CHAPTER 25 - FINALE

DASHER gazed at the woman who slept like a baby beside his hospital bed. Nakauklo ito malapit sa ulunan niya. Mabini ang paghinga nito tanda ng payapa nitong pagtulog. It's been three days since he came into that hospital. Tatlong araw na rin itong halos walang pahingang nagbabantay sa kanya...at nasasaktan.

He sighed. Kinailangan niyang magsinungaling at gawing kasabwat ang doctor niya na sabihing malala ang kondisyon niya, na ilang araw pa ang kailangang hintayin bago siya tuluyang magising. Kahit na ang totoo ay daplis lang naman ng bala ang natamo niya.

He just needed to gather up his strength before he faced her again. Dahil batid niyang sa oras na kausapin niya ito ulit ay kakailanganin niya ng lakas para pigilan ito sa napipinto nitong muling pag-alis. He clenched his fists. Hinding hindi na niya ulit hahayaang makaalis ito sa paningin niya. Kaya nga kahit nakapikit siya ay pinakikiramdaman niya pa rin ito.

He only slept whenever she slept too. At bago siya matulog, sinisiguro muna niyang hawak niya ang kamay nito. Nagigising lang siya kapag inalis na nito ang pagkakahawak sa kamay niya. His gaze fell on their intertwined hands. Lalo siyang napangiti. Sa tatlong araw na pananatili niya sa ospital ay wala na itong ibang ginawa kundi ang alagaan siya.

At umiyak habang humihingi ng tawad sa kanya. He sighed.

Umangat ang isang kamay niya upang hawiin ang ilang hibla ng buhok nito na tumatabing sa maamo nitong mukha. He carefully tucked her hair behind her ears. He itched to touch her smooth and silky face but he didn't want to wake her up yet, so he stopped himself. Mayamaya'y hinugot niya ang kanyang cellphone mula sa ilalim ng kanyang unan.

"Is everything ready?" tanong niya nang angatin ng nasa kabilang linya ang tawag.

"Yes, master," sarkastikong sagot ni Blitzen mula sa kabilang linya.

If he just weren't nervous, he would've scowled at Blitzen. Napalunok siya nang painot-inot na kumilos si Donnie Marie. Cold sweats started forming on his forehead and his hands got cold. Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kanyang cellphone.

"G-Get ready and wait for her to open the door," aniya rito bago pinatay ang tawag.

When she purred, his stomach clenched. Dammit! He was worse than a nervous thirteen-year-old virgin who's about to take his first ever girl to bed. Dati rati, tinatawanan niya lang ang mga lalaking napapanood niyang nagpro-propose sa girlfriends ng mga ito. Until that day...

Akala niya dati, basta may singsing at bulaklak, okay na. All his life, he's always heard yes. He never accepted "no" for an answer. He's always been too sure to get a yes. Well, he was gorgeous, rich and powerful. Every sane woman would be honoured to marry someone like him. But Donnie Marie was half sane and half insane. He couldn't be too sure about her answer.

Her "yes" scared him too. He'd lived all his life with his freedom. He'd done everything without considering someone's feelings. At alam niyang sa oras na pumayag ito sa proposal niya ay magbabago ang lahat ng mga nakasanayan niya. He would be committed to her—forever.

That thought scared the shit out of him! Pinakiramdaman niya ang kanyang sarili. Suddenly, he envisioned how Donnie Marie bossed him around, how she nagged him for going home late. How the cries of their baby burst into their room while they were making love. Nalukot ang ilong niya. That wasn't cool, he thought.

But when he stared at Donnie Marie, he envisioned her glowing face and her bright smile while she was wearing the grandest and the most beautiful wedding gown he'd ever seen. She was walking down the isle, holding a pretty flower that matched her beauty.

Yes, she was crazy, she was violent, she was crooked and she was sly but she was his Donnie Marie. She made him open his heart and conquer his own fear. She taught him that loving is trusting. Tinuruan siya nitong tignan ang kabutihan sa isang bagay imbes na kapintasan. She taught him how to accept himself regardless of his past.

She'd accepted him for who he was, not for who he was portaying as himself. And most of all, she trusted him. She cared for him. She loved him. She would sacrifice her own life for him. Isa na siyang dakilang tanga kapag pinakawalan niya pa ang babaeng katulad nito.

He would propose to her for a million years even if she'd say no. He would never doubt his love or his future with her again—because that was what love was about—full of surprises. Dahil sa pag-ibig, walang kasiguraduhan. Hindi mo masasabi na hinding hindi mo mamahalin ang isang taong ayaw na ayaw mo, hindi mo masasabing magiging masaya ka sa piling ng isang tao dahil lang sa mahal ninyo ang isa't isa. You could never tell what would happen next.

But with a strong foundation of love—you would never think of what might happen next—for when you're in love, your present is what was really important, not your past or your future. Dahil kung totoong nagmamahal ka, gagawin mo ang lahat para maging masaya ang kinabukasan ninyong dalawa—maging anuman iyon. Kaya sisiguruhin niyang magiging maayos ang kinabukasan nila ni Donnie Marie—na hindi ito magsisising minahal din siya nito.

Man, he had never been proud of himself until that moment he's realized what responsibility entailed marriage. Maswerte din talaga sa kanya si Donnie Marie. Silly.

"D-Dasher?" hindi makapaniwalang anas ni Donnie Marie nang magising ito. "Y-you're awake!" bulalas nito. Matagal siya nitong tinitigan na tila ba noon lang siya nito nakita.

Then her eyes turned misty and red. She bit her lip, obviously to stop herself from crying. That warmed his heart. He touched her cheek and wiped away her tears.

"Please don't cry," he said. "Akala ko pa naman, sa oras na magising ako ay susugurin mo ako ng halik at yakap. Bakit mo ako iniiyakan?"

"You're okay," hikbi nito. "Thank God."

"I missed you, sweetie," he whispered.

"I m-missed you too."

"Come here and give me a hug," he urged.

Lumapit naman ito at tsaka siya niyakap. "Tell me if I'm hurting you, okay?" nag-aalalang paalala nito. "Baka masagi ko iyong sugat mo sa tagiliran."

"Shut up and just kiss me."

He sensed her smile when she stiffened for a second. Mayamaya ay kumalas ito upang gawaran siya ng isang mainit na halik sa labi. Ah, her kiss was heaven. He'd die for that kiss. Damn, how he'd miss her! His buddy seemed to have missed her too. It hardened so much it could hammer a nail...on a stone. Just as when he deepened their kiss, she stopped kiss him back and slowly backed away. Parang gusto niyang maghurumentado dahil sa ginawa nito.

"I n-need to tell the doctor about you waking up," wika nito. "I have to call your brothers too." Tumayo ito at akmang tutungo sa pinto nang tawagin niya ito.

"You don't have to do that. Kagagaling lang ng doctor dito. He already knew that I woke up. Tulog ka kasi kanina noong nandito siya," sabi niya.

She looked away so he knew something was up with her. He clenched his fist. Just as he'd expected, balak nga talaga nitong iwanan siya sa oras na magising siya.

"Kausap ko rin sa telepono kanina ang mga kapatid ko kaya alam nilang gising na ako. In fact, their on their way here," dagdag niya.

"I n-need to go to the bathroom," she babbled.

"The bathroom's that way," turo niya sa pintuang nasa gawing kanan ng higaan niya.

"B-but before that, I think I have to get the fruits I bought for you a while ago. N-nasa kotse ko kasi iyon. Nasa parking lot. Kukunin ko lang," kinakabahang palusot nito.

He stared at her for quite a long while. When she avoided his gaze, he felt like an angry horse kicked him on his chest. Would she really leave him? Hindi pa siya nakakasagot nang bigla na lang itong tumalikod at naglakad patungo sa pintuan. When she opened the door, Donder blocked her way out, pushed her back inside his room and then shut the door and locked it. When she heard the click sound, she panicked and tried to open it again.

"D-Donder?" tawag nito sa kapatid niya. "What are you doing? Open the door!" sigaw nito. Hindi makapaniwalang napalingon ito sa kanya. "Dasher!" naiiritang tawag nito sa kanya.

He just grinned at her. Odd, pero sa tuwing nakikita niyang naaasar ito ay natutuwa siya. Para kasing gumaganda pa ito lalo sa paningin niya. He really missed her.

"Yes, sweetie?" painosenteng balik-tanong niya.

"Ano ang problema ng kapatid mo?" she hissed. "At ano rin ang problema mo? Bakit ka ngumingisi ng ganyan? Tell him to open the door!"

Sa halip na gawin ang ipinag-uutos nito ay napahalukipkip lang siya. "Why should I? Eh ako nga ang nag-utos sa kanyang i-lock ang pinto."

Napaawang ang mga labi nito. Marahan siyang tumayo na lalong ikinamulagat ng mga mata nito. Tsaka siya naglakad palapit rito. Instinctively, she stepped back.

"N-nakakatayo ka na agad?" bulalas nito.

"I told him to lock the door. And unless I tell him to open it, it won't be opened," pagkukumpirma niya habang inaalis ang suerong nakakabit sa kamay niya.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Plano mong tumakas ulit, diba?" he growled. "Iiwan mo ulit ako," he accused.

Namula ang mukha nito. "H-hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo," nauutal na sagot nito.

It took him three long strides to get beside her. Yumuko siya at walang paalam na kinuha ang papel na nasa bulsa nito. "Eh ano ang ibig sabihin nito?"

"How did you..." Napakurap ito ng ilang beses.

"Don't you even try to deny it! Alam kong balak mo akong iwan ulit sa oras na magising ako. Kilala kita, Donnie Marie. Alam ko ang balak mo."

Sinubukan nitong agawin ang sulat mula sa kanya ngunit iniiwas niya iyon rito. He was taller than her, kaya hirap na hirap itong abutin mula sa kamay niya iyong sulat. Pinaningkitan siya ito ng mata, hindi naman siya nagpatalo, he glared at her.

"Fine. Sa'yo na iyan. Just tell your watchdog to open the door," sabi nito.

"Talaga bang iiwan mo ako pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito?" tanong niya sa nasasaktang tono. "Kulang pa ba ang lahat ng ginawa ko para mapatunayan sa'yong kaya kong isakripisyo ang lahat, maging ang buhay ko, makasama lang kita?"

Hinuli niya ang mga mata nito. May isang minuto rin itong nakipagtitigan sa kanya bago ito napayuko. Naiinis na pinunasan nito ang luhang namalibis mula sa mga mata nito. Seeing the woman he loved most cry in front of him made it hard to breathe. It was like something sharp was piercing his chest. Napapikit siya. He didn't want to see her crying. Nang hindi siya makatiis ay napamulat siya ng mga mata at tsaka niya ito tinalikuran.

"Stop it, right now!" he hissed.

"Hindi mo ba talaga maintindihan, ha Dasher? I have to let you go," hikbi nito.

"Iyon nga ang hindi ko maintindihan. Alam mo naman na ang rason kung bakit ayokong iwan mo ako, diba? Nasabi ko na sa'yo ang lahat ng gusto kong sabihin noong nasa rest house tayo ni Homer. Why are you being like this?" frustrated niyang sagot.

She was not able to give him a reasonable answer like she used to, kaya mas lalo lang siyang nafrustrate. Hindi mapakaling nagpalakad-lakad siya sa harap nito.

"I'm scared."

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang marinig niya ang tinuran nito na nagmistulang bulong. Marahan siyang napalingon dito. Nakayuko pa rin ito at tahimik na umiiyak. He's never seen Donnie Marie look so vulnerable like that...and scared. Lumapit siya rito at marahang hinawakan ito sa baba. Itinaas niya ang mukha nito at muling hinuli ang mailap nitong mga mata.

"I'm scared," ulit nito, she closed her eyes.

"I am scared too," whispered. "Everything is new to me. Hindi ko alam kung makakaya ko bang matagalan ang pagiging bossy mo, hindi ko alam kung matatagalan ba kitang makasama habangbuhay, I don't know what would happen in the future. But did you know? I don't care about my future with you. Sounds stupid, right? I am a businessman. I always deal things after calculating the profit I would gain in the future. But sweetie, you are my future."

He cupped her flushed face. "Whatever happens in the future, basta alam kong kasama kita, handa akong harapin iyon. Because you are my strength, my happiness and my life."

She slowly opened her eyes. "K-kahit na maraming naghahabol sa buhay ko? Kahit na isang libong tao ang handang gumawa ng paraan para patayin ako? Kahit na—"

"Unang una, hindi ako papayag na saktan ka ng kahit na sino. Kailangan muna nilang dumaan sa ibabaw ng bangkay ko bago nila makanti kahit na isang hibla man lang ng buhok mo. Pangalawa, wala akong pakialam kahit na isang milyon pa sila dahil lahat ng paraan ay handa kong gawin maprotektahan lang kita. I'd catch a grenade for you, baby."

A chuckle left her throat because of his last line. "Don't you go Bruno Mars on me."

Ngumisi siya. God, how he'd missed her smile. "At pangatlo, ayoko ng marinig ang kahit na ano pa'ng sasabihin mo dahil kahit ano'ng pagpapaliwanag mo, hinding hindi ko rin iyon tatanggapin. I will never let you go again, sweetie. Never. I will hire the best detective in the world just to find you. Kaya walang saysay kahit na tumakas ka pa."

"W-why are you saying these things?"

It wasn't the kind of reaction he'd expected from her. Hindi ba, dapat ay kiligin ito dahil sa mga sinabi niya? Hell, he even expected an excited hug and a torrid kiss from her! Hindi iyon ku-kwestiyunin pa nito ang mga sinabi niya na para bang nagrecite lang siya ng report!

"What do you mean why?" tanong niya sa medyo mataas na tono. He couldn't control his anger. "Sa dami ng pwede mong sabihin, bakit why pa?"

"Bakit mo ako gustong manatili sa tabi mo? Bakit mo ako gustong protektahan?"

"Ano ba'ng klaseng tanong iyan?"

"Tanong na hindi mo masagot..." dismayadong sagot nito.

Hell, what was he supposed to say, anyway? Napaawang ang mga labi niya nang bigla siya nitong itulak palayo. Galit na lumapit ito sa pinto at bigla nitong pilit na binubuksan iyon.

"Open this damned door!" sigaw nito.

"Ano ba'ng problema mo?" He angrily followed her.

"Ikaw ang problema ko! Pakisabi nga sa kapatid mo na buksan niya itong pinto!"

"Hindi kita palalabasin dito hangga't hindi ka pumapayag na manatili sa tabi ko!"

"Why?"

"Dammit, Donnie Marie! Ayan ka na naman sa kaka-why mo. Bakit ba puro ka why?"

"Eh bakit nga gusto mo akong manatili sa tabi mo?"

"Dahil ayokong malayo sa'yo, ano pa nga ba?"

"Why?"

He felt like punching the door behind her. O kaya eh iuntog ang ulo niya sa pader. Bakit ba why ito ng why? Hindi pa ba nito naiintindihan ang gusto niyang iparating dito?

"Whatever!" she sighed. "Just open this door, right now!"

"Tapos, iiwan mo ako? No way! Akala ko ba mahal mo ako?" bigla niyang naitanong.

Natigilan ito. When she looked away with tears in her eyes, he felt like the worst beastin the whole world. What did he say bad to make her look like she's been cheated on?

"Yes, I love you," mahina nitong sabi. "But..."

"But?" he asked, almost breathless.

"N-nothing. Just let me go, please?" she begged.

It was like asking him to die. He stared at her. Bakit hindi niya magawang basahin ang nasa isip nito? Bakit hindi nangyayari ang inaasahan niya? Perhaps, he needed flowers, or a ring, or something that would make her realize that she meant the world to him.

He pounded on the door. Hindi niya pinansin ang panlalaki ng mga mata nito. "Donder, are you there?" sigaw niya.

"Yes, master!" sarkastikong sagot nito.

"I am opening the door. Are you ready?"

"Give us a minute!"

"What was that?" nagtatakang tanong ni Donnie Marie.

He blushed. Of all the fucking times, why did he blush right at that moment? He looked away. "Let's just wait for a minute," pasupladong sagot niya.

Cold sweats started to form on his forehead again. Nagsisimula na ring manginig ang tuhod niya. His hands went cold again. It would be his last chance. Kapag pumalpak pa rin siya at tumanggi pa rin itong manatili sa tabi niya, susuko na siya at hahayaan na lang ito.

The idea depressed the shit out of him but if that was what she really wanted, iyon ang ibibigay niya. Hindi niya magagawang pilitin ang isang taong ayaw magpapilit.

"I am opening the door," nakakalokong sigaw ni Donder mula sa pinto.

He heaved a sigh and swallowed a lump of nervousness in his throat. He anxiously stared at the door as it slowly opened in front of them. He was about to close his eyes when he heard her gasp. Marahas siyang napalingon kay Donnie Marie. She was teary eyed again. What the hell did he do this time? Hindi na naman ba nito...natigilan siya.

Iba yung klase ng pagluha nito ngayon. As she stared at the stuffs he's prepared outside his hospital room, she was crying and smiling and laughing at the same time. Hindi niya alam kung dapat ba niyang ikatuwa yun o ikabahala. But he chose the former.

Naglakad siya palapit kay Donder, who was grinning from ear to ear. Nasa tabi nito ang pito pa nilang mga kapatid. All were dressed like policemen on duty.

Inis na hinablot niya ang pink na posas na nakakalokong iwinawagayway nito. Nagkatawanan ang mga kapatid niya. Damn! Lalo siyang pinamulahan ng mukha. It was so embarrassing. He didn't want his brothers to see him look like a fool. Nakakadiri kayang maging cheesy, lalo pa kung sa harap ng mga kapatid niya mangyayari iyon!

Kaso, noong makita niya ang maliwanag na ngiti ni Donnie Marie habang pinapanood siya nito ay biglang nawala ang pagkapahiyang nararamdaman niya. How could she make him feel better whenever he felt like a trash with just one smile?

Damn, but all that shit was worth it if it were for her. Nahihiyang lumapit siya kay Donnie Marie, who by then, was suppressing a smile. Napakamot siya sa ulo.

"Say it, bro!" nang-aasar na sabi ni Blitzen. Donder laughed out loud, Dancer high-fived with Prancer. All his brothers laughed harder.

But surprisingly, he didn't mind. Kahit pa may iilang mga pasyente, nurses at ibang tao nang nagsisimulang huminto para panoorin ang kaunting stunt na ginawa nilang mga Claus. Sapagkat nang mga oras na iyon ay wala siyang ibang nakikita kundi si Donnie Marie lamang.

"You are under arrest," nakangiting sabi niya habang inilalagay sa kanang kamay nito ang pink na posas. "For stealing my heart and trying to run away with it, for illegally making my heart pound like shit," napaubo siya. "I mean, for making my heart pound like...hell?"

"You jerk," natatawang sabi ni Donnie Marie.

"For letting me fall madly, deeply in love with you," he said breathlessly. "I love you sweetie, please stay with me...forever."

"Fool," biglang iyak nito. "That was all I've been waiting for you to tell me."

Nagulat siya nang bigla siya nitong pinalo sa dibdib. Medyo masakit ah! Ngunit nawala sa isip niya ang magreklamo nang bigla siya nitong yakapin ng mahigpit na mahigpit at tsaka siya ginawaran ng isang matindi at nagbabagang halik—sa harap ng maraming tao!

He suddenly felt proud, lalo na noong naghiyawan at nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa paligid nila—at noong napaungol ang mga kapatid niya. Jealous jerks!

"B-but wait..." aniya nang putulin nito ang halik. "It was all you were waiting for? I mean, could you explain it to me?" kunot-noong tanong niya rito.

"Sa lahat ng sinabi mo, may kulang eh."

"And that is?"

"You never said that you love me!" she hissed. "Samantalang ako, ilang beses ko ng sinabi iyon sa'yo," she pouted.

He couldn't believe it. "You were about to walk away from my life just because I didn't say I love you?" he said incredulously.

"It's the magic word!" dabog nito.

"Dammit, Donnie Marie! Halos makabuo na ako ng nobela ng pag-ibig dahil sa mga sinabi ko sa'yo, hindi mo pa rin nagets na mahal kita?"

"I wanted an assurance."

"And me, begging you to stay into my life, isn't an assurance? Sinabi ko na rin sa'yo dati sa rest house ni Homer na mahal kita, nakalimutan mo na ba?"

"Iba 'yun. Malay ko ba kung bugso lang ng damdamin mo iyon. I mean, we were facing death at that time."

"And facing my death just to save you just means "bugso ng damdamin" to you?" nanggagalaiting angil niya.

"And what is so hard in saying I love you, huh?"

"I don't believe this. I can't believe you!" he hissed.

"Ewan ko sa'yo!"

Nang bigla itong tumalikod ay mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong hinila niya ito sa kamay pabalik sa mga bisig niya. "Not so fast, lady. You are under arrest, right?"

"Hindi ka naman pulis!" nanunulis ang ngusong sabi nito.

Damn her for being too cute to resist. Napangiti na siya. He must be the luckiest man on earth. He gave her another searing kiss that earned the crowd another whoot.

"So what?" he grinned. Tsaka niya inilagay sa kaliwang kamay niya ang kabilang dulo ng posas na nakalagay sa kamay nito. "Eh gusto kitang ikulong sa buhay ko habangbuhay."

With a corny popping sound behind him, courtesy of Dancer, the twins rolled off a white cloth that has a message written in bold letters. Napangiwi siya sa hitsura niyon. Ang sagwa pala ng sulat kamay niya.

"It's Prancer's fault," agad niyang paliwanag. "Ang sabi kasi niya ay mas sweet daw kapag ako mismo ang gagawa ng banner. Too bad, I don't have an artistic side of me."

"Yes," nakangiting sabi ni Donnie Marie.

"What?" natitigilang anas niya.

"I said yes, I'll marry you. You corny little jerk," natatawang sabi nito.

"K-kahit na pangit ang pagkakasulat ko sa tanong na "Will you marry me?" nanginginig niyang tanong. She nodded. Napalunok siya. "K-kahit na hindi pa ako lumuluhod?"

"Eh 'di lumuhod ka na," tawa nito.

Natawa na rin siya. Then he bent on one knee. Inilabas niya ang kahitang kanina pa nagtatago sa loob ng bulsa niya. With shaking hands, he opened the box and stared at her.

Damn, this is it! Parang sirang plakang paulit ulit na nagpe-play iyon sa utak niya. He would be ending his freedom. But he would be having the best and the most beautiful girl in the world. Napangiti siya. Tanga na siya kung may natitira pang takot sa dibdib niya. Kung sa business iyon, jackpot siya kasi wala siyang lugi. Sobra pa sa tubo.

"Donnie Marie Plaza, will you marry me?" nakangiting tanong niya.

She stared at him, with so much love in her eyes, and then nodded. "Yes, I will marry you. Kahit pa ikaw na ang pinakamanyak, pinakamayabang at pinaka-nakakaasar na lalaki sa buong mundo," natatawang luha nito.

Kinuha niya ang singsing mula sa kahita at tsaka iyon isinuot sa palasingsingan nito. Tahimik niyang pinagtawanan ang kanyang sarili. Damn, his hands couldn't stop shivering!

"I love you, sweetie," he whispered.

"I love you too, Dasher, my dashing devil," she grinned.

"I will protect you from any harm. And I will love you until the end of time."

Lumuluhang niyakap siya nito. He smiled then hugged her tighter. Damn, he didn't know that hearing a simple yes from the woman he loved felt better that having the best sex of his life. Fuck, his life wasn't all about sex, afterall.

A/N

There's a hidden Epilogue in this story. Sa Epilogue malalaman yung mga problemang darating sa mga magkakapatid, Re: Sebastian Claus. But then again, hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang mangyayari rito since hindi ko na natuloy ang series na ito. Will continue writing this series (Itong story lang kasi ni Dash ang napasa at na-approve sa PHR) so I don't really know what will happen to Dasher's story in PHR (If ever ngang mapublish ito under them) but yeah, please wait for the other stories... The next story that you should read is Blitzen's story. Lalabas sina Dash at Donnie Marie don, cameo. heheheh...

Thank you for reading until the end! Labyu!