Payb Takes Book 3

That Girl From Bulacan

August 5:

How long has it been? Two? Three? Five minutes? I'm not sure but if Tito Sen did not ask me a question, I won't even realize that I have been sitting for quite some time just quietly watching you as you animatedly share stories with Kuya Ry about your rehearsals and their aftermath, the bruises you got, plans for your team's celebration at their house, and babies. Yeah, I think I heard you gushing about Luna's latest pictures and videos on IG.

Honestly, I didn't hear much of the conversation but I know how many times you smiled, blinked, giggled and slapped your thighs as you laughed. I can picture exactly how you demonstrated the dance steps and lifts you talked about, the spots you pointed where your bruises were and the way you made fun of yourself for crying during the grand finals. I can paint a picture in my mind over and over of how your eyes twinkled when your topic changed to family and kids and how you blushed when he teased you about us having our own. The sound of your joyful laughter still resounds in my ear and tugs at the edges of my lips, creating a smile.

You make me smile with the littlest things, whether you mean to or not. You fill my heart with happiness and love with the smallest things, whether you are aware or not.

You don't need to do grand gestures, wear fancy clothes, put on makeup or even give the slightest effort to impress me because you just being you, in the wackiest poses, the plainest clothes, the barest face and a most warming smile are magical.

You are a miracle, my Nicomaine. A miracle that never fails to make me happy and feel love and my life has been nothing short of wonderful since you came.

Sometime later, we go onstage with the candidates of Miss Millennial Philippines and I think to myself how lucky these girls are that you're not in the competition because they wouldn't stand a chance. Not even the slimmest chance.

Sure, they're all pretty but not one can compare to your beauty and charm. In my many years in the industry, I have been around many beautiful women but none quite as striking and disarming as you.

You are incomparable, exquisite, precious, ethereal.

With your quick wit and humor, amazing talent, impressive intelligence, heart full of love and kindness, impressive courage, and unparalleled beauty, no woman can ever hold a candle to you.

You are not one in a million, my love. You are solitary. This world can never be graced by another one like you.

You joke about being upset for not winning a contest you are not part of. I laugh and join the fun but in my heart I know you don't deserve that prize.

You deserve more because you do not only impress but inspire. You do not only motivate but move.

You do not only win crowns but hearts of millions that love and support you including that of one Richard Faulkerson Jr. who adores you beyond reasons and conditions, beyond rules and criteria, beyond this world and this lifetime.

Yup, that the girl from Bulacan, my wife, my life, my queen.

You are the girl who came into my life and turned it upside down, who changed me and my whole life for the better, who makes me happier than I can ever imagine, who makes me feel love beyond understanding, who ignites passion I never knew I had.

The world may be filled with many beautiful women but I will only have eyes that admire, a heart that loves, a soul that rejoices, a mind that never forgets and loins that burn for you, my Nicomaine... ONLY YOU. 💛🍃

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Unbeta'ed and not proofread. Thank you for reading.