3 years had passed and here I am, sitting beside Cassandra's sister's grave. Eclipse...
"Hey there, Eclipse".
I smile while looking at Cassandra's twin's grave, Shane Eclipse De Vera. The woman whom Cassandra treasures the most.
"Your sister's certification is today, she's now a licensed doctor". My heart is full of joy, my baby already reached her dream.
When she called me earlier, I saw how gradient her face is. She's beyond the word happy.
"I know you're proud of her, that's for sure. I promised that I will visit you here, right? Na ikaw ang unang makakaalam kapag plano ko ng makasama panghabang buhay ang kapatid mo".
I reach for my pocket and get the small box, I opened it and stare at the diamond ring inside the box.
"When I lose her once, I thought it's the end of me. Akala ko katapusan na ng mundo para sakin".
I chuckled with my own words, "Your sister is my everything, she's the answer to my prayers and she's the calm in my messed-up system".
I remember Cassandra, she's the one whom I am willing to fight for even if it will cause my life.
"Your sister completes me; she helps me bind up my broken pieces and form them into brand new. She gave me every reason to fight for myself and to fix my composure and win her back". I reminisce those times that I am all alone trying to fix myself.
I was so close to giving up but every time I trying to end my suffering, I keep on going back to her precious memories. Yung pagpapalakas niya sa loob ko, yung pagsuporta niya sa akin, everything about her.
She's worth the pain and long years of waiting, she's worth the wait indeed.
"I am here to let you know and ask permission; will you allow me to marry your sister?". My heart beats rapidly as I imagine Cassandra walking down the aisle.
She's my dream that came to reality.
The wind blows in my area and it felt so surreal, "Are you saying that I am allowed to ask her in marriage?". I said and chuckled.
Well, baby your sister just gave me her approval. You're tied to me now.
Hindi pa din ako makapaniwala, nasa harap ko na yung certificate at yung lisensya ko. Parang nakaraan lang intern pa lang ako tapos ngayon, ito na.
I saw my brother, ate Charm, Aiden, mom, dad and Tyrone waiting for me on the hallway. I run towards them and jump to my dad; he hugs me tight and he kisses my head.
"I'm proud of you, anak. We're so so proud of you".
Bulong niya sa tainga ko, I never felt so joyful. Ngayon pa lang.
Binaba ako ni dad at niyakap ako ni mommy, "I love you, baby. Mom is so proud of you". I felt mom's tears on my neck, inilayo ko siya at pinunasan ang luha niya.
"Mom, hindi pa ikakasal iyan. Nakatapos po, hindi ikakasal". Natatawang biro ni kuya kay mommy, mom glare at kuya Jorge that makes us all laugh.
Niyakap ako ni kuya at ni ate Charm, "You did it, Cassandra. Super proud kami sayo". Masayang bulong ni ate Charm sa tainga ko, yumuko ako at niyakap si Aiden.
"Ishta danda, happy baby ishta". I giggled at Aiden's broken words, super cute ng pamangkin ko na ito. He is already 3 years old.
I kiss his cheeks at pinanggigilan iyon, "Happy ikaw, baby? Si tita din". Ibinigay ko na siya kay kuya at humarap na kay Tyrone.
He looks so handsome on his formal attire, after 3 years mas naenhance yung facial features niya. His mint brown eyes never disappoint.
He held my hand and he pulls me closer to him, "You look beautiful on stage earlier, love". Bulong niya sa akin at ngumiti ng nakakaloko.
Kinurot ko ang ilong niya at ngumiti ng malapad, "Nainlove ka nanaman". Biro ko sa kaniya pero sineryoso nanaman ng loko.
"I keep on loving you even more every single second". Kahit gaano na kami katagal ay nagagawa pa din niyang pabilisin ang tibok ng puso ko.
He pulls me closer and kisses my forehead, "I love you, doktora De Vera".
I smiled at him, "I love you, engineer Martinez".
"Saan na tayo pupunta?". Tinanaw ko ang tanawin sa labas, may mga puno na at overlooking sa mga gilid-gilid.
"I reserve a place where we can eat". Simple niyang tugon sa akin, I saw him smile.
Nasa likuran namin ang sasakyan nila mommy at daddy, nasa likod naman ng sasakyan nila mommy sila ate Charm, si kuya at si baby Aiden.
Tumigil kami sa isang restaurant, mukhang mahal dito ah. Hinawakan ni Tyrone ang kamay ko at lumabas na kami ng sasakyan.
Umupo kami sa parte ng restaurant na kita mo ang tanawin, bukas yung parte na ito at makikita mo ang magandang tanawin.
"What's your order, baby?". Tanong ni Tyrone sa akin habang nakatingin siya sa menu, grabe ang mahal dito!
Yung mango smoothie 200+ may kasama bang ginto yun pag ininom? GG!
"Ang mahal naman ata dito, love. Hati-hati na lang kaya". I look at him and he just smiled at me.
"I already paid, baby. Nagtatanong ako kung may idadagdag pa kayo". So, nakaorder na pala siya?
Umiling na lang ako, "Wala na akong idadagdag, okay na yung order mo".
He nodded and smiled at me, nagdagdag lang ng smoothie si ate Charm at si daddy pero sila mom at sila kuya ay hindi na.
"Paano ba iyan, anak? You are already licensed, ano ng plano mo sunod?". Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni mommy, ano nga bang sunod na plano?
I was planning to settle down, napatingin ako kay Tyrone at nahuling nakatingin din pala siya sa akin. I held his hand underneath the table.
"Bahala na si Lord sa sunod, mom. Wala na akong maisip eh". I said and I chuckled after.
Nakita kong nagpupumiglas si Aiden kay ate Charm at bumaba sa kandungan ng kaniyang ina, sinalubong ko siya at kinandong sa akin.
"Baby ko, anong gusto mo?". Pangungulit ko sa batang nasa kandungan ko.
He pointed at Tyrone and suddenly held Tyrone's pinky finger that is laying on the table, napatingin si Tyrone kay Aiden na nakakandong sa akin at hinawakan ang kamay nito ng marahan.
"Mukhang gusto ka niya". Nakangiti kong wika nang umalis sa kandungan ko si Aiden at lumipat kay Tyrone.
He plays with Aiden, I felt so happy seeing him getting along with the child. Si Tyrone yung tipo ng lalaki na madalang ngumiti sa mga tao but he has a soft side to children.
"Tita Cassandra said you like me? Is that true?". Malawak ang ngiti ni Tyrone sa labi habang pinipisil ang pisngi ni Aiden.
Aiden reaches for Tyrone's nose and pinch it that makes me giggled. "Handshome po, ishta". Sambit ni Aiden sa akin habang nakatingin pa din kay Tyrone.
I think Tyrone's eyes is amazing Aiden, his eyes always amaze people.
"You're also handsome, Aiden". Marahang sambit ni Tyrone sa bata, Aiden smiled widely that makes Tyrone smile as well.
"They look like Aiden's parents". Bulong ng mommy ni Cassandra sa asawa, sa anak na lalaki at sa asawa ni Jorge.
The four of them looks at the 3 people in front of them, Cassandra is smiling widely the same as Tyrone and Aiden.
Dumating na ang order nila at bumalik na din si Aiden sa mga magulang nito, "Those are delicious, love". Bulong ko kay Tyrone.
He chuckled and reach for the plate that I am referring to.
Nilagyan niya ng pesto ang plato ko at nginitian ako, "Eat now, love". I nodded energetically and start eating.
I just listen to their conversations, hindi rin nakaligtas sa akin ang pagtitinginan nila kuya at ni Tyrone na nasa gilid ko. Anong meron sa kanila?
After we eat, nagpaalam na ang pamilya ko. Ano yun eat and run? Joke.
"Nak, mauna na kami ha? Spend some quality time together, both of you". Masayang ngumiti si mommy sa akin.
"Take care of my daughter, kid". Paalala ni dad kay Tyrone, I nearly choke on my own laughter. May pagbabanta kasi sa boses ni dad eh.
Tyrone nodded and held my hand, "Yes, tito".
Niyakap ko na si ate Charm, kuya, mommy, daddy at si Aiden. Nagpaalam na sila at naglaho na ang mga bulto nila sa aking paningin, I face my man and look at his eyes.
"Saan na tayo? May itinerary ka pa ba?". I ask, he smiles at me and hug me tight without answering my question.
"May pupuntahan pa ba tayo, love?". Bulong ko sa kaniya.
He nodded at me and release me from the hug, "Definitely".
Kumunot ang noo ko at magtatanong na sana kung saan pero hinatak niya ako bigla papasok sa kotse niya, saan kaya ako dadalhin nito?
We are listening to songs that is playing on his speaker, nakatingin ako sa labas habang hawak ko ang isang kamay ni Tyrone.
I heard a song that plays on the speaker, napatingin ako kay Tyrone at nakita kong nakatingin din siya sa akin.
"You told me once that you like that song just like how you do to the person who's sitting in your passenger seat". I reminisce as I listen to the song playing.
I saw Tyrone's expression soften, "I still do pero hindi ko na siya gusto lang, I already love her so much". Puno ng sinseridad niyang sambit.
And I also do love you, sir.
Napatingin siya sa akin nang hindi ako tumugon, "What's your answer to that, love?".
Tinignan ko siya at ngumiti ng malawak, "I also love the one who's asking me what's my answer to his statement". Nagangat-angat pa ako ng kilay.
Nakita kong namula siya sinabi ko, adorable. "Parang ang tagal naman ata natin makarating sa pupuntahan natin, love?".
He is still focusing on the road, "10 more minutes, love". Medyo nabawasan naman na ang pagkainip ko sa sinabi niya, buti naman.
I actually enjoy being with him like this, music, good weather and us together.
Nang makarating kami sa lugar na pupuntahan namin ay namangha ako, it's a wide garden. May iba't ibang klase ng bulaklak na makikita.
I excitedly held his arm at naglakad na kami, I think he also made a reservation kasi nung pumunta kami sa counter ay pinapasok na agad kami.
Nanlaki ang mata ko sa ganda ng tanawin, there are lots of different kinds of flowers at may mga paru-paro. I look at Tyrone who's behind me and hug his neck.
"Thank you so much, ang ganda dito sobra". Bulong ko sa kaniya, he hugs me back and rubs my back.
"Come on, enjoy the view baby". I nodded and let go of the hug.
I keep on capturing photos of butterflies every time they are landing on the flowers, it's so beautiful.
Hindi ko na hawak ang kamay ni Tyrone pero nakita kong kumukuha din siya ng litrato, it is an open garden. Sa medyo gilid ay makikita mo ang buong Tagaytay, yes. Nasa Tagaytay ang lugar na ito.
"Baby, look at me".
Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang tawagin niya ako, I saw him holding his phone at nakatutok iyon sa akin. I pose a simple peace sign and smile widely as I heard him chuckle.
"It's a video, baby". Natatawang wika niya, nahiya ako at tumakbo palapit sa akin.
I approach him with a hug and buried my face on his chest, "Di mo kasi sinabi eh, ngumiti pa ako".
Pagrarant ko, tumawa siya at niyakap din ako pabalik. "This place is beautiful, right?". Tanong niya kaya napabitaw ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya.
Tinanaw ko ang buong lugar at napatango sa sinabi niya, "Yep, sobrang ganda". I felt his arms embraces my waist; he is now hugging me from behind.
He is playing with my fingers while hugging me, nararamdaman ko ang tibok ng puso niya kaya mahina akong natawa.
"Tyrone Martinez, ang tagal na natin ganiyan pa din kabilis ang tibok ng puso mo?". Tumingala ako sa kaniya at ngumiti na nakakaloko.
He places a simple kiss on my forehead and furrowed his eyebrows, "Kahit umabot pa tayo ng ilang dekada ganiyan pa din ang tibok niyan pag nandiyan ka".
I secretly smile at his words, let's make that happen.
He keeps on playing with my hand and he caresses my ring finger, "Tuwang-tuwa sa kamay ko?". Biro ko sa kaniya.
He nodded and drops his gaze on my hands, "You think there's something missing on your hand, love?".
I consciously drop my gaze as well on my hand, parang wala naman. May bracelet ako, may kuko naman ako, char.
"Wala naman eh, may kuko pa naman ako ah". Reklamo ko sa kaniya, I heard him chuckle and continue caressing my hand.
Naghari ang katahimikan sa amin nang bigla ulit siyang nagsalita, "Your ring finger, baby. It's incomplete".
Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tinaasan siya ng kilay, "Ano namang kulang?".
He sighs and reaches for something on his pocket, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa mga kinikilos niya. What triggers my tears to fall is the box on his hand.
He looks at my eyes and reaches for my hand, unti-unti ng nahulog ang luha sa mga mata ko.
"Doktora De Vera, you know how much I love you". His words started to bring tears on my eyes, "You are everything that I never knew I wanted in this life, on that 7 years na wala ka sa tabi ko. I felt incomplete and God knows how much I want to be completed again".
He bit his lower lip and continue his statement, "I did not imagine that I would be seeing you again and hold you like this, my cowardness causes you pain before. Every time I am trying to let you go, I felt so weak".
Tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ko at kaagad niyang pinunasan iyon.
"Hindi ko pala kaya, it's so unfair to hear that from someone who cause you pain but it's what I felt. Hindi ko kaya ng wala ka, you already made me experience how to be genuinely happy and how to be completed. Hindi ko na kayang mawala yun".
My heart softens when he opens the small box and it reveals a diamond ring, mas lalong bumuhos ang luha ko sa nakita ko.
"I can't offer the whole world to you because that's too big but what I can offer you is my love, my dreams, my loyalty and my home".
A smile made its way to my lips as he said those words.
"The home that I am building is useless without you on it so, doktora De Vera. Would you do the honor and share my home with me for the lifetime?". My tears probably can build a pool right now.
I can't explain the joy in my heart that is containing me, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa at tumango sa kaniya.
Sa kaniya lang ako magiging sigurado sa lahat, sa mundo ko noon na walang kasiguraduhan, siya lang ang tiyak at totoo.
I nodded rapidly and smile at him even though my tears were streaming down still, "I-I accept the honor to share your home with you for the rest of my life, engineer".
And with that I saw him smile as tears started to conquer and made their way to his eyes, he immediately puts the ring on my finger and hug me tight.
"I couldn't breathe the moment you went silent, you scared me, doc". I chuckled a little because of his words. "Sorry, engineer".
He lets me go and held my hand tight, "You're the dream that I am willing to reach again and again even if you're already dream come true to me". He said seriously.
I nodded at him and hug him tight, "I will let you reach me again and again, love. Thank you for choosing me despite of everything".
He lets me go and I blink. Suddenly, he's in front of me as we stand at the altar. Holding each other's hands and saying our vows.
"Time flies so fast, huh? I just close my eyes and here you are now, in front of me looking so beautiful on your wedding dress. Before I was wondering if it's possible to love someone harder every passing day but now, I just stop wondering. It's a yes, I keep on loving you harder and harder every second, I am always amazed seeing you kahit lagi naman kitang nakikita".
"Each time I tell you to get home safe, to sleep well, to eat your meals, and take care of yourself, I actually mean I love you. This feeling has eaten so much of me that it's starting to steal what other words mean. Nothing truly ever made sense until you came into my life, you gave meaning to every unspoken thought of mine".
"You build me and make me brand new and so, I am willing to share my dreams, my failures, my sadness, my sorrow and my home to you".
"I, Tyrone Chase Bentley Martinez, take you Cassandra Luna De Vera, to be my wife, to have and to hold you from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part".
His words brought tears to my eyes as he quickly dried those tears and held my hand, it's my time to speak.
"I never thought I would find someone to share my dreams and my failures with, akala ko noon magisa lang ako sa lahat eh". Nakita kong lumuluha na si mommy at si ate Charm pati ang mga kaibigan ko.
I focus my eyes on my groom and continue speaking, "Thank you for being the light itself to the darkness I was in, you gave meaning to me. You fix me and help me strive to be the better version of myself every day, thank you for loving my imperfections and for wiping my tears away".
"Thank you for loving me as I am and taking me into your heart. I promise to walk by your side forever and to love, help, and encourage you in all that you do. I will take the time to talk to you to listen to you and to care for you, kasama mo na ako. Hindi ka na magisa".
As I said those words, he started shedding tears which I quickly wipe.
Nasasaktan pa din ako kapag umiiyak siya, "Pangako ko sayo na dito na lang ako, sa tabi mo. I am stuck with you forever; I will choose you whatever circumstances and support your dreams and goals in life. Kasama mo na ako".
"I, Cassandra Luna De Vera, take you Tyrone Chase Bentley Martinez to be my husband, to have and to hold you from this day forward. For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part".
As we end our vows, we exchange rings and he suddenly kisses my hand where the ring is located.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may now kiss your bride". Tyrone smiles at that cue and held me closer to him.
We shared our first kiss as a couple and as a married one.
He lets me go and smile genuinely as he looks into my eyes, "I love you, Mrs. Martinez".
Ngumiti ako pabalik at tinugon siya, "Mahal na mahal din kita, Mr. Martinez".
"I can now finally call you mine and mine alone". Natawa ako sa sinabi niya at tumango na lamang.
My wife is sitting beside me, she's now eating her food. I silently chuckled when I saw her munch her food without stopping, she's really hungry.
Inabot ko ang tubig sa kaniya at kaagad naman niya akong tinignan, "Thank you, love". I smiled at her and she accepted the water.
"You're welcome, wife". I saw how she blushes when I said that endearment, my wife is really adorable.
When she said her vows in front of the altar while holding my hand, it's just too good to be true. I almost shed tears but I remember my friends were there, they will surely laugh. Lunatics...
Bigla niyang hinarap sa akin ang kutsara na may lamang pasta, her favorite of course. "Kumain ka ohh, say ahh". I chuckled as she demonstrated and open her mouth.
I open my mouth and accepted the food; I can never say no to her.
"You're happy?". I ask my wife while she's standing on the balcony watching the waves as they meet the sand.
I hug her from behind and rested my chin on her shoulder, "I am ecstatic, this is not just happiness. It's beyond that word". Sagot niya at dahan-dahang humarap sa akin, she also wraps her arms on my waist.
"Ikaw? Masaya ka?". I look at her straight into the eye and answer her, "I think almost shedding tears earlier in front of the altar is enough to answer your question, wife?".
She giggled and nodded at me, "It's enough".
Tumalikod siya at agad ko siyang niyakap muli, now I can finally sleep with her by my side and wake up seeing her still there. This is the moment in my life that I never thought I would ever want to stay the way it is.
I experienced the life without her and I can say that I would still choose the life that she's there whatever it cost me, I will do it in a heartbeat just to have her with me forever.
Before, I couldn't see myself loving someone like this but now... I couldn't picture a future without her in it.
I am Tyrone Chase Bentley Martinez, who found the woman who will share the home that I built with me for the lifetime.
Fate did not win against us, love.
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The choosing is now finished, Cassandra and Tyrone. Endgame.
See you next downfall, warriors!
-KC