"Hindi pa sumasagot sa tawag ko, eh." Sagot ni Hans nang tanungin ko kung nakausap niya na si Kade. Huwebes ngayon at ito ang araw ng balik namin sa Manila.

Ngayong araw rin namin napagpasyahan na magpakasal. Gusto ko kasi sanang gawin namin agad iyon bago ko pa muling dalawin si Mommy. I didn't want to give my father the opportunity to meddle. Hindi ko na hahayaang maulit pang muli ang nangyari sa amin ni Hans noon. We were both adults now, madali na lang rin naman ito kung tutuusin.

"He was in Manila," I told him. "Kung doon na lang natin kitain? I would call Kourtney para malaman kung nasaan ang kambal niya. Tapos ay magtutuos pa kaming dalawa! Pati na 'yang si Lance!"

Si Kade kasi sana ang kukunin naming witness. We wanted it to be important for both of us, kahit pa sabihin simple at lihim.

Tumatawang niyakap ako ni Hans mula sa likuran, tapos na siyang magkape, ako ay hindi pa. Napaikot na laman ang aking mga mata nang maramdamang lumuwag ang roba na nakabalot sa aking katawan, kinalas niyang bahagya ang sinturon noon bago ipaloob ang kamay upang damhin ang aking kaliwang dibdib.

"Ang aga aga ang init ng ulo mo," malumanay niyang suway. He kissed the side of my face, lovingly tightening his arms around me from behind. "Huwag ka nang magalit kanila Kourtney. I'm sure they mean well."

Alam ko naman iyon. At hindi ba't nakatulong naman sa amin ni Hans ang ginawa nila? Kaya lang ay naiinis pa rin ako. Wala silang karapatang gawin iyon. Sumimsim ako ng kape at pinanatili ang tanaw sa labas ng bintana, trying to ignore Hans's erection behind me.

He pinched one of my nipples and squeezed my breast gently, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from me. I bit my lower lip, trying to maintain my composure. My mind wandered to the past two days where we did nothing but make love. Hans would fuck me tirelessly at any time, in every corner around the house, and even outside at the beach. He was true to his words, catching up on the past nine years, eagerly and erratically.

"Baby, stop thinking too much," Hans whispered against my ear, his voice husky with desire. His hand slid further under the robe, his fingers playing with my nipple, making it hard to concentrate on anything else. "We have better things to do."

"Like what?" I managed to ask, though my voice was trembling with anticipation. Parehong matindi ang pangangailangan namin ni Hans sa isa't isa. Nakakapanghina.

"Like this." He turned me around, his lips capturing mine in a bruising kiss. Halos mabitawan ko na ang hawak kong tasa sa pagmamadali kong tumugon, mabuti at agad niya iyon nakuha mula sa aking kamay. It magically disappeared.

His hands moved to my hips, lifting me effortlessly onto the kitchen counter. The cold surface against my thighs sent a shiver down my spine.

"Hans, we can't... not here," I protested weakly, even though my body was already responding to his touch.

"Why not? No one's here but us," he murmured against my lips, his hands pushing my panties down. Agad niya rin nahubad ng husto ang suot kong roba. "Besides, you know how much I love seeing you like this, ready and willing."

I gasped as his fingers found their way between my legs, teasing and tormenting me. "You're insatiable," I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Only for you," he replied, his eyes dark with lust. I moaned when he touched my breast, squeezing it gently. "Can't get enough..."

His words sent a thrill through me, making me even wetter. Hans's mouth latched onto one of my nipples, sucking and biting gently. I arched my back, pushing my breast further into his mouth, needing more.

"Hans, please," I moaned, my fingers threading through his hair. "I need you."

"I know, baby," he said, his voice rough with desire. He pulled his sweatpants down, freeing his erection. "I need you too."

He positioned himself at my entrance, teasing me with the tip of his cock. I whimpered, trying to push myself onto him, but he held me still.

"Not yet," he said, his voice low and commanding. "I want to hear you beg for it."

"Please, Hans," I pleaded, my voice barely more than a whisper. "I need you inside me. Now."

"Good girl," he murmured, thrusting into me with one swift motion. We both moaned, the feeling of him filling me completely was overwhelming. He started moving, slow and deep, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through my body.

"Oh, God, Hans," I gasped, clutching at his shoulders.

He was relentless, his movements becoming faster and more urgent. I could feel the tension building inside me, the edge of my orgasm approaching rapidly.

"Come for me, baby..."

His words pushed me over the edge, my orgasm crashing over me in intense waves. I cried out his name, my body convulsing with pleasure. Hans followed soon after, his release deep inside me.

We stayed like that for a moment, breathing heavily and clinging to each other. Finally, Hans pulled out and kissed me tenderly. "I love you, Caice,"

"I love you too, Hans," I replied, my heart full. "Always."

Hapon nang sunduin kami ng sasakyang sinabi ni Hans. Kung noong nakaraan ay halos gusto ko nang makauwi ngayon naman ay parang ayaw ko nang umalis. Hindi pa rin kasi mawala ang pangamba sa akin. Ayos na kami ni Hans, pero hanggang kailan? I didn't want my family to know about us yet. Tsaka na, gusto ko kapag nalaman nila ay kasal na kami at wala na silang magagawa pa, lalo na si Daddy.

"Hey," pisil ni Hans sa kamay kong hawak niya sa kaniyang kandungan. "Ang lalim na naman ng iniisip mo..."

I couldn't help it. Sumandal ako sa kaniyang balikat at pinagmasdan ang aming mga kamay. Totoo ba talaga 'to? Katabi ko ba talaga si Hans? Kasama ko ba talaga siya? Maayos na ba talaga kami? Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata nang maramdaman ko ang kaniyang mga labi sa tutok ng aking ulo.

We were on the plane, ilang minuto pa ay lalapag na kami sa Manila. Kinakabahan ako na baka magkagulo na naman. I remembered the chaos we faced so many years ago. Ang tagal tagal na noon pero kapag naiisip ko ay masakit pa rin. To think that we were younger then! Tapos ay ganoon na ang mga klase ng problema na kinaharap namin.

"Hans..." Mahinang tawag ko sa kaniya makalipas ang ilang sandali.

"Hmm?"

"Galit ka ba kay Dad?" I asked. Kung ako nga ay galit na galit kay daddy, paano pa siya? It was his family who had been killed because of my father's greed.

Natagalan bago nakuhang magsalita ni Hans. He sighed softly, bringing my hand to his lips. "Hindi ko masasabing kahit kailan ay hindi ako nagalit sa nangyari dahil pamilya ko iyon. Lahat ng residente ng Matahom, mabigat at masakit sa akin iyon. But over time, I've come to realize that holding onto hatred and resentment only poisons the soul. Para na rin akong uminom ng lason na ang ibang tao ang hinihintay mamatay."

His words resonated deeply with me. I knew all too well the weight of resentment, the burden of carrying anger that could consume one's spirit. "How did you let go?"

Gusto kong malaman kasi gusto kong subukan na pakawalan ang galit ko kay Dad. For the sake of my mother. For the sake of our family.

"It's not easy," he admitted with a sigh. "It took me years to understand that forgiveness isn't about excusing what someone did. It's about releasing yourself from the chains of bitterness. I had to remind myself that dwelling on the past only steals the joy from the present and the hope from the future."

"So, you've forgiven Daddy?" I asked tentatively, unsure of what answer I expected.

"Lahat napatawad ko na. Caice, simula nang mahalin kita. Simula nang pangarapin kita. Wala na akong ibang gustong alagaan sa dibdib ko kundi ang pagmamahal na meron ako para sa'yo." Hans paused, his gaze searching mine. "Gusto ko na lang kasing sumaya... Gusto ko na lang pasayahin ka. And I know I can't do that if there's too much hatred in my heart. Wala na akong karapatang magtanim ng galit doon... You know why?"

"Why?" Tiningala ko siya ng tingin, kuryosong naghihintay sa idudugtong niya.

"Kasi hindi na sa akin 'to," tinuro niya pa ang kaniyang dibdib. "Sa'yo na 'to. Ikaw na ang nagmamay-ari nito, taga dala na lang ako."

I squeezed Hans's hand gently, overwhelmed with a rush of gratitude and deep love for the man sitting beside me. His presence was a pillar of strength, a beacon of unwavering support that I had come to rely on. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of fortune—lucky beyond measure to be loved by someone who had faced such profound loss and hardship yet still chose to love me wholeheartedly.

"I admire you so much, Hans," I confessed, my voice trembling slightly. "The way you've faced your past with courage and grace—it's inspiring. And to know that you choose to love me, despite everything... I can't imagine a greater gift."

He shook his head, grinning. "Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit may ako. You've shown me what it means to love fiercely and unconditionally."

Parang mali ata. Ako ang natuto sa kaniyang magmahal ng buo, hindi alintana ang pagod at sakit. If it wasn't for Hans I wouldn't know how to love fiercely. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't know how it felt like to be loved unconditionally. Lahat ng pagmamahal na ipinaramdam niya sa akin, lahat ng pagpapahalaga, lahat iyon ay ginusto kong suklian. Maybe that was the reason I stayed in love with him after all these years. No pain and anger could make me love him less.

Tatlong araw mula nang makabalik kami sa Manila magaganap ang kasal namin ni Hans. We had a hard time contacting Kade. Kung hindi pa sinabi sa akin ni Kourtney kung saan ito tumutuloy ay wala talagang pag-asa. He wasn't responding to any of my messages, kahit tawag ay wala. Which was so unlike him! Si Hans ang nakapagpalabas rito sa kung saan man ito naglalagi. I didn't know how he did that, though. Pero bigla na lang narito si Kade sa condo niya kung saan kami tumutuloy simula nang makabalik kami.

"Stay the fuck away from Anika," seryosong sabi ni Kade bago matalim na balingan si Hans.

Ngumisi pa si Hans kahit halatang galit na ito kaya naman kinurot ko siya sa braso. Kahit ako ay natatawa sa reaksyon ni Kade kahit hindi ko pa alam ang buong kuwento. Kilala ko si Kade bilang palaging kalmado, kaya bago sa akin ang ganitong galit na galit siya.

"Who's Anika?" Tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa.

Hans put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Hinalikan ang tuktok ng aking ulo bago sumagot, naroon pa rin ang pinipigil na ngisi. "Mendrez. Kade's girlfriend."

"Kade has a girlfriend?" Gulat ko siyang nilingon tapos ay si Kade. "May girlfriend ka? How did I not know about it? Kailan pa? Nag-gi-girlfriend ka pala! Akala ko'y kabayo na ang pakakasalan mo, eh."

Tinikom ko ang aking bibig nang sumingkit pang lalo ang singkit na nitong mga mata. Natatawa rin ako, kasi naman hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala. Kade had it all, alright. Pero ni minsan ay wala akong nabalitaan na meron itong pinagtuonan ng pansin bukod sa rancho. Mas updated pa si Hans sa akin!

"He did entertain her for a while, hindi ka na noon masyadong pumapasyal sa rancho kaya hindi mo naabutan." Hinapit akong lalo ni Hans sa kaniya habang tinutuloy ang kuwento. "Atsaka, parang sadyang inilalayo ni Kade sa iba si Anika noon. Hindi nga niya ipinakilala—"

"Hindi naman kasi dapat ipakilala sa'yo!" Galit na putol ni Kade, he even turned to me na parang gustong maging agresibo rin ang reaksyon ko. Bakit? Kailangan ba? "He hit on Anika yesterday! They even had a burger!"

"I did not hit on her," tumawa si Hans at muli na naman akong hinalikan sa ulo. "I met Anika in Soho a few years ago. Lasing na lasing, tinulungan ko lang makauwi sa tinutuluyan niya. Hindi na ako nagtaka nang hindi niya ako makilala dahil nga hindi naman siya ipinakilala ni Kade sa akin o kahit kay Dumas—"

"Nilapitan mo pa rin kahapon, inaya mo pang kumain sa labas!" Parang bata na reklamo ni Kade, muli na naman akong binalingan habang naghihintay ng reaksyon ko.

Seloso pala ang isang 'to. Well, I did not see that coming.

"Hindi mo kami pinapansin. We tried texting and calling you, ilang ulit sa mga nakalipas na araw. Kahit nga nang makita mo ako kahapon, kung umasta ka ay para bang hindi mo ako kilala." Si Hans naman iyon, naiipit na ako sa kanilang dalawa sa totoo lang. Konti na lang ay pag-uuntugin ko na sila. "I sent her a drink to get your attention. Hindi ba't nakuha ko nga? Isa pa, hindi ko siya inayang kumain sa labas. Siya ang nag-aya sa akin. What did you expect me to do? Say no?"

"Oo!" Palaban pa rin si Kade, sa akin na naman ang tingin na parang nagsusumbong. "Ibig sabihin ay hindi siya tatanggi tuwing may ibang aaya sa kaniya na kumain?"

Napataas ang aking kilay kay Kade. "Ano bang gusto mong mangyari, Kade? Magselos ako dahil nilapitan ni Hans ang girlfriend mo?"

His cheeks turned a little redder. Was he blushing? I had to bite my tongue to suppress a laugh. Siniko ko rin si Hans dahil naramdaman ko ang akmang pagtawa niya na naman. Bigla ay napaisip ako, sa dami ng pinagdaanan naming dalawa, parang hindi na makabuluhan kung ang simpleng ganoon ay pagseselosan ko pa. Didn't he prove it enough already? Sa akin lang siya.

Hans cleared his throat, dumiretso rin siya ng tayo bago ilipat ang braso paakbay sa akin. Sandali niya akong niyuko ng tingin, parang humihingi ng permisong sabihin na ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit namin kailangan si Kade. I gave him a nod.

"Okay, sorry. Hindi ko sinasadyang galitin ka," malumanay niyang sabi kay Kade. "Hindi ka lang talaga namin mahagilap. Plano na namin magpakasal ni Caice at ikaw sana ang gusto namin kunin bilang witness."

The knot on Kade's forehead only tightened, his gaze sharp on me. "You're getting married?" he asked, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago muling tiningala si Hans, kita kong sinulyapan rin siya ni Kade. Alam ko naman kung bakit hindi na nagtaka pa si Kade nang makita ako rito sa condo ni Hans. Kahapon ay nagkausap na kami ni Kourtney tungkol sa hinuha ko na may kinalaman sila ni Lance sa pagkakakulong ko sa isla kasama si Hans.

She confessed that it was Tita Chi's directive to distract me from Silas. Syempre nga't akala rin talaga ng mga ito ay may relasyon kami ni Silas. They were really worried that I would stoop that low and ruin myself for a man. Kourtney saw an opportunity to leverage Hans's presence, knowing his impact on me. Higit sa kaninuman ay silang dalawa ni Kade ang nakasaksi ng pagsisimula namin ni Hans. She and Lance orchestrated the plan to make it seem like Hans was moving on with another De Salvo, triggering my emotions and ultimately leading to our enforced reunion on the island. Ang sabi nito'y nababagalan daw sila sa usad tapos ay dumagdag pa ang walang tigil na intrigang ibinabato ni Melinda sa amin ni Silas.

Gustuhin ko mang magalit sa pakikialam ng mga ito ay minabuti ko na lang na intindihing nag-aalala lamang sila at kapakanan ko pa rin naman ang kanilang iniisip. Isa pa'y naging maganda rin naman ang resulta ng pakikialam nilang iyon.

Hans and I were together again because of that.

At tulad niya, ayaw ko na rin makaramdam ng kahit ano bukod sa pagmamahal na meron ako para sa kaniya.

"Yes, Kade. We are," I nodded, trying to convey all the emotions that statement carried. "It's been long overdue. Hans and I... we've been through so much. At gusto na namin na maging masaya. We want to start this new chapter together. Ayaw ko nang magkaroon pa ng pagkakataon ang kahit sino na paghiwalayin kaming muli. Not Dad, not anyone."

Kade's expression softened slightly, but confusion still clouded his features. Para bang inaasahan niya na magkakaayos nga kami ngunit hindi ang biglaang pasya namin na magpakasal. To other people siguro ay biglaan ang desisyong iyon, pero sa amin ni Hans? We had it in our hearts a long... long time ago. Noon pa, sa bawat sakay namin ng tricycle, sa pagpunta sa perya, o mumunting date sa park kapag may libreng oras. Noon pa ay naipasya ko nang sa kaniya lang ako sasama, siya lang ang gusto ko sa hinaharap.

"No one else knows yet," I continued, "We wanted you to be our witness because, well, you've kind of witnessed where and how Hans and I started. It feels right to have you by our side when we take this step. Sana ay ayos lang sa'yo."

"It would mean the world to us..." Dagdag pa ni Hans.

Kade's eyes flickered between Hans and me, processing our words. Bakas pa rin sa kaniyang anyo ang pagkagulat pero naroon rin ang saya para sa aming dalawa ni Hans.

"You two sure know how to drop a bombshell," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Kailan naman ang kasal?"

Nagkatinginan kaming muli ni Hans, this time ay hinayaan niyang ako ang magsalita. "Mamayang hapon rin sana..."

"Mamayang hapon?!" Halos manlaki ang mga mata ni Kade sa akin. Seriously? Si Kade ba itong kaharap ko? He seemed unguarded these days. Hindi tuloy ako sanay.

"We're sorry for the suddenness, but we didn't want to wait any longer. We've wasted enough time as it is." Madali kong paliwanag. Sana naman kahit wala sa plano niya ay pumayag pa rin siya.

Kade shook his head. "Gusto kong sabihan kayo na pag-isipan niyo ito ng mabuti, but what the hell do I know? If this is what you want, then who am I to stand in the way?"

Kumawala ako kay Hans para mayakap si Kade ng mahigpit, agad niya ring sinuklian iyon. "Thank you, Kade. It means so much to me."

"Ipaalam mo rin kay Icen. Kung si Kourtney ang ikakasal ay gustong alam ko rin." Tahimik niyang paalala sa akin bago ako pakawalan at matamang tignan. "You deserve happiness, Caice."

"I know," I nodded, smiling. Inabot ko ang kamay ni Hans habang nakatingin pa rin kay Kade. "Kaya nga ito at kinukuha ko na."

Nang hapon na iyon ay kinasal kami ni Hans. Tinawagan ko si Icen katulad ng payo ni Kade, and he was happy for me. Sayang nga lang at wala siya sa Manila to celebrate with us. Gugustuhin ko rin sana na kasama ko siya sa ganitong ganap ng buhay ko.

"Ang ganda mo naman," bulong ni Hans sa akin nang hagurin akong muli ng tingin. Kanina niya pa iyan sinasabi at may pakiramdam ako na hanggang mamayang gabi ay uulit-ulitin niya 'yan sa akin. Para bang hindi nagsasawang siguruhin na alam ko iyon. "Sobrang ganda mo, Caice."

I smiled tenderly at him. Hindi ko na kailangan pang sabihin sa kaniya na ang guwapo niya sa ayos niyang iyan. Hans cleaned up well in an Armani ensemble. Simpleng puting longsleeves na nakarolyo hanggang siko at pares ng itim na chino. And yet, with one smile, huling-huli niya na ako agad.

Ako rin naman ay simple lang ang ayos, tanging puting bistidang matagal na sa closet ko na ngayon ko lang ginamit ang aking napiling isuot. I didn't bother to cover my face with makeup, simpleng ayos lang rin ang ginawa ko sa aking buhok. Wala ring kahit anong alahas akong suot maliban sa kuwintas at bracelet na niregalo niya sa akin noon. Kaya nga nakakatawang gandang-ganda na siya sa akin sa ganito.

Tumikhim ang judge na magkakasal sa amin nang mapansin na nawawala na ang atensyon namin sa kaniyang sinasabi. Agad naman akong lumingon at humingin ng paumanhin, si Hans naman ay nanatiling nasa akin ang mga mata.

Ngumiti lamang sa amin si Judge Agnes Salvacion, ito ang nakuha ni Hans para magkasal sa aming dalawa. Dito pa nga kami sa bahay niya, eh. She was kind enough to accommodate us and even made an effort to transform her living room into a cozy ceremony space.

Higit na iyon sa gusto naming mangyari ni Hans. Ang mahalaga lang sa amin ay ang makasal. Gusto ko ng maging Coronel! Iyon lang.

Nang dumating na ang oras para sa pagpapalitan namin ng singsing ay kinuha ni Hans mula sa bulsa ng suot niyang pantalon ang wallet na iniregalo ko sa kaniya siyam na taon na ang nakalilipas. Maayos pa ang itsura dahil mukhang iningatan niya iyon ng husto ngunit hindi na rin naman mapagkakailang luma na. I made a mental note to gift him a new one in the coming days.

Doon niya inipit ang mga singsing na binili niya para sa amin. I told him that he didn't need to spend much on wedding rings. God knew I would marry Hans with paper rings if I had to. Pero gusto niya iyong mahal at kalidad, tipong tatagal at makakasama namin hanggang sa pagtanda.

"Are you ready?" Tanong niya nang iabot niya sa akin ang isa ay niyuko ko iyon ng tingin. Simple ngunit kumikinang. Siyang siya ng pagmamahalan naming dalawa. Simple pero matibay at handang panlabanan ang kahit anong pagsubok na ibabato sa amin.

"More than ever..."

The judge then turned to me. "Caice, do you take Hans to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"

I looked into Hans's eyes, feeling the weight of the moment settle around us. The memories of our journey flooded my mind, and I took a deep breath, letting my emotions guide my words. Ito na... Ito na talaga iyon.

"For all my life," I began, my voice trembling with emotion, "I have never met anyone who could make me feel the way you do, Hans. Ikaw ang nagpakita sa akin ng kahulugan at kahalagahan ng lahat. You taught me what it's like to stand in the middle of chaos and have nothing to hold onto but the love we kept in our hearts. And still, we survived. Lumaban ako at hindi sumuko dahil ipinaramdam mo sa akin na hinding-hindi mo rin ako susukuan. Salamat sa pagmamahal mo. Salamat kasi ako ang ginusto mong paglaanan ng lahat..."

Hans's eyes glistened with unshed tears. And yet, I had never seen him this happy.

"I promise to love you with all that I am," I continued, nagsimula na rin akong maiyak sa labis na emosyong umaalpas sa aking dibdib. "To honor and cherish you for all that you are. Hindi mo lang ako kasama sa saya kundi maging sa lahat ng paghihirap, Hans. I vow to be your strength when you are weak, your light when you feel lost, and your anchor when you need grounding. You are my safe haven, Hans. You are my heart, my home, and my everything. Hayaan mo akong mahalin ka ng buong-buo. I do take you, Hans. Handang-handa na akong maging Coronel."

Hindi lang si Hans ang napatawa sa sinabi ko kundi maging ang judge na nagkakasal sa amin. Agad rin naman itong pumormal at binalingan si Hans nang maisuot ko na ang singsing sa kaniya.

"Hans, do you take Caice to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Hans's voice was steady and filled with emotion as he responded, "Wala na akong ibang paglalaanan pa ng buong buhay ko kundi ikaw, ikaw lang. Ang sabi ay sa dulo ng bahaghari mo makikita ang tunay na kaligayahan. Pero ikaw, ikaw ang bahaghari ko. Nasa iyo ang lahat ng sakit at paghihirap, ngunit nasa iyo rin ang puro at pinakatapat na pagmamahal. Walang tutumbas sa'yo, Caice."

I couldn't help but cry at how beautiful and pure his vow was. His words struck a chord deep within me, making my heart ache in the best possible way. The depth of his love, the sincerity in his voice, and the raw emotion in his eyes—it was overwhelming. My vision blurred with tears, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest, filling every corner of my being with a profound sense of love and gratitude.

The judge continued speaking, but her words faded into the background as I focused entirely on Hans. He reached out, taking the ring from the judge and slipping it onto my finger. The simple, elegant band felt cool against my skin, a tangible symbol of our commitment to each other.

As soon as the ring was in place, I couldn't contain myself any longer. Ignoring the judge's words, I launched myself into Hans's arms, capturing his lips in a searing kiss. The world around us disappeared; there was only Hans and the intensity of our connection.

Hans's arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer as our kiss deepened. I felt his love pouring into me, and I responded with all the love and longing I had held inside for so long.

Lagi niyang sinasabi na ako ang pangarap niya. Hindi niya alam na siya rin ang sa akin.