Hi Inspirados!

Can you suggest a good cover editor? Particularly that sketches? Pm if you have someone in mind :)

Like a light

"Happy Birthday to you..."

My eyes were brimming with tears as I see everyone smiling and singing me a happy birthday. Pinanood ko si kuya na palapit sa akin habang hawak ang chocolate cake. Nakadim ang lights sa aming kusina para mag silbing liwanag ang seven candles na naroroon.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Huminto siya sa harapan ko.

"Happy Birthday..."

I smiled sweetly as I clasped my hands together.

"Happy Birthday... Victoria!" Sabay sabay nilang sabi.

Everyone is here, buong pamilya ni dad ang naririto. Kanina ay nandito ang pamilya ni mama pero agad din umalis pagkatapos ng dinner. Naiintindihan ko sila kung bakit sila ilap sa akin, at hindi ako nagtatampo o nagagalit doon.

Tulad ng asawa ni mommy noon, I am an image of my father's mistake with another woman. May rason man na katanggap-tanggap ang daddy ko ay hindi maaalis sa pamilya ni mama na magalit para sa kanya.

I am just thankful that their treatment towards me is better than my mother's husband before Atleast they don't hurt me, hindi rin nila ako pinagsalitaan ng masama, mas bumuti rin ang tingin nila sa akin hindi tulad noong unang beses akong pinakilala.

They looked at me much better now. Civil lang. At mas okay na 'yon sa akin kaysa tignan ako na parang isa akong malaking pagkakamali. They tried their best to stay and have a warm cozy complete dinner with us, I appreciate that.

Ang pamilya naman ni daddy ay higit pa sa hiniling ko. Napaka-init ng pag tanggap nila sa akin. Parang mahal na mahal na nila ako wala pa man.

My grandparents kiss my cheeks all the time! Parang sabik na sabik sila sa akin. I looked like just my dad with a hint of my mom's lips... kaya siguro hindi maalis ang galit ng asawa niya noon dahil kuhang kuha ko ang imahe ng daddy ko.

May apat na kapatid si daddy, he is the eldest, ang tatlo ay naka travel ngayon, babalik sabay-sabay next week kaya ang nakadalo lamang ay si Tita Minerva, bunso sa kanilang magkakapatid. She married a Zobel. Wala pa akong gaanong kaalaman sa mga mayayamang pamilya dito sa syudad pero Zobels are so powerful that I have an idea of the riches they own.

Their businesses range from cars to construction. Nagkakilala ata sila dahil kakompetensya ng Madrigal ang Zobel.

Tita Minerva exudes grace, class and beauty. Namana ito ng pinsan kong babae. Her husband, Tito Richard is quite stiff and serious, I can see that he only gets soft when looking at Tita Minerva. Namana naman iyon ng pinsan kong lalaki. Dalawa lamang silang magkapatid kaya parang sobrang saya ni Avery, ang anak nilang babae, na makilala ako.

Next week, pag nakauwi na ang lahat ng kapatid ni dad ay magkaka party ulit para makilala daw ako ng lahat. Kung noon ay sobrang kaba ko, ngayon na nakikita ko ang pag tanggap ng mga naririto ay mas gumaan na ang loob ko.

"Make your seventh birthday wish, lil'sis." Pang aasar ni kuya.

"Tss..." I rolled my eyes but smiled sweetly at the end as I closed my eyes for my wish.

There's so much to wish for but today... I just want to say thank you, Lord God. For giving me another chance in this life. The second life you have given me was the life my past self prayed for everyday and I have nothing but gratitude in my heart. Thank you.

Masaya ako. Sobrang saya. Nagmamahal at minamahal.

Minulat ko ang mga mata ko at hinipan ang mga kandila. Bumukas ang maliwanag na ilaw sa aming kusina at nag palakpakan ang lahat habang mabilis akong niyakap ng pamilya ko. My siblings were smiling ear to ear as they were hugging me, while mama was hugging all of us, and dad hugged everyone so we were crushed within his embrace.

Pagkatapos 'non ay nag picture naman ang lahat sa sala. Ako ang nasa gitna. Nauna kaming magkakapatid, pagkatapos ay kasama ko si mama at daddy, at meron din na kaming lahat kasama ang mga kapatid ko. Sunod naman ay kasama ko ang grandparents ko.

Inabot ni Lola Maria ang kamay ko, she is a beauty. Nagniningning ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin at ngumingiti para sa camera. Si Lolo Vittorio naman ay makisig ang upo, tila sa pag upo pa lang niya ay alam mo ng napaka importante niyang tao.

He represents the solidity of the Madrigals.

But despite of his strong and powerful aura, he gazes at me with so much softness, care and love.

"You look so beautiful, apo." Ani lola.

Pinisil niya ang kamay ko.

"Mana sa tatay. Mana sa akin." Biro ni lolo.

"Hay nako, Vittorio. Sa akin mana ang apo ko. Gusto mo bang matulog sa labas mamaya?" Pag tataray ni lola.

"As if you can do that? Iiyak ka at hahanapin ako. You wouldn't be able to sleep without me." Mayabang na sabi ni lolo.

I was just listening while smiling. I love their relationship, parang magkaibigan na mahal ang isa't isa.

"Hah! Sa labas ka mamaya!" Hamon ni lola pero nanatiling nakangisi si lolo na parang alam na ang kahahantungan ng hamon.

Dad groaned as he finished setting up the camera.

"Ma! Pa! Stop that. Ang tanda niyo na para pa mag away. Tingin na rito."

"Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda, Victor!" Agap ni lolo.

"Oh please, accept it, pa." Pagmamaktol ni daddy.

Lolo scoffed. "Ikaw ang matanda. Bugnutin!" Aniya kay daddy.

Halos malaglag ang panga ni daddy kaya natawa kaming lahat na naroroon. Sumama ang tingin niya sa aming lahat kaya nag pigil kami ng tawa at nangiti nalamang.

"Smile already!" Naiinis niyang sabi.

Umirap si lola at nilapit ang pisngi sa akin para sa pag kuha ng litrato. I smiled in the camera and I felt lolo leaned closer.

Hindi ko alam pero nag init ang puso ko dahil doon. Seeing everyone in front smiling as they watched us smile for the camera, lola's hand over mine and lolo's lovable strong demeanor around us... makes me happy.

This is family.

My family.

Nahanap ko na. Dito ako nararapat. Dinala ako rito ng mundo.

Sa wakas nahanap ko na.

"Our turn!" Excited na sabi ni Avery habang hila-hila ang kuya niya.

"Kuya Archer, smile ka ha!" Pag tuturo ni Avery sa kanya nang pagitnaan nila ako.

"I am not a robot, Ave." Seryosong sabi ng nakakatandang kapatid.

Nagkibitbalikat ang kapatid. "Just saying, suplado." Irap niya.

"You know, you are really pretty!" Ani Avery.

Napansin ko sa pinsan kong babae ang pagiging vocal niya. Mahilig siyang mag puri at mag validate. Magaling siyang makipag-usap at makisalamuha. She smiles brightly, bawat galaw niya ay magaan kahit hindi kontrolado.

She has a dimple which shows whenever she talks and smile. She has bright eyes. Hating-hati ang features niya, coming from both her dad and mom. Walang lamang. Her parents are both beautiful and handsome kaya hindi nakakapag taka na napaka ganda niya rin.

Yung ganda niya hindi nakakasawa.

Fresh, youthful and enchanting.

Ga'non din ang kuya niya. Napaka ganda ng pagkakagawa sa kanilang dalawa. Parang pantay na pantay ang halo ni Tita Minerva at Tito Richard. Expensive looking but... humble. He looks like those boys in europe that I read on textbook. Subtle and soft feature but deadly when smiling.

Nakakahiya pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa! Baka i-post ito mamaya sa Instagram at makita kung gaano ako naiiba! O hindi kaya mag mukha akong alalay ng dalawa?

"No! You are pretty!" Tanggi ko.

"Hmm... pretty tayong dalawa!"

Hinawakan niya ang takas kong buhok at inayos iyon para sa akin.

"You have such deep eyes, effortless eyebrows, beautiful lips that could even pass for Mac's lipstick model and super pretty face shape! You should be a model!" Aniya.

Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa lahat ng papuri! Narinig ko ang pag tawa ni lola sa may harapan habang naka antabay sa kanya si Tita Minerva.

They were all smiling at us.

"Mana kayo sa akin kaya magaganda kayo." Hindi mawala sa kanya ang ngiti at tawa habang nakatanaw sa amin.

"We have good genes, huh?" Gatong ni lolo.

"Oh yes, Vittorio. We did well. Sana naririto ang iba nating mga apo. They will all look so handsome and beautiful together in the picture."

Humilig siya kay lolo na para bang hindi sila nag aasaran kanina.

"I will set a day for us to take official pictures. Oras na siguro para palitan ang mga litrato sa bahay." Deklara ni lolo at hinalikan ang gilid ng noo ni lola.

"Smile kids," ani daddy habang nilalapit ang mata sa camera.

I smiled sweetly again but ended up giggling when I felt a side tight embrace from Avery. Kuya Archer moved closer and placed his right arm around us.

Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa at ngumiti sila ng maganda para sa camera. Dad clicked a few times and smiled proudly as he checked the pictures.

Mabilis na lumapit si Tita Minerva at Tito Richard. Pumwesto sa likuran ng sofa para makuhanan ang buong pamilya nila kasama ako. We took more pictures. Mayroon din kaming lahat magpipinsan, kasama ang mga kapatid ko.

Nakakatawa ang litratong buo kaming magpipinsan dahil napaka gulo 'non! Kuya Vernon was teasing Kuya Archer so in the picture, nakangisi ang kuya ko habang pilit hine-headlock si Kuya Archer, inis na inis naman si Kuya Archer kaya ang nakuhanan ng camera ay nakakunot ang noo niya habang masama ang tingin kay kuya.

Avery, me and Ate Vida were laughing at our brothers while Ate Vida was hugging us on the side. Si Vera ay naka pagitna sa aming lahat, naka halukipkip habang nangingiti rin, such a boss baby!

Pero ang pinaka paborito ko ay ang picture na buo kaming lahat. I was in the middle, my grandparents on both of my sides. Sunod ay si mama at daddy sa kanan, sa kaliwa ay si Tita Minerva at Tito Richard. Sa likuran ng sofa ay ang mga kapatid at pinsan ko. Vera was on my father's lap. They all leaned closer towards me which looked so good on the pictures! Everyone was smiling genuinely and my eyes showed how happy I am.

Aroung nine o'clock, natapos ang gabi namin, nag simula ng mag-ayos ang lahat. Nag papalaaman at pinag uusapan ang susunod na party kauwi ng mga ibang kapatid ni daddy.

I watched everyone while sitting on the sofa, beside me is Avery sitting while holding my hand on the left and the other is holding her phone.

Nakita kong pumasok si Tito Richard na nakakunot ang noo at hinahanap si Tita Minerva.

"We have to go home." His stern voice said when he got near her.

Nasa may gilid lamang siya ng bean bag namin sa sala, kaunting layo sa kinauupuan namin ni Avery.

Katabi ko si Avery na naramdaman kong napabitaw sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ko.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at nakitang bahagyang nakaawang ang labi niya at may pangamba sa mga mata niya.

"Avery..." tawag ko sa kanya pero napailing lamang siya.

"Uuwi naman na tayo... napano ba?" Rinig kong tanong ni Tita Minerva.

Muli akong bumaling doon at nakitang may hinanap si Tito Richard... and finally his eyes landed to Avery beside me.

"What is happening?" Lumapit si daddy sa kanila.

"Avery. That Chinese boy is in front of our house now. Akala ko ba ay nakipag hiwalay ka na roon?" His voice was calm but hard.

Mabilis kong hinanap ang kamay ni Avery at hinawakan. Wala siyang kalakas-lakas na nagpaubaya sa akin dahil sa panginginig. Pinanood ko siyang tumango habang ang pangibabang labi niya ay nanginig bago niya ito kagatin para matigil.

"What is happening? What Chinese boy?" Nalilitong tanong ni daddy.

"He got this suitor, a Chinese. At first ay ayos lang dahil wala naman masama para sa amin, you know us kuya, we don't meddle with things like this, but... we found out that his family still strictly follows their customs. He is promised to someone else, doon na hindi naging ayos... kasi... paano naman ang anak ko, kuya?" Maramdaming sabi ni Tita Minerva.

Napaawang ang labi ko.

"M-mom... please... let's just make him leave quietly. Let's not... make this a big deal... baka po may sasabihin lang siya... I can make him leave..."

My heart hurt hearing my cousin lose her happy demeanor and tremble like this.

"I won't let you talk to him!" May pag babantang sabi ni Tito Richard. "Manigas siya sa labas ng bahay, wala akong pakielam, you will not talk to him! I won't allow another wave of pain for you!"

Maagap siyang hinawakan ni daddy.

"Hindi 'to madadaan sa ganito, Richard." Pigil ni daddy.

"But dad... wala po siyang ginawang masama... he protected—"

Sa boses pa lang ng pinsan ko ay alam kong ilang beses na niyang sinabi ito at ilang beses ng naging argumento.

"He protected you?! Hindi na siya dapat lumapit sa'yo una pa lang! He knows this will happen! He knows his family better! Ako nga na hindi sila lubusan kilala ay alam kong kahit kailan ay hindi sila papayag, siya pa ba?!"

Ang bawat pagtataas ng boses ni Tito Richard ay may halong pagmamahal. That was what I noticed, kaya kahit na natatakot ako para sa pinsan because I know how it feels to listen to your father shouting at you— nanatili akong kalmado, knowing this is out of love.

Nagpalipat lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila.

Tito Richard sighed and shook his head. Tila pagod na sa usapang ito, marahil ay marami ng nangyari patungkol dito.

"How luck are they, huh? We treat theirs with respect and kindness while you were treated badly." Mapait na sabi ni Tito Richard.

"I cannot allow this... masasaktan ang anak natin," masakit ang boses na sabi ni Tita Minerva habang naka hawak sa braso ng asawa.

Lumapit si Kuya Archer kay Avery at nilahad ang kamay sa kapatid.

"I will talk to him dad,"

Nag-angat ng tingin si Avery sa kuya niya at may katagalan tinignan ang nakaalok na kamay. Sa huli ay bumitaw siya sa akin para tanggapin ang kamay ng kuya niya.

"Happy Birthday, Vic... I-I hope to hang out with you soon..." pilit niyang sabi ng masaya bago tumayo.

"I am sorry..."

Sumunod ako at tumayo rin para mag lebel ang paningin namin. Umiling ako at ngumiti ng tipid.

"We'll meet after this, okay?" I assured her.

Nanlambot ang mga mata niya at marahan tumango.

"Let's go home..." mahinang sabi ng kuya niya at iginiya na siya palabas.

Sinundan sila ng mga mata ko.

"Do you want me to come?" Tanong ni daddy.

"We can deal with this, kuya, mabait naman iyong bata... well mannered and... we can see he cares for Avery, pero... you know this... kawawa lang ang anak ko, she's in her last year before graduating and this kind of problem is too much for her, we just want him to stop. Kasi hindi rin titigilan ng pamilya niya ang anak ko kung hindi." Tugon ni Tita Minerva.

"Wait. Kaninong pamilya ba kabilang? Why don't you talk to his family so they can stop their son?"

"Sa mga Lim."

Lim? I really don't know much about the powerful families.

"Wait, the eldest?" Gulat na tanong ni daddy.

Tumango si Tito Richard.

"Promised to a Tan?" Pag kukumpirma pa ni daddy.

Muling tumango si Tito Richard habang mas napayakap si Tita Minerva sa kanya.

"I'll come with you." Desididong deklara ni daddy.

"Kuya..."

"I am a friend of the Lims, mahirap kausap ang mga magulang niya pero I can talk to Tobias. He is level headed and he is a good man. Halos siya na ang humaharap sa mga business meetings as we have few projects together. I can talk the sense out of him."

Sandaling nag isip ang mag-asawa at sa huli ay tumango.

"Oh God... Richard. This will get out of hand, right? I am sure..." Bigong sabi ni Tita Minerva.

"It won't. I won't let that happen." Isang halik sa gilid ng noo ang ginawad ni Tito Richard sa asawa.

"Let's go..."

Lumingon si daddy sa akin. "Dos will come here to get you, it is a surprise so... I am not supposed to tell you but I have to go so I have no chance but to give you a heads up."

Sa gitna ng kaguluhan ay nagawa ko pang magulat sa sinabi ni daddy.

"Please go home after okay? Kahit gaano pa ka-late, please go home and don't make me worry." Ani daddy na para bang sinasabi ang dahilan bakit kailangan niya sabihin sa akin ang surpresang pag dalaw ni Dos.

Wala sa sariling napatango ako. Lumipad na ang utak ko sa lahat ng nangyari. Sa pinsan ko, sa mga Chinese, sa masayang araw na nag daan at sa nalalapit na pag kikita namin ulit ni Dos!

I can't believe how I am so excited right now!

Kakakita ko pa lang sa kanya kaninang umaga pero ito ako at hinahanap-hanap na siya ulit.

Napatingin ako sa suot, this is okay right? I am just wearing a sleeveless short chiffon white dress with a sweetheart neckline. Hapit ito sa akin na mas nagpadepina ng katawan ko. The scar on my knee was showing, hindi ko na tinago dahil pamilya ko naman ang kasama ko.

Shall I hide it? But Dos had seen it.

Perhaps, okay lang na hindi ko na itago?

Hmm... baka underdressed na naman ako? O hindi kaya overdressed naman?

"I'll come with you," ani mama kay daddy.

Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakitang nakatingin sila sa akin. I smiled at them and nodded as a sign of assurance.

"Please take care, ma, dad."

"Happy Birthday, anak." Ani daddy.

"Enjoy your night okay?" Masayang paalala ni mama.

I walked towards them and watched them go out, dumiretso na ang mga Zobel sa kanilang family car, nagpaalam pa ulit sandali at naunang lumabas ng gate namin. Nauna na sina lolo at lola, ilang minuto pa kanina dahil pagod na rin sila.

Sunod naman lumabas si daddy at mama, daddy drove and followed the Zobel's family car.

I watched them till I cannot see them anymore at bago pa ako makapasok sa gate namin ay tumambad na sa harapan ng gate namin ang Raptor.

Bumaba roon si Dos at nakitang nakatingin sa kung saan ako nakatingin kanina.

"Everything is okay? Umalis ata ang parents mo?"

My gaze lingered on him. He was wearing a white button down long sleeves and a denim pants. He looked so fresh and an angel... so far from his devious smile most of the time.

He could be both an innocent man and a brute!

But today... he looked the former.

Imbes na sagutin siya ay maingat akong tumakbo palapit sa kanya na ikinagulat niya. I reached for him and hugged him from his neck. I wrapped my arms around him and he immediately accepted me by hugging me around my waist.

"Hmm..." I comfortably released my emotions as I savored his embrace.

Humigpit ang yakap niya dahil doon. He crouched a little to hug me more... to hug me better.

My heart felt a burst and I felt happier.

I realized...

No.

Instead of saying my thoughts in my head, I want to say it to him personally. Naalala ko ang pinsan kong si Avery. I remember how vocal she was, saying the thoughts in her head. And I know we're different people but... kahit dito lang, I want to be inspired through her... to say my thoughts.

Lalo na kung wala naman masama.

I wished for my cousin's peace silently.

"I realized..." panimula ko.

"That I am happy now. That I am happy kung nasaan ako, with memories or not, ayos lang sa akin. But whenever I am with you, I get happier. I remember mama telling me before that a romantic love should not make me feel complete, but... it should be an addition to my wholeness. That my love should stretch me beyond my limits, but not to drain me... it is to make me feel more of its richness and fullness."

I felt him stiffen from my sudden declaration.

You silly, Montgomery! I have always made you feel I love you, pero nagugulat ka pa rin sa sinasabi ko?

"Thank you, Dos." I smiled as I feel my chest hurt. "Thank you... baby." I whispered.

"I am happy. Thank you for the richness of your love. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for loving me beyond my dreams, my scars, my past and my flaws..."

"No..." he said hoarsely.

Umiling ako. Sometimes I feel I am undeserving of him.

He's just too much.

But I want to try. I want to try to deserve him. If he's too much, I will try to be more so I can accommodate him.

"...thank you for your embrace, your kisses, your love... being in your arms like this is my light, Dos. From the fireworks and stars I see whenever I am with you..."

Bahagya akong humiwalay sa kanya, sapat lang para makita ko ang mukha niya. I slightly giggled when I saw his bloodshot eyes!

Ano ba naman 'yan! I didn't know he is such a cry baby! Lagi nalang! Balak ako talunin sa pagiging iyakin?

But my heart hurt more. Hindi ko talaga kaya makita na nasasaktan siya. Mas gusto ko siyang nakangiti dahil sa akin.

"Don't laugh..." he cutely pouted which made me giggle more!

How cute!

My Dos Montgomery, how cute!

He should wear more whites. He looks cuter.

"Ang baby..." tukso ko sa kanya.

Pinilig niya ang ulo niya at nikunot muli ang noo. He crouched to let our foreheads meet.

"Please continue, baby. I am a slave to your love... I like to hear more... please." He sweetly and miserably said.

A beautiful misery at that.

My lips quivered and nodded.

All for you, baby.

All for you.

"From the fireworks and stars I see whenever I am with you..." pag-uulit ko kung saan ako tumigil.

My right hand moved to his left jaw and caressed it. Nakita ko kung paano siya nahirapan 'wag pumikit para damhin ang haplos ko, just to see me more, just to see me while I declare my love for him.

Ilang beses ko na sinabing mahal ko siya pero ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito kahilo.

Mahal na mahal kita, Dos.

"... you're the brightest, Dos." I breathed.

His dark eyes widened a bit.

I smiled sweetly and caressed his jaw more.

He looks so soft in front of me.

"You have been so bright that no amount of running away or lost memories could make me forget you. No amount of outburst or anger can surpass my love for you. You tame the burning parts of my heart. You kiss every flickering pain of my yesterdays. You blind every looming darkness of my tomorrow..."

Sumakit ang puso sa sariling sinabi.

"I am lost in your light and I don't mind getting lost in there forever."

His eyes showed more and more and I cannot help but get lost in them. I felt him hugged me more from my waist as our face remained an inch away.

I found my home with my family but I found my fate with him.

I could repeat this life over and over again if he will be at the end.

I want to fall in love with him in more lifetimes.

"I am in love with you..." I said as clearly as his light.

"Oh baby..." his eyes showed a beg for mercy.

"... I am in love with you, baby. Thank you. I am so in love with you. I can't do this life without you." He said with sweet pain and love.

He crossed any distance between us and kissed me like a lamp lighting up a dark room, like a light passing through, like a fire lighting up every torch... like a star lighting up the darkest sky.