Halos mapatalon si Rook nang may humintong kulay itim na sport bike sa tabi niya.

He glanced at the rider. Wala itong sinabi ngunit nararamdaman niya ang titig nito. He couldn't determine who it was, dahil sa suot nitong medyo-malaking jacket at itim na helmet. But with the slight build, he could slightly guess that it was a woman.

Ngunit bago pa siya makapagtanong ay tumunog ang cellphone niya.

He picked it up, still keeping a wary gaze on the unmoving person. "Bishop," bati niya. "May kinalaman ka ba sa taong nasa tabi ko ngayon?"

"Oh, good. You're pretty smart, Kuya," his brother on the other line grumbled, mouth sounding full. "Sumama ka lang sa kaniya."

"At bakit namanㅡ"

"Ate, this tastes delicious! Isa pa nga pong serving."

Rook breathed in, irritation prickling his skin. "Bakit naman ako sasama sa kaniya?"

"Huh? E 'yon sabi ni Mama."

"Balak niyo ba akong ipa-kidnap?"

"Ehh. Why would we even do that? We'd gladly sell you off," kwento ni Bishop na umiyak nga no'ng akala niya aalis si Rook sa pamilya. "Anyway, you want to find Ate Carter, right?"

"Oo nga pala. Saan niyo siya tinago?!" he shouted on the other line.

Narinig niya ang pagreklamo ni Bishop dahil masakit daw sa tainga, at ang pagpasalamat nito nang dumating ang order na pagkain. Hinintay ni Rook ang kapatid na matapos sa pagpuri sa biniling masarap na masarap daw na pagkain bago nagsalita.

"Hoy."

"Ay, nandiyan ka pa, Kuya?" sagot nitong nagpairap sa kaniya. "I told you to go with that person. Ihahatid ka niya kay Ate Carter," huling saad nito bago pinatay ang tawag.

Rook could pull his hair in frustration. Nai-i-stress na nga siya mula kaninang umaga dahil hindi niya mahanap at macontact si Carter. He woke up, expecting to have a calm and cute date at that cafe they were eyeing for the last week. Pero ito nga at mag-a-alas dos na. Mukhang may balak pang kumidnap sa kaniya.

Sumulyap siya sa taong hindi pa rin gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan. He tried asking, but all he got was a gesturing nod na umangkas.

"Saan mo ba ako dadalhin?" he asked, suspicion in his voice. Sinubukan niyang hintayin ang sagot pero hindi pa rin ito nagsalita. "Hoy, sabihin mo sa'kin saan mo ko dadalhin. Baka mamaya kidnapper ka pa at hindi ko na makita ang love of my life."

Rook swore he could hear a sigh.

"Saan nga? Hindi ako sasama kung hindi mo sasagutin!"

Matapang at malakas ang loob niya nang sabihin iyon. But his brave threat fell on deaf ears when the person started the bike.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Rook. "H-Hoy! Ano 'yan, saan ka pupuntaㅡ" hindi siya pinatapos ng tao at pinatakbo na agad ang motor.

Rook panicked, screaming a curse and running after it. Hindi rin naman ito nakakalayo at huminto. Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang taong nasa motor ㅡ he swear he could feel them smirking ㅡ habang hinahabol ang hininga.

"Bakitㅡ" he took a deep breath. "ㅡka umalis agad? Nagtatanong pa ako!"

Hindi ito sumagot o gumalaw kaya nagpatuloy si Rook, "So? Saan nga tayo pupunta? Sabihin mo muna bago ako sumamaㅡ" muling pinatakbo ng tao ang motor. "Sandali! Oo na! Oo na! Sasama na!"

He muttered a curse under his breath. Nang makuha ang extrang helmet ay umangkas na siya. Ngunit ilang segundo ang lumipas na hindi pa rin sila umaalis, kaya kating-kati na magreklamo si Rook.

"P're, ano na?" maayos niyang tanong sa takot na baka i-chop-chop siya't iwan sa daan. "Akala ko ba dadalhin mo 'ko kay Carter? Bilisan mo at baka naghihintay na siya!"

"Kumapit ka."

"Ha, nakakapit na akㅡ" his lips parted upon recognizing the familiar voice. "Cartㅡ?!"

Her name on his lips became a startled cry when they started moving. He was thrown forward at the sudden speed, his hands falling to the person's waist. Hindi niya magawang kunin ang kamay sa takot na mahulog.

The first thing he noticed was the person's small waist, then he smelled her shampoo. Rook couldn't help but smile as he pieced everything together.

There was a sharp intake of breath as he leaned forward, encircling his arms around her tighter.

A sharp left turn made them pass through a couple of houses before staying on a less crowded road. Ini-enjoy ni Rook ang hangin at magagandang tanawin. The sun was still a bit hot but he wasn't bothered. After all, the girl he'd been looking for all day was in his arms again.

Akala ni Rook wala nang rason pa para mahulog ulit sa babae, kahit na araw-araw ay kinikilig siya sa mga ginagawa nito. But having a first-seat experience of her driving skills made Cupid shoot his heart again. Sa bawat bilis ng tibok ng puso niya kapag medyo delikado ang pagliko nila dahil sa bilis ay mas lalo siyang nahuhulog.

Kahit siguro matapon pa ang katawan niya ngayon, wala nang epekto 'yon. After this move of Carter, he would be already dead in the feels.

They slowed down in front of a... forest. Mukhang nasa foot ng mountain sila at napansin niya ang trekking sign sa tabi ng footwalk. He glanced at Carter as they broke into a stop. She planted her feet on the ground, stabilizing them before kicking the sidestand. After turning off the lights and engine, she glanced at him.

Sumunod si Rook at bumaba, taking off the helmet and ruffling his messed-up hair. "Carter, saan ba tayo pupunta? At bakit hindi mo sinasagot mga calls at... texts ko..."

Naiwan sa ere ang sinasabi niya nang mapatingin kay Carter. His lips parted as he watched her take off the helmet, brushing her hair back with bare hands, and eyes sharply gazing up at him.

Carter is far from being a princess with her leather outfit, but Rook thinks he's standing in front of divinity. One he wants to sink his knees into, stare at with reverence, and worship with his words and kisses.

"Rook...?"

His name has never sounded lovelier unless she was the one saying it. The first time he heard his name on her lips, he instantly wanted to hear it forever.

"Rook?" lumapit sa kaniya ang magandang babae. "Are you alright?"

"Can I kiss you?" he blurted out.

Carter could only blink at him. He found it adorable.

"Ha?" ang tanging nasabi nito. When Rook stepped forward, leaning down, she placed a hand on his chest. "I mean, ano ba... m-may gagawin pa tayo."

Rook couldn't help but chuckle when her cheeks flushed pink, a stutter falling out of the ever-confident goddess.

"Boss, may nagawa ka pang masama sa'kin. Pinagpaalala mo 'ko buong araw," reklamo niya.

"The day hasn't finished yet."

"So? Buong umaga kaya ako halos mamatay sa stress!"

Carter rolled her eyes. "You can live a day without meㅡ"

"Carter, ayoko!"

"ㅡbut I have a good reason for disappearing."

Nanliit ang mata ni Rook sa nobya. "At ano naman 'yon?"

Siguraduhin lang ng gandang 'to na worth it ang gagawin nila sa pag-aalala niya kanina.

Carter only smiled at him in reply. She slid her hand on his, intertwining their fingers that had Rook forget his earlier complaints.

Kagaya nang inakala ni Rook, they followed the footwalk. They had small conversations on their way up. Carter entertained his crazy questions, ngunit hindi nito pinapansin ang tanong mga tanong niya tungkol sa biglang interes ni Carter sa trekking.

He's not sure what time it is, but he's pretty certain it's already late afternoon. Hindi na masakit ang sinag ng araw at lumalamig na rin ang bawat daloy ng hangin.

Then, something strange happened.

"Rook, tingnan mo!" Carter exclaimed, pointing at a strange woman who had her head covered in a dark shoal.

Rook was startled at Carter's tone. Hindi naman kasi sumisigaw ang kalmadong kasintahan niya. Pero kung makaakto ito ngayon, parang natupad ng kung anong genie ang limang wishes niya.

"Lumapit tayo!"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Rook. "Sure ka, Carter? Huwag na. Baka kulamin tayo."

"Ha? Bakit naman? I'm sure she's just someone who reads fates."

Nalaglag ang panga niya sa sagot ng babae. Sa kanilang dalawa, it was Carter who usually makes the rational decision and was more wary among strangers. Si Rook ang madaling ma-scam. Ngunit parang wala lang kay Carter ang babaeng nakatayo sa gitna ng gubat at nagtatago ng mukha.

Paano kung aswang 'to?! Gustong isigaw ni Rook habang sumusunod sa nobya.

"Hello po," ani Carter. "Nanghuhula po ba kayo ng kapalaran ng tao?"

Rook wanted to shake his head. Sigurado siyang nangingidnap ito ng mga bata para gawing ulam.

"Tama ka, hija. Isa akong magaling na manghuhula pagdating sa mga relasyon," the woman responded in the most unnatural deep voice. "Gusto mo bang subukan ko sa inyo?"

Sinubukang hatakin ni Rook si Carter paalis. "Umayaw kaㅡ"

"Sige!" agad na sang-ayon nito.

Rook debated whether this was the real Carter beside him or not.

"Kailangan ko munang hawakan ang kamay niyo."

Mabilis na inilahad ni Carter ang kamay niya. Sinulyapan nito si Rook na nagdadalawang-isip pa bago sumunod. Kung puputulin man 'to, at least he'd still have another one.

He frowned when he felt how smooth the woman's skin was. Akala niya matanda na ito dahil sa boses.

"Tama... tama... nababasa ko na ang mga bituin... nakikita ko na ang kapalaran niyo..."

Hindi alam ni Rook kung namali lang siya ng rinig o may nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Isang lalaki... at isang babae... maganda... at gwapo... ang babaeng mabait at... may pagkabaliw na lalaki..."

He felt offended by that.

"Kayo ay... para nga sa isa't isa! Magtatagal kayo!"

Now, Rook was interested. "Gaano katagal?"

"Forever!"

He broke into a wide grin, glancing at Carter who was already staring at him with a soft smile.

"Let's continue?" she asked, holding her hand out.

Rook gladly accepted it, about to leave before remembering that they haven't paid the strange woman. Ngunit nang lumingon siya ay wala na ito sa kinatatayuan. Silang dalawa na lang ang natira sa gubat.

"C-Carter..." nanginginig ang boses niya. "Nawala ang babae..."

She only hummed, walking and dragging him. Sinubukan niyang tanungin ulit kung inimagine lang ba niya ang babae kanina, pero tumawa lang si Carter bilang sagot.

And then, another strange thing happened.

Isang lalaking may fox mask ang nakatayo sa harap nila. Carter let go of his hand, making him snap his attention to her.

"Papanoorin niyo ba ang sunset?" tanong ng lalaking medyo pamilyar ang boses.

"Oo," sagot ni Carter.

Hindi pa nakasagot si Rook nang lumapit sa kaniya ang lalaki at nagpalabas ng blindfold.

"H-Hoy! Ano 'yan?!" he tried fighting against the man who kept on putting the blindfold on him. "Carter! Tulong!"

Isang tawa ang narinig niya. "That's part of their gimmick, Rook. For the mysterious effect daw. Don't worry. I'm always here by your side."

That made him calmer. Parang nakarinig din siya ng sigh of relief sa lalaki nang hindi na siya lumaban. Now reassured by his girlfriend, he let the man guide him.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" hindi mapigilang tanong niya.

"Basta."

"Pero okay lang din kung hindi mo sagutin kasi surprise 'to ng girlfriend ko. Akalain mo 'yon, usually masungit siya't kalmado lang, pero heto nga at may pasurprise-surprise date pa siya. Mahal na mahal niya talaga ako!"

"E'di okay."

Rook frowned at the man's uninterested response. Once he google this place, baba-baan niya ang ratings dahil hindi friendly ang staff.

"Nasaan na pala si Carter? Nasa tabi ko lang ba siya?" he flailed around, trying to find her. "Carter? Nandiyan ka ba?"

Pilit naman siyang kino-kontrol ng lalaki na nang mapagod ay napasinghal, "Rook, ano ba, umayos ka nga!"

Natigilan si Rook sa pamilyar na boses. "Hoy, Daniel, ikaw baㅡ"

Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang kunin ang blindfold at napapikit siya sa biglaang liwanag. When his sight adjusted, he found himself sitting alone at a small table situated near the edge of the mountain's cliff. He could see the pinkish clouds scattered across the sky and the flock of birds passing by as the sunset approached.

All of a sudden, fairy lights flickered above him. Napalinga-linga siya sa paligid. Just as he was about to stand up and demand answers, he heard the strumming of a guitar.

Rook turned around, meeting Carter's eyes.

He promised the song sounded beautiful but his mind was too distracted and he could only stare at the way she smiled and slid towards him.

He swore that every word she sang made his heart explode but all he could focus on was her lips, her nose, and her eyes.

He vowed that he could play every tune with his eyes closed but all he can feel is her touch, the way her fingers fit his perfectly, and how her touch feels warm on his skin.

Ilang ulit pa ba siyang gugulatin at muling papaibigin ni Carter?

He felt something cold slide on his finger. He doesn't need to look down to know that Carter took the upper hand again.

Kagaya noong si Carter pa ang unang nag-aya na tumawag na lang sila sa isa't isa. O noong unang video call nila na mula sa maling pagpindot ni Carter. Or when Carter first confessed, even though it was a call. O noong pinuntahan pa talaga ni Carter ang lolo niya para payagan silang dalawa.

"Sa ating dalawa, ikaw ang mahilig dito," natatawang saad ni Carter pagkatapos siyang haranahin. "But for once, I wanted to do the same for you. To surprise you like all the times you surprised me too. And, although it was a poorly planned one, I know you'll love it still."

Kahit ilang beses sabihin ni Carter na ang corny kapag sinasabi niyang ang wrong send na 'yon ang pinakamagandang mali na ginawa 'yan, he can't help but feel it everytime.

She was the best thing that ever happened to him. And he will be forever glad to have read one number wrong.

This unexpected love that came out of the blue was so good and true.

Hinding-hindi niya ito ipagpapalit sa kahit na ano.

"So, Josiah Friedrich Rook Fuentavedra..." she shyly smiled. "Will you stay forever with me?"

He couldn't hold a heartfelt laugh. May dinukot siya sa bulsa at kinuha rin ang kamay ni Carter. He held her hand with his left one, the ring she bought glinting on his fourth finger, as he used his other to slide his ring on hers.

He was always waiting for the perfect moment to sink his knees and propose. He was always waiting for the perfect time to say the right words. Ngunit kahit saang lugar pa siguro sila, sa kahit anong oras at araw, basta't nandiyan silang dalawa ay magiging perpekto ang lahat.

"Will you carry my last name too, Carolina Therese?"

Ngumiti sila sa isa't isa at sabay na sumagot.

ㅡ

This is the last chapter, but I will post an epilogue + afterword sa weekends.

I wanted to make this chapter as heartfelt and Rookish as possible. 'Yong song na kinanta ni Carter is at the top. I think it fits them perfectly, haha!

Thank you so much for 26k reads! ＼(' ε｀ )／