it pained me knowing what they did to her and so, I promised myself I'll protect her in any ways I could.

"Ah, yes po, officer. This way to the CCTV room." The manager said kaya sumunod ako sa kanya papunta roon.

He showed me the clips for the certain night I am asking kaya naupo ako at pinanuod ang mahahabang record para lang makita kong narito si Eugene at 'yong babaeng nakapula.

I couldn't take my mind off the woman, hindi ko lang naman siya gustong makilala para matulungan ang kaso ni Veronica, I also wanted to talk to her and ask her if she's fine.

Noon pa lang ay wala na akong tiwala sa gagong 'yon. He belittled us before in the academy, he looks good and a role model, he was even highly praised by the higher officers pero kapag walang nanunuod ay nagyayabang siya. He even beat some of us and I was mad but it's not like I could do anything.

Hindi pa mataas ang ranggo ko, I was just starting in the field and I was young before...and scared of fighting back.

"This..." mabilis akong tumayo at hinanap ang manager. "Can you tell me who this girl is?" turo ko sa screen kung saan naroon ang babae at si Eugene.

Yuzon's face was seen but the lady isn't, bahagyang nakatalikod siya sa direksyon ng camera kaya ang kulay pulang damit lang ang kita.

"Si Sir Eugene po iyan,"

"How about the girl?" I asked at napatitig siya sa babae at napaisip.

"Hindi po ako sigurado, Officer. Wala kasi ako rito no'ng gabing 'yan atsaka marami po kasing nakakasama si Sir Eugene kapag nandito, maraming kainumang babae."

I was frustrated and confused, nasa harapan ko na ang hinahanap pero hindi ko pa rin makuha.

"Itatanong ko po muna sa mga naka-duty niyan at baka naaalala pa nila." Aniya kaya tumango ako at nag-antay.

I just have to know who the girl is and we can try working on Ver's case.

I was busy planning what to do inside my head when my phone rang and that's when I got the most devastating news I wouldn't expect to hear.

"Si...si Ma'am Veronica po, wala na..." the voice from the other line told and I remembered falling on the floor, shaking, wishing that it was only a nightmare and the next day, I'll wake up and see her but it didn't happen.

"Bakit hindi ko siya p'wedeng makita?!" I screamed while pushing the police in my view. "P-pasakayin niyo ako! B-buhay pa si Ver! G-gigisingin ko siya!"

"Locket..." hila sa akin nila Earn na umiiyak din pero hindi ako nagpatalo.

I couldn't see clearly because of the tears, I was shaking in fear, in anger, in disbelief.

"Hindi po papayag si Sir Eugene, kakilala niyo raw po ang biktima—"

"He knew about her too! Let me the fuck in!" hinawi ko ang braso nila Adam at halos takbuhin ang ambulansya para makasama.

"Magiging emosyonal daw po kayo—"

"Putang ina, wala akong pakialam!" sigaw ko at hinatak ang kwelyo niya. "Sasama ako! Gusto ko siyang makita!"

Nagkakagulo na sa crime scene dahil sa pagwawala ko pero wala akong pakialam, dinig na dinig ko ang iyak ng mga kasama ko habang pinipigilan ako pero hindi...bakit nila ako pipigilan?

"Makikita niyo naman po ang bangkay ni Ma'am—"

"A-anong bangkay? Anong bangkay, huh?!" mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa kwelyo niya. "H-hindi siya patay, n-naiintindihan mo?! Buhay pa siya! G-gigisingin ko siya kaya sasama ako!"

"Sir, hindi nga po p'wede—" I threw a harsh and forceful punch on his cheek kaya tumilapon siya.

Nang makawala ako sa hawak niya ay sinubukan kong takbuhin ang sasakyan ko para makasunod sa ambulansya sakay siya pero nahatak ako ng mga kasama ni Yuzon at walang habas na pinagtulungan doon na parang...na parang hindi ako nawalan. Na parang wala akong karapatang sumunod at makita siya.

"Bakit mo ba pinipilit, Lorcan Keith?!" Mom's voice filled my ear pagkapasok ko pa lang sa loob ng bahay namin. "Veronica's death was accidental! Nag-aamok lang 'yong lalaki—"

"It is not accidental, Mom, okay?!" I exclaimed. "May nagplanong gawin iyon sa kanya! Eugene wanted to kill her because she wanted to shut her up!"

"For what?!"

"He's harassing my girlfriend, Mom!"

"Would people even believe you, Lorcan?!" she exclaimed, "mataas ang ranggo ng lalaking 'yan sa inyo! Anak 'yan ng heneral, santisima, are you really wanting to bring him in court?!"

"S-siya ang nagplano kay Ver, My. H-he...he wanted to hurt her! I-I knew it was him who ordered the gun man—"

"Wala kang proweba, anak. Umamin ang gun man na wala siyang dahilan at gusto lang mag-amok!" She looked stress while saying that. "Kahit hayaan ka namin ng Dad mo na gawin 'yan ay wala kang ebidensya na ilalaban sa korte!"

"A-Attorney Sandejas would help me," I explained, "h-he said he will try and file the case again in court with Eugene as the mastermind. H-he's a great lawyer, s-sabi niya sa akin ay naniniwala siyang konektado 'to kay Yuzon—"

"May ebidensya ba?" Mom closed her eyes and sighed, "walang ebidensya, Lorcan Keith! Kahit magaling ang mga Sandejas, walang magagawa kung wala kayong patunay!"

"T-that girl," I said. "'Yong babae sa bar na sinasabi ko, naniniwala akong makikilala ko siya—"

"Ito na naman ba tayo?" she brushed her hair frustratedly, "you were looking for that woman for so long and you couldn't find her! 'Yan din ang dahilan kung bakit hindi mo siya nasipot, 'di ba?! And now you wanted to bring it up! Ni hindi ka nga siguradong biktima rin 'yon!"

That realization stopped me, natahimik ako at walang lakas na napaupo sa sofa.

It's...it's my fault she died. Hindi ko siya nasipot. If only...if only I came to her, kung sana ay ipinagpaliban ko muna ang paghahanap sa babae, sana hindi 'yon mangyayari sa kanya.

"Hey, Locket, hijo...look at me." When I heard Mom's voice, mariin na akong napapikit para pigilan ang emosyon na lumabas. "I-I know we have to fight in battles pero anak, hindi naman lahat ng laban maipapanalo mo."

"I-I just wanted to help that woman, I-I just wanted to give Ver justice, My." Nahulog na ang luha sa pisngi ko habang iminumulat ang mata.

"M-mapapahamak ka, anak." Aniya, "m-masasaktan ka lang, those people...those people are assholes but they're powerful, t-they have connections, p-paano kapag sinaktan ka nila?"

"M-masama bang lumaban, My?" my voice broke. "G-gusto kong...gusto kong bigyan sila ng hustisya. S-si Ver, wala akong nagawa...m-mahal ko 'yon tapos pulis ako pero w-wala akong magawa..."

"I understand you but...they're powerful, Lorcan." Mom sighed, drying my tears.

"If someone committed a crime, they must pay for it, Mom!" I explained, almost sounding like a whining kid. "Regardless the money and power they have, they must be punished! That's what police are for! To give justice...and help people regardless their status."

Mom's tears fell when she stared at me at nang niyakap niya ako ay walang tigil na akong umiyak at yumakap sa kanya, nagsisisi sa mga bagay na nagawa.

If only I was there to save her, kung sana ay hindi ako naging abala...kung sana...sana mas may kapangyarihan akong lumaban...

Life was never the same when you lost someone dear to you, until now, my memories of her still linger. Her smiles and sweet voice is still running inside my head, her face still haunts me in my dreams.

Wala man lang akong nagawa.

What a useless asshole.

I stopped digging for I lost the motivation too, I am just like a dead man walking. Uuwi sa bahay, magmumukmok sa opisina at bibisita sa sementeryo para kausapin siya at humingi ng tawad sa mga pagkukulang ko noon.

If only I was a better person, if only I fought enough, if only I was there with her that night. This is all my fault.

I covered my face, trying to hide the tears when suddenly, while driving, I just broke down and started crying. Iginilid ko lang ang sasakyan ko sa takot na bumangga sa paradahan na may mga bar na malapit at lumabas, naghahabol ng hininga.

I sat on the pavement and hid near my car, afraid people would see me crying out of nowhere.

"Here, alam mo sabi nila nakakapangit ang umiiyak mag-isa." A soft woman's voice stopped me, kaagad akong nanigas sa kinauupuan ko at nanatiling nakatungo at nakatabon ang palad sa mukha.

"Here, take it..." nang may maramdaman akong humawak sa kamay ko ay mabilis ko iyong inilayo, umusog pa akong kaunti habang nakaupo, naiinis na may tao at nahihiya rin dahil nakikita niya akong ganito.

"Come on, Mister. This is just a hanky, don't worry." The lady said again and take my hand, nang mahawakan ko naman 'yon ay kaagad kong kinuha at bahagyang tumalikod sa kanya.

"It's okay, hindi ko titignan ang face mo." The lady said, "okay lang 'yan, iyak ka lang."

I sniffed, sumulyap ako sa hawak na puting panyo at mas tumalikod sa kanya, pinupunasan ang luha.

The fuck I am doing? Why am I even crying on the fucking pavement?

"I'm...I'm sorry..." I cleared my throat, still looking in the other direction, embarrassed a stranger saw me weeping like an idiot, trying to hide my face.

"There's nothing wrong in crying, Mister." She answered, "in fact, real men cry kaya okay lang, I won't judge."

Tumikhim ako, I brushed my hair, licking my lower lip to calm myself down.

"I apologize for disturbing you," I said and I heard her soft chuckle.

"'Di na kailangan, nakita kasi kita papasakay na sana ako sa car ko. I was just bothered seeing someone cry kaya lumapit ako. Sana ayos ka lang, I know life's hard. We encounter different shits everyday and what we can do is to at least go with it and try your best to live." She said and I silently agreed to that, bahagya pa ring nakatalikod sa pwesto kung saan siya nakaupo.

"Thanks for this," I muttered, glancing at the white handkerchief on my palm. "Where...should I send this back? I'll wash this first—"

"No need, Mister. Sa'yo na, gift ko na kasi nakaka-relate ako sa'yo. I know we have different struggles and battles to face pero I feel you, minsan umiiyak na lang din ako kapag 'di ko na kaya." She answered me.

"I'm sorry..." I said lowly.

"You don't have to, it's okay. I just hope you'll be fine soon. Sa'yo na 'yang handkerchief, that's clean don't worry. Tago mo, ah? That's special for me since I designed and sewed it myself."

"What's your name?" I asked after a while and she sighed.

"'Di naman kita kilala and hindi mo rin naman ako kilala kaya okay lang 'yan." She chuckled, "you can just call me Ganda."

Natahimik ako at napakurap, mayamaya'y naramdaman ko ang pagtayo niya sa may tabi ko at pagtapik niyang bahagya sa balikat ko.

"We'll be better in time, Mister! Una na ako and my Dad would kill me. I am praying for your healing. Bye!" she said.

"Bye..." mahina kong sabi at nang marinig ko ang lakad niya palayo ay unti-unti akong bumaling.

I didn't saw her face, medyo malayo na rin siya habang pinagmamasdan ko. She's wearing a a dress and high heels, mahaba ang kanyang buhok at ang hand bag ay nasa siko.

Tumingin ako sa hawak kong panyo pagkaraan at nakita ang maliit pero magandang disensyo ng buwan sa gilid, I touched it and realized letters are embroidered to it.

C.S.

Whoever you are...thank you.

Life goes on even if it's hard anymore. It was sad and tiring but we must try and pushed harder kahit madalas ay nagigising ka na lang na walang purpose sa buhay.

Everything is bland, everything is black and white but when I saw her, colors started showing up. I didn't know why but I felt like maybe...I can start living again.

"Are you okay, Attorney?" I asked, calling Atty. Sandejas' attention while he's looking anxious typing on his phone.

"Nothing, I was just stressed about my daughter, Crest." He sighed, "she just spent a million peso to treat her friends in Japan."

"What?" my eyes widened, is that even possible?

That much money? Damn, I could do a lot with that tapos ipapanlibre niya lang sa mga kaibigan.

"Crest's the spoiled one sa mga anak ko," he shook his head. "She spends money like it's nothing to her."

"Hindi niyo po ba pinagbabawalan?" I asked, curious because he might look stress seeing the bank transactions, nakita kong masaya naman ang mata niya.

"I am scolding her at times but you know, hindi nakikinig at lalambing lang kaya lumalambot kaagad ako. Masaya siya ro'n, eh. Whatever makes my princess happy, I'm on it."

"Pero kapag sumobra ay kailangan din talagang pag-sabihan, Atty." I said.

Tss...I really don't like brats. If I know her, if she was my girlfriend, I'll educate her on that reckless spending habits.

"You have a point and I know it too, but what can I do? She'll be sad if we force her to work."

Oh, the brat didn't even have work? Tss, kung ako 'yan kukumbinsihin ko 'yang magtrabaho.

Kumunot lalo ang noo ko roon.

"Hindi naman po palagi dapat na kinukunsinte ang mga anak, Attorney." I said, "I apologize for butting in but I think you should talk to her about her plans in life? We can't possibly lean on our parents our whole life. Sometimes, we have to work hard for ourselves and future."

Tumingin na sa akin si Attorney, bigla naman akong nahiya sa sinabi ko at mukhang pinapakialaman ko ang pamilya niya kahit 'di naman ako kamag-anak kaya tumikhim ako.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy, Attorney." I said, kinuha ko ang kape ko at uminom.

"You know what? Sometimes I've been thinking of setting her up to a right and good man to teach her a lesson." Aniya kaya saglit akong tumango.

P'wede rin...

He stared at me intently and I felt like he's been judging me, bigla akong kinabahan. Parang bigla akong naging kriminal sa tingin niyang 'yon na bibigyan na ng hatol sa korte.

"That man...bakit hindi na lang ikaw?" he suddenly asked kaya bigla kong nabuga ang kapeng iniinom.

"S-sorry..." I coughed harder and looked away, sinenyasan ko sina Adam na bigyan ako ng tubig kaya dali-dali silang kumuha. "E-excuse...Sir, come again?" I asked, naguguluhan sa naririnig.

"You're a man with principles, mabait tapos kilala naman na kita ng ilang taon na. I really don't like the boys my daughter is hanging out with so I think you two will suit each other." He said at nang dumating si Adam ay mabilis ko ininom ang tubig bago siya balingan.

"Sir, I'm just a police officer—"

"And so?" he asked, "I'm a lawyer, I believe I have a good eye in terms of looking if someone's good or not. What do you think, Lieutenant? My Crest's a beautiful woman, mana sa Mommy niya. She has a good taste in fashion, she adorable and a talkative one."

Why does it sound like she's selling her daughter to me?

"Bagay kayo," he smirked. "You're usually silent and she's talkative, wouldn't it be a perfect match?"

Attorney Sandejas is a strict and intimidating man in court and everytime you see him pero ngayon...I don't see him like that, nangingisi pa siya at mukhang excited na ialok sa akin ang anak.

"Just tell me, I can give you her number!" he said, "or I can set you two up in a date."

"A-Adam, nand'yan na ba 'yong case files ko?" I suddenly exclaimed and looked back.

"Oo, Lieutenant!" sigaw niya pabalik kaya napatikhim ako at bumaling kay Attorney.

"What do you think?" he asked at mas tumikhim ako at mabilis na pinindot ang phone at inilagay sa tainga.

"H-hello? What, Brent?" I asked, kunwari'y may kausap sa telepono. "Ah, hinahanap na ako?"

Bigla akong tumayo at bumaling kay Attorney Sandejas na nag-aantay ng sagot ko.

"Attorney, excuse me first, aayusin ko raw ng mabilisan 'yong mga kaso." I said and he nodded and smiled a bit.

"Alright, but what do you think? Should I set you up with her—"

"Ano? Oo, papunta na! H'wag kang nagmamadali!" I answered the imaginary caller to cut him off.

"Lieutenant—"

"Kausap ko pa si Atty. Sandejas, oo—oo, papunta na!" I said, kunwari'y nagpapanic.

"Lieutenant! Ano?! Ipa-blind date ko na ba sa'yo? Lieutenant!" he called me pero nagtatakbo na ako paalis, nasa tainga pa rin ang phone at nagpapanggap, makatakas lang sa inirereto sa akin.

It was crazy and I don't want to commit. I wasn't even planning to even find a girl, date or start a new relationship. I don't deserve to be happy again with someone else, after what I've done to Ver? I didn't even deserve to smile.

Ni hindi ko siya naipagtanggol, ni hindi ko siya nabigyan ng hustisya tapos ay magpapakasaya ako? How heartless could I be? Anong klaseng pulis ako kung hindi ko man lang matulungan ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong noong mga panahong kailangan nila ako?

But Atty. Iñigo Sandejas is a good man and he's a man with honor. I always believe people who has the power, the people who knows more about the law is more dangerous than those who don't dahil kahit anong oras ay kaya nila itong manipulahin at paikutin dahil alam nila ang mga daan palabas pero siya? He's different.

Atty. Iñigo, same as his son, Atty. Alchiel Sandejas are men with principles, they have the wealth, power and connections and yet...instead of using it to their own gain, they used it to help the incapable, they used it to help those in need and I admire that family a lot. They used the power of law to give justice, like how it is supposed to. They're one of the few people who believed me when I told them about Ver's case.

"Tignan mo, my daughter posted new photos on her facebook, it's adorable. I think it got almost a thousand likes earlier." Ani Atty. Iñigo habang may pinipindot sa gallery. "She is beautiful, I remembered her outfits with the young Thallia. She's my Thallia-liit."

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako sa kanya t'wing nagkekwento siya kapag napupunta sa presinto dahil sa mga kasong hawak. He's a serious man pero kapag pinag-uusapan ang anak niya ay malaki pa ang ngiti.

I saw a folder with the name, My Kikay Princess.

"Here, pretty, right?" he said before showing a picture of a beautiful woman.

She looks pretty snob and powerful, matapang ang mga itim na mata pero dahil sa ngiti ay lumambot ang mga iyon. Her lips are pink, she has thick and long eyelashes, her high-cheekbone complimented her brave aura but you can notice the friendly vibe she's giving.

She has long, black hair, wearing a flashy dress and heels. Sa may braso niya ay may kulay pink pang fur coat at mga shopping bags sa kamay.

"She shopped in Cambodia," ani Attorney kaya nawala ang tingin ko sa phone niya.

"What?"

"Nagpaalam kanina, magsa-shopping daw sa Cambodia." He told me na parang wala lang kaya parang nabulunan ako ng laway ko habang tinitignan na sa ibang bansa nga ang background sa picture.

My forehead creased, parang bigla akong nasampal kung gaano ako kahirap sa buhay.

Damn, I'd die first before I would even think of going to other places for petty things like that? Dapat dito sa babae sinasaway at pinapangaralan!

It goes on like that, may mga araw na mapapadaan dito si Attorney para sa mga kaso niya at kapag nakuha na niya ang gusto ay makikipagkwentuhan na sa akin tungkol sa anak, kulang na lang ata ay ipakasal ako roon sa Crest Sandejas pero hindi naman diretsang sinasabi.

And I just let him, nakakatuwa rin naman kapag nagke-kwento siya dahil napapailing ka sa sobrang stress niya sa anak niyang dalaga na kung saan-saan napapadpad kapag bored and I got used to it. I easily got pretty oriented with his daughter's attitude and look because of those stories and pictures he kept on showing me kaya nagulat ako nang makita ko siyang kasama no'ng lalaking nag-over speeding sa Baguio.

When I got a glimpse of her pretty face and her wide, amazed eyes while staring at my face, I realized she's more vivid in personal. Mas maganda sa aktwal kaysa sa litrato.

Her porcelain skin, her cute smile and those smiling eyes got my attention kaya kaagad ko siyang kinuha no'ng nakitang naninisi na 'yong gagong kasama niya.

Really, huh? You were the one driving and yet you're blaming the woman you're with? Sino ba ang nasa manibela? Siya? Gagong 'to.

It annoyed me more when I saw him tried grabbing her by the arm and I saw the stunned and scared look on her eyes. Saglit lang iyon at kaagad ding nawala pero hindi mawala sa isip ko.

I thought she'll be safer if she would come with me, she's Atty. Sandejas' daughter. He would definitely get worried if his daughter will get hurt and so, while accompanying the brat on her escapade for just a fucking taho in Baguio, I secretly called Attorney and told him I saw his daughter here on Baguio and she's with me.

"Really?" narinig ko ang gulat sa kanyang boses kaya napatango-tango ako, saglit na sumandal sa lamesa na naroon habang tahimik na pinagmamasdan si Crest na may hawak na cart at malaki ang ngiti, walang habas na naglalagay ng mga tumbler ng taho sa lagayan.

Can she actually finish it?

"Yes, Atty., I caught the friend she's with over speeding so I stopped them. I wasn't expecting to see her kaya isinama ko na. We're currently inside the shop, she's buying taho." I said, watching the amazed girl roaming around.

"Oh...I see." I heard his relaxed sigh. "If it's not too much, can I ask you to take care of her there? Gala lang 'yang anak ko pero wala 'yan masyadong sense of direction. Mayamaya lang maliligaw na 'yan."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko, I tilted my head and watched her every move, silently agreeing to her father because he's right. Muntik ng maligaw ang anak niyang gala dahil madalas mag-ikot pero hindi alam ang direksyon kapag walang kasama.

"Sure, Atty. Ako pong bahala." I answered.

"Alright, thank you so much, Lieutenant. That brat, ang paalam sa akin bibili ng taho, I didn't even question why she's wearing clothes like that kung bibili siya kasi nasanay na kami. She has this hobby of dressing up even at our house, pinabili nga 'yan ng asawa ko sa tindahan lang sa amin nagkulot pa so..."

"Really?" I almost laugh kaya tumikhim ako.

"Yes," he sighed heavily. "Bibili raw ng taho kaya okay, aba, malay ko bang sa Baguio pala?!"

Napangisi na ako pero sumulyap sa pwesto ko si Crest Sandejas at kumaway siya sa akin, hawak pa ang isang tumbler ng taho at excited na ngumiti kaya kinagat ko ang labi para hindi niya makitang nakangiti ako. Instead, I nodded my head a bit at her and she went back to her business like a kid.

"Mabuti na lang at nakita ko rin pala, Attorney." I said instead.

"So, what do you think of her? Beautiful, right?" aniya kaya muli ko siyang pinagmasdan.

Her beauty shines like the sun rising after a long dark night, mukha siyang masungit at madilim sa una pero kapag ngumingiti at nagsasalita ay nagliliwanag ang mukha.

"Uh, yes, Attorney." I answered instead.

Pretty, p'wede na...but not my type. Definitely not.

"What can you say? Should I set you two up—"

"H-hello? Attorney?" bigla kong pinutol-putol ang boses.

"Lieutenant, what's happening—"

"S-sorry, Att-orney—medyo—" ginalaw-galaw ko ang phone ko para kunwari'y may static.

"Lieutenant? Are you okay—"

"I can't hear you, Atty.—Choppy ka—Sir? Hello?"

"Lieute—"

"W-wala po—walang signal! 'Di ko kayo marinig—hello—" biglang pinatay ko ang tawag at napamura habang itinatago ang phone sa bulsa.

Damn it, he's actually planning to set his daughter to me!

But what could I do? I knew Crest Sandejas because of her father's stories of her to me but I didn't tell her that, I pretended to know nothing about her because what will I say, huh? Na balak siyang ireto sa akin ng Dad niya?

Man, that's fucking insane. I don't even wanna date again!

But when I found out her name has a Veronica in it, when she introduced herself to me back in the station, I was easily reminded of Veronica from my past.

I unconsciously began looking at her like my Veronica before, they have the same colored black eyes. Parehong malambing and I like having her around the station, it made me think...it made me reminisce the time I had with Ver but then, what she does is completely opposite of my fiancée.

"H'wag mong sabihing naiisip mo sa kanya si Ver?" ani Adam na naupo sa harapan ko kaya nawala ang pasimpleng tingin ko kay Crest na tumatawa habang nilalagyan ng tint ang labi ni Ernesto.

"Hmm?"

"You kept on calling her Veronica and she enjoys hearing it," aniya kaya napatingin na ako sa kanya. "Pero Padlock, kitang-kita naman na iba siya kay Ver."

"I know..." I answered and sighed.

"Eh, bakit mo tinatawag na Ver? Magkaibang-magkaiba ang ugali nila. Yes, they have the same name pero Padlock, Crest is Crest and Ver is Ver, okay?"

Mas natahimik ako sa sinabi niya, kinuha ko ang kape sa lamesa bago tahimik na uminom at napapailing siya sa akin.

"But the way you're acting, you like Crest, don't you? Not Crest when you're thinking she's Ver but the real Crest." He asked me straightforwardly.

My heart instantly skipped a beat, mabilis kong ibinaba ang kape at sumagot.

"No," I said. "I won't like anyone else again."

"Tss, h'wag ka ngang showbiz diyan." Tawa niya. "We've known each other for years, Locket. O, ayan, hindi na muna kita tatawaging Lieutenant, ah? I'm your friend now so tell me, you like Crest Sandejas as Crest Sandejas, yes?"

I shook my head again, denying it on my head.

"No," I answered. "I won't like—"

"Gagong 'to, akala mo hindi namin pansin 'yang tingin mo kay Crest? You're watching her, always. Hindi ka na tumatawa tapos hindi ka palangiti pero no'ng nandito na siya parang bumabalik ka na sa dating Padlock!"

"What?" I smirked, "ano ba ako dati? Magkaibang tao na ba?"

"Gago, what I mean is you are different when Ver died. You shut your world down and focused on merely just work, you shut us down too, Locket. You never shared us your pain, kinikimkim mo. Hindi lang kami nagsasabing tatlo kasi gusto namin ikaw na mag-o-open sa amin pero ano pa nga ba? Mas matibay ka pa sa bato, kahit anong pukpok sa ulo mo wala kang pakialam?"

I sighed and shook my head, "I can't like Crest Sandejas, Adam—"

"Why not? Because you're still blaming yourself about Ver?"

"It's my fault, okay? Wala akong nagawa noon." I explained. "Yes, it is wrong but I admit I started liking Crest and so? What can I do? Wala akong karapatang maging masaya pagkatapos ng lahat noon, Adam. How can I be happy now after Veronica suffered—"

"Ver's not like that, Locket. You know that." Adam cut me off. "Veronica is the kind of woman who wanted you to be happy despite what. It's weird hearing her telling us before na kapag 'di raw kayo nagkatuluyan hanapan ka namin ng mabuting babae. It's absurd, yes, but I felt like she thinks she'll be gone soon—"

"I don't deserve to be happy, Adam." Malamig kong sagot. "I couldn't even give her justice? Anong karapatan kong maging masaya sa iba—"

"Multuhin ka sana ni Ver," he spatted kaya kumunot na ang noo ko.

"Gago ka ba?" I hissed.

"Veronica wanted nothing but happiness for you and our Mama Crest..." he pointed Crest na nilalagyan na ng cutics ni Ernesto sa mga daliri. "Crest is an amazing woman and we saw how you look at her. Tahimik ka, eh, pero no'ng dumating siya para kang nagbabasa ng story book kapag nagkekwento—"

"I am not." I pointed out, annoyed. "I'm not talkative—"

"Oh, edi shing." He hissed kaya napamura na ako nang sipain niya ang paa ko sa ilalim ng lamesa. "Make up your mind, okay? We can feel it, you like Crest as Crest kaya ka nagu-guilty na naman. Ayusin mo 'yang iniisip mo. I understand what you feel about Ver kasi nasasaktan ka at sinisisi ang sarili mo kasi kami rin, malungkot kami at nagagalit na wala kaming maitulong sa kanya pero sana maisip mo rin si Crest. She's a genuine person and we love having her around as much as you do."

"Hindi nga kasi," I denied again. "After Crest's work here, we are done—" bigla akong napamura nang batukan niya ako.

"Gago ka ba?!" I hissed loudly kaya nagsilingunan sa akin ang mga kasamahan kaya hininaan ko ang boses. "Fuck you, I am your boss here! Why the fuck are you doing this?"

"Oh? Edi putang ina mo...with respect." Ngisi ni Adam kaya umawang na ang labi ko at napatayo.

"You asshole..."

"Choss!" he smirked, "si Lieutenant Padlock, hindi mabiro—"

"Fuck you!" I hissed at nang tumakbo siya bigla ay mabilis akong humabol pero bago ko pa man siya mahatak ay nasalubong ko ang tingin ni Crest.

"Bakit kayo nag-ra-run?" she asked me, smiling kaya tumikhim ako at umayos ng tayo.

"K-kumain ka na?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Mamaya pang lunch kasabay niyo," she answered. "Look, oh, Earn colored my nails!" she said excitedly and showed me her nails kaya napatitig ako roon.

"Really?" I asked and she nodded, "ako rin pakulay." I said like a stupid fool before dragging a chair to sit closely beside her at natanto ko lang ang nasabi nang magtawanan si Earn kasama si Brent at Adam na nakasilip.

"Nice one, Padlock. Girl ka na." Adam smirked after I sat beside the confused Crest beside me.

Crest Veronica Sandejas is beautiful and amazing. She likes shiny things, she wanted people to look at her because she stands out. She loved the attention and she loves dressing us a lot. She's a Kikay princess like what Atty. Sandejas had said but she's more than that for me.

She's kind and genuine, she has that aura around her na makikita mo lang ay mangingiti ka na. She has that light on her that could lift your mood and will make everything better.

She loves making silly, corny jokes. Her mouth has no filter, she'll say what she likes. I am not a pervert but with her, I could make jokes like that and she's laughing so hard always at kahit ikaw ang nang-aasar ay kapag gumanti siya ay sisimangot ka na lang.

She orders a certain flavor of milktea, mas madalas ang order niya ng fruit tea na iba-ibang flavor and she likes treating people around her with gifts. She loves seeing people happy at sa mga mata niya, kahit kailan ay wala akong nakitang inggit.

She praises people like she knew them for a very long time, she's proud of everyone achievements kahit madalas ay pinagsasabihan lang siya ng iba ng masama.

She got the purest heart and it was maddening seeing people taking advantage of her. I don't want seeing her hurt.

Veronica's right, feelings couldn't be altered and stopped, it comes naturally, without you expecting it at all and it made me feel guilty. I felt guilty starting to like someone else...I felt bad abandoning my feelings for Ver just like that.

I swore to never find someone again, I promised myself I wouldn't love anyone else if it's not my Veronica but why am I feeling this way?

How could that woman...how could Crest make my heart beat like this? How could she do this to me?

Out of my guilt and to try and save myself from my blooming romantic feelings for her, I distanced myself. I tried to be cold as much as I could, I tried to stop thinking about her but upon seeing the happiness fading on those black eyes of her, miski ako ay hindi na rin nakaya at kaagad ng sumuko.

Seeds grow where they fell and planted and my feelings for her, it bloomed without me knowing it was even planted at hindi ko na napigil at kusa na lang itong lumukob sa akin.

It hurt me seeing Crest trying to change her style basing on my type, naranasan ko na ang pakiramdam na mapagkumpara, ang pakiramdam na kailangang makikisabay ka sa nangyayari sa iba para pakiramdam mo ay kasama ka.

My Mom even when I was a kid before unknowingly pressured me. Dapat kasing galing ako ng mga kaklase ko, dapat nasa honor ako, dapat talented ako, dapat matalino ako but I am not. I am an average kid, hindi ako katalinuhan pero sumusubok naman akong maging magaling para maging proud sa akin ang Mommy but I realized, as time goes by, bakit ko ipipilit ang mga bagay na hindi ako?

Why do I keep on hurting and cutting myself to fit on their circle? Can't I just be me?

Knowing how Crest is acting with people around, it hurt me more. Knowing that despite the smiles, giggles and the happiness she's showing, she's hiding something dark inside her. Tila isang ordinaryong araw na maliwanag sa simula pero unti-unti ring nakakain ng dilim.

She made me happy, she made feel like living again. She gave me the will to wake up everyday and I'd never felt this excited every passing day. I was never this excited going to work but when she came, I look forward seeing her more than those cases I got in my desk.

She's the most genuine person I'd ever met, she will smile at simplest jokes, she would make fun of things. I am personally not a fan of women with mouths like her but I began liking it because it was her...my Crest.

And thinking and assuming she's someone else before, it hurt me. It hurt me thinking that there's a part of our moments that I am seeing her as someone else when she deserved to be seen as her because she's Crest...not anyone else.

"Do you really talk like that?" I asked, glancing at her sideways while she's munching on her foods we bought in the drive-thru.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like that, walang filter 'yong bibig mo." I said at bigla siyang tumawa.

"Dapat ba may filter? Ano 'to, water dispenser?" she asked, hindi ko alam kung inosenteng tanong o nang-aalaska na naman kaya umiling ako.

"No, I mean the way you talk. You say what's on your mind, may be a curse, something lewd or being frank." I said at mas tumawa siya.

"Ayaw mo ba?" she asked at nagulat ako nang inilapit niya ang burger sa bibig ko.

"Not really, personally, that's not my thing. Hindi lang ako masyadong sanay, wala kasi akong kakilalang babaeng basta na lang nagmumura—"

"Edi putang ina mo." She suddenly said at nanigas ako at mabilis siyang nilingon.

"What the fuck, Crest Veronica?" I hissed at bigla siyang tumawa ng malakas.

"Practice lang, o, ayan may kakilala ka na. Happy?" she smirked.

"You brat—" I almost choked nang ipasok niya sa bibig ko ang burger na hawak.

"Shh, quiet! Kumain ka diyan and be a good boy." She said at naiiling na ngumuya na ako, hindi pa rin makapaniwala na ganito kapasmado ang bibig niya pero napapangiti rin.

She's one-of-the-kind. Beautiful.

I kept on asking myself if after Veronica, will I be happy again? Will I be able to love again? Is it possible? To love more than how you loved before?

With her, I am me. With her, I felt like a kid. Tila bumalik ako sa pagkabata habang nagke-kwento sa kanya ng bawat araw ko.

P'wede ba talaga 'yon? Ver, do you really think I could really love again after you? Is it true? Siya na ba 'yong sinasabi mo sa akin noon?

Everyone panicked when she was gone that one day, we couldn't track her because her phone's off. No one saw her at lahat kami ay nag-panic kakahanap sa kanya. Atty. Sandejas called and told me she's missing and he sounded so scared.

Miss Adira and even Alchiel went to the precinct to personally asked us a favor to look for her and we did, kahit may pabor o wala...we will look for her, no matter what.

Kaya 'yon na lang ang galit ko nang malamang pumunta lang siyang Cebu para bumili ng mangga. It made me angry that she didn't tell anyone about it, it made me mad because I thought she's missing and yet...she'll come back to us with a wide smile on her face, showing us her dried mangoes.

Paano kung nawala siya? Paano kung...hindi ko siya nailigtas? What if I fail again, huh? What if I lose her? Will I be able to take it in? I don't think so. I don't think I'll survive it if something happened to her.

Not Crest...please, not her.

Ayoko siyang masaktan but what I hated most about my attitude is that, most of the times, my emotions get the best of me that I can spit hurtful and rude words like I'm used to it, without even thinking about the consequence kaya sa huli ay palagi akong nagsisisi.

When will I learn?

The pain on her face made a permanent mark inside my heart that I regretted it that much. I felt how she distanced herself to us and seeing it broke me, I prayed I could turn back time and take back the hurtful words I've said but I know how impossible that is.

Her once cheerful tone faded, the happiness glistening on her eyes disappeared and I felt like little by little, I lost her...I lost her and I couldn't do anything.

That's when I thought I should learn, instead. They said love takes time, it takes patience and I know how impossible that is but I told her I will wait for her no matter what.

I know, deep inside, she has demons. She had skeletons hiding inside her closet she's afraid of showing people and if I forced myself to her...will I be able to heal her? No. Kasama ako sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya isinasara na naman ang puso niya kaya ayokong masira siya ng pagmamahal na mayroon ako.

I think...I think love isn't about destroying the other half. Real love waits, it motivates, it gives time...it heals.

When she found out about Veronica, my world fell apart. She immediately got the picture na naiisip ko sa kanya si Ver kaya ganoon ang tawag ko sa kanya noong una na pinagsisihan ko at kahit alam ko sa sarili kong saglit lang iyon ay nasaktan ko siya.

Who am I to even try and explain it?

Slowly, the truth from the past uncovered. When I found out it was her, I saw in the hotel that night, sising-sising ako. Sising-sising may magagawa sana ako pero hindi ko ipinilit.

When I found out she's also Eugene's victim, I was devastated. Gusto kong magwala, I almost killed that fucking man kung hindi lang ako nakuha nila Earn nang hinatak ko ang huli at sinuntok sa presinto nang dalhin siya.

I was livid, I was mad at myself for not doing anything to help her, to save her. Nagagalit ako sa sariling tumigil ako sa paghahanap sa kanya. Nagagalit na kailangan niyang makaranas ng gano'n sa haba ng panahon dahil hindi niya deserve 'yon.

No one deserves to get harassed and assaulted like that. No one deserves to experience that kind of trauma, no one deserves sleeping with nightmares, no one deserves to be treated that way...no one.

Nakakagalit na ang mga taong nangako sa tungkulin na poprotekta sa mga tao ay siya pang nangunguna sa pagbali nito. It was raging to see people who vowed to serve and protect turns be the perpetrator of doing something inhumane like this.

Para saan ang sinupaang tungkulin? Para saang naging pulis pa kung sa huli'y magiging tuta ng makapangyarihan? Bakit ang mga taong pinakanakakaalam ang batas ay nangunguna pang sumira nito?

Powerful or not, if you committed a crime, you should pay for it no matter what status you have. What gave you the privilege to act so innocent? To get away with it? Ang mga walang kaya at kakayahang ipagtanggol ang sarili ay naiipit, ang iba'y napaparusahan sa mga bagay na hindi naman nila ginawa pero bakit ang mga may kapangyarihan ay malaya?

Isn't it unfair? Law and justice are there to help and balance the world pero bakit ang mga walang kakayahan lang ang naaagrabyado? Dahil wala ba silang pera? Hindi ba nila deserve ang hustisya?

Seeing Crest Veronica Sandejas saying her story in court, it destroyed me. It pained me seeing the tears falling down her cheek as she reminisces the things that has happened to her before.

It left her scars, a big and permanent one.

It's true that love heals but it doesn't just revolve around it. Some scars are too deep love from other people can't heal it. The only love that can heal those deep-rooted scars she has is her love for herself.

Siya muna bago ako...siya muna bago kami.

It stayed that way, from afar, I watched her grow. I watched her heal and got her real self back. I watched her achieve her dreams while I did my best to heal myself and waiting for my dreams too...her.

"Ay, nakaloloka!" she exclaimed when she got outside her house while I'm in my room's terrace, watching her walking with Chichay.

It made me smile seeing her looking bright and happy.

May bandana sa kanyang ulo na nakatabon sa mukha niya at nakatali sa may baba. She's wearing sunglasses with her signature flashy outfit at tumaas ang kilay ko at halos mapatawa nang makitang ganoon din ang outfit ng anak namin.

Chichay is also wearing a mini bandana covering her face, may suot din siyang shades at customized na floral na damit at boots kagaya ng Nanay niya.

I heard a bark beside me, sumulyap ako kay Chico bago siya binuhat para makita niya sina Crest at Chichay na hindi pa matapos-tapos sa ginagawa roong pag-photoshoot sa outfit ni Chay.

"See that, Ping-ping?" I asked like a fool, looking at our daughter na pinaupo ko sa may terrace. "Someday...someday we'll get to meet them again. Someday, I hope we'll be together again."

The sunrays touched my face, napapikit ako dahil nasisilawan noong una pero pagkaraan ay iminulat ko ang mata at tumingin na roon.

"I wish she'll be happy, always. I hope that smile on her face would never ever fade again. I hope she finally healed herself and find the right person for her...kahit hindi na ako." I looked back at her screaming while chasing the running Chichay around in her high heels.

"I...I don't deserve to be happy, Ver." I remembered that one night I slept crying when I found out in court about Crest's connection with Veronica and that night, I dreamt of her when I don't know what to feel and think anymore.

"Why not? Do you love her?" I felt the soft hand touching my palms kaya unti-unti akong nag-angat ng tingin at nakita ang malambot niyang mata.

"I...I couldn't save you, I-I don't deserve to be happy."

"You love her, am I right?" she asked me again and I sniffed, hindi na alam ang isasagot, mula sa kamay ko ay unti-unting umangat ang palad niya sa pisngi ko at mas hinaplos iyon. "Umiiyak ka kasi mahal mo siya pero iniisip mo ako?"

"I-I don't..." humawak ako sa kamay niya sa pisngi ko. "I-I don't deserve to be happy, Ver. B-baka g-ganito lang ako, baka...baka dapat mag-isa lang ako."

"Why are you like this, hmm, hon?" she asked me, touching my cheek. "Why are you always blaming yourself? You did not kill me..."

"But I could've done something, Ver! I-I could've done something to save you...to save her pero wala...wala akong magawa..."

"Does that mean na wala ka na rin karapatang maging masaya?" she asked in a soft voice and I nodded abruptly.

"W-wala...wala..."

"I want nothing but the best for you, Locket. Noon pa, gusto ko masaya ka, na magmamahal ka muli. Mahal mo si Crest, 'di ba? You told me that...when you're visiting me, you are telling me stories about her all the time and I am happy you found the right woman for you pero bakit ka naman umiiyak?"

I couldn't answer her, I just cried and cried, almost shaking in desperation.

"B-but I don't deserve her...I d-don't..."

"No, you two don't deserve to be in despair because of him. You don't deserve to suffer like this because of what he did to us, Locket." She cupped my face and stared at me.

"I-I'm sorry, Ver..." I gripped her hand tightly on my cheek. "S-sorry kasi...sorry kasi hindi kita napagtanggol, s-sorry because I failed."

"It's not your fault, Locket, shh..." her voice sounded like a lullaby, ang mga mata niya'y may luha pero malambing ang tingin sa akin. "It's not you, it's not mine and Crest's fault we're like this...it was Eugene's."

I closed my eyes tightly, almost running out of breath and I felt her fingers slowly drying the tears on my cheek.

"I know you love her, fight for her, Locket." She told me again. "It's okay to love again..."

"I'm sorry..." I whispered. "I-I'm sorry...please forgive me."

"It's not a sin loving again, Locket." She said gently and when I opened my eyes, I saw her smiling. "I want happiness for the both of you, please don't give up your feelings for her. It's okay...it's okay to love again, even if it's not me. Basta masaya ka, basta masaya kayo."

"Veronica..." I called her name and she smiled, as if she was in peace.

"Please fight for her, Locket. I know you love her more than you've ever loved me." She said with a smile and I remained looking at her, crying. "Please be happy, Locket. Please take care of her. Crest's a wonderful and brave woman. I want you two to be happy. Please, please don't blame yourselves. I'll only be in peace if I saw you both smiling again."

"V-Ver..."

"It wasn't her fault I saved her...it was my decision. Hindi niya kasalanan na nawala ako, hindi mo kasalan, hmm? Please don't blame her, please don't blame yourself." She smiled, the most genuine I'd ever seen on her. "I love you, Locket. You're always be a part of me, please be happy. You deserve it...with her."

God's timing is always perfect. If you wish for something and it didn't come that soon then it's still not the right time dahil ang mga bagay na para sa iyo, ang mga bagay at mga taong nakatadhana para sa'yo ay darating sa tamang oras nila.

"Sigurado ka ba, huh? P'wede mo pang bawiin." Ani Judge Sandejas habang nakatayo sa gilid ko kaya natigilan na ako.

"P-po?" biglang kumalabog ang puso ko sa kaba sa sinabi niya.

"I said, kung sigurado ka na bang papakasalan mo ang prinsesa ko." He spatted, sounding so strict. "P'wede ka pang umatras—"

"Balita ko binebenta mo si Crest kay Laughtrip noon, Kuya Raf, anyare?" biglang lumapit sa amin si Uncle Zeijan na natatawa roon.

I saw the now lower court Judge Iñigo Sandejas frowned, inayos niya ang suot na gray suit kaya napatikhim ako at inayos din ang suot ko.

"What?" baling niya kay Tito. "Sino nagsabi sa'yo?"

"Si Alchiel!" tawa niya, "balita ko pinapakita mo madalas kay Laughtrip picture ni Ganda, nirereto mo raw pero bakit ngayon—"

"Shut up." He hissed, "ayoko na pala, binabawi ko na." Masungit siyang bumaling sa akin. "It was fun before because my daughter's a brat but right now, she's a woman, she can stand on her own now and—"

"P-po?" my eyes widened, tumikhim ako at binasa ang labi. "I love Crest—"

"Wala akong paki, sa bahay lang si Thallia-liit ko!" He hissed and sighed loudly, narinig ko ang tawa ni Uncle Zeij at mayamaya'y nandiyan na sina Uncle Dash at Uncle Thorn, well, they told me to just call them that way and I am really thankful being a part of their family but what Judge had told me was scary.

"Akala ko ba, gusto na maging Lolo?" tawa ni Uncle Dash at mas bumusangot lang si Judge roon.

"Gago, ayoko na, magiging matanda na akong mag-isa—"

"Shh, bawal ang magmura, nasa simbahan kayo. Bata ba kayo?" biglang lumitaw si Auntie Zidney kaya natahimik 'yong tatlo na nag-iingay.

"Sorry, princess." Judge said, sighing. "It's just that, mga isip bata—"

"Alam mo, Kuya, let Crest marry na." Auntie Zidney glanced at me before smiling. "Mabait naman 'to si Locket, gwapo pa. Bagay na bagay sa kanya 'yong damit niya, oh. Pogi, that's a police's uniform, right?"

Sumulyap ako sa puting unipormeng suot ko at tumango.

"Yes, Auntie." I answered. "We're wearing this for wedding ceremonials if we like."

"Oh..." her mouth formed an O, "amazing, why do you call that uniform?"

"It's a full white duck uniform." I answered and smiled, "and what those men are wearing are the ceremonial blue." Turo ko sa mga pulis na nakahilera sa may entrance hanggang sa may altar at diretsong nakatayo.

"Wow, it's super cute." She giggled and glanced at Judge Sandejas. "Pinaghandaan 'to ni Locket, Kuya, h'wag mo na, kontrahin, araw na nga ng kasal."

"But still—"

"Nope," she shook her head. "May apo na kami lahat, oh? Ikaw na lang ang wala? Ano na?"

Nagtawanan ang magkakapatid doon, bigla rin akong napatawa pero isang marahas na lingon ni Judge ay natikom ko ang bibig.

"Anong tinatawa-tawa mo riyan, laughtrip?!" he hissed kaya marahas akong umiling.

"N-nothing, your honor." I answered like a soldier at nagtawanan na naman sila.

"Chill ka lang kasi, Iñigo." Tito Thorn laughed, "excited ka na nga sa apo tapos ngayon..."

"Wala pa ba, laughtrip?" baling sa akin ni Judge kaya napakurap ako.

"Po?"

"Tss, bagal naman..." Uncle Zeij tapped my back, "atat na atat na si Kuya Raf sa apo, gusto na niyang may kumakapit na bata sa leeg niya. May puti na kasi siyang buhok pero wala pang tumatawag na Lolo. Hashtag sad—"

"Gago—sorry." Biglang napatikhim si Judge at natawa na ako ng magsimula na silang magbangayan doon.

Nang tinawag na si Judge ay naiwan akong mag-isa sa altar at kinakabahan, I smirked when I saw Earn, Brent and Adam in their uniforms and white gloves walking towards my direction. They're on the saber arch later and Adam will command them when my soon-to-be-wife would enter the church.

"Musta, Padlock, mukhang kabado, ah?" ani Brent na natatawa kaya nailing ako at sinuklay ang buhok ng daliri.

"I'm just nervous..." I sighed, "is Crest ready?"

"Hala...papunta raw sa airport?" Earn suddenly said.

"What?!" I almost raised my voice at napabusangot lang nang nagtawanan sila.

"Joke lang, Padlock." He laughed, "on the way na si Mama. Nahirapan daw sila ilabas 'yong gown niya sa hotel, sobrang haba aabot ata sa NLEX."

I chuckled, shaking my head, remembering how my wife got so stressed designing her dream gown for today and of course, she's not my Crest Veronica if she's not extra."

"Oh, si Chico. Ready na." Aniya na buhat si Chico na nakasuot ng customized na suot pang-groom kaya natawa ako, naiiling.

"How about Chichay?" I asked.

"Naman, si Chichay pa ba? Panigurado nando'n 'yan sa loob ng bridal car ni Mama, feeling Donya." Ani Brent kaya nagtawanan kami, an image played on my mind with Crest and Chichay sitting like princesses inside it.

"Si Ping-ping?" I asked and they pointed the first row where my bride's family members would sit and I smiled when I saw her in a customize cute little dress.

A thing if your wife is a fashion designer, huh?

"Excuse me, mga hijo..." bumaling ako sa likod nila at nakita si Mom na paparating.

"Ma'am..." the three greeted and she smiled, nodding.

"Hello, ang ga-gwapo niyo!" she smiled, "p'wede pahiram muna si Lorcan Keith?"

When they left, ibinaba ni Adam si Chico kaya naupo ito sa may paahan ko at naglakad ang mga magulang sa harapan ko.

I saw how Brent went to the seats and talked to Dani. Si Adam ay kinulit na si Lauren na todo irap sa kanya and Ernesto walked towards the line and fixed his boyfriend's uniform, Alec.

Mom frowned when she saw me, si Dad naman ay ngumisi sa akin.

"Gwapo naman ng anak ko, mana sa Daddy." Ngisi ni Dad kaya natawa ako at nailing.

"Tss, anong gwapo? Nabawasan na ang kagwapuhan nitong anak ko dahil sa pawis." Mom sighed and took her handkerchief. "Bakit ka kasi lakad nang lakad, huh? Papunta na rito sina Mareng Thallia, kasama niya ang girlfriend mo! Kinakabahan ka ba?"

I shook my head, lying pero ngumiwi siya.

"H'wag mo akong lokohin, Lorcan Keith. Mukha ka ng natatae!"

"Mom!" I frowned at tumawa siya, hinatak ako palapit at pinunasan ang noo ko.

"Kalma ka lang, darating 'yon, sino ba naman ang aatras sa anak ko?" she smirked.

"Yabang..." Dad whistled, "dati naman hindi siya boto—"

"I am not asking for your useless opinion, Raymond." Mom glared at him sideways and smiled at me. "Ayusin mo nga 'yang uniporme mo, anak para mas gwapo ka—"

"Gwapo naman ang anak ko kahit medyo pawis na—"

"Anak ko rin 'to, Raymond." She hissed, hinahawi ang kulot na buhok. "Sa akin 'to nagmana—"

"Mas kamukha ko kaya si Locket—"

"Excuse me? Ako kaya kasi ako ang Nanay—"

"Enough for that, you two." I said, chuckling kaya biglang umakmang sini-zipper ni Dad ang bibig at si Mommy ay umirap-irap sa kanya.

"Yabang niyang Tatay mo, akala mo kagwapuhan, mukha namang paa."

"What? Nagsalita ang payaso—"

"Ano? Anong sabi mo?!" Mom faced him kaya natahimik ang huli.

"Joke lang, honey. Maganda ang asawa ko kaya, 'di ba, anak?" pinanlakihan ako ng mata ni Dad kaya tumango-tango ako at pinakalma na si Mommy.

She fixed my uniform, I am wearing a white coat and pants with long sleeves polo shirt and a black tie inside, she smoothened and aligned my badges and rank insignia before taking the pershing cap from my hand and placing it on my head.

"Ayan, gwapo na ang anak ko." She smiled while touching my shoulder. "Hindi ka tatakbuhan niyan ni Crest, tatakbuhin pa palapit."

I chuckled, natawa rin si Dad at nang mag-announce na nasa labas na ang bridal car ay kaagad akong kinabahan at kumalabog ng mabilis ang puso.

Slowly, the door opened, halos lumabas na ang puso ko sa loob ng dibdib nang makita ang mga bridesmaids na papasok, it was her cousins, wearing gold ensembles gowns and it felt magical.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

The church is transformed into a fairytale like setting, ang mga daffodils ay nasa paligid at nakakalat sa red carpet. Habang tumutugtog ang mahinang piano ay unti-unting bumalik sa akin ang mga ala-ala noon.

Mga ala-alang akala ko'y magiging bangungot habang buhay, mga ala-alang sa kabutihang-palad ay naging lakas at aral na lang ngayon.

That every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

I glanced at Chico beside me, waiting for Chichay. I bit my lip afterwards, sighing hard to control my emotions from bursting.

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Yes, He did.

I used to tell myself I am not good enough for someone for I always end up failing them, I used to tell myself I am unworthy of receiving happiness. I used to tell myself I deserve to be alone but when I met her...unconsciously, I started praying...praying that someday, someone will come and ease the pain.

I prayed that someday...someday she will come to me and give me the will to be happy again, to give me something to look forward everyday and she did. Every waking day, I look forward to her smiles, to her witty jokes and non-filtered words.

I think about the years I spent just passin' through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

I prayed, unconsciously, I wished for my own happy ending...my happiness and then she came.

"Crest..." I whispered while staring at her entering the church in her gorgeous golden long gown.

I heard Adam's command and then a few moments later, they all raised their swords for the saber arch, letting every tip of it touch each other's end above and I saw my future wife smiling when she saw it, amazed and then, I felt like sobbing when she started walking towards me.

Sa kanyang gilid ay si Judge Sandejas at si Tita Thallia na nakangiti. Sa kanyang kamay ay si Chichay na naka-wedding dress din at maliit na belo kaya natawa ako ng bahagya.

Hindi talaga papatalo ang anak namin. Mana sa Nanay.

Our eyes met and she smiled at me behind her see-through veil.

"I love you, Pingu." She mouthed.

That's when my tears fell, nakita ko kung paano siya napatakip ng bibig habang nakatingin sa akin at mayamaya'y hinahawi na niya ang mga luha sa pisngi.

You've been there, you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true...

I prayed for her and we might have got each other noong umpisa, we didn't work out. Hindi pa tamang panahon, hindi pa para sa amin ang pagmamahal na 'yon so we both waited and became patient and now, my prayers came true.

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars

It's her...my Crest Veronica Sandejas-Dmitrov. My answered prayers.

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

Nang makalapit na sila sa akin ay mariin akong pumikit, hinahawi ang mga luha nang may dumampi sa kamay ko. I opened my eyes and saw my future Mrs. Dmitrov smiling, extending a white handkerchief to me kaya nanginginig ang kamay na tinanggap ko iyon at mabilis na inalis ang mga luha.

"Sir..." I said, standing straight before saluting to her parents and they nodded at me.

"A-alagaan mo ang Thallia-liit ko, ah?" Judge told me when I offered my hand to Crest.

"Y-yes...of course, Judge." I said and smiled and when I was about to take my girlfriend's hand, bigla niyang nilayo sa akin.

"Ayaw..." he muttered.

I heard chuckles around, miski si Crest ay natawa.

"Hayaan mo na, Kuya Raf! Apo, ano na?" Uncle Zeij exclaimed kaya mas nagtawanan sila.

"Thallia, p-prinsesa ko..." he glanced at his wife and I saw Tita Thallia chuckling with tears on her eyes.

"Come on, baby. Let your daughter go, hmm?" she smiled and I saw the tear falling from his eyes while staring at the crying Crest.

"G-gusto kong apo, ah?" he then said that kaya natawa ako sa kabila ng luha, pati na rin ang Crest ko na umiiyak ay natatawa.

"O-opo..." she chuckled, "wait ka lang, Dad. H'wag atat."

"Hay naku, Iñigo." Tita laughed, "let her go."

I saw his sad and teary blue eyes while staring at his daughter, his kikay princess.

"M-mahal mo ba 'tong anak ko, huh?" he suddenly asked me at sa kabila ng mga luha ay tumango ako at sumulyap kay Crest Veronica na lumuluha na rin.

"Guilty as charged, your honor." I said while staring at my baby's eyes. "Mahal na mahal."

"Thallia-liit ko may asawa na..." he suddenly exclaimed and hugged his daughter tightly kaya mas napangiti na ako.

"D-Dad...papakasal lang ako, don't cry, sayang 'yong make-up ko. U-umiiyak na ako, oh!" she whined. "P-pangit na tayo sa photoshoot!"

Mas napuno ng tawanan at sumisinghot pa si Judge nang lingunin ako at sumimangot.

"Alagaan mo itong prinsesa ko, ah? Laughtrip ka...kapag nasaktan 'to pukpok ko sa'yo 'yong gavel."

"O-okay, Judge." I smiled at naiiling siyang tinapik ang balikat ko.

"Call me Dad, son." He said and smiled kaya natigilan akong lalo.

"S-salamat po..."

"Welcome to the family, anak." Tita Thallia smiled. "Call me Mom, hmm?"

I nodded, smiling. Binati rin ako ni Alchiel at Adira na umiiyak doon sa gilid and hearing how they welcomed me in their family legally now...I felt blessed.

"Here, take my daughter's hand and never let it go." Dad, Iñigo Sandejas said and when I touched my Pinga's hand, I felt the overflowing and unexplainable happiness and love inside my chest.

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you...

Nagbatian ang mga magulang namin at nagyakapan, I saw Chichay on the side with Chico earlier but my eyes were fixed on my Crest's beautiful black ones and my tear fell.

"Shh...why are you crying? Pangit na tayo sa picture-picture, Pingu." She pouted at mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa kanyang kamay at dinala iyon sa labi ko.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Pinga." I said while looking at her eyes.

"Enebe..." she playfully smacked me. "I love you too, grabe naman 'yong sagarang kilig, Lorcan Keith!" she said in an amused tone. "Maya na tayo magsagaran—"

"We're inside the church, Crest." I said kaya nanlaki ang mata niya at napatakip sa bibig.

"Lord, I'm sorry po. Sorry." She said and closed her eyes kaya napangiti na ako at pinisil ang kamay niya at dinala siya sa tapat ng pari.

I lifted the handkerchief she gave me and dried my cheek pero naiwan iyon sa ere nang mapansin na pamilyar iyon sa akin.

My forehead creased, kaagad na naagaw ang pansin ko ng naka-embroidered sa panyo.

C.S.

What?

Gulat akong napasulyap kay Crest at nakangisi siya sa akin, "what's this...don't tell me..."

"Edi don't," she smirked. "Nitong nakaraan ko lang nalaman na ikaw pala 'yon."

My forehead creased, "how..."

"Nahulog sa damitan mo kaya nakita ko, naalala mo 'yong tinupi ko 'yong penguin mong boxers?" aniya na parang wala lang at natahimik kaming dalawa nang tumikhim ang pamilyar na pari sa harapan namin.

"Nasaan na ba ang holy water ko," aniya roon kaya napalunok ako.

"Sorry, Father." I said at tumawa lang si Crest habang binabangga ang balikat ko.

The wedding ceremony have started, grabe pa ang kaba ko nang nagtanong ang pari kung may tutol sa kasal at biglang nagtaas ng kamay si Judge pero kinurot lang ng asawa kaya biglang ibinaba at ngumisi sa akin.

"Joke only, kinabahan si laughtrip, oh?" ngisi niya at hindi ko alam kung tatawa na rin ako dahil tumawa sila lahat o mahihimatay sa kaba.

"Lorcan Keith Dmitrov, do you take Crest Veronica Sandejas to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?"

I stared at my Pinga's beautiful face and I smiled, nodding. "I do...I do, I do." Paulit-ulit kong sabi kaya ngumisi siya at namula.

"Grabe naman, patay na patay ka sa'kin, ah?" she even winked playfully.

"Crest Veronica Sandejas, do you take Lorcan Keith Dmitrov to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?" when the priest asked my Crest that, my heart was pounding in nervousness.

"I do...super na super! Todo na 'to!" she exclaimed and raised her hand kaya nagtawanan sila and I gulped, chuckling a bit.

"Yes!" I said in a small voice kaya natawa siya at mas hinaplos ang kamay ko.

When the exchange of rings was announced, malaki ang ngisi ko nang makita si Chichay na may kagat-kagat na basket, sa kanyang likod ay si Ping-ping.

"Lorcan Keith, my baby Pingu and Papa Locket..." she smiled sweetly, touching my hand while staring at my eyes. "Thank you so much for being a lesson to me, baby. Thank you for being my strength, for understanding me and waiting for me patiently. Salamat kasi...you were always there motivating me. You believed in me...and loved me unconditionally, you loved all of me, my imperfections, my flaws. Thank you because you loved me like I'm brand new, you treated me like a gem. I always admire your wise words, on how you can knock senses to me.

"You...you didn't judge me, you loved me fully. You were such a blessing to me, Locket. You made me feel things, you made me feel important and most of all, maraming salamat sa respeto. Hindi lang sa akin kung hindi sa lahat ng tao." She muttered and my heart ache when I saw tears falling down her cheek.

"Pinga," I called gently and she smiled at me sweetly.

"I wouldn't call you my knight in shining in armor because I am my own armor, right?" she said and smiled cutely kaya tumango ako.

"You're the bravest, you don't need a knight for saving, baby."

"But you became my motivator, my prince charming." She said, "you helped me, you motivated me into being brave and slay the dragons myself because I could. Mahal na mahal kita, Lorcan Keith." I saw how she slipped the ring on my finger and then lifted my hand, kissing it while staring at me.

"Salamat dahil hinayaan mong ako muna at ngayon, tayo naman." She said gently and that's when I began sniffing like a fool.

"Oh? Why are you crying?"

"Whipped na si Padlock!" I heard the boys exclaimed kaya napailing ako, hinahawi ang luha at ang Crest ko'y pinunasan ang pisngi ko.

"Shh, don't cry, baby. Para gwapo ka sa photoshoot." She even teased at naiiling na inilahad ko ang singsing sa kanya at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay.

"My bratty baby Pinga," I started off, staring at her eyes. "I know how hard it is, just thinking of the past challenges we encountered, it's painful and honestly we could've given up but we didn't. First off, I wanted to praise how brave we are...how brave you are, my baby.

Her swollen eyes stared at me, suminghot na siya roon at tumango-tango.

"Thank you for giving me the will to live, thank you for giving me back the colors I thought I'd lost forever. Thank you for coming into my life, thank you for making me smile with your silly jokes. I'm not a loud person but when I'm with you, I felt like I could win an essay contest sa dami ng kwento ko."

I heard laughters, nagpalakpakan pa sila kaya tumango ang asawa ko at ngumisi.

"Pingu niyo, daldalito na." She said out loud kaya mas umingay ang mga bisita roon.

"You taught me how to wait, you taught me how to love myself. I am sorry if there are times I kept on preaching things tapos sa huli ay hindi ko magagawa. Salamat, mahal ko...sa lahat ng kasiyahan na binigay mo. I may not be the perfect man for you but I'll work hard to be a better and good husband to you and our kids. I thought noon, hindi na ako magiging masaya pang muli but when you came, you opened my tightly closed heart and taught me how to love intensely, truthfully..."

"Talagang kakalampagin ko 'yang puso mo," she winked. "Crest Veronica Sandejas kaya 'to?"

I chuckled, nodding.

"You're right." I smiled, "God may have shaken the ground and let us passed the broken road, we might stumble, we might fell and got hurt but we both stood, for ourselves. We spent months and years roaming around with no direction at all, lost but we prayed for each other. I prayed for you, Crest Veronica. I asked him to take me to you...and he did. In the cracks of the road, he blessed it and like what the song says, it led me straight to you."

Nang makita ko ang sunod-sunod na pagpatak ng luha niya ay ganoon na rin ako.

"H-he arranged our meeting, baby." I smiled despite the tears. "M-mahal na mahal kita. Salamat din dahil tinuruan mo akong ako muna kaya muli akong nabuo at ngayon...tayo naman." I slowly slipped the ring on her finger.

After kissing her hand, I moved a bit, lifting my hand and stared at her.

"Reporting for a lifetime duty with you, my Captain Pinga!" I said, saluting and she cried loudly, nodding her head at me.

And it was an emotional and magical moment for me, I was even shaking while lifting her veil and the moment we kissed, it was as if my dreams came true...it's her...she came true and now, she's mine.

"Presenting, the newly weds, Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. and Mrs. Dmitrov!" Adam said and I saw how synchronized the police are when they lifted their swords for the saber arch, letting every tip of it touch each other's end above and I glanced at my wife smiling.

"Let's go, Mrs. Dmitrov?" I smiled and offered her my arm.

"Alright, Mr. Dmitrov." She smirked and placed her hand on my arm. "I have something to tell you. Surprise, matutuwa ka."

"What is it?" I asked and she winked, "surprise, mamaya na." Aniya at napatango ako.

We got passed the swords above with petals showering us, sunod-sunod ang mga litrato at flash ng camera sa amin at masaya akong masaya ang lahat ng narito para sa amin ng asawa ko habang papalabas.

When we got out of the church, mabilis kong inabot ang baywang ng asawa ko. I heard their cheers while throwing the petals in the air.

I froze when a petal touched my face at mukhang napansin iyon ng asawa ko kaya umayos siya ng tayo at umiling.

"Sorry, guys, may allergy kasi ang Pingu ko sa flowers." She said kaya tumikhim ako.

"It's okay—" I suddenly sneezed kaya natakpan ko ang bibig at mas nagtawanan sila roon.

"Ang cute, na-imagine ko bigla 'yong nabahing na penguin." Ani Alchiel doon kaya mas natuwa sila.

"Oh, siya, Mr. and Mrs. Dmitrov, kiss kayo while in the camera!" I heard Sibyl saying, pinsan ni Crest na hawak ang camera at nakatingin sa amin, sa gilid niya ay may batang babae.

"Kiss daw," I smirked at my wife and she winked, placing her hand on my neck and moved her nose closer to mine.

"Okay, Lt. Col." She grinned kaya mabilis kong hinawakan ang kanyang baywang. I tilted her a bit and that earned giggles around.

"Mag-kiss na, apong-apo na si Kuya Raf!" Uncle Zeij laughed loudly.

"Pingu..." she called when our eyes met.

"Hmm?"

"Remember my surprise?" aniya kaya napatango ako, hindi 'yon masyadong naiisip dahil mas naaagaw ng pansin ko ang labi niyang malapit sa akin.

"What about it?" I said softly, moving my lips to try and kiss her pero medyo gumalaw siya.

"No, look at me." Aniya kaya hinanap ko ang tingin niya at kumislap ang mata niya kaya mas humawak ako sa baywang niya.

"What? Hmm? Can't we kiss already?" nguso ko.

"I'm pregnant. Twins." She suddenly said and smirked kaya umawang ang labi ko, I lost my balance when my knees buckled while I'm tilting her.

"Surprise—" she suddenly screamed when we lost our balance, mabilis kong hinawakan ang kanyang ulo at napamura na rin nang bumalentong kaming dalawa sa lapag kasabay ng flash ng camera.

It was awkward pero nauwi iyon sa kantyawan at tawanan at nang maupo na ako ay suminghot na ako, naiiyak habang mahigpit na niyayakap ang asawa ko.

"T-thank you...I love you so much. I love you." I whispered.

"Oh? Bakit?" tawa ni Uncle Dash.

"I'm pregnant! Twins!" Crest announced happily and even if I'm crying while hugging her, I saw how the mighty Judge Iñigo Sandejas fell on his knees, fainting with the news kay bigla akong napatawa ng malakas nang magkagulo sila.

You can never measure one's love for it has different intensities. Love comes along the way even if you least expected it and it's almost impossible to stop it. It was just planted and it blooms inside you.

According to some articles and from the people around, there are two types of TOTGA.

The first one is often the first love in some cases, The One That Got Away. 'Yong taong akala mo ay 'yon na. It will make you feel that you already found the one. Ito ang pagmamahal na akala mo'y sigurado na at sa huli'y kayo na. It will made you feel happy but it won't work out, you weren't meant to be in the end. It will make you realize what went wrong. This love would often just teach you a lesson but it will stay with you.

The next one is one of the most ideal love I'd ever felt in this life. This is the love God allowed, in the right time, in the right place...with the right person. This love comes when you're fully ready, when you've grown enough, if you've learned your lessons. It is the kind of love when you've fully healed your scars, the kind of love where you have found and learned how to love yourself.

This is what they called the true and greatest love, the kind of love that would motivate you, the kind of love that would heal you. This love sets you free.

How can you give love if you lack one for yourself? Nothing's greater and true than loving yourself completely before giving love to other people and it both heals you. This love would free you both from chains.

Crest Veronica Sandejas-Dmitrov, with my twins inside her are my TOTGA, The One That God Arranged for me. My happy penguin ending.