WARREN KHAN POV
Hindi ko maalis ang ngiti sa labi habang pinagmamasdan ang asawa kong maganda kahit natutulog.
Its been two years since we got married and I'm still hella in love with her. Sleeping and waking up with her was one my dreams. Kapag ang matamis niyang ngiti at maamo niyang mukha ang bumubungad sa akin sa umaga, talagang kahit maraming gagawin sa trabaho ay hindi nasisira ang araw ko.
Lahat ng memories namin, happy or not, naaalala ko pa. Especially our wedding. She was really freaking beautiful that day.
One of the memories I remembered was the time na nagkahiwalay kami. Sinabi ko noon sa sarili ko na dapat ko na siyang kalimutan.
-Flashback-
Years ago....
Malalim akong napa-buntonghininga nang mapansing si Lara na naman ang iniisip ko.
Kanina pumunta kami ng secretary ko sa mall to meet someone, I remembered her. Two weeks ago, I went to France to take a break but I also fucking remembered her. And yesterday, I ate at restaurant we used to eat, naalala ko rin siya. Puro mali 'yung mga decision ko dahil sa bawat pinupuntahan ko siya 'yung nasa isip ko.
And that is not good dahil hindi ako makapag-focus sa trabaho. Nadi-distract ako!
Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tinawagan si Harvey.
"Are you free?" bungad na tanong ko nang sagutin niya.
"Papunta na ako."
"Wait-"
"Oo. Magdadala ako ng alak. Hintayin mo ako diyan," he said then ended the call.
I smirked. It's nice to have bestfriend who knows what you want in just one question. Like Harvey.
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"Isang paraan lang ang naiisip ko diyan pare," he said after I stated my problem. "Move on."
I chuckled. "I can't. I know I can't. That's impossible."
"Warren walang imposible kung gugustuhin mo. Mahirap talaga mag-move on lalo na kapag mahal mo talaga 'yung tao. Pero p're isipin mo, araw-araw kang mahihirapan. Araw-araw mo siyang maiisip kaya hindi mo rin magagawa 'yung trabaho mo ng maayos. 'Di ba? Ikaw rin."
"But how could I? How the hell I could?"
"Ito makinig ka........."
-End of Flashback-
I realized that Harvey was right so I did what he said that night. I tried to move on.
'Yung mga steps na sinabi niya, ginawa ko. Avoid going to places that I'll surely remember her, avoid interactions with things, food that she likes. I also kept myself busy para mawalan ako ng time na maisip siya.
Sinubukan ko ang lahat ng 'yan at inakala kong success. Well yes, a little, I guess. It worked for exactly two weeks. Because after that, I went to a party and this shit happened.
-Flashback-
"Hello Mr. Warren Khan, it's nice to meet you," I smiled a little to a businessman who greeted me.
"Thank you."
Habang naglalakad papasok ay maraming bumabati sa akin ngunit tipid na ngiti lang ang aking sinusukli.
Tumunog ang phone ko so I stopped for a while to answered it.
"Yes, Dad?"
"Hello son. I'm just gonna ask, where do you think we should buy stuff for Avery's birthday? You know your Ate is picky."
Mahina akong natawa. "Yeah, that's right. Well I don't know her favorite shop but try mo pong tumingin doon sa isang luxury brand na lagi nilang pinupuntahan ni Hailey. Ask Hailey where---"
"Girl, have you saw Lara Zhao latest photos? She's so pretty!"
Biglang tumibok ng mabilis ang puso ko nang muling marinig ang pangalan na pinaghirapan kong huwag maalala. Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita saka tumingin sa dalawang babaeng nag-uusap sa likod ko.
"Yes, and you are really right! My gosh! Hindi na ako straight." They laughed.
Latest photos? Where could I find that?
"Stopped when heard her name, huh?"
I blinked. "Y-Yes? Wh-Where are we?"
I heard his laughed so I frowned.
"What's funny?"
"Son, I think you need a intensive talk with yourself. I gotta go. Thank you, bye."
"Wait! What are--- Shit!"
-End of Flashback-
Dahil sa pangyayaring 'yon, I found out that, my moving on plan wasn't successful. Because isang rinig ko lang sa pangalan niya, nawala na agad ako sa focus. What the heck.
I badly want someone to talk to but lahat ng puwede kong lapitan, busy. Monica was pregnant that time so Harvey wasn't free. All of my family members were busy in their work. They can stop to give me a minute but I was too shy to call.
So I decided na mag-vacation. It was nice, I can say. Nung araw na pauwi na ako, may mga sign akong nakita.
The first one was 'Everything happens for a reason' , second 'Trust the process, don't give up' , third and last one was 'Don't force yourself to do things you know, you're not capable.'
In a inscrutable, mysterious ways... Nakatulong sa akin ang mga sign na 'yon. It affected me. It made me realized and decided to trust the process because everything happens for a reason so don't give up. Ganiyan. Ganiyan siya umiral sa utak ko.
There's a reason behind everything so I just have to fucking wait and trust His plans.
And last, 'Don't force yourself to do things you know, you're not capable.' I can have a moving on plan, I can go wherever I want, I can eat whatever I want without forcing myself to forget her because that's the only thing, I guess, I couldn't do.
And a good news? I succeeded. That's why I'm here laying in bed next to her.
Years passed and a memorable night happened. That was the night I saw her walked when she was being introduced as Zhao's unica-hija. Aside nung wedding namin, ang ganda ganda niya rin nung gabing 'yon.
Nung umuwi kami ng pamilya ko non, I asked them what's the reason sa pagkakaayos naming mga Khan sa mga Zhao. At first ayaw nilang sabihin but who could resist Warren Khan's charms? Kaya sinabi rin nila.
I really got mad because who wouldn't? I have respect for women but that Clara is exception. Call me whatever you want but yeah.
Everything went on smoothly. Tuwing gigising ako sa umaga tapos maaalala kong in a year makakasama ko na ulit si Lara, ginaganahan ako.
Our family was serious on making us have interactions before their revelations so they planned some event. And my favorite was the one I gave her the invitation. She was confused which is cute. Mabuti nalang napigilan ko ang sarili kong halikan siya.
Christmas day, the day of revelation comes. Actually tuwing naaalala ko 'yung gabing 'yon, natatawa ako because I was really fucking nervous but of course still handsome.
"Bakit gising ka pa?" tanong ni Lara na hindi ko napansing naalipungatan.
"I can't sleep."
Tumingin siya sa akin. "Why?"
"I don't know, I just can't."
"Gusto mo timplahan kita ng milk?"
I bit my lower lip. Why the fuck she's so cute?
"Or hot choco? Anong gusto mo?"
Akmang tatayo na siya pero hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at binalik siya sa pagkakahiga. I hugged her and kissed her forehead.
"No need, I'm fine. Thank you."
"Ano nga? Titimplahan kita."
"There's no need, love. I just need to hug you."
She giggled. "Sure?"
"Hmm."
Siniksik niya ang ulo sa dibdib ko. "I love you."
I smiled. "I love you more."
Malalim akong napa-buntonghininga habang nakatingin sa asawa kong busy sa night skincare routine niya. Mga products ni Ate Avery ang ginagamit niya and it's nice to see her supporting my sister. But the fuck, ang tagal niya. Gusto ko na siyang yakapin.
"Love, aren't you done yet?"
Sumulyap siya sa akin. "Malapit na."
"Pang-ilang beses mo na 'yang sinagot."
"Ilang beses ka na rin kasing nagtanong."
"Because how I cannot. Kanina ka pa diyan,"
Humarap siya at naglakad papunta sa akin saka umupo sa tabi ko.
"Sus, gusto mo lang ako i-hug," sabi niya at mahinang pinalo ang braso ko.
"Yeah..." I answered and hugged her. ".. I love you hair. Its so smooth."
"Thank you," she sweetly said. "Magpapaalam pala ako sa 'yo love,"
"What is it?" tanong ko at marahang bumitaw sa yakap saka hinawakan ang kamay niya.
"Kanina pumunta si Insan sa office ko tapos nagchikahan kami, siyempre. Tapos nagka-ayaan kaming uminom."
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Huwag ka muna magalit, wait. Hindi lang naman kaming dalawa. Kasama namin sila Nicole, Chloe, Jeremy at Paolo. Anim kami."
"Where?"
"Sa bar ni Kiel."
"When?"
"Tomorrow night."
I sighed. "Kakainom mo lang last two days. Kaya mo ba?"
"Oo naman love. Ako pa."
"You can't go, then."
"Can't? Bakit?"
"First of all, you have work tomorrow so you will get tired. Kapag pumunta ka, hindi ka na makakapagpahinga ng mahaba. Second, what the fuck will I do here while you're there? Third, you will get drunk and dance with strangers, I know you."
Ngumuso siya. "Hindi ako iinom ng marami para hindi ako malasing at sumayaw sa strangers saka para makauwi rin ng maaga. Tapos late night date tayo."
"Hindi mo kaya 'yan love, I swear. I'm sure kapag umuwi ka dito, you are freaking wasted."
"I will not promise!" Itinaas niya ang kanang kamay.
I shooked my head.
"Sige na love. Naka-oo na ako kay Insan, e."
"Without asking me first?"
Naiwas ko ang tingin ko nang yakapin niya ako sa bewang.
"Sorry. Naisip ko na kasing baka hindi ka pumayag, e. Sorry na."
I sighed and looked at her.
"Promise me you will not get drunk and dance with strangers, especially men." I seriously said.
"Promise."
"Fine. You can go."
"Talaga!? Thank you love!" She smiled and tighten the hug.
"Enjoy the night but know your limitations and don't forget your promise."
"Yes po. Thank you ulit. I love you."
I hugged her back and caressed her hair.
"I love you more."
"Your promise. Don't forget." I said to my wife bago siya pumasok sa VIP room.
"Yes, don't worry. You can stay at Kiel's office, if you want."
"No, nakakahiya. Uuwi ako then call me if tapos na ako, okay?"
"Okay,"
I gave her a peck kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you, take care."
Mariin akong napapikit nang makita si Lara'ng nakahiga na at kinakausap ang sahig. I put my tongue inside my cheek saka siya nilapitan at inupo.
"You promise me you'll not get drunk, didn't you, Lara?"
Tumingin siya sa akin tapos ngumuso.
"Love. Galit ka?"
"Do I look I am?"
"Hmm."
"Then, yes. I am mad."
"Uh, Kuya Warren," napatingin ako sa pinto nang marinig ang boses ni Kiel. "Sorry, hindi ko nabantayan 'yung mga iniinom nila. Walang hard drinks pero naparami siguro sila. But hindi naman siya lumabas dito, si Ate Monica pati 'yung mga kasama niya nandoon na sa baba, sumasayaw. Inaaya siya kanina pero ayaw niya. Sorry talaga."
"You don't have to say sorry, it's fine."
He smiled a little. "Sorry pa rin po."
"Don't worry." I smiled without showing my teeth. "We'll go home now. Would you mind telling it to them?"
"Ah, sige po, sure. Ingat po kayo."
Binuhat ko si Lara ng pa-bridal style at muling nagpaalam kay Kiel saka lumabas at isinakay siya sa front seat. Kinabitan ko siya ng seatbelt bago sumakay sa driver seat.
"Ang sakit ng ulo ko."
"Inom pa. Do you want coffee?"
"Can I have?"
"I'll buy."
"Sige. Thank you."
I start the engine and drive smoothly. Huminto ako sa Starbucks at mabilis na bumili ng coffee na favorite niya then gave it to her. May dinala akong hoodie kanina na isinuot ko sa kaniya para hindi siya lamigin.
"Thank you love," sabi niya habang tinatanggal ko ang seatbelt niya dahil nandito na kami sa bahay.
I looked at her seriously. "You get drunk."
Bumuntong-hininga siya saka maliit na ngumiti. "I'm sorry."
"Do you think that's enou---"
"For not being a good wife."
I frowned. "What are you saying?"
Umiling siya. "Wala. Basta I'm sorry."
"No. What do you mean?"
She shooked her head again then wrapped her arms around my neck.
"I love you so much. Sana hindi ka mapagod sa akin."
I hold her both cheeks. "You are a very good wife, love. And I will never get tired of you, swear to God."
"Even.. hindi pa kita mabigyan ng anak?"
"Now, I know. You're sorry because until now, we still hadn't child."
She nod slowly. "Y-Yes.. To be honest."
"Love, I want to have a child, of course.. But until you are not ready, we will not have one. You will be the one who will carry pregnancy, so it depends on you, okay? I can wait."
Ngumuso siya saka niyakap ako.
"Thank you. I love you."
I hugged her back and kissed her forehead.
"I love you more."
Months later....
Sabi ng iba,
'Kung mahal mo talaga 'yung tao, ipaglalaban mo siya hanggang dulo.'
Hindi naman ako kontra diyan, pero hindi sa lahat ng sitwasyon ay tama 'yan.
Kasi paano kung habang lumalaban kayong dalawa para sa relasyon niyo, nasasaktan niyo naman 'yung mga taong unang nag-alaga sa inyo?
Sa kuwento namin ni Lara, dumating sa puntong nakipag-hiwalay siya sa akin for the sake of our both family. It is true that is hurts like hell, hard as rock, pero if in the end pareho kayong magiging masaya, then endure the pain, it's not for forever.
We love each other pero nung mga panahong 'yon, our relationship is up to no good. Kaya even I don't want to, I set her free. Hindi 'yon madali, really not.
Sa bawat gising ko sa panibagong araw, siya ang nasa isip ko. Naaalala ko, there was time that I took my phone to call her but then I remembered, we're done. I sighed a damn deep sigh. What a fool me.
But that were all part of our past, a painful but worth to remember memories of us.
"Nandito na naman tayo sa witness ng lovestory natin na tinalo lahat ng mga naging witness,"
Mahina akong natawa sa sinabi ng maganda kong asawa.
We are here standing in front of Eiffel Tower. Today is our third wedding anniversary and dito sa France namin napiling mag-celebrate. Siyempre. Saan pa ba?
"Dito mo ako tinanong if you can court me and if I will marry you," tumingin siya sa akin nang may naghihinalang tingin.
"What?"
"Baka may binabalak ka na naman, ah. Baka bigla kang lumuhod diyan at tanungin ako kung gusto kitang pakasalan ulit."
I chuckled, again. "And what if I would? Anong isasagot mo?"
"Hmm..."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Pag-iisipan mo pa?"
"Charot," natatawa niyang sabi at inayos ang suot kong polo shirt. "My answer would be.. No."
"What? Why the heck?!"
"Gastos lang 'yon, love. Kailangan rin nating magtipid 'no."
"I don't care about the expenses. What are my black cards for?" I said and wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo."
"You look so beautiful tonight, my love."
"Just tonight?"
"Everyday,"
She laughed and lightly hit my chest.
"Tatlong taon na tayong kasal, bolero ka pa rin."
"I am not kidding, love. Even you asked everyone here."
"Sige. Tanungin ko 'yung pogi na 'yon pati name niya."
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Try."
"Charot hehe," she cling her hands on my neck.
"Nobody gonna love me better
I must stick with you forever
Nobody gonna take me higher
I must stick with you
You know how to appreciate me
I must stick with you, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way
I must stick with you." She sing.
"You're already stick with me."
"You're so tall and handsome as hell. You're so bad, but you does it so well."
I smirked. "Thanks."
She giggled.
"Happy Third Wedding Anniversary, Warren. I'm so lucky to be your wife. Being with you is paradise."
"Happy Third Wedding Anniversary, Lara, my love. I can't imagine my life without you. You're my home."
Nilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kaniya at agad niyang ipinikit ang dalawang mata. I sweetly smiled then kissed her in a very romantic way.
"I love you," she said when we stopped.
"I love you and I will always be..." I smiled. ".. loving you. My C.E.O. I will always Loving the C.E.O. , of my heart."
We both chuckled then hugged each other.
Lara is not just my wife, but my life. The most beautiful part of my life.
She's beautiful, but that’s not the only reason why I love her. I love her because her heart is as beautiful as her. Lara's kind heart and amazing personality make me wonder what I did to deserve her as my wife.
She's my happiness.
Her smile, giggles, hugs, kisses, cares are my strength. I go crazy when we fight and she's not talking to me. When she's sad, I go sad. When she's hurt, I go mad.
She's my queen. I'm her king.
She's my love. I'm his love.
She's devotedly mine. I'm faithfully hers.
She's my Pandaleigh. I'm his Ren-Ren.
We belong to each other.
Today. Forever.
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