Another Beginning

• THIRTY FIVE •

Alden

"Ready ka na ba anak?" My dad asked as he speared a mushroom from his plate.

"Ready saan, dad?"  I asked.

"Sa married life, sa pagiging tatay and asawa." 

I looked at him and smiled. 

"Dad, I don't think anyone is ever gonna be ready to be a father or a husband, but I am so ready for a married life.  Ngayon pa lang na experience ko na e, and ang saya saya.  Maine and I are still adjusting but I can proudly say na we are  handling it really well.  Sobrang swerte ko kay Maine, dad!  I can never ask for anything more,  she is everything that I wanted and needed.  Yes of course, she has her imperfection, who doesn't right? But those imperfections makes her perfect and so special.  I never thought I am capable of loving this much dad.  I know, I cannot live without her in my life, that I am so sure." When I look up, My dad has tears in his eyes.

"Anak, pinaiiyak mo naman ako."  He tells me, patting my shoulder.

"Sorry na po, nadala lang," I coyly said, embarrassed for the over the top emotion I just showed him.

"Anak, yan ang 'wag mong sasabihin.  Do not apologize for your emotions especially if it is out of love.   Masaya ako at nasabi mo sa 'kin yan, 'nak.  Hindi naman tayo madalas makapag usap na tayong dalawa lang at masayang masaya ako na natagpuan mo na yung makakasama mo habambuhay.  'Lam mo 'nak, gusto ko si Maine, nung una syempre may doubt ako ng konti, kasi laking Amerika.  Pero nung nakilala ko na, bagay na bagay s'ya sa'yo.  Mabait, magalang, maasikaso at ramdam ko na mahal na mahal ka din nya.  Kaya 'nak, wag mong sasaktan ha, at ako mismo ang susutil sa'yo." 

"Dad naman, ako yung anak mo e."  I teased.

"Oo nga, pero anak na din ang turing ko sa kanya, kaya, hmp! Ingat ka!"  He kidded, patting my back.

"Pero dad, alam nyo ba na si Maine talaga ang may idea para sa dinner natin na 'to, sabi n'ya na I need to spend more time with you.  Maine brings out the best in me, dad.  Maine makes me a better man." 

"I am glad anak, I'm glad. I guess, there's nothing left for me to say other than, let's drink to that!"

I take my liquor filled glass from the table and lightly touched it to my dad's.

"Cheers dad," I tell him. I leaned back, let out a long contented sigh and smiled. 

The day after tomorrow, Maine will be marrying me.  The day after tomorrow,  she will finally be my wife, not my fiancée, not my girlfriend, but my wife.   I felt tiny shivers spreading all over me, thinking about it. 

I wonder how she is now.  Just then, a vibration inside my pants pocket interrupted my happy thoughts.  A notification on my Instagram account.  It was my cousin April's Instagram story.    As my screen came to life, I saw Maine sitting on a chair, in a middle of the room, blindfolded.

"What the...!"  I blurted.

"'Nak, ano yun?"  My dad asked.

"Dad si April, nagpost sa Instagram.  Si Maine naka-blindfold... naku ayan o! May dalawang lalaki pa! Ugh! Sabi ko sa kanila ayoko ng ganito e!"  I yammered, immediately dialing April's phone.  Hello, April!"  I shouted, "asan kayo?"