Be Mine

23

Gary and Clara have been married for six months and everything is going smoothly. Clara is about to graduate, and Gary has been training in their company. They go home at the mansion as per Gerardo's request, so he has company in the big house. Clara waits for Gary at home from work and takes care of his needs like a good wife, while there are days when Gary picks up Clara in school when she needed to finish her thesis at the library.

Clara's graduation came and Gary was the one who came with her on stage to give her the medal. He is extremely proud of her. He even planned a graduation party for her when they got home, which made Clara very happy. He enjoyed looking at her with that big smile on her face, in return, Clara, for the first time since they got married, submitted herself to Gary that night.

Gary respected Clara in every way he can. So, having her that night, gave him a realization to really take care of her and learn to love her. Love. What does he really know about it? All he knows is, he wants to be there for Clara, as she is to him. However, things changed. A change that he didn't expect.

A few weeks after her graduation, Clara was fixing their room when Gary entered. He was a bit disappointed at her. His mother-in-law called and told him that Clara turned down an opportunity in the US. Clara's parents asked him to talk to their daughter and maybe change her mind.

"Hi, Gary! How's work?", she approached him for a kiss which he responded.

"It was fine. Ikaw? Okay ka lang ba dito sa bahay?", he asks her back.

Clara nodded, "Yes, I kinda re-arranged and organized our things. Hindi ko kasi naaasikaso since our wedding."

Gary sat down on the bed and pulled her into his lap. Clara looks at him. "What's wrong, Baby?"

"Mommy called me kanina.", he tells her and saw that Clara looked down, looks like she knows where the conversation is going.

"Why did you turn it down? I thought you want to be a wedding coordinator?", he kisses her shoulder. They have been more intimate lately and he enjoys kissing her.

"Baby.. I do. It's my dream, diba?"

"So, why? Sayang yun."

"Pero masyadong matagal yung course. Six months? Paano ka?", she looks at him.

Gary smiled at the thought that she is thinking about him. "What about me?", he asks her.

"Sino mag-aalaga sayo?", she asked that made him chuckle.

"Baby, malaki na ako. I can take care of myself.", he pulls her closer to him and snuggles in her neck.

"I know, pero I don't think I can leave. Hindi ko kaya na iwan ka."

He sits up properly and rests his chin on her shoulder. She is looking down at her hands, playing with her wedding ring. He caressed her face to make her look at him. "Clara, remember when we talked about before getting married?", she nodded at him. "You said that we will fulfill our dreams even though we are married already. You said we'll support each other, di ba?", she nodded again. "So here it is. You have been supporting me since I started at the company. You even helped me on some nights with presentations. Now, it is your turn. Your dream is waiting for you and I want to support you."

Gary felt her hands on his cheeks. "Gary.. they do not matter anymore because you are my dream. Nandito ka na eh. Bakit maghahanap pa ako ng iba kung nakuha na kita?"

Gary smiled at her as he felt butterflies in his stomach with what she just said, "Baby, you're so sweet, but please listen to me. I want you to take it, okay?"