It had been two weeks since the proposal. Aston left a week ago for work. Nag-stay naman sila ni Alistair para makasama ang parents niya. Isa pa, na-miss din siguro niya ang Hawaii kaya mas pinili niyang magpaiwan muna rito.

Natatawa pa rin siya kapag naalala niya ang sinabi ni Aston. Nalaman niya mismo kay Aston na hindi random ang pag-aya nito sa kaniya sa Baler. Gusto pala kasi talaga nitong makausap ang daddy niya para sa pagpapaalam na magtatanong sa kaniya tungkol sa kasal.

"LJ, o." Ibinaba ng mommy niya ang bananacue sa gilid ng reclining chair. "Si Alistair, nakatulog na rin sa dibdib ng daddy mo. Ayaw naman niyang ibaba. Nag-e-enjoy pa sa apo niya."

Ngumiti si Laureen at nakagat ang ibabang labi. "Are you sure po na you're okay na we're still here? I'm planning to stay another week bago kami bumalik ni Ali sa Baesa."

"The house is livelier with you in it! Sabi nga namin ng daddy mo, mukhang mahihirapan na naman kaming mag-adjust 'pag umalis na kayo ni Ali, e," sabi ng mommy niya na naupo sa kabilang reclining chair. "How are you the past few weeks? Are you still talking to your therapist?"

"Yes, Mom." Kumagat siya sa bananacue. "We still talk, but twice a week na lang. I have no plans pa naman po na bumalik sa Hawaii kaya I informed her na online muna ang sessions namin. I still do yoga and meditation. Nasa rooftop po ako kanina."

Laureen saw how her mom inhaled and then exhaled. There was a smile on her face while staring at nowhere. Nililipad rin ng malakas na hangin ang buhok ng mommy niya. Ganoon din siya kanina, pero inipitan niya dahil ayaw niya talaga ang pakiramdam na medyo malagkit.

"Mom, Aston, and I decided to get married in a month," aniya kaya lumingon ang mommy niya. "We talked last night na uuwi siya bukas here, and we'll plan the wedding. Since we can fix it naman po in a month and won't invite many people, we'll do it in a month."

Her mom nodded. "That's good. Basta whatever works for you and Aston, susuportahan naman namin kayo. All you gotta do is ask. Saan n'yo pala balak ikasal kung sakali?"

"I wanna do it sa Baesa. Can you guys free your schedules next month? C-Can you stay with us sa Baesa?" she nervously asked. "I wanna be with you while planning the wedding, Mom. I want you by my side. Okay lang po ba?"

Hindi maintindihan ni Laureen kung bakit, pero bigla na lang nag-init ang mga mata niya habang inaalala kung paano ikinasal ang mga magulang niya. She was there and she loved that wedding.

"I remembered how you looked during your wedding, Mom." Laureen smiled and wiped her tears away. "I didn't tell you about this, but I asked myself why there are no people. Just you, Daddy, me, Tito Job, and Tito Patrick. Bakit walang maraming flowers and why you're dressing casually. I have seen a lot of wedding scenes in movies, but you chose the simplest. I love the dresses, too! I never asked you why. I don't wanna ask you then, but I wanna ask you now."

"Who says I don't want a grand wedding?" Her mom wiped her tears. "When I was younger, I used to imagine what I'd wear during my wedding. The flowers—just plain white roses. That was it. I wanted a garden wedding. I want a ball gown with laces and a long trail. Gusto ko pa nga noon, maraming guests! Gusto kong maraming food, maraming gifts, and I imagined myself dancing with Papa and my groom. I also imagined dancing with my Mama! I want to talk with my parents, I want them to kiss me, I want them to stay with me."

Laureen gulped and stared at her mom who happily told her about her dream wedding.

"Gusto ko noon na sunset ang wedding ko 'tapos sa gabi, everyone will have fun and magpa-party kaming lahat!" Her mom looked at her. "I wanted that kind of wedding! I wanted to wear nice heels, my hair braided in a bun 'tapos there's a small tiara. I wanted a loud and happy wedding. But I lost that dream growing up. Not because of Tito Vin, ha? Before him, I already lost the desire to have a grand wedding."

"W-Why?" Laureen murmured. "You don't have to answer this, Mom."

"It's okay." Her mom smiled. "Sa guest pa lang, talo na ako, e. I don't have friends. Wala akong magiging maid of honor, bridesmaid. I don't know many people with kids. Wala akong magiging flower girls! Sabi ko na lang noon, I want a simple wedding na lang. No guests, just family and friends. Just me and the groom."

"And my mama isn't here anymore during the wedding. My papa wasn't present, too. It was my fault. I didn't even inform him about my wedding." Her mom sobbed. "I became so selfish and resentful. And I didn't even consider getting married until your dad happened."

Laureen smiled when she remembered again how her parents got married. Biglang nag-flashback sa kaniya ang kaba sa mukha ng daddy niya dahil wala pa ang mommy niya. Naalala niyang ilang beses nagtanong ang mayor na magkakasal sa parents niya kung matutuloy pa ba ang kasal dahil wala pa ang mommy niya.

She remembered Patrick and Job trying to ask her questions about her dress and hair to divert her attention because her mom considered running away.

Yup. She knew about it. She heard her parents talking about it.

"But I was the happiest during my wedding kasi I was marrying your dad, and I had the most beautiful daughter beside me. Not a maid of honor, not a bridesmaid, not a flower girl, but my own daughter with me . . . ." Her mom sniffed and wiped her cheeks. "And I wouldn't change that wedding for anything."

Yumuko si Laureen para itago ang hagulhol dahil hindi niya inasahan ang sagot ng mommy niya. Buong buhay niyang itinatak sa isip niya na ayaw lang talaga ng mommy niya ang engrandeng kasal dahil sa pagiging simple nito. Naisip din niya noon na baka ayaw lang talaga para iwas issue dahil artista ang daddy niya.

Laureen felt bad that her mom didn't get to experience the wedding she wanted.

—

Kinabukasan, nagising si Laureen at wala na si Alistair sa tabi niya, pero katabi niya si Aston. Mahimbing itong natutulog sa tabi niya at ni hindi niya namalayang dumating na ito.

Aston was still wearing his slacks but no top. Nakadapa ito at nakayakap sa unan na nasa pagitan nilang dalawa. It was actually Ali's pillow.

Akmang tatayo si Laureen nang yumakap ang braso ni Aston sa kaniya at isinubsob ang mukha sa leeg niya. Hinaplos naman niya ang buhok nito at hinayaang matulog ulit.

Laureen shut her eyes but felt something different while brushing Aston's hair. To her shock, she was wearing a ring. An engagement ring. And she couldn't stop looking at it. Nasabi naman sa kaniya ni Aston na late darating ang singsing na ipinagawa pa sa kamag-anak at excited lang talagang magtanong. Hindi na raw kasi mapigilan.

The ring had a white gold band and a square-cut diamond in the middle. It was simple, and her style—subtle and comfortable.

"I hope you like it," Aston whispered, kissing her neck. "I missed you. My parents are here, too. They're talking to your parents already about us getting married. Hindi na raw nila tayo hihintayin. We're not traditional naman, just formality."

Hinalikan niya ang noo ni Aston. "Hayaan muna natin sila. How's work?"

"I don't wanna talk about work. It's exhausting. Gusto ko na lang dito," bulong ni Aston na mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya. "Do you like it? Puwede nating papalitan kung hindi mo gu—"

"I love it." Muli niyang hinalikan ang noo nito. "Love, I wanna push through with the wedding plan. I have a new list. Tingin mo, we can really do it in a month? We're not in a rush naman. I mean, I have a lot of things in mind . . . but wait, we can. We have the budget naman."

Mas humigpit ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya ni Aston. "Go, love. I have the budget. You can spend any amount. I save—"

"I saved for my wedding, too," Laureen said in a low voice. "Gusto mo ba akong mag-share just in case mag-over the limit ako sa budget mo? I've saved for a wedding, too."

"Hmm . . . ." Aston looked at her and squinted. "Sige, love. If we exceed our budget, hihingi ako ng help sa 'yo. We can use your savings. But if enough ang meron ako, let's use your savings for a honeymoon abroad. Tingin mo?"

Laureen nodded, but she had something in mind. Alam niyang sapat ang savings ni Aston para sa wedding na gusto niya, malamang na sobra pa nga, pero siniguro din naman kasi niya sa sarili noon pa man na hindi siya aasa sa mapapangasawa niya.

She saved that money even before meeting Travis. Surprisingly, pareho sila ng idea ng mommy niya sa kasal dahil bata pa lang siya, ipinangako na niya sa sarili niyang magiging maganda ang kasal niya kung sakali mang dumating na ang panahon.

Hearing what her mom said made her want to spend much for her wedding. Hindi man iyon naranasan ng mommy niya dahil sa unexpected circumstances, gagawin niya sa sarili niya. She knew her mom would be happy for her.

Sabay silang lumabas ng kuwarto. Naabutan nila ang parents nilang nagmemeryenda sa living room. Buhat ng daddy ni Aston si Alistair habang nakikipagkuwentuhan sa daddy ni Laureen. Pareho namang nakaupo sa sofa ang mga mommy nila na inalok sila ng cake galing sa hotel.

Laureen observed that their parents were comfortable with each other. Hindi naman nakagugulat iyon sa parte niya dahil alam niyang magaling makisama ang parents niya.

Aston opened up a topic about the wedding. Their parents were listening to them.

They planned to get married in a month. A lawyer from the Laurents would work with Patrick—Legaspi's lawyer—about legal things. Tinawagan na rin ni Laureen si Hannah na mayroong magpupuntang event's organizer sa Baesa dahil doon niya gustong magpakasal.

Sinabihan din sila ng parents ni Aston na kung kaya nilang gumawa na ng RSPV lalo na at isang buwan na lang, gawin na nila para sa confirmation at para na rin ma-inform ang mga taong iimbitahan nila.

"About that . . . ." Aston gazed at Laureen. Naka-focus ito sa laptop at mukhang naghahanap ng ibang suppliers para sa kasal nila, pero tumingin sa kaniya. "We decided to invite few people. Mostly, Alonzo-Mathias."

Tahimik na nakatingin ang mga magulang nila.

"We're just gonna invite those na komportable kami," sabi ni Aston. "Sa side ko, I'm inviting all Alonzo-Mathias. Laureen's not close naman sa ibang pinsan ko, so we decided to invite people we're close to. But also plan to have a small gathering with the family maybe a week after the wedding to celebrate with them, too."

"Sa side ko, our family." Ngumiti si Laureen. "The Lafortezas, Tito Job and Tito Patrick, Hannah, and the helpers inside the house. For the people sa hacienda, we're planning the same. Another celebration with the workers of hacienda."

Their parents agreed and loved the idea. Everyone told them it was their wedding and they would be in control. Their happiness and convenience mattered.

Habang nakaupo sa dining area sina Aston at Laureen habang naglilista, parents nila ang nag-aalaga kay Alistair. Sa hotel dapat tutuloy ang parents ni Aston, pero ipinaayos ng mommy niya ang isang kuwarto para dito na lang sa bahay at mas makapag-bonding pa sila.

Aston's parents decided to stay in Baler for a week to bond. Kinuha naman nilang pagkakataon iyon para umalis at magpunta sa Manila para asikasuhin ang mga kailangan nila para sa kasal.

"Love, who's gonna be in-charge sa prenup?" Laureen asked.

Their parents stopped talking and gazed at them.

"Both lawyers can talk about it," Aston casually said and faced their parents. "We decided to get a prenup. We talked about it last week, after the engagement, and will push through with it."

"Are you guys sure about that?" Aston's dad asked.

Laureen nodded. "It's to protect us both po. We don't have plans naman to break up." Everyone laughed because of what she said. "But no one can really predict the future. We're in love and might still be in love twenty-five years later. But we're also considering both our securities."

Everyone was silent, and Aston looked at Laureen who was playing with her pen.

"Hopefully, nothing happens . . . but what if? We both want to protect ourselves and the family. It'll be smarter for us to have this."

Their parents nodded and agreed. Wala namang problema both parties sa kung mayroon o wala. Wala rin namang problema sa kanila ni Aston.

They wanted this for formality and security. Napag-usapan nila na 'what's mine is yours'. They knew that it would be controversial to talk to others, but it was normal for them.

It should be.

Habang binabaybay nila ang daan papunta sa Manila, nilingon ni Laureen si Aston na seryosong nakatingin sa daan. Pareho nilang pinag-isipan kung tutuloy ba sila at iiwanan si Ali.

"I miss Ali," ani Laureen na ngumiti. Hinaplos niya ang batok ni Aston. "Love, I love the ring. Thank you so much."

Aston smiled warmly and kissed the back of her hand.

A lone tear fell on each side of Laureen's cheek upon realizing she would marry Aston soon. That breakup made her realize she wouldn't want to stay away from him again.

She wanted to get married to him and build a family with him. They both realized they wanted to be together.

Ibinalik ni Laureen ang tingin sa daan . . . bigla niyang na-realize, hindi pa nila napag-uusapan kung saan sila titira sakali mang kasal na sila.

Gusto niya sa Baesa, pero alam niyang kailangan din si Aston sa Manila. It would be a discussion for them, pero bahala na muna.

The wedding first and the rest will follow.

—
T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com