Finders, Keepers

91

"Hi, love. How are you? I hope you're doing good as much as we are. Ghali's with her suitor, he said he wanted to meet you." Lumingon sa amin si daddy nang sabihin 'yon.

I smiled at him as I walked to look at mom while Calian's holding my right hand to support me.

"Hello, mommy. I brought the guy that I was talking to you about." I looked at Calian and saw that he was shocked, obviously not expecting that.

I smiled at him and winked.

"Say hi to mom, Cal." I said as I looked at mom's grave.

He moved forward and put his two hands on his back. Ilang segundo muna niyang tinignan ang puntod ni mommy bago siya magsalita.

"Hello po, tita. I'm Calian, Ghaliya always tells stories about you. Don't worry po, it's all good."

We giggled at his comment. Akala ko'y iyon lang ang sasabihin niya pero hindi pa pala. He said something more that truly touched my heart.

"Thank you po, for bringing Ghali into this world. We are truly grateful to know such a lovely and pure soul like her. She's so generous and kind, that I sometimes wonder if I'll ever be worthy of her." He looked at me and dad, then turned back his gaze on mom.

"But I promise to strive my hardest to be, and I will never make her feel undeserving or unloved. Rest assured that I will love her beyond measure." He continued.

From that moment, my choice became clear. Calian is truly the one for me. He has already proven his love to me beyond question, and I know I can't let the opportunity to be with him pass me by. I've also fallen so deeply, and like he always says, finding a way back up feels really impossible. Especially now that every part of me screams his name.

We stayed there for a couple of hours before we finally decided to leave.

"Let's eat dinner near here?" Dad asked while looking at me in the rearview mirror.

Sa likuran kasi ako naupo habang si Calian sa unahan, katabi ni dad.

"Why don't we eat at the restaurant that mom always wants to go to?"

Tumango si dad at pinaandar na ang sasakyan sa daan papunta sa tinutukoy ko.

"Mom and dad's first date is here." Bulong ko kay Calian nang makahanap na kami ng upuan sa loob ng restaurant.

"This place is perfect." Sagot niya habang nililibot ang tingin sa buong lugar at itinigil iyon sa akin.

I bit my lower lip and agreed with him.

Halos hindi ako makasingit kay daddy at Calian habang kumakain, dahil kung ano-ano ang pinag-uusapan nila. This is more like their date, I thought.

"Li, why don't you and Calian dance?" Tanong ni daddy habang nakatingin sa balcony ng restaurant mula sa glass window.

Kita ang mga couples na nagsasayaw roon kasabay ng musikang nangagaling sa lalaking nagvaviolin sa gilid. All of them look so sweet and really in love.

Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na bahagyang siniko ni daddy si Calian at nginunguso ako, kaya lumingon ako sa kanila.

Dahan-dahang tumayo si Calian at lumapit sa akin. Nilahad niya ang kaniyang kanang kamay sa harapan ko at ngumiti.

"Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand for a dance?"

Tumawa kami ni daddy sa paraan ng pagkakasabi niya no'n, maging sa pagtayo niya habang inilalahad ang kamay sa harapan ko.

"What a gentleman." Pabirong sinabi iyon ni daddy, kaya tumingin ako sa kaniya. Tumango-tango siya sa akin at pinapakita ang hinlalaki niya para magthumbs up.

Tumango ako kay Calian at tinanggap ang kamay niya. Naglakad kaming dalawa na magkahawak ang kamay hanggang sa makarating kami sa labas kung saan patuloy ang pagsasayaw ng mga nandoon kanina pa.

I looked into Calian's eyes as he held my two hands and placed them on his shoulders, while his hands found their way to my waist.

We started swaying to the music while the wind hugged us both. I closed my eyes and felt Calian's forehead touch mine. I opened my eyes, and his face welcomed me. We were now standing so close to each other.

"I want to always feel you this close to me, baby. I can't wait to hear you say yes to me." Nakangiting saad niya habang patuloy ang pagsasayaw namin.

I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes again. I rested my chin on his shoulder, now giving him a tight and warm hug.

We stopped swaying to the music.

"I love you, Calian. I'm yours from now on." I whispered to him, my face burried in his neck.

I felt his heart beat faster, and his arms around my waist tightened.

"A-Are you saying we're finally official? Baby, tayo na?" He pushed me lightly for me to face him.

I put my arms around his neck. "Yes. I'm already saying yes to you, Calian."

I saw his eyes twinkle with tears and happiness. He took a step closer to me and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I love you more, baby. I love you so much and I promise to give you all the assurance that you need. I won't ever make you feel like you're not enough, 'cause you're already more than enough for me."

A tear escaped my eyes when he hugged me again after saying those words. This is enough for me, too. Me next to him is already enough. I won't ever ask for more.

"I can't kiss you now; your dad's watching us." Bulong niya habang patuloy ang paghaplos sa likod ko.

Tumawa ako matapos marinig 'yon. He can even make me happy just for a simple joke.

"Sorry for making you wait." I said as I pull myself away from him.

He smiled and touched my cheeks.

"Baby, you are worth the wait."