We Tried

Prologue

Prologue

"It's a surprise," he said. "Kaya 'wag kang sisilip kung ayaw mong ma-spoil diyan."

I rolled my eyes under his hands. "Kuya naman kasi, ang lakas din ng trip mo e 'no. May pasurprise surprise ka pang nalalaman diyan."

"Because I'm the best brother in the whole damn universe, you better thank me after this dahil pinagbigyan ko pa siya," sagot ni kuya Joey.

"Siya? Sinong siya?" tanong ko.

"Basta! Wag ka nang maging killjoy," sagot niya.

"Fine," I surrendered.

Minutes later, huminto na kami sa paglalakad.

"Nandito na tayo," sabi ni kuya Joey. He then removed his hands from my eyes. Bigla akong napangiti.

"What's all of this for?" tanong ko nang makita ang mganakalagay na decorations sa garden namin. May naka set na table for two sa gitna, tapos napapalibutan ito ng mga candles sa gilid. May red carpet na naka lagay mula sa kinatatayuan ko hanggang sa table. May nakakalat din na petals all over the grass, carpet, and table. Tapos may naka handang candles, plates, spoons, forks, and wine glass sa table. It looked superb at hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti ng malaki. A brother and sister date? Kakaiba ah.

"It's beautiful!" I said full of excitement before I turned my head around. Laking gulat ko nalang nang malaman na hindi na si kuya Joey ang nakatayo 'dun kundi si Zach. Ang manliligaw ko.

"Mas maganda yung nasa harapan ko," he said before giving me a bouquet of roses. "Flowers for you."

Tinanggap ko ito with a wide grin bago magpasalamat. Tonight was beyond of what I expected. Ang sabi ni kuya may birthday party kaming pupuntahan kaya dapat magsuot ako ng red dress dahil formal party ito. Tapos may surprise daw muna siyang ipapakita saakin bago kami tumuloy sa party.

I thought ibibigay niya na yung bike na matagal ko nang gusto.

But, oh boy, I thought wrong. This is so unexpected.

I even got more than what I had expected to receive. Kaya pala sinabi ni kuya Joey na may pinagbigyan siya. Paano kaya nila napagkasunduan?

"Shall we?" Inabot nuga yung arm niya na naka loop.

Ngumiti ako at tinanggap yung arm niya at nagsimula na kaming maglakad papalapit sa table namin. Habang naglalakad, I stared at him. At his beautiful deep brown eyes, perfect tall and slim nose, to his red soft lips. Naka suit and tie siya, and he wore a red tie para bumagay sa red dress ko. Akala mo valentinea day ngayon, but no.

It wasn't just his good looks that made me love him, it was his entire existence that made me love him even more. His face, body, personality, even his flaws. Everything. It's all making me fall harder because he's him.

Because he's Zach.

And there it was, yung feeling na ang swerte ko at nakilala ko siya. I was in love with him, and now I'm falling deeper and deeper.

Then biglang nag-play na ng violin ang mga musicians na hindi ko napansin sa may gilid. It added more romantic athmosphere to the place.

Hinila ni Zach yung chair ko nang makarating kami sa table para paupuin ako, at saka na siya pumunta sa kabilang side para umupo siya. The candle lights made him even more attractive, all the shadows and lightings were in the right places, he was perfect. It's like staring at art. A masterpiece. Ang ganda lang ng plano niya na tonight pa namin ito ginawa. I've always wanted a date like this, and he knew just right to make it happen.

God, thank you for giving me a Zach.

"Well, do you like it?" tanong niya. He held my hand across the table.

"Like it? I love it, Zach!" madalian kong sagot. "It's beautiful."

Ngumiti siya, showing his perfect white rows of teeth. "I planned all of this for you Nicole. I wanted the best for you."

"I know, kata nga gusti kong magpasalamat sa'yo."

He smiled. The night was perfect. Dinala na ang mga freshly cooked meals namin, na si kuya ang nagdala. He winked at me before going back inside the house. We had red wine to enjoy with, at first time ko pa lang tumikim ng wine. It was fantastic. Lahat ng mga nasa bucket list ko lang tapos sa day dreams ko lang mararanasan, nangyayari na sa harapan ko. I can't even imagine na ang ultimate crush ko dati ay nanliligaw na saakin ngayon. Para bang gusto ko nalang na huminto yung pagikot ng mundo at kami nalang dalawa ang gagalaw. That this moment would never stop.

Natapos na amin yung pagkain at nag usap nalang kaming dalawa. We talked about how everything started, nung nalaman niyang crush ko siya, at nung nalaman kong crush din niya ako, hanggang sa pagpaalam niya kay kuya Joeg na manligaw siya saakin.

I wish this moment would last longer. Kasi now? Sigurado na ako sa mga feelings ko. This wasn't just the small infatuation and crush I had noon, it was something deeper and bigger.

Indeed, it must be love now.

"Nicole Shaire Dela Torre, will you be my girlfriend?" Tanong niya habang naka luhod with his hopeful eyes. Kung dati hindi ako sigurado at lagi ko siyang tinatanggihan, now the tables have turned. No more cowardice. Hindi na ako dapat maduwag sa anong mangyayari. Because he's Zachary Castillo. The man who showed me that love is a wonderful feeling.

Lahat ng efforts niya hindi mababalewala, lahat ng ginawa niya for me won't be wasted.

I smiled, knowing how certain I was with my answer.

"Yes, Zach. I want to be your girlfriend," sagot ko. He jumped from his position and hugged me tightly, na para bang hinding-hindi na niya ako papakawalan.

I hope he doesn't.

"Finally, she's mine!" sigaw niya. "Thank God for giving me a Nicole."

Yes, thank you din dahil may Zach na ako.

He kissed my forehead and hugged me again. "I love you, I'll never let you go," he whispered into my ears.

Bigla nalang nag open yung floodgates, naramdaman kong tumulo yung isang luha sa mata ko. I smiled. It must be because of pure bliss. A tear of bliss.

I wiped it away.

It was then I finally thought to myself that I want to be happy now.

It's my turn to be happy.

"I love you too, Zach."

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Anong tingin niyo kay Zach? Sweet ba?

This chapter is dedicated to Nicckookie.