The Devil was Once an Angel

Epilogue: Happy Ending

"What can I do for you, Elison."

[Architect Chan, I need you tomorrow.]

Napataas naman ang isa kong kilay.

"Bakit?"

"I'm planning an engagement proposal for Ivory. Alam ko namang four years palang kaming magkakilala, at isang taon na kami pero I want her to be my fiancé. Hindi ko naman siya minamadali, but I want them to know that she's engaged. I need you tomorrow.", sabi ni Elison. "I have a surprise for her, and I need you there, the whole day Vienna.", may bahid ng pagsusumamo ang boses ni Elison.

"Sure. For my friends. Call you again later for the plan.", sabi ko at binaba na ang tawag.

"Krisha, ano ang schedule ko bukas? Let me see.", sabi ko kay Krisha na abalang tumitingin ng mga proposal papers.

Bukas, may two meetings with clients na magpapagawa ng exterior or interior design.

Two meetings with my business partners.

A meeting with Architect Ford, which I cancelled two times already.

My new book will be publish tomorrow also.

And a new client who wants to buy one of my paintings.

I guess I need to cancel it all.

"Krisha, tell them that I need to move my meetings the next, next day. I have a very important event to attend.

"Okay po Architect. Pero sa tingin ko po nakakahiya na kay Architect Ford, ano po ba yung pupuntahan niyong event?", tanong ni Krisha na may halong pag-aalinlangan.

"A friend's engagement proposal. And, gawan mo ng paraan ang kay Sir Ford. Alam mo namang kapag humiling ang pamilya ko, inuuna ko sila dahil masyado na akong nagpapakasubsob sa trabaho.", sabi ko at napairap.

I dialed Elison's number.

"What's the plan, Elsi?"

~~~~~

"Nandoon ka noong una kitang nakita", habang sinasadula namin ang nakaraan, noong college kami, may nagna-narrate na boses ni Elison. It was recorded and it is being played now. Nandito kami mismo sa university namin.

May babaeng naka-maskara ng mukha ni Ivory ang nakaupo sa isang upuan, iba ang gumaganap na Ivory dahil nanonood lang si Ivory sa gilid. kung saan kami naupo ni Ivory noon. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, pinag-uusapan namin si Thaddeus.

I was playing a big role, my role. And Elison as his self.

"Tumayo ang kaibigan mong si Vienna, noong nakasalubong ko siya ay pinagtanungan ko siya kung nasaan ba yung Sampaguita Library."

Kung anu-ano nang ginawa at sinabi namin, kung saan-saan na rin kami pumunta. Mabusisi at planado ang engagement proposal ni Elison para kay Ivory.

Ngayon, nasa garden na kami ng school, kung saan sinagot ni Ivory si Elison.

"At sa hinaba-haba ng istorya, sa dinami-dami ng sinabi ko, sa lahat ng ginawa ko, isa lang naman ang sasabihin at patutunguhan nito.", sabi ni Elison, nung recorded niyang boses.

Ngayon, silang dalawa lang ang nakatayo sa gitna habang nakapalibot kaming lahat sa kanila. Slow music nalang ang tumutugtog ngayon bilang background music nila.

"I want to tell the most beautiful, positive, intelligent, hard-working, kindest, funniest woman in my eyes and in my whole world. I want to thank you for making me feel that I am the luckiest man existing on earth. Thank you for loving me and for making me happy.", nanginginig na si Elison dahil sa kaba at mga luha niya, boses na talaga niya ang maririnig ngayon, bumaling siya sa magulang ni Ivory.