Kick-Start

Commencement Exercises

Ella continued to head the food segment of their business for a few years and was eventually recognized by a Women's Business Group for her contributions. However, just when all the accolades were coming in, Ella decided to slowly pull back.

"But Ma'am why the sudden decision to?" Asked the Interviewer. The young woman was commissioned by a popular magazine to feature a strong woman and a great love story. With Ella they had both, so they were doing a full feature on her. Ella also requested for the woman, a free lance reporter, to help her put together the narrative for a book she was making for their upcoming wedding anniversary.

"I've always wanted to 'retire' early. My husband will take over the business and I want to focus on baking and creating from home, so that I can watch my children grow," Ella said. "Besides, when we first got together and even until now, James and I had been so busy and so focused on investing and being smart about our money and working and working and working because we never want to go back to the situation before, I feel like I've never really prioritized my husband. It's about time that I spend more time taking care of him."

"Ma'am, should we call in na po your husband for this part of the interview? Some of it will be used for the article, but most will be for your project po."

Ella agreed and James joined her. "Nakakakaba naman ito. May interview pa. Baka mahalata nilang bobo ako."

Ella rolled her eyes. "He says that then impresses you with so much knowledge. Don't believe him. He's one of the smartest people on the planet."

"Yes po, Ma'am. We did our research on Mr. Del Rosario's credentials," the reporter said. "Ma'am Ella has shared na po most of your story. I guess we could continue with... how did you propose, Sir?"

*

Everything was ready.

Ella's father finally told him outright that he was blessing a marriage between James and Ella. "Sir, sige na po."

"I thought that was understood already when we talked before, young man."

"Sana po express permission. Para po alam ni Ella. Baka mag-worry siya na may conflict pa din."

Mr. Santamaria rolled his eyes. "Fine. What do you need?"

"Video po?"

"No, I am not doing those greetings on video. I'll sign a contract if you want."

So, that was what James did. He drew up a document that said Ella's father was allowing her to marry him, then had Mr. Santamaria and his wife sign it. He held the document now. A similar document was also prepared and signed by his parents.

He asked Jean to bring Ella to this special place, which he prepared to look like it did all those years ago.

Finally, Ella was standing in front of him - in a blindfold, still guided by Jean. "Jean, where are we? Bakit ba may ganito ka pang arte? Matagal pa ba ito? Baka ma-late ako sa date namin ni James."

"Jusko ang daldal. Ito na. Ito na." Jean took off the blindfold and bid them goodbye while Ella's eyes were still adjusting.

"James! Where are -" She looked at him and took in the surroundings. The low cieling, rickety steps, broken door, parts of the cieling and the floor peeling off... "Oh my god. Oh my god. It's our apartment!"

Ella spent some time examining everything. "Wala na yung table cloth natin, and this kitchen chair is new. Naku the faucet is still leaking. Can we go upstairs? Can we check? Mayroon na bang nakatira dito?"

"No, wala. Sige go up."

"Oh my god! Our bathroom! How did we fit? Sabay pa tayo madalas maligo."

James chuckled.

"Ang dami pa ding molds. Hirap na hirap akong linisin yan!"

"Check the bedroom."

Ella excited ran the short distance. "Oh, there's our bed. Ang liit talaga 'no? But we were happy. Gutom. But happy." Before she stood, she noticed a box on top the pillow on, what used to be, her side of the bed. "Santiago, someone left this. Looks imp -"

She noted that the box had her name.

James took it and knelt.

"Oh my god."

"Ella Santamaria..."

"Oh my god."

"I don't know what else to say kasi for a number of years alam kong puro promises yung binigay ko sayo dito sa bahay natin, kaya dinala kita dito para maalala natin lahat lahat ng plano natin before. I was wondering - now that we have the blessings of both our parents - I was wondering if you'd allow me to finally fulfill my promises to you?"

Ella pulled him up and sank into his arms. "The only promises I needed fulfilled was that we would stay together. Can I hope for that, Santiago?"

"Yes. Yes, Ella."

"Then, yes. Let me take care of you for the rest of our lives."

James smiled and slipped on the ring.

"We're really doing this?" Ella asked, still on a high.

"Yes. Pwede bang soon?"

"I'd like that."

They sealed their engagement with a kiss and soon fell into bed... which broke.

"Wala pa nga tayong ginagawa nasira na?"

James del Rosario
Engaged to the love of my life.

Ella Santamaria
Replying to jamesdelrosario
Sino yan? Swerte naman niya. Pogi mo eh. Hello po! Fans mo po ako.

James del Rosario
Replying to EllaSantamaria
Siyempre, ikaw yun! Announcement! I'm engaged to Ella Santamaria! I love you, Ella!

Ella Santamaria
Replying to jamesdelrosario
Love you!

JeanJeanJeanJean
Paki R&B po ang accounts na ito for major kadiri-ness
<tag> jamesdelrosario <tag> EllaSantamaria

*

"We married in six months. Small wedding lang," James said. "I didn't even care if no one showed up, as long as Ella did."

"It was beautiful and intimate and most of our guests were the people who were with us at our lowest. It was really a thanksgiving to them," Ella added.

The reporter smiled and looked at her notes before continuing.
"With everything that happened and how it turned out, would you do it all again?"

James and Ella looked at each other and said, "God no."

To be continued.

Note: This is the second to the last chapter. Thank you for taking time to read this!