Final Chapter

"She's not a total bitch, you know. Tao lang siya na nagkakamali. She was truly sorry for what she did to you. Ginawa niya ang lahat ng paraan para ituwid ang mga pagkakamali niya. She even came to me just to persuade you to join the Sundance Film Festival. Sa huli, kaibigan mo pa rin siya," paliwanag ni Illyze.

"Alam ko. She was thrilled when I told her that I am in love with you. Boto daw siya sa iyo. Nagpapasalamat nga pala siya sa iyo. Napatawad na niya ang sarili niya sa ginawa niya sa akin dahil kasama na kita. Tatapusin na lang niya ang entry ko sa Sundance Film Festival at sa Canada na siya titira. Tanggap na rin niya na kahit ano pang gawin niyang pagmamahal, mali pa rin. Mr. Lorenzo won't leave his wife. At kahit iwan pa niya, di rin niya sasamahan si Jewel."

"Well, that's a bit sad. But the good news is that you will continue with your movie project!" Ginagap niya ang kamay nito. "Now I am excited. Are you sure you are ready? Baka nilalagnat ka lang."

"Kinausap ko na ang producer namin. Malaki rin naman ang naitulong niya sa akin. I can't just ditch the project. Lahat ng tao kailangang mag-move on, hindi ba? Kaya pagkatapos ng Sundance, tatanggapin ko na ang offer ni Neiji Villaranza. I will do the Stallion project."

Nangilid ang luha niya."I am so happy for you.You are really back to the old you."

"No, you are wrong. I am not back to my old self. I am better now. Actually I am in my best elements at the moment because I have you. Minadali ko agad na plantsahin ang project sa loob ng dalawang araw dahil kailangan kong sabihin sa iyo lahat pati ang nararamdaman ko. I've been planning to make this conversation to be more romantic. Not inside your car."

"But look, Romanov. What could be more romantic than this place? We are at the Mountain Trail. Where we first met and we had our first date."

"Ah! How can I forget that day?" He gently kissed her forehead. "I resigned my self to a lifetime alone. Without someone to love me. Without someone to bother me. I was okay if I am not happy. Mabuti na iyon kaysa masaktan. But you made me want to love and live again. You made me smile again. You brought life back to my dark world. And you are everything to me now."

"And you are my destiny. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naiisip kong sumuko minsan. Kaya nga destiny, hindi ba? Kahit anong gawin ko, ikaw pa rin ang gusto ko. I couldn't give you up. My heart simply can't. I don't actually care if it's really destiny that brought you to me. I know is that I love you."

His lips was about to swoop down on hers when she remembered something. "Oh, no! Hindi pwede…"

"Anong hindi pwede?" His face twisted in disappointment. "You don't want to kiss me? O iniisip mo pa rin na iwan ako?"

"Silly! I have to. In-invite ako ni Mommy at Daddy na mag-lunch. Magagalit sila sa akin kapag na-late ako."

"Bakit hindi mo sinasabi sa akin?" pasigaw nitong tanong.

"Bakit ka galit?" ganting-sigaw niya.

"Akala ko kasi iiwan mo na ako. Na hindi ka na babalik. Na baka nag-decide ka nang iba ang destiny mo at hindi na ako."

"Anong inirereklamo mo? Mahal na nga kita."

Sa pagtataka niya ay umupo ito sa driver's seat. "Get inside the car. I am driving. Ayokong mapagalitan ka kapag na-late ka."

"Sasama ka para ma-meet ang parents ko?"

Tumango ito. "Ipagpapaalam kita kung pwede kitang isama sa film festival. Heck! They should know me because I am your boyfriend now. At gusto ko rin magpagawa kay Jenna Rose ng isusuot mo sa Sundance. Alam ko na busy ka dahil may fashion show-art exhibit ninyo. But I want you to make one. I want to show the world how talented you are." Natigilan ito. "But will your parents like me?"

"My mom will say yes right away because you are so handsome. Importante sa kanya guwapo at matalino ang pakakasalan ko. And my dad is a fan of yours. He would be delighted to have welcome you."

"Baka naman ayawan ako ng kuya mo."

Kinindatan niya ito. "Don't worry. May panakot ako sa kanya."

Nang humalakhak ito, pakiwari niya ay humalakhak pati ang hangin, ulap at maging ang mga puno. The world is laughing with him. At iyon ang gusto niyang makita ng buong mundo. Nobody should be scared to take a chance on love. The road may be rough but it was all worth it.