"Architect!" Gavin shout at me, because I already know what's his favor.
"Nope, I won't take that project. I already have too much plates." I told while I'm fixing the project from my lola.
I sighed. I should have handed this to other architects. Masiyado na 'kong natatambakan.
I hear him groaned with much frustration. "Kaya mo 'yan. Marami pang ibang talented na architects." I gently pat his shoulder.
Binati ako ng mga ilang co workers ko rin, from different department. "Wala ka yatang work ngayon?" The girl in the finance department asked me.
"I do have a lot of work. I'm going to ilocos to check the construction." I told her without looking at her. Nag bulungan pa sila. Hindi ko na rin sila pinakailaman dahil wala na talaga akong time.
Engineer Salvador is already calling me a lot of times. Hindi pa nga ako nakakalabas ng maynila, e.
On my way to the parking nakasalubong ko pa si Chard na malaki ang ngisi sa 'kin. "Tara club daw mamaya sabi ni Valentina." He told me while I'm on a hurry. Tinanong niya pa akong kung bakit ako nagmamadalli.
"Basta pumunta ka, libre yata ni Ashey o ni Thala." He told me.
"Sa ilocos ako pupunta.. so I may not be able to join." I shrugged and went inside my car.
Nag madali akong mag maneho dahil nakakailang tawag na rin si Engineer Salvador. I told him that I'm almost.
Why do I even get a lot of responsibility. I'm just an architect of this house. Pero bakit andami kong responsibiliada. Pati banaman ang pag pipirma ng kontrata. Pag aayus sa mga halaman. Ako pa.
As soon as I arrived. Agad kong tinakbo kung saan ang opisina. Dahil tapos naman na 'yun. Matatapos na gawin ang bahay ni lola. I saw a familiar person. The person I'm longging for..
"Architect bakit antgal mo? Ms. Sheelina, this is the architect of the mansion. Architect Flores." Engineer Salvador said so loudly. I looked at her seriously, she looked like she saw a ghost from the past...
"Nice meeting you, Architect Flores." That was cool.
Hearing the words Ms, pertaing at her sounds so unsual...
We did a little orientation, but I told her that she needs to come back tomorrow. Hell, bakit ba ako nag aaksaya ng pera. I could just ask lola right now what does she want.
"Hell you." Sabi ko kay Engineer Thedore. Instead of saying something, he just gave me a chuckle.
"See you bukas. Pero pwede mo naman kasing tawagan nalang ang lola mo." Nakangisi niyang sabi.
Right. Why do I always need to make a great excuses, when in fact I can find a way. Ang layo pa naman ng la union. Sino ba siya para pag aksayahan ko ng gas.
Before I could even go back to manila, I received a message from Eisen. Saying they were all here at La Union. Hindi na raw sa club, swimming na raw. I massaged my fore head. Masiyado na yatang gumugulo ang mundo ko.
Right. Ashey was having her last shooting at la Union, probably doon na rin kami sa resort where Ashey and her team are.
"Buti naka dalaw ka." masayang sabi ni Eisen habang tinutlungan si Thala mag handa ng mga pagkain. It looks like they just came.
"I have a project nearby." I shrugged and get a hotdog on stick na naka tusok pa sa pinya. I looked around. May birthday ba?
They're all preparing for the bonfire. While I'm just taking a rest here.
"Si sierra ba 'yun?" Parang nagising lahat ng mag cells ko sa katawan. Dahan dahan akong tumingin kung saan sila nakatingin. And Eisen even caught me.
"James! si Sierra andito!" Kylie shouted. I closed my eyes. Mabuti nalang at ni rentahan ni Ashey ang resort. She invited few people from the orphange nearby. Pero aalis rin namn daw sila mamayang six. Kaya walang masiyadong tao. But how come she's here?
Somehow, I'm glad that I'm able to eat dinner with her after years.
"Ex mo 'to diba James?" Walang hiya talaga 'tong si Chard. I looked at him with a serious face. Pero tinawanan lang ako. May binulong pa si Kylie sa kaniya.
Somehow it felt irritated. Puro nalang boyfriend ni Sierra ang pinag uusapan. During the bonfire. I've know the reason why she's here. She's currently living at Ilocos, and Kiko isn't her boyfriend. For some reason, I know why she chooses here. bakit nandito siya sa ilocos.
Those night, I saw how helpless she is. That's how I wanted to protect her, but I failed.
I wanted to show her, how amazing she is. The way she holds every accounts. She was doing perfectly fine. She's really good at balancing.
The process was tough. I need to go through her parents once more. I promised them this will be the last time I'll be kneeling in front of them.
"So, when will be the wedding day?" Alam kong nagulat si Sheelina, dahil alam namin pareho na hindi pa naman ako nag pro-pose sa kaniya.
I looked at her slowly as she gave me as sweet smile. She gestured a thumbs up. Nasa harap kaming hapag, sumisikat na ang araw. Maya maya ay aalis na rin sila dahil may mga trabaho pa raw sila.
We talked about the wedding. How ironic we already settle the wedding date it will be on September 21. But I haven't proposed to be her husband, yet.
I'm planning to do it more memorable. I have plan this all along, together with the help of her family.
"Ayaw ko talaga sa anak niyo." My mom said which made me looked at her. We're at Sierra's house at ilocos. I'm planning the proposal which will be held on japan.
"We both know how hurt they were." Dirediretsong sabi ni mama.
"Ma." I whispered at her, and gently hold her hands.
"Pero nung nakita ko kung paano niya alagaan ang pamangkin niya. Doon ko nakita na magiging mabuting ina siya sa mga apo ko." She said and slowly smile.
I sighed with relief, akala ko hindi pa matutuloy at magkaka labasan ng sama ng loob.
"Thank you for raising your daughters, well." My mom sincerly said, which made Sheelina's mom smile.
"And, thank you for raising your sons well. He's very patient with us." Sabi naman ng nanay ni Sierra.
We're having a garden wedding. It's just simple and only our favorite people are invited at our wedding. We both knows how expensive it is.
We'll be having our first dance as a married couple. They're already preparing. Tumayo muna si papa. My father in law, and went near us. Chard and Ashey will be singing, while Aney, and Eisen will be playing the instrument. Thala will be do the piano, because there will just be a musical later.
Sir, I'm a bit nervous
'Bout being here today
Still not real sure of what I'm going to say
Chard started to sing, as soon as papa went near us.
So bare with me please
If I take up too much of your time
"Ang ganda naman ng anak ko." That's when Sierra teared up. She's a dad girl.
But you see, in this box is a ring for your oldest
She's my everything and all that I know is
It would be such a relief if I knew that we were on the same side
'Cause very soon I'm hoping that I
"Pa, thank you." She said almost in a whispher. I gently tapped her back as she talked with her father.
Can marry your daughter
And make her my wife
"Thank you, sir. For allowing me to take care of your daughter." I told him, and smile gently. He giggled.
I want her to be the only girl that I love for the rest of my life
And give her the best of me 'til the day that I die, yeah
"Ano ba sabi ko?" masungit na saad niya. Napatingin sa 'kin ang asawa ko.
I'm gonna marry your princess
And make her my queen
"papa." I smiled at him. It was surreal. It's one of the best thing I did.
Papa gestured us to have our first dance already. The host also announced it. "Sana makakuha tayo ng maraming pera." I giggled while we walked to the dance stage.
I found a love for me
Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
"Thank you for being patient with me." She told me while we're dancing. We're just swaying here in the dance floor while the guest are putting money on our clothes.
"I'll always be patient with you." I chuckled.
Thala was there playing piano, instrumentally. Slowly I saw our squad going to us one by one and attaching money.
"Sabi na kayo talaga ang hanggang dulo." nakangising sabi ni Eisen at sinabitan kami ng pera. I thought pinag isa na ni Eisen at Andrew ang bigay nila pero sumunod si Andrew.
Kylie and Chard went to us together with a smile. With those huge smile alam kong malaki ang bigay nila. "Enjoy the honeymoon, sweethearts." Kylie said and winked at Sierra.
I saw how my wife blushed.
Few of our family went together. Nagpa huli ang mga kaibigan ko. Si Aney at Ashey. I don't know what they're up to, but I guess. They still can't believe that I'm already a married man.
"Ako ninang ha?" Natatawang sabi ni Ayciee. She was with Kath, Sierra's friend during college.
"I never knew that you'll be the fourth one who'll be married. Akala ko tatanda kang binata." Ashey chuckle, as she attached money on our clothes.
"Ang tindi rin ng pag ibig niyo, e. Hanga ako lagi sa storya niyo." She said and smile.
"H'wag kang mag alala may libreng check up kayo lagi." She giggled.
"I remember you told me something." She said and chuckled.
"If only things you could stay even longer. I hope you all could be with me." Andami niyang naalala. She has a strong memory to remember.
"And now, looking at you happiest. I no longer need to ask for more. " She chuckled and wiped her tears. She's been like that. She's an emotional person.
"We're happy for the both of you. You both find the peace within one another. See you, 'til our next chapter." She said before returning to her seat.
We al deserve to be happy...
Sierra smiled at me and hugged me. "Thank you for keeping me sane. For being with me balance all those trials and errors. " She said while we're swaying.
After that, the program resumed. She changed her clothes to the more comfortable.
During the last thing to do. We thanked everyone who made to our wedding day, to our sponsors, and everything.
"Before I closed my last entry, I have a surprise for everyone." Sierra smiled and looked at me.
A surpeise coming from her?
"To my parents, be ready." She giggled, making it more thriller.
"James." Seryoso niyang sabi kaya napa tayo ako.
"You're going to be a dad of two." We all hear noises, but it's me who's still not processing a thing.
"Yes, we're having twins!" Masayang sabi ni Sierra, may mga confetti na sumasabog sa paligid namin.
"Aren't you hapy?" She asked and hugged me.
"Damn. I'm the happiest." I hugged her tightly.
Oh fucking. I'm going to be a dad!!
I feel like anytime my heart will burst with happiness.
"I actually have a surprise for you." I giggled and get the paper bag in the side of our couch we're were seating.
She slowly unwrap the paper. I saw how happy she is...
I've draw her and our future kids. They were four. It's in front of our house in Cavite. We're both carrying one baby and holding our twins that is grown up.
Two boys, and two girls. I hope my prediction is correct.
"You've drew your asset." She tear up again, with joy. I wiped her tears using my thumb.
"Yup, I had draw my asset." I smiled at her genuinely and touch her stomach.
She's the asset I've draw long time ago, before knowing she will be the children of our kids. She had balance everything. I'm proud of her, always. Looking how happy she is, made me happy. It's the life that I drew. I knew it will be my last plate...
Architect James Denvour B. Flores
Who has finished his last plate.
I Had finally Draw my Asset.
.//.