Finding You

Un

ENCOUNTER

I've always dreamt of marrying Aidan Vincent Legaspi. I've imagined spending my perfect life with him, building our own little family. I knew that I was made for him the first time I met him, that he was the one for me. To me, no one could ever measure up to him. He was everything that I ever wanted and more.

As I walk down the aisle, towards the man that I've always loved, I can't help but reminisce the years we've shared together. The way he looked, standing at the altar, eyes shining brightly and happily like this moment can't get any more perfect. I could still remember how it felt the moment I first laid eyes on him on my Grandfather's charity ball fourteen years ago.

"Mga apo, I'd like for you to meet the sons of one of my dearest friends."

I just stood behind Lolo and gripped my brother's hand tight, not wanting to interact with people. I don't do well in meeting new people. I'd rather stay in my room than chat with them and act nice.

"Hey," my brother started to move out from behind our grandfather and extend his hand for introductions, "I'm Brooks and this is - " he tugged at my hand and whispered that it's okay to meet them, "Savannah, my younger sister."

"Hi, my name's Aidan." He crouched down and gave me a heart-stopping smile. "How old are you?"

"I...uhm..I.." I was too mesmerized that I couldn't form the right words.

"She just turned five this month." my brother answered for me, "Sorry, she's not used to mingling with other kids."

"Then, you should address me as your Kuya from now on." He smiled at me and ruffled my hair. "Oh, you'll have to call him Kuya too." He pointed at a much taller kid beside him who had his arm around Kuya Aidan's shoulders, "He's my Kuya Casper."

Kuya Casper shook hands with my brother while he just looked at me like he was annoyed by my presence. Though they have the same features as Kuya Aidan, he was not as welcoming as him. They started to talk about computer games and other stuff that they like to play so I just stood there listening to their conversation while sneaking glances at Kuya Aidan.

I must've stared at him for too long that he suddenly looked at me and smiled brightly. I was too embarrassed to be caught staring at him so I cast my eyes down while they continue talking. Then I heard him say, "Savannah is like a doll. She looks so adorable." That made me look at him and grinned from ear to ear.

After that comment from Kuya Aidan, they were called by their grandfather to meet other guests. They promised us that they would come to visit us again. I'm looking forward to their next visit to our house.

"You must like them a lot, huh?" Kuya Brooks asked, "You can't hide that smile from your face. That's good then. I like to be friends with them too."

"Kuya Aidan is nice."

My brother nodded, "Aidan's nice. I think they'll be our good friends plus Kuya Casper is cool."

I shrugged at his comment about Kuya Casper because I don't think he likes me. That's fine though. I'm also picky with people so I sort of understand that. I'd just get close and befriend Kuya Aidan.

At a very young age, I knew that I was in love — love at first sight. My love for him has grown over the years. Looking at him now as he stands at the altar ready to profess his undying love, to utter his vows and lifetime commitment, I can't help the tears that fall from eyes. As I heard the priest utter the words 'You may kiss the bride', my heart shattered into thousands of pieces. Aidan Vincent Legaspi married another woman.

Iniisip siguro ng mga dumalo sa kasal na umiiyak ako dahil sa sobrang kaligayahan para kay Aidan dahil alam naman ng lahat na malapit ang pamilya namin sa isa't isa. Hindi nila alam na umiiyak ako dahil ngayon alam kong talo na ako, na wala na akong pag-asa sakanya dahil kinasal na siya sa taong pinapangarap niya.

"Wipe your tears." I heard a familiar voice beside me as he hands me his handkerchief. "Your makeup will be ruined if you continue to cry over my brother."

"K-kuya?"I was surprised to see him here, "What are you doing here?" Ang alam ko hindi siya makakadalo dahil busy siya sa internship niya sa US. Its been a while since I last saw him, three years to be exact.

"I don't think Aidan will forgive me if I miss his wedding." Sinubukan nyang punasan ang mga luha na lumandas sa aking mukha ngunit iniwas ko ang aking sarili. He just looked at me like he's trying to figure me out, "I didn't think I'd find my fiancee crying over my brother's wedding. Well, I should've expected that, right?" He smiled at me and went to see the newlywed couple.

Yup, that's right. I've just been recently engaged last month to a man I've known since forever. Casper Elliot Graham Legaspi is my fiancee and he knows that I've been in love with his brother for a long time. Our engagement was not something fancy nor was it done in a grand way. Hindi nagpropose si Kuya Graham sa akin, wala rin siya dito sa bansa nang ganapin ang engagement dahil marami siyang inaasikaso sa pag-aaral nya kaya't pirmahan lang ng kontrata ang naganap.

Our grandfathers have been the best of friends and they planned to merge their families by marriage of their grandkids. Kuya Graham's grandfather along with their parents have passed away in an accident a long time ago kaya't ang naging guardian nilang magkapatid ay ang aking Lolo. According to the will of his grandfather, their company will be given to Kuya Graham when he is of age with the condition that he marries me. Gustuhin ko man tumanggi, hindi ko magawa. Though I come off as bratty, mahal ko ang pamilya ko. Lolo said that our business needs help and that marrying into the Legaspi family will save our legacy. I can't let what my Lolo built his entire life go to nothing. Bukod sa kailangan namin ng tulong ng pamilya nila, naniniwala si Lolo na kami ay para sa isa't isa at mapapanatag daw ang kanyang loob dahil alam niyang hindi ako pababayaan ni Kuya Graham kapag kinasal na kami.

Nakita kong papalapit na ang kapatid ko sa akin kasama si Kuya Graham kaya't inayos ko na ang aking sarili dahil siguradong sesermunan na naman niya ako sa pag-iyak ko para kay Kuya Aidan. Alam ng lahat ng malapit sa akin na hanggang ngayon gustong gusto ko pa din si Kuya Aidan. They all know my one sided love for him and everyone tells me to stop pining for him. Si Kuya Aidan na nga lang yata ang manhid sa nararamdaman ko.

"Sav," Kuya Brooks looked at me with a worried expression, "I thought we've talked about this."

"Tears of joy?" I tried to sound cheerful but I know my brother won't buy any of it. "Kuya pwede bang sa'yo ako sumabay papunta sa reception?" I linked my arms with him and tried to act cute so that he will give me a ride.

Inakbayan ako ng aking kapatid, "Sav, nandito naman si Kuya Casper. Kayo ang dapat magkasama sa pagpunta roon." Nauna na si Kuya Brooks kasama ang date nya at iniwan ako kasama si Kuya Graham.

"I don't have my car with me." I was fidgeting because I don't know how to act around him, "Sorry, but can you give me a lift Kuya?" It must be because I haven't seen him in a while that's why I feel nervous all of a sudden. Besides, this is the first time I see him after we've been officially engaged. Kahit malapit ang pamilya namin sa isa't isa, hindi ko masasabing malapit ako kay Kuya Graham.

"Shouldn't you be dropping the word Kuya?"

"Pero kuya-" Hinila ni Kuya Graham ang aking palapulsuhan kaya't napalapit kami sa isa't isa. Nabigla ako sakanyang ginawa, "K-kuya ano bang ginagawa mo?"

"Casper. Elliot. Graham." Napatingala ako ng magsalita siya at hindi maalis sa aking mukha ang pagkalito sa mga sinabi niya. "Pick one of those names and drop the kuya," He lowered his head and whispered in my ear, "It's good to see you again Sav."