Before Series #1 : Before Midnight

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"Happy anniversary sa inyong dalawa ni Sylas, my dear." Mom said when I walked downstairs with my dress on. It's my first anniversary with Sylas and I'm so happy because I really can't imagine that this day will come. Parang dati lang, hulog na hulog pa 'ko sa kanya at sinabi ko sa sarili ko na wala akong gagawing kahit ano na pwedeng ikasira ng pagkakaibigan namin ni Sylas pero ngayon, boyfriend ko na ang bestfriend ko.

Sobrang bilis lumipas ng panahon, it feels like kahapon ko lang siya sinagot tapos ngayon icecelebrate na namin mismo yung isang taon namin.

Nang marinig ko ang doorbell, bumilis na naman ang tibok ng puso ko na para bang nag-uunahan sila sa finish line. Binuksan na ni Mama ang pintuan at luwa-luwa no'n ang boyfriend kong nakasuot ng tuxedo. He's so manly with his suit, hindi mo iisiping nag-aaral pa siya, ang mature lang niya tignan.

"Hi beautiful," He said walking towards me. "Happy first anniversary, babe."

"Happy first anniversary, handsome." I greeted back and when I'm about to kiss him, I heard a cough behind us and I already know where it came from. Kaya sa noo na lang ako hinalikan ni Sylas na kinangiti ko naman. Akala mo naman sobrang gentleman porque nasa harap lang namin si Mama pero pag wala, makanakaw ng halik akala mo si Flash. "Ma, alis na po kami." Paalam ko sabay halik sa pisngi niya. Nagpaalam lang din si Sylas at sabing,

"I'll get her home by midnight, Tita." And that made my Mom laugh.

Sylas got us a reservation in a fancy restaurant that until now hindi pa din niya sinasabi sakin dahil surprise niya daw yun, and because I love him, hindi ko na siya pinilit sabihin kung saan man niya 'ko dadalhin. While driving, we're just talking about all the things we've been through ever since we got together, all the problems, misunderstandings, him making me feel appreciated, and so on. Hindi ko na namalayang nasa harap na kami ng isang hotel. I look at him with a confused eyes but he just smiled at bago pa 'ko makapagtanong, may bumukas na ng pintuan sa side ko na kung nakatayo lang ako baka napatalon na 'ko sa gulat. Sinamaan ko lang ng tingin si Sylas nang makita ko siyang tinatawanan na 'ko. He really likes it when I get shocked.

Paglabas ko inabot na ni Sy ang susi niya dun sa valet at inabot ang braso sakin giving me the look to cling my arm to his. And that's what I did. We're walking like that until we reach the door of a restaurant inside the hotel. Pero nagtaka din ako agad nang makita siyang dumiretso hanggang sa may pintuan na naman akong makita.

"Good evening Mr. Perez," The man greeted and look at me. "And Ms. Sloane." I just smiled at him because I'm still confused on what's happening right now, ni ayoko na din tanungin si Sy dahil sasabihin lang niyang mag-intay ako. We're walking on a pathway when I saw a gazebo in the end of the pathway where we're walking.

Habang palapit ng palapit kami sa gazebo, unti-unti akong may narinig na tumutugtog ng violin at pagkarating namin sa harapan ng gazebo, doon ko lang nakita yung pinanggagalingan ng tunog kanina, they're playing Say You Won't Let Go, like what he played to me before when he was still courting me. Hindi ko na namalayan ang pagpunta ni Sylas sa harap ko nang bigla niyang nilagay ang kamay niya sa bewang ko, one thing I know, we're now dancing at the music that envelopes us.

While he dance with me, my eyes are already starting to tear up and I saw how his expression change from happy to worried.

"Hey babe, why are you crying?"

"This is just happy tears babe, don't worry. I love you." I said and hug him while we dance.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world and having you in my life is the best thing that could happen to me, Alli. I love you babe." He whispered to my ears.

Nang matapos namin ang kanta, dinala niya na 'ko sa table namin.

"So this is your surprise huh?" I asked looking at the rest of the place. Normally, I would be scared out here kung walang ganito karaming ilaw at kandila at kung wala ding mga musician na tumutugtog ng mga instruments nila.

"Well yes, but that's not all." He said and I saw him getting something out his pocket in his coat and place it in front of me. It is a blue velvet box. I quickly opened it and saw a necklace inside, moon being its pendant. "That represents moon, and this," He said and show me his bracelet with a sun on it. Si Sylas na ata ang lalakeng pinaka-soft na makikilala ko sa buhay ko other than my Dad.

"Sol at Luna," I said and stared at the necklace. Nakita ko namang tumayo si Sylas sabay kuha ng kwintas sa box at lakad sa likod ko. I collect my hair in my hand for him to easily lock it in my neck. "Thank you babe, but I thought no gifts?" I asked. Sabi kasi niya few days ago na wla daw bilihan ng regalo except sa birthday namin but I guess exception na din 'tong anniversary namin.

"Let's make our anniversary an exception." He answered.

"But I didn't buy you a gift." I said pouting while he laughs at me, hindi ko na siya nasamaan ng tingin dahil nalungkot talaga ako, sana pala bumili pa din ako ng regalo.

"Hey babe, it's okay if you didn't buy any gift for me." He said when he noticed that I'm not getting annoyed when he laughed at me earlier.

"But--"

"Alli, it's fine really. If you really feel bad, marami pa naman tayong anniversary na icecelebrate right? He said and I just smiled at the thought of him assuring me that our relationship will last a lifetime.

"Yes, we will. And I promise you that I will make it up to you. Thank you for this babe, I love you so much." I said holding his hand above the table.

"I love you most my love." He said smiling. That's the smile I fell for.

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