Yvonne Alvarez's Point Of View

"BE SAFE, you two. Tawagan niyo kami palagi."

Mahigpit na yakap ang iginawad ko kay Mama. Two years ago today, the second time, I asked Elliana to marry me which she said yes. Today, we are flying to Japan, to star new journey in life and plans to travel the world.

Japan is my first in line travel destination. I want Elliana to be with me as I travel one of my most preferred country in the bucket-list.

"Thank you for keeping me, Tita, Tito. Habang buhay na tatanawin ko itong utang na loob."

"Elli, pamilya ka. Ang pamilya, nagtutulungan. Sige na, baka ma-late pa kayo sa flight niyo." ay sinusupil na ngiti sa labi si Mama at Papa.

"I will miss you both. Bumalik-balik rin kayo, ha? Huwag masyadong magtagal. Enjoy!" Ate Yel sobbed.

I chuckled and made my way to her. I snaked my arms around my sister and gently tapped her back. I want to stay but I also want to take a different path. This doesn't mean we'll be away from each other though.

"We'll keep you updated. Tatawag rin kami palagi. Thank you, Ma, Pa."

"Ingat kayo, Ate Elli at Ate Yvonne," kaway ni Isaac.

"Magtatapos ako katulad mo, Ate Yvonne. Magsisikap din ako para maging successful sa life," ngisi ni Yvette.

"Aasahan ko 'yan. Aalis na kami, Mama, Papa. Mag-iingat kayo dito."

Bumalik ako sa pwesto ko, sa tabi ng girlfriend kong sobrang ganda. Hinawakan ko ang kamay nito at hinawakan naman sa kabila ang bagahe namin.

"Mag-iingat kayo, mga anak. Mahal namin kayo."

"See you soon, mga ate ko!"

"Congratulations in advance, Elli and Yvonne. Balik kayo agad."

Elliana ang I waved at them for the last time before entering the airport's premises. As soon as we entered the plane, I made sure my girlfriend's comfortably sitting. I held her hand and planted a soft kiss at the back of her hand.

"Are you ready for your new journey in life? With me?" I asked.

"Born ready, love."

"About your parents... I thought they would come to us," I sighed heavily as I rested my back at the seat.

Elliana answered me with a smile. Humilig ang ulo nito sa balikat ko. Moments after, the plane took off. Elliana's heavy breathing was enough for me to know that she's already sleeping. I smiled as I reached for a blanket inside the baggage.

"I love you," I whispered.

Nang lumapag na ang eroplano ay ginising ko na rin si Elliana. She looked so worn out. I rented an uber and as soon as we reached the hotel where we will be staying for a couple of weeks, I carried her all the way from the doorstep to the bed. It's a private extended stay hotel.

"Thanks, love," mapupungay ang mga matang sabi nito sa akin.

My breathe hitched as I stare at her tantalizing green orbs. Damn. It's always captivating.

"You're so beautiful, my love," I said.

"Agree. You're lucky to have me, aren't you?" she beamed.

"Indeed, I am. Rest, love. Magpapa-deliver ako ng pagkain. I'll wake you up later when the food arrives."

"Gusto ko 'yong luto mo," she mumbled.

"Okay, bibili ako ng groceries. Stay here, okay? Love you."

"Love you too. Bumalik ka agad, okay?"

Inayos ko ang kumot nito at pinatakan ng halik ang noo. I wore my winter jacket and made my way outside. Hindi rin ako nagtagal sa pamimili at agad na bumalik sa hotel. I cooked food for my queen and placed it on the table. I decided to open the window to see the beauty of Tokyo. It's my first time flying out of the country. I don't know anyone here. It was a long-time plan. I'm glad to be here, I'm glad being in Tokyo, Japan.

"Love, gising na. Luto na ang pagkain." I climbed onto the bed and examined my girlfriend's beauty.

Dahan-dahan ay nagmulat ito ng mata. Her rare breathtaking eyes landed on my face. She extended her arms and put it around my neck.

"Do you want something?" I gently asked.

"No, not really. I want to stay in bed with you for a minute."

"Oh, okay."

Umayos ako ng higa. Nagsumiksik ako sa katawan nito at ibinaon ang mukha sa pagitan ng kaniyang leeg at balikat. Walang pabango pero ang bango. It must've been tough for her. Not being able to buy the things she wanted. Kinaya niya iyon sa loob ng mahabang panahon. She never requested anything expensive to me.

Nagbago ang buhay na nakasanayan nito. No more expensive clothing, designer bags, or jewelries. Not even a single expensive perfume. She used to work as a manager at my sister's growing business. Wala akong ni-isang reklamo na narinig. No more unlimited foods in the table, wala rin akong narinig. She's happy with her new family. And I am happy that she is part of my family. I just love my girlfriend too much.

"Kain na tayo? Baka lumamig na ang pagkain."

Unti-unti ay umupo ako sa kama at tumango sa sinabi nito. Pinanghila ko ito ng upuan at pinagsandok ng pagkain. Nang umupo ako sa harap nito ay saka ko lang napansin na wala na itong make up at magulo ang buhok. Kahit gano'n ay ang ganda pa rin at nakakatanggal angas.

"Ang ganda mo," wala sa sariling sambit ko.

"Pang-ilan mo na 'yan," natatawang sabi nito.

Tumawa lang ako. Matapos magdasal ay nagsimula na kaming kumain. Kapag nagsasalita ito ay napapatigil ako sa pagsubo at wala sa sariling napapatitig nalang sa kaniya. She's so beautiful in my eyes, why is it like that?

"Do you want to cuddle later?" I asked.

"Always. I'm addicted to cuddles with you."

"Okay, let's finish this and we'll go cuddle."

Ako na ang nagprisintang maghugas pagkatapos kumain. Habang naghuhugas ay napaisip ako. Maybe Elliana was indeed our lucky charm. She gives luck and love to the people around her. Everyone in our community loves her so dearly. Hindi mawawala ang mga panlalait, lalo na dahil sa relasyon naming dalawa. But we were old enough not to entertain those negativity and just... shove it away. People do have different opinions and perspectives. Iyon ang opinyon nila at manantili iyong ganoon. No one can change a person if a person decides to close its mind in accepting someone's opinion.

Bumalik ako kay Elliana matapos ang ginagawa. Umakyat ako sa kama at komportableng humiga sa tabi nito. Nakatitig lang ito sa kisame at liham ng luha ang mga mata.

"My love, you were crying? Is there something that's bothering you? You want to talk it out?" malamyos na tanong ko.

"I miss my parents so bad," she confessed.

"Hm? Do you want to see them?"

She shake her head and sighed. "They might do it again. Ayoko ng maulit iyon."

"Wala ka na bang balita sa kanila?"

"Wala na. Huling balita ko ay umalis sila ng bansa. They left me for good. I was too confident that they wouldn't but they did."

Ilang sandali pa ay nagsimula itong umiyak. Hinayaan ko lang ito. Crying makes everything better. Mas nakakagaan ng kalooban. Ilang minutong ganoon ang girlfriend ko. Nanatili ako sa tabi nito at paminsan-minsan ay hinahagod ang likod nito sa tuwing lumalakas ang pag-iyak.

Her parents left because she chose to be with me. I've seen how Elli used to be like this for the first few months. Constantly crying at night. Akala siguro nito hindi ko naririnig ang mga halinghing niya noon. I want to make her happy and feel better so I always take her out for a walk or talk.

"They're probably out there wishing you all the best."

"How can you say so?" she asked.

"Hindi ka nila hahayaang makasama ako kung hindi ka nila suportado sa desisyon mo. Siguro hanggang ngayon ay nakabuntot pa rin sila sa 'tin kung hindi pa rin nila tanggap. I think your parents are supporting and loving you from afar. Hindi ka nila hahayaang makasama ako kung ayaw nila, Elli. They will find a way for us to be separated. Ginawa ba nila? Hindi. Hindi nila ginawa." I answered. "Why? Because they knew you are happy and you can finally decide for yourself. Hindi dahil sa umalis sila ay iniwan ka na nila. In some way, they trusted you to me."

"Is that your way of making me feel better?"

"No, it's my way of giving you peace of mind."

TWO DAYS after, we decided to visit one of my favorite places in Japan. The purple wisteria tree in Ashikaga. The one-hundred-thirty year old jaw dropping wisteria tree. It took us one hour and thirty minutes of travel. Nakakangalay umupo sa sasakyan ng isa't kalahating oras pero sobrang worth it.

"Wow, love. This is beautiful!" Elliana exclaimed.

"Hm, just right for a romantic date."

"Tayo ka diyan, love. Picturan kita," utos niya.

At dahil ako ay isang alagad ng diwatang ito ay sumunod ako. With my guitar at the back of my body, I smiled with a peace sign.

"Another pose naman."

Hindi ko na alam kung anong itsura ko. Hindi ako fan ng picture-picture na iyan, but it changed. Gusto ko na ang mga ganitong bagay ngayon.

"Selfie tayo, love. Is-send ko kay sa group chat namin."

"Tara," tango ko.

Nagikot-ikot kami sa flower park. Nang dumating ang gabi ay doon na nagsimula ang aking maitim na plano. Inaya ko ulit si Elliana pabalik sa wisteria tree at pinatalikod ito. I took a photo of her from behind for her new profile picture and a candid photos of her. Napaka-ganda nga naman.

Habang nakatalikod ito ay kinuha ko galing sa likod ang gitara na kanina ko pang dala-dala. Wala na masyadong tao dahil palalim na rin ang gabi.

"Elli," kuha ko sa atensyon nito.

"Yes, love?" lumingon ito sa 'kin.

"Para sa 'yo ang kantang 'to. Thank you for choosing me even though it wasn't the best decision. I love you so much and you deserve to hear this from me."

I started strumming the guitar. What I am about to play is a song entitled "Paninindigan Kita". Matagal ko ng gustong gawin ito at naisip ko na ito na ang tamang oras para doon.

'Paninindigan kita, oo

Mamahalin kitang buong-buo

Kahit sa pagtanda,

ako'y sa 'yo.'

I will uphold you, my forever adorable green-eyed sweetheart.

'Paninindigan kita, oo

Ano mang sabihin ng magulong mundo

Kahit ayaw nilang ako'y sa 'yo,

ika'y iingatan ko.'

She took a step closer, tears were visible in her rosy cheek.

'Kakakilig ka sa tuwing

lumalapit ka na sinta

Nawawala ang angas ko,

pilit man na itago pa.'

Napangiti ako ng nasa harap ko na ito.

'Hm, grabe kasi

kung pa'no mo 'ko itahan kapag napupuno na 'ko

Sa ingay ng paligid,

ikaw ang aking katahimikan.'

I commit to stand by you through thick and thin, my love.

'Paninidigan kita, oo

kahit alam kong tayo'y magbabago

Magmula umpisa hanggang dulo.'

'Paninindigan kita.

Paninindigan kita.

'Wag kang mag-alala,

ako'y siguradong-sigurado.'

Dahan-dahan ay inilapag ko ang gitara at iniluhod ang isang tuhod. I reached for my pocket while still focused on her surprised look.

"Love, ano ba ito?" she cried.

"Sa pagkakataong ito, totoong-totoo na. Paninindigan kita, mahal ko. Siguradong-sigurado. Ikaw ang pahinga ko. Elliana Ellaine Castely..."

"Yes, l-love?"

I opened the small box in my hand that contains a ring with her name engraved on it.

"Will you make me the happiest woman in Earth by saying yes to my 'will you marry me?'"

The surroundings were in slowed form as she nodded with a smile.

"Oh, love, yes. Yes, yes, and a gazillion yes! I will marry you."

*****

A/N: May epi pa. Should I put special chapters or no? This was supposedly going to be published pero nag-pull off ako due to lack of time. Lemme know what you think!