OH, MY GOSH! We've actually arrived at the epic finale of the story! Maraming-maraming salamat sa pagtutok sa Met Me Series mula umpisa hanggang sa dulo! Sana ma-enjoy n'yo!

Make some noise!

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EPILOGUE

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"GAME ka na, ha?" tanong muli ni Jonas habang hinihila ako sa may buhanginan. Nakapiring ang aking mga mata magmula no'ng umalis kami sa bahay. Pero alam kong nasa may tabing dagat kami dahil sa naririnig ko sa 'di kalayuan. The splashes of waves and the smell of both the ocean and barbeque were evident.

Tumango ako bilang sagot dahil ayokong bitiwan ang kamay niya. Baka kasi madapa at matumba ako.

It has been several months since the Let Me Foundation anniversary. I am now twenty-three years old and Jonas will turn twenty-five in a couple of months.

Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagpunta sa Let Me Foundation. They've helped me so much and now, it's time that I give back. Besides, it was a great opportunity for me to get to know my father closely. Wala man siya sa tabi namin ni mama, ang dami niyang alaala na iniwan sa amin. Most of his artworks were referring to me, to mama, or to life itself. He was inspiring me even in the afterlife.

Matagal na rin kaming magkasama ni Jonas as boyfriend and girlfriend, and he has made my life ten times better than how I imagined it to be. He has never come short in showing me his feelings and making me feel like I'm the most amazing woman on the planet. It may sound too cheesy but that's Jonas—my obnoxious, crazy best friend and loving boyfriend.

Jonas was back on track to take over his family's business here. Ayaw niyang permanenteng sumunod sa New Zealand dahil sa 'kin. Sabi niya, his home is where I am, because I am his home. Sobrang cheesy pero okay lang. Gustong-gusto niya lamang talagang patunayan kung gaano siya kaseryoso sa aming relasyon. He wasn't going to leave me.

Our circles were expanding. Slowly but surely. Marami kaming nakikilala at nakasasalamuha. We've made new friends and made peace with the past. And at the end of the day, there may be challenges but we are doing our best to overcome each one of them.

We were best friends for a long time and I still can't believe that we would reach this point in our relationship... na mag-le-level up kami from being best friends to lovers. For years, I never expected that this would even happen... ever!

Wala naman kasing module para matutunan kung ano ang pagmamahal. Wala namang recipe na magagawang sundin para maintindihan kung paano ba dapat magmahal o kung sino ang dapat mahalin. Kusa na lang talagang nangyayari. It's like magic. Bigla-bigla na lang manggugulat.

If I wasn't bullied that day as a child because of my disability, I wonder if I would even meet Jonas in this lifetime? Siguro? Ewan? No one would be able to tell one answer about that.

Pero according sa romantiko kong mama na hanggang ngayon ay si papa lang ang minamahal, kung hindi man daw kami sa gano'ng pagkakataon nagkakilala ni Jonas, baka sa ibang pagkakataon 'yon nangyari. She said na kung destined kami sa isa't isa, puwedeng ma-delay ang pagkikita at pagtatagpo pero laging do'n magtatapos. Kami at kami pa rin ang magiging end game. Wala nang iba pa.

Bigla kaming huminto sa paglalakad na siyang kinagulat ko.

"Bitiw ka muna, baby," malambing niyang sambit.

Pero sa halip na bumitiw ay ngumuso ako sa kanya at lalong hinigpitan ang hawak sa kanyang kamay. I heard him chuckle. "Don't worry, baby. Hindi naman kita pababayaan. Isang minuto lang kitang bibitiwan, kapalit ng pang-habambuhay na magkasama tayo."

Nalilito akong umiling sa kanyang sinabi. He was playing his words with me again and I wasn't a fan of that. Not today that I'm emotional as heck. Mas gusto ko na lang umuwi at kumain ng pakwan.

"Sige na, 'by."

Niluwagan ko na ang hawak ko sa kanyang kamay at unti-unti niya itong binitiwan. Gusto ko sanang tanggalin ang piring sa aking mga mata pero sabi niya hintayin ko raw ang kanyang signal. I stomped my feet to grab his attention. Nayayamot na ako!

"Wait lang. 'Di pa ready," aniya na parang natatawa.

Hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili na magkrus ang mga braso habang naghihintay. Seriously! Naiinip na ako at natatakam na sa pakwan! After nitong pakulo niya, we need to go grocery shopping and buy watermelon. Natatakam talaga ako.

"Puwede mo nang tanggalin," sabi ni Jonas matapos ang ilang minuto.

Mabilis kong tinanggal ang piring at pagmulat ko ay sinalubong ako ng pinaghalong kahel at lila na kalangitan. Nag-re-reflect din ito sa tubig kaya't parang isang painting ang nasa aking harapan. Napangiti ako sa sobrang ganda nito. Naglaho ang yamot ko sa katawan. It was beyond beautiful. Naalala ko 'yong mga panahong pumupunta kami ni Jonas sa beach para kumuha ako ng inspirasyon sa sunrise at sunset.

Ngunit kahit anong ganda ng paligid, nakapagtatakang wala si Jonas sa aking tabi. Tumalikod ako para sana hanapin siya.

At sa aking paglingon ay napatakip ako ng bibig.

Jonas was down on one knee as he held a closed red box. We were in the middle of a big heart shape of rose petals that I didn't even notice earlier. Now that I think about it, there was the scent of flowers around. Masyado lang nangibabaw ang amoy ng dagat. The sides were detailed with lighted pink candles, sparkling like stars on the sandy shore.

I took a deep breath and could smell the clarity of our surroundings—the briny water and the sweet scent of roses.

Sa 'di kalayuan ay may mga tao na mukhang nanonood sa ginagawa namin dito. May ilang nakaturo ang cellphone sa aming direksyon at paniguradong kinukuhanan kami ng video at litrato. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw our faces on social media.

Pero higit sa lahat, sa likod ni Jonas ay may mga nakatindig at umiilaw na mga letrang nagsusumigaw ng: WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Oh, my gosh! Is this actually happening? Or is this a dream?! Totoo 'to, 'di ba?

I scanned every letter behind Jonas as quickly as my eyes could. The huge white letters were probably standing at three and a half to four feet. They were embedded in the sand which definitely gives me the impression that this was thoroughly planned. I can't believe he was able to plan all of these without me knowing or realizing anything!

My heart was beating so fast. Nanginginig din ang aking mga tuhod na parang mawawalan ako ng balanse. Namomroblema pa ako kaninang umaga sa maraming bagay tapos ganito? I wonder if he heard me and my worries by any chance. Huwag naman sana.

But what would he even know? Imposibleng may alam na siya. Imposible talaga.

Jonas cleared his throat as he looked at me. Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya. Kung saan-saan agad nakalipad ang isipan ko sa pagkakita pa lang ng paligid.

"Corliss, Lilo, my baby," panimula niya at nanlalambot na kaagad ang puso ko. "Alam kong araw-araw kong sinasabi sa 'yo na mahal na mahal kita pero gusto kong ipagsigawan pa sa buong mundo kung ga'no ako kasuwerte na naging bestfriend at boyfriend mo ako. I'm a damn lucky man!"

He licked his lips and cleared his throat again. Knowing Jonas, he was mustering up all the courage and confidence he could have right now. Parang ako lang na feeling ko ay mahihimatay na any second.

I saw how his Adam's apple moved before continuing on. "Sa totoo lang, I prepared a nice speech kasi gusto ko prepared ako kapag oras na pero iba pa rin pala kapag oras na..." he chuckled and I smiled with tears on my eyes as I listened to his shaky voice. "And of all the things I wanted to tell you, it just boils down with me wanting to make it formally official that I want to spend forever with you. Mula noon, ikaw lang ang mahal at mamahalin ko nang ganito kalalim. Sa ilang beses mong pagtatanong sa akin kung bakit ikaw ang minahal ko, hanggang ngayon ay pareho pa rin ang ibibigay kong kasagutan sa 'yo: you are you. Wala na akong ibang maiisip pang kasagutan dahil ikaw ang bumubuo sa mundo ko. At kahit ilang beses pang lumubog ang araw, alam kong hindi ito mapapagod na sumikat ulit para sa ating kinabukasan. Mahal na mahal kita."

He smiled at me and I could feel my eyes getting warm and moist. Bigla na lang tumulo ang luha ko. The emotions were overflowing inside me. And my condition wasn't helping me either.

"Will you marry me, my baby, Corliss?" tanong niya sabay ang pagbubukas ng munting pulang kahon.

Lo and behold, a beautiful round diamond ring shined beautifully. Hindi ga'nong kalakihan o kaliitan ang diamante sa loob. It was perfect and I know Jonas is aware of what I love—it was simple yet very elegant. And this was making me emotionally ecstatic. My emotions were all over the place.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang aking nararamdaman. Napatakip ako ng ilong at bibig kasabay ang pagbagsak ng aking mga luha.

"Baby?" tawag niya.

I hesitantly looked at him and saw how his Adam's apple moved from gulping. Hindi ko pa rin siya binibigyan ng kasagutan. Kung may kakayahan akong magsalita, siguro ay nakaurong na ang aking dila. My mind had gone blank.

Hindi ko napigilan ang mapahagulgol. Agad na tumayo at lumapit si Jonas at inalo ako. Ramdam ko ang matinding pag-aalala sa kanyang mukha at paghaplos sa aking pisngi. Hindi ko na rin napansin ang reaksyon ng mga tao sa paligid namin na marahil iniisip na hindi ko siya sinasagot.

"Baby, what's wrong?! Please tell me," nag-aalala niyang sumamo.

Ano nga bang problema ko? 'Di ba wala namang problemang sagutin ko siya at tanggapin ang alok niyang kasal? We both love each other pero bakit iba ang pakiramdam ko?

Recently, mas naging emotional at clingy ako kay Jonas. Wala namang problema sa kanya ang paiba-iba kong mood. Sa totoo lang, mas gusto pa nga niya na clingy ako sa kanya since I was never clingy noong mag-best friend pa lamang kami. It was a breath of fresh air to him. He felt that he can spoil and pamper me so much since he never had the chance to do it before because of how independent I was. And for him to propose like this, my mind has gone so blank. Completely. No questions to be asked.

Suminghot-singhot pa ako bago siya sinagot. Hirap na hirap ako sa pagsenyas sa kanya.

'Hindi mo na ako magiging baby, e!'

Nangunot ang kanyang noo bago sumagot sa 'kin. "Bakit naman? You'll always be my baby. Madaragdagan lang ang itatawag ko sa 'yo kasi gusto na kitang gawing Mrs. Stevenson. Puwede ring misis ko or love or mahal. You can tell me what you want me to call you once we're married o kahit ngayong hindi pa. Pangako, kahit anong gusto mo, masusunod," he confidently replied.

Naiinis ako na kinikilig. Lalo akong naiyak. I know I sounded childish pero wala akong magawa. Hindi ko makontrol ang aking emosyon. Not today!

"Baby, naman. You're making me worried with every passing second! Please tell me what's wrong," pakiusap niya. "Napansin kong mas moody ka ngayon. Is it that time of the month?"

Tumaas at nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay sa kanyang tanong. He still had a worried handsome face. Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha bago nakasimangot na sumenyas sa kanya.

'Baliw! Hindi pa ako nagkakaro'n at matagal na bago magkaroon! Dalawa na kaming baby mo!' I signed with irritation at him. I saw how his body stiffened as he stared at me. Pakiramdam ko'y pinipilit niyang intindihin ang sinenyas ko sa kanya.

'Magsalita ka!' May pagkairita kong sensyas. Again, my current condition wasn't helping at all. Pakiramdam ko'y nababaliw na ako.

"W-w-w-ait. Teka. Buntis ka? Totoo ba?" hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong. Nagsimula na naman akong umiyak at saka tumango sa kanya.

My day has been really crazy. I was feeling unwell and threw up this morning. Akala ko'y may nakain lang akong hindi maganda kaya bumaliktad ang sikmura ko. Pero habang nag-tu-toothbrush ako kanina, nakatitig ako sa may puson ko. Doon ko naisip ang posibilidad na baka buntis na ako dahil hindi pa ako nagkakadalaw. The idea of being pregnant gave me the chills. Being alone in the house that early wasn't helping. Ang dami kaagad tanong na gustong pumasok sa isip ko pero iwinaksi ko muna. Bago ang lahat, I needed to confirm if I'm really pregnant or just ill.

I purchased three pregnancy tests and tried them all bago kami nagkita ni Jonas. Bawat isa sa mga test ay nagbigay ng positive na resulta. To be honest, I expected that I would get pregnant soon. It was normal to expect considering how much Jonas was showering me with so much love over the past months. But nothing could remove the surprise and shock in me. May parte sa akin na parang nagsasabing 'it's too soon' at may bahagi na nagsasabing 'okay lang'.

Nagkatotoo na nga ang hiling nilang lahat. I really did get pregnant.

How could I be so oblivious? The signs were always there! Masama ang pakiramdam ko parati at minsa'y nawawalan ng gana sa pagpipinta. O 'di kaya naman ay gusto ko lang magpinta nang magpinta at naging maselan sa pagkain. At recently, natatakam ako sa pakwan. I thought that it was because I was expecting my period soon but I was wrong. Hindi ako nagkaro'n ng period. Bagkus, parati akong inaantok. At kung minsan ay nagiging bugnutin ako kay Jonas kahit wala naman siyang ginagawa sa 'kin.

Minsan ay naiinis ako kapag katabi ko siya pero kapag dumistansya siya ay lalo akong naiinis at naiiyak. Inaaway ko siya na hindi na niya ako mahal kaya aaluin niya ako. At kapag tutulog, minsan ay gusto kong naro'n lang siya at kinakantahan ako hanggang sa makatulog ako. Halos do'n na talaga si Jonas tumira sa bahay namin at wala namang issue na 'yon kahit kanina. Sa halip na sa sofa, kasama ko na siya sa kuwarto ko.

Jonas was just very understanding and patient with me. Tinotoyo lang daw ako at walang kaso sa kanya 'yon. I just kept using my upcoming monthly period as an excuse. I really thought it was the case but I didn't close the possibility of getting pregnant. I think kahit si Jonas ay hindi na rin 'yon naisip dahil parang bata naman talaga ako kapag malapit na kong magkaroon ng menstruation.

Although, dahil sa nag-iba ang hilig ko sa pagkain nitong nakaraan ay kinutuban na ako. Hindi ko muna sinabi kina mama at Jonas na iba ang pakiramdam ko dahil alam kong pareho silang super excited na malaman kung may baby na ba sa tiyan ko. Siyempre, na-pe-pressure ako. Una, baka sintomas lang ng kung ano 'tong nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko pa sigurado kung buntis nga ako. Ikalawa, baka delayed lang ako sa buwan na 'yon. At panghuli, Jonas and I were not married yet.

My thoughts were cut short when he suddenly cupped my face and gave me a tender kiss on the lips. Since my lips were already parted, he succeeded in deepening that kiss. Hindi ko siya nagawang itulak dahil sa gulat at sa kaba. Akala ko'y mauubusan ako ng hangin sa katawan pero siya na rin mismo ang pumutol sa halik.

"Thank you, baby. Fuck! I can't believe it! Naka-home run talaga ako? Magiging daddy na ko?" He was so excited and giddy. Para siyang batang nakatanggap ng regalo at gustong ipagsigawan at ipagpahili sa lahat ng tao.

'Kaya hindi mo na ako magiging baby!' pagmamaktol ko sa kanya.

I don't know how childish it sounds like pero naiinis talaga ako. Parang nakaiinis na hindi na niya ako magiging baby. Pero baby naman namin 'tong pinagbubuntis ko so anong problema, 'di ba? That's the thing. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang sarili ko. Ganito ba talaga ang mga buntis?

Lumapad ang ngisi sa kanyang labi. Hinaplos niya naman ang labi ko gamit ang kanyang hinlalaki. "You'll always be my baby. At kapag lumabas na ang baby natin, you'll be the most beautiful mommy. Hmm?"

'Totoo?' I pouted at him.

He smiled warmly at me. "Yes, baby. Totoong-totoo. Seryosong-seryoso. Walang halong biro."

'Kahit na ganito lang ako?'

Nangunot ang noo niya. "Baby, what did I say about those insecurities? 'Di ba ang sabi ko, itapon mo na 'yan? Ikaw ang pinakamaganda at nag-iisa sa paningin ko, 'di ba? At kahit anong mangyari, you are my Yin. Kahit anong mangyari, tayo pa rin ang end game, 'di ba?" Tumango ako sa kanyang sinasabi. He always reminded me of it but I guess the pregnancy hormones are kicking in right now.

"Paniguradong matutuwa si mama kapag nalaman niyang dalawa na ang iuuwi ko sa bahay n'yo. And soon, sa bahay na natin," nakangisi niyang sambit. "Matutuwa rin ang pamilya ko kasi sure na bibili na sila ng tickets pauwi rito."

Kinabahan ako sa mga sinabi niya pero alam kong totoo 'yon. Binigay na ni mama ang blessings niya sa amin at sa ilang beses naming naka-video chat ang mga magulang ni Jonas, nasasabik na raw silang makilala kami ni mama in person. Ilang beses na rin kaming pahapyaw na tinanong kung kailan namin balak magpakasal pero tinabunan lang namin ng tawa 'yon. Hindi naman rin kasi namin napag-uusapan.

"So, ano na? Will you marry me na ba? I want to marry you as soon as possible already." He grinned making my eyes roll at him.

'Ulitin mo!' Nakasimangot kong senyas sa kanya.

Natatawa siyang umiling bago dumistansya sa 'kin at lumuhod muli. Kinuha niyang muli ang singsing na hindi ko napansing tinago na pala niya sa kanyang bulsa. This time, nakita ko ang tinginan ng publiko sa aming direksyon. Siguro'y nagtataka na kung anong nangyayari at bakit lumuhod muli si Jonas sa harapan ko. After all, we already kissed in front of everyone.

But I don't give a damn about them anymore! It's just about me and my Jonas. Huwag silang epal. Proposal time ni Jonas 'to para sa 'kin. And I might have tarnished it earlier with my breakdown but I know it's not ruined! Hindi ko pa rin naibibigay ang sagot ko sa kanya!

"Corliss, Lilo, baby ko, future misis ko," he started as he flashed his pearly whites with a smile that's as beautiful as the sunset. "I love you so much and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our soon to be family. Hiding-hindi ako magsasawang sabihin at ulit-ulitin sa 'yo na mahal na mahal kita. Will you marry me?" His eyes gleamed with anticipation. Alam kong alam na niya ang isasagot ko pero kagaya nang nakasanayan, hinihintay niya ang sagot mula mismo sa akin.

Sa dami ng nangyari sa buhay ko na pilit gumigiba sa aking pagkatao, hindi nawala sa aking tabi si Jonas. Oo, panandalian siyang umalis sa aking tabi pero ginawa niya 'yon para sa mga sarili namin.

After all these times, he allowed me to speak my mind out. He let me speak loud and clear—not with words, but using other means of communication—signing and writing. Painting and arts were my salvation during those tough and rough times. But he reassured me that my disability does not define me as an individual. I am more than my disability and I should be proud of myself.

Hindi naman nga kasi puro sarap lang ang mararanasan sa buhay natin. It was more than that. We would face hardships and challenges along the way. It's just up to us kung susuko ba tayo o patuloy na lalaban. Tama nga na hindi Niya tayo bibigyan ng problema na hindi natin kaya. Marahil mahirap, pero gano'n talaga ang buhay. Nothing was meant to be easy.

Tumango ako sa kanya and mouthed, 'Oo.'

Lalong lumapad ang ngiti sa kanyang guwapong mukha. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaluhod at sinuot ang singsing sa aking palasingsingan. Niyakap niya ako bago binigyan ng isa na namang malalim at makahulugang halik sa labi. We were hearing cheerings and applauds everywhere, and I knew that they were all from the strangers around us.

I can't wait to share the great news to my mother and to Jonas' family. Naniniwala akong magiging masaya silang lahat para sa aming dalawa. Lalo na ngayong magkaka-baby na kami. Their prayers have been heard!

I may not have the voice to speak or scream, but I was given a priceless talent and loving people who let me speak my heart and thoughts. I promise that I will cherish them until my last breath. I promise that I will continue communicating in the means I know best to inspire and reach out to other people who may or may not be in the same boat as me.

I know there are still things that need to be patched. And I know that more challenges are bound to happen, but I also know that with mama, Jonas, and our baby, things will be much, much better.

I just know it.

END.

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On behalf of areyaysii and Imcrazyyouknow, maraming-maraming salamat sa pagbabasa at pagsuporta hanggang sa dulo! We wuvyu all!