22

Road to Forever

It's been a week since we ate dinner with Aeri's parents. She's been busy studying while making time for me and for her parents.

Nakausap ko rin si Tito Troy na siya ang gagawa ng bahay namin ni Aeri, katulong si Elisha. Nakabili na ako ng gamit noong lumipat na sa condo si Aeri. Nasimulan na rij siyang gawin pagkatapos kong kausapin si Tito Troy.

I've been busy, too on doing some designs for a new project and at the same time, I am now planning out my proposal to Aeri.

"Naayos ko na yung venue, dude. Nakausap na namin ni Yannah yung may ari. Free daw sila sa isang bukas." Ani Hades. Nasa bahay ako ngayon kasama ang pinsan ko tsaka sila daddy.

"Kami na bahala mag ayos doon so you have nothing to worry about." Si Arianna.

"Thanks, what will I do without all of you?" I said.

"No problem, malakas ka samin, dude." Kiezer said and gave me a tap on my shoulder.

"No need to wish you a good luck because I know that Aeri won't give you a 'no'." Yannah winked at me. I just smiled.

"Oo nga, Jacob. Sure na 'yon. Kahit nga wag ka na mag propose eh, dalhin mo na lang agad sa altar tingnan mo, hindi 'yun magrereklamo." Elisha teased. Tumawa ang lahat.

Elisha is also there helping us. Beatriz had to go back to Spain because she needs to finish her projects and a conference. Bit she promised that she'll be on my wedding day which will be right after the engagement. I really can't wait. Doon rin naman kami pupunta so bakit patatagalin pa?

Nag usap lang kami ng kailangan pang gamitin at ipang decor sa venue. I am planning to propose to her the day after tomorrow. Alam na rin ito ng parents niya and they also suggested na they'll let Aeri stay with them while I am busy planning this.

She has no idea about what will happen. Malapit na tayo, mahal. Matatali ka na rin sakin.

"Can we see the ring, son?" Mom asked. I grabbed the red box inside my pocket and opened it.

(See multimedia above to see the actial photo of the ring)

Lumapit naman ang mga pinsan ko. Namangha silang lahat pagkakita doon.

"Ang ganda. I'm sure she'll love it." Mom.

"Ikaw pumili dude? Nice choice." Hades.

"Aw, sana all!" Arianna.

"It looks pricey but it's so pretty." Yannah.

"Iba ka talaga, bro. Actually naghahanap ako ng sponsor ng singsing para sa proposal ko kay Bea eh. Pwede ka ba?"  Biro ni Elisha.

"Sama mo na rin yung sa kasal, Gonz. Sayang naman, lubusin mo na!" Si Keizer.

"Gago! Yaman yaman mo Gonzales! Ikaw na nga kinuha kong maging architect ng bahay ko, di pa ba sapat yon?" I said. Natawa kaming lahat habang si Elisha ay nag make face.

Inabot ako ng gabi sa bahay. I didn't join them for dinner because sasabayan ko si Aeri. Iniwan ko na sila doon tsaka pumunta sa bahay nila para sunduin siya.

I went out of the car and walk tkwards the door. I heared some noises at the kitchen so I went there. Naabutan kong kakain pa lanh sila.

"Hi, love. Halika, kain na muna tayo. Nagluto si mommy." Sinalubong ako no Aeri ng yakap at halik.

Pinaghila ko siya ng upuan tsaka ako umupo sa tabi niya.

"Goodevening po, Tita, Tito." I greeted.

"Oh, come on, son. Just call me Mom." Tita Athena.

"Mommy," saway ni Aeri.

"Ano ka ba naman Aeristell, hayaan mo na ang mommy mo." Si tito

"How's your day, love?" Aeri asked.

"Its fine. Did you study well, love?"

"Yeah, I actually had fun studying. Dad and mom are helping me when I can't understand the terms and topics."

"Good for you, I can't wait to hear your name with a title, Architect." And syempre hindi na rin ako makapaghintay na maging Castillo na ang surname mo.

After we eat I talked to Tita Athena to give her some updates while Tito Troy is distracting Aeri by tellimg some stories about Architecture.

After that, we went straight home. I showered and changed into my boxer shorts and nothing on top. I lay down on the bed and waited for Aeri to get done.

Pagkatapos niya magpalit ay nahiga na siya sa kama. I wrapped my arms around her.

"Love, do you want to settle down na?" I asked.

Her eyes are closed but when I asked her she opened her eyes tsaka tumingin sakin.

"We're settled now, Jacob." She answered.

"No, I mean, we'll make our own-"

"I'm ready, Jacob. Kung ano man ang nasa isip mo ngayon, gusto kong mangyari yun." She cut me off.

Napangiti ako. "Really?"

"I love you. And that is enough reason why I want to give my whole life to you, love." She whispered.

"I love you, more, love. I am really grateful because you are mine."  I whispered back.

Today is the big day. Finally! Sinakto ko talaga ang araw na hindi siya busy. Noong umaga nagpaalam lang ako sa kanya na may client meeting. Pero ang totoo ay pupunta ako sa venue para silipin iyon.

Si Ara at Mich ay umuwi kahapon at nagpatulong na rin ako sa kanila na samahan muna si Aeri hsnggang bago matapos ang hapon.

Nang makarating sa venue, naabutan ko doon si Elisha kasama ang mga pinsan ko. Nagulat rin ako nang makitang nandoon si Beatriz.

"I didn't know you're  coming." I said sabay bumeso sa kanya.

"I had to finish my works so I can get back here today because I don't want this men to be a loner." She laughed. Elisha glared at her.

"Kailan ka pa dito?" I asked.

"Just earlier. Dumiretso ako dito to see Elisha. Baka mag book na lang ako ng hotel room dito." Aniya. Tumango ako.

Beach resort kasi ito at pwedeng mag check in kasi may mga available na rooms. I chose this place because the view is so beautiful.

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong venue. Sa beachfront kami nag ayos. Mayroon ng parang wooden stage doon at may table na rin. Nilagyan lang nila ng bulaklak ang palibot doon.

Nakalagay na rin ang maliliit na candles sa buhanginan that will serve as a pathway later on. Mamaya na rin nila ilalagay ang rose petals dahil baka liparin ng hangin.

Umalis na ako doon para bumili ng red roses na favorite ni Aeri. Pagkatapos ay dinala ko na rin muna doon sa venue.

Nang dumating ang tanghali, I recieved a text from Mich and Aeri.

Mich:

Kagagaling lang namin sa condo niyo. We got some stuffs we need for later. Sa bahay na namin pagbibihisin si Aeri, okay? Nasabi na rin pala namin na lalabas kami kunyari later.

Ako:

Okay, thanks, Mich. Ingat kayo.

Love ♥:

Hi, love. Kumain ka na? May lakad daw kami later nina Ara eh, okay lang ba?

Ako:

Kakain pa lang po ako love. Eat your lunch na. Sige, love. Mag ingat kayo and enjoy ;) baka late ako makauwi dahil may tinatapos pa akong building na susukatin.

Andami ko nang kasinungalingan jusko. After I text Aeri, I joined my cousins for lunch.

After ng lunch, pumunta ako sa site kasama si Elisha at Tito Troy tsaka ako umuwi sa condo to change my clothes. I recieved a text from Mich when I got home.

Mich:

Nagreready na kami, Jacob. Keep me updated. Beatriz is here with us too.

Ako:

Okay, nasa condo na ako.

I showered after taking a rest for a minute. Naghanap na ako ng masusuot. I am wearing a white dress shirt tucked in my gray pants and a pair of dark brown leather shoes since sa beach iyon. Iniwan kong bukas ang unang tatlong butones ng dress shirt na suot ko.

I texted Mich before leaving the condo. Nagtext rin sakin si Hades na nandoon na daw ang family namin. Nandoon din daw si Tita Ashley, Mika at Archie.

Sina Hera, Kelly, Royce at Ethan ay sa kasal na lang daw pupunta dahil may mahahalaga raw silang inaasikaso.

Pagkadating ay nag punta na ako sa may dalampasigan. Naglakad lakad lang muna ako doon at tinanaw ang magandang view habang iniintay ang pagdating nila Aeri.

"I can't believe that my only son, will get married soon." I glanced at my dad standing beside me looking also at the sea.

"Alam mo anak, proud kami ng mommy mo sayo sa kung ano at sino ka ngayon. I'm very greatful because I am your father. Now, you are going to another stage of your life. Parang kailan lang, napakabilis ng panahon."

Nakinig lang ako sa sinabi ni daddy. Humarap siya sakin at tinapik ang balikat ko.

"Be a good husband to Aeri and a good father to your future children. I know that you two can raise them well. Make sure to always make time for them lalo na kapag may anak na kayo. Always make them feel that you love them not just by words but by actions. Take care of your wife and your future kids just like how you take care of us." Dad said.

"Masaya magkaroon ng pamilya. Lalo na kung may anak ka. Because family will be your treasure that you cannot replace." Dugtong pa ni dad. Tumango ako.

"Tito, Jacob, nanjan na sila." Tawag ni Kiezer.

Nagkakad na kami ni dad sa may venue. Sila ay nasa gilid lang ng mga kandila doon habang ako ay nasa baba lang ng wooden stage, iniintay si Aeri.

Nilagay ko sa bulsa ko ang singsing tsaka hinawakan ko ang boquet of roses at itinago sa likuran ko.

Natanaw ko na si Aeri, kasama si Ara, Bea at Mich. Bakas sa mukha niya ang gulat at tuwa ng makita kami at ang set up.

She looks so beautiful on her plain white laced off shoulder dress and a flat shoes. Napansin ko rin ang suot niyang kwintas na bigay ko. Well, hindi niya naman inaalis iyon.

She walk towrds me. Nakasindi na ang kandila at mga fairy lights doon. Ang mga petals ng rose ay nililipad ng hangin.

Nang makarating siya sa harap ko, ibinigay ko sa kanya ang rose. Inamoy niya iyon tsaka ngumiti sakin.

"What is happening, love?" She raised her eyebrows and smiled at me.

I didn't answer her question. Nagsalita lang ako at sinabi ang gusto kong sabihin.

"Love, we've been through so many trials na sinubok tayo. I know nasira tayo dahil sa isang pagsubok but look are we now. Kahit pa naghiwalay tayo, tadhana made a move para pagtagpuin tayo, ulit..."

She looked intemtly at my eyes. She 's getting emotional now. What a cry baby.

"Waiting for you for so long is so worth it. Kahit ilang beses pa kitang sinubukang kalimutan, ikaw pa rin talaga eh. And you are the only one I want to be with for the rest of my life, Aeri."

"Ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko, and I will never get tired of loving you everyday because you are my life and my everything." I wiped the tears on her cheeks.

"Mapagod man ako, sayo at sayo pa rin ako uuwi, because you are my home."

"I really can't wait to see you walking at the aisle towards the altar. I can't wait to have kids and papalakihin natin sila bilang isang mabuting tao. I want to do my future olans with you, love..."

I kneeled down in front of her and grab the box of ring. She started crying again.

"So, Aeristell Garcia, Will you spend the rest of your life with me?" I asked.

She nodded while still crying. "Yes! Yes, love! I will!"

Agad akong tumayo at isinuot ang singsing sa kanya. I hugged her for a moment. Nagpalakpakan naman ang mga family members and friends namin

"Sanaa aaalll!!!"

"Nakakainggiitttt!"

"Kisss!!!!"

"Kisss!!!"

Kantyaw nila. I faced Aeri again and wrapped my arms around her hips. She wrapped her arms on my neck as I lean to give her a soft kiss on her lips.

"Yieee!"

"Ang tamis!"

"I love you, so much, Jacob Castillo." She whispered and smiled.

"I love you, more, Aeristell Garcia, soon to be a Castillo." I playfully winked at her.

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