Hinahanap - Hanap Ko Siya

Chapter 37

A dragon. A whale. Snow bunnies. A castle. A ship. A unicorn. Galloping pegasus. Hearts.

Sarah was in a trance as she gazed at the clouds forming shapes outside the plane window. She felt light as a feather. She could almost swim past the plane window and go surfing through endless of soft clouds. It all felt like a dream, she recalled.

Amidst everything, the afternoon sun glaring above the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the swarm of vehicles stuck in a long and heavy traffic, the glaring horns, the arguing men and women, babies wailing in the background, children screaming at the top of their lungs, car doors slamming, was a man who shouted her name in a way that only he can.

And as she spun around, everything blurred and faded from her vision, when she saw him walking towards her. Time stood still.

The way he slowly knelt in front of her, and held out a small, purple velvet box. She hardly looked at the pink diamond engagement ring as she stared at his expression. Every detail of his face that she loved so much. His eyes were watery. His lips trembling. His adam's apple working as he tried to swallow back his tears.

Her own knees turned into jelly and every pulse in her body palpitated. She felt a cold sweat running down her spine. Her own breath came in short gasps. Her stomach was full of butterflies and her heart. Her heart felt ready to explode and burst into a gazillion shades of colors.

He had her the moment she heard him call her name. He had her right where he wanted her from that very moment. After not seeing each other in a long time, if he had not proposed right then and there, she doubted now if she wouldn't have been the one to ask him to hitch with her in Las Vegas. She chuckled, now. That was why she didn't bothered to hear the rest of what he was about to say and cut him off completely by kissing him. Belatedly realizing that the people around them were now gathered, clapping and cheering, seemingly forgetting that they were all in the middle of a traffic jam at the Golden Gate Bridge.

She didn't mind then that some were taking their photos and even capturing the moment in video. She felt brave and strong and.... Yes, free. Free to shout to the world that she loves this man who spun her in joy, laughing while still crying at same time.

It was also just the perfect timing when someone played a love song. Got To Believe In Magic, she believed. And she thanked her lucky stars that were hiding behind the afternoon sky.

They immediately went to collect Bamboo's family and off they went to fly back immediately as well, back home.

"Wala man lang pahinga?", Pancho protested as Sarah was warmly introduced to the rest of Bamboo's family who were all readily packed and waiting for Bamboo and Pancho to collect them, but were pleasantly surprised to see that Sarah was with them and that they were enggaged already. Bamboo explained what happened after a warm introduction and the next thing Pancho knew, was that they were all loading luggages and bags and getting into cars, vans and cabs. "Wala man lang miryenda?", he complained. And Bamboo's sister, Katherine shoved a basket full of homebaked goodies into Pancho's arms. Kath is a chef. Pancho grinned in satisfaction. He was silent and contented on the way home.

Nakausap na ni Sarah ang kaniyang mga magulang at mga kapatid habang asa airport pabalik ng Pinas.

Yuong dapat na dinner proposal ay cancelled na at papalitan nalang nila ng date for prenup photoshoot and video session. All in one day, before the big wedding.

The wedding. Nuong isang araw lang ay nagkukuwentuhan pa sila ni ate Shine niya tungkol sa dream wedding gown niya. Kaya pala naiyak ang ate niya. 'Hahaha', natawa si Sarah habang iniisip iyon. Eh para naman pala talaga sa kaniya yung tinahi ng ate niyang wedding gown na design niya mismo. Sumikip ang dibdib ni Sarah sa emosyon. Napakahalaga sa kaniya nun.

She felt so emotional habang pinaglalaruan niya ang enggagement ring na nakasuot na sa daliri niya sa kaliwang kamay. It was gorgeous, alright. But more than the physical beauty of the pink diamond, ay mas nangingibabaw sa kaniya ang thoughtfulness ni Bamboo.

"Hey", bulong sa kaniya ng future husband niya sa tabi. Tinitigan niya ito. 'Hindi man siya prince charming, pero siya ang rostar ng buhay ko. At sa lahat ng fans niya, ako lang ang nagmamay ari ng puso niya', nangiti si Sarah ng malaki.

"You okay?", tanong ni Bamboo.

She kissed him with all her heart, deeply. "Never been better."