If it's love
And we decide that it's forever
No one else could do it better
If it's love
And we're two birds of a feather
Then the rest is just whatever
And if I'm addicted to loving you
And you're addicted to my love too
We can be them two birds of a feather
That flock together
Love, love
Got to have something to keep us together
Love, Love
That's enough for me

--If It's Love by Train

--

Lena and Cyrus kept the engagement a secret until Christmas. Of course, her dad already knew about it. Nagpaalam kasi rito si Cyrus bago mag-propose sa kanya. And maybe her dad already told her mom, so mga kapatid na lamang niya ang walang ideya. Or maybe Lacey already knows because apparently, Martin's involved with the planning. And she may have informed Kenna, since the two are close. So that leaves Logan and Nikola... and her dogs.

Sa side naman ni Cyrus, sigurado siyang alam na rin ng pamilya nito ang tungkol doon.

But even though that's the case, they still wanted to make a formal announcement, so the two families will have dinner together at her parents' house at Christmas.

Maaga siyang sinundo ni Cyrus sa bahay. They went to the church together for the mass and then headed to Joanna's grave to wish her Merry Christmas. Siguro ay magiging tradisyon na nilang dalawa iyon. Ayos lang naman sa kanya. Without Joanna, she wouldn't meet Cyrus.

Pagkagaling doon ay dinalaw rin nila ang pamilya nito. Cyrus couldn't keep the engagement a secret. Everyone was so happy for them. Pamilya na rin kasi ang turing ng mga ito sa kanya.

They stayed there until one in the afternoon and then they headed to their house. Doon na niya ibinigay ang regalo niya. Ayaw niyang makisabay sa bigayan ng regalo sa bahay.

"I'm sorry if it isn't much. Konti na lang kasi ang natira sa sweldo ko," paliwanag niya.

He told her not to give him anything, but she insisted. He's given her a lot. Gusto naman niyang kahit papaano ay may maibigay rin dito. She bought two costly ties that were worth what's left of her salary and Christmas bonus. Ito na nga lamang ang nabigyan niya ng regalo. Napabili kasi siya kaagad without budgeting her money.

"Do you like them?" she asked.

"Of course," he answered with a smile. He gave her a kiss and said, "Thank you."

Ikinawit niya ang mga kamay at ihinilig ang ulo sa braso nito.

"No. Thank you. You've given me a lot," she told him. "Dito sa bahay pa lang, ang laki na nang nagastos mo."

"Well your dad won't let me marry you if I don't have a house, so—"

"What about your condo? Pwede namang do'n na lang tayo tumira. O sa Antipolo. O sa bahay ko."

"I already sold my condo. Saka 'yong lote sa Antipolo. 'Yong pera galing do'n 'yong pinambili ko ng lote nito saka pinampatayo ko ng bahay."

"Sayang naman."

"Walang sayang do'n. You liked this house. That's what matters."

"What about my house? Don't you want to live there?"

"Would it be a good environment for the kids?"

Napanguso siya sa tanong nito. "Kids agad?"

Tumawa ito at inakbayan siya. "Well, you'll be graduating in less than a year, so..."

He gave her a suggestive look which made the butterflies in her belly start to flutter. What was he insinuating anyway? Puro lang naman ito biro, tapos kapag pinatulan niya, pagagalitan siya nito.

They have not done it again. Puro biruan lang pero hindi tumutuloy.

"Where do you want to get married?" he asked, changing the topic. "Do you want a church wedding?"

She shook her head. Hindi siya iyong tipo ng babaeng simula pagkabata ay iniisip na kung ano ang mangyayari sa kasal niya. She's not like her sisters. But during Julie's wedding, parang bigla siyang nagkaroon ng vision, the vision of a perfect wedding. She's been stuck with that vision ever since.

"I want a bohemian wedding," she answered. "I feel like it's more me."

Cyrus nodded in agreement. "I can see that."

"Saka gusto ko ng flower crown. With baby's breath and lavender."

"Akala ko, gusto mo sanga pa rin, e," he said with a laugh. He kissed her forehead. "I'll make sure to give you your dream wedding."

Yumakap siya rito. "I can't wait to graduate college."

"Mabilis lang naman ang panahon. Next week, bagong taon na."

Right. And that means that he'll be going back to Dubai soon. Kung pwede nga lamang siyang sumama. But she needs to graduate on time, para hindi ma-delay ang kasal. Kapag tapos na siyang mag-aral, pwede na niyang gawin ang gusto niya. Her dad would surely agree to let her go once she's done studying.

Then, she and Cyrus can be together.

--

Bago mag-alas sais ay nagbiyahe na sila pabalik sa bahay ng parents niya. Cyrus's family was already there when they arrived. Kenna, Lacey and Clem were busy engaging beauty tips in the living room. Si Cadence naman ay kalaro si Nikola at ang napakarami nilang aso.

"Where's Logan?" she asked her mom.

"Nasa kwarto nya. Mamaya na lang daw sya bababa kapag kakain na," sagot nito. "Alam mo naman 'yong kapatid mo, parang ikaw dati. Anti-social."

"Keyword: DATI," Martin butted in. Nilapitan siya nito at niyakap. "Hi, Lena."

"Hello. Where's ninang?"

"Nasa probinsya sila ni Papa ngayon. Kararating ko nga lang galing do'n, e. Merry Christmas daw." Inabutan siya nito ng regalo, na inilagay naman niya sa ilalim ng Christmas tree. Sabay-sabay kasi silang nagbubukas ng regalo sa gabi, bago matapos ang pasko.

"Thanks."

"There's something different about you," puna nito. "Hindi ko lang alam kung ano."

"What do you mean?"

Martin shrugged. "I don't know. Kayong dalawa, parang may iba."

"Baka kasi ngayon mo lang ulit kami nakitang magkasama," Cyrus pointed out.

"Yeah, maybe," pagsang-ayon ng kaibigan nila.

Nang umalis si Martin para tabihan si Lacey ay hinila niya si Cyrus sa isang tabi.

"Maybe he could sense that we did it already?" she asked, then was horrified with her own conclusion. "Halata ba?!"

Cyrus let out a laugh. "Relax, Lena. If you act paranoid, then people will surely suspect."

"What if my dad finds out?!" she hissed.

"He won't. Trust me. Chill ka lang kasi."

But she's been agitated since then. Hindi siya mapakali during dinner. Mabuti pa si Cyrus, kalmado. She didn't know how he could stay calm habang siya, parang may CCTV na nakatutok sa bawat galaw niya. Gano'n siguro kapag guilty. But she doesn't know why she's the only one feeling that way.

"Anak, you have something to say?" Cyrus's father asked.

"Ah, yes," Cyrus answered with a nod. She felt him squeeze her hand, the ring pressing a little to her skin. Isinuot niya iyon kanina bago mag-dinner kaya kanina pa nakababa ang kamay niya. Naging excuse lang na magkahawak sila ng kamay.

Cyrus stood up, looked at her and beamed.

"Lena and I have something to announce."

Everyone's face was expectant, except for her brother, of course. What's new?

"We're engaged!"

They showed them the ring. Then a round of congratulations followed.

"What's engaged?" Nikola asked.

"It means that we're going to get married," Cyrus explained to her youngest brother.

"Oh!" Nikola ran towards her and gave her a tight hug. "Congratulations, Ate!"

She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"Will you have a cake on your wedding?"

"Yes..."

"Can I suggest a flavor?"

Pinisil niya ang pinsgi nito. "Nako, alam ko na 'yan. Oo na. We'll be having chocolate cake."

Nikola grinned. "Can I have a slice?"

"You can even have a whole layer for yourself."

--

That was the happiest Christmas dinner she's ever had. Kung nandoon nga lamang sana ang lolo't lola niya ay kumpleto na. Pero nagpa-Pasko ang mga ito sa poder ng Tito Kian niya. But her dad was planning on calling them to tell them about the news, so she'll be expecting more greetings.

After the dinner, they all headed to the living room to open the gifts. They were all seated while Nikola played Santa. Nagsuot pa ito ng custome, damang-dama ang role.

Habang namimigay ito ng regalo ay pasimple naman siyang kinausap ng daddy niya. He told her that he talked to her professor and was informed that the last semester of her last year will be an OJT.

"I can give you three options: dito sa Makati, sa U.S. or..." He threw a quick glance at Cyrus before continuing, "Dubai. Sa U.S., your uncle Kristoff will take care of you. Dito, sagot kita. But in Dubai, you're on your own."

"She won't be alone, Sir," Cyrus assured him.

Her father nodded. "All right." Muli itong bumaling sa kanya. "Papayagan kitang sa Dubai ka, but I want you both to promise me... no monkey business."

"Dad!"

"I mean it, Lena." Saktong ito naman ang binigyan ni Nikola ng regalo kaya nalingat ito saglit. Cyrus leaned closer and whispered, "You heard that? No monkey business."

"Bakit ako?" nakanguso niyang tanong.

"Kasi ikaw lang naman ang pagmumulan ng monkey business sa 'ting dalawa," natatawa nitong sabi. She was about to protest when he added, "So don't be a temptress. I'll behave if you behave."

---fin---