Forever

Epilogue

Epilogue

The beach appeared lovely, with smooth sand that felt nice between your toes and crystal-clear water that gleamed in the warm sunlight like diamonds. It was the ideal location to unwind and rest, with the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore creating a serene atmosphere that seemed to chase away all of your worries.

We have planned to go to this clear beach that Mom saw online but it turns out that the beach is already closed due to some issues so we ended up going to Tita Ezra's beach house since she had it under renovation and it just finished last week and it is a long drive going to the beach house that Tita Ezra owned so as soon as we arrived, everyone directly went to their assigned bedrooms to get some good sleep.

I woke up with Izri beside me and somehow that just made my day "Good morning, my love." Pag bati ko sa kanya and she looked at me with a smile "Did you eat na?" I asked her and she shook her head "I was just on my phone waiting for you to wake up." She answered kaya agad na akong tumayo "Saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ni Izri sa'kin and I looked at her with a smile "Do you want to come along and cook with me?" I asked and she giggled before standing up.

We went downstairs and I saw my brother in the living room reading a book "Sol." Pag tawag ko sa kanya agad naman siya napalingon sa amin "Good morning." Pag bati niya "Good morning." I said in reply "Where's everyone?" Izri asked "They are already outside." Sagot niya "Taking a swim?" I asked and he nodded "There is already food there since Papa decided to cook lunch before they went swimming." Tugon niya.

This is something new for me because I have never seen my own brother staying inside agad kami tumabi ni Izri sa kanya after getting some food "Are you okay?" Tanong ko especially when I saw that he has a book in his hand "Yes, I was just reading this book that a friend recommended." He answered "I am pretty sure that you and this friend need to talk because I can see that you have been stuck on that page only and base on the highlighted phrase, I am sure that you have been only reading that." Sabi ni Izri sa kanya.

Sol closed the book and he directly went upstairs "I do not want to interfere but do you think I should call Ayla?" I asked my girlfriend "Do you even have her number?" She curiously asked me "Do not tell my brother but I might have sneaked into his phone to get her number." I answered and Izri replied with a sigh but there is nothing she can do now.

I did send her a message and the location and all I can do is hope that she could receive my message and come here despite how far it is so they can resolve whatever issue they have.

------

We are all having dinner outside since Tito Chand found where the barbeque maker is hidden "Kids, you need to have fun while you are here." Sabi ni Mom sa amin "I did not see any of you swim kanina pero may bukas pa naman." Sabi naman ni Tito Chand "We were watching a movie kasi po but what shocked me is Sol who was just in his room and he was reading this book." Biglaang pagbubukas ni Luna ng topic kaya tinignan ko siya ng masama "What book is it?" Tita Ezra asked "It was just a book that a special friend gave po." I answered "Special friend na pala ang pagpapakilala mo sa akin sa family mo." It was the most familiar voice ever.

I ran to her and I gave her a hug "Did you miss me that much?" She jokingly asked "Do not disappear on me again." I whispered "Anak, do you mind introducing us to your special friend?" I hard Mom say kaya kumawala agad ako sa pagakayakap ko sa kanya and we faced everyone "Guys, this is Ayla." Pagpapakilala ko "And who is this beautiful woman in your life?" Tanong ni Tita Ezra and I smiled as we both looked at each other "Nililigawan ko po." Sagot ko and I looked back at my family who keeps on smiling "She's beautiful." Sabi ni Phoebe "Aww." Ayla said in reply.

She sat next to me "How did you know we were here?" I asked her "Your twin sister sent me a message." She answered "Nabasa mo pala? I did not check on it na after sending you the location para naman di ako mag expect na pupunta ka but I guess sobrang lakas ng kakambal ko sa'yo." Sabi ni Luna sa kanya "I am sorry but I wanted to ask kung bakit nga ba kayo nag away and what is the meaning behind the book that you have given Sol?" Tanong ni Izri sa kanya "Sol loves to think show off about what he has achieved in his life but when it comes to what he feels towards me, he keeps it hidden and we ended up arguing on what he really feels because he told me that he wants to court me yet he still makes me feel like I am in the friend zone so I confronted him and I gave him my favorite book and I highlighted every detail that would give him a clue on what he should not do and what to expect if he plays with my feelings." Ayla answered "You are a nice kid with a creative mind." Sabi ni Papa sa kanya and she smiled.

Everyone is still outside because they are all waiting for the sun to set except me and Ayla because I really do not want to miss this chance on talking to her about everything so we sat on the couch and I took a deep breath before talking "You are really a risk taker, huh?" I said sarcastically "Why did you want us to stay here in the living room?" She asked and I felt the vibe getting serious "I want to talk to you about my actions lately." I answered and she nodded "I realize that I was becoming a jerk towards you and I was doing all that because I was trying to cover up what I was really feeling but that is not an excuse and I should have known better." I explained "Why are you so afraid to tell me what you're really feeling?" Ayla asked "It is because I have never fallen for anyone this deep and I do not want to make you feel that I love you when I do not even know if I do because at first, I felt that I was just pressured since everyone I know has a partner now." I said in reply "Are you ready to admit it now?" She asked "I do." I answered.

I took Ayla's hand and I looked at her in the eye "I love you and this love that I feel is stronger than what I expected so thank you for believing in me and for having so much patience until I realize what I feel." I said to her "I love you and you do not even know how much love I willing to give and take in this relationship." She answered.

The sun started to set and that is also when her lips started pressing against mine somehow I felt my heart starting to feel alive because I never expected such a great girl to give me so much happiness and then my mind just started to think about how her soft lips makes me blush and how touching her smooth and silky hair makes me want more.

Love can be unexpected, Love can be your friend, Love will always find its way to you and it will always make you remember that sacrifices and risks are worth taken.