"tell me do you like him?" Tanong ni mommy, andito pa rin kami sa kusina, Itinigil ko ang ginagawa ko at tumingin sa kanya.

"As a person yes I like him, but romantically I don't know mom" I shrugged.

"will you give him a chance?If ever... "

"maybe, i mean he's a great guy but I just don't know if  I'm ready to be in a relationship yet" I sighed and looked at Eunwoo, hinehele niya si baby Celine sa may sala.

"he's been by yourside all this time, maybe it's time for you to look forward and enjoy your life" she smiled and hugged me.

"even your brother approves"

Then as if on cue Kuya Kayden walked in on the kitchen.

"What are you guys talking about? " he asked. Mom told him what she said and he nodded.

"Mom's right, I like Eunwoo for you. Mabait siya and we can clearly see that he loves you. Look---" sabi niya, tsaka ako iniharap kung nasaan si Eunwoo.

"He cares for you, and Baby Celine. He loves baby Celine as his own. And I think that is the most important thing." sabi niya tsaka umalis din papunta sa garden.

Mom and Kuya are both right. Eunwoo is always available for me. Sinamahan niya ako sa lahat, hindi niya ako iniwan. He made me feel that I'm important and loved. But most Importantly He's like the father figure to Celine,and I'm grateful for that.

And the least thing I can do is give him a chance. I sighed and dried my hands off.

Naglakad ako papunta sa kanila, napangiti siya nang makita ako.

"Mommy's here!" Sabi niya kay baby Celine.

"Hi baby! Did you give Tito Eunwoo a hard time?" I asked. Kinuha ko si Celine mula sa kanya.

"No, she's a sweetheart" sagot ni Eunwoo.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Magbibihis lang kami ni Celine, you can join Kuya if you want he's outside" sabi ko.

"Okay" Tumango siya.

Umakyat na ako karga-karga si Celine. Ngumiti ako ng mailapag ko siya sa kama.

"Kumusta na kaya ang daddy mo? He turned a year older yesterday....ano kayang wish niya ngayon? Alam mo ba dati ang lagi niyang wish, matupad ang mga pangarap niya at ma fulfill niya yung mga promises niya---" I sighed and stared at my baby who's staring at me.

"He got his ultimate wish, but I don't think he can do the other one now" I smiled at her.

I touched her nose and smiled.

" You got his mole on the nose, and day by day I'm seeing the resemblance you have with your father"bulong ko.

And everyday I wish he was with us, so he could watch Celine grow. My heart hurts at the thought of Celine growing up without a father.

Pinunasan ko ang luha sa mga mata ko." Mommy is such a crybaby. "

Binuhat ko si Celine at niyakap siya.
"I love you" bulong ko sa kanya.

Pagkatapos kong bihisan si Celine, ay nagbihis na rin ako. I was wearing a plain black dress with thin straps, The dress rest until my mid thigh and a polka dot long sleeves mesh top, paired with black high heels.

Hinayaan ko ng nakalugay ang buhok ko, nag lipstick muna ako bago kargahin si Celine at bumaba.

"Careful" sabi ni Eunwoo at sinalubong ako sa hagdan, kinuha niya si Celine mula sa akin at ngumiti.

"Ang ganda ganda talaga ni Baby Celine" sabi niya.

"Syempre mana sa mommy" sagot ko sa kanya. Tinignan niya ako "Hmmm, smile ka muna" sabi niya. I smiled at him while rolling my eyes.

"Ang ganda ni mommy no, baby?" tanong niya kay Celine tsaka tuluyang bumaba.

Dumiretso kami sa photobooth kasi lahat sila ay nandoon na. We took a family photo then sila Yareli tapos lahat na kami. Nagpicture din sila mommy at Daddy na kasama si Celine. Tapos kami ni Yareli.

" Oh kayo naman Kara" sabi ni Kuya sabay turo sa amin ni Eunwoo.

"Gooo! Lover boy buhatin mo si Celine" sabi ni Yareli sa kanya. Kinuha naman niya si Celine at nag pose na kami.

"1,2,3 say Celine!" sabi ni kuya.

"Celine!" both me and Eunwoo said.

"Wow this looks like a Family photo" sabi ni Kuya. Kumuha ako ng headband at isinuot yon kay Eunwoo, kumuha rin ako ng akin.

"Kuya, Take more photo of us" sabi ko. We did solo shots with Celine, tapos dalawa lang kami, then tatlo ulit kami.

"Wooow kina-career ang family tree?" Bulong ni Yareli habang nag-aayos kami sa mesa.

"Shut up, Fye" natatawang sabi ko sa kanya. "Hoy Vixen, sabi ko casual lang tayo tapos nagpa sexy ka?" sabi niya.

"wow! Fye casual pala yan sayo?" tanong ko at itinuro ang suot niya.

She's wearing a low cut v neck  maroon velvet dress, that rests until her mid thigh. Her hair was up in a messy bun, but it looks great on her.

"shhh" she said rolling her eyes. "Inaakit mo yata kuya ko eh" biro ko, her face turned red and I laughed at her.

"ang laswa mo" sabi niya tsaka umalis.

It's already 11:55 and ilang minuto nalang mag ka-countdown na. Lumapit sa akin si Eunwoo at ngumiti.

"Dun tayo para mas makita natin yung mga fireworks" sabi niya, Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at iginiya ako palabas.

"Okay!!! one more minute!" Sigaw ni Kuya Kayden. Kinuha ko si Celine mula kay mommy at tumabi kay Eunwoo.

"Let me hold her" sabi niya sabay kuha kay Celine na gising na gising.

"okay 10!" We all began counting down.

"9"

"8"

"7"

"6"

"5"

humarap siya saakin at hinawakan ang isang kamay ko.

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1!!!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" we all shouted,and greeted one another, the fireworks started lighting up the sky.

"Happy New year baby!" Hinalikan ko si Celine sa noo. "Happy New Year baby!" sabi din ni Eunwoo at hinalikan din si Celine sa noo.

"Happy New Year!" sabay naming sabi sa isa't isa. Natawa kaming pareho. He stared at me while smiling.

"Oh just kiss already!" Rinig kong sabi ni Yareli. I glared at her and she just smiled.

"Happy New Year" ulit niya, he leaned down and I closed my eyes. I felt his lips on my forehead.

"Happy New Year, I love you"
Rinig na rinig ko ang boses niya, pero alam kong hindi siya ang nasa harap ko.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal nakatayo don na nakapikit, narinig ko nalang ang tawa niya tsaka ko iminulat ang mga mata ko.

"Let's go inside" sabi niya. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hawak hawak pa rin niya ang kamay ko.

Kinuha ni Mommy si Celine mula kay Eunwoo, at naupo na rin kami. Nagsimula na kaming kumain and as usual may naalala na naman si mommy at Tita Felicity na kwento mula nung bata pa kami ni Yareli and decided na yun ang magandang itopic sa hapag kainan.

"Mom!" sabay naming sabi ni Yareli sa kanila, but they just laughed.

"What? it's a new year, it's all in the past and besides ang cute niyo nung bata kayo" Sabi ni Tita Felicity.

"but it's embarassing mom!" sabi ni Yareli.

"hindi lang naman kayong dalawa ang umiyak dahil nagkaroon kayo ng red flag days sa bataan niyo---"

"Mom, seriously stop saying those words" I said cutting my mom off and laughed. "I'm sorry" bulong ko kay Eunwoo.

He chuckled and nodded. "No problem"

Why would they tell them about it!? It's girl code! well actually ganto kase yon. When me and Yareli turned 12 we got our periods for the first time. Nasa sala kami noon dito sa bahay naglalaro kami ng barbie. Then bigla akong tinawanan ni Yareli, saying I have ketsup all over my pants. Then nung tinignan ko siya tinawanan ko din siya because she also had it on her pants. After we realized it's not ketsup. We started crying because we thought we're bleeding to death! My mom and Tita Felicity finds it so hilarious, that's why everytime they had the chance to bring it up, ginagawa nila.

I cringe at the memory.But I admit it was funny. Crying like crazy cause we thought we're going to die.

"But remember when our cards we're declined a million times? I never felt so embarrassed in my whole life!" sabi ni Yareli.

"Yeah I remember that! Pero buti nalang Kuya Kayden came and saved us from that embarrassment" I laughed.

"Thank God! hindi na iyon naulit, I lost thousands that day" Kuya Kayden said and we all laughed.

Madami pa kaming napag kwentuhan bukod don, Kinuwento rin nila kay Eunwoo kung paano ba nagkakilala ang mga families namin. After namin kumain ay pumunta na kami sa sala para ituloy ang kwentuhan. Sila Daddy at Tito Enrique naman ay nasa kusina, nag volunteer silang maghugas. Kaya nandoon din sina mommy at Tita Felicity para tignan sila.

Binuksan ni kuya ang karaoke. Agad namang kinuha ni Yareli ang song book at binigay yon kay Eunwoo.

"Pa sample naman Lover boy! este Mr. Idol" sabi ni Yareli sa kanya.

"Anong kakantahin ko?" Natatawang tanong niya, tumingin siya sa akin and I shrugged. I heard Eunwoo sing a million times already, pero through phone call lang. Hindi ko pa siya naririnig kumanta ng live.

"Here goes nothing!"

~play Fallin' by Janno Gibbs~

🎶"Ooh... yeah" 🎶

Napangiti ako, ang ganda talaga ng boses niya.

🎶"Our litle conversation
Are turning into little sweet sensation, And they're only getting sweeter everytime"🎶

Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko.

🎶"Our friendly get togethers
Are turning into visions of forever
If i just believe this foolish heart of mine"🎶

Am I being weird? Why is my heart beating so fast right now?

🎶"I can't pretend, That i'm just a friend 'Cause i'm thinking maybe we were meant to be"🎶

Dahan dahan akong tumingin sa kanya at napalunok nang magtama ang mga mata namin.

🎶"I think i'm fallin', fallin' in love with you
And i don't, i don't know what to do
I'm afraid you'd turn away
But i'll say it anyway
I think i'm fallin... for you
I'm fallin' for you..."🎶

Umiwas ako ng tingin at ikinalma ang sarili ko. What the fuck?

🎶"Whenever we're together
Wishing that goodbyes would turn to never 'Cause with you is where i'll always wanna be" 🎶

"I don't want this day to end." nakangiting sabi niya.

"If I could just freeze the time right now, I would."

Napailing ako nang maalala ang mga sinabi niya.

🎶"Whenever i'm beside you
All i really wanna do is hold you
No one else but you has meant this much to me" 🎶

"give me your hand" inilahad ko naman ang kamay ko sa kanya. He intertwined our fingers together.

"What are you doing?"

"Hawak ko na ang buong mundo" he smiled.

🎶"I cant pretend
That i'm just a friend
'Cause i'm thinking maybe we were meant to be" 🎶

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ulit na patingin sa kanya, and he's still staring at me.

he met my gaze and smiled slowly.

🎶"I think i'm fallin', fallin' in love with you
And i don't, i don't know what to do
I'm afraid you'd turn away
But i'll say it anyway
I think i'm fallin... for you
I'm fallin' for you..."🎶

Nakatitig parin siya sakin hanggang sa matapos ang kanta.

Is it just me? Napalunok ako. Does the song has double meaning? Is he confessing? Is the song for me? Is he falling for me? or am I just assuming? Am I giving the song a double meaning ?

I have so many questions in my mind right now. And I don't even know what to feel.

The sound of clapping snapped me out of my trance.

He smiled at me at nakita kong ipinasa niya kay Yareli ang mic.

"Haba ng hair, nag rejoice ka ba girl?" Kanta ni Yareli habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Wow! Is that a song for our daughter?" Rinig kong tanong ni Daddy. Tinignan ako ni Eunwoo and he just smiled.

"Wowwwww!! pang X Factor!!" sabi naman ni Yareli na nagpatawa sa lahat.

"Oh this time si Kara naman!" sabi niya and handed me the songbook and the mic.

"This one" sabi ko kay Yareli. She looked at me with don't-ruin-the-mood look on her face.

~play Set You Free by MYMP~

🎶"We often fool ourselves And say that it's love Only 'cause when it's gone We end up being lonely" 🎶

Maybe I'm a fool. I chose to let him go, tapos eto ako hanggang ngayon malungkot dahil sa kanya.

🎶"So how are we to know
That it just isn't so, That we just have to let each other go" 🎶

We had a choice, but at that time I chose what's best for him.

🎶"There were many times
When we shared precious moments
But later realized they were only stolen moments" 🎶

I used to think we'd end up growing old together. We had our future perfectly planned.

🎶"So how are we to know
That it just wasn't so, That we just had to let each other go"🎶

Every choice  comes with a consequence. And here I am paying the consequences of my choices, whether I like it or not. I can't run away.

🎶"If loving you is all that means to me, When being happy is all I hope you'd be, Then loving you must mean I really have to set you free"🎶

I didn't let him go because I don't love him, I let him go because I love him too much.

🎶"Each day we meet my love for you, Keeps growing stronger
But every time we meet makes leaving you so much harder" 🎶

Kahit naman hindi kami nagkikita, mahal ko pa rin siya. Walang nagbago.

🎶"So how are we to know
That this just wasn't so, That we just have to let each other go" 🎶

Pero wala na akong magagawa, He's too far. Out of my reach, and way too out of my league.

🎶"If loving you is all that means to me, When being happy is all I hope you'd be then loving you must mean
I really have to set you free"🎶

Maybe that is what love is all about. When you really love someone, you'll be willing to give up everything for them. Even your own happiness.

🎶"Letting go is not an easy task
When smiling feels like I must wear this lonely mask, It hurts deep inside and I just cannot hide
That there's anguish at the thought
That we should have to part"🎶

It was never easy. I thought it was, but it never gets easier. I would be lying if I say I didn't hope that we'll get back together, that one day he'll call and ask me to come back. Because I hope and pray for that to happen.

But it didn't, and maybe it will never happen.

🎶"If loving you is all that means to me, When being happy is all I hope you'd be then loving you must mean
I really have to set you free" 🎶

Maybe it's time to let it all go. It's time to accept that he's moved on and living his best life.I was waiting for him all this time but, Maybe it's time to leave the past and look forward to what the future will bring.

Everyone was right. I should be enjoying my life.

I know that this won't be easy. I tried everytime, but I failed. Because everytime I try to forget about him, the more I remember him.

🎶"If loving you is all that means to me When being happy is all I hope you'd be then loving you must mean
I really have to set you free" 🎶

I may not be by his side, but I will still cheer and support him from afar.

I will keep my promise,

I will still be his number one fan.