Koolkaticles Koollections

What a lazy day but I have to get my a*s up to work!   This is the day that I've been stressing for but most awaiting for! My biggest client, the Kaur Incorporation is going to introduce their newest endorser.   Kung sino man siya? Malay ko ba?! Ngayon pa nga lang ipakikilala di ba?!   And my humbly business, J.Capulencia Garden is their newest supplier of the freshest Flowers in the Philippines is going to taking a huge step on my career! Isn't it amazing?! This wasn't just my stepping stone.   Sorry, pero mababaw lang talaga ang kaligayahan ko.   Me and my team has been busy ordering and pollinating our flowers all over the Philippines. Muntikan na naming mapalitan ang trabaho ng mga bubuyog. All the freshest and the most beautiful ones are we going to display in the event. And I can't wait to see the venue looks like a Garden of Eden.     "Yes, good morning?"-As I rush from the parking to my store.   (Good morning mam Juliet! Nasaan na po kayo? May problema daw po kasi eh!)   Halatang natataranta nga si Tifa, assistant ko sa main store branch ko dito along Quezon Avenue.   I have branches all over the Metro, and one is in the Baguio.   "W-what happened?!"-Tanung ko naman. Nag-aala-Ninja moves na ako kasi sa may likod pa ng pwesto ko ako nakapag-park ng kotse. Tss.   (Mam kasi, sina mang Albert daw po nasiraan sa may NLEX. Na-car towing pa daw sila kasi tumirik sa gitna ng high way ang delivery truck!)   Para naman na siyang maiiyak.   Oh no! This can't be happening! Not today!   I called mang Albert to know what happened, but just like what Tifa says, nasiraan nga daw sila!   Bakit ngayon pa?! Bakit ngayon pa sa event na ito?! Papaano na ang mga bulaklak ko?! Baka masira sila sa ilalim ng araw! This horrible!     Pagkagaling store, nagmaneho na kaagad ako papuntang NLEX. Sa Bulacan pa kasi ang event kaya dun talaga ang daan.   Nakita ko ang delivery truck namin na nasa towing area ng NLEX at nakita ko rin si mang Albert na kinakausap nung MMDA.   "Mang Albert?!"-As I called him when I get out from my car.   Napatingin naman sila akin nung MMDA.   "Mam?! Mabuti't dumating na po kayo!"-Halatang nag-aalala rin siya.   "Pakisakay nalang pong lahat ng mga bulaklak sa kotse!"-Pag-utos ko at pagmamadaling silipin ang mga bulaklak.   "Mam, hindi naman po magkakasiya ang lahat ng yan sa kotse niyo. Baka po masira kapag pinilit."-May point nga siya. Pero papaano?! Anong gagawin ko?! Hindi pwedeng hindi madala ang mga bulaklak na ito sa event! Baka ikasira na ng negosyo ko ito!   Nanlulumo na ako! Nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa! Bakit naman kasi sa paglalakbay ni kamalasan, ako pa ang inabot niya?! Pambihira naman talaga oh!     Matagal kong pinaghandaan at pinaghirapan ito, bakit naman kasi ngayon pa?!     Maraming nagsasabing malaki ang lugi ng ganitong negosyo kaysa sa kinikita pero wala akong pakialam.   Mahal ko ang negosyo ko dahil ito ang hilig ko. Ito ang pangarap ko. At ngayo'y natupad ko na, ngayon pa ba ako bibitiw?!   Mahal ko ang pangarap kong ito kagaya ng pagmamahal ko sa tao yun. Itong pagiging 'florist' nalang ang tanging alala na maaari ko siyang makasama.   Sa mga bulaklak na ito ako nakahanap ng kaligayahan, at pagmamahal mula sa taong pinapangarap ko mula pa noon.       "What do you want to be when you grow old— er?"-He silly asked as we sit here on the grass under the huge tree and just enjoying the summer breeze..   "Maybe a Florist."-I answered.   Why a florist? Because I got this obsession on the flowers that he used to gave me.   He always gives me a flower that I didn't know it exist! I don't know how he gets that but it puts me up an idea to know more about them. Because of him.   "Florist?! Was it even a profession?"-He confusingly asks but still puts up a joke.   I just defined flowers as a perfect symbol of love, showing affection and adoration. As I defined him as a beautiful creation of God.   "Maybe. But I really want to be close to nature.."-I smiled. He laughs at my dreams, but I dream about his laughter.     He's a picture close to perfection.   A master piece of the Creator.   The man I could love for the rest of my life. But I guess, the man I can never be with— forever.     "When we grow older, you wanna know what I want to be?"-He smiles.   "What?"   "Your mortal enemy you wanted to kill but not doing it because you'd miss me."-He kids. And I got always confused on his words of wisdoms.   "What do you mean seriously?!"-I got pissed a bit.   He turns his head to me and smiles brightly. I wish I could always see his face through the years, but we both know it will never happen.   "Your husband.." He sincerely said and I can see it in his eyes.   I feel sudden circuit in my chest because I was so surprised and overwhelmed, but suddenly it hits me the fact that it will never happen. Ever.     I want to jump for joy but I can't. I want to say how much I love him but it’s useless.     He's dying. And I hate the fact that I can't do anything about it. I felt my body heated up. From my ears to my face. And even my eyes become teary.     He touches my face and smiles. I still defined him as beautiful creature because in spite of his pale skin, very weak body and a bald head, his smiles brightens my world.     "I love you, Juliet. You're the only one that I’ve got. And I want to keep it forever.. And I really hate myself for not fulfilling it.. I wish I wasn't dy—"   "Shh.. Don't say that.. We will grow older together.. We will graduate in College together. We will get a job, and— and we will get married. We will have amazing two—"   "Four!"   "Alright! Four children. And we will watch them grow as an amazing persons. Having an amazing family. Before we will die peacefully."     While saying those dreams of mine, I didn't notice the tears came down from my eyes.   I really love to daydream these thoughts, until reality hits me that it will never be. He has a stage four Brain Cancer. It was too dangerous and acute. Even he had been in several chemo-therapies, still the cancer cells wins.   I hate myself thinking that he's dying. I hate the fact that we can never be together anymore. I just want to die with him but I know he doesn't want that to happen..     "I would die happy because of you, Juliet. You make my life worthwhile. And I can never thank you enough for that.. I promise, we will meet again, my Juliet."-I saw my reflection into his beautiful eyes.     I don't know if is it me or his eyes, but it is full of sadness.     He wipes my tears but I just hold his hand and feel its coldness. Few months from now, I will never touch and feel this again. I might not see him anymore. I may be losing him.     After a week, he died. In front of me, in his hospital bed, with his family, in my arms.   I could die by that day. I wish to die that time. But there's only one reason I couldn't do that.   He made me promise to live my dream. Be a florist what I wanted to be. And I agreed as his dying wish. He is so unfair!           And now, a decade’s passed. I'm no longer a high school girl who always cried myself to sleep because of losing someone I loved, but a woman who lives with my dream because of someone I loved.     Until now, it's still freshest as my flowers our memories back then in my brain. I still can’t forget him. Never will.     "What's going on in here?"-I heard someone asking this but I didn't bother to pay attention.   I heard the MMDA talk to that guy but I don't give care. We are still busy and hurrying putting the flowers in my car before it will become ruin.   I have to push myself. I can't just stand here and cry. If it's want I really want, I should really work hard for this.     "Y-you need help?"-I heard him again but I didn't bother to turn.   "No, no! We can do this, thanks!"-I was just carry a huge bouquet of flowers from the truck to my car when I bump to something.. "Ooh?!" I almost drop the bouquets, but that thing makes me dropping it totally is—   "I'm sorry. I think you need help!"-He just said looking straight into my eyes without any idea what am I thinking to him as of now.   Oh God! Is it real? If doesn't, please don't make it one.   I just stood here while my eyes and mouth real opened. This can't be happening!   He took the bouquet and immediately put it in a car. I guess, it’s his. "I can take your flowers here. Your car is already full."-He just cooly said.   I still can't move. I can't speak. I can't even think!     "Mam, puno na po ang kotse niyo. Nag-offer po si sir na isasabay nalang daw niya ang mga bulaklak natin kasi papunta rin daw po siyang Kaur's event.."-Paliwanag ni mang Albert but I just nod to response.   I can't take my eyes off of him! This tragic.. And terrible. But— In spite of his very nice looking, a model like physique and a very good taste of clothing, I would never ever imagine that he could be him!   Napapapikit-pikit pa ako at kulang nalang ay sampalin ko ang sarili ko para matauhan pero hindi eh. Totoo pala talaga ito!   "Miss, if you would not get in to my car, you'll be late for the event."-Natauhan na ako ng marinig ko siyang magsalita mula sa bintana ng kotse. Nakasakay na pala siya ng hindi ko namamalayan.   "Oh that!"-Nagmadali akong nagpunta sa kotse ko pero— "A-asan na yun?"-Palinga-linga pa ako sa paligid pero talagang wala na ang kotse ko dun.     "Don't you hear him? He said, he'll gonna drive your car to arrive in the venue first. Get in!"-Pag-uutos niya.     And who the hell is this guy again?!!   He opens the passenger sit door whiles he’s inside. I immediately jump myself to the car and ask no more.   He drives fast but I wouldn't mind. Pasimple ko siyang nililingon dahil baka nagkakamali lang ako ng pagkakakita sa kanya kanina.     He remains quiet and focused on the road but my instinct doesn't make me behave.     I can see that he’s looking at my way and try my best to ignore it. Oh goodness!     “Your belt.”   As I heard of him and it gives me a chills. I finally had a reason to look at him.   “W-what?”   “Buckle up..”   Napayuko naman ako at doon ko lang napansing hindi ko pala nakabit ang seat belt ko. "Oh? T-thanks.."-I just said and buckle myself.     I saw in my peripheral vision that he looks at me but back then to the road.   "My car heated, so I just stopped to find help. Then I saw your truck."-He said and every words from his voice, really thrills me.   His voice can't be sounds like him too.   "It heated up too and I had no time for repairing it. The flowers will gonna withered under this freaking sun!"-I cursed.   I heard him laughs a bit but still focused on the road. "You will organize and supplies all of the flowers for this event huh? What a surprise? I'm glad I helped you."     My goodness! The thrills takes me to the circuit! My heart beats rapidly that gives me breathing problems.     We head down to the event and I rush to put up all the flowers to arrange.     "This is so much of you. Please, put it down."-I beg.   "I want to help. Please?"-He smiles and then, I just got hypnotized.   I let him carry and put the flowers on its assigned area and I'm still wondering where did I get these guts to let him?!     He looks no difference to him.     His looks, his eyes, his face and even when he smiles.. It's all looks like him!     "Thanking you is not enough for this but still, thank you—?"-I was just referring to his name.   "Rom. Romeo actually but Rom nalang.."-He smiles.     And I just want to make a jaw drop cast but I manage not to do it though.   Would he laughs too when he found out my name?     "Thank you so much, Rom. Y-you're such a hero.."-I smiles and I can't get used to it now.     Inayos na namin ang lahat ng bulaklak sa venue. Hindi ko pa ring magawang i-absorb ang mga nangyayari ngayon.     All I thought I will never see that face again after ten years but I was actually wrong!   I saw him again.. That beautiful face again that I’ve been adoring for the long time..   The face of the man I loved.. And I just can't stop comparing them.   Magkamukhang magkamukha sila! Can you believe that?!     Imposibleng buhay pa siya dahil namatay na siya, sa harap ko mismo, sampung taon na ang nakakalipas!       Habang nag-aayos ng venue, hindi ko mapigilang hindi siya sulyap-sulyapan. Hindi ko man lang magawang ilayo ang sarili ko kanya dahil pakiramdam ko, parte na siya nito.   Sa sobrang busy namin dito ng iba mga kasama kong nag-aayos, nawala na pala siya sa paningin ko. Hindi man lang ako nakapagpaalam at nagpasalamat pa ulit.   Sana man lang sa huling pagkakataon, makikita ko pang muli ang mukha niyang iyon.   Nagsimula na ang event at napakaraming attendees nito. Totoo ngang napakalaki at impluwensiya ng kompaniyang ito. Pero ang purpose ko lang talaga dito ay mangalap ng mga potential clients na pwede din naming supply-yan ng mga bulaklak sa kahit na anong okasyon.     Nakikita kong may mga taong pumapansin sa mga bulaklak ko na naka-display sa paligid at sa bawat tables nila. May umaamoy at sumusuri dito na tila nakuha talaga ang kanilang mga atensyon.   "Mam, mauuna na po ako? Babalikan ko po ang truck natin. Baka naayos na po ng pinagdalahan daw po ng mga MMDA."-Paglapit sa akin ni mang Albert dito sa may likuran ng mismong program.   "Ay sige po! Salamat mang Albert. I-text niyo nalang po ako kung magkano at papadalahan ko po si Tifa doon. Ingat po kayo."   Umalis na si mang Albert at muli akong nanood ng programa.     Iniintay ko rin kasing ma-mention ang business ko. Mula doon, paniguradong may mga lalapit na sa akin dito para kumuha sa akin ng mga bulaklak.     Hindi man ako naka-formal evening gown, ayos lang naman sigurong humarap sa mga kilalang tao. Hindi naman ako mukhang dugyutin, maayos pa rin naman ang semi-formal office like attire ko eh.     Pero ang pinakabumabagabag sa akin ay si-- Rom.. Sana makita ko siyang muli. Parang kagaya niya, napunta sa akin ngunit nawala naman.     "And now, please give a round of applause to the Kaur Incorporation newest endorser, Mr. Romeo Montagre!"     Nung una hindi ako interesado pero nang maalala ko ang pangalang iyon, pinilit kong ituon ang pansin sa harapan ng entablado.     Nakita kong lumabas ang isang lalaki mula sa back stage. Naka-black suit and tie. And kitang-kita ko mula rito sa kinakatayuan ko kung sino siya.     Si Rom.   Ang lalaking tumulong sa akin..     Ang lalaking hindi ako makapaniwalang kamukhang-kamukha ng lalaking minamahal ko pa rin pagkasahanggang ngayon. Ang lalaking taglay ang mukhang pinagkaaasam-asam kong makitang muli.     Siya pala ang bagong mukha ng Kaur Incorporation at hindi ko inaasahan iyon.     Nakakabingi man ang ingay ng mga palakpakan ng mga tao sa paligid, hindi ko iyon inda. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. Sa bawat kilos at bawat ngiti niya.     Sa pag-aasam kong mahagkan muli ang lalaking pinakamamahal ko, hindi ko na namalayang may tumutulo na palang mga luha mula sa mga mata ko. Luha ng pagkasabik, luha ng tuwa dahil muli ko siyang nasilan, luha ng kalungkutan sa kanyang pagkawala. Isang bagay lang ang ninanais kong gawin sa muli naming paghaharap..     "P-pinapalaya na kita, mahal ko.."     Bulong ko sa aking sarili na masakit man, ngunit kinakailangang taos mula sa aking puso.   Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha at tumalikod na sa kanila. Marahil, matatahimik na rin ang kanyang alala sa akin, ngunit ito'y mananatili..     Tama na sa aking mapalaya na kita upang makapagsimula na ng panibagong kabanata sa aking buhay.   .   .   .   Lumipas ang mga buwan, ramdam ko naman ang pagbabago sa aking buhay. Kahit pa umalis na kaagad ako ng event, marami pa ring kumon-tact sa aking mga kliyente upang kumuha ng aking mga bulaklak.   Malaking improvement sa negosyo ko ang nagawa ng pagkakataong iyon. Dahil hindi kami nawawalan ng pagsu-supply-yang mga events linggo-linggo. Mapakasal man, kaarawan o pagdiriwang sa kanilang kompaniya, present palagi ang aming mga bulaklak.     "Mam Juliet, okay na pong lahat. Nai-set na daw po nila ang mga bulaklak sa Paradise Falls."-Paglapit sa akin ni Tifa mula rito sa aking opisina. "Okay, salamat."-Hindi ko siya nilingon dahil busy ako sa pag-o-organize ng mga schedule namin ng delivery. Gusto ko kasi hands-on talaga ako sa negosyo ko.     "Ah mam, isa pa po pala.."-Nakita kong may inilapag siya sa harap ng mesa ko kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. "Invitation daw po yan sa birthday event po ngayon sa Paradise Falls."   "Invited ako?"-Medyo nagulat ako dun dahil ni hindi ko naman ganoon kakilala ang bagong kliyente kong ito.   "Opo mam. M-may lalaking nagdala po nito dito kanina pa pong umaga. Muntik ko nga po makalimutan eh. Sana daw po makapunta kayo."   "Huh?! Sino daw siya?!"-Takang tanong ko naman..   Nagkibit balikat lang si Tifa sa akin.     Ang weird naman?     Napapaisip tuloy ako kung sino naman kaya ang nag-imbita sa akin doon.     Sa pagmumuni-muni ko, napalingon tuloy ako sa isang piraso ng rosas na nakalagay sa flower vase ko sa table.   Hindi ganun kalaki ang vase ko pero parang hindi naman yata ako masiyadong tinitipid ni Tifa sa paglagay ng iisang rosas lamang araw-araw? Parang simula nung nagumpisa ako sa negosyo ko dito, ganitong bulaklak lang palaging nasisilayan ko. Hindi ko lang kasi talaga pinapansin noon.   Dahil sa curiosity ko, kinuha ko ang rosas para mapagmasdan lang sana.     Ngunit napansin kong may nakataling maliit na papel sa bandang dulo nito. Ngayon ko lang ito napansin.   Binaligtad ko ang papel at nakita ang nakasulat lamang na --   'R'?   Kung label man ito bilang 'Red' o 'Rose', bakit hindi pa kinumpleto?   At saka, anong palagay niya sa akin? Hindi ko alam ang uri ng bulaklak na ito?   Pinatawag ko si Tifa at dali-dali naman siyang lumapit.     "Anong ibig sabihin nito?"-Pagduro ko pa sa kanyang rosas.   Nagkibit balikat muli siya. "R? Kasi po mam, tuwing umaga po bago ko buksan ang store, may nakalagay ng pulang rosas sa mismong pintuan natin. Ilalagay ko po sana sa table ko kaso wala naman po akong vase. Kaya, sa iniyo nalang po."-Mukhang inosente naman siya sa sagot niya.   Ang weird naman din? As in, araw-araw daw tuwing umaga?   "I thought, you just putting it here from our flowers."-Dagdag ko pa.   "Uyy mam, baka po galing sa secret admirer niyo?"-She mischievously teased me. Hay nako Tifa, umiral na naman ang pagkatamang hinala mo.   "Anong secret admirer ka dyan?! Hindi na uso yun ngayon noh!"-Sabay pabirong pag-irap ko sa kanya. "Bakit naman mam? Ang ganda-ganda niyo naman po. Single, hindi married! Walang boyfriend. At higit sa lahat, fresh na fresh! Parang yan pong rosas oh?”-Pagbibiro pa ni Tifa sabay turo sa hawak kong rosas. Natawa naman ako ng bahagya sa talumpati niya. Pero nakakapagtaka lang talaga.     Since wala na rin naman akong lakad pagkatapos ko dito, napagdesisyunan ko na lamang magpunta mag-isa. Reserved for one (1) person lang nakalagay eh.   Nagbihis na lamang ako ng casual black fitted dress above the knee.   Wala naman din sigurong makakapansin sa akin doon dahil wala naman yata akong mga kakilala. Just a courtesy lang ang pagpunta ko. Baka may makilala pa akong mga potential clients.     Nakarating ako ng event pero hindi man lang ako hinarang para makita ang invitation kaya dire-diretso na ako sa loob ng party.   As u usual, casual but still elegant ang ganitong party pero hindi ko talaga kilala kung sino ang celebrant.     "This way mam."-Nagulat naman ako ng bumungad sa akin ang lalaking mukhang waiter dito. Sinundan ko nalang siya at ni-lead niya ako sa table for two.   "Thanks.."-Pagkaupo ko at iniwan na niya ako. Nakahalata yatang mag-isa lang ako kaya dito ako pinaupo..     Nagsimula ang party at ipinakilala ng host ang celebrant. Isang may kaedaran nang babae ngunit napakaganda. Sana lang kasing ganda ko siya kapag tumanda na rin ako ng ganiyan. Napakaelegante at talagang kagalang-galang ang postura niya. Humahanga na tuloy ako sa kanya.     Hindi ko siya kilala dahil marahil ang organizer ng party na ito ang may contact sa akin. Gusto ko sanang makapagpasalamat din sa kanya.     Medyo nabigla ako ng magsimulang magpatugtog ng malakas ang orchestra sa may gilid ng stage. Ang sarap talagang pakinggan kapag classical music.     Sa wakas, mukhang maguumpisa na ang tunay na kasiyahan. May mga pares na nagpuntang harapan at sa may gitna para sumayaw ng sway. As usual, may mga edad na ang nangunguna. Pero natutuwa talaga akong panoorin na lamang sila dito.     May mga nagkalat ding mga babae at lalaking D.I o dance instructor yata sa party. Made-determine mo sila kasi sila lang yung mga nakadamit pang ballroom at may maskarang parang pang-Masquerade ba. Lumalapit sila sa mga nakupo at isinasayaw ang mga ito.     Hindi naman ako matanda para lapitan nila at makipagsayawan pa, pero para makaiwas na rin, kinakailangan ko nang umuwi.   Lumalalim na rin ang gabi, at malayo-layo rin ang Makati sa Fairview. Nag-enjoy din naman ako kahit papaano dahil hindi lang mga mata ko ang nabusog sa kagandahan nitong party, pati na rin ang tiyan ko.     Tumayo na ako para sana umalis na ng may nabangga ako mula si likuran ko.   "Oops?! I'm sorry."-Paghinga ko kaagad ng pasensiya.     Napatingin ako sa kanya pero hindi ko makita ang mukha niya dahil nakasuot siya ng maskarang nakatakip sa buong mukha niya. Siguro D.I ito.     Hindi siya nagsalita pero inihaya niya ang kamay niya sa akin na parang gustong makipagsayaw. Naman oh!   Tumingin muna ako sa relo ko at mukhang maaga pa naman. Wala naman sigurong mawawala kung mapagbibigyan ko siya kahit sandali lang.     Inabot ko ang kamay ko at ni-lead niya ako sa gitna ng dancefloor. Sumakto namang nagpalit ng music ang tumutugtog into a slow tune.     Ipinatanong niya ang mga kamay ko sa balikat niya. Mabuti't naka-heels ako para maabot ko siya. Ang tangkad eh. At dahan-dahan naman niyang inilagay ang mga kamay niya sa magkabilang beywang ko.   Hindi ko man ma-determine ang itsura niya, maliwanag ko namang nakikita ang kanyang magagandang mata. Tila hindi nun maialis ang pagkakatingin sa akin.     Sumabay lang kami sa saliw ng magandang musika habang hagkan ang bawat isa.   Hindi ko alam kung sa akin lang ba ito, pero parang naiiba ang kanyang suot. Hindi siya mukhang dance instructor lang. Kakaiba din ang pagsayaw niya parang hindi naman ganoon kapropesyonal. Akala ko kapag pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niyang may maskara ay maiilang siya at hindi ako titingnan ngunit nagkamali ako. Ako pa kasi ang umiiwas-iwas ng tingin sa kanya dahil hindi man lang yata niya inaalis ang pagkakatingin sa akin.     "We meet again, my Juliet.."     Bigla akong napatingin sa kanya ng marinig ko ang sinambit niya.   O hindi!   Dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang maskara niya at hindi ako makapaniwala sa taong nasa harapan ko ngayon.   Napalayo ako sa kanya sa pagkabigla. Hindi ko inaasahang  makita siyang muli dito.     "R-Rom?"-Halos bulong kong sambit.   He smiles and I can't take off my eyes on him.   "I thought you’ll never come.."   I can see the blush from his face and it was so intimidating.   "You? What are you doing here?"-I surprisingly ask but still I can't move.   "To see you again."   "How did you know—"   "I'm sorry but I used to stalk you since the day I've seen you in the cemetery." "Cemetery?"-The only reason I go to the cemetery is to visit Him.     "Five years ago, you were wearing a graduation toga and you are crying in front of that grave. From that then, I can't stop seeing you."     Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang haplosin ang pisngi ko. Doon ko lang namalayang tumutulo na pala ang aking mga luha.   Is this real?   He already knew me and stalking me from my graduation day?     "And— I'm also sending you roses every day, it was crazy but I don't know how to approach such a— a perfect girl like you."- He said like his eyes said it all. Seriously?! Well, yeah? I am surprised.   "Ikaw iyon?"-I confusingly asked.   "I've been waiting for the day that I could talk and know you, but seems you have no any idea at all."-He sweet said that his eyes never leave mine.     Muli niya akong hinagkan at sumabay sa saliw ng musika.   Hindi ko alam, pero hindi ako makagalaw. Ni hindi ko magawang magprotesta.   Muli ko na namang nasilayan ang kanyang mukha.. Ang mukhang matagal ko ng inaasam-asam.   Alam kong hindi siya ang lalaking minahal ko noon pero bakit ang nararamdaman kong pagnanasa sa kanya, ay kagaya din ng nararamdam ko noon?     Niyakap niya ako kaya napatigil kami sa paggalaw. Hindi ko alam pero hindi ko talaga kayang magprotesta mula sa kanya.     "If I could ease all the pain you've burden. If I could make you smile always."-He faces me and I can really see in his eyes the sincerity. "If you would let me— love you, eternally."     The way he moves. The way he talks to me. All of them are just coming back to me. I want to think that he's a different guy but how?   I touch his face and again, I want to be with him.   I want him back so badly. I want spend the rest of my life to be with him, but we know I can't anymore.   And then this guy?   Did my heart will love till now?   Forswear, sight. For I’ve never seen again a true beauty until this night.   He looks like an angel sent from above to fill my desires.   Same feeling. Same face. But different person.         Would I let myself love again to a guy who once I lost? .   .   .   (Mam, all set na po tayo, ikaw nalang po ang iniintay dito..)   "Yes, Tifa. I'm coming through.. Is all the guests are there?"-I nervously ask.   (Definitely mam.. They all can’t wait to see you..)   She excitedly said to me over the phone.     I am now again rushing to the most important and probably the most unforgettable event of my entire life.   All the people who are so important to me are present to witness my huge step of turning page in my own story.     Music plays.   People are amazed.   All of my doubt may suddenly disappear in the moment of my life time.     From now on, this steps I am taking now may change my whole story into the beautiful one that will ever told. "And do you, Juliet Capulencia take Romeo Montagre to be your lawfully wedded husband? Promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?   I look once again to the face that changed the whole plot of my story. A man that I know will never leave me..     "I-I do.."     "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, richer for, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"     "I do.."     I vowed in front of this man as we shared this moment together and will be in the story every chapter together.     "By the power vested in me by the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you, Man and Wife.."   People applause everywhere but all I can hear is the heart beating of mine next to the person that I loved the most.   We face each other and he removed the veil from my face.   I look straight into his eyes and still, the same feeling I felt the first time I saw him.   “The first time I saw you, I fell for you. And you smiled because you knew.” He said sweetly and rubbing his thumb into my face. “You’re the light that helped me see it through in the darkness I have been to.”   I answered then smile from the deepest of my soul.     By that time, my lips met his. So soft and irresistible.   We kissed deeply and passionately and I just close my eyes to savor the moment.   I knew then, I will never regret this decision.     After years of realizing how Rom changed my vision, I marry him whom may love me unconditionally, and so am I to him.     Maybe it is true that the most romantic love story is not Romeo and Juliet, who died together, but you and your one true love that will grow old together.     Parting is may such a sweet sorrow.   There might be no Forever. We lost people we valued most. But that’s just how God prepared us for someone deserving and better. If there is always Love, it may be Forever.   All rights reserve 2015. Irah Punzalan (Koolkaticles)