Carleigh Jade Revaz
"Why you didn't tell me Sebastian?" I said to him while holding his hands. We're here in the hospital for Yezxia and I can see that, looking at her makes me so hurt too kahit na hindi ko pa sya ganon katagal na nakakasama.
The fate is too cruel for her. Napakabata pa nya.
"Do you really need to know? I thought Mom and Dad already told you everything?" He said saka sya napabuntong hininga. I just look into his hands that's now playing my fingers. Parang wala parin sya sa sarili nya.
"Honestly, you don't have to. Pero bakit kaylangan mong magpanggap na hindi mo ako kilala? Ganon mo ba ipakita na namiss mo ako?" Pabirong sabi ko sa kanya.
"I just can't face you that time. A-And I'm so embarrassed for myself. Gulat na gulat ako nang makita kita. I didn't expect na susundan mo ako."
"You didn't expect na susundan kita dito? Halos isang taon ka yatang walang paramdam sa akin? Paanong hindi pa kita susundan? Masyado kang nag-pamiss." I said to him saka ako humilig sabalikat nya. Sa totoo lang wala akong kahit na anong tampo o galit na nararamdaman ngayon. I'm too happy right now to feel that.
"You're still childish! You didn't change." Natatawang sabi nya sa akin kaya napasimangot ako saka ko sya tiningnan ng seryoso.
"I changed a lot Sebastian if you just know. Madami akong binago para sayo at para sa atin. I tried my best to be better and worth it for you. At kahit itanong mo pa sa kanilang lahat, walang kahit na sino akong pinansin. I'm patiently waiting for you because I already reserved your place here. Did you understand?" I said saka ko itinuro sa kanya ang dibdib ko. Bahagya lang naman nya akong tinawanan.
"Hindi mo man lang tatanungin kung kamusta ako?" I said to him.
"Why would I? I know what happened to you in every hour and in every day of your life even I'm not with you. Thank god I didn't saw you with any guy dahil baka umuwi talaga ako."
"Tsk! Kung ganon pala dapat nanlalaki na ako para napauwi agad kita?"
"I'm not joking Carleigh. And if Grey isn't my friend? I'm really going to punch him the moment I saw the two of you dahil palagi syang nakabuntot sayo."
"When did you become friwnds with him? I thought mortal enemies kayo?" Natatawang sabi ko sa kanya.
"He became my friend since I saw him here. Pinilit nya akong pauwiin but I'm too guilty to leave Yexzia. Dahil nong araw na tinawagan nya ako, punapauwi nya ako pero mas pinili kong manatili sayo. And that's why I didn't call you too dahil baka isang lmbing mo lang kapag pinauwi mo ako ay tumakbo agad ako pabalik sayo. And since Grey is the only one I can contact everyday about you, naging close na kami. Kahit na minsan alam kong naiinis na sya dahil araw araw at gabi gabi akong tumatawag sa kanya." He said sa sya bahagyang natawa sa huling sinabi nya. So all this time nagkaka-usap talaga sila ni Grey? Damn!
"Let's not talk about it anymore. Ang mahalaga okay na ang lahat. Stable na ulit ang family namin at nandito na ako ngayon sa tabi mo. Kasama na kita and that's what important right?" I said before I stretched my hands straight to his face to touch his cheeks. He close his eyes the moment my palms landed on his cheeks. Hinawakan nya ang kamay ko saka nya 'yon hinalikan.
"Neomu saranghae." He whispered while looking into my eyes so I smiled at him.
"Nado. Nado saranghae." I answered. Kita ko pa ang pagkagulat nya sa sinabi ko pero hindi ko na 'yon pinansin. I make my move and I ended the gap between us to claim his lips. I wrapped my both arms on his nape and kiss him like there's no tomorrow waiting for us. Parang gustong kumawala ng luha ko nang maramdan ko ang pagganti nya sa mga halik ko. Sa sobrang kakaiba ng pakiramdam ko ngayon ay parang panaginip at wala lahat ng ito sa reyalidad.
Ako na ang unang lumayo sa kanya nang parang may narinig akong boses.
"Did someone enter? Parang may narinig akong boses?"
"There's no one." He said kaya napatingin ako kay Yezxia. Lumapit ako sa kanya at pinakinggan ko kung sya ba ng narinig ko.
"What happened? Did you heard her?" Nag-aalalang tanong agad sa akin ni Sebastian saka nya tiningnan ang kapatid nya. Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Yezxia at napahawak ako sa bibig ko nang maramdaman kong gumalaw 'yon.
"She moved!" I exclaimed saka ako humarap kay Yezxia at paulit ulit ko syang tinawag.
"Yezxia? It's me, your noona. Yezxia?" I said at rinig kong tinatawag din sya ni Sebastian.
"She's not awake." Pag-suko ni Sebastian saka sya napasandal sa may pader. Umiling lang naman ako sa kanya saka ko hinawakan ang noo ni Yezxia at tinawag ulit. And from there, I saw that she slowly opened her eyes.
"Sebastian! She's awake! Your sister is awake!" Masayang sabi ko sa kanya saka ko pinindot 'yong button para tawagin ang doktor.
"Yezxia? Damn! You're finaly awake." Parang naiiyak na sabi ni Sebstian. Hindi naman makapagsalita pa si Yezxia dahil may tubo pa ang bibig nya. Nakatingin lang sya sa amin pero kitang kita ko sa mata nya na miss na miss nya ang kuya nya. Napahawak ako sa bibig ko saka ko bahagyang lumayo kay Yezxia para mabigyan ko ng space si Sebastian. While looking at Sebastian, I know how relief he is right now.
I hope, everything will going to be fine and easy for him because he experienced a lot. Everything he have been through is enough.
Enough for him.
Enough for all of us.
"Welcome home Yezxia. Finally hija." Tita Ariane said to Yezxia when she finally come home. She's full recovered now that's why the doctor let her go home. It's been 3 weeks that I've been here in Korea and I feel so home already. Nauna nang umuwi sa akin si Grey pagkatapos lang ng isag linggo. I also told Mom that I will be herw for a while. I want to be with Sebastian more. Gusto kong punan 'yong mga oras na pinalipas ko lang noon sa Pilipinas habang hinihintay sya.
"Thank you everyone. This is very much appreciated." Yezxia said before he accept the flowers from his brother. I immediately get my phone and took a picture of them.
"Your english is getting better and better. Did you study while you're sleeping? A year is too long." Pagbibiro ni Sebastian sa nya hinalikan ang kapatid nya sa noo nito.
Totoo pla talaga ang sai nila. Even the coldest person will always have a soft spot for someone who's very special to him. Napatunayan ko 'yon kay Sebastian.
"Maybe I did?" Natatawang sagot naman nito kaya napatawa na rin kami.
"And maybe you can tell Noona about our secret slash surprise for her?" Excited na sabi ni Yezxia.
Noona? Ako ba ang tinutukoy nya?
"What secret? And surprise?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanila pero nakangiti lang silang lahat sa akin.
"Come with me Noona. I'll show you what I am talking about." Excited na sabi ni Yezxia kaya napatingin ako kay Sebastian. Para namang sinabi nya na sumunod ako kay Yezxia kaya sumama na lang ako dito.
"Where are we going Yezxia?"
"Just trust me Noona." She said kaya nagpatianod na lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa makarating kami roof deck nila.
"Why is it so dark here?" I said to Yezxia habang mahigpit na nakahawak sa kanya. Nagiging paranoid ako bigla kapag may ganitong mga surprise. Hindi naman siguro 'to 'yong napapanood ko sa movie di ba? Na mga cannibal at vampires pala sila tapos iaalay nila ako sa diyos diyosan nila?
Dan! What am I thinking? Jade pull yourself!
"Close your eyes Noona." She said kaya sinunod ko na lang sya kahit na wala naman na talaga akong makita ngayon. Naramdaman ko na lang na may nilagay syang panyo sa mata ko. Lalo akong kinabahan sa ginagawa nya.
"Sigurado kayong hindi prank 'to huh? Medyo mataas 'to Yezxia."
"I don't understand what you're saying Noona but one thing is for sure. This isn't a prank. This is going to be lifetime." She said saka ko naramdaman na inakay nya ako hanggang sa paupuin nya ako saisang malambot na upuan.
"Stay here for a while Noona. Hyung will be here. But remember, don't take off your blind fold until Hyung say so okay?" I heard her said kaya tumango na lang ako.
Narinig ko na lang ang papalayo nyang yabag. I hugged myself when a cold wind blows. But the cold I am feeling immediately goes away when a couple of arms wrapped around me from my back. And from there I don't need to ask for his name. His touch is already familiar and his scent is too noticeable not to know that he is Sebastian. Definitely his presence is sating clearly that he is my man.
"Sebastian what is this for? Pinapakaba mo ako dito sa blind fold na ito." I said to him pero naramdaman ko lang na hinalikan nya ang pisngi ko kasunod non ay ang mas mahigput pa nyang yakap.
"Can you hear my heartbeat?" He suddenly said kaya napahawak na lang ako sa braso nya na nakayakap sa akin.
"I will try to hear it if I'm sure that the name I will hear is mine. Is it really me Sebastian?"
"Do you want me to prove it to you?" He whispered to my ears. His breath makes me more cold.
"How?" I said pero hindi ko na sya narinig na nagsalita. Sa halip ay isang pitik na lang mula sa kanya ang narinig ko. Bigla kong narinig ang mga sarili naming boses sa kung saan.
"Sebastian?"
"Hmnn?"
"Pwede bang umupo ako sa likod mo habang nag-pupush up ka? Kahit 30 push ups lang?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"I'm not. A-Ayaw mo ba? H-Hindi ba pwede?"
"Of course pwede. Come here."
And when I heard that sound I immediately hold my blind fold to take it off pero mabilis nya lang na nahawakan 'yon kaya hindi ko natanggal ng tuluyan. Halos kilabutan ako sa tono ng pananalita ko. Sobrang pabebe ko at halatang nagpapacute ako.
"What the hell is that Sebastian? S-Stop it!" Nahihiyang sabi ko sa kanya pero narinig ko lang ang paghagikhik nya.
"Sebastian? Ilan ang gusto mong anak?"
"Kahit ilan."
"Ako gusto ko mga five. Mag-isa lang kasi ako at sobrang lungkot. You know mas masaya kung madami kang kapatid. You will have an instant play mates."
"That's a good idea. Bakit hindi na natin gawing sampu para mas masaya?"
"I'm not a pig Sebastian!"
"Ouch! Why did you hit me? I thought you want a happy and big family? Let's make it ten then?"
Another voice said. It looks like he is playing a video of us at sya lang itong natatawa habang pinapanood 'yon. Nakagat ko na lang ang ibabang labi ko dahil sa kahihiyan.
"Will you marry me? Please say you will. Please."
And from that begging voice, kahit na hindi ko tingnan alam ko kung anong video ang laman non. Mahigpit akong napahawak sa brasong nayakap parin sa akin ni Sebastian. I don't know why but I started to be silent to listen to that clip. Parang bawat salitang naririnig ko ay pinapanood ko sa utak ko. Sobrang linaw at klaro.
Naagaw lang ulit ang pansin ko nang biglang mawala 'yon at tumahimik upit ang paligid.
"Do you remember all that moments Carleigh?"
"Why would I forget about that?" I said and I can feel that the blind fold in my eyes is slowly getting wet. I don't know why I am being emotional right now. But hearing all those clips are just so sweet. Hindi ko alam kung paano nya nagawa 'yon pero sobra akong natouch.
Bigla ko namang naramdaman na lumayo sya sa akin. Nalaman ko lang na nasa harap ko na sya nang hawakan nya ang kamay ko saka nya dahan dahang tinanggal ang blind fold ko. Nang matanggal nya 'yon ay awtomatikkong napalibot agad ang mata ko sa paligid. Doon ko lang nakita ang marami pang video clips na nag-paplay sa iba't ibang screens sa paligid ko. Kami 'yon ni Sebastian noong nasa Pilipinas pa sya. May ilang video clips din na palihim nya akong kinuhanan.
"How did you do this?"
"I just did. Did you like it?" Nakangiting sabi nya sa akin habang pinupunasan nya ang luha ko.
"Hindi naman kaylangang may surprise ka pang ganito. Kakauwi lang ni Yezxia dapat solo nya ang atensyon mo ngayon."
"Maybe you're right but she is the reason why I came up here. She made me realize that life is to short to waste every single second of it. If there's something that you wat to do, did it without hesitation because there might be no tomorrow for it. And countless of what ifs and regrets are just living with us. We can't avoid it so let's not be scared about it anymore."
"Sebastian?" I said because I'm so touched on what he said. My man knows how to make me so special over anything.
"I know this isn't the first time I did this. But I hope I can still make this special for you like the first time because the woman I will kneel for is the same woman I knelt on before. The same woman I've been praying for since the very beginning I felt the thing they called love. And since I already gave you the engagement ring before, let me give you our wedding ring right now. But the question right now is, will you still accept it? Will you still give me a yes? Tell me the same answer you've answer me before. Please say yes Carleigh." He said before he bend his right knee in front of me and the whole place was started to light up. Pati ang mga artificial na puno sa buong paligid namin na nagsisilbing bubong ng roof deck at nagkaroon ng liwanag. And even the floors. It has lights and it looks like an aisle now. Sa dulo noon ay saka ko nakita ang malalalaking letra.
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
"Sebastian? You don't have to ask this damn same question again and again. Because it will always be a yes."
"Y-Yes?" Parang hindi makapaniwala na sabi nya sa akin kaya hinawakan ko na ang dalawang pisngi nya habang deretsong nakatingin sa akin.
"You don't want a yes? I'll give you my I do. I do Sebastian. Let's get married and this time it's for real." I said and a tears escaped from his eyes. Parang hindi parin sya makapaniwala. Napaluhod na rin ako sa kanya saka ko kinuha ang singsing sa nanginginig nya na mga kamay. Ako na mismo ang nag-suot noon sa akin habang ang isa naman ay isinuot ko na sa kanya.
"Even death can't make us apart now. Stop crying." I said while wiping his tears away. Kinuha lang naman nya ang kamay ko saka nya 'yon hinalikan. Kulang na lang ay marinig ko ang hagulhol nya.
"I'm sorry if I'm being too emotional. I just didn't expect that you will still yes. Because after what I did to hurt you-"
"It's enough Sebastian. You have nothing to be afraid of. Dahil kahit ilang beses mo akong iwan, hahanapin at hihintayin parin kita kahit saan ka man magpunta. At kahit ilang beses mo akong saktan, paulit ulit lang akong babalik sa napakaraming dahilan kung bakit kita minahal. Kung bakit ikaw parin ang minamahal at mamahalin ko hanggang sa maubos ako." I said sincerely before a tears tried to escaped from my eyes.
"You will be my first and last Carleigh. I love you so much. So damn much." He said before he finally stood up and hug me.
Napabitaw lang ako sa pagkakayakap nya nang biglang may mag-flash na mga camera.
"Dad? M-Mom? You're all here?" I said when I saw Mom who's now crying beside Dad. Halos sabay sabay naman kaming napatingin sa langit nang biglang may pumutok na napakaraming fireworks. Agad na lumapit sa akin si Yezxia at naramdaman ko na lang mahigpit nyang yakap. At kahit maingay s buong paligid, narinig ko ang mahinang pag-iyak nya.
"Yezxia?"
"Thank you for making my brother the happiest man. He was never been so happy like this. And it's my happiness to seeing him finally choosing the right woman for him. You made his dream come true Noona. I don't know what I can do for you in exchange for doing this for hyung. I will be forever greatful Noona." She said kaya napangiti ako s kanya saka ko ginantihan ang yakap nya.
"I should be more thankful because I have your brother." I said saka sya kumlas sa pagkakayap sa akin.
"Congratulations hyung. You finally made your wildest dream come true." Pagbibiro nito kaya halos lahat kami ay napatawa sa kanya. Niyakap lang naman sya ni Sebastian saka sya humarap kina Mom.
"I'm sorry Tita Astrid and Tito Conrad but I can't wait any longer. I will marry Carleigh tomorrow morning here in Seoul." He said kaya nagugulat akong napatingin sa kanya.
"You already prepared everything? Paano na lang kung nag-no ako?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko sa kanya.
"But you said yes so it's alright. We're getting married tomorrow. I'll send your dress on your room tonight."
"At may gown na rin? Damn Sebastian masyado mo akong pahangain."
"And he also have the venue Noona." Natatawang sabi ni Yezxia kaya hindi na lang ako makapaniwalang nakatingin kay Sebastian.
"Congrats hijo. You're going to be my son legally. Sa wakas matutuloy na." Napatingin kami kay Dad na nasa tabi na pala namin. Agad ko syang niyakap nang makita ko sila ni Mom.
"Yes Tito Conrad. Finally." Sebastian said.
"That's going to be the last time you will call me Tito." Dad said.
"Thanks D-Dad." Nahihiyang sabi ni Sebastian kaya natawa na lang ako.
"And you are not going to call us Tita and Tito anymore. Welcome to our family Carleigh. My soon to be daughter in law." Tita Ariane said to me kaya lumapit ako sa kanila at niyakap sila ng mahigpit.
"Thanks Eomma, Appa." I said after I hug them.
"Did I heard it right?" Tita Ariane said.
"Does my accent sounds weird?" Nahihiyang sabi ko pero tinawanan lang nila ako.
"It's okay hija. As time goes by, you will be fluent just like us." Natatawang sabi ni Tito Ortiz kaya nahihiya na lang akong tumango.
After a long rough road for all of us, finally we got a chance to have a moment like this. This is one of the most precious moments that happened in my life and I am hoping for more special times with them.
I just didn't found a right man for me. I found a family too.