I traced the spaghetti strap of my cocktail satin dress. Bahagyang tumalikod ako at tiningnan ang sariling repleksiyon sa salamin. I stared at my bare back which revealed my backless dress. Hanggang talampakan ang kulay tsokolate kong suot at may mahabang slit sa gilid, exposing my legs. Kavius didn't know about my fit for tonight. Sa venue na kami magkikita kahit ilang beses pa siyang tumanggi nang sabihin ko iyon. May trabaho siya sa umaga at didiretso na lang iyon sa venue mamaya.

Kinuha ko ang perfume sa tabi at ini-spray iyon sa likuran ng aking tainga. I even sprayed my deep collarbones. I wore the necklace Kavius gave me this morning. It has a pendant of his initials. Inayos ko rin ang kulot kong buhok. It was just naturally wavy and I fixed it with a little style to look elegant. I mean, I always look elegant, yes, but tonight is extra. Pinaresan ko iyon ng heels na five inches. A black cigarette stiletto to be precise.

"Nasa venue na ba si Kavius, Von?"

Von pressed the elevator. It opened after a couple of seconds and we went inside.

"Yes, Ma'am. He's been there for about thirty minutes and he had called me..." he stopped for a second and looked at his phone. "forty-five times."

"Let him be. Maikli talaga ang pasensya no'n."

Von became my driver to the venue. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto at lumakad na kami. When we arrived, the restaurant was elegantly decorated. Simple yet elegant. Just as what I requested.

Akala ko maghihintay si Kavius sa labas ngunit hindi namin siya nakita. When Von and I entered, elegant looking decorations welcomes our sights. Kumaway si Kyla sa akin.

"Go look for Kavius. Tell him I'll be with Kyla," utos ko kay Von.

I then walked towards Kyla. Xavier who was with her placed a wide smile when he saw me. Together with him is his long time model girlfriend.

"Hi. Si Papa?"  tanong ko.

"Papunta na 'yon. Magkasama sila ni Mama. May asim pa rin ang mga matatanda," sagot ni Kyla.

The party started and everyone sat on their respected seat. Sa gitna ay mayroong pang-isahang sofa kung saan nakaupo si Papa. His brothers, sisters, and nieces gave speech that made him cry. Nakangiti si Papa at namimilisbis ang mga luha. Tuwang-tuwa sa maliit na pamangkin na nagsasalita sa kaniyang harapan. There were also flowers for him and a crown, a sash and a certificate. Looking at Papa's happy face mase me tear up.

Magkatabi kami ni Mama at hawak ko ang kaniyang kamay. Umiiyak na rin ito habang nakatingin sa asawa. Unconsciously, I looked around for Kavius. Kanina ko pa siya hindi nakikita. He was standing near the entrance together with my male cousins, liqour in hand, staring at me with hawk eyes.

"May entry ka na naman, Xavier," irap ko nang mapansing may sasabihin na naman ito.

"Wala pa naman akong sinasabi!"

"Wala pa pero alam kong may sasabihin ka."

I urge Mama to go and comfort Papa. Nahihiya ito at halos ayaw tumayo. I guided her towards Papa and whispered happy birthday to him. The messges continued and I stood at the side, watching them. Hindi na ako bumalik sa upuan ko at tumayo na lang sa tabi.

My parent's love for each other amazes me. My Papa is so in love with my Mama back then and until now. They weren't even childhood sweethearts nor do they know each other. They met because of a common friend. Ang Papa ko, kapag wala ang Mama ay maya't maya niya itong hahanapin. Ganoon rin si Mama kay Papa. They take care of each other with their own ways. Mama is Papa's quest, she is his queen. He is devoted to her and will always be.

When Kyla was done with her speech, it was my time to shine. Pinunasan ko muna ang luha sa aking mukha saka naglakad. In the middle of walking, a huge arm encircled around my waist. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at sumalubong sa 'kin ang seryosong mukha ng asawa ko. He wasn't smiling but there's a spark in his eyes. I can see through him.

"Hi, Pa. Happy birthday! I know how much you miss your hometown so this is my gift for you and Mama." I handed him a small gift. It was a ticket to US. Halos isang dekada na rin na hindi nito nabibisita ang kinalakihang lugar. "I love you, Papa. I might be too old to say this but I really do love and appreciate you. I wouldn't be here standing if it weren't because of you. You made your oldest independent and strong... and I truly thank you for that." Nanginig ang labi ko, hindi na napigilan ang sunod-sunod na pagtulo ng mga luha. Kavius was calming me by kissing my hair and holding my hand. "I used to cry whenever you leave the house for work. Or when you won't be able to fetch me after school. I was so young and dependent. I never understood things before. I thought you never wanted me when you and Mama decided to have me study far from you. I was devastated but as I get older, I realized that you were only thinking about what will I be in the future. And tada! I am successful, independent, and happily married to my husband."

I stopped to compose myself. Sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. I felt Kavius' hard breathing behind me. Humahaplos ang kaniyang palad sa aking baywang. His touch was hot and gentle.

"I just want to let you know, Pa, that I have no regrets with the decisions that you made for me." I swallowed hard when Kavius' hand stopped. Ngayon ay mukhang naghihintay na siya sa susunod kong sasabihin. "I grew up knowing what is right and what is wrong. I matured at a very early age... and I understood things differently because you mold me to be one. I am very happy with what I am and who I'm with right now. You didn't know but it was such a blessing in disguise..." our marriage. "you gave me the right person. He treated me like how you treated Mama. Thank you, Papa. Enjoy the rest of the night."

Everyone clapped. Lumapit ako kay Mama at Papa saka sila binigyan ng yakap.

"Mahal ko kayong dalawa," bulong ko.

"Kailan ang kasalan sa simbahan?" tudyo ni Mama.

"Soon, Ma." I genuinely answered.

Umayos ako ng tayo at nakaramdam ng pamilyar na presensya sa aking likuran. Hindi ko na naiwasan ang gulat at kaba na umatake sa dibdib ko.

Narinig niya kaya?

Kavius was holding me as we walk back to my seat. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa akin na para bang maglalaho ako bigla kapag nabitawan niya.

"Soon, huh?" he smirked as he guided me to sit down.

"Mamaya na 'yan," iwas ko.

"What? You love me. You wouldn't say that if you don't. You love me now? You love me."

Napairap ako ngunit napangisi rin. That's right. I do... love him. I love him too much to even think of letting him go.

"Pwede ba? Mamaya na nga 'yan."

Malawak ang kaniyang ngiti. Mas masaya pa sa birthday celebrant.

"Hindi mo 'to party pero 'yang ngiti mo... sira ulo ka talaga," napailing ako.

Sa buong gabi ng party ay nakangisi si Kavius. Natutuwa at magiliw na nakikipag-usap kapag may gustong kumausap sa kaniya. He's kind of famous around my cousins. Hindi na nawala ang ngisi sa kaniyang labi.

"Ma, pagod na ang asawa ko. Mauuna na siguro kami."

Napatigil ako sa pagsubo ng cupcake nang marinig ko iyon. Automatic na napalingon ako kay Kavius na nakatalikod sa 'kin at nakaharap kay Mama. It's already twelve but I am not tired yet.

Pati si Kyla ay napalingon na rin. Pabaling-balimg ang tingin niya sa akin at kay Kavius. Imbento talaga!

"Mag-iingat kayo pauwi. Salamat para sa lahat ng ito, mga anak," baling ni Mama sa akin.

Wala ng sinayang pa na oras si Kavius. Agad niya akong hinila palabas. Von wasn't there. I haven't seen him at the party either.

"Hindi pa naman ako pagod ah!" alma ko habang nasa kotse.

"Yes, you are."

"May sinabi ba ako?"

"Wala. Pero ramdam ko."

"Sinungaling!"

"You look really beautiful, by the way."

Gumapang ang kaniyang palad sa hita ko at marahang pinisil iyon. Hindi ko alam kung bastos lang ba talaga siya o gusto niyang i-level up ang pagiging 'touchy' niya.

"Hindi ka na nasanay sa ganda ko."

"Hindi talaga. Sa ganda mo ba namang iyan, parang araw-araw kang may glow up. Fresh and just... damn too pretty."

We arrived home earlier than I calculated. Hindi ko namalayan na medyo mabilis pala ang pagpapatakbo niya. He opened the door for me and held my hand. Akala ko ay hanggang doon lang. I gasped when he leaned in and carried me. The huge doors opened revealing Von inside. Kavius headed straight to the elevator and I had no choice but to push the button.

"We should celebrate tonight. You finally realized your feelings for me."

"Hm? You think?" I teased.

"I do, wife. What do you want after? Cuddles? Hugs and kisses?"

"You're handsome as hell, my dear husband."

"Lean close and you'll hear how fast my heart is beating. And it's your fault," paninisi nito.

Humilig ako sa kaniyang dibdib at totoo ngang malakas ang kabog nito. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin nang huminto ang elevator. Pagpasok sa kwarto ay ibinaba niya ako malapit sa kama. And for the second time, a gasp escaped my lips.

The bed is well decorated with rose petals forming into a big heart with scented candle in the middle, a bouquet of flower and a ring. The design is very newly Weds.

"Expected mo na ba ang indirect confession ko? Bakit may pa ganito?" nagbara ang lalamunan ko habang nakatingin sa kaniyang mukha na bakas ang kasiyahan.

"I didn't, wife. After your unexpected indirect confession, I immediately went into action."

"Thank... you," maliit ang boses na sabi ko.

Yumakap ako sa kaniya ng mahigpit at ibinaon ang mukha sa kaniyang dibdib. Ang kaniyang mabangong amoy ay agad na pumasok sa ilong ko. Nakakakalma at gustong-gusto kong amuyin.

Nang lumayo siya sa 'kin ay pinunasan niya ang mainit na luhang dumadaloy sa aking mukha. Kinuha niya ang singsing sa gitna at binigyan ako ng makahulugang tingin. I didn't know what to do... or what to expect. All I did was stand there, clearly speechless and clueless. He bent down one knee in front of me and held my hand tightly.

"I have never been so sure with anything in my life before. But I am sure as hell I want to live the rest of my life with you. We are married, but I want to do it again traditionally. This time, no more fooling around, no more papers, no more... forcing. I have come to realization that I couldn't bare to see you leaving me. You are the best thing that happened to me. You are my other half."

Napatakip ako ng bibig para hindi maging maingay sa pag-iyak. Ang OA ko na! Pero ayos lang, palalagpasin ko kasi moment ko 'to!

"Will you marry me? Again?"

Mula sa simpleng tango ay nasundan iyon ng ilang beses pa. I sobbed and said yes. If I could just shout the word yes, I would! But I couldn't. Something's blocking my throat because of the crying. The important thing is that I said yes and we are going to be marrying each other again. In church, this time.

"It's pretty," puri ko sa singsing na sinuot niya sa 'kin. I can't take my eyes off from the ring. It was really beautiful.

"And it's even prettier now that you're wearing it. I love you," he whispered.

I tiptoed and gave him a kiss. Our first kiss.

"I love you too, Kavius."

Natameme siya ng ilang segundo dahi doon. Kavius picked the scented candles and put it away. He then started walking towrds me and pushed me on the bed. Nagulat man ay napangisi na lang din ako.

"That's not a proper kiss to give your fiancee, wife," Kavius aggressively said.

He took off his watch and coat which I find very hot, brushed his hair with his fingers, climb onto the bed and crawled to me.

"That's a kiss from your wife."

"Yes and it's not enough. This is the kiss that I want."

He attacked my lips and inserted his tongue inside my mouth. Invading of privacy, I see. I couldn't follow his movement. I don't know how to kiss! Wala akong experience sa mga ganito!

"We'll have a long sleepless night tonight, my beautiful wife," he huskily whispered.

*****