6 months later

"So hindi na ba talaga kita mapipigilan na pakasalan si Arkhee? I literally delayed my flight home just so you can have time to change your mind..." pabirong sabi pa sa kaniya ni Oreo matapos nitong kumain ng order nitong cake.

Nagpapahinga sila sa loob ng isang coffee shop. Katatapos lang nilang makipag kita sa wedding planner at ngayon ay nabunutan na ng tinik si Dessa dahil nalutas na ang problema nila sa flower supplier.

"That's mean. I literally waited for you to be done in Brazil just so you can be my maid of honor, you know."

"I know. I don't even know how you convinced me to say yes though..." uminom ito ng kape at napatingin sa malayo. "I'm not ready to see Kristoff nor become his partner in your wedding."

"Well, my apologies Doctor Oreo Soliva. Apparently, Kristoff is the bestfriend of the groom so I can't possibly change that, right? Or would you have preferred Ash as the best man?" Dessa gave out a wicked grin.

"No f*cking way! That's way more evil! Baka di ako makapag pigil kapag nang – asar siya at malibing ko siya ng buhay." Oreo shook her head. "Kristoff is way more tolerable than Ash."

Dessa could't help but smile. There was something in Oreo's eyes while talking about Kristoff. Mukhang tama ang desisyon nila ni Arkhee sa dalawang kaibigan na gawin itong maid of honor at bestman nila sa wedding ceremony kahit pa medyo matatagalan ito dahil kailangan nilang antayin si Oreo matapos ang kontrata nito sa Brazil. She could have asked Eliza for the role too but Arkhee faintly stated that Kristoff will be the best man, probably trying to match both of his friends into something they can't say no.

Sa susunod na linggo na ang kasal nila ni Arkhee na gaganapin sa Bali, Indonesia. Napag desisyonan nilang sa mas malapit na lugar na lamang sila magpakasal upang mas madaling makapunta ang mga kaibigan nila at mga mahal sa buhay. Ang gusto lang naman nila ni Arkhee ay isang intimate wedding na may magandang view ng beach. Kaya napili nilang sa Bali na lamang magpakasal.

"Anyway, anong plans mo since you're now back Eo?" pag – iiba niya ng usapan.

"I...don't really know yet. Maybe I'll have my own clinic and work in hospitals. But that's not final yet. Things are different here compared to Brazil and the States." She sipped her coffee, pondering. "Or who knows I might be able to settle things here and travel to another country again. Maybe I'll go to South Africa."

"Hmmm. Mind if I ask what you need to settle first?" hindi na niya napigilan pang maging curious sa buhay nito.

"It's...about Kristoff," she shrugged, with a heavy sigh, she continued. "Because of me, he's unhappy with his life. He really kept his promise to my mom. Kaya lang mukhang nakalimutan na niyang may sarili rin siyang buhay. I think it's time that I let him live his life and break that promise."

Mababanaag sa mukha ng kaniyang kaharap ang kalungkutang nadarama nito. Maaring mas malalim pa sa nakikita ng mga mata ni Dessa ang totoong sitwasyon ni Oreo. Pinigilan na lamang niya ang sariling mag – usisa pa. Alam niyang sa tamang panahon ay magkakaroon rin ng lakas ng loob itong si Oreo na ibahagi ang istorya ng buhay nito sa kaniya.

"Hey! If you need any help, I'm always here for you." She gave a reassuring smile to Oreo.

"Thanks Dess. Arkhee's so lucky to have you. I might as well threaten him if he ever becomes an as$h*le." Ngumiti ito at napatingin sa direksyon ng pinto. "Speaking of the devil."

Napalingon si Dessa at nakita na papalapit ang gwapong soon – to – be – husband niya. Napangiti siya at nang makalapit si Arkhee sa kaniya ay hinalikan siya nito sa pisngi.

"Hi Eon, having a great time?" tanong nito at naupo sa tabi niya. "Sana naman hindi ka kinukumbinse nitong si Oreo na umatras sa kasal."

"I told Dessa to run away with me and leave you behind." Walang kakurap – kurap na sagot ni Oreo.

"What? You're serious?!" nabigla pa ata si Arkhee sa sinabi nito kahit halata namang nagbibiro lang itong si Oreo.

"Eon, you do realize it's a --"

"Yep. So don't you dare do something to Dessa that will make me angry Khee." Oreo drained her cup of coffee, stuff a bite of cake into her mouth and stood up. "I'm leaving you two now. Have to do something."

Nakipagbeso – beso pa si Oreo sa kaniya bago ito tuluyang umalis sa harap nila ni Arkhee. Napangiti siya. Oreo does care for her.

"She didn't have to threaten me..." Arkhee mumbled. "I'm gonna marry you and become the best husband."

Dessa bursted into laughter and pinched Arkhee's cheek. "Eon...why are you so adorable? Mabilis ka talagang mapikon."

"Okay lang, as long as you still love me," hinaplos – haplos nito ang pisngi. "Anyway, may sinabi ba si Oreo about kay Kristoff? I mean, about the wedding?"

Umiling siya at dagling sumimsim ng kaniyang mainit – init pang kape. "She just said she's not ready to see him yet."

"Ahuh...We can only help this much. Whatever happens to them, it's all up to Kristoff now."

"At kailan ka pa naging match maker, ha?" Natatawa niyang sabi. "You know Eon, I still believe that if things are meant for them to happen, they will have it, whatever's the situation. God's plans are always better than what we have in mind. So, I'm sure if God wants them to be together, there's nothing to worry. If not, then they will surely both find someone else to love."

Tumatango – tango si Arkhee at pinisil ang ilong niya. "Why did God give me such beautiful, wise and sexy wife?"

"Ouch! God knows you need my words of wisdom, you seem to need it all the time." Tinapik niya ang kamay nito. "You are enamored by my greatness!"

Nakunot na naman nito ang noo. "Why do I feel like I have to Google your words all the time?"

"Oh well, I'm sorry if I'm smart. Would you like to avail for my English tutoring services?" Nagpipigil siyang matawa at kinagat ang ibabang labi. "But I'm very expensive. Baka di mo ma – afford."

"Tumatanggap ka ba ng postdated checks? Maghahanap pa ako ng pera para ipambayad sa'yo."

"I prefer cash. Ikakasal kasi ako eh, kailangan ko ng pera." Kibit – balikat niyang sagot. Ito ang gusto niya sa kanila ni Arkhee. They got along so well that it's natural for both of them to have hilarious conversations.

"Bakit kailangan mo ng pera? Hindi ba mayaman ang future husband mo? Ang balita ko gwapo raw iyon."

"Hmmm. Saan mo narinig ang tsismis na 'yan? Mukhang mali ang source mo, ah." Dessa pressed her lips to force herself not to burst into laughter. "Mayaman naman ang fiancé ko, pero 'yung gwapo hindi ako sigurado eh..."

Tinitigan tuloy siya ni Arkhee ng masama. "Kung hindi siya gwapo bakit mo siya nagustuhan?"

"Ahhh. Kasi po kahit naman po siguro hindi siya gwapo ay mamahalin ko pa rin siya. Sadly, he's not just gwapo. He is super gwapo at sobrang bait pa." Kinindatan niya si Arkhee. "Kaya mali po 'yung balita nila sa inyo na gwapo lang po siya."

Ikinagulat niya ang sumunod na ginawa ni Arkhee. Bigla siya nitong hinila palapit sa katawan nito at niyakap. Hindi tuloy niya napigilan na mamula at matubuan ng hiya dahil nasa isang public place.

"Eon...I know we're adults. But I'm not into PDA, okay?" bulong niya sa tainga nito. Pilit niya itong tinutulak palayo ngunit mas hinigpitan pa nito ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya.

"I'm so in – love with you. God, I'm so lucky to marry you." He threw in a little laugh.

"I know." Dessa teased, embracing him back this time.

FIN

*****

Hope you all enjoyed this book. This is the first of the more series that I want to write. If you ever came across this book and have finished reading it, thank you so much. My heartfelt thanks to you. 

Love & Light,

Bella Coronel