His Love and Her Diary

AFTER ALL

"Zara, hindi ba talaga pwedeng i-reschedule ang meeting ko tonight?" I called my secretary because I really don't feel okay after talking to Caroline.

"Sorry Ma'am pero katatawag lang po nung client to confirm your presence, nakapag-oo na po ako." Apologetic na sagot nito sa akin.

Wala na talaga akong magagawa.

"Okay, mag-leleave nga pala ako ng two days. Please clean my schedule. Saan nga pala ang venue ng meeting ko tonight?" I need a break. I need to release the pain I am feeling right now.

Nagkibit balikat ako sa sinabing address ni Zara. I know the place, a newly opened restaurant.

"Welcome to JaPen Cuisine, Madam! Here's your complimentary bouquet of white roses." Bungad sa akin ng manager ng restaurant pagpasok ko. Inabot nito sa akin ang mga bulaklak at nagsimulang igiya ako sa bandang gitna ng table. Iilan palang ang tao sa loob at kumakain.

"Thank you!" Sabi ko rito pagkatapos kung maupo. I put the roses beside the table.

'Ang mahal naman ng complimentary nila. Tsk! Malulugi sila kung lahat ng kakain ay bibigyan nila ng bouquet.' But the flowers are making me feel better.

Tinignan ko ang oras sa aking wrist watch na suot. Late yata ang kliyente ko? Sinuri ko ang paligid ng kainan, I smiled bitterly. Ako lang ba ito o sadyang humuhugot lang ako dahil broken hearted? Everything about the restaurant reminds me of US.

Nagsimulang tumugtog ang musika sa paligid. At unti-unti may mga iilang magkapareha na ang sumasayaw sa gitna ng bulwagan. I got busy looking at them. I remember my eighteenth birthday. I never had a debut party because I wanted Jacob to be my escort but it's not possible that time dahil nasa ibang bansa na ito.

"Hi! Can I have this dance with you?" Someone offered his hand to me for a dance. Slang ang boses, so I assumed he's a foreigner.

"Sorry, but no. I am not feeling well. I hope you understand." I answered without even looking to him.

Nagulat ako ng bigla itong umupo sa silyang katabi ko at dinama ang nuo ko. Who the hell is this para hawakan ako?

"Hindi ka naman mainit. Stress, I guess." Napatingin ako bigla rito ng magsalita ang lalaki ng Tagalog.

"What the ---?" I saw him smiling at me.

A tear fell down from my eyes. Lahat ng emosyon na tinimpi ko kanina ay nailabas ko sa luha.

"Damn, why are you crying?" He hugged me tight while asking. Pero this time humagulgol na ako.

"You made me cry… many times already!" Punong-puno ng panunumbat ang boses ko.

"I'm sorry. Hindi ko alam." He's now trying to wipe my tears with his hands.

"Let go. Uuwi na ako. Let's talk some other time nalang. And not now." Pinal kung sabi rito.

 Everything is like a bomb exploding in front of me.

"Okay. I'll let you go but hear me out first. Kailangan nating mag-usap."

So, he is my client now. May proposition?

"Ayoko. Kahit mag-invest ka pa ng bilyones sa kompanya ko. A-Y-O-K-O na!" He annoyed me. Tumayo ako at dinampot ang bulaklak.

"Don't ruin this night, I have a proposal to make."

Proposal? Yeah, he's going to propose to her gf nga pala tonight. So, I'm out here.

"I don't care. Eh di magpropose ka. Sinong pumipigil sayo?”  

All the while na nagmamaldita ako ay nakatitig lamang ito sa akin.

What does it mean? Ako ang sisira ng gabing ‘to?

“Not me. Bakit nasa akin ba ang singsing?" Naiiritang baling ko sa kanya.

I have waited long enough and this is what I've got? Manigas siya!

"Seriously, Mine?" He asked me -- as if he's whole being was depended on me.

"Mine, your face!" Hinampas ko sa kanya ang bulaklak na hawak ko.

I started to walk out of the venue when the music started to play - MARRY ME.

"Penelope…" Mahinang sigaw nito habang humahabol sa akin.

"What?!" Lumingon ako.

Pupunta lang akong CR tapos babalik din ako sa table. I realize that I need to talk to him for closure.

Nag-intay kasi ako sa wala kaya feeling ko deserve ko namang makatanggap ng explanation.

"I have something to tell you." Malumanay nitong sabi sa akin ng makalapit.

"I knew it already. Caroline told me earlier." Pigil ko ang luhang nais kumawala sa mga mata ko.

"Will you please stop for a while. You got it all wrong." Sabi nito.

Hinila niya ang braso ko pero nagpumiglas ako.

Sino ba kasi ang may sabing sumunod-sunod siya sa akin?

Tumigil ako sa pinakagitna ng bulwagan.

Wala ng sumasayaw pero may tugtog pa din.

Nilibot ko ang buong paligid, trying to find his girlfriend. Did I just saw my mom and dad together with my grandparents over there? I was about to ask Jacob when I saw him kneeling down.

"Penelope Santos, I know seven years is long overdue. I know you waited for me every single day of your life. But baby please forgive me because I need to follow our parents before following my heart. I missed you so much that I have to gather all of them and marry you tonight."

Napamulagat ako sa sinabi nito. But immediately, I am in tears. Nakakabigla pero gusto ko lahat ang nangyayari ngayon.

"Marry agad? Why don't you propose first? Give me the chance to think naman. You left for so many years and now you're back telling me to get married with you?" Kunwaring nagtatampo ako rito.

But I am crying with so much happiness.

"Let me finish first." He kissed the top of my hand he is holding. "Penelope Santos, will you be Mine forever?"

"Wait, if I’m not mistaken. You are going to propose with your girlfriend, right?" I just remember the talk I had with Caroline.

"Silly, you're my girlfriend, right?" He smiled to me.

Nothing changes. Shall I say that Jacob is more handsome now?

"Really?" I asked him sweetly.

He nodded.

Ako pa rin pala ang girlfriend niya after all these years.

“Penelope Santos, will you marry me?” Solemnly, he asked.

"Okay. Though I am yours already. I also want you MINE alone forever. I love you Jacob Dela Cruz. I missed you sooo damn much."

"I love you too soon to be Mrs. Dela Cruz."

Pumapakpak ang lahat ng nasa paligid. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto pawang mga malalapit na kapamilya at kaibigan pala ang nasa restaurant. Caroline waved at me. I'll deal with her later. Present din si Zara.

Ninong and Ninang smiled at me. Naka-thumbs up pa si Ninong sa akin. My parents are so happy too. They walked towards us together with a judge.

He put the ring on my hand and kissed me for the first time on my lips.

"And by the power vested in me. I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The only line that I remembered from the judge who married us that night.

Again, he kissed me to seal the contract.

A contract of FOREVER!

Dear Diary,

Bumalik na si Jacob. Nagkita kami kanina sa restaurant, he's one of my client. I was shocked when I found out that he will propose to her gf. Good thing it was me. We're engaged!

Until here, DD. I am just so happy tonight that I couldn't wait to share this with you.

Love,

Penelope Santos-Dela Cruz

P.S. I forgot to tell you, we're already married na pala by a judge. But can't still wait to walk down on the aisle next month for our church wedding:) Soooo happy!