A Kiss to Life

Chapter 27: Heirloom

"It's over! Finally, it's over!" Ycca shouted, tossing her reviewers. "What are your plans for the break?" She then asked, picking up her reviewers.

Our final examinations just ended and she's so happy about it because aside from it’s our semester break, it is also the Christmas season.

"I have not thought of anything. I will probably sleep until New Year’s," Aila answered. She started hanging out with us after our clinical.

They turned to me.

I shrugged. "I have a wedding to attend this weekend, but aside from that, I haven't thought of anything either," I answered.

I was so occupied with exams, Noah's internship, and Kenzie's and Orrin's wedding that I have not thought about doing something else.

"Let's go to the beach, then?" Ycca suggested.

“It’s mid December, Ycca. Ang lamig!” Aila said.

“Eh, ano naman. Hindi naman sa Alaska ang pupuntahan natin,” Ycca answered. “Come one, girls. We deserve to relax and have fun. Kahit ilang araw lang.”

Sighing, Aila asked, “Saan naman pala?”

"You suggest. South or North?"

"North," Aila answered.

"North," I answered as well when they turned to me. "Can I bring Noah?"

"Of course, you can! I'll bring my boyfriend as well," Aila said.

"You have a boyfriend?" Ycca and I both asked, shocked.

She never mentioned having one.

Aila nodded and said, "Yeah. The one who always picks me up from the hospital."

"Really? I thought that was your driver!" Ycca.

Aila chuckled. "I'm not as rich as Mari to have a driver!"

"Noah's my boyfriend," I corrected her.

Aila shrugged. "He was your driver, but yeah, I cannot blame you for making him your boyfriend. I would definitely do the same if he was my driver."

"I would as well," Ycca agreed. "But speaking of Noah, I heard what your dad did to Marcus," she added.

"I didn't know he would do that," I said.

Marcus and Anthony were both kicked out from the university for bullying. They were supposed to have a more severe punishment than that but I asked Dad to not do that. I knew how bad and mean they were to me and what Marcus did was insanely unforgettable, but stripping him of his dreams would never be equal to it.

I don't want to cause him the same pain he caused me.

"He deserves it," Aila said. "You're just too kind to still have mercy towards that asshole."

"Jealousy ate him to the core that he went stupid," Ycca said. "I mean, how the hell didn't he know that you're the director's daughter?"

"You knew?" I asked.

This is the first time we will talk about this issue. They never mentioned it to me after what happened at the farewell dinner, and knowing that they knew about me being dad's daughter is something…

I can't believe they kept it.

Aila and Ycca both nodded.

"I have known about it since nursing school," Ycca said.

"I accidentally found out last year. I saw you with your whole family dining in at Romeo's," Aila said.

"You already knew about it for that long, but never told me about it," I said, amazed.

They both shrugged.

"I knew you for so long and I also know how much you value privacy, so I respect that," Ycca said.

"Same. If you don't want to tell everyone about your parents, who am I to speak about it?" Aila.

"Thank you." All I could say.

My heart felt warm hearing them say that. I mean, I never really thought I would meet people–friends like them. Friends who will always get your back in whatever and any circumstances may come. Friends who will respect you and your choices, because they know how you value respect and privacy. Friends who will support you in everything and will be happy in every achievement you will get.

It's rare to have friends like them and I am so happy I was one of the lucky ones to be able to have them.

"Going back to our topic, where in the North do you want to go?" Ycca asked.

"La Union?" Aila suggested.

"Won't it be crowded there now? Sem break na, baka maraming pumunta rin dun?" Ycca asked.

"Hindi naman siguro? Mag weekdays na lang tayo kung gusto niyo?" Aila answered.

"I'm good with any day," I said, Noah would be good at those days too. After all, he comes wherever I go.

"Okay. So, which day do you prefer?" Ycca.

"Tuesday?" I suggested. Kenzie's and Orrin's will be held this Sunday, and surely, I will still be exhausted by Monday.

"Tuesday will be fine by me, too," Aila.

"How many days?" Ycca asked again.

"Would three days be fine?" Aila asked.

"Can we make it a week?" Ycca asked again.

Aila and I both shook our heads. "No."

"Alright. Three days, then?" Ycca said, pouting.

"Three days," I confirmed.

"Yeah. Three days." Aila.

Ycca nodded and said, "Then, it's settled. Elyu fro Tuesday to Thursday."

"Okay. Should we bring something or we'll just check in?" Aila.

"Check in, please? I don't have any energy to spare for organizing everything," Ycca said and we both agreed.

"Ako na ang bahala sa resort na pag stay-an natin?" I volunteered.

"Yes, please?" Ycca said.

"Do you have any preference for it?" I asked and they both shook their heads.

"Sure?"

"Yes," they both answered again..

"Okay. I will just send you the details once I have already booked rooms for us," I told them and that settled our trip plans.

"We're planning to have a beach trip by Tuesday until Thursday. Are you free by then?" I asked Noah, we're in the car and on our way home.

"Hindi mo ba ako isasama, in case?" He asked instead.

"Kung may gagawin ka, oo," I answered, though I know he has nothing to do for the whole week. Noah always informs me about his plans and schedule.

"May gagawin lang naman ako kung may gagawin ka," he said.

"I know, but still. I want to ask you. Baka kasi ayaw mong umalis at mas gusto mong magpahinga muna. Maiintindihan ko naman."

Noah arched his brow and said, "Kailan ba ako nag paiwan sa mga lakad mo?" I grinned after. "Kahit sobrang pagod ata ako, hindi ko magagawang magpahinga kung gugustuhin mong umalis. Hindi kasi ako mapapanatag kung hindi ako ang kasama mo."

I pouted hearing that. Ever since our first fight, Noah has been extra gentle and understanding of me. Pakiramdam ko ay takot na siyang magkamali kaya sa tuwing may sasabihin ako, lagi niya akong pinagbibigyan; lagi siyang pumapayag kahit alam kong labag 'yun sa loob niya.

"You can always say no and complain though. I will not force you to do something just because I want it," I told him.

"Masaya naman ako sa mga ginagawa ko na kasama ka kaya bakit ako tatanggi at mag re-reklamo?"

"Baka lang sinusunod lahat ng gusto ko dahil lang sa takot kang magalit ako," I said.

Noah grinned as he glanced at me. "Ginagawa ko lahat kasi alam kong napapasaya kita sa mga simpleng bagay na kaya kong gawin. At saka, pabor kaya sa akin 'yun. Mas nakakasama kita," he said.

"Magkasama naman tayo araw-araw," I told him.

He nodded. "Pero kung sakali, first trip din natin yun na girlfriend na kita," he said and I cannot help but smiling at what he said.

"Yeah. But we can still do a lot of vacations in future," I said.

He smirked and said, "Pag Architect na ako at kumikita na ng malaki, ipapasyal kita sa kahit saang lugar mo gusto."

"Really?" I asked, getting excited.

"Oo, naman. Saan mo ba gusto?"

I shrugged, feeling giddy all of a sudden. "Anywhere as long as we're together," I said.

Noah reached for my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it. "We will be together as long as we live, baby. I will do everything to make you happy."

"I am happy now," I told him. "I have never felt this genuinely happy," I breathed. "Noah, you made me happier." I added, squeezing his hand.

"I am happiest," he answered, ayaw magpatalo.

I chuckled because of that.

I love him so much that it hurts. I love him so much that I don't know what I would do if I lost him. I love him so much that if he asked me to marry him now, I would immediately say yes. I love him so much I don't think I can still wait till he becomes a ln Architect.

"Baby…" I called.

"Hmm?" He asked, glancing at me. His eyes are glimmering from the lights coming at the cars around us.

"Do… do we really have to wait until you become successful?" I asked.

His brows arched. "What do you mean?"

"Do we really have to wait until you become successful before we can get married?" I asked shamelessly.

My question shocks Noah that he needs to park at the roadside. "Baby…"

"I want to get married to you already," I confess. "If you would ask me to marry you now, I would say yes in a heartbeat. I so want to be your wife and you to be my husband."

"Amaris…" he breathed. "Baby, I cannot wait as well. I am trying my best to be patient, to wait until I have my own name, but it's just too hard."

"Then, let's get married now!" I said, getting excited, but Noah shook his head sadly.

"Kelang pa ang pera ko. Hindi ko pa maibibigay ang gusto mong kasal," he said.

"It doesn't matter to me. Basta nandoon ka as the groom, masaya na ako."

"Baby, no. I promised to give you everything, and that includes your dream wedding. Gusto kong ikakasal tayo sa pangarap mong kasal."

"But the only dream wedding I have is to be married to you," I told him.

Noah smiled and pulled me to him. "That's my ultimate dream as well, but please understand that I don't want you to compromise with me. It should be me compromising with you," he said. He let go of my hand and pulled his necklace, in there was a ring.

"... This is my grandmother's engagement ring. She gave it to me before she passed away. Sabi niya, ito lang daw ang maipapama niya sa akin. Galing din daw ito sa lola pa ng lolo ko," he continued as he took off the ring from the necklace.

"That's your family heirloom, Noah," I said and my mouth hung open when he aimed it at my ring finger.

"Sabi ng lola ko, ibibigay ko lang daw ito sa babaeng pakakasalan ko. Sa babaeng sigurado akong mamahalin ko hanggang sa huling sandali ng buhay ko. At alam kong ikaw yun, simula umpisa, alam kong ikaw lang ang gusto kong makasama at pag alayan ng buong buhay ko," he said.

"Noah…" I called, my eyes started to get moist.

"Ito lang ang meron ako sa ngayon pero nangangako akong gagawin ko ang lahat para maibigay ko sayo ang buong mundo. Nangangako akong mamahalin kita ng walang kahati at kapantay. Nangangako akong ikaw lang ang mag ma-may-ari ng buong ako hanggang sa huling sandali ng paghinga ko," he said, teary.

"Baby…" I cried more.

"Amaris Romana Dela Sierna Claveria, will you marry me?" He asked as tears started to fall from his captivating eyes.

My tears poured as well as I answered, "Yes! Of course, Noah! Baby, I will marry you!"