WHEN HEART SHINES BRIGHTER

Chapter 5

I'm quietly waiting in front of the hospital. I noticed the beautiful orange sky. Maganda na ang mood ko mas lalo pang gumanda. Orange sky is one of my mood boosters. Para bang isang senyales ang langit na magiging espesyal ang pagkikita namin ngayon ni Franco. Off ko bukas at wala rin akong klase. I can do anything today without worrying about next day. Maybe we can spend our night binge-watching his latest drama. Matagal ko nang gustong panoorin ang kahit isa sa mga pelikula o TV series niya, pero palaging nauurong dahil sa kakulangan ng oras.

Franco arrived, and the moment I saw him, napangiti ako. I gladly got into his car and settled into the passenger seat. Just seeing his face instantly made my long, exhausting day feel lighter.

Ako na ang kusang humalik sa kanya.

"Nakakapanibago, mukhang hindi ka napagod sa duty," nakangiting komento niya.

"Pagod din naman kaya lang nawawala pag naiisip kong off ko bukas." Excited akong lumingon kay Franco. "Let's watch your drama tonight."

Umiling siya at ngumiti. "Uhm... Actually I made a dinner reservation for us. Pauwi na ako nang Pilipinas pero hindi man lamang tayo nakakapag-dinner pa sa labas."

Marahang hinampas ko siya sa braso. "Why you didn't tell me earlier. Sana nakapag-ayos ako. Look at me now," tukoy ka sa usual kong get-up na slacks and blouse shirt. Kunwari ay nagrereklamo pero ang totoo ay natutuwa ako sa pa-surprise niya. Umaasa din talaga ako na magkaroon kami ng special moment bago siya umuwi.

He looked at me from head to toe. "There's nothing wrong with your clothes now. Don't worry, maganda ka naman kahit anong isuot mo," may pambobola pang sabi niya. Napaipit tuloy ako nang buhok sa tenga.

Napahanga ako sa ganda ng restaurant. It was at the rooftop of one of the tallest hotels in the city. The view was absolutely breathtaking. Romantic, peaceful, and elegant all at once. Ilang taon na ako dito ngayon ko lang nalaman na may ganito pala kagandang restaurant dito.

I was moved by Franco’s effort. He really went out of his way to find a beautiful place. And with no other customers around, it seemed like he had rented the entire venue just for us.

He pulled the chair for me. There were candle lights on the table and scattered all around the rooftop. It was romantic, magical. Nakakakilig pero nakakailang at same time. I know he's rich, but seeing firsthand how far he's willing to go to surprise his woman… I suddenly felt so out of place. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal bago ako masanay sa ganitong klaseng treatment.

I was looking forward to something special but this... this feels too special.

"Do you like the place?" he asked.

"Yes. It's wonderful," asiwang ngiti ko habang napapatingin sa paligid.

When Franco sat in front of me, the entire atmosphere seemed to elevate his presence. He looks too expensive. His handsomeness glows more under the soft light and city views. Samantalang ako heto, ni hindi man lang nakapagsuklay nang maayos bago umalis ng hospital.

"When I was picking a place, I kept your long duty hours in mind. Alam ko na lalabas ka na namang pagod sa hospital that why I chose a place where we can eat nice food and at the same time you can relax and enjoy the view," he explained.

Waiter poured wine in our glass. I took a quiet sip. Nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko hindi dahil sa pagkauhaw kundi sa pagka-overwhelmed.

"May napili ka na ba sa mga script na binasa mo?" I asked casually. Pretending that I'm at ease.

"May nagustuhan akong dalawa. Nahihirapan ako pumili, I think I'll ask the opinion of my management."

"Are you excited to go back to work?" tanong ko.

"Yes. I feel fully recharged."

Umaasa ako na pag-uusapan na namin kung ano ang mangyayari sa amin pag nasa Pilipinas na siya. Kinakabahan tuloy ako baka makikipaghiwalay na siya.

Ganito usually di ba? Pinapasaya ko muna sa umpisa para di masyadong masakit sa dulo. Pinahagingan niya man ako nang ilang beses tungkol sa pagmamahal niya sa akin pero alam kong hindi pa sapat ang lalim nito para isugal niya ang career niya. But it's just pure apprehension of mine. I still trust him though. I've been doubting him since the beginning but until now he always prove me wrong.

Lumapit ang mga waiters. They served caviar and foie grass. Later on they served a steak. A very delicious one. Sa sobrang sarap nakalimutan ko ang aking mga pag-aalinlangan.

"Did you enjoy the meal?" he asked.

"Sobra. Maliban sa masarap talaga, alam kong mahal kaya dapat kong sulitin," prangkang wika ko na tinawanan lamang niya.

The dessert was being served already ngunit wala pa rin siyang sinasabi tungkol magiging set up ng relasyon namin pag bumalik na siya ng Pilipinas.

Agad nawala ang agam-agam ko. Napangiti ako sa isipan nang naglabas siya ng maliit na kahon. It's a ring box. So we're not breaking up. It's definitely a couple ring.

"Lauren. I know that our story is like a whirlwind romance. Maiksi pero punum-puno ng alaala. When I came here, wala sa hinuha ko na mangyayari sa akin ito. I have to go back to the Philippines and at same time I don't want to lost you. Pakiramdam ko isang napakalaking pagkakamali kung hahayaan kitang mawala sa buhay ko. I might be crazy to ask you this but..." Binuksan niya ang kahon. Napanganga ako. I was wrong, it wasn't a couple ring. It's a ring with diamond in it.

"Lauren will you marry me."

Nabitawan ko ang hawak kong dessert spoon. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig, nanigas ako sa kinauupuan. My body froze, and so did my voice. I couldn’t even open my mouth. Mula sa matinding pagkabigla, unti-unting sumiksik sa dibdib ko ang matinding takot.

"I’m not asking you to come back to the Philippines with me," paliwanag niya agad, may bahid ng pagmamakaawa sa boses. "We can get married here... maybe in Las Vegas. I’m just really scared to lose you, Lauren. Alam kong parang ang bilis, parang ang hirap paniwalaan... but I swear, I really do love you."

Tears slowly welled up in my eyes. If I were to follow my heart, I would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. If he didn’t want to lose me, I wanted even more to never lose him. If he thought I was rare, then he was rarer, one of a kind, a man willing to take a leap for love.

Subalit tila nagkaroon ng flash back sa aking harapan lahat ng mga paghihirap ko para makarating ako dito sa Amerika, para makapasok sa isang matinong hospital, ang lahat ng pagod at puyat para makapag-ipon at makapag-enroll sa specialization class.

Pumatak ang aking luha. Ilang saglit kong tinitigan ang singsing saka ko tiningnan si Franco.

"I'm sorry Franco... I don't think I can do it."

Mabilis akong tumayo at tumalikod. Naglakad ako papalayo habang hinahayaan ang patuloy na pagdaloy ng aking mga luha. This is it... our beautiful short story has finally come to an end.