V

"My honey love so sweet!"

I giggle when I saw Jerome running towards me, when he stop infront of me napangiti kami parehas. "Ready to meet my parents?" I asked, he looked nervous but smiled at me. "Magugustuhan kaya nila ako?" I smiled to assure him my parents will like him. I love Jerome in any personality he have, I'm sure my parents will also like him.

Nang makarating kami sa loob ng bahay my mom greet me. "Ikaw si Jerome?" My dad asked, Jerome smiles at them and greet them nicely. I just stared at them, looking at them.

"I have good intentions for your daughter, po. I'm here po to introduce myself as her boyfriend, po. I will take care of her like she deserves to be treated, tita and tito." I smiled when I heard his answer to my parents. My parents smile as well. I know that smile is warm; it means they love him.

"Welcome to the family." My mom greeted him, which made both of us smile. "Welcome to the family, love love."

"Kinakabahan ako." I said in nervous tone, ngayon naman ay na kela nanay kami-Jerome's mother. Nang makapasok kami sa loob I smiled to nanay and tatay.

"Maayong aga po nanay and tatay!" I greeted them with respect and energetic tone. Nanay laugh at me that made my nervous less. "Cute mo," Jerome commented at my side I just pout. Jerome introduce me to his family, I smiled knowing that they accept me warmly.

When Jerome decide na umakyat muna sa kwarto niya, kaagad naman akong lumapit kay nanay to help her sa pagluluto even I don't know how. "Mag da-dalawang buwan palang daw kayo?" I smiled at nanay and shyly nod my head. "Kamusta ang anak ko bilang nobyo?" Nanay asked again, "lagi niya po akong inaalala, saka inalagaan. Hindi niya po kinakaalimutan sabihin at iparamdam sakin gaano niya ako ka mahal. I'm also proud of him rin po, he's the best boyfriend for me po, and he's the best son sainyo po." I saw how Jerome love his family, love his mother I know he deserves to ba called the best son.

Nanay smiled at me and hold my hand. "Maari mo akong tawaging nanay, masaya ako na ikaw ang naging nobya ng anak ko." It melts my heart, and then the next thing happened: I hugged Nanay like she was my mother. I feel Nanay gently stroke my hair. "Ngayon ko na lang siya, ulit nakitang ganyan kasaya."

"Aalagaan ko rin siya nanay kung paano mo siya aalagaan. Hindi nga lang ako marunong magluto po." Nanay laughs, then decides to teach me how to cook. We were both laughing and smiling, and that was the second time I felt at home; it was in his mother's embrace.

"Wait for me there, darling."

I smiled when I saw his chat, kaya nakanguso akong naghihintay sa tapat ng gate. Our class ends earlier, so now I'm waiting for my baby. I'm now in grade eleven taking stem and currently second sem na kami gosh stressing.

"Sorry, darling, may klase pa pala. Mauna ka na po, bawi po ako."

Napasimangot ako nang makita ang sunod niyang chat. Mukhang busy ang engineer ko; he is in his second year of college, taking agricultural and biosystem engineering. I don't know gaano kahirap ang course niya, but I saw how stressed he is lately. I decided to go to the college department at school. I decided to wait for him on the benches.

I waited for three hours, until I saw my Jerome. He looks down and drained. I run towards him, as I saw surprise in his face when he saw me. "Surprise po!" I greet him energetically and giggle. He smiled and embraced me. "Bakit ka pa po naghintay?" He asked while resting his chin on my shoulder. "Let's have an ice cream date." Pag aaya ko, he looks tired, but he nods and smiles at me.

When we arrived at the ice cream store, kaagad na akong umorder. "Here's your cookies and cream, po." I smiled at him. I remember he told me that his favorite flavor is cookies and cream, and I always saw him ino-order 'to. Before, twice a week we are eating ice cream, he fetches me, treats me, and comforts me when I'm drained from school. "Wow, nilibre ako ng darling ko," he said, then placed his hands on my hands. I just smiled and squeezed his hands gently.

"Are you stressed?" I asked, then gently comb his hair. He closed his eyes and nodded his head. "I am; I'm struggling to maintain my grades," he said in a low voice. I stared at his eyes. "I'm proud of you; even when you are struggling, you always do your best. If you are struggling, call me, and I will cheer you up." Like he always does when I'm struggling, I remember how he called me and came to my house just to cheer me up.

"Happy sixth monthary, darling." He whispered; it was our sixth monthary today nga pala. "Where's my love letter?" He asked softly. I saw hope in his eyes. I just giggled; it was like a habit giving him a message every month we had. I handed him my letter as I saw how his eyes twinkled.

"This is my gift, my first kiss." Before he reacts, I press my lips to his lips. Nang lumayo ako I saw how his eyes widened. "Darling..." He is looking at me. "I'm always craving for your lips, po. This is the best gift."

"This is also my first kiss."

In one snap, his lips brush against mine. On our sixth anniversary, we made our first kiss together...

As time had unfolded like a vibrant sunset, each shared moment painted a breathtaking memory on our hearts.As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves standing hand-in-hand, our love a warm glow that lingered even as the last rays of light faded into the night.As I knew, with a certainty that defied words, that our love story was just beginning to write its most beautiful chapters.

One year passed, and our love grew. We learn and know each other more. We never stop learning and loving each other.

"May nagawa ba ko?" He asked. I just stared at him, codly ignoring him. We have a date, but my mood suddenly turns upside down.

"Wala," I said in a cold tone, and he looked at me in disbelief. "You are treating me codly, Ashley." I press my lips together, trying to control my tears, when I hear him call my name. "Ano naman?" I fight back. He looks at me and comes to me to embrace me in his arms.

"Please? Let me know, kung may nagawa ako? Kung okay ka lang? Please communicate with me," he said in a low voice. I look at him with teary eyes. And bury my face on his neck.

"Sorry, I'm just jealous." I whispered. I feel his hands rubbing my back and hush me. "Sorry baby, if you feel that way. Iiwasan ko siya. I love you so much. Next time tell me what happened; don't treat me codly." I nodded my head while sobbing in his shoulder, but it always happened. I didn't communicate, but he always had patience with me while always saying these words. "Hindi kita susukuan baby, tell me what's the problem?"

As one year passed, all I know is that our relationship is not perfect. We fought, we became tired, we became drained, but we always chose to stay.

"I love you sooo much, palagi at palagi kitang pipilitin."

Sunday came, and I'm busy to dress myself up. I'm wearing a purple up-shoulder dress. I comb my hair and put on light make-up sa mukha ko. "Tagal ka pa po?" I heard Jerome's voice outside my room. Kausap niya si mama kanina sa labas. I smiled at him nang makalabas ako sa kwarto. He bit his lower lips while staring at me.

"Ang ganda mo love lovee, bagay sayo po." Nakangusong akong umikot sa kanya para makita niya ang kabuan ng dress.

"Bagay talaga sakin 'to, ikaw namili nito eh." We both giggle then hug each other. Tapos naming maglandian nagpaalam na kami kay mama na aalis na. Since Sunday today, we decided to have an anniversary date at church.

"Happy second anniversary, lovee, lovee." He greets me while we are walking, holding each other's hands. "Happy second anniversary, po," I said and secretly put my love letter in his bag.

Sabay kaming pumasok sa simbahan, we sit on the chair while our hands are still holding. We close our eyes and we both pray. "Always guide this man beside me, God. I want him to be my forever, please God. I really want and need this man beside me, and I don't know what to do when I lose him. I love him so much, papa God."

I close my eyes while praying. Napamulat na lang ako nang hindi ko nanaramdaman ang kamay niya na nakahawak sakin. "My adi," he said in a low voice, nakaupo lang ako habang nakatingin sa kanya ngayon na nakaluhod sa harap ko.

"Masyado pang maaga mag propose ah." Pagrereklamo ko, but he just smiled and held my hand. Napakagat ako sa labi ko nang makitang may nilabas siyang box sa bulsa niya. When he opened the box at sa isang iglap, parang hihimatayin na ko.

"Calm down, my adi. This is a promise ring." He said that made me pout. "My adi, can you accept this ring as my promise to you that I will love you forever until my hair turns gray?" We stared at each other as we both saw tears forming in our eyes.

"Y-yes." As I feel the ring in my finger that made me feel so much love. "I promise my adi, I will love you forever."

"What's adi pala?"

"It means gift from God; you are God's gift to me.

The days melted into weeks, the weeks into months, and before we knew it, a year had slipped through our fingers like grains of sand.

"Papaa, nood tayo sunset!"

I call him just to tell him I want to watch the sunset. Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawag sa kabilang linya. "We will, mama, hintayin mo ko dyan." I giggle, then end our call. A month ago we made a new call sign, which is Mama and Papa. We always do that, creating new call signs.

"Ang bilis mo papa ah." He came towards me and held my hand. "Bawal maghintay ang asawa ko." He said that made me blush. We walk papuntang Sagada. It's been a while since pumunta kami rito. When we reach one year, we stop going to sagada; puro date na kami sa labas.

When we arrived in Sagada, we placed the mat and nilagay ko ang basket na dala ko. We will have a picnic while watching sunset. "You bake cookies for me, mama?" He asked in a soft tone. I nodded my head. When he tasted the cookie, I saw how his eyes twinkled, cute.

"Papaa, I know this is baduy, but I made a song." He looked into my eyes before he nodded his head. "Parinig po," I cleared my throat and looked at his eyes then start to hum.

"Every day with you is a cherished delight.

Every night by your side, a dream so bright

Every smile you share is a joy so true.

Every moment with you, a love anew."

I studied his face while singing; I studied his expression, but he just stared at me softly. I love him. I love him so much. We are now celebrating our third year being together. Our love story is not like a fairy tale, but our love story is my favorite. It was full of love.

"As thoughts of eternity gently entwine

I pray for this love to forever shine.

I vow to stand by you in every climb.

until the end of time."

When I met the man beside me, everything was unclear; everything was tiring, but when I'm with him, I forget being sad.

"One day, you'll be mine, and our love will ignite.

One day you'll be my husband, shining so bright.

One day, you'll be the first sight in the morning's light."

"I'm already yours, mama," he said, using his soft tone, resting his head on my shoulder. "I know, but you know being mine like being mag asawa na," I replied. He smiled at me as he held my hand like it was the most precious thing he ever holds.

"Happy third-year anniversary, mama." I smiled, but my smile faded when he placed a key in my hand. "Ano gagawin ko sa susi papa?"

"Can you be at my side always, mama? Gusto na ikaw makasama ni papa, pwede po tumira ka na sakin? "

"Misis koo?"

I giggle ina low a low voice,voice, trying to hide from from Jerome. I saw his reaction; he is now pouting. Napanguso na lang din ako nang biglang tumunog yung phone ko, the next I knew bumunggad sakin ang liwanag ng kwarto. "Anong ginagawa mo po sa cabinet?" He asked me na mukhang ready akong sermonan sa pinagagaawa ko.

I look at him; he is wearing a simple, naive blue shirt and shorts. "Happy birthday po!" I energetically greet him, then I pop the party popper na hawak ko, ngisi-ngisi akong tingnan ang mga makukulay na colored paper na lumabas. "Misis ko naman," he smiled at me, kaya nilabas ko na ang cupcake na tinatago ko. May candle sa ibabaw nito kaya sinindian ko na.

"Wag kang maarte asawa ko, mamaya na yung cake nasa ref." Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa. He presses his lips to mine, then blows the candle. "Thank you, misis ko." I smiled at him widely, then ako na ang kumain sa cupcake, chocolate kasi eh.

"Happy twenty-fourth birthday, asawa ko." I smiled then giggled. It was four years passed; he is now twenty-four, and I'm now twenty years old. Years passed, and we were still celebrating each other's day together.

"I love you always, forever, and beyond, mister ko."

"Misis ko gising." Napamulat ako nang marinig ang tawag ni Jerome sa tabi ko. I feel his warm hands on my waist that made me smile.

"Tulips for you, po." He said that made me smile more. Every morning since I decided to live with him, lagi akong may flower na natatanggap. It's like the habit of him made my heart explode every time I woke up.

"I'm happy, mama na tuwing gigising ako ikaw na palaging nakikita ko. Kapag mag aalmusal, mag tatanghalian, mag hahapunan ikaw ang kasalo ko. My world became so much peace when I found you," he said in a low voice as I saw the glint of tears in his eyes. "Hindi ko inaakala na magiging masaya ako ng ganto. Sa piling mo misis ko sobrang saya ko na. Mahal na mahal kita." He kissed me as I kissed him back.

"Happy fourth anniversary, mister ko. I will be by your side always, I promise."

"Pangako rin na palagi akong nasa tabi mo."

But not every promise is meant to be true, right?