Ink and Prints

Chapter 16: Sunset

The sun sees all with its light
And its setting is the most beautiful sight
For under the setting sun can be promise
Promises that eternally linger

_

Luna Selena Manzon Del Pilar, that's her name, my rose, my beautiful girl, my moonlit maiden. It's been months after that cold evening, under the beautiful moon. It's so ecstatic, that I'm finally with the girl of my dreams. The last months have been filled with joy, because of her, my world is filled with more hue and vibrancy. Two months ago, Noctis proposed to Stella and nothing significant happened between us, she was busy with professor work and I was busy managing Katipunan, we haven't seen that yet, huh? I should take Luna to the theatre sometimes, when we're free. Today though is the wedding day of Stella and Noctis, and I am a part of the entourage, I'm not even sure if I should be here, I'm not even part of their clique.

     "Lums, kumusta na mga girls?" Sol asked me out of nowhere. "Hindi ako sure, Sol. Hindi ko pa nakusap si Luna," I replied to him and I immediately went back to preparing my clothes. "You really know how to handle Luna, huh?" He said out of nowhere. "Yeah, aminin man natin o hindi, Luna is a bit hard to handle," Vince said out of nowhere. "Naalala ko noon, lagi ako pinagsusungitan ni Luna since sobrang ingay ko raw," Prince said that and after he stated his notions he laughed, remembering Luna's mishaps. "Dude, I endured that for 23 years," Sol said and laughed along with Prince. They all cackled with laughter while Noctis and I just awkwardly looked at each other, I just smiled at him. "Mabait naman si Luna, e. She's just a bit.. Quirky?" I said to them. "Mabait naman talaga 'yun, she's just a bit difficult to handle," Noctis said in order to back me up on my statement. "Yeah, Sol, bakit pala gano'n kakambal mo?" Prince said to Sol, and Sol's mood subtly changed to that of a serious tone. "Hm. Hindi pa siguro time para sabihin 'yun, pero she's been like that ever since we were kids," Sol said with a more serious tone than usual, though the change was subtle. Now I'm curious on why Luna had to put up that facade, she's really a ball of sunshine wrapped around in an icy disguise.

     "Noctis," I called him while the others goof around. He looked at me and showed that he was quite interested with pursuing the conversation. "Bakit niyo napagdesisyunan na dito sa Baguio ikasal ni Stella?" I asked him. "Ah. Dito naging kami on the first time, why?" He simply replied to me. Ahh, that sates my curiosity.

"Hey, Lums. I need a favor," he said to me. Wow, a favor from me? What can I possibly do to be of use to Noctis Eques Santiago. "Ano 'yun, Noct?" I asked. "Kasi hindi pa ako nakagawa ng wedding vow for Stella, I don't know how to make one since hindi naman ako magaling sa mga salita," he said to me. Woah, he's being openly honest, huh? "Hm. Hindi ba, journalist kayo ni Stella dati?" I asked him because I'm quite surprised. "I was a cartoonist, Lums," he coldly replied, oh. "Paano kita matutulungan, Noct?" I asked him in order to heed his needs. "Hmm. Anong masasabi mo ba about Luna? Paano mo siya ide-describe?" Ahh, Luna. "I will never be tired of making poems for her, she really makes me say a lot and renders me speechless at the same time. How can one be amazing, that no words can describe her, yet all beautiful words are fitting for her," words really did just come out of my mouth, eh? Noctis looked at me with amazement. "You see, Lums, Stella kasi is the best thing that happened to me, she accepted all my flaws, saw me for who I am, never got tired of me. She's the greatest blessing one could ask, and I am thankful that she came into my life. Kaso I don't know how to say these things with a wedding vow," he said to me. It's fun seeing this side of Noctis. "Here's what you should do," I helped him get his vow together.

After helping Noctis prepare, we also did our preparations and went into the car, I called Luna in order to update her about our status. "Hey, Luna. Kumusta na? How are the preparations?" I asked her. "Hey, Lumi. Okay na kami, we're just waiting for the go signal," she said to me. "Malapit na kami, Luna," I replied. "Okay, I love you, Lumi. Ingat," she said to me. I feel jitters. "I love you, too, Luna," I closed and ended the call. "Huwag mo na tawagan si Luna mamaya, ako na lang maga-update sa kaniya, Lums," Sol said to me during the ride.