First Love, Last Love [PUBLISHED] | ✅

26: Wake Up Where You Are

TODAY IS THE DAY that Gray didn't know he was waiting for. Mula noong magising siya kaninang umaga ay parang wala ng paglagyan yung saya at anticipation niya. Today, Mati will be his wife. When Pauline ended their relationship years ago he lost all hope that there would ever be a girl who would accept him as himself. He is completely flawed and he can't give Mati everything pero she accepted him at yun na ata ang pinakamasyang bagay na nakuha niya, Mati's full love and acceptance.

Hindi alam ni Gray kung papaano ipoproseso ang nararamdaman niya para kay Mati noon. He was hesitant about his feelings for her. Paano ba naman ay parang out of the blue ay pumasok ito sa buhay niya with a child on tow. Hindi niya alam kung paano ito hahayaang pumasok sa buhay niya noon until day by day ay hindi niya namalayan na parte na pala ito ng buhay niya. He suddenly realized na he cannot live without her by his side. He was suddenly in love with her, head over heels.

Mati is one of the greatest suprises in her life alongside his personal miracle, his son Ethan. Never niyang inakala na he will deserve such things. He was never one of the good guys. Gray now faithfully thanks God sa lahat ng mga nakukuha niya and he promises na he will try to do better in life.

"Anak, ready ka na ba?" Kumatok muna bago pumasok ang kanyang nanay sa kwarto niya. Nakabihis na din ito at akay-akay si Ethan.

"Opo Nay, ready na. Excited na akong makita si Mati." He smiled and took his coat. "Hello my sweet boy."

"Dadeeeee!" Masaya itong tumakbo papalapit sa kanya at yumakap bago humagigik.

"I have been waiting for this day. I'm finally going to see you settle down." Niyakap siya ng ina at napansin niyang naluluha-luha na ito. "Pinabibigay nga pala sayo ni Mati."

"Salamat Nay," at ginantihan niya din ito ng yakap. "Ano ito?"

"Hindi ko din alam eh."

Noong buksan niya ang berdeng kahon ay nakita niya ang isang relo. May inscription ito sa likod, 'whenever, wherever.' May card pa doong nakalagay and he swears na parang kinurot ang puso niya sa nabasa niya. His lovely wife-to-be, compared to him is so much better with words.

My love, I hope that whenever and wherever you wear this watch you will remember that I love you very much. There is no moment when I do not think of you. I will continuously love you until my dying breath. You are the one I have been waiting for my whole life, the reason why no one came along or stayed. I thank the Lord for showing me the way to you, for bringing me Ethan, for letting you love me. I will strive to be your constant shelter and companion in life. I will never get tired of you so please bear with me and my erratic mood swings.
Today is our day my love.
I love you! -M.

"Salamat Nay sa lahat." Niyakap niya muli ang ina.

"Nako, mamaya na tayo mag-dramahan. Baka papunta na din sa simbahan si Matilda. Nakakahiyang ikaw pa ang ma-late." At pinunasan na nito ang mga luhang kumawala sa mata nito.

"Baka isipin nun di ko siya sisiputin. OA pa naman yun minsan." He laughed at naglakad na sila papalabas ng hotel room.

Kasama nila sa hotel ang ilang parte ng entourage. Doon din kasi gaganapin ang reception kaya naman minabuti na ng mga ito na mag-stay para hindi na daw sila mahihirapan umuwi maya-maya. He was happily greeting everybody na kino-congratulate siya. Nauna na sa lobby ang nanay niya at si Ethan na mukhang excited na excited na din makita ang kanyang mommy.

"Gray?" Narinig niyang tawag sa kanya ng isang pamilyar na boses.

"Pauline? Hi." He said.

"Kasal mo na pala. I made some deliveries sa restaurant and saw you. Congratulations and best wishes." Ngumiti ito ng alangan bago muling nagsalita. "Gray, I need to tell you something."