Song: A Thousand Years- Piano Guys

Future

"You may now kiss the bride!" the priest announced in front of all the wedding guests.

Tumayo kami at nagbigay pugay sa bagong kasal. I couldn't stop smiling. Ian let out an exaggerated sigh before he put his hands below Kelly's veil. Ngumiti siya sa kanyang asawa.

Everybody's anticipating for their first kiss as husband and wife. Pinanood ko ang aking mga katabi at nakitang excited na rin sila. Then my eyes went to the other side of the church. Agad na lumabas ang ngiti sa aking labi nang makitang nakatingin na rin si Zach sa akin. He's clapping his hands for the newly weds but his eyes are on me.

I chuckled lightly when I saw him winked at me. Umiling ako upang pagtakpan ang kilig na naramdaman. I returned my gaze back to Ian and Kelly.

Tuluyan nang naalis ni Ian ang belo na nagtatabon sa magandang mukha ni Kelly. Everyone started cheering when Ian started to move his face closer to Kelly. Bakas sa mukha ni Kelly na naiinip na siya dahil dinadahan-dahan pa ng asawa ang dapat gawin.

Feeling siguro ni Ian nasa isang pelikula siya para magkunwaring nagsslow-mo ang lahat. Kahit talaga sa kasal nila, maloko parin 'tong si Ian. Bumagsak ang balikat ni Kelly at umirap. Hindi na niya hinintay pang tuluyang makalapit ang mukha ni Ian dahil siya na mismo ang humila palapit dito.

My jaw dropped in surprise when Kelly's the one who took the initiative to press their lips together. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Ian pero sa huli ay malambing niya nalang rin hinalikan ang asawa.

I clapped so hard while watching them. I am so, so happy for them. They truly deserve each other.

"It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time... Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez!"

They hugged each other tightly after they parted from their kiss. I couldn't remove the smile off of my face while admiring the both of them.

After their wedding, we went straight to the reception. Dito ko lang rin napansin na napakarami palang imbitado sa kasal nila. Even Zach and Ian's team from NFL is here!

Tony and Ryan can't get enough of the food being served. Sobrang sarap daw! Tinanong pa nga nila kung sino iyong nag-cater at ihahire raw nila tuwing may event. Meanwhile, Zach—who's beside me—keeps on brushing his thumb on my waist. It is one of his sweetest gestures and I swear I can't get enough of it.

"Are you tired?" he whispered. Nag-aalala niya akong tiningnan. Ngumiti ako at hinawakan ang kanyang pisngi.

"No."

Marami rin kaming ginawa bago magsimula ang kasal nila Ian at Kelly. I'm Kelly's bridesmaid so I'm required to join her photoshoots. Halos ang daming nirerequest ng photographer na gawin namin at 'yun naman kami, sunod ng sunod sakanya.

But no matter how tired I am, just by seeing the man who I love so much is already enough to take all my tiredness away.

I didn't pursue being a model again kahit na marami paring nag-ooffer. Mas nag-focus na ako sa pagiging interior designer and recently, I just opened my furniture shop! Everything that we sell are all my designs! Minsan tinutulungan ako nila Zach para magkaroon ng idea.

And seeing everything that I designed come to life is so fulfilling! Ang dami ko na rin nagiging customers kaya mas nakakatuwa talaga!

We named our shop Los Muebles which means furniture in Spanish. Zach's also been really hands on with regards my shop, in fact, he's also the one who hired the people who's now working for me.

Minsan nagugulat nalang ako at nasa shop rin siya. He's also busy with their business since he's helping his father with it. Pero kahit na ganoon ay hindi naman siya nauubusan ng oras para sa akin.

Tony and Ryan both decided to stay here in the Philippines for good. Nakahanap kasi si Tony ng pwesto na pupwede niyang pagtayuan ng business niya. While Ryan went back to my old modeling agency to manage some new models.

Nakakuha na rin sila ng sarili nilang bahay at nakalipat na rin sila doon ilang linggo na ang nakalipas. Ang dami nang nangyari simula noong naging mapayapa na ang buhay ko. Everything's just going on so well. And I'm really, really grateful for all the blessing that's coming our way.

When it's time for the bridesmaid to catch the bride's bouquet, Ryan forced me to stand up. Siya talaga iyong nagpupumilit. Tatayo naman ako pero hindi ko alam kung bakit push ng push 'tong baklang 'to.

"Make sure to catch the bouquet ha? Next week will be a very special day, e." aniya. Inirapan ko naman siya at dumiretso na sa gitna kung saan naghihintay si Kelly.

Tumabi ako sa ibang bridesmaid. Nakita ko namang sa akin nakatuon ang atensyon ni Kelly at mukhang ako pa ata ang gusto niyang makasalo.

"Okay, let's start!" sabi ng emcee. "On three... one..." Kelly started swaying bouquet. "Two..." tinaas na ng ibang bridesmaid ang kanilang mga kamay, hinihintay nalang ang paghagis ni Kelly ng bouquet.

"Raise your hands, Sam! Wag kang KJ!" sigaw ni Ryan. Nilingon ko ang pwesto nila at sinamaan siya ng tingin. I saw Zach chuckling, too.

And he finds this funny huh?!

Tinaas ko rin ang kamay ko gaya ng utos ni Ryan.

"Three!" pagsabi ng emcee noon ay agad na binato ni Kelly ang bouquet.

What surprises me the most is that it perfectly landed on my hands! Hindi naman ako nakikipag-agawan pero sa kamay ko mismo lumapag ang bouquet. I don't know if this is some kind of magic or whatever, but... it's just really surprising!

My eyes widened and laughed when people started cheering. Nakita ko pa sila Tita Carmel na napatayo sa kanilang kinauupuan nang dahil sa tuwa.

"Looks like we have our next bride!" ngumiti nalang ako sa sinabi ng emcee. Pinalapit naman ako ni Kelly sakanya.

"I told you, you're next..." she wiggled her brows at me.

Hindi na talaga mag-eexpect kung kailan magpropropose si Zach. I mean, it's up to him though. Ilang beses na rin akong nahopia na magpropropose siya sa akin noon. I don't want to get my hopes up again.

And if he wishes to propose anytime, I'll say yes naman, e. Who am I to say no?! I'm not retarted!

"No pressure, Zach!" pabirong sinigaw ni Ian. Nagtawanan ang lahat, kahit ang kanilang team.

Tiningnan ko si Zach na natatawa nalang rin. Ibinaling niya ang tingin sa akin at tsaka ako nginitian. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at tsaka nginisian.

When the celebration ended, Ryan suggested for them to come over our house. Nag-aaya pa siya ng midnight snacks. Mukhang hindi pa siya busog sa dami ng kinain niya kanina sa reception. Pumayag naman kami ni Zach.

They ordered pizza, fries, and other foods that will totally make us gain weight! Buti nga at hindi nagreklamo itong si Zach kahit na sobrang body conscious niya. Halos araw-araw ata 'tong nagwowork out. Paano ba naman kasi, hindi na rin siya bumalik sa team pagkatapos nung nangyari sa akin noon. He never had the chance to do his daily exercise kaya siguro ngayon rin siya bumabawi.

I changed into a comfortable wear and when I went back to the dining table, I saw Tony and Ryan already attacking the pizza that we've ordered. Agad akong pumwesto sa tabi nila at nakisali narin. I grab a slice of pizza for myself.

Mamaya maya pa ay nakisali na rin sa amin si Zach. Tumabi siya sa akin at agad na ipinatong ang braso niya sa likod ng aking upuan. I offered him my pizza. Umaasa na akong tatanggi siya dahil hindi naman siya gaanong kumakain ng high cholesterol foods.

Kaya nagulat nalang rin ako noong kinuha niya ang kamay ko at ipinalit niya sa kanyang bibig ang hawak kong pizza. He took a bite from it.

"Baka magustohan mo. Ayan oh, ang dami pa!" sabi ko sabay turo ng pizza. Ryan ordered two boxes for us. Kaunti lang ang inorder niya dahil hindi rin naman kakain nito si Zach.

"No, it's okay. I'll just take a little bite to your pizza." I pouted and creased my forehead.

"Aagawan mo pa talaga ako! Kumuha ka na! Minsan ka lang naman kumain niyan!"

Umiling siya at kinuha ang pizza sa kamay ko. Inubos niya iyon. I hit him playfully, tinawanan niya lang ako. Kumuha ako ng panibagong slice at hindi na siya inalok pa nito.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagkakatuwaan dahil sa mga kwento ni Ryan. We reminisced everything that happened before. Kahit iyong bakasyon namin sa Maldives noon ay pinag-usapan rin namin. Though it didn't turn out well for me, I still enjoyed it though.

"Ugh! I wanna go back!" sabi ko.

Maldives is just the most beautiful place I've ever been to. I've been to a lot of places since I used to travel all the time because of my work. But there's nothing like Maldives.

Yes, Miami beach is also beautiful but there's really something about Maldives that made me so hooked. But if I were to choose between Siargao and Maldives, I'll choose Siargao of course! We should appreciate our own! Love local!

"Maybe we should go back." Ryan suggested.

"Oh, I would love to!" sabi ko sabay ngiti. Nilingon ko naman si Zach na nananahimik ngayon. He's just casually listening to our conversation.

Lumapit ako sakanya. I leaned in to him and rest my hand on his thigh. Nilagay niya naman ang kanyang kamay sa aking balikat.

"You can sleep now if you want to. You look tired." I suggested. He quickly shakes his head.

"No, I'm fine. May iniisip lang." ngumuso ako at tumango.

Binalik ko naman muli ang tingin sakanila Ryan at tinuloy muli ang usapan.

"We should try to go to other place! We should explore more together!" ani Tony. Napaayos naman ng upo si Ryan at pumalakpak.

"That is a great idea! You've been to a lot of places, Sam. Suggest some!"

"Oh, I hear a lot of beautiful things about Romblon. Maybe we should try and visit soon!"

"Yes, we should clear our schedules for that. It would be amazing!"

"I know! I can't wait!" sabi ko sabay tumawa.

Tony even joked that he's going to pay for everything. Malapit na kong kumagat sa offer niya pero agad niya rin namang binawi. We are just having the time of our lives when Zach said something which made everyone in this dining table surprised, including me.

"Marry me."

Natigil kami sa pag-tawa. I turn to him with a very surprised look on my face. Seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin, hinihintay lang akong mag-salita.

I'm very sure that I hear that right. But why do I feel like I want him to repeat it?

"Akala ko ba next week ka pa magpropropose-" hindi na naituloy pa ni Ryan ang kanyang sasabihin dahil agad na nagsalita si Zach.

"I couldn't wait any longer. I need to do it now."

"In the middle of the night?!" Tony almost shouted. "But your family isn't here!"

"It doesn't matter."

Tony and Ryan looks shocked. Ryan parted his mouth while Tony's eyes widened. Ako naman ay hindi makapaniwala paring nakatingin kay Zach.

"Sam..."

"W-What?" I stuttered.

Malinaw naman ang pagkakarinig ko sa sinabi niya kanina pero hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala na inaalok niya na ako ng kasal ngayon.

Seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin habang hinihintay ang sagot ko. I sit up straight and took a deep breath. Tahimik ang paligid. Tila ba lahat sila ay naghhintay sa magiging sagot ko.

"Marry me, Sam." Zach repeated. "I don't care if people won't know that I proposed. All I care about is to get married to you. Ang tagal ko nang gustong itanong sa'yo 'to. So, please... marry me, baby."

My jaw dropped completely. Oh my gosh! This is real. This is finally happening!

O diba, kung kailan hindi ako umaasa, tsaka siya nag-propose! Took me by surprise! Kaya pala nananahimik kanina...

I bit my lip to hide my smile. Zach scoffs because of my reaction. Tinaasan niya naman ako ng kilay, mukhang gustong-gusto nang marinig ang sagot ko.

Hinarap ko ang dalawa kong matalik na kaibigan. Both of them are smiling widely at us.

"What should I answer?" I asked to tease my soon-to-be husband.

Ryan gave me the look that if I don't answer a 'yes' to Zach's proposal, he would kill me.

"Yes! Duh?" mataray na sinabi ni Ryan. Tumawa naman kami.

Nilingon kong muli si Zach. I smiled. He raised his brows.

"I think you already know the answer to that." Sabi ko.

"Is that a yes?" he asked, he sounds really hopeful. There's a ghost smile on his lips when he asked me that question.

"Hmm?" I shrugged my shoulder. I tried to hide my smile again.

"A yes?"

Tumawa ako dahil mukhang ayaw niya pang maniwala na pumapayag ako sa gusto niyang mangyari. I touched his cheek and caressed it using my thumb. I smiled sweetly at him.

"Yes, Zach. I will marry you." I said too excitedly.

Tony and Ryan screamed in joy. Napatayo pa ang dalawa at tsaka pumalakpak. While Zach bit his lip and chuckled. He grabbed the nape of my neck to pull me close to him. He opened his mouth to place a deep kiss on my lips.

"I love you." He whispered to me when we parted. I smiled again.

"I love you." I replied and pressed another kiss on his lips.

Pagkatapos noon ay nakita ko siyang may kung anong kinukuha sa kanyang bulsa. I saw a red velvet box. Binuksan niya iyon at ipinakita sa akin ang isang vintage ring.

It's so beautiful.

"Your father gave it to me the day before he died. He told me that if I have plans on marrying you, I should give you this," Zach revealed. My mouth parted. Tears immediately pooled my eyes.

Kinuha niya ang singsing mula sa box at ipinakita niya ito sa akin. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko.

"This is the ring that he's supposed to give to your mother if they only ended up together. Pero iba ang nangyari kaya... gusto niya ikaw ang makatanggap nito."

I wiped my tears away and watch him insert the ring on my finger. I let out a sigh. Zach kissed the back of my hand then he looks at me again.

"I promised your father that I will take care of you. I promised to never let him down."

I sniffed. Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit. Buti nalang talaga at nakaalala na ako. Dahil kung hindi, walang ganito. Hindi ko makukuha 'yung buhay na inaasam ko. Hindi ko mapapakasalan iyong taong tunay na mahal ko.

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." I said.

"Me, too, baby. Me, too."

Zach kissed me longer this time. Hindi na alintala pa sakanya kung may nanonood sa amin o wala. I'm sure he's done seeing Tony and Ryan kiss all the time before. Kaya siya naman ang gumaganti ngayon.

Damn. It feels so good to have your future secured with your one true love. I am so glad that I found him. Buti nalang at dumaan siya nung oras na kailangan ko ng palusot para lang layuan ako ni Xander.

We started from a fake relationship that eventually turns real. And now, we are bound to marry each other. We almost have everything in our hands now. 

Now I can't wait for my future with him.