Kaori

"What happened to the royal family? What did they say?"

Mom tearfully looked at her granddaughter. Si Dad naman ay kausap si Hussein kasama si Papá. Aoki left for Japan last night. He was here to congratulate me.

"The next heir has been chosen. Your cousin, yes. Even though your dad and I are in the position, we cannot force you to follow our lead."

"What did they say about my decision?"

"Of course, the royal family was mad about it. Ikaw lang ang nag-iisa at katangi-tanging taga-sunod ng trono. But you're already pregnant with a half-blooded child and our clan disagrees with abortion. Hindi pa rin nila matanggap na tinalikuran mo ang pamilya natin. But you don't have to worry about it. Everything takes time. I'm sure they can forgive you."

I fel sad a little. Tama rin naman si Mommy. I can't force them to forgive me and accept the decision I made. Dadating rin ang araw na matatanggap ulit nila ako kasama ang pamilya na nabuo ko.

"Mabuti naman at nakapunta kayo rito. I was ecstatic last night. Hussein made the impossible happen. I really miss you both."

"Speaking of, he's been looking at us, specifically you, for like every after a few seconds. He can't seem to take his eyes off of you. What did you do to that man?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's just like that... eversince."

"Sinadya niya kami noong nakaraan. He was there, bravely pursuing your dad and I to accept him and give our blessings. Syempre, nagmatigas kami ng daddy mo. Hindi rin namin matanggap na iniwan mo kami para sa isang lalaki. But he was persistent. He kept coming back. He told us how sad you are and how much you miss us. He even explained your side and the things we needed to understand. You chose the right man, Kaori. You are so lucky to have him."

"Hindi ko naman kayo iniwan. I was just here waiting for you both to take me back. I'm sorry for choosing Hussein over you and Dad. And I'm sorry for having no regrets with what I did."

"Enough with your sorry, honey. Pareho tayong may mali at pareho rin nating dapat na i-tama ang mga maling iyon. It's all in the past now." Mom smiled. "So? When's the wedding?"

Hindi ko rin alam. We were insatiable last night that we didn't even had the chance to talk about our plans.

"We haven't talked about it, Mom. But I'll surely let you know. Ikaw pa nga yata ang mauunang makaalam."

"Sure thing! And I'll help with the preparations, okay? Pambawi ko man lang sa 'yo dahil sa pagiging selfish namin ng Daddy mo."

My heart warmed with that. I've never think of them like that. Ginawa lang nila ang bagay na sa tingin nila ay tama para sa 'kin. Parents knows the best, ika nga. But also, every parents should hear their child's side of story and opinion. Para maiwasan ang paglaki ng problema. Hindi naman kasi sa lahat ng pagkakataon tama ang mga magulang, at hindi rin sa lahat ng panahon tama ang mga anak. Miscommunication leads to conflict. I think that is the reason.

"Anong klaseng kasal ba ang gusto mo, anak?"

"Gusto kong church wedding ang mauuna. Well, Hussein has plans about marrying me multiple times. Kaya naisip ko na kung gano'n ang mangyayari, gusto kong church wedding ang una." I pursed my lips.

Mom's mouth opened in shock. "Oh my! Are you for real?"

A little while later, everyone joined us. Dito na sila magd-dinner dahil flight na rin ni Papá bukas. Babalik siya dito sa araw ng kasal. He was a busy person, lalo na dahil nag-leave si Hussein sa trabaho. Si Papá na ulit ang humawak sa business nila na nasa iba't ibang lugar ang branches.

Hussein played with my hand as we watch our parents playing with Shivani. Tuwang-tuwa talaga sa apo. Ang isang kamay ay nakapulupot sa 'kin at ang isa ay nilalaro ang kamay ko. He dropped few kisses on top of my head, my forehead, and at the back of my ears.

"What are your plans about our wedding, sweetheart? I want to hear it."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin. Automatic na bumaba ang tingin nito sa labi ko at marahang napalunok. Hindi yata nakatiis at pinatakan ako ng halik.

"Church wedding. I want that."

"A grand church wedding. Yes, let's do that."

I frowned. "Grand?"

"You're a princess, don't expect that I'll give you a simple wedding."

"Huh? So if I'm not a princess you will give me a simple wedding?"

"Princess or not, you deserve a grand wedding."

"No, you obviously pointed out-"

He cuts me off with a kiss. "I love you."

"Stop." I chuckled.

"You're so pretty."

"I know."

"And you are marrying me."

"Yes."

Amusement danced in his eyes. He smirked and nodded.

"Anong plano mo pagkatapos ng kasal?" ako naman ang nagtanong.

"Of course, leave the reception and break more beds with you. It'll be amazing. I'll make you sore until you couldn't leave our bed. Then we'll make love again and again."

"That's not what I'm talking about!" Pulang-pula na siguro ako. "Two rounds is enough."

Napahakhak ito at humigpit ang hawak sa 'kin. Pumirmi na rin ang kamay niya na nilalaro ang kamay ko. His huge hand rested on my thighs.

"What? I already bought a house for us. It's already fucking ready. Shivani will be with our parents. What do you want me to do? Settle for two rounds? No fucking way. We'll bless the house. We'll do it in the living room, the kitchen, dining table, each guestroom, bathroom, even in the basement and attic. Making hot love outside is awesome too. We'll definitely do that. We will stay up all night feeling and caressing each other's body." He chuckled as he watch my shocked reaction. I was staring at him, listening intently, horrified with his plans.

Suddenly, images flashed through my mind. Us, doing the nasty-nasty. Nag-init ang mukha ko at napahakhak ulit siya. Alam siguro na naiisip ko ang lahat ng sinabi niya. I slapped his chest. I encircled my arms around him and buried my face in his chest. He did the same to me while still laughing his ass out.

"Whatever your plans after the wedding, we'll do that."

"Bakit palaging desisyon ko na lang? Tell me yours and we'll do it too."

"I want to marry you again and again. That's my plan. Are you up for it?"

"Of course! I want to marry you too... again and... again. Let's do that, too." Bulong ko.

Humigpit ang yakap nito sa 'kin. Halos kumandong na ako sa kaniya pero hindi ko ginawa. Nasa malapit lang ang mga magulang namin.

"I am a lucky bastard, huh?" he chuckled and kissed my hair. "I love you. Marrying you used to be a dream, and now marrying you is a dream come true. I love you, baby. So much. So damn much."

"I love you too, big boy. Thank you for coming into my life." I am a lucky bitch.

"What do you want to do after the wedding?"

"I want to travel the world with you and Shivani."

"Hm. I love that."

"Trabaho muna para maraming pera pang-travel."

"You don't have to worry about it. I'm your wallet."

"Sira!" Humagalpak ako ng tawa. "Are you happy?"

"Grateful, blessed, and contented." He answered.

Me too. The world isn't cruel like how I used to think it is. Everything is slowly falling into the right places... slowly.

*****