Hidden Desire

New Year, New Dawn and New Life

A few days now since we announced our engagement to our Family. Glai and her family as usual have been doing outreach to poor families around Metro Manila. It was New year's eve, my family and I are getting ready to usher in the new year, Tadhana had ear muffs, dahil from time nagugulat at nanginginjg ito sa ingay ng mga paputok. He just watches us as he lounged at the couch sa patio, we are having a barbeque, dad was on the grill, cooking while Bianca and I sat at a table, drinking our beers. Si Ate Nadine busy makipag usap kay Kuya Jaime sa phone, the past 5 years they've been in an LDR relationship as Kuya Jaime was a Director for his Father's advertising company, Gold Rush Media. One of the leading Advertising companies worldwide. Kuya Jaime had an amazing eye for shooting and directing video commercials. He tells stories with his advertisements. Sam was sitting at the table, katabi ng Ate B nya as she types on her phone, must be another message for Vince.

Bianca and I were just talking about wanting to open a business. Kasalukuyan kaming nagbabalak na mag-open ng Restaurant. Matagal na naming balak na mag-open ng restaurant ni Bianca it was only now that we started to discuss seriously about it.

"Babe, this year ah? Promise me we'll make our restaurant happen na." I said to her smiling.

"Yes, we will." Bianca said smiling.

"Girls, dig in!" Dad called us.

Tito Papa was already enjoying his beer, while Tita Mama and Mom were just sitting back and relaxing. Ate Nadine, Bianca, Sam and I got our portions of steak, sausage and pork belly roast. We ate and drank and had fun the whole night as we waited for 12 midnight. Glai called me a few minutes before 12 am.

"Mahal ko, Happy New year po, maraming salamat for another year. I love you mahal." She said as I answered her call.

"Salamat din lablab. Promise me we'll be stronger this year ha? Happy new year din po." I greeted her back.

"Of course we will, lalo pa't engaged na tayo, I will work hard for us to work Mahal." She said.

"Glaiza, pinapakilig mo nanaman ako lablab ha? Wag sobra lab, baka ikamatay ko." I said giggling at her.

"Sige mahal, Happy new year ulit. Tawag na ako ni Nanay." She said

"Sige lablab, Happy New Year kela Nanay at Tatay." I replied.

"Thank you, kela Mom and Dad mo din." She said before we hanged up.

The clock strikes 11:59 P.M. the past five years ganito kami tuwing bagong taon. Bago mag 12 mag-uusap sa phone, saglit. Pagtapos ibaba namin one minute before 12. Then a surprise I wasn't expecting, out came Glai and her Family. Holding up white lit candles. Singing a song called Panalangin by APO Hiking Society, a chorus from the song echoed as they pointed up the sky, then when I looked up, the dark sky was lit with fireworks,.

Panalangin... Glai started her heartfelt solo.

Ko sa habang buhay, makapiling ka, makasama ka. Mahal ko iyong dinggin.

She sang these lines easily, giving me a smile.

Wala nang iba pang mas mahalaga
Sa tamis na dulot ng pag-ibig nating dal'wa.
At sana nama'y makikinig ka
Kapag aking sabihing minamahal kita.