After she left, my world continued to crumble.

It was so dark.

"Are you serious, Kaleb?" Coach asked after I presented him the needed documents so I could quit the team.

I nodded weakly.

"What? Why? I mean...I know you're going through something pero..."

I sighed and looked at him with my tired expression. Pinipilit kong bigyan siya ng ngiti ngunit hindi ko magawa kahit na anong pilit ko sa sarili ko.

I am just so tired.

He looked at me with pity in his eyes before patting my shoulders. "Right, siguro nga mas okay na magpahinga ka muna, pero pag-isipan mo muna ang pag-q-quit. Sayang naman."

Tumango ako at tiningnan ang mga kasama. I caught Jae's glance but he immediately looked away wearing his cold expression.

Right, I'm no longer his bestfriend because he despises me already. Deserve ko naman kaya hindi ko siya masisisi.

Coach did everything to convince me not to push through the quitting pero wala na rin siyang nagawa no'ng malamang pati sa eskwelahan ay nag-drop na rin ako.

Yes, I dropped out of school.

I didn't want to, of course, hangga't kaya ko pang lumaban, hangga't kaya ko pang tiisin ang lahat...pero ubos na ubos na rin ako e.

But only my coach and few people knew about it because my aunt did everything to hide the news. Sa dinami-rami ng sinabi niya sa'kin no'ng araw na 'yon ay iyon lang ang naalala ko. There were words of encouragement pero ni isa ay walang maabsorb ang sistema ako. I was too engrossed with sadness and lack of pleasure with everything around me, even with things that I loved doing.

Everything was draining me, even talking to people. Kahit sa bahay, nasasakal ako ng mga bagay na nagpapaalaala sa mga taong mahalaga sa'kin na nawala na.

Everytime I sit at our dining table, I remember my mom and my dad. Whenever I look at our garden, I remember how I bicker with Jae and our other friends. Whenever I stay in the sala, I remember seeing Lia laughing with Trisha.

Sa tuwing naaalala ko ang lahat ng imaheng iyon ay ipinipikit ko ang mga mata ko, but still, I could see them in my memory.

I couldn't sleep at night and when night comes, I indulge myself with alcohol just so I could forget about them kahit na sandali, kahit na hanggang matulog lang. Ayoko nang gano'n, ayokong naglalasing, but I felt like I had no other option that time.

And it was actually a false belief because instead of helping me sleep, alcohol just reminded more of everything...especially my faults. At siguro nga, parusa ko na paulit-ulit na maalala ang mga 'yun.

"Okay ka lang, Kuya? Lasing po ikaw?"

I heard Trisha's voice and felt her hands caressing my hair. I was drunk again and I went to her room to check if she's okay because I couldn't do it when I am sober. Dahil sa tuwing nakikita ko siya, I was always reminded of how big of a failure I am. Ako dapat ang mag-aalaga sa kanya e, ako dapat ang palaging nasa tabi niya. But where am I now? I was just always with myself and couldn't even take care of it properly.

"S-Sorry, kasalanan ko ang lahat, sorry..." I repeatedly whispered to her.

As days progressed, I loathed myself more, especially after knowing our business' status. We were losing a lot but still, I couldn't do anything about it. My aunts and uncles were also worried about me but I remained dysfunctional.

"K-Kal, totoo ba ang nabalitaan kong nag-drop ka?" Levi went to my room with tears in her eyes.

I didn't answer and instead looked at the sky outside.

"I-Is this because...s-she left?"

I still didn't answer.

Levi's still sensitive, she was still suffering with the things she's been through, so I didn't want her to think that it was her fault. Dahil hindi...hindi niya iyon kasalanan. It was just me and all the faulty choices I made. Hindi niya ako pinilit, ako ang nagkusang gawin ang mga bagay na iyon.

"I-I'm sorry," she cried in front of me. Gusto ko siyang yakapin, gusto ko siyang i-comfort, but I couldn't do it...ubos na ubos na rin kasi ako.

"It's not your fault, Levi." Those were the only words I could say to her because she left the room, crying.

I felt so sorry that I couldn't wipe her tears anymore...it's just that...I couldn't even wipe my own tears.

I wanted to do something. I wanted to recover and end the sadness I was feeling. I wanted to do it as I remembered telling her before she left that I would try to change myself and become a better version of myself...pero hindi ko pa rin magawa.

"You're losing weight, Kal. It's not a good sign. You should eat, ilang araw ka nang hindi kumakain." Aunt Lydia came to bring me food, they were my favorite but I couldn't bring myself to eat it.

"Kain lang po ako mamaya," I plainly said before averting my gaze to the window.

Staring at the window from morning until night, watching how the hues of the sky change, has become my habit.

"It must be morning there," I sighed while looking at the sunset.

I really miss her a lot. I miss her smiles, her laugh, her warmth. It's been 365 days since she left but I still couldn't get myself to check how she was doing.

But I hope she's doing well. May tiwala naman ako sa kanya, alam kong makakaya niya doon, because she's a strong girl.

"I still love you...so much." My tears fell as I watched the sun set from the horizon.

That cycle continued until I eventually reached the point where everything around me looked gray. Hindi ko na alam...hindi ko na alam kung papaano ako babangon.

My aunt cried in front of me, my uncles begged me to fix myself, and my sister...my sister started to grow distant.

Ang bigat-bigat na...hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa bang ayusin ang ibalik sa dati ang lahat.

And that night...that night when I felt like I no longer have control with my life, I did a thing that hurt the people who love me more.

I attempted drowning myself in the pool.

And Levi...witnessed that.

She was the one who saved me...and she left without a word after that.

I cried and hugged my sister when I saw her at the hallway holding her tablet. I was guilty of what I just did because I almost left her an orphan...ako nalang ang mayroon siya pero naisipan ko pang gawin iyon.

"Kuya bakit?" She innocently asked and I hugged her tighter.

"Sorry...sorry." I repeatedly whispered to her.

She looked so confused while looking at me. We were in that state when her eyes suddenly widened and drifted to the screen of the device she was holding.

"Oh! It's Ate Lia!" She surprisingly said and my eyes widened, too.

Slowly, my eyes drifted to the screen, and my heartbeat immediately went wild when I saw the girl of my dreams walking on the runway.

It was indeed her but she looked so different...she looked so carefree and happy.

"Ang galing ni Ate Lia! She looked healthier and more beautiful now. Right, Kuya?"

Wala sa sarili akong napangiti. For the first time after everything around me turned dark, I smiled.

"Y-Yes.." I answered and I could feel myself tearing up again.

She looked more confident too. I am happy...I am so happy for her.

And I want to see her. No, I will see her again. I want to see that smile again.

An unfamiliar surge of happiness ran through my system and I found myself feeling that motivation to move and do something.

That night, I started redeeming myself. I went to the clinical psychologist that my aunt recommended. I started seeking advice and later on started doing the things I used to love.

I started going out and studying again. Hindi agarang nangyari iyon, it took me almost a year to bring back my old spirit. And seeing how I made my sister happy by doing those things fueled me more.

A year after, I graduated, took the board exam and passed it. I was a bit late but it's okay, life is not a race anyway. I also started taking over our business and working on the losses we had for the past years. It wasn't easy but whenever I think about her and her smiles, I feel fueled and motivated.

"Kuya! Kuya! Nood tayo ng show, nandoon si Ate Lia."

We were in New York Times Square when Trisha suddenly blurted that out. I thought it was out of the blue and she's only joking kaya pinagbigyan ko siya. Akala ko gusto lang niyang pumasyal kaya sinamahan ko pa talaga, pero hindi pala. She was indeed telling me the truth.

That day, I saw her again from a distance. I thought I was only dreaming at first but when she reached the edge of the runway, that's when it hit me.

It's real and my baby's insanely popular now but the most important thing is...she looked genuinely happy.

Maybe she already fell in love with herself. I wish she did.

I didn't bother going near her but I swore that day that I will make myself worthy of her again, kasi mahal na mahal ko pa rin e. Never namang nawala ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya and now I am certain that it will only be her.

I strived harder to be the better version of myself. Hindi naman ako nabigo at hindi naman nasayang lahat ng pagod at sakripisyo because years later, I was able to bring our company back to where it should be and build my own name.

That was also when I reconnected with Levi. We met at a business conference, we both looked surprised seeing each other in corporate attire. I gave her a smile and greeted her, I thought she wouldn't answer me but after that, she kept on saying her apology kahit na ilang beses ko nang sinabi na wala siyang kasalanan.

She looked different when we saw each other again. The last time we met was when she saved me from drowning at pagkatapos noon ay wala na akong narinig sa kanya. Ironic that we began when I saved her and ended when she saved me.

But we did become friends again. I didn't know what really happened to her pero hindi ko na tinanong. Ang importante ay mukha na siyang masaya ngayon, malayo na sa dating kilala ko na gustong gusto nang lisanin ang mundo dahil sa dilim na nararanasan.

I know how it feels like kaya naiintindihan ko siya.

"Mahal mo pa?" She asked when we both saw her in an ad.

I nodded and smiled. Levi smiled, too, but there was something in her eyes. Not that she still have feelings for me, iba lang talaga...like she remembered something.

"Alam kong wala ako sa posisyon na sabihin ito because I am part of the reasons why she left...but chase her, Kal."

I sighed. "That's what I was planning to do." I want to approach her but I don't know where to start. Hindi ko nga siya malapit dahil sa security ng agency nila.

I spent months thinking of ways how I could approach her and one night, while listening to one of her interviews where she talked about embracing one's flaws and imperfections, an idea struck my mind.

Behind the Mask. Derriere le Masque. I built that for her...for us to reconnect again.

She was the main reason but as the days progressed, my reasons to pursue that concept heightened dahil sa mga nakikita kong kahalagahan nito sa mga taong natatakot na yakapin ang sarili sa likod ng mga maskarang ginagamit nila para matanggap ng lipunan.

That's why I worked even harder to make it a success...and achieve more things just so when we met again, I could show her that I've changed for the better, just like what I said on the letter.

And while working on it, I bumped into someone familiar to me.

Ate Eliza, her sister.

And it hit me. Hindi lang ako kay Lia dapat humingin ng tawad kundi pati na rin sa mga taong malalapit sa kanya...her family and friends.

I tried approaching her elder sister but she was so persistent to drive me away.

"Kapal mo namang lumapit sa'kin pagkatapos ng ginawa mo. Tapos anong sinasabi mo? Nagbago ka na? Heh! Ito talaga ang dahilan kung bakit tumatanda akong dalaga, napakasinungaling niyo kasing mga lalaki!" Galit na galit niyang sabi sa'kin.

But weirdly, I felt like hindi lang naman talaga siya sa'kin galit. Kahit kanino yatang lalaki, basta kausapin siya ay magagalit talaga.

I also tried to apologize to Emily, their youngest. She's calmer pero katulad ng panganay ay hindi rin ako kinausap.

Even their father didn't want to talk to me...seems like everyone in their family hated me so much to the core, pero hindi ko naman sila masisisi, dahil tama naman iyon.

But I didn't expect that her mother would approach me.

She smiled at me before taking a sip of the coffee in front of us. "I heard about what you did but I still want to hear your side."

Tumango ako at kinabahan bago nagsimula.

"May ginawa po akong mali sa anak niyo. I got confused with my feelings for her, I treated her badly, sinaktan ko siya, pinaiyak, and I...I wasn't at her side when she needed someone the most. Hindi ko siya naipagtanggol sa mga taong nanakit sa kanya."

She just looked at me with her poker face, like she wanted me to continue.

"I hurt your daughter that's why...I-I want to apologize, but I know that an apology is not enough to atone for it. Pero gusto ko paring humingi ng tawad at hindi ako magsasawang hingiin 'yun araw-araw, because Lia didn't deserve what I did to her. Sobrang pinagsisisihan ko po ang ginawa ko."

Her stare lingered for seconds, akala ko ay mananatili ang istrikta niyang ekspresyon at awra kung kaya't gano'n nalang ang gulat ko no'ng makita ang mga luha sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata.

"Y-You're right, she didn't deserve to be hurt. She's such a kind and sweet child, ni minsan hindi ko siya narinig na sinumbatan ako kahit na ang dami-dami kong pagkukulang at ang lupit ko sa kanya. Lia is a chill child, she's different from her sisters at lagi kong naririnig ang komento ng mga kamag-anak dahil sa bagay na 'yun, and I treated her unfairly b-because I thought na kapag gawin ko 'yun ay magsisikap siya at ipakita sa kanila na mali sila. B-But that was so...selfish and bad. I was a bad mother. Hindi lang ikaw ang nanakit sa kanya kundi pati ako rin. I didn't even know what she was going through, she told me a lot of times pero ipinagsawalang-bahala ko lang because I was so busy with work. At huli na...huli na no'ng malaman ko ang lahat." She cried.

"I even called her out for doing things like vlogging at pati ang relasyon niyo...ang sabi ko hiwalayan ka niya dahil hindi ka makakabuti. H-Hindi ko alam na ako rin pala, hindi nakakabuti sa kanya. Ni hindi ko man lang siya naipagtanggol." She continued. "At hindi ko man lang magawang humingi ng tawad sa kanya...because I don't deserve her forgiveness. Because it's me who ruined her. Ako ang unang taong sumira sa kanya. Ako ang dahilan kung bakit lumaki siyang pakiramdam niya ay hindi niya deserve na mahalin."

Hindi lang 'yun ang mga nasabi ng Mom niya sa'kin at pagkatapos kong marinig ang lahat...kung paano siya tinrato sa bahay nila noon...ay tila kinukurot ang puso ko.

She indeed suffered a lot and she's so strong to endure everything.

And her Mom, I noticed how guilty and resentful she was.

She did her bad pero wala rin kaming pinagkaiba. We both hurt her.

"I learned what you did back when you were in highschool and I want to thank you for that." She suddenly said when she was about to leave, muntik ko nang maidura ang iniinom na kape because I never anticipated it. "Thank you for protecting and saving her."

I was too stunned to speak. Ni hindi ko alam kung paano niya nalaman iyon.

"Drop by our house kung hindi ka busy, marami tayong dapat na pag-usapan." Kalmado niyang sabi bago umalis.

Nahihiya ako sa buong pamilya nila dahil sa ginawa ko pero gusto ko rin talagang humingi ng tawad kung kaya't pumunta nga ako sa kanila. Halos patayin na ako ng Papa niya no'ng makita ako sa labas ng bakod but thankfully, her mother was there to let me in without getting killed.

They were all so mad at me pero inaasahan ko na rin naman na 'yun.

"Mahal mo pa ba si Lia?" Her father asked when I was about to leave, without hesitation, I answered.

"Opo, mahal na mahal ko."

He sighed and I thought that would be all, kung kaya't hindi ko inaasahan ang sumunod na sinabi niya.

"Hindi lang dapat 'yan puro salita, hijo." He tapped my back after saying that and walked away.

I found myself smiling, hindi naman sa nag-aassume ako pero pakiramdam ko nun ay binigyan ako ng pagkakataon na patunayan ang sarili ko.

Hindi kay Lia, but at least with her family.

And so, I did my best to apologize, not just in words but also by actions.

"Ayos, Ma. Galing ng alipin natin!" Ate Eliza smirked while looking at me sweeping their yard. Emily on the other hand just smiled at me.

It wasn't easy to get their forgiveness but everything was worth it...and during the hours I spent at their home, I felt like I gained myself a new family.

"Wala ka ba talagang balak na gumawa ng move kay Ate, Kuya?" Emily asked while watching me grooming their garden. Dahil lagi ako sa kanila tuwing weekends ay medyo nagiging close na kami at siya pa ang taga balita sa'kin ng mga bagay-bagay.

"Meron," I answered truthfully at agad naman siyang tumili.

"Kailan, Kuya? Baka maunahan ka na, marami pa namang admirers si Ate!" She laughed and teased me, at sa tuwing magkikita yata kami ay 'yun ang bungad niya palagi.

Which got me thinking about it a bit. Ayoko namang magmadali but I started executing my plan by growing Derriere le Masque's name in the industry.

It wasn't easy to land a collaboration with them, sa katunayan ay ilang beses nareject ang proposal namin, but that didn't stop me. And when her agency finally accepted it, I was so happy.

"Congrats, you did well." Levi smirked when she visited me in my office.

"Thanks for the ideas," I smiled. I was thankful because she actually suggested some ideas that could help me improve the proposal.

"Anything for you, my friend." She smiled. "Anyway, good luck. Next month na 'yun ah."

Yeah, right. She would go home soon. I have mixed reactions regarding that — happy, excited, nervous, afraid. Pero sa lahat ng 'yun ay nangingibabaw ang tuwa dahil makikita ko na siyang muli.

"Oh shit!"

I heard a familiar voice muttering a curse. I was invited in a party and I was surprised to see Jae there.

I smiled at him but he immediately frowned.

"Oh, I'm glad you came." Kelly, the celebrant, went to me. "Oo nga pala, Jae. This is Kaleb, my friend, owner of Derriere le Masque. Kaleb, this is Jae, also my friend."

Jae scoffed. "Kilala ko na 'yan."

I laughed a bit. "Yeah, magkakilala na kami, Kelly. He's my friend."

Agad rumehistro ang inis sa mukha ni Jae. "Luh, friend daw? Ex-friend oy, 'di pa tayo bati!" He hissed and even rolled his eyes before turning his back.

Mas lalo akong napangisi.

'Di bale nang hindi kaibigan ang turing niya sa'kin dahil deserve ko naman 'yun. But for me, he has been always my friend. And I hope someday, I would be able to gain his forgiveness, too.

Beautiful large eyes, plump lips, curly hair, and confident smile.

I watched her closely as he sat with her team in the meeting. I was supposed to pretend to listen to the presentation but I couldn't bring myself to do that now that she's already in front of me. Ilang beses niya rin akong nahuling nakatingin but she looked so professional about it.

It was so nice seeing her again.

But then, Emily's right. Marami na nga talaga akong kakumpetensya sa kanya. That Trevor guy, si Jae, at ang milyon-milyon pang mga lalaki na pinapangarap siya.

Alam kong wala akong karapatan pero selos na selos na ako, especially when I think about how low I am for her. Sila, walang nagawa sa kanilang mali, pero ako meron, isang malaking pagkakamali.

"Naunahan ka na yata, bagal mo kasi." Levi teased me at lumapit pa talaga para ibulong sa'kin 'yun na mas lalong nagpainis sa'kin. To be fair, hinila ko ang iilang hibla ng bangs niya na agad niya na agad niyang ikinangiwi.

Alam ko naman kasi 'yun that's why I am doing my best para pansinin niyang muli ako at hindi nga 'yun madali. Pero deserve ko naman talagang pahirapan.

I don't mind working extra hard just to be with her again because I know it's more than worth it.

And I couldn't help but hope na may mararamdaman pa siya sa'kin when she told me those words that night, kahit na alam kong lasing siya at baka dala lang iyon ng alak.

"I missed you, but of course you have no idea about it."

It made me happy and when she acted like she was jealous, it made me lose my mind for seconds.

I somehow wanted to laugh because she thought Levi and I kissed kahit na hindi ko alam kung paano niya 'yun naisip. Truthfully, Levi and I didn't kiss. The last kiss we had was already more than a decade ago.

At siya lang naman ang gusto kong halikan...at mahalin.

I took her to my condo that night, I didn't know where she was staying but I have the means to do it, pero mas pinili kong iuwi nalang siya dahil gusto ko siyang alagaan and we need to talk.

But her words the next day shattered me more. Pero hindi ako tumigil. I was persistent to pursue her dahil totoong mahal ko siya at ayaw kong makita niya na duwag pa rin ako at mahina. Ayaw kong makita niya akong basta-basta nalang sumusuko.

I thought I could keep it up until the end, akala ko kaya kong panindigan ang mga salitang 'yun. But when she cried while begging me stop pursuing her, that's when I realized that I am hurting her again.

I couldn't blame her when she thought that I cheated on her because she heard what I said back then and I couldn't say anything to justify my actions dahil mukhang gano'n nga rin talaga ang ginawa ko.

I traumatized her and everytime I approach her, I just remind her of the betrayal I did years ago. Kahit na anong gawin ko hindi ko na 'yun mabubura sa sistema niya and maybe my love wasn't enough to heal her. And to see her cry breaks my heart so bad.

Mas hindi ko pala siya kayang nahihirapan. It was a torture. That's why I decided to let her go.

My tears fell as I looked at the necklace I was holding. She returned it to me years ago, thinking that she wasn't the woman I really love. But no...it will only be her.

Mahal na mahal ko siya, pero hindi ko siya pipilitin pang mahalin ako pabalik kung ang kapalit naman ay ang makikita ko siyang nahihirapan. Because love is not supposed to be selfish.

"What did you do? Did you really said that?" Levi furiously asked me through call. I just finished the interview at mukhang mabilis na nakarating sa kanya ang balita.

"Yes."

"What? Kal naman! Pareho naman nating alam na 'di lang ikaw ang may kasalanan pero inaako mo ang lahat! You were sick that time and I...pressured and guilt-tripped you! I unconsciously fucking manipulated you pero kahit gano'n...you never cheated! Kaya h-huwag mo namang akuin ang lahat!"

Umiling ako. Maybe I was really sick...but it was still my decision. At wala na rin naman akong pakialam sa reputasyon ko. Who cares about it anyway when the person you love would suffer if you keep on protecting yourself?

That night, I bid my goodbyes to her. I wanted to cry so hard while saying those words to her but I don't want her to remember my sad face. At least before I leave, I wanted her to see that I'm okay and I don't regret meeting her. Dahil 'yun naman ang totoo, I will never regret meeting her.

She was the one who taught me to be strong. She was my pillar and will still be...until I die.

I went to Spain and decided to stay there for good, lalo na't plano ko rin na i-expand ang business namin sa bansa.

"Hey, uncle! Watching that talk show again?" Naomi barged inside my office with a wicked grin. She's so loud pero kailangan ko talaga ng pasensya because she's my freaking niece. Naaasar pa ako dahil panay pa rin ang tawag niya sa'kin ng uncle kahit na magkaedad naman kami.

"Grabe, crush na crush mo talaga siguro si Lia Villegas?" She teased me at nakinood pa talaga.

Nakakainis but she's a sweet child. Kahit na nakakahighblood minsan ay nakakatuwa rin naman because she always keep me entertained.

I would be a hypocrite if I say na hindi ako nalungkot no'ng umalis ako. In fact, sad could be an understatement to describe what I feel. But I don't want to indulge myself with that feeling anymore...ayoko nang sirain pang muli ang sarili ko. I don't want to self-destruct again and make the people around me worried and guilty about it.

I want to leave a good life with the memories of the people I love.

"Uncle, guess what? May nakikilala akong Pinay kanina! Ang ganda! Kamukha ni Lia Villegas!" Naomi happily narrated one day.

I thought she was just joking para asarin ako kung kaya't hindi ko na pinansin. But it got me thinking...a little. At umasa rin ako ng konti. Hindi pa nakatulong na pinepeste ako ng leche kong pamangkin.

"Dali na, uncle! Punta tayong basilica! Baka nando'n siya, papakilala kita baka malay mo 'yung kalook-alike pala 'yung forever mo! Sige ka, tatanda kang binata n'yan!"

I shook my head and sighed. It was early in the morning and she was pestering me. At para tumigil na siya ay pinagbigyan ko na.

Pumasok ako sa simbahan like what I always do. The place actually has became my favorite everytime I think about how Lia considers it as her dream place. Sa katunayan ay gusto kong doon kami ikasal but that time I thought that it was already impossible.

"Uncle."

My forehead creased when Naomi went to me with her anxious expression. Niyakap pa ako at hinalikan sa pisngi which was so unusual of her.

"Anyare?" I curiously asked.

"Nandyan 'yung ex kong stalker. Tulungan mo naman ako uncle, dali na, magpapakabait na 'ko, promise!"

I laughed. Ex, huh?

I leaned and kissed her forehead. "Okay na, 'di na nakatingin."

She sighed and pulled away. "Mabuti naman!"

I laughed and we decided to stay a bit pero gaya ng inaasahan ko ay hindi naman dumating ang tinutukoy niya.

Bumalik na ako sa opisina. I was walking with my employees when my eyes caught someone. I thought I was just hallucinating at first, ilang beses pa akong kumurap para makumpirma iyon pero hindi pa rin matanggap ng isip ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala.

Is that really my Lia?

Our eyes met and shock was immediately written on her face.

I felt like I was in daze, nanatili lang ako nakatingin sa kanya, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nakikita. I was only able to move when I saw her leaving.

Maraming tanong sa isip ko gaya na lamang nang kung bakit siya naroon, ngunit ang atensyon ko ay nakatuon sa paghabol sa kanya. Dahil 'yun ang una kong dapat gawin...ang kausapin at tanungin siya.

When she told me she loves me...I felt like I was in euphoria, pakiramdam ko ay natupad na ang pangarap ko.

Even though I hurt and traumatized her, she still chased, forgave, and love me. Indeed, she has the purest heart, and I swore not to waste the chance she has given to me. Dahil alam ko kung gaano kahirap para sa kanya na ibigay iyon sa'kin pagkatapos ng lahat ng ginawa kong mali.

After our engagement, we went back to the Philippines. What happened was a huge and surprising news for the people dear to us...our families and friends. But we're both glad that they took the news positively.

"Kayo lang din naman pala, pinatagal niyo pa." Jae scoffed while looking at me, mukhang badtrip pa rin sa'kin. Napangisi naman ako.

"Baka masabi ko rin 'yan sayo someday." I fired back, napasimangot naman siya.

"Oh, ba't ka ganyan? Akala ko ba gusto mong magbati tayo?" The brute even crossed his arms.

"Ang ingay niyo," Yuri interrupted us and raised her brow kaya agad naman kaming natahimik.

Nagpaalam naman ako sa kanila para hanapin si Lia because I was already missing her. Halos isang araw din kaming hindi nagkita dahil pareho kaming abala sa wedding preparations.

"M-Mom, totoo ba? You sued all those malicious commenters and even your boss' son kaya kayo nawalan ng trabaho at lumipat sa probinsya?"

"Lia, anak."

Napatigil ako no'ng makita si Lia na kausap si Tita sa balkonahe. I sighed when I realized what's going on and left. I'll give them privacy because they need it.

Lia might not say it but I know, I know that she's yearning for her mom's affection. At si Tita, I know she loves Lia, sa maling paraan nga lang niya nagawa noon, but now I know she's already regretting what she did. I saw for the past years how she did everything just to make those who wronged Lia pay.

They need to talk and I also think they both deserve second chances.

I decided to wait for Lia inside our room. I was only supposed to sit and watch TV pero hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako. I only woke up when I felt a kiss on my lips and when I opened my eyes I saw the woman of my dreams in front of me.

"Sorry, I'm late. Nag-usap pa kasi kami Mama." She explained and scooted near me for me to hug her.

I smiled as I planted a kiss on her hair. "How was it, love?" I asked as I stared at her eyes. Agad ko namang napansin ang panunubig ng kanyang mata.

"M-Mahal ako ni Mama...a-ayos na kami." Her tears fell but she immediately wiped them.

"Ano ba 'to! Nakakaiyak din pala talaga kapag masaya ka." She chuckled while still wiping her tears.

Mas lalo naman akong napangiti. "I'm so happy for you." I whispered before I looked up and smiled like I was seeing them.

"I'm happy now, Mom and Dad." I whispered.

I've finally overcome my demons and I'm finally engaged to the barefooted girl from the past who soon became the woman of my dreams. I'm finally marrying the person who taught me how to fight bravely and love fiercely in this cruel world, and I am more than thankful for that.

"Masayang-masaya ako ngayon, pakiramdam ko wala na akong mahihiling pa." She said and pulled me closer for a sweet kiss.

"I love you." She whispered in between our kisses.

I stared at her eyes and smiled when we pulled away.

Ang ganda ganda niya, at mas lalo siyang gumaganda kapag masaya siya.

"I love you, my future Flores." I whispered back and kissed her again.

Just seconds later, I found myself caressing her body while kissing her passionately.

"Ang bilis mo naman." Reklamo niya but I just smirked while looking at her turned on face.

My future wife wants me... so much.

Years ago, we're both hiding the real us behind the masks we wear in order to conform to what is ideal. Siya, tinatago ang totoong mukha dahil naiiba at maraming kumukutya. Ako, tinatago ang kalungkutan at pagod na nararamdaman dahil ako nalang ang inaasahan ng pamilya.

But now, there's the two of us...no more masks...just happy and in love.