My Greatest What If - Moira Gokongwei (Published)

Chapter 26

I was spent. I could barely move much more process what just happened. Gio had planted her lips on my cheek as she let me catch my breath.

"That was...life-changing..." I murmured.

She laughed softly.

"G..."

"Hm...?"

"I love you..."

"I asked you to marry me...at hindi mo ako sinagot..."

I turned my head to look at her. "I heard you..."

"And what's your reply?"

I sighed. "G..."

"Are you going to reject me?" she asked.

"Not for the reason that you have in mind."

"Let me hear why..."

"I have nothing to give you," I told her. "Wala akong pamilyang maipapakilala sa'yo, hindi pa ako tapos sa pag-aaral, at wala akong pera."

"Baby—"

I shook my head at her. "No, please let me finish."

She nodded sighing.

"I want to be your equal in this relationship, G. And that can't happen if I have nothing to my name."

"Pwede na ba akong magsalita?"

"Okay."

"Alam ko na mabigat ang desisyon ito at siguro nabibilisan ka sa mga pangyayari, pero, gusto kong malaman mo na pinag-isipan ko itong mabuti."

She exhaled deeply. "Sa totoo lang, I want to impress you by telling you that I would love to take care of you that's why I am asking you to marry me. At totoo 'yun, gusto kitang alagaan, gusto kitang mahalin lalo, gusto kong ako ang bubuo ng mga araw mo, ng buhay mo, ng pagkatao mo kung may pagkukulang ka mang nararamdaman. But..."

"But what?"

"But the truth is I don't think I can live without you anymore. Ikamamatay ko kapag umalis ka sa tabi ko. Iniisip ko pa lang na baka dumating 'yung araw na 'yun, ang sakit na...and here I am hoping that you feel the same, too. Na takot ka ring mawala ako sa tabi mo."

"Gio, hindi naman kita iiwan."

"Gawin nating legal. Please. I want you to carry my name. Kahit hindi recognized dito sa Pilipinas. I want to be bound to you. I want a ring on your finger that tells everyone to back off because you already belong to someone else and I want a ring on mine so I can say that I am yours. Gusto ko legal, 'yung kapag nagselos ako hindi dahil girlfriend kita kundi dahil asawa kita kaya may karapatan akong magalit."

"G..."

"What?"

"Not now. Not yet. Katulad ng sinabi ko, 'tsaka na kapag may maipagmamalaki na ako. 'Tsaka na kapag kaya ko nang buhayin ang sarili ko. Kasi ayokong isipin ng kahit sino na kaya lang kita pakakasalan ay dahil walang-wala ako ngayon. Gusto kong kapag nagpakasal ako sa'yo ay wala silang ibang rason na pwedeng pag-usapan kundi 'yung pagmamahal na meron tayo sa isa't isa. Kaya, h'wag na muna, please...?"

"Mas mahalaga ba ang iisipin ng ibang tao kaysa nararamdaman nating dalawa?"

"Gio..."

"Hindi ba 'yun lang naman ang importante? 'Yung mahal natin ang isa't isa?"

"Oo, siyempre, importante na mahal na mahal n'yo ang isa't isa pero—"

"I want you to be my wife..." she griped. "Ayoko ng iba, gusto ko ikaw na."