Change Your Mind [Completed]

Epilogue

A stern Diego Tantoco II and Saritha Tantoco welcomed both of them. Kakauwi lang nina Dahlia at Miguel galing Boracay. And Miguel drove her home to also talk to her parents formally.

It has been two days since they got engaged formally matapos ng iyakan at tawanan nila sa secluded villa na iyon.

"I feel like your dad's gonna kill me," bulong ni Miguel sa kanya ng papalapit na sila sa sala at nakikita nila ang animo'y galit na mukha ng ama niya.

"Relax," she whispered back. "Ma, Pa," bati ni Dahlia and gave the both of them kisses. "Sorry, nadelay ang uwi namin. Umulan kasi at nagpatila pa kami."

"Hi, Tito, Tita," bati ni Miguel at humalik rin sa pisngi ng Mama ni Dahlia. He was supposed to shake hands with Dahlia's father but he remained stoic.

"Mabuti naman at nakabalik kayo kahit may bagyo," masayang bati ni Saritha sa kanilang dalawa.

"Si Gio po?" Miguel asked.

"Well, he hasn't come home yet. Something about a dare. That he has to live with this friend for a week just to fulfill a dare."

"Oh," Miguel exclaimed. Hindi pa rin pala tapos ang dare na iyon with Selena, a friend of Katrina that they met in Aspen's birthday dinner.

"Anyway, dinner's ready! All Dahlia's favorites. Halina kayo!" Saritha led them to the grand dining hall.

Umupo sa head chair ang ama ni Dahlia at ang mama naman niya ay nasa kanan nito. So Dahlia chose to sit to her dad's left side at tumabi naman sa kanya si Miguel.

"Wow, Ma, you really didn't have to do this," masayang kumento ni Dahlia after seeing all the food laid out in front of them.

"Oh, I know we have something to celebrate about kaya nagpahanda talaga ako!" masayang wika ng mama niya.

"Meron nga ba?" nakakatakot na tanong ng Papa niya, while eyeing Miguel.

"Yes, sir. I formally proposed to your daughter. I promised you she'll come back with a ring on her finger, right? And she said yes."

Natatawa si Dahlia. Miguel seemed so tense in front of her dad. Parang high school ito na na-corner ng teacher sa recitation.

"Congratulations!! This makes me so happy. Patingin naman, hija!" masayang wika ng Mama niya while asking for her hand.

She showed off her diamond ring to her mother who squealed with joy.

"Sabi ko na nga ba at kayo din ang magkakatuluyan sa huli. I never doubted it for a minute. Nadiscover namin na tumataas ka sa bakod namin, Miguel, nung nasa college kayo. Akala ni Manang Celia kasi may magnanakaw pero ikaw lang pala nung pinasubaybayan namin nung sumunod na gabi," masayang masayang kumento ng Mama niya.

"Kung hindi ko pa tatakutin ay hindi magpo-propose," kumento naman ng Papa niya. "Matapos na ilang beses ng umakyat ng bakod. I only tolerated you because you were my best friend's son. Had you been someone else's son, ipapapatay na kita right there and then!"

"Dad!" singit naman ni Dahlia. "Be nice."

"I'm really sorry, Sir. I promise to take care of Dahlia as always."

"Pa, Mom, how's Aspen?" biglang tanong ni Dahlia, steering the conversation elsewhere. She wanted to know kung nakapagpaliwanag ito ng maayos kay Katrina matapos mawitness ng dalaga ang fake engagement announcement nila.

"Hindi namin alam. Have you told Aspen about your plans to break the engagement and get married with his best friend? Magugulat marahil si Aspen dahil hindi niya alam ang tungkol sa inyo," her mother said worriedly.

"Oh, Tita, he does know about us," Miguel assured her mother. "Pero ako na ang bahalang kumausap kay Aspen. And also, just in case, I can talk to Tita Celine and Tito Atticus. I'm sure they would need an explanation."

"Dapat lang. Matapos mong itanan ang anak ko, kailangan mong magpaliwanag sa aming lahat," singit muli ng Papa niya.

"Pa, grabe ka naman. He proposed to me already! Aren't you happy for me?"

"Pero pinaghintay ka ng ugok na 'yan!" hirit pa rin ng ama niya.

Wala na siyang nasabi.

"I'll make her happy, Tito. I'll do anything to make up for the last years. I love your daughter more than my life," Miguel sincerely said.

"Siguraduhin mo lang. I will skin you alive should you choose to hurt my only daughter."

"Y-yes, Tito."

She just hid her laughter and amazement at Miguel. Ibang klase ang determinasyon nito ngayon. She's supremely happy now. Hindi niya alam na may sagot pala sa mga dasal at hinaing niya nitong mga nakaraang taon. It didn't matter now whether she waited for eight years. All she knew was that she's happy now. With him. And that's all that matters.

She reached out under the table to hold his hand. And he held it back with the same intensity. Now, she's sure that they would be together forever.

THE END.

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A/N: Hope you liked this cute ending. Vote and send me some love before we close this chapter!

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Naalala ba ninyo iyong time sa istorya ng "Hideaway" na nadawit sa Dahlia ng pumutok ang balita about  Aspen and Katrina sa press. Here's the story behind that. Ito kasi ang time when Aspen admitted to his family that he's in love with someone else - Katrina for that matter. At doon din inamin ni Dahlia that she's in love with Miguel.  So there won't by any Alcaraz-Tantoco nuptials happening.

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