Sunday came and I was all ready. Dapat ay sabay kaming lahat patungong simbahan pero mamayang hapon pa sila. I have plans for this afternoon so I went there very early. Kung iisipin ay para akong groom tapos si Amelie ang bride ko. Then I'll wait for her at the altar that's why I'm very early.

Kapag ikakasal na kami, ala una palang ng madaling araw nasa simbahan na ako.

"Hi." I greeted with a smile.

She was wearing a white dress. Hanggang talampakan iyon. Mas nagmukha siyang dyosa sa paningin ko. Simula noong nanligaw ako dito sa simbahan na ang naging tagpuan namin.

"You're waiting for me, huh?"

She nodded.

"Mamaya pa ba magsisimula?" I asked.

"Mga twenty minutes pa siguro. Hindi pa puno sa loob. Usually dumadating ang mga tao last minute."

I know right. Philippine time.

"Let's go inside?"

She smiled. I held her delicate hand and walked hand in hand inside the church. Kakaunti pa ang mga tao at halos nasa hulihang bahagi ng simbahan nakaupo.

Amelie motioned her hand in front. Nakita ko doon ang bag niya na palagi ay kaniyang dala sa tuwing inaaya ko siyang lumabas. It's cute. I saw her phone, too. She's using our couple cases. Ganoon din ako.

"Doon ako mamaya. Komportable ka ba rito? Pwede kang umupo sa likod kung gusto mo." She said that softly.

"I'm comfortable sitting here in front, Amelie. Gusto ko rin dahil... mas nakikita kita."

We sat there and talked about some things. Unti-unting dumadami ang mga tao. Minutes before the mass started, Amelie went to where the other lectors was.

Lector pala ang tawag sa kanila. Dati akala ko sister na. Thank you, Lord.

During the mass, my eyes would constantly watch Amelie and then back to the priest. Amelie would always smile at me whenever we lock eyes and I would do the same.

The mass ended shortly after. Habang nakaupo at hinihintay si Amelie ay iniisip ko rin iyong homily.

Whenever I come to church with Amelie, I would automatically reflect to what the homily is. And I would feel light whenever I understand what the priest have said.

"Are you ready to go journeying with me?" I chuckled.

Amelie did the same.

"After kong ma-stress sa school, I think deserve ko 'to."

Mahinang natawa ako at tumango. Look how cute and bubbly she is.

I opened the front seat of my car for her to enter. Nang kumportable na ay umikot ako at sumakay na rin. I maneuvered the car quickly.

"Are you hungry? Maaga pa naman. We can eat breakfast if you want," I asked.

"Nope, busog pa ako. Ang dami ko kayang kinain kanina. I know this is going to be a long ride kaya kumain ako nng marami at nagdala na rin ng food natin," litanya nito.

"Nagdala ka ng pagkain natin?" ulit ko.

She nodded innocently and showed me what's in the backseat. Ni hindi ko nga napansin ang basket na iyon.

"I also brought food for us." Mahina akong natawa.

She gasped. Her lips forming an o.

"Paano na 'yan?"

"It's fine. I'll eat it. What food did you bring?" mahinahon kong sabi.

"Lunch sana natin. Niluto ko." Maliit ang kaniyang boses.

Kung hindi lang nagmamaneho, panigurado ay nakatitig na ako sa kaniya ngayon. As much as I want to stare at her longer, I also need to keep her safe. So I quickly diverted my attention on the road.

"Snacks ang dala ko. Dadaan sana tayo for lunch but I guess we don't have to now?" I playfully smirked. "Thank you, baby."

"Talaga?" the hope in her tone made my heart stunned.

"Hm. Thank you."

"You're welcome! Don't bother buying food next time, okay? I will cook proper food for us."

Mas lalo akong napangiti. Hindi pa kami mag-asawa pero makakatikim na ako ng luto niya. This is the starting point. Ito 'yong sign na magiging kami talaga. And I thank Him for that.

"Alright. Ako na ang bahala sa snacks and drinks natin whenever we travel."

The drive will take about two to three hours. And during those hours, kapag hindi aantukin si Amelie ay mag-uusap kami tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay hanggang sa makaramdam siya ng antok.

"I still don't get why of all girls here in our town, ako ang nakakuha sa atensyon mo."

"Do we need a reason for that?"

As we make our way deeper into the countryside, the noises coming from other vehicles is getting lesser.

"Oo naman! Hindi ko naman makukuha ang atensyon mo kung wala."

"Alright, if that's what you want. You got my attention because you're pretty."

"Ganda lang?" she scoffed.

Nakakalimutan ko minsan na maldita nga rin pala ang isang ito. I still think it's cute.

"I like hearing your voice whenever you talk. I love to see you serving the Lord. I like to see every move you do. Watching you like that makes me wanna devote myself to you the way you devote yourself to Him."

Amelie is more than just a pretty face.

"But my voice is not very feminine-like. Malaki 'di ba?"

"Hm? I don't hear it like that. Hindi, Amelie. At kahit naman totoo iyang sinasabi mo, I will still love you the same."

Boss Kit, mapagmahal. Walang makakatibag.

"What is love for you, Kithian?"

Ano nga ba ang salitang iyon para sa akin?

Siya.

"Patience, understanding, and commitment."

Love isn't all about sweetness.

"Bakit?"

"Anong bakit?" tanong ko pabalik.

Pansin kong malapit na kami sa pupuntahan. This house on top of the hill used to be my grandpa's house during their childhood days. Nasa tuktok ng bundok iyon. Overtime, it's just being taken care of by a caretaker. At nire-renovate sa tuwing may sira.

I want Amelie to see the beauty of living with green pastures all around.

"Bakit iyon ang napili mo?"

"Because that's how I see my parents' relationship, Amelie. They're patient when it comes to complicated things. They choose to understand each other during hard times. And they commit to what they've promised in front of the Lord; their vows."

"Magiging ganiyan din kaya tayo kung sakali?"

"Of course. Ikaw ang pipiliin ko kapalit ang kahit na ano, Amelie."

I hit the brakes and turned off the engine. Nilingon ko si Amelie at natagpuan ko ang mga mata nito sa akin.

She smiled.

"Let's take things slowly, Kithian."

Of course, yes.

*****