Hola! This is a short note before you read the special chap 🤣. Anyways, nawala iyong list of characters ko sa AIHTG so may kaunting pagbabago sa mga names. Sana hindi makaapekto sa pagbabasa niyo 😊. And thank you po sa paghihintay 💜.
Ps. Unedited pa rin 🤣. Love you.
Special Chapter: All I Have to Give
"Baby, do you need anything?" tanong ni Helion sa akin nang silipin niya ako sa loob ng banyo. I was facing the sink while reaching for my toothbrush.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya. "I'm just going to brush my teeth."
"Okay," he sighed. "I'm sorry."
Mahina akong tumawa. "For what?"
"I'm always away. I can't give you much attention right now." Sumandal siya sa hamba ng pintuan at malambot akong tinitigan. I smiled gently while reaching for the toothbrush and the toothpaste. Tiningnan ko siya sa salamin habang naglalagay ako ng toothpaste sa sepilyo.
It's not a wonder that whenever he comes home, he would always ask if I need anything. Kapag nandito siya, palaging ako 'yong inaasikaso niya kasi kapag nasa labas siya ng bansa mahirap na ang sitwasyon kasi hindi kami palaging nag-uusap.
"Ano ka ba? It's okay, alright? At saka kailangan ka doon."
"But the wedding?"
I chuckled, "We're just two months engaged. The wedding can wait. At saka..." I paused. Kinagat ko ang aking labi habang pinag-iisipan kung sasabihin ko ba.
When we got engaged two months ago, I was in pure bliss but later on, I realized that Helion never got his father's approval. I never got that too. Kaya nag-aalinlangan ako kung pwede bang magpakasal na kami nang hindi nalalaman ng kaniyang ama. Sure, they forgave each other but I am not sure if his father approves me now.
Napatingin ako sa salamin nang naglakad si Helion patungo sa akin. His eyes glowed gently as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. Tipid akong ngumiti sa kaniya sa salamin.
I don't know if I could ever get his father's approval. Kahit naman mahal ako ni Helion, alam ko rin naman na, iniisip niya pa rin ang ama at kagustuhan nito. He grew up with him, and of course, there would always be a part of him that longed for his father's approvals. Kaya baka ma-disappoint ko lang si Helion dahil hindi ako gusto ng kaniyang ama para sa kaniya.
"Are you still bothered?" he asked me lowly. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa hawak na mga bagay at tipid na tumango. I can't lie to him. We should be honest with each other, now that we are more closer than ever. At sa mga susunod na buwan, magpapakasal na kami.
He sighed heavily. "It's still not the right time to tell him, baby. I don't want to risk."
"I know, and it's okay."
"But," Napatingin ako sa kaniya. He was already staring at me with his green piercing eyes. Malaya kong natitigan ang kaniyang mukhang may bahid ng pagod.
"I don't think I can wait, too. I want to bravely tell him once again that I am going to marry you and only you. There's no one perfect for me but you, Raya. No one but you." He kissed me on my cheek and hugged me tighter.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa sepilyo. I broke out into a smile as I watched him. Hindi ako nagkomento sa kaniyang sinabi at nagsimula ng magsepilyo.
When I was done brushing my teeth, that's the only time that he untangled himself from me. Nang lumabas ako ng banyo ay sumunod naman siya, yumakap ulit. Tumili ako nang pareho kaming natumba sa kaniyang kama. His face was buried at the hollow of my neck. 'Yong kaniyang ilong ay humahagod na sa aking balat at parang paulit-ulit akong inaamoy.
"Bango," he whispered like a child and started sniffing me all over. Tawa ako nang tawa dahil sa kiliting hatid niyon. His hands were already on my stomach and caressing me softly.
"I missed you." He whispered as he started kissing me. I giggled softly while my hand moved on its own and tangled my fingers with his hair. I gently stroke his strands as he continued showering kisses to my neck and my jaw.
"I missed you too." I whispered back. I felt a pinch in my heart whenever I say this to him. Kahit na engage na kami, minsan pinapangambahan pa rin ako sa tuwing aalis siya. Minsan ay naiisip ko na baka naaksidente siya habang papunta rito o baka may kumuha sa kaniya. Those petty imaginations would always get to me like a plague.
There was that one time when he didn't call me and I was worried. Pakiramdam ko bubuhos ang luha ko sa tuwing hindi niya natutupad ang pangako na uuwi siya sa ganoong araw. Minsan dinadaan niya ako sa pasurpresang pag-uwi kaya hindi ko maiwasan minsan na sungitan siya o di kaya'y hindi kausapin. I would always give in because I miss him and I want to talk to him longer.
Our engagement strengthened our relationship. Mas naramdaman ko ang taling nakapulupot at nakakonekta sa aming dalawa. I was happy that I could be closer to him this way. I had no inhibitions whenever I expressed something to him because I know that he'd understand. Kahit marami kaming oras na nasayang, alam ko namang para iyon sa mga importanteng bagay.
"Ang aga pa para dito!" I whisper-yelled at him when I felt him unbuttoning my jeans and pulling down the zipper. He just chuckled sexily on my neck while he continued doing what he was doing.
I groaned in desperation. Uminit ang aking pisngi nang tanggapin ng aking labi ang kaniyang mga halik. I gasped for air when he touched me sensually on my most private part. He successfully removed my jeans while I struggled on kissing him back.
I admit, I am not a good kisser. At siya...parang alam na alam niya palagi kung saan ako pahihirapan. I would always embarrass myself whenever we do something like this.
"I missed you, okay? I love you." He bit my lower lip. He then trapped it in between his lips and pulled it. Hindi ko na kinaya at hinawakan ko na rin ang laylayan ng kaniyang t-shirt na suot. I raised it up a bit and touched his hard abdomen. He groaned in my jaw when my fingers touched the hard lines, dividing his stomach.
"Baby, stop that." Huminga siya nang malalim. I bit my lower lip harder when I saw his reddened face. Hindi ko alam bakit ang bilis niyang mamula kapag ginagawa ko iyon.
Do I turn him on that easily? May naramdaman akong tumama sa aking binti nang subukan niyang pigilan ang mga kamay ko at mas lalo niya akong inilapit sa kaniya.
"Wala naman akong ginagawa?" I tried to mask an innocence. Pinaningkitan niya lamang ako ng mata at itinaas niya na ang aking kamay. He put my hands over my head preventing me from doing anything. I squirmed under him like a worm trapped in a heavy stone. Mas lalo niya akong inipat sa kaniya and there, I felt how ready he was for me.
Suminghap ako.
He grinned. "Yeah, I miss you that much."
"Palagi naman!" angal ko at humalakhak. He covered my laughter with an open-mouthed kiss in which immediately turned intense as he rubbed himself on me.
There are moments where I think I want to marry him immediately after he proposed to me. Pero siyempre, hindi naman palagi ay ako ang masusunod. My Tita Rima wanted a grand wedding for me and that's also the case for Tita Penny. Nagkakasundo ang dalawa sa lahat ng bagay at napagalitan pa nga si Helion dahil sinabing gusto niyang magpakasal kami kaagad.
There are a lot of preparations since we got engaged. Ang sabi ko naman, unti-untiin lang dahil masyado pang abala si Helion. Kailangang maging stable muna ang lahat bago kami magpakasal at kailangang maayos muna namin ang mga iyon.
"Are you sure about this?" Helion asked me as he held my hand. Nakatunghay siya sa akin at malambot ang mga mata. Worry was etched on his face. Kahit naman noong sinabi kong pupunta kami ng Greece ay hindi na nawala ang pagkabahala sa kaniyang mukha.
"I'm ready. I am always ready to face your father again." Ang sabi ko.
Today felt different. Iba sa naramdaman ko noong una kaming magkita ng kaniyang ama. My first meeting with his father was sudden and it left a shock on me. Syempre, hindi ko pa rin naman makakalimutan ang pag-ayaw nito sa relasyon namin ni Helion. At the end of that day, I couldn't change his mind and I was hurt. Maliban pa doon ay may ginawa ang kaniyang ama dahilan kung bakit nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na malabo na silang magkaayos ni Helion.
But like I said, today felt different. Maybe it's because Helion was with me that's why I didn't feel any pressure. Siguro kung aalis siya sa tabi ko ngayon ay baka maglupasay ako sa kaba. Helion is my strength in this battle at kung mabigo man, susubukan namin ulit.
Nang pumasok kami sa mansyon ng kaniyang ama, humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay ni Helion. My heart slowly pounded as someone approached us in a dark suit.
Silang dalawa lang ni Helion ang nag-uusap at nakatingin lamang ako. They were speaking in Greek that's why I don't understand a thing. Namamangha lang ako kasi nag-iiba ang paningin konkay Helion sa tuwing ibang lenggwahe na ang kaniyang binibigkas. He somewhat became more attractive to me.
"Let's go?" Helion asked gently. Ngumiti ako. The man in a suit smiled and bowed to me again. Iginiya kami nito papasok sa isang hallway. Helion said that his Dad was transferred downstairs. Mas mabuti na iyon kaysa akyat-baba ang mga tauhan para pumunta dito. It was also convenient for his Dad kasi kailangan din naman nitong gumalaw-galaw kahit papaano.
His Dad was feeling a bit better now. As of now, there's still no cure for his lung cancer. May treatment naman kaya hindi lumalala ang sitwasyon ng kaniyang ama. It's a miracle, maybe. Na kahit gaano man kalupit ang ama ni Helion, God is still giving him a chance to live. I am not that cruel to actually wish for him to die. Ang mas gusto ko pa nga ay magkasundo kaming lahat dahil alam kong ikasasaya ko rin naman ito. Helion's family is also important to me...and what more for our future children, right?
My heart pounded harshly as Helion pushed the heavy door to open. Bumungad sa amin ang isang simpleng kwarto na may malawak na bintana. The curtains were parted in order for the natural light and air to enter. Parang nakatulong iyon upang makahinga ako nang maayos.
My eyes landed on the figure sitting on the bed. Sa gilid nito ay may babaeng nakatayo at may itinitimplang inumin. The man on the bed turned his head on us. Hinanda ko ang aking simpleng ngiti upang pagbati. Helion's father's eyes were ruthless and harsh the first time I saw them but this time around, I know that there was something different in his eyes. They scream weakness and fragility.
"Helion," a voice interrupted. Napalingon ako sa babae na nagsalita. She looks a little bit younger than Tita Penny, I supposed. Matangkad rin at medyo malaki ang pangangatawan. Her eyes were gentle. May hawig ang kaniyang mukha sa ama ni Helion.
"Theítsa..." Helion smiled. Bahagya siyang lumingon sa akin. "That's my father's cousin, Aunt Philo."
Tumango ako. The woman looked at me and smiled. "Ypothéto óti eísai arravoniastikós tis Helion?"
Kumunot ang aking noo dahil hindi ko naintindihan ang kaniyang sinabi. She then chuckled when she realized it. "My bad, " she said in a thick accent. Lumapit siya sa amin at binalot ako sa isang yakap. I was caught off guard and I didn't know what to react with that bone crushing hug.
"You're so beautiful," she whispered when she untangled herself from me. "Eínai san ángelos! Oraía!"
Helion chuckled. "Symfonó."
Helion's Auntie, Philo, smiled. "I'm glad you could visit us." Nilingon niya ang ama ni Helion na nakatingin na sa amin. "Échete episképtes..." she said.
Tumingin ulit ako sa ama ni Helion. He was just staring. Pakiwari ko ay naguguluhan siya kung bakit kami nandito. Helion never told his father that we'll visit. Pakiramdam ko ay takot siya na baka pagwalan siya ng ama na dalhin ako dito. But upon entering his room, his dad never said anything. Magandang bagay ba iyon para sa aming dalawa?
I hope so.
"Patéras..." Lumapit si Helion sa ama. Sumunod ako kahit hindi sigurado ang gagawin. Aunt Philo was just smiling as the scene unfolded in front of her. Bahagya akong yumuko.
"You're here," narinig kong anito. It wasn't meant for Helion based on his tone. Inangat ko ang aking tingin upang makasalubong ang kaniya. His eyes didn't seem angry, in fact, they were filled with diffidence. Something that I didn't imagine.
"I do not deserve to meet you again after what I did to you," he said in a weak and low voice. Napatingin siya sa anak at malungkot na ngumiti.
"Dad, she's here for you." Helion said. Naupo siya sa gilid ng ama. Inilahad ni Helion ang kamay sa akin at tinanggap ko naman iyon. Helion pulled me gently. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya ama, bahagyang naluluha.
"G-good day, S-sir." I greeted with a stutter. "Uh, I am here to uh..."
"Syngnómi." He bowed weakly. "I don't have the right to judge you from the very start. I'm sorry. I regret what I did to you. If you're here because you haven't forgiven me, I...I..."
Suminghap ako. Agad kong kinuha ang kaniyang kamay upang pakalmahin siya. His eyes were bloodshot and he struggled for the words to say. Alam kong mahirap magsalita sa kaniyang kondisyon, more so if he felt an intense feeling. Naiintindihan kong marami siyang gustong sabihin ngunit hindi niya naman lubusang masabi sa akin.
And I truly understand.
"Sir, it's all in the past now. Even when you've got nothing to say or do, I have already forgiven you. It's not really in my nature to stay angry with people and I truly understand before that you don't want me for your son. I wasn't the person that you like for him and you, being the protective father, only wants what's best for him."
"You are," he said weakly and smiled. Tumingin siya sa akin at tinitigan ako sa pinakamalambot nitong pagtingin. Nawala ang pangamba sa aking dibdib at napalitan ito ng kakaibang gulat at saya. Whenever I looked at him, I am reminded of the man I love and will marry. His green eyes would always show the image of someone that I dearly love and want to spend the rest of my life with.
"You are what's best for him. And I was blind to see that. I was blind to see that my son is happy with you and not with the fate that I put up with him. Eísai i eftychía tis Helion."
"Eínai, bampá. Einai." Helion interjected and smiled at me.
"Thank you." He said and squeazed my hand. Tuluyan na akong naluha dahil hindi ko nakayanang dalhin pa ang nararamdaman ngayon. At last, I witnessed now the interaction between a father and son. This was Helion's wish and I am happy that it was finally fulfilled in front of me.
"Thank you for forgiving me and loving my son despite of everything. I am sorry for the years that I took away from the both of you. And whatever your plans are, with or without asking for permission, I will grant all of them. All for the happiness of the both of you."
"O ángelos klaíei, Ílios!" Aunt Philo said and chuckled a bit. I don't understand what she said but it seems funny because they all cracked a laugh too. Kahit na si Helion na hindi sinasabi sa akin ang mga hindi ko naiintindihan ay tumatawa na.
Helion stood up. Tumabi siya sa akin at iniyakap ang isang braso sa aking baywang. His father stared at us lovingly.
"C-can I, uh," I bit my lower lip. Tumaas nang bahagyang ang kilay ng kaniyang ama.
"She's shy but she wants to hug you." Helion said for my sake. Mas lalo kong kinagat ang labi at bahagyang kinurot si Helion.
His father nodded. Ang kamay kong nahahawakan nito ay bahagyang niyang hinila. I was pulled gently to his body. Nabitawan ako ni Helion. Unti-unti ay napalapit ako sa kaniyang ama. Naramdaman ko ang unti-unting pagbalot ng kakaibang init sa aking pagkatao. I slowly lifted my hand in order to give back the warmth that he gave me. Pumikit ako at taimtim na nagpasalamat.
Surely, I have dreamed for this thing to happen. Pero hindi ko inaakalang matutupad ang panaginip na ito. The warmth of a father is what I truly dreamed of. At ngayong ramdam ko na ang init na pagtanggap, hindi ko alam kung ano pa ba ang bagay na maihihiling ko.
"So, when is the wedding?" Aunt Philo asked when we both settled in the dining area. Iniwan muna namin si Helion at ang kaniyang ama upang mag-usap. Surely, they need to talk about business and some other things. Palagay ko ay pag-uusapan rin nila ang tungkol sa aming kasal.
"We haven't planned about the wedding. I actually wanted to settle everything first before we finally plan for it. "
"What if you never got Helios' approval? Won't the wedding push through?" she asked in curiosity.
Ngumiti ako. Sa totoo lang, gusto kong respetuhin ang desisyon ng ama ni Helion. But of course, I value my relationship with Helion. Ang kasal ay kasal at pinangako namin iyon sa isa't isa. Surely marami ang magsasabi na dapat ay inayos namin ang lahat pero paano kung hindi? Paano kung ayaw talaga? Ang masasabi ko lang, pakakasalan ko si Helion kahit anuman ang mangyari. I will always cling on the thought that miracles happen all the time. Hindi man sa panahong hinihiling pero alam kong matutupad pa rin.
"Hmm, you'll push through, right? I know Helion. He is persistent. No one could ever change his mind. His weakness is his father before, but I think that it also changed when he met you. You are now his weakness and I doubt that he'll let you go in an instant."
"Ah, such young love. So strong and persistent." she exclaimed. "I am happy for the both of you."
"Thank you."
We talked about other things. Di naman nagtagal ay lumabas din si Helion mula sa kwarto ng kaniyang ama. He informed me that we could stay the night at their mansion. Pinlano namin na sana ay mamamasyal kami habang narito kaya medyo tumagal din kami sa Greece ng apat na araw. His father was glad that we could stay for a little bit longer. Ang dami nga naming napag-usapan na para bang naghahabol kami ng oras.
I was afraid to think that any moment he'll be leaving his family. Siguradong mas mabigat iyon sa parte ni Helion. That's why maybe, while he still have time, he was making the most out of it. He even suggested that we should get married soon and build a family. Ang kislap sa kaniyang mga mata ay isang ebidensya kung gaano niya kagustong makitang maging masaya si Helion sa napiling landas.
"I love you." Helion whispered to my ear as he hugged me from behind. Ipinatong ko ang mga kamay sa kaniyang braso na nakapulupot sa akin. I leaned closer to his chest as we watch the stunning sunset of the known Oia town in Santorini.
"Let's get married soon." He whispered. Tumango-tango ako at may nagbabadya ng ngiti sa labi.
"Okay. If that's what you want." I agreed.
"We both want it, " he countered. Humalakhak ako at tumango-tangong muli. Inalis ko ang pagkakatingin sa magandang paglubog ng araw.
"Okay. We both want it. What do you say? August? It will be seven months from now." Dinungaw niya ako. His mesmerizing green eyes blended with the pink and orange hues of the sunset.
"August? Don't you want it on July? Say your birthday?"
"Eh?" I pouted. "Ayaw ko ng double celebration!" angal ko.
Helion laughed. "Then, why August?"
"August is the month where we first met. You know? At the bistro?" I said.
"I didn't know you're that sentimental. My Christmas gift from that year was still there in your room right?" He said with a teasing tone. I pouted more. Binigyan ko siya nang masamang tingin pero kalaunan ay ngumiti din dahil naibalik ko na ang tingin sa magandang tanawin.
"August it is." He hugged me tighter. He placed his chin on my left shoulder. "I can't wait, baby. Se agapó."
I can't wait too. Seven months from now, I'll be Mrs. Georgiadis. And I don't know, maybe, nine months after that...I'll be Mommy Raya.
...and I can't wait.