Ladders Of Love

Chapter Fourteen

"Babe, stop!" Asar kong sabi kay Asher. He was kissing my neck and sucking it. "We have to go na, okay? Magagalit sa Mama pag na-late tayo." I said.

Sumimangot si Asher. "Fine. But one last kiss before we leave please?" He pouted his lips. I giggled. Ang kulit! I kissed him fastly pero hinawakan niya ang bewang ko to deepen it. I pushed him lightly.

"You ruined my lipstick!" I whined. Tumingin ako sa salamin and good thing ay hindi naman masyadong nahulas. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Asher. "You kissing monster! Abusado ka na sa lips ko!" He just laughed.

I looked at my reflection on the mirror. I'm wearing champagne sleeveless dress na hanggang mid-thigh. My make-up was full glam and my hair is tied into a messy bun but it still looked elegant.

Humarap ako kag Asher para ayusin ang tie niyang nagulo. He's wearing a black tuxedo and a necktie. Naka-ayos din ang buhok niya which is ako ang nag-ayos. He doesn't like other people to touch his hair except me.

Kung nagtataka kayo kung saan kami pupunta, birthday ni Mama ngayon. She said na we're having a formal dinner. I told her na may kasama ako but she doesn't know who.

"Let's go na, okay?" He nodded. Inalalayan niya ako papasok sa sasakyan niya. I'm staying in his condo na, by the way. I moved in here about 2 weeks ago, I think.

"Are you nervous?" Tanong ko kay Asher habang seryoso siyang nagmamaneho. His right hand was on top of my thigh. Ganito talaga siya. Sabi niya ay hindi siya makakampante kapag hindi niya ako hawak.

"Hell, yeah." I laughed at his face. He really looks nervous. I badly want to take a picture of him pero naaawa ako sa kanya.

"Don't be. Hindi naman nangangagat si Mama at Kuya. Nanapak lang." Pananakot ko. He glared at me.

"Stop staring me, babe. It's not helping." Maktol niya. I held his hand tightly. "Just be your self, okay? I'm sure they'll accept you. You're a good man." I assured.

He kissed the back of my palm.

Pumasok kami sa restaurant na sinabi ni Mama. It was a fancy restaurant and it looks expensive. Ang extra talaga ni Mama.

"Reservation for Cora Morales." I said. The waiter guided our way.

I smiled when I saw my Mom and Brother. Humigpit ang hawak ni Asher sa akin kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Don't be nervous, okay? I'm here. I love you." I whispered. He nodded. I know he's still nervous deep inside.

I kissed Mom's cheek and Kuya's when I reached them.

"Happy birthday, Ma." I greeted and handed her my present. It was a necklace.

"Thank you, Anak." Mama said while looking at Asher.

"Uhm, Ma, Kuya, this is Asher, my boyfriend." Pagpapa-kilala ko. Asher smiled.

"Good morning, Ma'am, Sir." Asher formally greeted. I tried so hard to stop my self from laughing. Napatingin silang tatlo sa akin.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just that... We're too formal." Umupo ako at hinila si Asher para umupo rin.

"Did I do good, babe?" Bulong ni Asher sa akin. I signed him a thumbs-up.

"Astrid is right, hijo. You can just call me Tita." Kalmang sabi ni Mama. Kuya was still staring at Asher that made Asher uncomfortable.

"Stop scaring him." Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Kuya. "What? I'm not." Depensa niya. He smiled, finally.

"Andrew nalang, bro." Sabi ni Kuya. Asher's face looked at eased. Good.

The dinner was served. They were interviewing Asher.

"Sigurado ka bang 'di mo sasaktan ang kapatid ko?" Kuya asked. Asher smiled at hinawakan ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa lamesa.

"I promise I won't hurt her intentionally." He answered. I felt my heart melted. What did I do to deserve him?

Tumango-tango lang si Kuya.

"Kailan ang kasal?" Tanong ni Mama na nagpagulat sa akin.

"Ma, he didn't proposed to me yet-- What the hell." I was stunned when Asher knelt in front of me. Napatakip ako sa bibig ko nang may nilabas siyang maliit na kahon.

It was a red velvet box.

"Astrid Morales, I know that I made you cry for how many times but please remember that I didn't make you cry on purpose. Alam kong nagulat ka kung bakit nag-propose na ako sayo when in fact, were together for just a year. But I don't want to lose you anymore. I badly want to marry you right now because I love. I want to build a house with you. I want to have children with you. I want to see my future with you. Only if you'll allow me. Astrid, babe, my love, will you marry me?" Tumulo ang luha ko sa sinabi niya. I bit my lip and nodded.

"Yes, Asher. I will marry you. I want to see my future with you too." He inserted the ring. I looked at it. It's a diamond ring. Asher immediately hugged me.

"I love you, my Astrid." He whispered. "I love you too, Asher."

"Congrats, anak!" Mama said happily. Ngumiti ako, "Thank you, Mama."

"I can't wait for my apo! Damihan niyo ha?" Asher and I laughed. Mukhang mapapasabak ata ako, ah? Kidding!

"Congrats. Alagaan mo 'yang kapatid ko ha? Kahit pangit yan, mahal ko pa rin yan." Napasimangot ako sa sinabi ni Kuya. Okay na eh! Sinamahan pa ng pang-aasar.

"I will." Asher responded.

I hope that we'll have a happy ending. Just trust your partner and love them truthfully. Dadating ang problema sa inyo but make sure to hold on tight because the storm is what makes you strong.

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:D