MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 61: The proposal

Bumalik ako sa table nung masiguro kong okay na ako.

Nagsimula na ang program, just like four years ago, they kept their speech briefly.

Tristan never threw a single glance at me again. Wala si Xyerah. Akala ko ay nandito sya.

I silently hoped na sana, huwag nang iannounce ang kasal. Alam ko naman na. Mas masakit kung maririnig ko pa mismo.

"Everyone, before we start the party, I will just make an announcement. About my son's engagement." sabi ni Mr. Richard sa stage.

Palakpakan ang mga tao. "You all know, my Son, the President of Guevara Group of Company, Tristan. Please come up on stage and announce it yourself."

Palakpakan ulit. Parang sinusuntok ang dibdib ko. Ayaw ko na. Pero bakit hindi ko magawang tumayo?

Nakita kong tumayo si Tristan at umakyat ng stage. Nakangiti ito.

"Thank you Dad" he took the mic from his father. "Good evening everyone. I know it's a little unrelated to the business but it's the only way I can tell it to the world. And to the girl I love. Because, under normal circumstances, she's always running away."

He even prepared a cheezy speech to make people believe that he and Xyerah are actually inlove with each other..

I got up from my seat. "Dun muna po ako sa kotse." paalam ko kila mama.

"Ate naman" pigil ni Chandria sa akin.

"Please, ayaw ko nang marinig yung mga sasabihin ni Tristan.." kanina pa ako nasasaktan. Hindi man lang nya ako nilapitan sa mesa namin.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa exit. I don't care kahit may mangilan ngilang tumitingin sa akin.

"Tulad ngayon. She's trying to run again." napatigil ako at lumingon sa stage. Tristan is looking at me. "Everyone, I want you to meet my future wife.."

My heart is racing fast as he got down from the stage. Carrying the wireless mic. I was standing still. He's coming closer to me. Lumuhod sya sa harapan ko at binuksan ang isang box ng sing sing.

"Chelsea Henares, my lovely queen.. Will you be my Mrs. Tristan Guevara?" his eyes are full of sincerity.

I was so shocked. Akala ko ba si Xyerah ang pakakasalan nya? It took me few seconds to realize that Chandria just set a trap for me. And I fell for it. Totally.

"Your, answer, Madame?" tanong ni Tristan.

Ngumiti ako at naiiyak na tumango. "Yes! Yes, I will"

He took my hand and smile when he saw our old ring still on my finger. He took it off at isinuot ang bago. Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. Tumayo sya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"I missed you. I will not let you run away this time" he whispered in my ear. "I love you so much, Chelsea."

I hugged him back. "I love you more"

~~❤

So that's how the party started. After that, he stayed by my side all through the night. Sa table namin. Maya't maya may mga lumalapit para bumati sa amin.

Nang lumalim na ang gabi, nagpaalam sya kila Papa na sya na ang maghahatid sa akin pauwi. Pumayag naman sila. Nauna na silang umuwi.

"Let's go" he said later on. "We have a lot to talk about"

Hinila nya ang kamay ko at dinala ako sa kotse nya.

He drove for few minutes until we reached a familiar place.

Nasa dating condo nya kami.

We reached the penthouse and without a word, he pinned me on the wall and wrapped his arm around my waist. He kissed me deeply. It feels so familiar. I remembered our good days together. Those moments we shared.

I closed my eyes and felt the lovely feeling. He kissed me torridly until I ran out of breath. I gasped for air.

He slowly moved his lips away.

"You're a bad girl" he kissed me again. This time he bites my lips.

I giggled when we parted.

"I want you to know that I won't let you go again. If you ever leave me now, I swear, I'll find you anywhere you go." sabi nya.

"Teka lang. Bakit ako? Akala ko ba si Xyerah?" tanong ko.

"Nagsabwatan kami nina Chandria at Zeus. Yun ang sinabi namin sa'yo. That's your punishment for leaving me behind." he chuckled. "Now, you don't have any reasons to run away. Pumayag na si Daddy na ikaw ang pakasalan ko. I found out na kaya tutol sya sa relasyon natin dati ay dahil natatakot syang ilayo mo ako sa kanya. Which is gagawin mo naman talaga"

Inirapan ko sya. "Ikaw kaya ang layo ng layo sa kanya"

Tumango sya. "Yes. Iniisip ko kasing ginagamit nya lang ako para sa kumpanya. We talked heart to heart while you were away. He told me I'm the only treasure my mom left him.He can't bear to lose me. Naintindihan ko na sya. Gusto sana kitang puntahan sa Taiwan, pero hindi ko magawa.."

"Eh bakit naman?" kunot noong tanong ko.

"Hmm" he sniffed my hair. "Because you need time. For reasons I don't know. Maybe you want to prove something.."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko. I felt guilty.. "I'm sorry, Tristan."

"No. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I forgot about us. I've made you suffer a lot during those times. But even if I erased my memory, you remained in my heart. I guess that's a magic only love can do."

Ngumiti ako. "Kahit nasa malayo ako, lagi naman kitang iniisip. Hindi kita nakalimutan.."

"I know, baby" he looked at me. "I have someone looking after you in Taiwan."

Natawa ako. "You're creepy"

Binuhat nya ako.

"It's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do.
Hey baby,
I think I wanna marry you.

Is it the look in your eyes,
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares baby,
I think I wanna marry you."

He sings while carrying me.

"I have fulfilled my dreams, Chelsea. I have my own gaming company now. Pumayag na si Daddy sa gusto ko. I promised him I will stay with him, and that you won't take me away. I gave the coffee shop to Mama Cristy. The only one left that I want, is you. Please promise me one thing. Tell me you won't leave me again.. Please?" his beautiful eyes that I missed, now I'm looking straight in them again. Inilapag nya ako sa couch.

"Yes. I'm not going anywhere again. I promise to stay with Tristan from now on" I smiled.

He held my hand with happiness in his face.

Tiningnan nya ang suot ko. "You look beautiful in white. I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle.." he kissed my lips again. Then his lips went down to my neck. "I missed your smell. I missed you so much"

He stopped kissing me and gently pulled himself away. "I should take you home now. Baka ano pang magawa ko." he chuckled.

Natawa rin ako. Inalalayan nya akong tumayo. "Why do you have to dress up  sexily? Are you trying to seduce me?" tanong nya.

"Yes." I bit my lower lip and winked at him.

"Oh my God!" bulalas nya. Pinisil nya ako sa magkabilang pisngi. "You naughty girl. Don't do that. I can wait till our wedding night" He grinned.

Bigla akong nagblush sa sinabi nya. "Loko!"

He hugged me again. "Let's go now."

Hinatid nga nya ako sa bahay. It's the happiest day of my life.

"I love you"