Up Where We Belong

Chapter 45

Celebration

"Bakit may nakita akong petition paper sa guest room nang bumalik ako doon?" hindi ko napigilang itanong.

Napatigil siya at napaismid nang may maalala.

"Naalala mo noong inalok kita at sinabi kong nakahanda na ang mga dokumento para mapawalang bisa agad ang kasal?"

Tumango ako. He had clearly told me the papers were ready as he spoke. I was adamant to get out of the setup as soon as it ends. 

"You agreed right away knowing we'll get annulled after a year. I put it there because I didn't want you to see it in our room. I was about to discard it, Tiffany. That morning, dinala ko lang iyon sa guest room noong naligo ako doon dahil sira ang shower ng kwarto natin. Pero ibabasura ko na iyon nang araw na iyon. Gusto kong totohanin na natin ang pagsasama natin, Tiffany. Umalis lang ako ng bahay sandali noon para bumili ng magiging agahan natin. Pero pag-uwi ko nalaman kong umalis kana," he explained without taking his eyes off me.

All along, I was making wrong assumptions. From now on, I should throw away unnecessary thoughts and focus on what matters the most. I have to be honest with my own feelings and trust in love.

I'm sorry for not trusting him as much as I should. I guess it's my insecurities acting up because I thought he'd choose a childhood best friend over me. Or I kept thinking that our marriage would end up like my parents. 

"I'm choosing you, Stanley Gabriel Alcantara, over my pride, over my doubts, and over the faults, I have in my life," I sincerely said as I looked up at him. I hope that it was enough to assure him that I'm all ready to go on with life together with him.

"If you think I have given up on you, Tiffany Sheen Alcantara, then you're wrong. Mahal kita at pipiliin kita sa araw-araw. Hindi ko maipapangakong magiging perpekto ang relasyon natin but you can always be sure of me, I promise." He cupped my face and sighed softly. "No matter how hard and crazy things get, never doubt my love for you. You're more special to me than anything in this world. Kaya pakiusap, Tiffany, huwag mo na akong layuan. Hmm."

Tumango ako. "I give myself in a sweet surrender." 

I bit my lower lip before putting a smile on my face.

"Thank you." He gave me a soft kiss on my forehead.

Napahawak ulit ako sa tiyan ko. I could feel it quivering again. "I think I'm throwing up."

"Again?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

Iginiya niya ako papasok ng banyo. Hindi ko alam na may isusuka pa pala ako.

"Are you sure it's not something serious?" tanong niya pagkalabas ng banyo. He put his hands on my shoulders. Sinuklay ng daliri niya ang buhok ko nang umupo ako sa tabi ng kama. "Do you think you should see a doctor, don't you?

Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong niya. Nakita ko ang perfume sa ibabaw ng bedside table. "Don't wear this perfume. Discard it."

"Why?" Kumunot ang noo niya at pinalandas ang mga kamay sa aking mga braso.

"I hate the smell. Ang baho, Gab! Kanina ko pa naamoy 'to sa eroplano. I prefer the one you were using before this."

"Kaya ba gusto mo kong lumayo sa'yo kanina?" Hindi maitago ang disappointment sa mukha niya.

"Pero hindi ko naman naamoy kanina habang nasa labas tayo ng kwarto mo. Nagkagulo lang ang tiyan ko nang nandito na tayo sa kama," banayad kong sabi.

Totoo naman kasi. Iyong perfume talaga ang salarin bakit naudlot ang seremonya.

Tumango ito na tila nakakaintidi. "I took a bath. Maybe, that's why. At nang dito na tayo sa loob, naamoy mo 'to dahil nasa bedside table lang."