"Ano itong nababalitaan kong may nililigawan ka raw sa kumbento, Kithian?"

I was busy looking over some aeronautical plates when Mom arrived with a snack. Sa kaniyang likuran ay si Daddy na kararating lang.

"Yes, Mommy. That's true," I answered in a monotone.

"You're courting a priest?" Dad blurted.

I scoffed and shook my head. Hinahatiran ko ng pagkain si Amelie tuwing nasa kumbento siya. At nagp-plano rin ako na pormal na bumisita sa kanila anytime soon. I want to officially start this courting phase with her parents knowledge.

"Sino, Kithian? Kilala ba namin ng daddy mo? Kailan mo ipapakilala? Kailan mo dadalhin dito?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Mommy.

"Kapag pumayag, Mommy," I shortly replied.

"Well, I want to meet her now! Kilala ba namin?"

"I don't know, Mommy. Maybe."

"I want to meet my future daughter-in-law, Kithian!" she exaggerated.

"Of course you will, Mommy. Pero baka mabigla. Itatanong ko muna kung papayag siya."

"At bakit naman hindi? I'm sure she would love to meet me, too!" she once again pursued.

I know they would love to meet each other. And I know for a fact too that Mom would love Amelie as much as I do. She's lovely and kind.

"Yes, Mommy. Pero masyado pa pong maaga para sa meet and greet with parents. Baka hindi ako sagutin sa pagka-bigla niyan." I tried to chuckle but it turned awkward.

I don't want that to happen though. I have my chance now and I will not waste it.

"Is that so? Then tell her to take her time."

I nodded. The next day, I went to school. It was early and I know Amelie hasn't woken up yet. Kaya iniwanan ko nalang ng message.

"Kit, pwede patulong? Paano 'to?" a blockmate of mine approached.

"Sus! Lumalapit na naman si Aliyah sa crush niya!" tukso nilang lahat.

My forehead creased. Unang pumasok sa utak ko ay ang nakangiting mukha ni Amelie. I immediately stood up and took a step away from Aliyah, a blockmate of mine. Nakita kong Aerodynamics iyon.

"Madali lang 'yan. Jasper, pakituro ng tinuro ko sa 'yo." I strictly said looking at another mate of mine.

"Huh? Alin doon?" nagkamot pa ito sa batok.

"The Aerodynamics. Same problem."

Jasper had this sly smile plastered in his face. I quickly moved to give him space. Aliyah's face fell.

"Pero Kit–"

"Ako na, Aliyah. May girlfriend na 'yan si boss. Matuto kang dumistansya." Jasper said in a teasing tone.

I continued scrolling my phone waiting for Amelie's response. A little while later, she responded to my texts.

Amelie:
Hi. Nandito na ako sa kumbento.

I only know little about her. But we have a lot of time to spare and get to know each other.

Ako:
Did you eat breakfast? I'm in school. Hahatiran kita ng lunch mamaya.

I tapped my desk while waiting for her to reply.

Amelie:
You don't have to! Pupunta na rin ako sa school mamaya. At doon na rin ako magl-lunch. Hindi mo alam saan ang school ko.

There was a grinning emoticon next to her message. Natawa ako na ikinatigil ng lahat. They were looking at me so weirdly. I quickly collected myself and cleared and throat.

Ako:
Please tell me where so I can hand you your lunch.

Amelie:
No haha.

I chuckled with that. Wala pang ginagawa pero tuwang-tuwa na ako. Paano pa kaya kung nasa isang bubong na kami? E di araw-araw akong tumatawa? Shit.

Ako:
Please, baby.

Amelie:
KITHIANNNN!

I grinned. She's just too cute. And adorable. I wonder if our kids will look like her someday. I wish. So they could have her perfect structure. I will do my best.

Lunch came and I couldn't be more excited. I rushed outside and grab my car keys. Malakas ang tibok ng puso ko. Baka dahil sa pagtakbo o dahil makikita ko na naman si Amelie. I could say it's the latter.

I spotted Amelie sitting in one of her school's benches. She was chuckling with her friends. And she looks so dreamy in her uniform. Bagay na bagay sa kaniya ang buhok niya ngayon. Half-bun with big white ribbon. Mukhang baby. Baby ko.

I took a lot of picture of her before sending her a message.

Ako:
Hi. I'm here.

Amelie turned her head to the gate and had this cute wide smile when she saw me. Nagmamadaling lumapit ito sa 'kin. Before she could pass the gate, the school guard stopped her to make her tap her ID in the scanner, indicating that she's exiting the school premesis.

"Hi!" masiglang bati nito sa 'kin.

"Hey. Lunch?"

Talking to her this close made my heart flutter. Parang last year lang, napapanaginipan kong mangyari 'to. Ngayon, binigay ni Lord ang hiling ko.

"Wow. You look so good in your uniform." She gasped.

I smiled and proudly stood in front of her. Manliligaw niya magiging piloto. Pakiramdam ko ang laking achivement na ng sinabi ni Amelie. I've never felt so good in my uniform until today.

"You look dreamy too."

"What?"

"You look like a princess."

"Yeah, your princess. Come on, let's look for a place to eat."

Nagpadala ako sa hila niya. I looked over to her porcelain fingers wrapped around my pulse. I could not hide my smile. She was everything I dreamed before. And she was right. She is my princess. Only mine.

"I have my car with me. We can go anywhere you want," I said.

"Pero baka gutom ka na. We can eat everywhere as long as you're comfortable."

"I'm comfortable? Amelie, I think about you."

"You don't have to always think about me."

Damn girl had me wrapped around her pretty little fingers.

"But I can't help it. You're always in my mind. I... adore you too much that I could not get you out of my head even for a second," I confessed.

"Pero baka magsawa ka..."

"Damn. I longed for you for a long time without anything, Amelie. You really think I'd get over you?"

I wanted her attention for months. I manifested her for almost a year. And she thinks this... everything I have for her will disappear because I always think about her?

Damn.

If God permits, I would stay by her side and stare at her angelic face while imagining our future together.

This is not enough for me. I want more of Amelie's. I want everything about her. I want her past, present, and future.

I want to love her more than I have ever shown love to everyone in this cruel tough world.