Epilogue

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When did you realize that you were already in the hands of the right person?

I wasn't looking for anything when I met Rav. But believe me, you'll find it when you're not looking. I used to say that our love was almost perfect, but I realized that what's perfect isn't real, and what's real love was enough for us to last a lifetime.

Life teaches us to forgive the things we used to hate. To remember the things we used to forget. And to make sure we do everything so we have no regrets.

"Do you still think of me when you look up at the night sky?" I asked Rav out of nowhere.

Nakaupo kami sa harap ng dalampasigan.
Maingay ang hampas ng alon sa aming harapan. Naaaninag ko sina Kuya sa dulong bahagi ng resort.

"Everytime. I always think of you, by." Inabot nya ang kamay ko at hinawakan ng mahigpit. His hand was warm. I feel like it was the safest place in the world.

Ang bughaw na kalangitan sa aming harapan ay unti-unti nang napapalitan ng kahel na kulay. Malamig ang hangin. Magaan rin sa damdamin.

"Your tattoo, kaya pala familiar dati. It's because I can see myself at them." Inilabas ko sa aking bulsa ang bracelet na binigay nya sa akin. Hinanap ko ito matapos kong makauwi galing sa hospital.

Everything seems to be smooth.

"I got it when I lost you, by." I handed it to him at isinuot nya ulit ito sa aking palapulsuhan.

I remember when I was in college. Hindi ko sinusuot itong bracelet pag nasa duty or sa school. It was prohibited. So I usually kept it in my bag.

I looked at him and smiled. "We have a thousand things left unsaid, Rav."

"We've got a lifetime to talk about it, by." He answered and kissed my hair.

There are so many realizations in my mind. And I have a list of all the questions I wanted to ask.

"Who saved you from all the chaos, Rav?" Ang maliliit na batong nakukuha ko ay dahan-dahan kong binabato sa dagat.

"No one rescued me, by. I was not saved at all." He started. I was too stunned to speak.

"But now, you literally saved me, by." He added and I blew a deep breath.

I laughed at his answer. I know what we are doing right now might sound a bit ridiculous, but reminiscing about our past was kind of fun to talk about.

He told me what really happened. He told me everything. And I did the same. We shared the secrets that we fear to tell. He was all my cliches that I never thought of.

"Life's been tough for the both of us, by. But always know that I'll never get tired of loving you."

"Your Papa. Nagbanggit mo na ba ako sa kanya?" I worriedly asked. He smiled at me and nodded.

"He was the one who told me to pursue you. Bago pa ako kausapin ni Kuya Cavin, tumawag na sya sa akin. I told him that we didn't work out. He got mad. Wag daw akong uuwi ng bahay nang hindi ka kasama."

We both laughed at his answer.

"Dad saw me at my worst state, by. He said he regretted it. He was not a perfect Dad for me."

Napatingala ako sa langit nang maramdaman ang patak ng ulan. Rav smiled at me and kissed my forehead. He held my hand tightly.

It was raining, but everything felt right.

"I'd never hurt you again, by. I swear, I'd ease your pain." He whispered and hugged me.

Yes, we've been broken and a lot of things have changed, but our love keeps getting stronger.

I know we'll regret if we didn't give ourselves a try.

We were dancing in the middle of the rain, under the night sky. He held me closely, like the very first time, and hummed a melody.

When I looked at him, all I could think was all about us. Our feelings, sacrifices, and love. I'm not afraid to lose anymore.

I wouldn't mind waking up early in the morning just to see that smile. It's funny that I still get those butterflies I felt, though.

"Would you take my hand, by? I fell for you so hard and fast. You are my first love, and I'm sure you're my last. " He started and slowly knelt in front of me.

I remembered that ring. It was once belong to me. And now it came back to me. As if it was really meant to me.

"Are you ready, by?" He added.

I leaned closer to him and whispered. "Do you think I'm not ready, Rav?"

"I promise to be true, Rav. I know you're tired of the pain. So if there's a time when you say you're giving up and you're through with all this mess, please let's try again. Until you forget the idea of leaving me."

"You can hold me tightly, by. One thing is for sure. Leaving you again was not on my mind."

"I was hurt when you broke me for the first time, Rav. I cried until the tears dried and my memories were the one who gave up. But I realized that it's all worth the pain. You are worth the pain, Rav. So, let's take a chance. " I answered as I held his hand more tightly.

He is my home. He is my star in the middle of the rain. It's hard to find the words for what we are feeling now. But one thing is for sure, we deserve this happiness.

Unti-unti nang huminto ang patak ng ulan. Lumiliwanag na rin ang sinag ng buwan.

Rav slid the ring onto my finger. It was shining as the moon reflected on it. Parang gaya lang ng dati. Kinikilig pa rin ako.

I will still marry him even if all he can offer was a cheapest ring o kahit nga gawang papel na pambata lang.

We both had flaws and made mistakes, but we both grew up with all the pain and hatred.

I'd surely rewind and replay all the moments we've shared.

We are both smiling. We only need each other to be truly happy. And I know we'll both get through this.

"Mama? Did you agree to marry Daddy? Sabi nya bibilhan nya ako ng motor pag pumayag ka." I looked at Rav confusedly. He just smiled at me and kissed my forehead.

"Kakain na ba tayo, mga lovers?" Mommy Nes suddenly asked us and smiled.

I looked at Rav in disbelief. Daddy Rod and Mommy Nes are here. Even Jake and their college friends.

"I want it to be something special, by. So I asked them to be here on our special moment."

"Thank you, Rav." I looked at him and gave him a smile. Napatingin naman ako kay Mommy Nes na papalapit na sa amin.

She hugged me tightly. "I'm so happy for you, Eli. He deserves you. Be happy. Okay?" She whispered. I nodded at her and looked at Daddy Rod. I caught him wiping his tears. He noticed me looking at him, so he laughed.

"I'm just emotional, Eli. I didn't notice that time flies this fast. I never thought that I can still see you marrying the person you love." He said. Naluluha na naman sya.

"Let's get some food, Rod. I know ayaw mong nakikita ni Eli na naluluha ka." Mommy Nes said and laughed. She guided Daddy Rod to the table nearby. Ni hindi ko nga napansin na may mga nakaprepare pala doon.

"Ivar! It's been a long time. Parang dati hinahabol ka lang nyan, Eli. Ngayon, hinahabol ka pa rin." Rav laughed at him and smacked Ivan's arm.

"I don't mind chasing him, Ivan!"

"Hay naku! Iba na talaga ang nagagawa ng love. Pahingi nga ng isa pang baso ng beer Vina!" Justin shouted. Vina glared and snob him.

"Eto naman! Hindi na mabiro. Ako na nga lang ang kukuha!" He shouted at sinundan si Vina.

"Congratulations, Eli. Please bear with Ivar. Mabait naman yan. Kapag tulog." Grey teased and laughed.

"Don't worry, Grey. Baka pagdaanan mo rin ito." Rav answered.

"Don't curse me, Dude. Di ka nakakatuwa ha." I laughed at their reactions.

"I can still remember how he was so head over heels with Eli. He was so inlove kaya nga nung nalaman nyang si Eli pala yung natamaan ng bola ay bigla-biglang umalis at bumili ng ointment." Jake suddenly shared.

Grey laughed and looked at me. "Ay, Eli! Naremember ko rin nung panahon na tinitingnan ka palang nya  sa malayo. Duwag pa sya nung panahon na yun, eh."

"And I remember how he contacted me years ago nung nagkahiwalay sila ni Eli. Tiniis ko sya, Eli! Kahit kaibigan ko sya hindi ko sya tinulungan." Jake interrupted and I laughed.

Tiningnan naman sya ni Rav ng masama. His college buddies gathered and congratulated us.

"By. Our Mom and Dad are here." He whispered. I looked around and noticed them being entertained by Daddy Rod and Mommy Nes. Even Kuya was there with them too.

They looked at our direction.

"It was a very pleasure to meet you, my daughter. This is your Dad, Emilio." It was Rav's Mom.

"You should start calling me Dad." I looked at the man who shouted pride and authority. Nakakatakot nga naman pala talaga sya.

"Don't look at me like that, Iha. I'm better now. Mas kakampihan kita kaysa kay Ivar." He said and gave a small laughed.

"Welcome to the family, Iha. Let's go shopping together, ha? I have so many things in my mind to do with my daughter. Gusto ko talagang mag-asawa na yang si Ivar. Simula nang college pa yan alam ko nang may nililigawan na yan." Mom started sharing Rav's weaknesses and I can't help but laughed. Happiness was just understated of how I feel this day.

"And don't hesitate to call us. Remember to call us Mom and Dad, ha?" She insisted.

"Sure, Mom. Dad." They both smiled at my reaction. Mommy Nes started to talk with them about their vacations. Mukhang nagkakamabutihan na sila.

Vina looked at me and smiled.

You deserve to be happy. She mouthed.

I can see joyful tears in her eyes. Nainterrupt lang nang tuksuhin na naman sya ni Justin.

Napansin ko si Kuya Cavin na nakatingin sa akin. He smiled at my direction.

I looked at Rav and whispered that I will just go to Kuya. He nodded at me and smiled.

"Everything was fallen into right places, Imara Alessia."

"Is it? Kuya?"

"Of course. I am happy for you, my baby sister. All I want is you to be happy. Nothing more."

"I want you to be happy too, Kuya." He just hugged me and nodded at my answer.

I looked at the crowd. It was very overwhelming.

I looked at Mommy Nes and Daddy Rod. They are now sweetly dancing to the music just like Mom and Dad and the other guests.

Vina and Justin was still arguing. Looking at them, I think they can be a perfect match together. They haven't realized it yet.

Makoy was busy playing with the kids. Their soft laugh and giggles echoes the night.

Kuya looked at me again and smiled.

"Thank you, Kuya. For everything."

"You should also give your thanks to Cañoza. He was the one who prepared all of this. He also visited our Mama and Papa. He asked for their blessings. I was with him when we visited the place. Binisita rin namin si Nana Mona. She took care of you when we are out of your sight. So, we are very thankful for her."

Naiiyak na tuloy ako. I looked back to the crowd.

"Huwag ka masyadong umiyak, Imara Alessia. Baka lumaki ang eyebags mo, sige ka. Baka pumangit ka." He laughed.

"What did I do to deserve all this happiness, Kuya?"

"After all the pain and heartaches, Imara Alessia. You deserve to have every little happiness in the world. Though we cannot measure all of it."

"It's kinda late actually, but atleast dumating." He added.

Seeing them happy makes me happy too.

Grey and their friends was busy teasing Rav.

He looked at me and mouthed an I love you. I mouthed back so he smiled. Kuya saw us so he started rolling his eyes.

"Alam mo, Imara Alessia. May time ka pang umatras. I will support you. Ang pangit naman kasi ng apelyido nyan. Cañoza? It sounds so cheap. Ano gusto mo bang ipakilala kita sa mga kakilala ko? Mas maganda ang apelyido nila. Kung magkakaanak kayo, siguradong mauunang tatawagin ang anak nyo. Nasa letter "c" kaya." He whispered. I looked at him and laughed at his reactions.

"Don't forget na nasa letter "D" ang family name natin, Kuya." I answered and giggled.

Rav looked at us confusedly so I gave him a smile.

This is just the beginning of our journey to explore our new, exciting future.

We all have a story to tell. Some may have their own fairytale ending. But ours was with our own version of forever. With flaws and scars, of course.

We are not perfect, but atleast we are happy and inlove, for the second time. That's what matters most.