"Congratulations, Jaya!"

"Congrats din everyone."

Pinagmamasdan ko s'yang masayang nakikipagusap sa mga kaklase namin mula sa malayo nang matapos ang graduation. Nakakahawa ang ngiti niya, one reason why I like her.

She always feels like the warmth of the sun on a cold January morning.

Five years of liking. It started as a small crush, now she's always on my mind. Chocolate was my favorite, but I'd choose her over it. That's when I knew it's not just an infatuation anymore.

But...

I was never able to tell her about it.

I let out a heavy sigh and gave her one last look.

Bago umalis, dumaan ako sa'king locker para kunin ang mga naiwang gamit. I opened my locker and I saw a chocolate bar inside it, Hershey's. I always carry some of it with me.

Iniangat ko ang aking ulo nang makaramdam ng presensya sa tabi ko. Nanlalaki ang aking mata nang makita kung sino 'to.

Jaya.

She's getting her stuff in her locker, inches away from me.

Lalong nanlaki ang aking mata nang tumingin siya sa'kin, napansin siguro ang titig ko.

She smiled...

at me!

Ngunit pagkatapos ng maikling ngiting iyon ay tumalikod na siya't nagsimulang maglakad.

"J-jaya!"

Lumingon s'ya. "Hmm?"

Lumikot ang aking mata't hindi alam ang sasabihin. Hanggang mahagip ng mata ko ang tsokolateng hawak ko.

Gusto kong hampasin ang sarili ko nang bigla ko 'tong inalok sa kanya. It's so awkward. But I don't know what to do!

"Sa'kin?"

Tumango ako't kinagat ang aking labi dahil sa kaba. My heart pounds like crazy.

"Thank you." Ngumiti siya't lumapit.

"I liked you!"  It just came out.

D-did I just confessed?!

Out of the blue, I confessed my hidden five-year feelings using a random chocolate bar. I can't process it.

"Thanks..."

Dahan-dahan niya itong kinuha.

"But, I like someone."

~

That's how my first confession went. 

"Anong pinagkukwentuhan ng mag-ama ko?"

Napalingon ako sa boses na aking narinig.

Jaya...

My wife.

My lips curved into a smile. "Nothing, love."

"Mama! I just want some Hershey's but Papa keeps telling your story instead, again."

Jaya laughed. "Papa can be annoying, right?"

Alexandra nodded while pouting.

Jaya opened a bar and gave Alexandra some that immediately lift her up. "Yey! Thank you, Mama."

I giggled. Seeing them both, I can't help but laugh. They're like my healthy dose of chocolate... an instant comfort.

Unbelievably, my high school crush who rejected me is now my daughter's mother. My five-year crush turned into ten years of marriage.

I stared at her.

After my confession, college caused us to drift apart. Fate reunited us as a surgeon and surgical nurse in a hospital. The rest is history.

Confessing my feelings for this woman is one of the most beautiful things I ever did. Thanks, Hershey's, for the courage. 

"Here." Inilapit niya ang kanyang kamay sa akin, hawak ang piraso ng tsokolate.

A playful smile flashes on my face. I took a bite, then I kissed her with chocolate inside my mouth.

Hershey's speaks feelings better than words— it says "I love you."

I love you, Jaya.