Chapter Twenty-eight

Marry

It was mother's day and I was very touched with Chelca's Mother's Day letter to me. Natutuhan niya raw itong gawin sa school and wrote me a letter while I was at work. And then when I arrived home she gave it to me.

"Awww. Thank you, baby!" Binuhat ko pa siya kahit medyo mabigat na at pinuno ko ng mga halik ko ang pisngi niya. She only giggled when my noisy kisses tickled her.

Nang pakawalan ko siya ay tumakbo naman siya kay Declan na kasama rin namin dahil madalas din talaga itong bumisita sa bahay. Kapag hinahatid niya ako kapag hindi ako sumasabay kay Kuya Caleb dahil may date din sila ni Lorie ay nakakapagtagal na rin si Declan sa bahay dahil dito na rin siya pinapakain ng dinner nina Mommy at Ate Cianna.

Tiningnan ko ang dalawa na pumunta sa balcony na malayo sa akin kahit natatanaw ko pa rin naman sila mula sa living room ng condo. Iyon nga lang ay hindi ko na sila naririnig dito. Mukhang may secret ang dalawa. Napangiti at umiling nalang ako at hinayaan sila. Gusto ko na ganitong nagkakasundo si Chelca at Declan.

At hindi naman talaga sila nahihirapang pakisamahan ang isa't isa.

I opened Chelca's letter to me and read it. Halos maluha pa ako kahit simple lang naman ang letter ng anak ko para sa akin.

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for taking care of me and loving me. I love you always! And I wish you to be happy always, too. Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Chelca

The little letter of my daughter that even has drawings and colors and folded like a card really touched me and warmed my heart.

The first time I knew that I was pregnant with her I got so scared and I didn't know what to do. I didn't think through of my decisions back then. Nagpadalos-dalos ako at nagpadala sa damdamin ko. And when I found out the aftermath of my own doings I wasn't ready for it.

I wasn't ready until I saw my daughter and carried her small frail baby figure for the first time. Para akong nakakita ng liwanag noon sa kabila ng lahat ng madilim na parte ng buhay namin na pinagdaanan ng pamilya ko.

Doon nakapagdesisyon ako na kailangan kong bumangon at ayusin ang sarili at buhay ko para sa anak ko. Because I don't want her to go through hardships just because I'm an irresponsible mother.

I was so young back then. At only 18 I had Chelca. I matured fast and maybe I didn't enjoyed my teenage years that much. Pero wala na akong pinagsisisihan simula nang dumating sa buhay ko ang anak ko.

Dahil sobra akong napasaya ni Chelca. And I love the version of myself where I became a mother. Even I was so young when I became one. Dahil parang natauhan ako nang dumating si Chelca sa buhay ko. Nagkaroon ako ng pangarap para sa amin ng anak ko. At naging responsable akong tao.

I became a better person because of my daughter.

Totoo nga ang sinasabi nila na hindi ka bibigyan ng isang bagay na hindi mo kayang harapin.

And things always happens for a reason.

People have their reasons to live. It's like hope. And without hope, how are we supposed to continue living? Dahil parang wala nang kwenta ang buhay kung wala ka namang rason pa para mabuhay...

And Chelca became my reason to continue living. To change myself for the better. And to be a better person for my daughter. And I love myself this way. I love the mother that I have become.

Sure I'm not a perfect mother and I may never become one. And I don't aim for it. I just want to be here for Chelca for I hope as long as she needs me and wants me here.

Maayos kong tinabi ang ginawang letter ng anak ko para sa akin matapos itong basahin. And then I quietly went to the balcony to where Declan and Chelca were. Mukhang seryoso pa ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa. I smiled upon seeing Chelca and Declan smiling to each other.

I became curious as to what probably they were talking about.

Papunta na ako sa kanila when Mommy interrupted. Narinig ko siyang tinatawag ako kaya binalingan ko na muna at nawala ang atensyon ko kanila Declan at Chelca.

"Yes, Mom?" Sagot ko sa tawag ni Mommy.

"Hija, handa na ang hapunan. Nasaan sina Chelca at Declan?"

At nang bumaling muli ako sa dalawa ay nakita kong mula sa balcony ay nakapasok nang muli sila sa loob. Ngumiti nalang ako sa dalawa and invited them to dinner.

"Your Tita Cianna helped in cooking Chelca's favorite!" Mommy told her granddaughter, habang papasok kami ng dining.

"Thank you, tita!" Chelca immediately went to Ate Cianna and hugged her waist. Walang duty ngayon sa ospital si ate so she can spend some more time with us.

Ngumiti naman si ate sa pamangkin and lowered to level with Chelca and kissed her niece's cheek. "You're welcome, baby!"

And then Kuya Caleb arrived with Lorie. Ngumiti ako kay Lorie at bineso siya. And then our family gratefully ate dinner with Declan and Lorie with us. Tinukso pa ni kuya si ate habang nag-d-dinner kami.

"Ate, ikaw nalang ang walang partner dito." kuya said.

Sinimangutan naman siya ni ate. "Hindi ko alam na required na palang by pair ngayon, Caleb? At si Mommy?"

"Well, your Dad's always with me in my heart, Cianna."

We smiled to what Mommy said.

"Sagutin mo na kasi si doc na matagal nang nanliligaw sa 'yo."

"Oh." Napatingin ako kay Kuya Caleb sa sinabi niya at lumipat ang tingin ko kay Ate Cianna.

Lalo lang sinimangutan ni ate si kuya.

"Ano 'yan? Bakit hindi ko yata alam."

"Don't believe your brother, Ciri. Nakilala niya lang iyong si Doc noong isang beses na sinundo niya ako sa hospital. Napakapakialmero rin talaga ng kapatid mo."

Kuya chuckled. "Boto ako ro'n." he even announced.

"Shut it." si ate kay kuya.

"Tigilan mo na ang kapatid mo, Caleb." saway ni momma.

We just chuckled.

"Tita will get married, too?"

We all turned to Chelca who was innocently asking this.

"Of course not, baby!" Nagulat naman na sagot ni ate.

"Not yet." Patuloy pa rin na inaasar ni kuya si ate.

"Ugh, Caleb!"

We chuckled again.

But then I turned again to my daughter. "Where did you learn about getting married, Chelca?" I asked her.

Tumingin naman si Chelca sa akin and she even had this troubled expression on her little face. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko sa anak. "Secret." She answered.

"Oh." Tumango-tango nalang ako sa anak. And then smiled and touched her cheek. She's sitting beside me at napapagitnaan namin siya ni Declan.

"Ikaw ang ate kaya ikaw ang dapat na maunang ikasal." hirit pa rin ni kuya.

Ate's forehead now very creased as she looked at my brother still teasing her with this doctor at the hospital she works in. Mukhang maayos din talaga ang trabaho ni ate sa Dela Cuesta Medical.

"Baka mauna pang ikasal si Ciri!" kuya added that made my eyes wide.

Nagkatinginan pa kami ni Declan dahil sa anunsyo ng kapatid ko.

At nang masulyapan ko si Chelca she was just smiling at me and Declan.

"How about you, Caleb? Don't tell us wala kang balak na mag-propose kay Lorie?!" Balik ni ate kay kuya. She smirked at him and winked at Lorie who was just smiling at my siblings teasing.

"What?" Parang nagulat naman si kuya sa sinabi ni ate pero nang bumaling siya kay Lorie ay nagkangitian din ang dalawa.

We all knew that they were serious with their relationship, too.

While I sighed quietly dahil naiba na agad ang usapan. At hindi na tungkol sa pagpapakasal ko...

Declan invited me again to meet with his family. And this time ang mommy niya na raw mismo ang nang-imbita sa akin sa bahay nila. And I was happy about it, of course.

"Next time, bring your daughter. We would like to meet her." Declan's mom said.

And the rest of his family were nodding their heads.

I nodded, too. And smiled at Declan's mom and dad.

I had a lovely dinner with Declan's family.

One time Declan invited me to have dinner out together just like we usually do. But this time we brought Chelca with us. And my daughter was even looking like she's prepared for this. Napaisip tuloy ako pero hinayaan ko nalang muna.

And when we arrived at the place Declan reserved for us, nanlaki nalang ang mga mata ko because I did not expect that my family and even Declan's family would be here, too!

"Declan...what is this?" I was really clueless at first and surprised!

And our family were just smiling at us.

"This pretty and cute little girl must be Chelca." Lumapit ang mommy ni Declan at pinuna si Chelca sa tabi namin.

Tinabi ko muna ang pagkakasurpresa sa nangyayari at sa set up na ito na mukhang pinaghandaan pa ni Declan. To introduce my daughter to his family. "Chelca, they are your Ninong's family." I told my daughter. "Can you introduce yourself to them?" I smiled to my daughter.

Check nodded her head. "Yes, po." And then she turned all her attention to Declan's family. "Hello, po. My name is Chelca Ramirez Go." She lovely smiled at everyone.

"Awww." Napahawak pa ang mommy ni Declan sa dibdib niya at mukhang natutuwa.

Nangiti rin ang daddy ni Declan at mga kapatid sa anak ko.

At doon nakilala na nga rin ng pamilya ni Declan si Chelca. My daughter's a polite and bright kid kaya hindi sila nahirapan na pakisamahan ang isa't isa. Natutuwa pa nga silang lahat sa bata.

"Declan, ano ba'ng meron? It's not your birthday, is it?"

Nakangiting umiling sa akin si Declan. "No." He took both my hand and held it with his hands, too. "But this is a special day for us."

"Hmm?"

"Ah. I'm hurt. You don't remember, really?"

Unti-unti akong ngumisi sa kaniya. Of course I do remember that it's our one year anniversary today since we got together officially! "Of course it's our first anniversary today! Hindi ko lang inasahan na iimbitahan mo rin ang mga pamilya natin?"

Bahagya niyang pinisil ang kamay ko. "Well, I want them to be here. I want Chelca to be here as I'm about to do something..."

My eyes widened. "Declan..."

Bahagya pa niya akong mas nilayo pa sa mga pamilya namin. Malaki ang lugar na kinuha ni Declan. It was exclusive only to us, his family and my family. Maganda rin ang set up na nasa isang malapad na balcony ng isang hotel restaurant. Mukhang pinareserved pa ni Declan itong buong restaurant para lang sa amin ngayong gabi.

"I just...wanted to surprise you. But at the same time I thought I also don't want you to get caught up in this..."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Kahit parang medyo nagkaka-idea na rin ako sa kinikilos niya...

We might just started dating a year ago. But I've known Declan ever since. At mas lalo ko pa siyang nakilala noong palagi niya kaming pinupuntahan noon ni Chelca abroad. He was there for me and my child. Isa rin si Declan sa mga nakasama ko habang nagpapalaki ng anak. He understands me and he loves me.

"Ciri, I..." He sighed.

Unti-unti akong napangiti habang pinagmamasdan siya. And when he saw me smiling he smiled, too. While looking at me. "It's all right." I assured him.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa na para bang nag-uusap kaming dalawa kahit nakatingin lang sa mga mata ng isa't isa.

Declan hugged me. And I hugged him back. "Thank you, Ciri. Thank you for trusting me."

I smiled as I hugged him.

"I want hug, too!" Chelca suddenly arrived to us.

Both Declan and I chuckled at my daughter's cute interruption.

"Come here." Pinalapit ko siya sa amin.

Declan carried Chelca up in his arms. And then we both hugged my daughter, too.

We had a wonderful dinner with our families. After that Declan did what's this actually all about. Which I already kind of expected because of our talk a while ago. And it's all right. Really, I think I'm already prepared for this, too. At alam kong iyon lang din ang gustong masiguro ni Declan kaya niya ako kinausap pa rin muna kanina. And I love that about him. He always considers how I feel. And I just love him even more for that. I really am in love with this kindhearted man.

"Ciri, I love you. I hope you know that." He started.

I smiled. "Of course. And I love you, too."

"You're really doing this, kuya? Oh my gosh!" Dyna on the side.

"Shhh!" Agad naman siyang sinaway ng mommy nila.

"Sorry." Dyna smiled awkwardly at everyone including my family. "Just got a little too excited."

"Just watch, Dyna. Gaya dapat Kuya Declan mo ang lalaking ipapakilala mo sa bahay." Denise told her younger sister.

"Tama na 'yan, you two. Iniistorbo n'yo ang proposal ni Declan." saway muli ni tita sa mga anak.

"I knew it!" habol pang komento rin ni Kuya Caleb sa ginagawa ni Declan na agad din naman sinaway ni Lorie sa kaniyang tabi at ni Ate Cianna rin.

Siguradong nagpaalam din si Declan sa family ko na yayayain na niya akong magpakasal. But I think ang unang taong nakaalam sa plano niya ay walang iba kung 'di ang anak ko. This must be their little secret the last time I noticed. Unang nagpaalam si Declan sa anak ko. Una niyang hiningi sa anak ko ang kamay ko. Kaya alam ko na kinokonsidera rin niya ang nararamdaman ni Chelca. At isa iyan sa nagustuhan ko kay Declan. Dahil alam niyang nang ginusto niyang magkaroon ng relasyon sa akin hindi lang sa akin at sa pamilya ko kung 'di lalong lalo na sa anak ko. And I love that he genuinely cares for my daughter ever since. Na parang anak na rin ang turing niya kay Chelca.

"Please always remember that." he said.

Of course, Declan. I will always remember now that you've been in love with me ever since...

I just smiled.

Declan got a ring out of his pocket and kneeled in front of me with one knee.

Dyna together with Lorie and even Ate Cianna made small sounds like kinikilig sila sa amin ni Declan.

"Will you marry me and be my wife?" he asked me.

Mukha pa siyang kinakabahan sa magiging sagot ko kahit nag-usap naman na kami kanina. I chuckled a little at him being cute. But more handsome.

"Yes." I answered him wholeheartedly.

Handa na talaga ako, Declan. I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with you. And only with you.

Sinuot niya sa ring finger ko ang singsing at tumayo siya at niyakap ako. And I just hugged him back.

"Thank you. I love you. You made me the happiest tonight, Ciri. I love you."

"I love you, too. You make me happy, too."

"Make sure that I'd be your best man, Declan. I'm telling you." sabat ni kuya.

"Oh my, is that a threat?" si Dyna sa kapatid ko.

We just chuckled.

"Of course, bud." Sinagot pa rin ni Declan si kuya.

And we just all smiled.

It was a happy evening not only for me and Declan or Chelca, but also to both our families—our loved ones. I feel like I'm the happiest person, too. Just like how Declan feels. And I knew that we deserve this, after all.