Flaws and All

Thirty Eight

Alas dose na ng gabi nang makauwi sila sa bahay, their friends are staying at the guest rooms.

Madox can't believe she's getting married, kung pwede nya lang titigan ang singsing nyang kumikinang mag damag ay gagawin nya. But her eyes are tired from crying tears of joy.

Payapa na sa pag tulog si Zarette habang mahigpit na nakayakap sa kanya. She looked up to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips, she whispered good night after and closed her eyes to sleep.

Mahihinang katok ang gumising kay Madox, sinilip nya ang cellphone nya para i-check ang oras bago napapikit ulit.

"Alas cinco palang ah" aniya. Antok man ay bumangon sya at lumapit sa pinto, she can almost hear her mother's voice downstairs.

"Andito na sila? Aga naman" antok nyang sabi. Pag bukas nya ng pinto ay bumungad agad ang ama nya.

"Dad" yumakap ito sa ama.

"Mabilis ang naging byahe namin kaya maaga kaming naka uwi. Nasa baba na sila." sabi ng dad nya. Sumilip pa ito sa loob ng kwarto ng dalaga at nakita ang natutulog na si Zarette.

"Dad he's still sleeping." inakay nya pababa ng hagdan ang ama. His dad sighed heavily bago ito umakbay at humalik sa kanya.

"You've grown up so fast anak"

"I'm still your Xochitl dad" she assured him.

"I know anak, but you're his Madox now. A very different person from my little Xochitl, and I'm proud of the woman you have become."

"Thanks dad" she whispered trying so hard not to cry.

"Naalala mo ba noong unang beses kong kinausap si Zarette tungkol sa relasyon ninyo? He told me that he's so sure that he'll be marrying you when the right time comes" mataman lang syang nakikinig sa ama habang nag kwekwento ako. Inalala nya ang araw na iyon, ang unang pag uusap ni Zarette at ng daddy nya.

"I told him to give you time to enjoy your life and to take care of you for me. Sabi ko sa kanya na kapag pinaiyak ka nya huwag na huwag na syang tatapak sa pamamahay na ito muli"

"He did made you cry anak, but it was unintentional. He showed me proofs, he asked for my forgiveness, he proved me how much he loves you. He earned my respect, he earned my trust. And If I were to choose a man for you then he is the best choice for I know that he makes you happy, and he helped you to be the woman you are today."

He wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead.

"Dad, I am getting married." she said in a small voice. Her dad smiled and nodded his head "I know anak, we know"

"Dad approved yun anak. We are happy for you"

"Sshhh" ginawa ko pa ang zipper mouth para gayahin ako. Dahan dahan kong binuksan ang pinto at dahan dahan sila pinapasok. This is it, our surprise for Zarette.

"myyyyy"

"Shhhh" pagpapatahimik ko ulit sa kanila. Hawak ko sila sa magkabilang kamay at pinaakyat sa kama.

Tinuturo nila si Zarette sabay titingin sa akin. Napangiwi ako nang humikab ng malakas ang isa but he smiled at me kaya napangiti na lang ako pabalik.

Dali dali kong hinawakan ang kamay nya nang tusok tusukin nito ang pisngi ni Zarette, good thing malalim pa ang tulog nito.

"Why chleeping" sabay turo kay Zarette.

"Because its nap time." I whispered.

Tumango naman ito at humiga sa tabi ni Zarette. Napahinga ako ng maluwag at tumabi sa kanila.