Sunshine Is Back

Chapter 25

Lumapit siya doon. Akala niya ay iyon lang lahat but her heart almost went out of her cage nang makita ang isang kahita. She was not stupid not to figure out what is inside it. Then the smiling face of the person who gives her so much happiness popped up in her mind. Cloud... sambit niya sa isip.

Hinanap ng kanyang mga mata kung nandoon nga ang binata. Then Cloud entered her office with a guitar. Napapitlag ang puso niya nang makita ito at ngumiti sa kanya. Lalapitan sana niya ito kaso pinigilan siya nito.

"Oops! Just stay right there. I want to sing you a song." sabi nito.

Mas trumiple yata ang bilis ng pintig ng puso niya. She's already overwhelmed. Nang makapuwesto na ito ng mabuti ay nagsimula na itong kumanta.

"Four letter word, but I don't have the guts to say it. Smile 'til it hurts, let's not make it complicated. We've got a story but I'm about to change the ending. You're perfect for me. You're more than just a friend. So we can just stop pretending now. Gotta let you know somehow," pagkanta nito sa kanta ng Boys Like Girls na Be Your Everything.

Nagpatuloy lang ito. "I'll be your shelter, I'll be your storm. I'll make you shiver, I'll keep you warm. Whatever weather, baby I'm yours. Be yours forever, be your fling. Baby I will be your everything. Baby I will be your everything," pagtatapos nito ng kanta.

Binitiwan nito ang gitara at nilapitan siya. May pinahid ito sa pisngi niya. Luha niya pala. She didn't notice that she's already crying.

"Ikaw talaga. Ano na naman bang pakulo 'to, ha? Ikaw Cloud ha. Pinakakaba mo na ako," naiiyak na sambit niya.

Natawa ito ng mahina at saka niyakap siya. Naririnig na niya ang tibok ng puso nito, o sa kanya nga siguro iyon. Nagsalita ito.

"I love you so much, Shine. I love you that I can't wait for tomorrow to ask you this," tapos ay kumalas ito sa kanya at lumuhod sa harapan niya. Her heart skipped a beat. Parang may hinala na siya kung ano ang gagawin nito.

"I know it's too early for this because we had just settled things between us but Shine, believe me. I have loved you since we were little. I see you more than just a friend but I have to stop it because it would only mean ruining our friendship. Kaya nagpakalayo-layo ako. Walang sandali na hindi ka sumasagi sa isip ko. I made it through at the other country because you inspired me. I never got a chance to forget this feelings for you," tapos ay naluha na ito. Napaluha na naman siya.

"Now that I'm back, I want to be with you. Alam kong ayos na tayo but still, I wanna say it again. I love you. I want to be your bestfriend again, be the man you first loved... be your everything. And I wanna ask you if...if, will you marry me? Because I really want to marry you. Be cause I want to be always with you." tanong nito sa kanya. She wanted to say immediately but she can't open her mouth. Tumango na lang siya. "Please say yes, baby," paki- usap nito sa kanya.

She giggled as she watched the man who loves her and she loved, proposing and begging for her to accept him. She calmed herself and cleared her throat.

"Akala ko, hindi mo na ako tatanungin niyan dahil sa haba ng mga sinabi mo. Cloud, you are my best friend, my brother from another mother, and my protector. Nasaktan mo nga ako pero binawi mo naman lahat ng sakit. Pati na iyong sakit na dulot ni Rain. I have also loved you since we were little. I love you then, I love you today, and I will still love you tomorrow and for the next days of our lives. You don't have to beg to aks my hand for marrige. Dahil naisip ko nga na kapag hindi mo pa aayaing magpakasal, ako na mismo kakaladkad sa'yo para maikasal na tayo." banta niya rito na natawa naman ang iba sa paligid.

She looked at him intently. Love was all over Cloud's face at alam niyang ganoon din and sa kanya.

"I love you, and yes. I will marry you." naluluhang saad niya. She's so happy now that they are going to tie together the knot that will bind them to forever.

Tumayo ito at hinila siya palapit sa mesa niya. Kinuha nito iyong kahon at binuksan. Tumambad sa kanya ang isang engagement ring. He put it on her finger and kissed her band. The warmth that came from his lips sent shivers to her heart and to her whole system. Napangiti siya ng makitang sakto iyon sa kanyang daliri.

When she looked up at him, dahan-dahang bumaba ang mukha nito sa mukha niya. Her instinct told her to close her eyes so she did. Then their lips met. Marahan lamang dumadampi ang mga labi nito sa mga labi niya Puno iyon ng pag-iingat. After they shared their kiss, mataman siya nitong tiningnan.

He smiled.

"Forever," he said in a voice full of promises.

"Forever." she said. And she knows that it is just the beginning of their happy ending. Her happy ending with Cloud.