INSANE RAINS

CHAPTER 13 - Sun still Shines

Twilight. The crimson sunrays were penetrating through the windshield. Whenever Luke were driving fast, Billy had to remind him to slow down. He developed this fear after the tragic car incident and everything had done in his life, it was hard for him to take it as history but he took it as a lesson to value life even more not for himself but for Grace. Billy was awake, and he was manipulating his phone messaging someone. Grace was on Billy's shoulder napping. She was even more beautiful when she's asleep. She has this radiant face that appeals every guy.

It was 6:30 pm when Billy signaled Like to stop at Kayapa road. Grace was awakened in a sudden stop, and fixed her hair, wiped her face with her palm and drank some water. Billy went out, and stood on the roadside. Tears rolled down on her cheeks, reminiscing. Grace came near with a three candle, and lit them. She held Billy's hand, and comforted him as always. She hugged him through the back. "Ma. Pa. Bry. Look at my hand." Billy talked like they were there, "We're going to marry. I know, for sure, you are happy for us." Grace could not resist her tears. She removed her hands which were wrapped around Billy's upper waist, and held his hand, "Ma. Pa. Bry. I am happy now but I should be happier if you're here to witness our union. I know you're all looking down to us."

"We're taking the path again to continue what has been cancelled. And I assured this time, Ma. Pa. Bry." Billy uttered as he wiped off his tears. "You know I'm getting there and you'll get what's right for you." Not to Grace's knowledge, Billy had planned out to gain the freedom he was panting for a long period. The freedom from unjustness and deceitfulness, from the mental agony and emotional breakdowns, and even from the lies of yesterdays and of tomorrow. He knew what was real and deceit, but some evidence and proof would put them into the cage of guilt. He had worked for it without the knowledge of others. I will end in due time, he reckoned. However, this time he was not fully intellectually equipped of the secrets of the society and the conspiracy inside the government. Rumors about the criminalities in Baguio City and other regions in the Philippines, anomalies of the government, syndicates, and Mafias were allegedly pointed out to Black Dragon. He was accused but not proven or convicted because of lack of evidences and other things that would help to arrest Black Dragon. There was evidence but kept by Major Ben because he knew the conspiracy inside the Police Department, and other officials of the government. Billy heard the rumors and news spreading around the town but he was not concerning and disregarding it because he was focused of condemning himself.

Then, they went off. A Stanford car stifled right in front of the Aquino residence. It beeped twice. And the maid came running, she opened the driveway.

Peter was in a question, why did he entered his car? "I thought he will just drop by Grace." Mel was in mum.

"Glad you're here safe." Peter hugged Grace and Billy.

"We will have a dinner with Billy right now 'cause..." Grace paused and thought of not spoiling the surprise.

"...'cause?" Mel was waiting for a reason.

"Let's have a seat first, Ma." Grace diverged the conversation. "It's always been tiresome to travel."

Mel and Fe, the maid, prepared the table and served the food. Grace hired a maidservant for her parents because they were already seniors - which hates Melanie to hear.

Billy was on his phone again. "Billy." Grace gestured a 'come'. But Billy signed her a 'wait' and point on the phone.

"Where's Billy?" Peter asked to Grace. "Business matters. On the phone."

After Luke parked the Compact-SUV, he went inside and greeted Melanie and Peter who were in the couch watching T. V. news. And he asked where he will put the things, but Fe took it and dumped it in the washing area. "Have seat, Luke. Right?" Melanie uttered.

A minute after, Billy came in. "Are you okay?" Mel asked him. "Yes, ma." And he switched his phone in silent mode. "Let's dine, Billy."

As the table was quiet, Billy cleared his throat, "...uhm. Again. I am asking for your approval, Ma. Pa." He was thinking if his entrance was okay or so fast. "-em..."

Peter pretended to disagree, "I can't approve..." Grace stared to his father, "Pa..." She's about to cry. "I can't approve that you'll not marry my dear, Billy." Mel smiled and couldn't talk. Billy sighed longer than the first he did this thing, not because he was reckoning for disapproval, again, but because Peter might rattle off the things in the past. But he didn't.

Grace stood and hugged her father and mother. "I'm getting to marry, finally." "Yes, you are." Mel and Peter responded in unison.

Grace flaunted her engagement ring to her parents and Fe. She couldn't remove her smile on her lips.

Mel called Billy, and - "You are now officially part of the family as always." And they laughed on the word, officially.

Fe was so happy, "It's so perfect. Wait! I'll just take a photograph." She took her smartphone and had a selfie.

A minute later, as they were eating, Peter asked Billy, "So what's the plan?" He was referring to in cases and ifs of the wedding.

"We're going to continue the garden wed." answered Billy but Peter was not contented of his answer - he was about to pronounce if when Grace interrupted. "Yes, Pa. As Grace dreamed." Peter grinned and was about to say I'm talking to Billy, Grace when Melanie interrupted, "When?" -and she looked at Billy and smiled.

"We planned to be on December 6, on her birthday. As a great gift to her." Smiled. And Grace spoke up, "Yup, and we agreed that it will still be there... in Banaue despite the past." Billy nodded and asked for suggestion to her parents.

"It's okay to celebrate there but for now, we need to be careful and assured it was planned out, Billy." Peter was fiddling the handle of the fork, seemed he was thinking deep.

"What bothers you, Peter?" Melanie asked him. She knew it'll be hard for Billy that great, but she admired his being courageous after all. However, she knew the things that bothered Peter because she was too.

"I was just thinking of..." he paused, "So if you really want there, we need to travel one week before the wedding." Peter was trying to say I don't want to happen again.

"I had planned that I will be there ahead of you to fix some sorts of things for the wedding." Billy assured it to her parents. "Well, I'll be staying there until wed."

Peter nod and Melanie spoke, "Well, the wedding is settled." And smiled.

"By the way, where did you choose for honeymoon?" Peter laughed as if he was excited to carry a grandchild. His bothering changed into smiles when he thought of his grandchildren.

Grace grinned and hesitantly spoke in a low voice, "We're thinking of L. A."

"L. A.?" Peter raised his voice, and laughed, "Can we - come with y-h?" Looked at Billy and Melanie twice.

"Of course, Pa." Billy was smiling.

Melanie chuckled, "It's their honeymoon, and besides wedding is not yet done."

And the conversation went on and on until 11:00. "I'll just prepare the room for Billy and Luke." Mel intervened the jolly chats.

The night was deep, and Peter cut the chatting, "It's about to midnight, I need some rest." And went upstairs. And Luke kicked the blanket too.

Grace spoke, "Love, can I come tomorrow in Cebu?"

"Yes, Love..." Billy replied. "That's what I'm going to ask."

"Wake up early tomorrow." Billy said it on her ear, and smacked her.

Grace said, "Good night then, Love."

"I love you. Good night."

"I to you."