Touchstones of Getting You

Thirty

Would it be weird if I said that I already saw us marrying each other at that moment? Funny, right? Parang noong mga panahon na 'yon ay handa na akong ipangako ang sarili ko sa kaniya.

Maybe it was because of the slow music and us dancing? Or simply just the atmosphere? Or him confessing his utmost love to me again?

Sobrang mahal ko lang siya na siya na ang nakikita kong makakasama ko panghabang-buhay. He's my first and greatest love. Ang hirap isipin na kung hindi siya, sino ang makakasama ko?

"Just like Papa, I'll always find a way to let you know that I will love you. . . always. Hindi ako mapapagod."

"You're talking as if darating ang araw na maghihiwalay tayo."

"Wala namang kasiguraduhan ang buhay. Anything can happen," aniya. "Pero hangga't kaya pa, hindi ako aalis."

"Kung gano'n, anong magiging rason mo para umalis?"

"Hindi ko pa napag-iisipan 'yan," bulong nito. "Maybe when you're already begging me to leave you alone?"

Humalakhak ako at umiling sa kaniya. "Hindi mangyayari 'yan."

"Don't promise po."

"Bakit? Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin?"

"Of course, I trust you, babe. Ayaw ko lang na mangangako tayo tapos sa dulo, 'yon pa ang magiging rason para masaktan natin ang isa't isa. I told you, anything can happen in a snap. A better tomorrow is not always promised."

"Sabi mo, date to marry ka?"

"Yes, but I don't want to chain you because of that thought. Bata pa tayo, ang dami pa nating pagdaraanan. Let's just enjoy what's in the present right now. We'll date when we have free time, cuddle at night, and cry together when we're sad; I won't pressure you, basta mahalin mo lang ako."

"Mamahalin kita. Walang araw na hindi."

"That's plagiarism!" he joked.

"Okay po! Mahal kita, walang araw na hindi. Open and close parentheses, Suarez, 2022," biro ko rin. "Ayan, may citation na!"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Noah. Sa sobrang patok noong biro ko sa kaniya ay napatingala pa ito sa pagtawa.

"Nice citation, babe. Kaya pala best in research ka no'n."

"Of course, I learned from the best kaya!"

Muling tumawa si Noah at hinatak ako sa isang mahigpit na yakap. He caressed my hair and planted a soft kiss on my head.

"Let's feel different emotions together. I'll accept your every side. . . even the worst ones."

I nodded.

I have long accepted his different sides. Hindi na bago sa akin 'to. He became the subject that I already memorized. Kaya alam kong hindi na ako mahihirapang manatili sa tabi niya.

"Mama, magpapahinga na po kami. What time should we wake up tomorrow?" tanong ni Noah nang matapos ang pagsayaw namin.

"Kahit alas siyete na, anak. We'll just roam around Tokyo anyway. Sa Monday, pupunta tayo sa Tokyo Disneyland!"

"On Tito Kaito's birthday? Are you sure? Mage-enjoy ba siya roon?"

"Yes! He told me it may be his birthday but he wants you both to enjoy that day."

"Have you been to any Disneyland, Belle?" Tito Kaito asked me.

"No po. It's my first time to travel abroad."

"The Disneyland here is good. You'll enjoy it there."

"Ano nga 'yon? 'Yong 'sounds nice', babe?" baling ko kay Noah. "I. . . Īdesu ne!"