WESTON

When it comes to her, time wasn't such a big deal.

I've waited for more than ten years for her to give me attention. I've waited another five years, making her available to every other pursuants, because I wanted her to choose freely. Gusto kong magfocus muna siya sa sarili at bigyan siya ng oras para isiping mabuti kung ako nga ba talaga. Kasi sa'kin, sigurado na akong walang iba kung'di siya.

I was damn worried all the time though, especially since Caspian still asks her out on takoyaki dates and Kairo appears everywhere.

But if she'd pick them... if she finds them more ideal than me... then I would let her be happy. Even if that happiness will shatter my heart and my happiness.

But what's a few more years of watching her from afar when I've survived the early years of my love?

I guess it's weird to feel anxious when she puts more effort to me than everyone else. But going up against Caspian and Kairo was a big deal. They were beloved by many. Kairo is a challenge for women while Caspian is an ideal husband... and me? I'm very boring. I study and work most of the time, dedicating any free time to my family and friends.

That's why I was the happiest man alive when we were officially together.

"No need, Wes." aniya pagkatapos ng limang minutong saya ko. "Already in a relationship..."

I frowned, unable to recall a time the two of us were in any relationship. I just asked her to be my girlfriend which she answered with a quick yes, so I don't understand why she added that.

Alam kong wala siyang nakasintahan dahil wala pang nabubugbog si Kairo nang malala. I also don't have any girls... I don't have time to look at them because I'm busy waiting for her.

"Already in a what?"

She raised her gaze from the paper she was doing and gestured at the two of us. "Tayo. Last five years..." when I didn't answer, she pursed her lips. "Weren't dating?"

Napanguso siya nang hindi pa rin ako makasagot. In order to prevent my queen from sulking, I got up from the chair and hugged her from behind. Her warmth and the lovely scent of her hair will always invite me to stay for long hugs. I would never get tired of being given the chance to hold her for my entire life.

I mean... since kami na... hindi na makakawala ang babaeng 'to.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, kissing her hair. "I told you I'd wait five years before I officially court you, right?"

"Didn't want five years. Too long."

"It's not. I even waited ten years for-"

"Then why add 'nother five years?" she turned around to poke my forehead. "Not thinking at all."

Napatawa na lang ako bago siya hinalikan. The pattering of rain made a comforting sound in the café's balcony. Dumaan kami dito kanina para magrelax sandali. Lilliane had to finish some paperworks and I had to make assignments as well. Dito ko rin sinubukang buksan ang tungkol sa panliligaw ko na 'di ko alam ay matagal na pala akong sinagot.

If we were together all those years, the other pests wouldn't be able to get close to you then hm...

"Tito... Tita... Nakita niyo naman po na tinotoo ko ang pangako ko. It was your daughter thatㅡ"

I received a light slap on my arm, alongside Lilliane's playful glare. Natawa na lang ako sa reaksiyon niya.

"Napakasumbungero." she accused. "'Di naman magulang para magsumbong."

"Because they were the one I made the promise to. Kailangan malaman nilang sinunod ko ang pangako. It already had a lot of... adjustments, after all."

"Mama and Papa approves anything that makes me happy." masayang saad niya habang sinisindihan ang kandila. A beautiful smile made her look more lovely than anything else. "And you make me happy... a lot."

Hindi ko maiwasang titigan ng matagal ang mukha niya. It's been almost eighteen years since I first saw her here. Back then, it was a lonely child with lifeless eyes that stood just as alive and dead in the middle of the cemetery. Now, I have her within arm reach, with the wind still blowing her beautiful hair but her eyes now lively than before.

She was still the same enchanting woman that put me in a curse... but there's also something different.

The little girl that I adored has grew up into a confident and independent woman.

Nagbago siya. She's enjoying her life now, from the littlest drop of rain to the fancy adventures we've had. But along her journey to put herself first, she was still the same selfless girl. She was still the same beautiful soul that would help anyone she can.

I would never regret giving her those five years... because during those times, she achieved a lot.

She finished her degree. She spent a lot of precious times with family and friends. She got to befriend Marcella, often having a coffee with her in rare weekends. She did a lot of activities that she refused to before. And even though I was a little anxious I would be forgotten again... I enjoyed watching her busy life at the sides.

Lilliane had roadtrips for days with her friends. Inaanyaya niya ako pero binabawalan naman ako ng medical school. When she's back, Theo and Oliver would often steal her time just chatting and talking about games. Kapag libre si Caspian sa law school ay nililibre niya naman si Lilliane sa kung anong kainan na makita. And Kairo seems to have every time in the world, because he'd just appear anywhere.

Sometimes, I'll see them when I'm driving her around. Often times, I'll hear the stories from her once the weekend comes.

Kapag weekend naman kasi, she stays at home because of my Mom.

"Kuya, you should reevaluate your place in this family." ani Wesley na tumabi sa'kin at hawak-hawak ang laptop. He was busy making an architectural 3D design of a house. "Mom have replaced you for Finn."

Mahina akong natawa. Since Mom officially met Lilliane, she became extra clingy. Kapag free kaming dalawa, she would invite us to stay in the mansion. She even introduced herself to Lilliane's aunt para hindi ito mangamba sa kung saan ang pamangkin. I heard from Wesley that Mom even invites my love on days where she's free but I'm not.

May numero kasi siya ni Lilliane at mas marami pa ang tawag niya dito kaysa sa sariling anak.

That evening, when my person had to get home because of a family dinner with Renée's family, Mom heaved a deep sigh on the dining table.

"Wales, I wanted a daughter..."

Dad glanced at her once before fixing his attention back at the news. "We can adopt, wife."

"We can't. The person I want to adopt is taken by my son. Napakapangit lang isipin na naunahan ako ng anak ko." malalim ulit siyang bumuntong-hininga. "Bakit ba kasi lahat ng sperm na nilabas mo panglalaki? 'Di mo man lang ba sila sineminar na gusto ko ng babae? Na XX dapat at hindi XY!"

"We can just dress Wesley in girls' clothes if you want, Mom." I suggested, making my brother immediately kick me under the table.

Mom seemed to have contemplated on that dahil napatagal ang tingin niya sa kapatid ko, na mukhang magpapalit na ng pamilya because he's always subjected to teasing.

"Hindi, okay lang. Ayoko din namang ipagpalit ang gwapong anak kong si Wesley. Unless gusto niya," Mom smirked at me. "Hintayin ko na lang ang apo ko sa inyo, Wes."

That single sentence made the two other men in the table freeze. I wanted to groan out loud because of my mother's statement. It would instantly get me in trouble, especially that it can be easily misunderstood. Wesley flickered his gaze between me and Mom, while Dad was giving me a disappointed glare. His judging expression made me focus my stare on my playful mother.

"She isn't pregnant, Mom."

That didn't stop Dad from burning me with his stare.

"Hindi ko naman sinabing buntis siya! Pero doon din naman uuwi, 'di ba?" she frowned when I gave a relieved sigh, glancing at my father who was slowly relaxing. "'Di ba, Wales? Huwag mong sabihin nang jowain mo 'ko e hindi mo naisip na buntisin ak-"

"Wife, could you please finish your meal before we discuss these things? At saan mo naman nalaman ang jowa-jowa na 'yan?"

"Siyempre kay Wesley! Wala naman akong makukuhang cultural words dito kay Weston at nagmana ata sa isang estatwa. I wonder kung ano ang pinaglihi ko sa kaniya..." she paused. "Wales, naalala mo ba kung ano 'yon? Siguro ang mga old pictures ng Statue of Liberty ang tinitingnan-"

Instead of listening to my Mom's unending stories, dahil kay Dad na ang responsibility na 'yon, I faced my brother who was innocently picking on the green peas.

"Where did you learn that?"

"What? The jowa?" I nodded. "Heard it from my classmate. Jojowain niya daw ako."

I let an amused smile appear on my face. "Oh. What did you answer then?"

"Of course, I said hindi after knowing the meaning, Kuya."

"That's cruel, Wesley! Sinasabi niya lang naman opinyon niya! Kajowa-jowa ka naman dahil anak kita!" pagsali ni Mom dahil tapos na ata niyang alalahanin ang pinanglihi sa'kin.

My brother made a small frown. "I was also just stating my opinion, Mom. Hindi ko siya gustong jowain."

"Ay nako, ewan ko sa'yo! Mararanasan mo rin ang karma nitong malandi mong ama at kuya, sinasabi ko sa'yo." mapaglarong babala ni Mama bago inayos ang sarili. "Anyway, mayroon akong feeling na konti na lang, as in super konti na lang talaga, magiging daughter-in-law ko na si Finn."

Although my mother said that, I believed it was quite early for marriage yet. Dierran told me that I waited long enough, but I wanted Lilliane to be certain about her life before participating in such a serious plan with me.

Because if she married me... I wouldn't be able to let her go anymore. I will be hers and she is going to be mine forever.

Kaya hindi ko alam kung kinausap siya ni Mom dahil sa sumunod na araw, inaya niya akong magpakasal.

"What?"

After a minute of silence, all that left me was that one word. I was exactly at a loss for words upon hearing marriage from her. It was as if some foreign man explained the code of conduct for medical practitioners in another language. I even stopped making her online shopping transaction just to make sure I wasn't hearing things.

"Marry me, Wes?" ulit niya.

It's not that I don't find it particularly pleasing for women to propose that I was unable to answer, but my cognitive resources were practically pulled into that moment. My ears have selectively muted the other noises to replay her words for a thousand times. At sa bawat pag-ulit ay iisa pa rin ang nararamdaman ko.

It was a never-ending happiness in my heart. Kahit anong pigil kong ngumiti ay hindi ko maiwasang ipakita ang matinding saya sa mukha ko.

Damn! I don't think I can stop smiling anymore.

Tinitigan ko siya sa mata at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kamay. "Really? Talaga?" I couldn't help my chuckle. "Are you really sure, Lilliane? Do you understand what you're asking?"

Of course... I know she does, but- man! Is she really sure about getting married with me? Fuck.

She nodded. "Marriage, Wes."

"Yeah, yeah,"

Mas inilapit ko ang upuan namin para mas madama ang init niya. Her beautiful smile, that caused me to fall in this deep pit, made me want to kiss her crazy. The news is enough to make me a lunatic my whole damn life!

I cleared my throat, controlling the bursting emotions. "Don't you think it's too early? Isang buwan pa lang tayoㅡ"

"Five years already but you still want to wait," she sighed and glanced at the cloudy sky. "Mama, Papa, mahina manok niyo."

I gave her arm a light pinch, making her pout playfully.

"Didn't you ask them a month ago? 'Kala ko nga kasal, girlfriend pala tinanong." patuloy niya.

Tinago ko ang ngiti. "Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na isang taon pa. Sa pag-aya sa'yo ng kasal."

Lilliane narrowed her eyes at me, unconvinced, until I raised both hands to show that I was honest and true. I did ask them for her hand... a year before I'll officially do it.

"Then one year..." she agreed. "No more waiting."

Sa pagkakataong 'yon, hinayaan ko ang sarili na pag-aralan ang babaeng mahal na mahal ko. Marami na ngang nagbago sa kaniya. The way she matured was very evident, from gaining confidence and becoming outspoken. Sinalubong niya ang titig ko ng determinadong mga mata kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang ngumiti.

Yeah... Maybe we really are ready now.

I've been ready for years, saving and investing money to build for our future. I already have a house plan and a ring that is always on my pocket... so I did what Lilliane do bestㅡ

Surprises.

No one knew how that April afternoon ended with both of us promising our life with each other. Na hindi lang kami nagkaroon ng simpleng date sa araw na 'yon dahil nilagyan ko na ng singsing ang daliri niya ㅡ isang bagay na magpapaalala sa'king akin siya.

Panghabang-buhay na.

"How does it feel? Standing and waiting at the end of the aisle to be the lucky man who got everyone's darling?" nakangising tanong ni Dierran na siyang best man ko.

Hindi nakatulong ang biro niya sa magkahalong saya at kaba sa puso ko.

It's been a year since Lilliane and I asked each other to get married but it was only two months ago that we told everyone. We were planning our future privately. Sa ngayon, mayroon na kaming napatayong Mediterranean style house with seven bedrooms. Seven... dahil baka may mga tao raw na manirahan sa bahay for a couple of days or a full week.

Namely, Lilliane's bestfriend, Gavin, who is frequently kicked out of their apartment because Eura has weird moods. O baka naman sina Eura at Mom mismo na mas asawa pa kung makaakto pagdating sa kaniya.

"Bro, parang 'di ka mapakali!" Dierran noted with a laugh. Tinapik niya ang balikat ng kapatid kong tumitingin-tingin lang sa paligid. "Wesley, look! This is so weird! Hindi ko inakalang magiging ganito ang itsura ng Kuya mo!"

Wesley studied my face for a second before frowning, "Of course. That expression is natural for a groom, Kuya Dierran. It's either they're teary-eyed, pale, or overly happy. What are you so surprised about?"

"Expression na pangtao 'yan, Wesley."

"Hayop po ba si Kuya?"

Dierran made a frustrated sigh, opting to ignore my brother. Isang pagsinghal naman sa likod ni Wesley ang narinig ko. One look at the silver hair, I already knew who it was.

"Hayop talaga ang kuya mo, Wesley. I don't even know why he's the one standing there. A mere animal shouldn't wed with a fairy." Kairo wouldn't really pass the chance to insult me.

"Akala ko ba pusa mo, Kai? Ba't naging fairy na?" pagsingit ni Eura na binalewala ng lahat.

"Why, Kairo? Mas gusto mo ba na ikaw ang tumayo doon?"

The corner of my lips rose when Kairo froze at Jamaicah's voice. She appeared behind him in a fitted white and gold dress, her high heels making sharp clicking sounds as she flipped her hair to the back. May hawak-hawak siyang wine glass at alas singko pa lang ng umaga.

"Little foxy, of course not." agad na sagot ni Kairo. "I just think there are better fits for the angel than this guy... Like Caspian, for example."

The man who was quietly fixing his suit quickly looked at us, his eyes widening as he glanced at his fiancée. Amber Chalice, however, only chuckled at the suggestion.

"Taken na kaso si palalabs kaya sa ibang pintuan ka na lang kumatok, Kairo." sagot nito para sa lalaking bumalik sa pag-aayos ng damit.

It's one thing Caspian and I have in common. We always love to keep things neat and tidy. While his newly-arrived cousin is disorganized and is too troublesome to contact in social media.

"Bakit late 'yan? Akala ko ako late." Theo tsked. "Nasira ang late streak ko. Masama 'to."

That caused the woman, Anne, beside him to glare. "Kinakaproud mo 'yan?"

"Hoy, Kairo!" sigaw ni Oliver sa tahimik na simbahan. Mom, who was praying, shot up to glare at him. "Gago ka! Hindi mo sinabi sa'kin ang tanginang-"

"Putangina, Oli! Nasa simbahan ka, huwag kang magmura, ulol-!"

Oliver and Eura, who made her own outburst, were kicked out of the church by my mother.

"Bakit nga ba late siya?" mahinahong tanong ni Renée. "Gusto niya din bang maging bride?"

"He blamed Kairo. What did you do?" Marcella made the accusing question.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa lalaking umirap lang. "Sasabihin ko nga sana pero may balak atang pasabugin ang ulo ko sa mga pinagte-text niya. Why is he even combining numbers, capital and lowercase letters into his emails? Can't he write, for-" he mumbled something. "sake? Paano ba naging CEO 'yon?"

"He can." tugon ni Caspian. "But he loves playing with you."

Mas lalo lang ata no'ng ginalit si Kairo na mas kailangan pa ang wine kaysa sa kasintahan.

Oliver went inside a little later, recommending himself to take my spot because he's the only single admirer. That caused him a warning to be kicked out again by most of the visitors, mainly my mother who was having a deep dislike on him.

Kung alam ko, magiging adoration din ang deep dislike niyang iyan.

Dierran glanced at me when I sighed. Umiling ako nang tanungin niya kung anong problema. I'm just so tired of hearing their pointless conversation. Gusto ko nang dumating ang sasakyan ni Lilliane at makita siyang maglakad sa gitna ng simbahan... papunta sa'kin... papunta sa sisimulan naming pamilya.

"Pero ask ko lang, dude." Dierran continued because he cannot go a minute without talking. "Bakit naman agad-agad ang kasal? Engaged lang kayo last last month ah? Buntis ba?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Kung sigurado na kami sa isa't isa, hindi na kailangang magpaligoy-ligoy. I've given her enough time to evaluate if she wanted to spend her whole life with me because I'm already set."

"You never got tired of waiting for Lily, huh?"

Napangiti ako sa tinanong ni Sebastian.

"I would never."

Even if that's five years from now, when we'll probably have our first child.

Or even if that's fifteen years from now, when she's exhausted from work and needs some love.

And even if that's on our senior years where our minds and memories are fragile, but our hearts are strong enough to hold onto each other.

"Kapag naaalala ko ang kuwento niyo, hindi ako makapaniwala. You're a man of power and influence after all, Wes, but you never looked at another woman, huh..." Julianne Evonne commented before the wedding has started.

She's been getting healthy the past few years, pero mukhang 'gaya ni Oliver ay wala din siyang plano sa mga kasintahan. Gusto niya munang gamitin ang mga taong sinira ng pamilya niya.

Iling din ang isinagot ko sa tanong niya. Look at another woman? Imposible kung may babaeng laging nagpapabaliw sa puso at isip ko.

Simula noon, si Lilliane na ang natatangi ko. Natatanging mamahalin at aalagaan parati. Natatanging ibibigay at iaalay ang buhay... pinili niya man o hindi.

Leaving the game, I felt chosen. Having her as my girlfriend, I was chosen. And now...

"I do." she whispered against the veil.

Hearing her say 'I do' makes me the luckiest chosen man alive.

My queen, Lilliane, stood in front of me in an off-the-shoulder, gold wedding dress that further accentuated her brown eyes. Her accessories were familiar to me, given by the men who fell to her knees before. From Theo's bracelet that locked her right arm, to Kairo's necklace and Oliver's earrings that sparkled in under the rising sun, and Caspian's hair tiara that made her even more lovely. Eura argued to have their gift worn too so Lilliane wore their watch to the wedding, which fortunately coordinated with the theme.

And so, while Gavin was officially the person who walked her down the aisle, it felt as if every person who offered their heart to Lilliane gave their final show of love.

Kagaya ng binulong sa'kin ni Gavin at sa mga mahinang babala sa mata nila, talaga namang papahalagahan ko ang babaeng 'to. Siya ang buhay at puso ko.

When the priest blessed our marriage, I kissed Lilliane with so much love and gratitude. In between her pretty laughs, I knew I cried.

Sa'yo ko lang ibibigay lahat ng mga ngiti at tawa ko.

Sa'yo ko lang ipapakita lahat ng kahinaan ko.

Sa'yo ko lang ibibigay ang walang-sawang pagmamahal na ganito.

Ikaw lang palagi. Ikaw lang ang natatangi.

Ikaw at ang mga anak natin, Lilliane.

Simula nang makita kita sa ospital at marinig ang pangalan mo, ang makita ang napakalakas mong katauhan sa sementeryo, at ang napakagandang tawa mo sa tabing-dagat. Simula nang marinig ko ang boses mo at makilala ka ng totoo, walang pag-asa na ang pagkahulog ko sa'yo.

"Thank you for waiting, my love."

Sa pagsikat ng araw na ito, akin ka na.

"Always, Lilliane."

At sayo lang ako ng buong-buo.

-end-

And ito na ang last na special chapter koo! Thank you so much for taking the time to read until here!

I made RWO very abruptly. Basta't nagawa ko lang ang excel ng lahat ng names and alliances at kinuha ang laro sa stored game creations ko, pinublish na agad ng author na paladesisyon sa buhay. I wanted to make another MMORPG game lang, which isn't open-world at pasok sa mga natrap2 something na ganun (＊๑˘◡˘) Soo, siguro may parts na magpaparemind sa inyo ng SAO pero mas inspired ito sa ToG... kasi di ko pa natatapos yung SAO...

Againn, salamat salamat! Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat!

-To God be the Glory-