Chapter 21 | Legal

Was I allowed to come in? Iyon ang patuloy kong tanong sa sarili habang nakatayo sa harap ng nakabukas nilang gate.

"Kuya, pwede po ba-"

"Kanina pa po kayo hinihintay ni sir Lukan, ma'am," nakangiting sabi ng security guard.

My mouth unconsciously opened, sabi ko na nga ba't isa na naman ito sa mga pakulo ni Lukan. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I couldn't control its beat. I never felt so alive.

Dahan-dahan ang aking mga hakbang at tila pa nanginginig ang dalawang tuhod. Their mansion was too mesmerizing and fascinating to ignore. The field was wide enough for a television drama, the architecture of the structures were mixed with modern art and a touch of renaissance design. There was an old large angel fountain in the far right along with the potted flowers.

I didn't felt my sudden stop, na sa harap na pala ako ng kanilang mansion. I was about to call Lukan when a woman popped out near me. If I was shaking a while ago, then I was now near of passing out.

Lukan's mother came near me with a pretty smile on her face. She was wearing a fancy white dress, ibang-iba noong una ko siyang nakita and her shiny black hair was pony tailed while I looked like a haggard teenage student. I was stunned, I almost couldn't speak.

"G-Good evening, po," bati ko.

"Tama nga si Lukan. Mauutal ka kapag nakita ako," aniya sa natatawang boses.

I blushed and tried to calm myself.

How could Lukan be so chill in front of my parents?

"I was just... shocked po. Lukan told me good things about you po and I have high respect po."

For heaven's sake, what was I saying? Tita Alendrina only chuckled as I spoke. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay nagmukha akong ewan sa kanyang harapan.

"You don't need to be nervous around me, Mia. I hope we could be comfortable with each other," nakangiting hiling ni tita.

"Of course, no problem po," I tried to sound calm.

"Sige na. Pumunta ka roon sa may hardin. Naghihintay na ang magaling kong anak sa 'yo," she commanded me.

Talagang dinamay pa ni Lukan ang kanyang ina sa surpresang ito.

"Salamat po. Pupunta na po ako," paalam ko.

She nodded with a sweet smile. I partly bowed and I slowly walked away. I took the path toward their garden.

Habang palapit ako nang palapit, hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang mga rosas na gawa sa papel, they were aligned properly on the right pathway I should take. The origami roses were huge at may white Christmas lights na nakapalibot sa edges nito. They were glowing and perfect for the night.

I reached the end of the track and if I was speechless along the way, now, I was beyond dazzled.

I stood inside a garden arch, unlike other arches, this was longer and wider. The arch had vines, green grasses, white flowers and lights all around it. The setting touched my soul and sent glittering affection to the deepest part of my heart. It was like I had nothing to worry about because this place screamed peace and silence.

I walked inside it too see more. I was not disappointed on what I saw. Sa gitna ng aking paglalakad ay may lamesang pang-dalawahan. I was smiling happily as I approached the fancy table.

Above it, there was a real rose inside of a fragile glass. It was placed at the center and its redness vociferated romance, glistening passionate devotion. How could a color express such wonderful feeling? How could red symbolizes love by just looking?

As I unawarely touched the glass of the rose, someone spoke out of nowhere. I looked around to find the voice. I noticed a couple of speakers at doon nagmula ang boses.

"September one," he spoke.

"Ika-isa ng Setyembre iyon noong una kitang nakita," he said.

Hininga pa lamang, kilala ko na.

"Ilang taon din akong nagdiwang nang mag-isa sa mga nagdaang panahon na ito... at oo, tuwing unang araw ng Setyembre ay nagdidiwang ako sapagkat naging importante ito sa aking buhay," Lukan told through the speakers.

His words touched me to the point I couldn't say anything. I wanted to memorize all of his words as if this was the last time I could hear it. I wanted to remember everything that would happen tonight.

"Ngayon ko lamang nakita ang opurtunidad na ito. Ngayon lamang ako binigyan ng pagkakataon upang ipagdiwang ang petsang ito kasama ang babaeng naging dahilan," aniya.

His voice was the sincerest sound I'd ever heard.

"Hindi ko alam kung kailan ka naging importante sa akin. Hindi ko rin alam kung kailan ako nahibang sa 'yo. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano," natatawa niyang wika.

I couldn't help to chuckle.

"Alam kong hindi pa tayo. Alam kong hindi pa kita naliligawan... pero bakit ba? Anniversary 'to ng pagkita ko sa 'yo... kaya sana'y pagbigyan mo na ako. Pwede ba?" he pleased with an attractive tone.

Saglit akong hindi nagsalita dahil baka may idadagdag pa siya. Hindi ko namalayang nakangiti na rin pala ako. Iyong lalaki talagang 'yon. Pati ang una niyang kita sa akin ay sini-celebrate. Take note, every year pa!

I chuckled.

"Oo na, sige na. Lumabas ka na," natatawa kong sagot sa hangin.

Agad naman siyang lumabas at sa mismong harapan ko pa!

He wore a white polo paired with black formal pants. He looked formal and clean sa kanyang suot habang ako ay naka-uniporme pa.

Nakangiti siya nang naglakad palapit sa akin. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti. Naka-iinis... wala pa nga siya sa aking tabi, nangingiti na ako.

"Nagustuhan mo ba?" he asked when he was near me.

"Yung totoo? Alaga mo ba si Pikachu para magpa-ilaw ng ganito ka-liwanag?" biro ko.

Ayan na naman ang nakaloloka niyang tawa.

"And wow, naka-long sleeves. Pormal na pormal, saan ang meeting? Natuto ka na talagang magbutones, shall I be proud?" tukso ko.

"Oo naman! Sinunod ko ang tinuro mo na itutok, dahan-dahang ipasok at-"

I hushed him dahil sobrang malisyoso ng tono at awra niya! Ito talaga! Natawa naman siya sa aking reaksyon na akala mo ay ito ang pinanghuhugutan niya ng saya.

"And wow again, kanino ka nagpa-origami ng mga rosas? Last time I checked, ni-first fold ay hindi mo magawa," I mocked.

Nakangisi siyang umiling.

"I practiced! Ako ang gumawa niyan. Sina Olivver, Gierro at Fred lang ang naglagay diyan," he proudly answered.

I raised a brow as I clapped my hands.

"Sa sobrang focused ko sa surpresa, hindi na ako nakahanda ng magandang speech," natatawa niyang utas.

"Ang heartfelting kaya," I said.

He pinched both of my cheeks and I didn't complain like before.

"My princess is so appreciative," he said.

I pinched his cheeks as I said, "That's because you give much efforts for me."

Everything was so positive and calm. Buong gabi, wala kaming ginawa kung hindi ang mag-asaran at magtawanan. We were far from the common and ideal dates normal people would do. We didn't share our foods, in fact, nag-inggitan pa kami.

We took pictures to preserve the memory. I knew this day was one of the great things that happened to me and I wanted to keep it, not just for the throwback, but to also remind me that this moment once made me happy.

I wished that in the future, this won't break my heart as I recall. I wished that this moment won't be the reason of my sorrow as I look back.

"Diyan ka lang," utos ko sa kanya nang hawakan niya ang glassed rose.

"Huh?" he asked, puzzled.

Imbes na sumagot, inayos ko ang kanyang posisyon na ayon sa aking kagustuhan. Hindi naman siya umangal. Lumayo ako ng konti upang makuha ang gusto kong anggulo. Mula sa kanyang dibdib hanggang sa tiyan lamang ang kinuhanan ko. Sa gitna nito ay ang dalawa niyang kamay na hawak ang glassed rose.

"What was that?" he asked after I took a photo.

"I took a photo of you," I answered, then pinakita ko.

"You like photography?" he asked nang tumingin sa akin.

"Not much..." kibit-balikat kong sagot.

"Ang ganda talaga ng ginawa mo," puri ko sa kanya.

"Mas maganda ka," nakangiti niyang banat.

I only rolled my eyes as my lips curved for a smile.

He chuckled.

"Pero ito seryoso..." panimula niya.

I focused all of my attention on him, waiting for what he was about to say.

"Ikaw lang, Mia. Ikaw lang," halos ibulong na niya iyon.

We just stared at each other. Even though I wanted to give up the stare, I didn't.

Alam ko ang ibig niyang sabihin, hindi na niya kailangan pang palawakin. Noon pa man, narinig ko na mula sa kanya ang mga katagang ito. Tumatak hanggang sa ako mismo ang natuto... tumatak hanggang sa napatunayan kong totoo.

"Ikaw lang din naman, Lukan," I did my very best to say it sincerely.

Itinaas niya ang kaliwaya niyang kilay. Mukhang hindi naniwala.

"How are you so sure?" he asked mockingly.

Hindi ako sumagot.

"Do you like me?" he changed the question, hope was evident.

"Ako na ba ngayon, Mia?" he asked whispering.

I sighed and bravely told the truth,"O-Oo..."

His mouth partly opened, astonished on my sudden answer.

My heart wasn't beating loudly. It stopped, making me breathless.

"I like you..." I confessed.

He playfully smiled after processing what I said. His stares were mixed of happiness and satisfaction, teasing me.

"Let's be legal. I don't want this to be heavy for the both of us," he suggested.