A night with my Cousin's Fiancee (COMPLETED)

FORTY ONE

Nakatanggap si Charles ng text from Ayaka last night to meet her at a cafe near Ayaka's work place. Hindi naman na siya nagtanong kung anong meron at bigla siyang niyaya nitong lumabas. It's been a month since umuwi siya dito sa pinas. He's planning to stay here na din for good nung sinabi sa kanya ni Ayaka na hindi na sila babalik ng America ni Haru bc of her Dad's favor.

He thought na maybe this time he can go back here sa Philippines for good din. Tutal wala din naman siyang iisipin na balikan sa America since mag stay na dito sila Ayaka. Kaya inaayos niya na din ang mga paper works niya sa trabaho at nagpaalam na di muna siya makakabalik for another week.

Ipapaalam niya na din kay Ayaka ang plano niyang ito. Kaya good thing na niyaya din siya ni Ayaka today. Napansin niya kasing naging busy ito lalo na nung magtrabaho ito sa kumpanya nila. Ayaw naman makagulo ni Charles kaya naghihintay lang siya kung kailan niya pwede makita ito but he sure does visit Haru everyday since nagstart na din itong pumasok sa playschool.

Mostly talaga ay si Charles ang nag iinitiate ng mga bagay bagay sa kanilang dalawa ni Ayaka. He was happy to be in Ayaka's life, kahit minsan napapaisip na din siya on what limit will he put an end to this effort to be officially part of Ayaka and Haru's life.

Hindi kaila sa kanya. Sa limang taon din na magkasama sila ni Ayaka, he did everything he can at di niya yun pinagsisisihan. Kahit alam niyang napakalabo na mabigyan siya ng chance to be inside Ayaka's heart. Alam ni Charles na kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas, hindi nalilimutan ni Ayaka ang tungkol sa Ama ni Haru.

He remembered on those first year together. Months pa lang si Haru. He witnessed Ayaka's breakdowns. Every night naririnig niyang tahimik na umiiyak si Ayaka sa kwarto nito.

He was there for her...for them.

And he decided to be there for them kahit na malabo, kahit na hindi sigurado, kahit na mawalan siya ng papel sa buhay nila.

For Charles, meeting Ayaka was fate.

Napatingin si Charles sa glass door ng cafe. He saw her, tinaas niya ang kamay niya para makita siya nito.

"Hey, did you wait long?" bungad na tanong ni Ayaka sa kanya.

"No. Just a few minutes. May gusto ka? I'll order for you." alok niya kay Ayaka.

Tumango tango ito at nilapag ang pouch sa tabing upuan sa harap ni Charles.

"I'll have caramel machiato."

"Got it." tumayo na si Charles para pumunta sa counter.

Ayaka took a deep breath. Lumingon siya para tingnan si Charles na nakapila sa counter. Rinig niya ang kabog sa dibdib niya. Last night pa niya iniisip paano ba sasabihin kay Charles. She didn't know how or where to start.

Parang biglang nababahag ang buntot niya kapag naiisip ang mangyayari.

Nakakaramdam siya ng takot but pinaka nangingibabaw ay lungkot. Charles was there for them from the start. For five years he was the father like for Haru. He helped her to get on her feet. He supported them when she was breaking down. He did whatever he can for them.

He's already like a family to Ayaka...

Kaya hindi niya alam how to tell him.

After the sudden proposal of Kionne, everything went blank to her. Parang she was a statue for a while. She didn't give him answer yet. She was caught off guard.

Kionne told her that he was willing to wait for her. Alam niyang parang ang bilis ng lahat pero gusto lang daw nito na makasigurong hindi na aalis si Ayaka.

Alam naman ni Ayaka ang gusto niya talagang isagot kay Kionne. It was buried deep down but the problem is, there were walls that guarded her heart.

There was questions, what ifs, things needed to be clear first. Hindi naman pwedeng bigla na lang siyang mag said yes without thinking the people around her.