Hinahanap - Hanap Ko Siya

Chapter 36

"MOMMY SERAH!", sigaw ng isang pamilyar na boses.

Tumindig ang balahibo ni Sarah at nakita niya sa di kalayuan si Bamboo na naglalakad papunta sa kaniya. Oh my God, of all places na magtatagpo sila, dito pa talaga sa Golden Gate Bridge at sa gitna ng traffic, habang kasalukuyang nagtatalo ang mga karamihan gawa nga ng traffic!

Paano ang sorpresa niya kay Bamboo?! Naistatwa nalamang siya habang papalapit ng papalapit si Bamboo hanggang sa tumigil ito sa harap niya.

She was about to throw herself at him, sa soooobraaaang kamiss niya rito ay gusto niyang halikan at yakapin si Bamboo kahit pa marami ang makakita sa gitna ng kalsada at trapiko. Ngunit nagtaas ng kamay si Bamboo, signaling her to stay put.

"What are you doing here, Mommy Serah?", tanong nito sa kaniya.

Napatitig sa mukha niya si Sarah. Inisa isa niya ang bawat detalye ng mukha ng lalaking mahal niya, sa isip na parang memoryado na niya ang bawat guhit ng mukha nito. Nahalata niyang pagod na pagod ito, malamang wala pang pahinga galing sa Australia. Lumukso ang puso ni Sarah. Gusto niyang hagkan na si Bamboo pero nagtimpi siya at umamin sa plano niya.

"Daddy Boo", malambing niyang nasabi, "susurpresahin dapat kita eh", napataas ng kilay si Bamboo. "Kase diba sabi mo sunduin mo family mo? Sasama sana ako sa pagsundo."

Bamboo was gazing at the most amazing woman -- no, amazing person he has ever known. He didn't have a clue if he ever made anything so wonderful in his past for God to bless him with Sarah. She's the missing piece that fits the hole inside of him.

His chest seemed to be bursting with so much kept emotions as memories chased one after the other, right before his eyes.

Happy memories. Sad memories. All of them were very important for him to remember, for their relationship was built with all of those beautiful and painful experiences, which made them grow tighter and stronger, somehow. If he didn't believed in God before, he completely do, now. For only a higher being could ever think of colliding their worlds together and giving them a chance at forever.

And he wanted that. Forever. He wanted that with Sarah.

He was never afraid of death before, but he now yearned to live a longer life. For Sarah. For their future family.

He felt a million and one butterflies swimming in his stomach. It seemed like the world had suddenly stopped and everyone and everything else around them vanished. They only have eyes for each other.

Both were completely oblivious to their surroundings. They didn't see the people stopped doing whatever it was that they were doing and were all looking at them now. Untill one by one, people got out of their vehicles and started gathering around them, not minding the traffic any longer. But the couple remained unmoved.

"Surpresa?", tanong ni Bamboo ng nakabulsa ang mga kamay. He was gripping the little velvet box in his right fist while trying to calm his nerves down.

"Oo", sagot naman ni Sarah na bakas ang pagkakamiss niya rito kay Bamboo. "Tatawagan sana kita pagdating ko ng hotel, eh."

"Ako. Ako ang may surprise for you, Mommy Serah", sabi ni Bamboo. "Though God knows, this isn't how I planned on proposing, haha", natawa siya ng magkahalong kaba at nerbiyos.

Nakunot ang noo naman ni Sarah. "Propose?", kumabog ang dibdib niya. Pinagpawisan siya bigla ng malamig. Nanlaki mga mata niya ng makita niyang lumuluhod na sa harapan niya si Bamboo.

"Oh my Lord!", nanginginig na sambit ni Sarah, at napahawak siya sa dibdib.

Lingid sa kaalaman ng dalawa ay lumabas na din ng cab si Pancho at tumakbo sa kinaroroonan nila. 'OMG! Magpopropose talaga si Bamboo sa gitna ng kalsada at traffic?', natanong niya a sarili. Nahinto nlamang siya sa may likuran ni Bamboo.

Bamboo was looking up at Sarah now. He forgot his prepared speach. He knew he wrote one! Dammit! Why did he have to forget them now?

He had planned on proposing to her back home tomorrow at dinner by his place, with their families at present. But somehow, some unknown force urged him to kneel down and propose right that very minute.

And so with prayers to the heavens above, he did the only thing that came to mind at that moment, as Sarah waited for him to say something.

He fished out the little purple velvet box and opened it, revealing a gorgeous pink diamon ring from Tiffany's.

Ikaw ang lahat sa buhay ko at sa puso kong ito
At laging tapat na iibigan ka kailan pa man
Hanggang wakas tangi kang nagiisa
Kapag ika'y kasama mundo'y puno ng kulay at ganda

Ikaw lang ang pag-ibig ko
Ang buhay ko'y para sayo
At lagi ng sa piling mo
Yan ang tanging nais ko
Sana'y hindi ka magbago
Dahil pag ika'y naglaho sa buhay ko
Ay guguho lahat pati ang pangarap ko

He was already crying as he finished singing and so was Sarah. Actually, humahagulgol na si Sarah. Hohoho.

He choked back on sob and managed to say, "Are you ready to welcome Iris in our lives? Coz if you are, then we can start a family right after the wedding in two days.... Ummff!"

Sarah was bending down and kissing him already. Then she raised her head suddenly and blurted out, "Two days? Our weddimg is in two days na agad?!"

"A-a-ayaw m-mo?", Bamboo stammered, fear was evident in his eyes. Sarah's heart melted. God she loves him!

She held out her hand, indicating for Bamboo to slide the enggagent ring. And then she helped him back up to his feet and finally threw herself at him. Something that she had wanted to do as soon as she saw him walking towards her earlier.

She squeeled as Bamboo held her tight and spun her around. They belatedly realized that hunreds, maybe even thousands of people were gathered around them, clapping and cheering. Some were taking pictures and videos. But they didn't care. Someone was even playing a love song somewhere from one of the vehicles. Got to Believe In Magic. Sarah recognized in her hazy state of mind.

But someone was also bawling behind them. They turned around and laughed.

"Sensiya na", Pancho said, still sniffing. "Tao lang. Kinilig ako, eh. Ahihihi"