"Why don't you allow me to buy those jams? I'm still your client, baby." He whispered to my ears while his arms were embracing me.

After what happened, Fil and I spent the whole week together at Cagwait Beach. Hindi ko sinabi kay Mama ang totoo kong dahilan kung bakit natagalan ako rito. I created a lot of reasons for her to be satisfied with my answers. Dahil mababaliw 'yon sa kakaisip kapag nalaman niyang kasama ko si Fil.

Nilingon ko siya at kaagad kong napansin ang mapupungay niyang mga mata. His eyes were dark brown, but every time the light of the sun hits his eyes, they turn light brown. Ang makakapal niyang kilay, ang makurbang pilik-mata ang matangos niyang ilong, ang makurba niyang labi, lahat iyon ay nakakabighani.

He smirked at me, and his lips aroused a little bit. Inikotan ko siya nang aking mga mata.

Mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa aking beywang. We were watching the sunset on the beach while we were on a yacht. Talagang pinagplanohan niya ang pagkakataong makausap akong muli.

"Ano naman ang gagawin mo sa mga jams ko? Alam ko naman na hindi mo kayang ubosin ang libo-libong mga jams."

He chuckled at what I had said, and I couldn't help but smile. Nakita ko rin ang pagsayaw ng kaniyang buhok nang dahil sa sariwang hangin na nanggagaling sa karagatan.

The sea was calm and silent. Na para bang pinapahiwatig nito sa akin na ayos na ang lahat. Na magiging maayos rin ang kalagayan naming dalawa ni Fil.

"I have plans for it, baby. Dapat hindi mo tinatanggihan ang mga customers mo." Natatawa pa rin niyang sabi sa akin.

Tinampal ko ng mahina ang kaniyang matipunong braso at umilag lamang siya sa ginawa ko.

"Ano naman ang plano mo? Atsaka, for your information, you're not my customer. Si Mr. Owen Suarez ang magiging client ko. Wait a minute, is he a real person?" Naguguluhan kong pagtatanong sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo at umawang ang kaniyang bibig. He licked his lower lip and looked at me.

"Why? Are you interested in him?" He warned me with his questions.

Mas lalo siyang guma-gwapo kapag nag-su-plado, eh. He has become even more mature now, even in his body structures. His voice became baritone, and it's fucking attractive! Kaya, hinding-hindi ko masisisi ang ibang babae na magkakagusto rin sa kaniya.

I am lucky, though...

"You jealous, Mr. Martensen?" I mocked him with my words, and he lifted his head to watch the sunset instead.

Napatawa na lamang ako sa kaniya at idinampi ko ang aking ilong sa kaniyang pisngi. Hindi siya gumalaw pero nararamdaman ko ang pagkainis niya.

"Tss... he was my friend in Manila. I asked for his help and he accepted it," he said with irritation.

"I've missed you so much, Fil." bulong kong sabi sa kaniya.

Nang dahil sa mga sinabi ko ngayon ay napalingon siya sa akin. Unti-unting nanlalambot ang kaniyang paningin at bumuntong hininga. He cupped my left cheek and planted me a kiss.

Napapikit ako nang dahil sa ginawa niya.

"Hindi mo rin alam kung gaano ako kasabik na makita kang muli, Paige... my days without your presence haunted my life, and I don't want to feel that again." He said in a very low tone. I almost couldn't hear it properly.

Nagtama ang aming mga ilong and he closed the gap between us.

I held his hands. Ipinagsalikop niya ang mga iyon at napangiti ako nang magsakto ang aming mga kamay. It fits perfectly to each other.

"Pakasalan mo 'ko," bulong niyang sabi sa akin.

Ang mga bulong na para bang sabik na sabik na sagotin ko nang oo. Ang boses na nagpapahiwatig na hindi niya kayang mabuhay na wala ako.

"Sinabi mo na iyan sa akin noon. You ended up getting engaged with that Cassandra," naging manhid ang boses ko nang sabihin ko iyon sa kaniya.

Acid was rushing through my veins. I couldn't help but get a little bit mad about it. Hindi ko makalimutan ang mga araw na ipinagtabuyan niya ako dahil sa gusto niyang magpakasal sa babaeng iyon!

"I'm sorry, Paige. If I wasn't a coward, I wouldn't lose you... inaamin ko, pinagsisisihan ko ang lahat nang iyon. It breaks my heart every time I push you away from me. Unti-unti akong inuubos."

Iniwas ko ang aking paningin sa kaniya, hinuli niya ang mga ito at hinalikan ang aking pisngi muli.

"Baby..."

"Marry me, Paige. Marry me, this time. This day, in this yacht."

Biglang bumilis ang pagtibok ng aking puso sa kaniyang mga sinabi at napalingon ako sa kaniya. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at umawang ang aking bibig. Napakurap-kurap ako nang makita kong unti-unti siyang tumayo sa aking tabi.

He smiled at me genuinely, with tears in his eyes. Napatayo ako nang makita kong may pumasok na isang babaeng naka-white coat at may dalang isang puting envelope.

She smiled at me. She probably in her mid-fortes.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Martensen." Maligayang pagbati nito kay Fil.

Ngumiti si Fil sa kaniya at bumati rin ito pabalik sa kaniya. Hindi pa rin nag-si-sink in sa utak ko ang mga nangyayari.

"Good afternoon, Mayor. Thank you for coming here."

"I am glad to be here! Is this the girl you've been talking to me?"

Kaagad akong bumati sa kaniya at ginawadan niya rin ako ng isang matamis na ngiti.

Kinakabahan ako, pero, hindi ko maitago ang saya na aking nararamdaman ngayon.

Fil, held my waist, and pulled me closer to him. "Yes, Mayor. She's my fiancée and will be my wife now!" he proudly said to her.

Napakagat ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi.

What the fuck is happening right now?! Is this really happening?! Oh God! I am so happy right now! Naiiyak ako!

Kaya pala pinilit niya ako kanina na magsuot ng isang puting dress. I didn't noticed his plans about this. Kaya pala nakasuot siya ngayon ng isang puting polo shirt at isang maong na pants. I couldn't believe I am marrying this man for real!

"I couldn't wait for you to tie the knot with this woman!"

"Syempre, hindi naman puwede na hindi kami kasali."

Kumunot ang aking noo nang marinig ko ang mga pamilyar na boses mula sa pinto ng aming yacht at iniluwa roon ang kaniyang mga pinsan.

Mas lalong lumundag ang aking puso nang makita ko si Rios, Aleb, si Leister...

Nagtagal ang paningin ko kay Leister. He also changed a lot. He smiled at me and gave me a wide hug. I hugged him back, too!

"Congratulations, my Audrey..." He whispered it to me.

"Leister..." the voice behind my back was very evident.

Natatawa na lamang ako at kaagad kong pinunasan ang aking mga luha. He patted my head and look to my back.

"Congratulations, Kerby..."

Napalingon ako kay Fil at nakita ko ang tipid na ngiting ibinigay niya sa kaniyang pinsan. "Thanks, Leister, and thanks for coming here." He said sincerely.

"Ikaw pa ba," sabi niyang muli, bago tumapik sa balikat ni Fil.

The two remaining cousins of Fil, greeted me also. They were very happy about our civil wedding.

"Can we start?" The Mayor asked.

Mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay ni Fil. He caresses my thumbs with his, making me feel safe and genuinely cared for by him.

"Not yet, Mayor."

Kumunot ang aking noo nang sabihin iyon ni Fil sa aming harapan.

"Bakit?" Nalilito kong pagtatanong sa kaniya.

Lumingon siya sa akin at humarap. He gave me a smile and his lips twitched.

"I invited someone whom you considered one of the important people in your heart." 

"Audrey!"

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon nang makarinig ng isang pamilyar na boses. I saw Chloris wearing a navy blue dress with her hair tied in a ponytail style. Kaagad itong lumapit sa akin at yumakap.

Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ko ang kaniyang mahigpit na yakap sa akin.

"Chloris! You're here!" Tumulo na naman ang mga luha sa aking mga mata.

Napahikbi siya at ganoon rin ako. Natawa ang mga Martensen sa akin at kaagad naman itong inawat ni Fil.

"Oo naman! Hindi ka puwedeng ikasal nang wala ako, okay?! Buti nalang at tinawagan ako ni Fil at sinabi niya sa akin ang plano niya."

I looked back to Fil, and he just gave me a smirk.

"So, this was really your plan, huh?"

Nagkibit-balikat lamang siya at mukhang proud na proud pa ito sa mga ginawa niyang plano.

"Well, let's just say that you're right." He slowly nodded while saying that.

Napapailing na lamang ako sa kaniyang mga sinabi at hinarap si Chloris muli.

"Salamat, Chloris. Dumating ka," sabi ko sa kaniya.

Pinunasan niya muna ang kaniyang mga luha bago magsalitang muli.

"Oo naman, no! Hindi puwede na wala ako."

Niyakap ko nalang siyang muli, bago kami tinawag ni Mayor para magsimula na.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join Mr. Kerby Fil Martensen and Audrey Paige San Diego in matrimony commended to be honourable among all, and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly, and solemnly."

I can't explain what I feel right now. I am floating in the air! I can't just really believe that this is happening right now! Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay ni Fil habang pinagmamasdan ko siyang nakangiting nakikinig sa Mayor. I am now marrying the one and only Kerby Fil Martensen, who was my first boyfriend, who was my first kiss, who was my first in everything... I am marrying him in front of a beautiful, captivating sunset, with calm waves and the skies filled with red and oranges. Para itong mga pintura na unti-unting nabubuo, na unti-unting naguguhit.

I am marrying him in front of his cousins. I am marrying him in front of my best friend. I am marrying him for myself.

"Kerby, you can start now with your vows," the mayor said to him.

Lumingon siya sa akin at kaagad na inilahad ang isang kumikinang at mamahalin na singsing. He looked at me with full of love, sincerity and purity.

"From the very first time that I saw you in our school, I saw madness in your eyes because I accidentally threw water in your face. Simula nung nangyari, hindi ka na umalis sa isipan ko. I think about you, every day. Weird and crazy, right? Hindi ko kailanman naisip na mababaliw ako sa'yo nang ganito kalalim. I will love you so deeply, my Paige. I have found my peace in you. I have found my home in you. I don't want a lifetime without you, baby. You were my reality; you were the reason why I have my reason to live in this world. Hinding-hindi ako mabubuo kung wala ka... so please, baby, for the second time around, are you willing to spend your whole life with me?"

Unti-unting bumuhos ang mga luha mula sa mga mata ni Fil. He was scared and nervous at the same time. Nararamdaman ko 'yon ngayon.

How can I say no to him? Siya ang buhay ko. Siya lang ang naging kulay sa buhay ko.

"Yes, Fil. I do. I really do!"

Pumalakpak ang mga taong nasa paligid namin at humiyaw pa ang kaniyang mga pinsan nang dahil sa saya.

He smiled at me, tears falling down his cheeks. Pinunasan ko ang mga ito, gamit ang aking mga daliri. I caressed it slowly.

Dahan-dahan niyang ipinasok ang singsing sa aking daliri.

Now, it's my turn to make my vows to him.

"I have loved and found you in my darkest days. Minahal mo 'ko sa mga araw na kailangan ko nang pagmamahal. You were there to love me and fill the hole in my heart. Even after eight years, hindi ka nawala sa puso ko. Ngayon pa ba ako aangal? I see the future in you. I see my future in you, Fil. You loved me despite my imperfections. You tried your best to protect and understand me. Kahit sa mga araw na sinabi ko sa'yong pagod na pagod na 'ko." Napahikbi ako sa mga sinabi ko sa kaniya.

He held my waist and slowly nodded at me.

"It's alright, baby..." he comforts me...

"And yet, you still want me to be your wife. Are you sure that you are willing to spend your life with me, Fil?" Pagtatanong ko sa kaniya.

"I will marry you in every places, Paige. To show you that I am wholeheartedly, willingly want to spend my life with you. I don't have doubts of choosing you. Please, baby..." He almost begged me.

I closed my eyes and smiled.

"Mr. Martensen, you may now kiss your bride."

Wala akong ibang nakikita ngayon sa kaniya, kung hindi ang isang Kerby Fil na lumulutang sa saya. The eyes never lie.

He slowly tilted his head and gave me the sweetest kiss. I closed my eyes and responded to his kiss.

I heard a hand of claps. Mga taong masaya nang dahil sa kanilang mga nakikita.

He held my waist and put me closer to him. Napangiti ako nang mas lumalim pa ang halik na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

"Wohooo!"

His cousins were shouting and teased us.

Nagtama ang aming mga ilong at yinakap niya ako nang napakahigpit.

After our vows, the mayor showed us the papers. I looked at Fil while writing his signature on our paper.

Am I now really a Martensen?

"Congratulations to both of you! Mr and Mrs. Martensen!"

"Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!" Sigaw ni Chloris at napangiti na lamang ako.

Binigyan ako nang isang napakatamis na halik ni Fil sa aking pisngi.

"I couldn't wait to be with you, all alone..." He whispered to me and tickles my ear!

Hindi ako magsasawang magpakasal at magpatali sa kaniya, nang paulit-ulit.