Rain wakes me up for me to have my dinner. Matagal na oras pala akong tulog dahil sa matinding pagod dulot sa aking kalandian. I slowly got up and adjusted myself so I wouldn't look messy. I could even smell Rain's perfume on me and even my lipstick flushed out. He combed my hair with his fingers. A smile painted on his lips, he stares at me intently.
"What's your feeling right now?"
"You made me tired," I frowned in response to him and then stood up. He laughed a little.
"Sabihin nating ako," anas niya sa akin. "Ngunit pareho naman tayong nag-enjoy. Kaya walang talo, Ash."
Inismiran ko siya at akmang aalis nang hatakin niya ako pabalik saka niyakap ng mahigpit. Yumakap din ako bilang ganti sa kaniya saka naman niya ako hinalikan sa aking noo. I pulled away and looked at him for a moment. The joy of feeling that I can be with the man I love, but sadness is trying to enter my heart. Isang bagay na kailangan ko mabigyan ng linaw nang sa ganoon ay maalis ang bigat na aking nadarama. Hinawakan ko ang kaniyang kamay na may ngiti sama kami lumabas ng silid.
He took me to the dining room, seated me in the chair, and served me food. He was just looking at me as I ate, his eyes dancing with joy. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay sunod naming tinungo ang guest room kung saan naroon ang aming anak. Nakaupo ito habang nakasandal sa headboard ng kama, at tila may kung anong pinapanood sa kaniyang tablet. Umupo naman kami ni Rain sa kaniyang bawat pagitan.
"How's your sleep, Mom?"
"I feel better now." Tumango siya saka umangat ng tingin sa kaniyang ama at ibinaba ang kaniyang tablet.
"Master, would you allow me to go home with Mom?"
"No," sabay naming sabi ni Rain.
"What do you mean by that?" Papalit-palit siyang nakatingin sa amin ng kaniyang ama.
"No, River," I responded. "You should stay here because your daddy wants to see you every day, and your dad wants you to be safe."
"How about you, Mom?" Nginitian ko siya at pasimpleng hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay.
"I'm too busy, son," I said. I was about to speak again when Rain held my hand.
"But don't worry," Rain answered quickly. "We will be together, soon."
Napatingala ako mula sa kaniyang sinabi. Nakangiti lang ito habang nakatingin sa aming anak. Marahan kong inalis aking kamay.
"Are you going to marry my mom?" It's face shows signs of excitement.
"River," restraining him. He quickly turned to me.
"Yes, son," Rain stated. Natigilan ako at muling napaangat sa kaniya ng tingin. Nagtama ang aming mata sa pagkakataong iyon.
"I will marry your mom." Napaawang aking bibig mula sa mga katagang kaniyang binitawan. Para akong yelo na biglang natunaw at dahil nga siguro epekto na rin ito sa kilig na aking naramdaman.
I looked away from him, but he gave me a reason to look at him over and over. Si River naman ay nagpipigil sa kaniyang pagtawa takip ang bibig, gusto ko itong pagalitan pero kahit ako ay nadadala sa asar nito.
"Are you ready, Master?" tanong pa nito sa kaniyang ama na ipinagtaka ko ng kaunti. That kind of feeling na tila may tinatago silang dalawa na sekreto sa akin.
Rain breathed in and let it out and said, "Yeah."
"Then go ahead. I'll be watching you." Tumayo naman si Rain at sunod na lumapit sa akin saka inilahad ang kaniyang palad. Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa akin.
"We need to talk." Bigla akong kinabahan. Natatakot ako na naiilang sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung siya ba ay aking susundin o iiwasan na lamang. Kagat aking ibabang labi, inabot ko ang kaniyang kamay saka tumayo.
"Have a nice evening, lovebirds," River added. Nilingon ko pa siya bago kami ni Rain tuluyan na lumabas.
We were only a few steps away when I was stunned. Red rose petals are on the floor. I immediately turned to Rain, and he was just looking at me.
"What is this for?" I shockedly asked.
"Our friends are waiting for us."
I resumed my walk down the stairs. We just followed in the direction of the rose petals until we reached the backyard. There were fairy lights and balloons on the lawn. The light in the pool was also bright, but the ultra portable projection screen and the video being played on it paid more attention to me.
Mangiyak-iyak ako habang nakatingin sa screen, pinapanood ang life events namin ni Rain kasama ang aming mga kaibigan, mga panahon kung saan pareho pa kaming estudyante sa E.U, sa naging bakasyon, maging sa career namin at lalo na sa kasalukuyan. Hindi ko lubos maisip na lahat ng pangyayari sa buhay ko na kasama si Rain ay sadyang kinunan ng video. Tears finally shone in my eyes. Rain leaned in and gently held my arm and suddenly gave me a hug. A soft kiss planted on my forehead.
"I'm sorry if I made you cry," he softly said, "but I don't want to pass this night again with nothing."
Humiwalay ako sa kaniya at umangat ng tingin. This time, his eyes were wet.
"Did I tell you to cry?"
"No," he replied and held my cheeks. "I'm just happy to have you in my life."
"I'm even happier to have you, Rain."
"Mommy!" Agad kong nilingon aming anak. Tanaw ko siya mula sa bintana kung saang silid siya naroroon, at kumakaway sa akin.
In a moment, the windows of each room lit up. I smiled at what I read, but my smile was eventually replaced by tears. I purse my lips together when the lights become lighter. The words on it make me feel flattered.
Will you Marry me, Ashleigh Fortalejo?
Muli kong tiningnan si Rain. At sa pagkakataong iyon ay nakaluhod na siya habang hawak ang nakabukas na ring box.
"Ashleigh Fortalejo, will you marry me?"
Hindi ako makapaniwala na ito'y kaniyang sasabihin sa akin. Ganunpaman, mahal ko siya . . .
Mahal na mahal.
"Yes, Rain," I replied in a calm voice and smiled.
"I can't hear you." He pretended not to hear it.
"Yes, Rain," I insisted in a rather loud voice. "I will marry you."
He put the ring on my finger and finally stood up and gave me a hug again, lifting me and turning around saka ako ibinaba.
"You're officially mine," he gladly said.
"And you're even mine."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Rain." Sandali niya akong tiningnan at binigyan ng halik sa labi. An exploding sound of party poppers with confetti is heard. Ganunpaman, mas lalo pa naming dinama ang bawat halik na aming nalalasap.
"Congratulations!" I heard the screams of our friends, along with their clinking champagne glasses. I finally parted from his lips and faced them.
Rain holds my hand, curling my fingers and raising it, saying, "Ashleigh Fortalejo is officially mine." He kissed it before finally lowering it.
"Let's celebrate!" Frank shouted, and Jack turned on the stereo. River ran towards us and gave us a small hug. Bumaba kami ni Rain para siya'y bigyan ng yakap. Una niya akong tiningnan.
"I'm happy for you, Mom."
Sunod niyang binalingan ang kaniyang ama at sinabing, "Take good care of my mom." Tumango naman si Rain.
"I love you, Daddy." Nagulat si Rain sa sinabi nito. Bakas sa kaniyang mukha ang pagkasabik na siya'y tawagin sa sweet endearment na gusto.
"Do you hear me?" maawtoridad nitong tanong sa ama.
"Yes, I hear you."
"Then, what's your answer?"
"I love you, Son." Agad na niyapos ni River ang ama, isang yakap na puno ng sigla at pagkasabik. Hindi ko napigilan pang muli ang umiyak. Sobra ang saya na aking nadarama. Tunay nga na walang imposible sa pagmamahal.