Lost and Found Love

Chapter 1

"Happy 2nd Anniversary, Elysia," masayang bati ni Cullen sa akin.

It's been two years since we've been together, but our relationship is a secret because his parents don't like me for him. I remember they even tried to break us up, though I don't know the exact reason why they don't like me. Pero sabi ni Cullen, hindi niya hahayaan na maghiwalay kami. I'm happy to hear it. As long as I'm with him, masaya ako.

"Happy 2nd Anniversary, Cullen. I love you so much. Thank you for everything, kahit na ayaw sa akin ng parents mo." I laughed when I said the last words. I looked at him-he's so perfect: gwapo, matangos ang ilong, with brownish eyes, chinito, mistiso, matalino, sporty, and a total green flag. Arghh! Ang perfect! Sana all!

He smiled at me. "Love, you know na I won't let my parents na mapaghiwalay tayo, right? I'd do anything for you. Ayoko mawala ka sa'kin. I can't live without you." He said, and he grabbed my hands and kissed them. Kinikilig ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Like, sinong hindi kikiligin don? Pinaglalaban ako sa parents niya. I'm so lucky to have him! Hindi ko na 'to papakawalan!

He led me to my chair and kissed me before he sat down on his own. I looked at the food in front of me and saw something na nakapanlulumo sakin: bakit may hipon dito? Napabuntong hininga ako at tinignan si Cullen. Does he forget that I'm allergic to shrimp?

"Love? Why are you looking at me like that? Gwapo ko, ano?" He said, laughing. "Let's eat na." I gave him a nod.

I guess he forgot nga, and I didn't want to ruin the moment by mentioning it. I took a deep breath and decided to enjoy the evening despite the shrimp on the table. But as we started eating, I noticed Cullen glancing at me, looking a bit concerned.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

I gave him a reassuring smile. "Everything's fine, Cullen. I'm just happy to be here with you."

He seemed to relax and continued eating. After a few moments, he reached out and took my hand. "You're sure? I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

I squeezed his hand gently. "I'm sure. Let's just enjoy our anniversary."

As we continued eating, I couldn't help but admire Cullen. Every small gesture, every laugh, every word made me fall in love with him all over again.

"So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" Cullen asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

I smiled. "Actually, I was thinking about going to that new art exhibit downtown. I've heard great things about it. Would you like to come with me?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "I'd love to. Spending time with you, anywhere, is always the best plan."

After dinner, Cullen stood up and reached for my hand. "Let's go for a walk. I have something to show you."

Curious, I let him lead me out of the restaurant and into the cool night air. We walked hand in hand, talking and laughing, until we reached a small park. In the middle of the park was a beautifully lit gazebo, adorned with twinkling fairy lights.

"Cullen, ang ganda!" I exclaimed, looking around in awe.

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "There's more. Close your eyes."

I did as he said, and I sense he guided me to the center of the gazebo. "Okay, open them," he whispered.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a small gift box in his hand. My heart started racing as he handed it to me.

"Elysia, these past two years have been the happiest of my life. Despite everything, despite my parents, you've stood by me. I wanted to give you something special to show how much you mean to me."

He opened the box to find a beautiful necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at him, overwhelmed with emotion.

"Cullen, this is beautiful. Thank you so much," I said, my voice trembling.

He helped me put on the necklace and then pulled me into a tight embrace. "You mean the world to me, Elysia. I just want you to know that I'll always fight for us, no matter what."

We stood there, under the fairy lights, holding each other close, knowing that no matter what challenges we faced, we would face them together.

---

Hinatid ako ni Cullen sa bahay matapos ang napakagandang gabi. Hawak niya ang kamay ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa pinto.

"Thank you for tonight, Cullen. It was perfect." sabi ko, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa mga nangyari.

Ngumiti siya at hinaplos ang pisngi ko. "Anything for you, Elysia. You deserve nothing but the best."

Bago siya umalis, naghalikan muna kami ng mabilis. "Goodnight, Love. Text me when you get inside, okay?" paalala niya.

"Goodnight, Cullen. I will." sagot ko, sabay ngiti.

Pagpasok ko sa bahay, hindi ko mapigilang humikbi ng kaunti. Ang dami kong nararamdaman - tuwa, kilig, at konting kaba. Agad akong nag-text kay Cullen para sabihin na nakapasok na ako sa loob ng bahay.

Lumipas ang ilang araw at weekend na. Excited akong pumunta sa art exhibit kasama si Cullen. Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa exhibit, napansin ko ang ilang mga ka-blockmate namin.

"Hey, Elysia! Hey, Cullen!" bati nila. "You two look great together!"

Nagkangitian kami ni Cullen at sabay sabing, "Thank you!"

Pagpasok namin sa exhibit, namangha kami sa mga obra maestra. Sobrang ganda ng bawat painting, at bawat isa ay parang may sariling kuwento. Habang naglalakad kami, humawak si Cullen sa kamay ko.

"I love spending time with you like this, Elysia. It's moments like these that make everything worth it." sabi niya, habang tinitignan ang isang painting.

"I feel the same way, Cullen. Thank you for being here with me," sagot ko, sabay halik sa kanyang pisngi.

Habang nag-iikot kami, napansin ko ang isang painting na paborito ko agad. "Look at this one, Cullen! It's beautiful," sabi ko habang itinuturo ang isang painting ng isang beach sunset.

Ngumiti siya. "It reminds me of the beach trip we took last summer. Remember that?"

"Of course! That was one of the best trips ever," sabi ko, sabay tawa.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pag-iikot sa exhibit, nag-uusap tungkol sa mga paintings at sa mga alaala namin. Lumipas ang oras nang hindi namin namamalayan.

Pagkatapos ng exhibit, naglakad kami papunta sa isang malapit na café para mag-snack. Habang nagmemeryenda kami, napag-usapan namin ang mga plano namin sa hinaharap.

"Elysia, I know we still have a lot ahead of us, but I want you to know that I see my future with you," seryosong sabi ni Cullen habang hawak ang kamay ko.

Tumango ako at ngumiti. "I feel the same way, Cullen. Let's take things one step at a time and face whatever comes our way, together."

At sa sandaling iyon, alam kong kahit anong pagsubok ang dumating, basta magkasama kami ni Cullen, kakayanin namin lahat.