Love Will Never End

DIECIOCHO

Love Wil Never End

I smiled after postings our pictures. The caption was 'Night date.' and I tagged him, like I usually do everytime I got the pictures of us.

I checked our pictures, na sa Mall of Asia kami nito. Madaming nag re-react sa mga posting ko, at madaming comment na kami na ba daw?

Madaming tanong sa comment section, pero hindi sina-sagot. Hindi pa kami, pero sa mga camera roll post, parang kami na.

Pumunta naman ako sa account ni, Bedavane. I stalked him. Nakita ko ring may post siya saming dalawa noong nasa, Mall of Asia kami. The selfie is perfect. Naka-ngiti sa camera habang siya nasa likod ko't ngumiti rin.

Already laying my back on my bed, and stared at the ceiling. Hindi ko maiwasang mapa-ngiti sa 'Third date' namin ni, Bedavane. Hindi nga siya nag kamali na bago mag-alas-ocho iuwi niya ako.

Kanina napa-tanong sakin si, papa kung saan ako galing. I told him that I'm with, Bed.

"Umuwi ka pa? Sana tumira kana lang kay, Bedavane. Sa pagkaka-alam ko, binilhan siya ng ama niya ng condominium, malapit lang sa eskwelahan niyo," ngising sabi ni papa.

Hindi ko alam, pero sinabi niya rin ito, noong pag-uwi namin galing sa MOA ni, Bedavane.

Aminadong gusto ko si, Bedavane, pero ang pagtira, o maging ka-live in partner ni, Bedavane ay labas na ruon.

Sa tingin mo, Papa, papayag ka ba?

"Papa? Anong titira sa kanya?" Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya, at nanlaki ang mga mata. Tiningnan ko si, mama, at siya rin naka-ngiti lang. Ano bang meron?

"Ayaw mo ba?" Na may ngiti parin sa labi ni, Papa.

"So, you mean, Pa, na bubukod na ako sa inyo? Ganun? Titira kami ni, Bedavane sa iisang bubong?" Tanong ko sa kalituhan.

"Anong masama? Sayang ang bigas kong dito ka titira," sabay iling ni, Papa.

"Are you kidding me right?" I asked my father, and showing my scowled face.

He suddenly laughed, his voice filled our living room.

"I was just kidding my daughter, glad to hear that you're still remained at your own words," my father said while tapping my shoulder.

Tumayo si, Mama't pumunta sa'kin.

"Hija, alam kong hindi ka ganuon sa pagka-kilala ko. Your father was just joking, and besides you're still a young lady, para titira kay Bedavane. And kayo na ba?" Masuyong sabi, at pangusisang tanong ni, Mama.

"Hindi pa po."

"Oh? Bakit hindi mo agarang sinagot?" Gulat na tanong ni, Papa.

"Mana ka sa'kin anak," sabay tawa ni, Mama.

"Yeah, maybe? Way back when the time I felt love of your mother before, I courted her, but after one-year, she said 'Yes'," sabi ni papa, at hinila si mama at niyakap ito.

Gano'n katagal?

"Pero kahit gaano pa katagal na hinintay ko siya, mas lalo akong nahuhulog. Walang masama kung maghintay, kung pareho kayong sigurado sa isa't-isa," sabi ni papa, at nilingon ako.

"Kaya walang masama kung pinag-hintay mo ang isang tao, basta wag lang paasahin," seryosong sabi ni papa.

"Masama kaya! Pinaghintay kita nuon, Love!" Singhal ni mama kay papa.

"Hindi naman. Mas nauna pa ngang nakuha kita, kaysa makuha ang matamis mong 'Oo'," ngising sabi ni papa.

Namula ako sa sinabi ni, Papa. Mas nauna pang nakuha?

"Watch your mouth, Love. Nandito si, Ai," irap ni mama.

"Kaya hindi masama sa'kin, dahil ako mismo hindi mapagod kaka-hintay sa mama mo," parang may lungkot sa mga matang sinabi 'yon ni papa.

I didn't know their love story. Hindi ako kailanman nagtanong sa kanilang dalawa.

"Yes, Love. Thank you for waiting for me before," my mother said, and kissed my father.

"Sige na anak, pumasok kana't mag pahinga," tumango ako sa kanila, niyakap, at hinalikan ko sila.

"Papa! Ako rin!" Ang kapatid kong si Buena na tumakbo pababa sa hagdanan.

"Careful, baby," my father said.

Ngumiti ako. Mahal na mahal ko ang pamilya ko.

Niyakap siya ni, papa at ni mama. Pinagitnaan namin si Buena, at yumakap rin ako sa kanila ng mahigpit.

Ngumiti ako sa mga naisip ko, dahil kanina.

Sobrang saya ko ngayong araw.

The happiness will be more, and more happy, if you had that person in your life.

Napabaling ako sa cellphone ko na tumunog ito. The reminiscing vanished, after reading the caller ID.

It's Bedavane Thaddeus.

Ngumiti ako, at sinagot ang tawag niya.

"Bedavane?"

"Baby?" He said in a husky voice.

"Bakit? May kailangan ka ba?" I smiled.

"I miss you..." Mahinang sabi niya.

Kakakita lang natin kanina, Bedavane.

"I miss you more," I said while bitting my lower lip.

"What are you doing right now?"

"Nakahiga na. Ikaw ba?" Umikot ako sa paghiga, para maka-dapa sa kama.

"Study..." Rinig ko ang mabigat niyang paghinga.

"Rest first, Bed. Alam kong pagod ka."

"Hmm?" Sa malambing niyang boses. Kinagat ko ang labi ko.

"Pahinga ka kaya muna?" Mahinahon kong sabi.

"I will. Don't worry," tumango ako kahit hindi niya kita.

"Let's see again tomorrow, Ailnishta?"

Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya.

"Parang excited ka?" I asked, tumawa pa ako.

"Stop laughing, make sure that you are going?" He seriously asked.

"You're just missed me, e!" I bit my lower lip, I can't hide my sneered.

"I am," he softly chuckled.

"Okay, good night, Bedavane. I promise, makapunta ako bukas," I said, just to making him sure.

"Very Good. Good night, Ailnishta," huminto pa ako para makinig, at pinutol ko ang tawag.

• • •

Saturday.

We having a conflict for the ride. The lights, the cars, aloft buildings can't reach, the billboard we passed through the thickness of wheel, but now haven't moved in any minute now.

Traffic in the Philippines was incredible ridiculous.

We already late an hour now. I must say that we arrive the place with those many people wearing their expensive gown, dresses. The tux made of their own, the gems on it. The buttons are made of different woods, and coming from the other country.

Bedavane texted me earlier today, but I should surprised him, so I haven't text him back yet.

He must think that I'm not going.

Let's see about what his reaction.

"Nuh-uh, what the... Should we traipse now?" Buena's voice sounds frustrated, her irritated face was show off.

"Calm dow, Buena. Let's just wait until the cars move," I said while sneered at her.

"Rush hours, dang you!" She a little bit yelled, preventing not to hear with our parents.

"Just focus on your phone, and chat with him all the times of riding." Masuyo kong sabi.

"He's busy from work, Ailnishta." She seriously said, and a bit sad.

"Oh? Yes, I know. But, he had more time to spend with you."

"Of course, he is, perhaps?" Her forehead creased as if she isn't sure about her answer.

"Perhaps?" I asked.

"Never mind, nothin'," she just shrugged.

After one hell of half-hour the car moved, and we moving towards Aphelion's Mansion.

I could saw the highest gate that I ever seen here in Metro Manila. Made of large metal, thick cement. The appearance was made of charcoal, and in a dark grey color. I like it. I think I'm in a paradise of heaven, but the color is different.

Its suits, Hell...

I smirked from my own thoughts.

Pati gate, sinakop ang buong village.

My father's maneuvered the steering wheel, and he stopped when we reached the security. He opened his window car, and I looked at him.

He gave our invitation card, and after a minutes of checking, the security opened wide the gate for us.

I found the large wide garden, the garage is full of different cars, the people I saw was roaming around holding their champagne. The dresses they worn was swaying in its pace when they moved. The mens, or the colleagues as I knew, they worn a tux, with their broaded body, and massive.

I felt a little one, as if I'm only the rat intervened their party.

"Nahihiya ako tuloy," I heard Buena's voice.

"Don't be, my daughter, they're just people too, same with us, they may look powerful but there have weaknesses too, hm'kay? Don't be," she said and winked at Buena.

Akala ko ako lang ang nahiya. Hindi pala. Kaya dapat hindi ako mahihiya.

I opened the car door beside me. The mansion of Aphelion family full of people, I heard their laughters, even their smiles plastered on their lips was a huge part of me.

Bumaba narin sila, Mama, Papa't Buena. We're heading our heads infront of us, and move ostentatious manner. I like walking with those eyes.

Kahit nahihiya ako, gusto ko paring makita ang kanilang mga mata sakin. I'm not attention-seeker. I don't know what am I?

Maybe a rat?

Sinalubong kami ng pamilyang Aphelion. I looked at Bedavane's mother, she's beautiful, sophisticated woman, and now with her slender body, her curve waist, her husband same features with Bedavane's face, and body. Matipuno, gwapo, at kitang-kita sa mga matang hindi basta matitibag. The way he holds her wife as if she is a fragile glass won't ever break in a single like what he hold on.

Mukhang selos ang pag-tingin ko sa kaniya, dahil sa pag-hawak palang ng baywang sa asawa niya, at kung maka-titig siya kay, Papa.

The past weren't over with them.

I looked at my mother once, her beautiful face, was totally more defined when she arched her brows upward, and smiling like its her pleasure to meet them again.

"I thought you're not going, Hutton?" Bedavane's mom said. Even her voice is crucial. I wondered why my father love her before.

Not at the present, my father's totally in love with my mother.

Nakita ko ang pag-hapit ng baywang sa asawa niya ng tawagin ang pangalan ng papa ko.

Totoo nga ang sinabi ni, Bedavane. Seloso ang papa niya.

My mother too. Selosa rin.

"Crap it, Samara. Let's go inside. And nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz, thank you for coming," he said seriously.

"Thanks too, Theodore. Happy Birthday. By the way, These our two daughters," hinila kami ni mama, ni Buena, at pinaharap kami sa mag-asawang Aphelion.

"Buena Levent, my bunso," sabi ni mama, at pinaharap si, Buena. Ngumiti si Buena, at nagmano pa.

"Hello, po..."

"Hello, hija, nice to meet you," Samara's sweet voice.

"And my panganay, Ailnishta Zui. Niligawan ng anak mo," nagulat ako sa sinabi ni mama.

Nag iwas ako ng tingin, may ibang tao na tumi-tingin sa amin. We stood in their hall, the people around us was roaming and stared at us.

May mga taong nag tanguan, nag tawanan, nag-usap, bulungan, nag-uusap ng masinsinan.

"Yes, I know. Thaddeus told me about her," napalingon naman ako sa sinabi ng mama ni, Bed.

"Kaya na ng anak natin, Samara," sabay ngiti, at halik sa sentido ng asawa niya. Samara elbow him, and smiled.

"Alam ko, Theodore Gahardo," at lumingon ang mama niya sakin.

"Nice to meet you, Ailnishta. Kumusta naman kayo ng anak ko?" Sabi niya ng may tamis na ngiti sa labi.

"We're okay naman, po." Uminit ang pisngi ko't lumapit sa kanila para mag mano.

"Mag ingat ka sa ana ko, hija," kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ng ama ni, Bedavane.

"Theodore!" He just chuckled, and looking at her.

"What? I'm just telling the truth," sabi niya ng mahina, pero rinig ko dahil malapit ako sa kanila.

"Whatever. So, come inside. Para makapag-celebrate na tayo?" Samara said, and her hands is on air to guide us.

Pumasok naman kami sa bulwagan, at nakita ang mga madadaming lamesa, na de color, may mga baso't kutsara, tinidor sa gilid ng mga makukulay na plato. Kahit ang upuan ay, makitang makintab, at mas lalong kumintab, dahil sa ilaw ng nasa taas.

The theme colors was beige, and maroon. The place of their mansion is perfect with their family.

Sa pag-pasok ko pa lang, pumalibot na ang mga mata ko, hindi dahil sa namamangha ako, kundi hinanap ng mga mata ko si, Bedavane.

Where he is?

Hanggang sa naka-pasok ako sa isang glass door. I went inside I really thought its a room, but I was wrong. Makikita ang sun lounger sa gilid ng pool.

The color of the pool was dark blue, the light its side was light-sky blue, and you could see the blemishes of the water.

Sa namangha, pumasok ako ruon. Hindi hamak na malayo sa garden, dahil may harang na glass wall, transparent 'yon, kaya kita ang nasa labas. Makikita ang tao, pero hindi ko lang alam kung makikita ba nila ako dito sa loob.

This is amazing...

Mas naglakad pa ako't nakita ang mga hindi pamilyar na tanim sa pinaka-gilid. The marble glass shines more when the water is trying to touch the milestone tiles.

Hindi ko inakala na, papalayo na ako sa kanila.

Madilim rito, hindi gaano kita ang nasa gilid, tahimik lang, at para bang ni bisita ay hindi pa naka-pasok rito.

"You're here..." Bulong, at mariing sabi sa isang pamilyar na boses.

Sa gulat ko, napatalon ang aking balikat, at napapikit ng mariin.

God... You startled me, Bedavane!

Binuksan ko ang aking mga mata, at tumingin muna sa kawalan bago lumingon sa likod ko.

"Hello, Bedavane..."

•••

!: Grammatical error.

!: Language has not for the rights.

!: Spellings is not on the right spot.

" If you have deductions, 'bout my words, just say it, and we know we're not perfect to judge one another, might as well, you can direct message me, for good, and rants there, so we can clear in all aspects, what's your motives or purposes is. 'I believe that there's no room for the improvement, if you wanted to pursue, then try it.' "