Something More

Chapter 023

Hinila ko yung maleta ko and looked for Mom and Dad. Nang makita ko sila and they saw me too, they waved and smiled. I did the same thing, and I hurriedly walked up to them. Tapos we all hugged and we started to cry.
"Miss na miss ko na po kayo, Mama, Papa." I whispered to them.

"Kami din.." they said. Examining their faces, grabe, tumanda talaga sila. Probably causes of stress. Pumuputi na nga ang buhok ni Papa eh.
"Si Erika ho?" I asked.

"Naku anak, hindi siya nakapunta kasi busy siya sa work. She says sorry."

I nodded. "Okay lang po. Sige, excited na akong umuwi." I told them. Ngumiti naman sila sa akin at nginitian ko din sila, tapos lumabas na kami ng airport. Haa, fresh air from the Philippines. Na-miss ko talaga 'to.

Seven years passed already. Seven years, so I'm 23 years old na. Naku, tumatanda na ata ako. Hehe. I decided to stay here na in the Philippines for good, nami-miss ko na rin kasi sila Mama eh. Saka lahat ng friends ko dito, especially Marielle and Jared. Jared.. oh, kami na nga pala. Magtwo-two years na rin, kasi nga diba umuuwi ako ng Pinas pag summer or Christmas breaks? So ayun, I learned to love Jared na rin.
"I'm sure matutuwa ka sa surprise namin." Mom said.

"H-huh? What surprise?" tanong ko naman. Ano naman kaya ayun? Kasi naman, kapag may surprise sila mama for me, talagang nakakagulat. Like, you can't expect it. Super unexpected talaga.

"Surprise nga eh, diba Audrey?" Dad told me. I nodded na lang and looked at the window. Nakikita ko from here yung surroundings, yung mga buildings and the people around. Grabe, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang Pinas. Ganun pa rin siya, it still looks like with my memories noong high school pa ako. Hayy, nakakamiss tuloy maging teenager.

At finally, nandito na kami sa bahay. Whew, grabe, nakakapagod talaga ah. Ayun, si Papa na lang nagbaba ng maleta ko and agad na akong pumasok ng bahay. Excited talaga eh, para akong bata. Then umakyat ako sa taas and pumunta doon sa kwarto ko and I was surprised na hindi pa rin siya nagbabago. As in yung candy wrapper na iniwan ko doon sa desk ko seven years ago, nandun pa rin. 

"Ma, eto na po ba yung surprise niyo?" tanong ko.

Mom shook her head. "Actually.. no. Pero if you were surprised, sige na rin."
I hugged her. Tapos I suddenly noticed na nakabukas yung mga ilaw doon sa kaharap naming bahay. You know? Yung bahay ng mga Martinez. Yung bahay ni ano. Basta yun. Oo nga pala, seven na ng gabi ah.

Mom noticed me staring at the house and then she smiled at me. "Yes, bumalik na ang mga Martinez. A month ago lang." she told me. I nodded and mom held my hand. "Magbihis ka muna and makikita mo na yung surprise namin." Mom said.

"Sige po.." tapos iniwan na rin ako ni Mama, and naligo na rin ako. Hay, nakakapagod talaga eh. When I came out from the shower, I stared at the house again and I wonder if.. ugh, nevermind na nga.

Bumaba na ako ng stairs and oo, nandoon yung surprise. It really surprised me, kasi naman, wala 'tong mga ito kanina. The tables were decorated, tapos may candles pa, then may mga flowers na nakakalat. Hmm, ano ba 'to, romantic dinner? Eh?

"Audrey." someone called from my behind. Lumingon naman ako, and there was Jared, holding a bouquet of flowers. He smiled and I did too, tapos I hugged him.

Kumain kami doon, hindi ko alam kung saan nagtatago sila Mama, pero I'm sure they're watching me. May music din sa background, and suddenly dumating si Papa with a guitar. Binigay niya yun kay Jared and then Jared started to strum it. Hindi ako familiar sa kinakanta niya, pero it was a sweet love song.

"Audrey," he said. He knelt down before me and took my hand. Nagulat ako sa gesture niya, and I know what will happen next. Pero.. hindi ako sure.. I'm not yet prepared.

"Will you marry me?" tanong niya tapos may box siya na hawak and there's a ring inside it. Mom and Dad smiled, tapos Jared is smiling too. Tinititigan nila akong lahat.

"Jared.." I said. I don't know, pero will I say yes?