(Jaime)

You were twelve, I was fourteen.

When we first met, I knew you were something.

Your sly smile, your naughty laughter, your tomboyish ways were a sight to behold.

You were my Darling, and I was your Junior.

Spending our days just reading and talking, or sometimes, we could be seen playing,

Under the acacia tree or by the veranda, our days were carefree, bright, and sunny.

You were fourteen, I was sixteen, when you first kissed me by the beach.

I felt a warm flush tickle my cheeks.

I wanted to tell you how much I liked you

But I never found the words, for I was shy and still a young guy.

Then tragedy came, and I believed you were dead,

How my sorrowful heart was burdened and filled with dread.

I spent my days broken and alone, but for you I have to remain strong.

Ten years later, I met someone,

I knew she was you, but this doesn't feel so true.

So I accepted her as my secretary, and suddenly, my days were not so lonely.

This lovely lady made me secretly happy,

How I long to touch her, to hold her, and even to kiss her.

But I knew from within that it was a crime,

Until the day came and I said I want you to be mine.

We thought everything would be fine, just being in love and having you by my side,

Then you left for the second time,

My heart almost died, but my love remained alive.

After all that we went through, there's no more letting go,

Our love will keep us together, my Darling, and I your Junior, now and forever.

---

"Isang sulyap lamang. Iyon lang ang aking kailangan mula sa iyo para iyong malaman ang aking lihim na pagtingin. Isang lihim na sana'y madama mo sa aking mga mata, sa aking mga ngiti. Isang lihim na matagal ko nang tinago."

"Mirame, Eloisa."

Tinignan ako ng aking pinakamamahal na babae. Bakas ang kanyang angking kagandahan sa kanyang traje de boda na kumikislap sa kaputian.
Kumurap siya habang naluluha ang kanyang mga mata. Mga luha ng kaligayahan.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Nakabibingi ang palakpakan at masasayang sigawan ng aming wedding entourage. Inangat ko ang belo ni Eloisa at dinampian ang kanyang mga labi ng isang mainit na halik. Inangat niya ang kanyang sarili at yumakap sa akin sabay halik.

"And now we have, Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Miranda!" Masayang inanunsyo ng pari.

Natapos na ang seremonya ng kasal. Hindi pa man kami nakakalabas ng simbahan ay binuhat ko na ang aking asawa, si Eloisa Aldaba-Miranda.

"Anak, ibaba mo muna ang bride!" Natatawang sinambit ng aking ama.

"Sa reception ko na po ibababa!" Biro ko sa kanya.

"Ito talaga oh!"

Tinignan ko si Eloisa at natatawa niyang kinurot ang aking ilong.

Sinundan kami ng aming entourage at iba pang mga bisita papalabas ng simbahan. Sinasabuyan nila kami ng mga butil ng bigas at white rose petals. Nang makarating kami sa may pintuan, ibinaba ko na ang aking mahal na asawa.

"Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!" Sigaw ng aking ama.

"Mabuhay!"

Nararamdaman ko ang kaligayahan ng bawat isa na dumalo sa aming kasal. Ngunit wala nang mas nakahihigit pa sa kaligayahan na sa wakas, kami ngayon ay iisa na.

Eloisa and I looked at each other. We kissed again, and from now on, she is the only woman I'll ever lay my eyes on.

And I know she feels the same.

All the days I looked at her from afar, I never knew she was also looking back.

Now we are looking at our shared future. Our days will be spent loving each other.

Look at me, Eloisa. See my love in my eyes. I love you.

Ikaw lamang at ako, magpahanggang-wakas.

-FIN-