Our First Sunset

Chapter 7

Chapter 7- Fulfilled

“Ano sa tingin mo, mahal? Maganda ba?”

Hindi maitago ang excitement sa tono ng boses ni Jaire habang nakatayo kami sa harapan ng isang lote na kasalukuyang sinisimulan ang construction. Sa halos isang taon naming relasyon, nagsimula na kaming bumuo ng magiging future namin. Kaming dalawa. Hindi ko hinayaan na siya lang ang magpaplano tungkol sa bagay na ‘yon. Last month nang bilhin namin ang di-kalakihang lupa na sapat na para sa isang modern style two-storey house sa isang exclusive subdivision.

“It’s beautiful, love. I can see na mabilis ang construction kumpara sa inaasahan ko.” I said while looking at the workers of our future home.

Hindi naman karamihan ang tauhan na kinuha ng aming engineer, ngunit sapat na para mapadali ang trabaho sa tamang oras. Jaire is very hands-on compared to me. Siyempre nagdoble-kayod ako sa trabaho para mag-contribute sa expenses ng bahay although may ipon na rin naman kami sa bangko. It is better to save more than sorry. Naiintindihan naman niya kung gaano ka-busy at kung minsan ay once na lang kami magkita sa loob ng isang linggo. He is very understanding and patient. I even feel sorry because I’m not always available to come over to see the progress of the construction.

“Asha,” I felt that he held my hand. “Kaunting hintay na lang, magkaka-bahay na tayo.” He said while looking at my eyes intently.

I felt that my heart skipped a beat. Ngumiti ako nang tipid at pinunasan ang pawis na namumuo sa kanyang noo. Ang mga titig niya sa akin ay puno ng pagmamahal na madalas niya namang naipapakita. Sa aming dalawa, ako ang hindi expressive sa feelings ko but he knows how to read my actions.

“I’m very much happy with this beginning, love. In a year or two, we can have our home to live with. I can’t wait for that moment.” I mumbled and felt that he positioned my head on his chest, hugging me from behind.

“I love you, Asha. Ikaw ang magiging ina ng mga anak ko.”

I was left speechless with his words. Slowly, I felt his soft kiss on my forehead. At this moment, I couldn’t find any doubt to see him as my future husband. He is the only one I am choosing to spend the rest of my life with. No one could ever beat the assurance and sincerity he’d given to me since then.

That was rare and I am lucky to find that kind of partner.

“Congratulations for the opening!”

Klea went near me with a huge smile on her face. Mabilis niya akong niyakap nang mahigpit. Kakarating lang nila ng kanyang asawang si Austen. They’re having a first child. Five months pregnant na ang bestfriend ko.

“Thank you, Klea. Salamat at nakapunta ka sa first day.” I replied while we’re both seated on the available chairs.

Ngayon ang opening ng restaurant business na ipinundar namin ni Jaire. Oo, nagdecide na rin kami na magput-up ng business for future purposes. The process was never easy. Kasabay din kasi ang kasalukuyang construction ng bahay namin kaya’t hindi biro ang expenses namin. Halos hindi na rin kami nagkikita madalas dahil sa mga bagay na inasikaso namin. Siya ang naka-focus sa bahay at ako naman sa business na itinayo namin.

“Ano ka ba! Hindi ako pwedeng mawala sa importanteng araw na ‘to.” Klea held my hand and stared at me with a spark on her eyes. “I am so proud of you, Asha.”

“Thank you, Klea. This is because… Jaire never get tired of me.” I uttered while having a genuine smile.

Tumango si Klea habang hawak ang lumalaki ng tiyan. Nakikita ko kung gaano siya kasaya sa buhay na pinili niya ngayon. Ni kaunting regrets ay wala siyang nararamdaman. Ganoon din naman ako. Jaire never made me feel that I should regret my decision back then. Marami kaming pagkakaiba sa personality at pananaw sa buhay ngunit iyon pa nga ang nagpatibay sa aming dalawa. Our differences bind us together. He never made me feel less nor too much.

“I am happy that you got a perfect match, Ash. Iyon naman ang palagi kong hiling eh. Ang maging masaya ka na totally at maramdaman mong walang kulang sa buhay mo.”

She’s right. With Jaire, I could say that I am completely whole and stable. At this point of my life, I am living a life with consistency and understanding partner. He always values my opinion and feelings. He gave me peace and assurance in our relationship.

His love….is enough for me not to lose my love for myself.

“Congrats to us, love. This is worth celebrating.”

I raised my glass of Tequila for a toast. Kaming dalawa na lang ni Jaire ang nasa loob ng restaurant namin. Pasado alas dos na ng madaling araw at katatapos lang ng after party kanina. The day one went well and a lot of people came to support our business.

“I am happy for this milestone, Asha. Wala rin akong ideya sa business pero basta kasama ka, go lang!” he chuckled then drank his glass of Brandy.

Natawa din ako nang mahina. Ideya ko naman talaga na mag-start kami ng negosyo na malayo sa linya ng trabaho namin. Since nasa Public Relations ako, hindi na ako nahirapang mag-isip ng effective marketing strategy. On the other hand, Jaire was in-charged with the interior and exterior of our restaurant. Mas high-tech din ang gamit dahil na rin sa mga ideya niya. Well, perks of having a Software developer and engineer boyfriend.

“Cheers to more years of achievements, love.” Kaagad kong pinagsangga ang baso namin na may lamang alak.

He smiled genuinely and caressed my hand.

“Cheers. To more years of success with you, mahal.” He replied that my heartbeat stopped for a moment.

Indeed, he stayed at my side in good and bad times. In success and failures. In ups and downs. He’s the only one who made me realize that trying some new things and discovering unfamiliar isn’t bad at all. He taught me that everything is worth risking for.

“Hindi pa rin ba kayo nagsasama sa iisang bahay ni Jaire, anak?” my mom asked when she visit my condo unit.

Kasalukuyan akong nagluluto ng lunch para sa aming dalawa. Hindi siya nagpasabing dadalaw siya akin. Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakapaglinis ng buong condo.

“Nope. I won’t live with him unless we’re married, Ma.” I answered and seated on the chair in front of her.

My mom smiled at me. Mukhang marami siyang sabihin sa mga tingin niyang ‘yon. Napakunot agad ang aking noo.

“Dione, anak.” She reached for my hand and caressed it. “Masaya ako na… paunti-unti eh naghahanda kana sa pamilyang bubuuin mo sa hinaharap. Ang bilis niyong mag-mature at magkaisip sa buhay. Pakiramdam ko’y tumatanda na talaga kami ng Papa mo.” Natatawang pahayag ni Mama habang may bahid ng luha ang mga mata.

Alam kong iilang buwan pa lang magmula nang kausapin ko ulit sila at maging malapit sa aming pamilya. Napansin ko kay Mama na madalas siyang maging concern sa akin. Ilang beses niya akong kumustahin pati na rin ang relasyon namin ni Jaire.

“Kung anuman ang desisyon niyo ni Jaire, nakasuporta ako. Hindi na rin naman kayo bata. Hahayaan na namin kayong mag-decide. Nakikita ko naman na masayang-masaya ka sa piling niya. Ngayon lang kita nakitang ganyan kasaya anak. Walang halong pagkukunwari. Hindi pilit. Totoo at nararamdaman ko mula sa’yo anak. Ganyan ang pagbabagong nadudulot ng pagmamahal…” my mother burst out in tears.

I immediately came to hug her tightly. My mom was emotional yet genuinely happy for the changes in my life. Little did I know, I’ve found myself sobbing on my mother’s chest. That moment, I let myself to become vulnerable again.

“Love, what is this?”

Hindi pa rin nagsasalita si Jaire habang naglalakad kami at takip niya ang mga mata ko gamit ang isang palad. Inaalalayan naman niya ako habang hawak ng isa pang kamay ang aking baywang. Hindi naman kalayuan ang nilakad namin hanggang sa marinig ko ang kalmadong paghampas ng alon. Mukhang sa dalampasigan niya ako dinala para sa first anniversary namin. Sinundo niya ako sa office kanina and he said that he has something for me.

“Here we go, Mahal.”

Marahan niyang inalis ang pagkakatakip sa aking mga mata at tumambad sa aming harapan ang isang magandang tanawin na madalas kong hinahanap— ang paglubog ng araw. Naramdaman ko ang pangingilid ng luha sa aking mga mata habang tinatanaw ang araw na nagtatago at ang nagkukulay-kahel na kalangitan.

“Happy first anniversary, Asha.” He mumbled in my ears and handed me a bouquet of red roses. “I love you, since our first sunset until its last.”

I nodded and hugged him tight. All my life, I never had this kind of nostalgic feeling. Lahat ginagawa niya to make me happy and to make our day extra special.

“Happy anniversary… my love. I love you, Jaire. You’re the only one who made me feel this genuine love. Mahal kita…” I can’t control my emotions anymore.

I’ve found myself burying my face on his chest while crying heavily. His efforts were really something I couldn’t help but to feel appreciated. He makes me happy, cry and insane!

“Tahan na mahal. Tara na at magpakasal.” He said to console me but I just punched his chest.

Tinawanan niya lang ako niyakap pa nang mas mahigpit. Sabay naming tinanaw ang paglubog ng araw. Naramdaman ko ang palad niyang humaplos sa aking mukha. Mariin siyang nakatitig sa aking mga mata habang unti-unti’y bumababa ang kanyang mukha sa akin.

“Mahal kita, Asha. Palagi. Araw-araw. Ikaw ang pipiliin kong makasama habang ako’y nabubuhay sa mundong ito.”

Slowly, I felt his lips against mine. In our first anniversary, with the sun finally setting on its place, we shared our kiss full of love and sincerity. That time, I know that we can conquer everything as long as we are together.