Loving You Then and Now

Chapter 7 ~ Flashback (1st Anniversary)

Author's POV

The couple as sweet as sugar. They have been together since childhood, been bestfriends since elementary days and been lovers since their highschool days. But what happened to the past that made them hate each other? This is the first part of the JosephxCassie's past flashbacks..

Cassie's POV

"Ready ka na ba?" tanong sakin ni Joseph. Kumakain kami ngayon sa isang restaurant. It's our 1st Anniversary. 

"Ready for what?" tanong ko pabalik.

"For the first day, babe. First year college ka na. Di ka ba kinakabahan?" tanong niya habang nakatingin sakin.

"Why would I be worried? Magkasama na tayo sa iisang school kaya di na ko natatakot" sagot ko then smiled sweetly to him. He then, reply a sweet smile to me.

"Finish your food. May pupuntahan pa tayo" sabi niya sakin.

"Saan?" tanong ko at tumingin sa kanya ng nagtataka.

"Secret. Basta surprise" sabi niya then wink at me. Ang cute talaga ng boyfriend ko.

"Okay basta yung pangako mo kay Daddy ah. Iuuwi mo ko bago mag 11pm" paalala ko sa kanya. Well ang swerte namin dahil nabigyan kami ng ganoon katagal na oras.

"Haha Opo" sabi niya at nginitian ako.

Pagkatapos namin kumain, pumunta na kami sa next destination namin. Dumungaw ako sa labas ng bintana ng kotse. It is a great night. Seeing the city view, beautiful star above and having the boy that i love by my side. I took a glance on him. Naka focus siya sa road habang nagda drive kaya siguro di niya napapansin ang pagtitig ko sa kanya. It's been one year since sinagot ko siya. And we've been loving each other for the past one year. 

"Wag mo naman ako titigan ng ganyan. Baka matunaw ako sige ka wala nang magda drive nitong kotse" sabi niya habang nasa kalsada parin ang mata niya. Bigla akong namula. Alam niya pala na nakatitig ako sa kanya.

"Hehe sorry babe. I just can't believe it. It's like I'm having a dream" sabi ko sa kanya. Nakita kong naka red ang traffic light kaya tinigil niya ang kotse. He hold my hand at tinignan ako with full of love.

"Me too. Seeing you by my side is like a dream. And i wish i wouldn't wake up forever" sabi niya. Tinignan ko yung kamay namin. We were both wearing two rings; The promise ring and the engagement ring. Napansin kong nag green na yung traffic light.

"Hey nag green na!" sabi ko sa kanya. Pinaandar niya yung kotse without letting go of my hands.

"Baka nahihirapan ka mag drive?" pag aalala ko.

"Nope, I'm fine. As long as I'm holding this" sabi niya sabay taas ng kamay ko. I just rest my head while watching the city view. Were entering a tunnel. Parang familiar sakin to? Don't tell me...

"Diba eto yung papuntang rest house niyo? Eto na yung last destination natin?" pagtataka ko. Pinark niya yung kotse sa may Garage ng rest house at pumunta kami sa tambayan namin kung nasaan yung puno na malapit sa ilog. Namangha ako sa nakita ko. Sobrang daming ilaw na nakasabit sa may puno. Para siyang mga bituin sa punong yun. May blanket na nakalatag sa ilalim ng puno. Inalalayan niya akong umupo at sumunod naman siya. 

" You like it?" tanong niya habang nakangiti sakin.

"Like? I love it" sabi ko at ngumiti pabalik. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tumitig sa aking mga mata. Suddenly may tumugtog na music. *Insert music: Thousand Years by Christina Perri *

"Hi miss, Can you dance with me?" yaya niya sakin. I smiled and accept his hand.

"Pinaghandaan mo talaga to ah?" sabi ko sa kanya. 

"Because it's for you my love" sabi ko then I dance with him.

"Do you remember your last prom last year? The one that you were wearing a black dress?" tanong niya sakin.

"Paano ko ba naman makakalimutan yun? Eh sumali ka dun kahit bawal ang college students dun no!" sagot ko sa kanya.

"Haha I told you pasaway ako" sabi niya then natawa kami.

"Eto rin yung music nung niyaya kita sumayaw. Remember? This song is really memorable" sabi niya sakin habang sumasayaw parin kami.

"Haha right. Kasi nung sinayaw mo ko while playing this music, sinagot kita para maging boyfriend ko" sabi ko at nakangiting tumingin sa kanya.

"That's why kahit napagalitan ako kinabukasan nun ng mga Professors ko, di ko pinagsisihan yun. Because I got the most precious thing that night" sabi niya at tinigil ang pagsasayaw namin. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at tumitig sa mga mata ko.

"Thank you.. thank you for that one year of loving me. Thank you kasi dumating ka sa buhay ko and give me a chance to cherish you as my woman. Thank you for staying by my side kahit pasaway ako minsan. I want you to know there is no days that I don't want to see you, hug you and kiss you.." sabi niya sakin. I felt like my heart is about to burst with happiness.

"Thank you too.. For loving me more that what I could expect. For staying by my side to make me stronger. For making my life worth living for. When I'm with you, there is nothing i could wish for.." I replied to him. Then I see him wears his sweetest smile. 

"I love you, Cassie Victoria Casabuena. Now and Forever" he said.

"I love you too, Joseph Nathaniel Baretto" sabi ko. He move closer to me and kiss me. It was a passionate and caring kiss. A kiss that makes you remember this memorable night. Then suddenly biglang namatay lahat ng ilaw na nakasabit sa puno and may sumulpot na fireworks. It caught my attention at napatingin dito.

"Woah!" I said in amazement.

"You like it?" tanong niya while smiling.

"You did this? It's wonderful!" sabi ko at tumingin ulit sa fireworks.

"I told you there's nothing I can't do. Lalo na kung para sayo" sabi niya then hug me from behind.

Indeed it was a wonderful night. But after that night, Everything turns to be so wrong...