Astrophel's POV

After the night she and I decided to part ways. I did not think about going to the bar to get wasted because I'm broken. I decided to review for our upcoming midterm examination. Hindi ko hahayaan na mapabayaan ang pag-aaral ko nang dahil sa broken hearted ako. Siguradong hindi niya magugustuhan at hindi rin naman gugustuhin nila Mama at Papa na bumagsak ako at hindi makatapos.

"Bro, mukha kang pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa riyan ah? Buti nakasagot ka ng matino sa exam kanina," saad ni Paul.

"Huwag niyo muna kausapin nagmumuni-muni pa 'yan kung bakit siya umabot sa part na iwanan si Midnight," sagot naman ni Paolo sa kaniya.

"Basta, bro, kapag need mo ng kausap handa kaming makipag-inuman sa 'yo!" segunda ni Peter sa dalawa.

"Ikaw, Peter, apostol pa naman din ang origin ng pangalan mo ikaw pa nangunguna sa kasalanan!" sagot ko.

"Sa wakas! Narinig ka na rin namin umimik!" sagot ni Paolo.

"Bakit mo ba kasi iniwan? Alam kong willing si Midnight na ipaglaban 'yong relasyon niyo kay Danica," saad ni Paul.

"I know that she's willing to fight with me but I don't want her to lose herself in the battle. Alam kong marami na siyang inaalala at ayoko nang makadagdag pa sa alalahanin niya and she's traumatized with what Apollo and Danica did. Kung sasali pa ako baka hindi niya na kayanin pa, I know Danica won't get easy on us," sagot ko.

Nakita ko sa mga mata niya araw-araw na takot siyang pumasok dahil sa ginawa nila Danica sa kaniya. Kaya agad kong pinaayos sa mga authority ng school ang nangyari. Thank God, Danica was kicked out but Apollo was kept because even if he's just an accomplice his family has connections to keep him.

Babantayan ko na lang ng maigi si Midnight para hindi na siya matakot at kabahan na pumasok.

Isang hapon ay napagdesisyonan kong kausapin ang mga kaibigan ni Midnight para matulungan ako sa pagbabantay sa kaniya dahil nakita ko si Apollo na nagsisilid ng kung ano-ano sa locker niya. I am always picking the lock of her locker so that she will not read those stupid letters sent by him.

"Basta kapag nakita niyo si Apollo na may binigay or anything itapon niyo agad. Baka mamaya may kung anong nilagay ang siraulong 'yon mapahamak pa siya," bilin ko kina Josh.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi ka na lang magpakita sa kaniya? Nasa iisang lugar lang naman kayo eh. Bakit nag-iiwasan pa kayo?" tanong ni Rhea.

"She won't heal her wounds if she sees me. I'd rather be behind her shadows than in front of her," sagot ko.

"Kami nang bahala sa kaniya, Astro. Huwag ka nang mag-alala, tatawagan ka na lang namin kapag nagka-problema," Abi assured.

Tumango na lang ako at dumiretso na sa klase ko. That afternoon I decided to go to our favourite samgyupsal restaurant.

"Hello, Sir Astro!" Bati ni Ate Leah, nakatingin siya sa aking likod na parang may hinahanap. Siya palagi ang kumukuha ng order namin ni Midnight tuwing kakain kami rito sa gabi.

"Hi, Ate Leah! May nakaupo ba sa pwesto namin?" sagot ko.

"Wala po, buti't natyempohan niyong wala!" sagot niya.

"Sige po. 'Yong usual naming order ni Midnight," saad ko nang makaupo ako sa pwesto namin.

"Sir, matanong kita ah... Nasaan po si Ma'am?"

Umiwas na lang ako ng tingin kay Ate at hindi na sumagot. Mukha namang nakuha niya ang pahiwatig ko at iniwan na lang ako mag-isa. Binuksan ko ang aking phone at kinuhanan ng picture ang bakanteng upuan sa harap ko. That's where she used to sit when we eat here. Nagsimula na akong kumain nang dumating ang order kahit na nanlalata. Paborito namin 'tong kainan tuwing gabi dahil 24/7 silang bukas kaya kahit madaling araw ay nakakain kami. Kapag sinasamahan ko siyang gumawa ng plates sa dorm niya pagkatapos dito kami kumakain.

"I miss your smile, Mako..." I whispered through the thin air.

Day by day I am visiting the places we used to go together to keep me sane. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ko ma-su-survive ang break up namin kung hindi ko 'yon gagawin. Hanggang sa maging graduating student ako ganoon ang naging hobby ko. Minsan doon ako nag-re-review o gumagawa ng thesis. Iyon ang naging inspirasyon ko para mas sumipag sa pag-aaral. I want her to be proud of me. Siya pa rin ang mamahalin ko kahit na sa kabilang buhay na ako. If God won't give me a chance to be with her again then I'd rather serve him for the rest of my life.

"Gray Astrophel Lucien, Summa Cum Laude," the host announced.

Umakyat kami nila Mama at Papa sa stage. Inabot sa akin ang diploma at sinabitan ako ng medalya.

"Congratulations!" bati sa akin ni Dean.

"Thank you po!" sagot ko.

Pumunta ako sa phodium para ibigay ang aking graduation speech.

"First of all, I want to thank God for being with me through my silent battles. Getting this award is not an easy task for me, I need to sacrifice all the free time that I have to study. Well, everything was worth it, all my hard work had paid off. To my Mom and Dad, thank you so much for being an inspiration to me. You were the first ones that supported me from the start of my college life.

"To my sister, my beautiful and loving sister, thank you for cramming with Kuya in those days that I needed to cram and thank you for being patient with me when I always ask you to bring coffee in my room. I'll treat you after this! And especially to my architect..." I saw her watching among the crowd.

"To you, my architect who was with me through my lows and my highs. I hope you are proud of what I become even if we're not together now. This award is for you! Konting panahon na lang, magiging architect ka na rin. I want you to know that wherever you are in life always remember you have me. I will wait for you, My architect!" I smiled after saying the last word and left the mic on the phodium.

Pagkababa ko ng stage ay narinig ko ang palakpakan at hiyawan ng mga ka-block namin. Mas malakas pa ang hiyawan nila kesa sa iba naming kasabay na nagtapos. After that day I never saw her again, nalaman ko na lang na pumunta na siyang Switzerland para magtrabaho.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

Nakatayo ako sa balkonahe ng dati niyang dorm. Malapit na rin kaming umalis ng bansa. Matatapos na ang isang buwan na bakasyon namin rito sa Pilipinas.

"You know, our past..." sagot ko.

She didn't say a word but she hugged me from the back.

"I'm happy that we ended up together after everything we've been through..." saad niya.

Kinuha ko siya mula sa aking likod at ikinulong sa aking mga bisig.

"I love you..." she said lovingly.

"I love you too..." I answered.

Suddenly when we look above the night skies meteors started to fall just like how we first met. Same place, same time, but this time different circumstances. Hindi na kami strangers na biglaan lang nagkakilala sa park, we are now a couple who are about to conquer the changes around us. Hindi na kami matatakot na lumaban pa sa kahit na anong pagsubok dahil minsan na kaming sumuko sa isa at marami kaming natutuhan sa bagay na 'yon.

I took Midnight out, we went to the mall today and we came across someone we did not expect. I felt her hand hold my arm tighter while looking at the man in front of us. Kahit pala matagal na ang nangyari ay meron pa ring kaba sa kaniya kapag nakikita niya ang taong 'to.

"How are you, Midnight?" he said.

"Get lost, Apollo," I replied shortly.

"Calm down. I just want to say sorry for what I did back then. I know I caused trauma in her. Pinagsisihan ko lahat ng ginawa ko sa inyo noon..." he said.

"Matagal na kitang pinatawad," sagot ko.

"Me too, I already forgave you a long time ago... Maybe my trauma in that incident is still healing but I know to myself that I already forgave you. Keeping anger and fear of forgiving in my heart will just give me more suffering so I forgave all of the people that hurt me a long time ago. Good luck with your life, Apollo..." she answered.

I smiled when she replied to the guy. Hindi ko ito inaasahan dahil alam kong malaki ang naging damage ni Apollo sa kaniya. After that short conversation we continued to walk around.

"You know what, Mako? Even after what he did I still consider him as a friend. Naging kaibigan ko naman siya for a short period of time, siguro kaya rin hindi ako nagtanim ng sama ng loob sa kaniya kasi naging kaibigan ko pa rin siya. Ikaw? How long did it take for you to heal from your trauma?" she asked.

"Well, right after we met I tried my best to heal with that trauma but when they interfered with our relationship that triggered a lot in me. Mas lalong humirap na mag-heal kasi nakikita kong nasasaktan ka nila. It took a lot of time para mapatawad ko sila ni Danica. Hindi ko alam paano at kailan ko sila napatawad basta isang araw gumising na lang akong napatawad ko na sila," sagot ko.

"I'm glad that you didn't hold on to the anger you have for them. Kasi ang anger wala namang magagawa 'yon kung panghahawakan natin lalo lang tayong masasaktan at kung hahangarin naman nating maghiganti, wala tayong makakamit na kasiyahan," sagot niya.

Tumango ako sa kaniya at hinalikan siya sa kaniyang noo. After our date in the mall we decided to go to the park. Habang naglalakad-lakad ay kumakain kami ng mga street foods. Sinusulit na namin ang bakasyon dahil pagkatapos ng isang buwan namin rito ay babalik na kami sa trabaho.

After spending a month with our family we went back to New Zealand. Tinapos namin ang lahat ng kailangan namin tapusin rito dahil binabalak ko siyang dalhin sa Finland. Our anniversary is about to come and I want to take her to the place where I can show her the Aurora Borealis. Hindi kasi nagpakita rito sa New Zealand 'yong northern lights na 'yon. I will fulfil her last dream that she wanted to do and that is to watch the northern lights.

A week before our anniversary we decided to go to Finland. Noong una ay nagtataka pa siya dahil hindi ko sinabi kung saang bansa kami pupunta. Every night laging may mga meteor shower kaming pinanonood at maraming stars. Napagdesisyonan naming sumubok na mag-campsite rito dahil mas maganda raw ang view ng northern lights kung nasa mataas kami na parte ng bansa.

"Mag-iisang linggo na tayo rito hindi mo pa rin sinasabi sa akin kung bakit mo ako dinala rito," she said.

"I brought you here because we will make your dream come true!" sagot ko.

Sakto namang nagsimula nang magbago ang kulay ng kalangitan pagkatapos ko itong sabihin.

"Oh my god..." she said in awe.

We watched the northern lights dance. Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit pagkatapos nang magandang tanawin na nasilayan namin.

"Thank you so much, Mahal! You made me so happy tonight!" she said.

"I love you so much, Mahal..." I kissed her forehead.

"I love you..." she smiled and caressed my face.

After our vacation in Finland we went back to New Zealand to continue our work there. Kahit na naging busy kami pareho sa trabaho we still manage to have time for each other. We still have our random dates kapag hindi kami nagiging busy sa office.

"Where do you want to go today? Mukhang halos lahat naman na napuntahan na natin," saad ko.

"I heard there's a carnival in the city, we should go there!" sagot niya.

Pinuntahan namin ang carnival na sinasabi niya at talagang nag-enjoy kami pareho dahil sa mga activities na mayroon 'to. Hindi lamang siya pang-kabataan dahil kahit kaming kids at heart ay nasiyahan rin.

Midnight's POV

I've been thinking about this lately, my mind is bugging me to propose a wedding to Astro. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung paano at saan ako magsisimula dahil ngayon lang ulit ako susubok na i-surprise siya. So I decided to call Iris to brainstorm with her. Nakabalik na siya sa America pero buti na lang dahil nagbabakasyon pa rin siya bago siya bumalik sa hectic schedule niya.

"What's the tea?" She greeted me.

"There's no tea but I want you to help me!" sagot ko.

"What?" sagot niya.

"Gusto ko kasi na mag-propose kay Astro ng kasal pero hindi ko alam saan at paano ko magsisimula..." Napabuntonghininga ako.

She almost dropped her phone due to her shock. Her right hand is covering her mouth to suppress her gasps.

"Midnight, hintayin mo na lang siyang mag-propose sa 'yo. Hayaan mong siya ang magsabi noon sa 'yo, huwag ikaw!" mungkahi niya.

"I know, I know! But natatagalan kasi ko eh! Ready na kaya ako maglakad sa altar! Minsan naman napapag-usapan namin 'yon eh!" sagot ko.

"Then start conversations about wedding to him, low-key mo sabihin na gusto mo nang magpakasal. 'Wag kang masyadong straight forward at baka naman mabigla siya sa gusto mo! It will not be hard for you kasi napag-usapan niyo na pala 'yon! Sisiw na 'yan sa 'yo!" paliwanag niya.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng aking opisina at iniluwa nito ang aking sekretarya.

"Ms. Midnight, Mr. Gray is asking you to go to his office," she said.

"Okay! I'll just finish this call, thanks!" I replied.

Binaling ko ang aking atensyon kay Iris na nakatingin lang rin sa screen ng kaniyang phone.

"Sige na, salamat sa advice! I'll try to have a conversation with him about it," sagot ko.

"No worries basta alam mo na ang protocol ha?" she answered.

"Marriage first!" I replied and ended the call.

Dumiretso na ako sa opisina ng impaktito kong boyfriend. Well, siya lang naman ang impaktitong gwapo at may blonde hair.

"Pinatawag mo raw ako," I said.

"Yup! Because... We have a date later!" sagot niya.

"Saan naman tayo magd-date?" sagot ko.

"You'll find out later!" sagot niya.

Pagkatapos ng trabaho namin ay sabay na kaming pumunta sa sinasabi niyang date namin. He brought me in the beach near our office, siguro ay nandito ang sinasabi niyang date. Habang ina-admire ko ang mga tanawin ay bigla naman siyang nawala sa tabi ko. I was left alone in the middle of the seashore nang mapansin ko ang isang trail ng iba't ibang kulay ng tulips. Sinundan ko ito hanggang sa dalhin ako nito sa isang table set up at may mga tumutugtog na musicians ng slow music. Habang tumutugtog ang musika ay bigla siyang lumabas siya mula sa likod ko na may dalang isang bouquet ng tulips.

"May I have this dance?" he said.

"Sure-sure!" sagot ko.

Ibinaba niya muna ang tulips sa lamesa at nagsimula na kaming magsayaw sa malamyos na musika. I felt my feet buried down the sand while we were dancing through the music. My heart beats so fast like I came from running a long mile and everything feels so nostalgic to me. Us dancing by the shore and under the moonlight feels so romantic. Hindi ko inaasahan ang ganitong surprises mula sa kaniya. Minsan nga'y hindi ko alam kung paano ko matatapatan ang efforts na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

"What is this for?" tanong ko.

"Just wait and see!" sagot niya.

Pagkatapos naming magsayaw ay inabot niya na sa akin ang tulips na dala niya kanina.

"Read the letter in that flower out loud," he said.

So I opened the envelope inside the bouquet.

"Misha ko,

You might be wondering why I took you out tonight in this place. Well the answer is at the end of this letter.

Do you remember the day when I asked you where do you want me to propose? And you said that you want it to be at night and by the sea.

So I prepared for this date. I know you've been waiting for this for so long, and this is the day that you have been waiting for...

Midnight Shadow Agnello, are you willing to be the night sky where I will shine the brightest for the rest of my life?"

Hindi ko namalayan na tumulo na pala ang luha sa aking mga mata. I did not expect that the proposal I've been waiting for will be today. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin kay Astro ay nakaluhod na siya sa aking harapan at may hawak na singsing.

"Of course! I will be your night sky, my star..." Isinuot niya na ang singsing sa aking daliri.

Nang tumayo siya sa pagkakaluhod ay niyakap niya na ako ng mahigpit. After that wonderful moment we ate our dinner by the sea while talking about our upcoming wedding. Sigurado akong matutuwa sila Mom kapag nalaman nila ito dahil ito ang araw na kanilang hinihintay.

"Midnight, do you take Astrophel Lucien Gray as your lawfully wedded husband?" the priest asked.

"I do, Father." I answered.

"Astrophel, do you take Midnight Shadow Agnello to be your lawfully wedded wife?" he then asked Astro.

"I do, Father," he answered.

"You may now kiss the bride!" the priest said.

He removed the veil that's covering my face and kissed me on the lips. Applause from the audience lingered in my ear after our short kiss. I smiled when I faced the people who attended our wedding. I saw my Mom and my Dad looking at us with tears in their eyes. Kahit na lumuluha sila ay alam kong masaya sila para sa amin ni Astro. Pagkatapos kumuha ng mga litrato ay dumiretso na kami sa reception.

"May I ask the father of the bride to come forward?" the host asked.

Agad naman na tumayo si Dad at lumapit sa kaniya. "So, Sir, please have a short message for our couple."

Inabot ni Dad ang mikropono sa kaniya. "I still can't believe that my little princess is about to start her own castle... I am not a perfect father to her and I've done a lot of things that hurt her in the past... But despite that she still loves me. Gusto kong paalala sa 'yo, Astro na kahit magkasakitan kayo ng anak ko sana manaig ang pagmamahal sa inyo. Always put God at the center of your relationship and always remember to compromise.

"Fighting over things will be part of your married life and that's how it goes. Kung hindi kayo mag-aaway mas mahihirapan kayong kilalanin ang isa't isa. Hindi naman kayo pang-habang buhay na mag-aaway eh, ganoon lang 'yan sa umpisa. I believe in you, Astro, that you will not hurt my daughter. Take care of her and never take her for granted..." he said to Astro.

I left my seat and hugged my dad. I am so grateful to have a father like him, just like he said he is not a perfect father but he did his best to be a father to me. Pagkatapos ng speech ni Dad ay sinundan naman ng speech ni Tito Chaos.

"Naibilin ko na lahat sa anak ko bago tayo magpunta rito eh! Basta anak, huwag na huwag kang mambababae kasi talagang ipabubogbog kita sa mga kakilala kong gangster. Never make your wife cry, that's the number one rule. You saw it with your own two eyes that I did not make your mama cry so don't make Midnight cry. Ayokong makaka-receive kami ng tawag na, "Dad, nag-away po kami ni Astro." at maririnig na humihikbi ang asawa mo kasi ako talaga mismo maghahatid sa 'yo sa huling hantungan, anak!" Tito Chaos said.

Nagtawanan naman ang mga tao dahil sa kaniyang remarks. I think I already have the in-laws every bride asks for. Alam kong kahit tunog biro ang speech ni Tito ay seryoso ito. I know that they will guide us in this journey as husband and wife.

I finally found the star that will shine the brightest in my night skies. The person whom I will spend my whole life with. I know he will be the best husband to me and the best father to our future children. Our once upon a night has finally come to it's happily ever after! This is the first day of our road to forever!

-THE END-