Chapter 11

Twilight. The crimson sun rays were penetrating through the window pane. As Luke were driving fast, Billy had to remind him to slow down. He developed this fear after everything had done in his life, it was hard for him to take it as history but he took it as a lesson to value life evenmore. Billy was awake, and he was manipulating his phone messaging someone. Grace was on Billy's shoulder napping. She was even more beautiful when she's asleep. She has this radiant face that appeals every guy.

It was 6:30 pm when Billy signaled Like to stop at Cayapa road. Grace was awakened in a sudden stop, and fixed her hair, wiped her face with her palm and drank some water. Billy went out, and stood on the roadside. Tears rolled down on her cheeks, reminscing. Grace came near with a three candle, and lit them. She held Billy's hand, and comforted him as always. She hugged him through the back. "Ma. Pa. Bry. Look at my hand. We're going to marry. I know you are happy for us." Grace could not resist her tears.

"We're taking the path again to continue what has been cancelled. And I assured this time, Ma. Pa. Bry." Billy uttered as he wiped off his tears. "You know I'm getting there and you'll get what's right for you." Not to Grace's knowledge, Billy had planned out to gain the freedom he was panting for a long period. The freedom from unjustness and deceitfulness. He knew what was real and deceit, but some evidence and proof would put them into the cage of guilt. He had worked for it without the knowledge of others. I will end in due time, he reckoned.

Then, they went off. A Stanford car stifled right in front of the Aquino residence. It beeped twice. And the maid came running, she opened the driveway.

Peter was in a question, why did he entered his car? "I thought he will just dropped by Grace." Mel was in mum.

"Glad you're here safe." Peter hugged Grace and Billy.

"We will have a dinner with Billy right now 'cause..." Grace paused and thought of not spoiling the surprise.

"...'cause?" Mel was waiting for a reason.

"Let's have a seat first, Ma." Grace diversed the conversation. "It's always been tiresome to travel."

Mel and Fe, the maid, prepared the table and served the food.

Billy was on his phone again. "Billy." Grace gestured a 'come'. But Billy signed her a 'wait' and point on the phone.

"Where's Billy?" Peter asked to Grace. "Business matters. On the phone."

A minute after, Billy came in. "Are you okay?" Mel asked him. "Yes, ma." And he switched his phone in silent mode. "Let's dine, Billy."

As the table was quiet, Billy cleared his throat, "..uhm. Again. I am asking for your approval, Ma. Pa."

Peter pretended to disagree, "I can't approve..." Grace stared to his father, "Pa..." She's about to cry. "I can't approve that you'll not marry my dear, Billy." Mel smiled and couldn't talk.

Grace stood and hugged her father and mother. "I'm getting to marry, finally." "Yes, you are." Mel and Peter responded in unison.

Grace flaunted her engagement ring to her parents and Fe. She couldn't remove her smile on her lips.

Mel called Billy, and - "You are now officially part of the family as always." And they laughed on the word, officially.

Fe was so happy, "It's so perfect. Wait! I'll just take a photograph."

A minute later, they sat down. As they were eating, Peter asked Billy, "So what's the plan?"

"We're going to continue the garden wed." Grace interrupted. "Yes, Pa. As Grace dream.

"When?" Mel looked at Billy and smiled.

"We planned to be on December 6, on her birthday. As a great gift to her." Smiled. And Grace spoke up, "Yup, and we agreed that it will still be there... in Banaue despite of the past." Billy nodded and asked for suggestion to her parents.

"It's okay to celebrate there but for now, we need to be careful and assure it was planned out, Billy." Peter was fiddling the handle of the fork, seemed he was thinking deep.

"What bothers you, Peter?" Mel asked him.

"I was just thinking of..." he paused "So if you really want there, we need to travel one week before the wedding."

"I had planned that I will be there ahead of you to fix some sorts of things for the wedding." Billy assured it to her parents. "Well, I'll be staying there until wed."

Peter nod and Mel spoke, "Well, the wedding is settled." And smiled.

"By the way, where did you choose for honeymoon?" Peter laughed as if he was excited to carry a grandchild.

Grace grinned and hesitantly spoke in a low voice, "We're thinking of L. A."

"L. A.?" Peter raised his voice, and laughed, "Can we visit?" Looked at Billy and Mel twice.

"Of course, Pa." Billy was smiling.

And the conversation went on and on until 11:00. "I'll just prepare the room for Billy and Luke." Mel intervened the jolly chats.

The night was deep, and Peter cut the chatting, "It's about to midnight, I need some rest." And went upstairs. Also, Luke kicked the blanket too.

Grace spoke, "Love, can I come tomorrow in Cebu?"

"Yes, Love..." Billy replied. "That's what I'm going to ask."

"Wake up early tomorrow." Billy said it on her ear, and smacked her.

Grace said, "Good night then, Love."

"I love you. Good night."

"I to you."