Chapter 19

"As this year's batch Magna Cum Laude, I have only a few words to say before I left the stage. . ." I could feel my heart beating so loud. Hindi ako sanay na humarap sa daan-daang tao. Lahat ng atensyon nila ay nasa akin. Kahit ang mga magulang nila ay naka-focus sa kung ano man ang sasabihin ko. I've prepared for this many times and I've written so many times before I could have my final speech for my graduation.

Before I could continue my words, I saw parents beaming with so much emotion on their faces and as I looked on the other side, I saw the love of my life—the reason I kept on going.

"There are many times I have doubted myself," I started, I was quivering and my thoughts could scramble at any moment. Hindi madaling magsalita sa harap ng mga tao lalo na't alam nila kung anong kakayahan mo. "I've always dreamed of being the best version of myself, and I know I did. Thanks to my best friend, Tomas, and my beautiful girlfriend, Synestine, and to my wonderful parents. There will always be the time you will, but as long as you have these people in your life, those who truly mean to you, you will be able to achieve your dreams—like I did. Thank you all, and congratulations to us!—and oh, before I finally leave, bear with me, everybody. I'd like to call my girlfriend, Synestine, on the stage, here with me. . ."

Maraming nagtataka sa ginawa ko, pero marami naghiyawan dahil sa sabik na malaman kug anong sunod namangyayari. 

They could see how excited I was about this, but my legs were shaking and I felt like I would drop at any moment. 

 Kinakantiyawan naman si Synestine ng mga katabi nito. Alam kong ayaw na ayaw niya rin na tinutukso siya out of nowhere lalo na't ngayon sa harap ng daan-daang mga tao. She might get mad at me for doing this in front of the public, but I thought it would also be the perfect time to do it. Halos buong senior year ko 'tong inisip at kinuha ko pa ang approval ng mga taga-faculty para lang payagan ako sa gagawin ko.

Aside from me, the school faculty only knew what I planned, and of course, Tomas who was already cheering for us.

Synestine was on her way to the stage. Kahit na malamig ang venue ay pinagpapawisan ako nang malala. I watched her came closer and she was sending me confuse looks in her face. Inalalayan ko naman ito nang makarating siya sa stage.

"Anong meron?" pabulong nitong tanong sa akin. I knew she was confused and nervous at the same time. "May gagawin ka bang kalokohan? Sasayaw ba tayo? Wala naman tayong ni-rehearse, ah?"

Pinigilan ko na lamang matawa, pero abot tainga ang ngiti ko ngayon.

"You'll see," tipid kong sagot sa kanya.

Idinala ko siya sa podium at marami pa ring mukha ang napupuno ng pagtataka kung anong ginagawa ni Synestine sa stage. As we stood behind the podium, I shared a look with my girlfriend and held her hand to let her know that nothing bad will happen.

"Hey, again, everyone," panimula ko. "Meet my beautiful girlfriend, Synestine. . . I know why you were asking what I'm still doing here, but I would also like to get this opportunity to let everyone know how in love I am with this girl. . ."

"Cholo. . ." she said between her smile. Kinakalabit pa ako nito dahil sa sobrang kaba. "Ano 'to?"

I only smiled at her, and we stepped aside from the podium to stand at the center of the stage where I slowly went down on my knee. By doing that, everyone inside the venue gasped and cheered for us. I stared at my girlfriend's eye who still couldn't believe what was happening. 

"Since the I moment I saw you down the hall inside the campus, I laid my eyes on you and thought what would my life be like if we were together? I really thought it would be impossible, but here we are now, on my knees, holding the hand of the girl I loved the most, who I also wanted to share my life with. The future is uncertain, but I would be so glad to go through uncertainty with you, my love. Synestine St. Clair, will you marry me?"

Inside the venue, even though everyone was so loud, the only thing that was louder for me was my heartbeat. Para na akong aatakihin sa sobrang kaba at excitement. Halo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko at isang bagay lang din ang inaasam kong makuha mula sa kanya, ang tanggapin niya ang proposal ko.

It would be embarrassing for me if she would reject me in front of these people, but I thought that was impossible to happen because I knew her. Synestine wouldn't do that to me.

Looking right at her, she was so emotional—her eyes were red from tears and her cheeks blushed up so red. The next thing I knew, she was nodding her head and uttering the word I was waiting to hear.

"Yes, babe. . ." she said, and my heart became so full of love. "I will marry you. . ."

My hands were shaking as I put the ring on her finger, but as I did it, I stood up on my feet and we kissed—in front of everyone else, including our family.

At that time, I knew I made the biggest decision of my life of marrying the most special person in my life right now. Everyone who witnessed it sent their wishes to us. It was something I never thought I would do, but I did.

Look at me, I was someone who thought wouldn't get any romance in my life, but I did something beautiful and I wouldn't ever forget how it all ended with a simple yes from the one I loved.

***

"What do you think? I liked her paintings. . . If I'm remembering it all correctly, nakasama natin siya before sa isang painting class natin. She was good back then, pero wow, I was surprised to see what she was doing now. The improvements! Nakakainggit. Her passion was something I wanted. Pinta-pinta lang ako, pero ang pangit naman ng outcome."

"Hey, hey, don't say that," I told her, holding her hand. "Remember one of your paintings went viral online. Hindi ka man nagpe-paint na parang trabaho mo na siya, your creations were remarkable. They're all unique and no one can copy them."

"I know you're just saying that because you're just trying to make me feel good."

"Babe, no," I said, shaking my head. "When I said those words, you know I meant it. I wouldn't ever lie to you."

She crossed her arms. "Okay. I'll take that. . . But returning to what we talked about, I love her and her painting. I think she will capture our wedding perfectly. Maybe ako na lang din mag-paint habang ginaganap ang wedding natin, 'no?"

I chuckled. "Maybe, but let's find someone who can do that for us, and yes, I agree with you. If she agrees with our proposal, I'll be good with it."

"Alright, I hope she will say yes," Synestine said, crossing her fingers while her eyes were closed.

We set a meeting with the painter who we were talking about. Synestine would love someone to paint our wedding. Kung meron man same-day edit sa mga videographer, ito naman ay on the spot painting kung saan ay may image na sinusunod na ang painter mula sa event na ginaganap. Synestine found that gimmick a few years back and never let it go of her mind. 

Someone would ask why we are rushing to our wedding. Hindi naman kami nagmamadali. We were just looking for things we could have for our wedding. We haven't planned it yet. Wala pa ngang official date, pero alam na namin kung sino-sino ang mga taong iimbitahin namin.

We thought we could do it next year or later this year. Hindi pa namin alam at kung ano man ang mangyayari sa susunod na buwan, we will let it happen. As per our parents, hindi naman nila kami pinipigilan kung kailan namin balak magpakasal. They were very supportive of us. Malaki na raw kami para magdesisyon para sa sarili namin.

They were obviously right. Now that we are taking this new path in our life, this journey might be scary, but I couldn't wait how it would unfold.