Epilogue

A week turned into weeks, then months, then a year.

It was finally her wedding day. Everyone thought she will be married just a week after Joseph has snatched her from her home.

"Are you ready?" Tanong iyon ng kuya niya na naroon sa kanyang tabi. Itinaas nito ang braso at inayos ang tupi ng polo sa bandang pulso. She could feel he was more nervous than her.

Tapos na siyang make-up-an ulit at ngayon ay suot na ang isang mahaba at kulay perlas na traje de boda. Her wedding gown was accented with pearls of different sizes. It was off-shoulder at ang sleeve ay nahahapit sa mga braso niya down her wrists. The gown fitted her slim body flaunting her curves.

Tumango siya. "I think so." Iyon lang ang naisagot niya sa kuya. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng ikakasal. Mixed emotions. In just about an hour, she will be Mrs. Garcia. Tila kay bilis lamang lumipas ng isang taon. She remembered what happened after Joseph proposed to her.

They were already in Isla Azul. Sa unang pagkakataon ay mapapasok niya ang Villa Eliza, ang mansyon ng mga Garcia sa Isla. It was named after his grandmother. She will be meeting Joseph's parents and siblings.

Her hands were trembling. Ang isang kamay ni Joseph ay nakahawak sa kanya.

"Joseph, are you sure about this?" Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay nito.

Ngumiti lamang ang binata. Inilipat sa kanya ang tingin mula sa dinaraanan. Hininto nito ang sasakyan. Pagtapos ay hinagkan siya sa noo. "I have never been this sure before, sweetheart."

Sa ilang minuto lamang ay mararating na nila ang Villa.

"And I have never been this terrified before." Sagot niya sa binata.

"What?" Natatawa ito. "We will only be meeting my parents love. It is not as if we're going on a war or something. I assure you, my parents will definitely like you." He caressed her hand then raised it to his lips. His simple gesture already gives her shivers.

"What if they don't like me?" So many thoughts filled her. There were still a lot of things that they do not know about each other na ngayon pa lamang nila nadidiskubre.

"That's ridiculous." Naiiling na lang nitong sabi at saka pinaandar muli ang kotse. She could still feel how excited and happy Joseph was. Halata iyon sa mga ngiti nito. And she was left thinking.

After ten minutes, they have arrived at Villa Eliza. She had managed to be calm and composed. A couple met them in front of the villa. Sa palagay niya ay ito na ang mga magulang ni Joseph. Nakangiti ang mga ito sa kanila na sumalubong.

Hawak ni Joseph ang kaliwang kamay niya at humalik ito sa ina. "Hi 'Ma!"

Hinagkan din nito si Joseph. "Hello hijo, I'm so happy nandito na kayo." Wika nito. "Hello, Lilac. I've been looking forward to see you." Niyakap siya nito ng mahigpit. She felt how warm her mother was.

"Good evening po Ma'am, Sir." Pagbati niya sa mga ito nang pakawalan siya ng ina ni Joseph. "I am also very pleased to meet you."

Nagbeso sa kanya ang ama nito. "Hija, what's this formality about? We will be your parents soon." Nakangiti nitong wika sa kanya.

Napatingin siya kay Joseph at ngumiti. His eyes were telling her, 'I told you they'll like you'.

"Halika na kayo sa loob. Nakahanda na ang hapunan. Pag-usapan natin ang kasal ninyo roon." Niyakag siya ng ina ni Joseph. Sa itsura nito ay parang hindi naman sila mag-ina. She was still stunning and looked so young. Same as his father na matikas pa rin ang pangangatawan. Kahawig ito ni Joseph at sa palagay niya'y ang kuya nito ang nakamana ng itsura ng ina.

Pagpasok nila sa comedor ay naroon ang dalawang lalaki. Nakikilala niya ang isa, si Jonathan. Binati siya nito at nagbeso sa kanyang pisngi.

"Why, my sister-in-law is finally here!" Malawak ang ngiti nito. Mas bagay itong maging dentista kaysa doktor dahil sa ganda ng mga ngipin. "Kung mas napaaga sana kitang nakilala, you could have been marrying me instead." Tudyo ng binata.

Joseph gave him a deadly look.

Tumawa naman ang isa pang kanina ay nakaupo sa harap ng mahabang lamesa. Pormal ang suot nito at may salamin sa mata. Mukhang galing pa ito sa isang business agenda. Lumapit ito sa kanya at nagbeso. Inabot nito ang isang kamay niya. "Hi Lilac. I'm Jasper, the youngest."

"Hi. Please to meet you." Kinamayan din niya ito.

"Don't mind Nat, I know his types kaya wala kang dapat ipag-alala sa kanya." He said jokingly and winked at her.

'I know.' She wanted to answer pero pinili na lang niyang hindi sumagot. Bagkus ay ngumiti na lamang rin dito.

Si Joseph ay napapailing na lamang sa dalawang kapatid. Dinala siya nito sa dulang at ipinaghila ng upuan. Sa dulo ng mesa ay ang ama ni Joseph, sa kanan ay ang kanyang ina, siya at katabi niya naman si Joseph. Sa tapat nila nakaupo ang dalawang binata. Napatingin siya kay Jasper, he was as gorgeous as his brothers and still young. Mukhang marami na rin itong napaiyak na babae. This house is filled with charismatic people! She felt out of place.

Matapos nilang magpasalamat ay nagsimula na silang kumain. Si Joseph at ang mama nito ay halinhinang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato niya. She was very overwhelmed by his mother's gestures. Tama ito na wala siyang dapat ipag-alala sa mga magulang nito.

Mayamaya'y tumikhim ang nasa dulo, "So, son, when will be the wedding?" Everyone stared at them.

"Next week 'Pa. I am already preparing everything." Sagot ni Joseph bago isubo ang piraso ng karne sa tinidor.

Tumangu-tango naman ang una. He seemed satisfied with his answer. Wala man lamang sumalungat rito o nagtaka kung bakit ang bilis ng kasal nila.

"I am very excited for this wedding!" Ang mama nito. "Saan ninyo gustong ganapin? Here in the villa or in Blue Corals?"

Nag-alis siya ng bara sa lalamunan. Lahat ay napatingin sa kanya. How should I say this? "Ahh. Mawalang galang na po." She looked at Joseph first bago tapunan ng tingin ang lahat ng nasa lamesa. "Isn't it too soon for the wedding? I'm not even pregnant so I think there's no need to rush."

Biglang tumigil ang lahat sa pagkain. Hindi niya malaman kung kanino titingin sa dami ng mga matang nakatitig sa kanya.

Isang bulalas ang narinig nilang lahat. Si Jasper. Tawa ito ng tawa. Natawa rin ang nakatatandang kapatid nitong si Jonathan.

'Is there something funny?' Natanong niya sa isip.

Tumikhim naman si Joseph. Ibinaba nito ang cubiertos at humarap sa kanya ng upo. "Lilac, what are you talking about?" Sa itsura nito sa palagay niya ay nagpipigil ito ng inis.

Ang mga magulang ni Joseph ay muli nang kumain. Sa dulo ng mga mata niya ay nakikita niyang nakangiti rin ang mga ito.

"I just think we are being too hasty in this marriage. I think we still need time to know each other more."

"Are you serious?" Hindi na nito napigil ang inis na naramdaman.

Nangingiti ang mga binatang kaharap nila ngayon.

"Lover's quarrel." Wika ni Nat na animo'y isang pelikula ang pinapanood. "That is why I don't engage in love. I hate quarrels." Naiiling na wika nito habang ngiting ngiti.

Hindi niya pinansin ito. "Joseph, there are still a lot of things we have to discover about each other don't you think? Let's take this one step at a time."

Hindi ito makapaniwalang natingin lamang sa kanya.

"It is not as if hindi na ako magpapakasal sa iyo. But, there are still things we have to do before we get married." She was trying to explain him her point.

"Like what?" Iritableng wika nito.

"Like job. Paano tayo magpapakasal? We are still both unstable. Wala pa akong trabaho dito. I just got back from abroad remember? And you, you just got your career back. Marriage is something we should be prepared of."

"What???" He exclaimed in exasperation.

Bumunghalit ng tawa ang mga nasa lamesa. His two brothers were teasing him.

Yeah. Who needs a job in this house right? Kahit hindi siya magtrabaho o hindi bumalik sa pag-aartista si Joseph ay kayang kaya siya nitong buhayin. Iyon ang nababasa niya sa reaksyon ng mga ito. She felt stupid.

"Now I know kung bakit siya nagustuhan ni Joseph." Jasper was already tapping the table so hard sa lakas ng tawa nito.

His father and mother were also smiling.

"Come. Let's talk outside." Tumayo agad ito hablot ang isang kamay niya.

"Please excuse us." Nagpaalam siya sa mga naroroon.

"I didn't know someone else like you still exists sweetheart." Hinawakan ni Don Benjamin ang kamay ng esposa.

"That is one in a billion Benjamin. And our son just won the lottery." Sagot nito sa asawa na ang tuwa ay bakas sa mukha.

DINALA siya ni Joseph sa hardin ng villa. Ang mga kamay nito ay nakapameywang. He looked so irritated.

"Lilac, what was that about?" Hinarap siya nito.

"Joseph, don't be upset. It is not as if I am backing off from the wedding." She said trying to calm him down. She knew somehow, his ego was hurt. Seph is still a man, may pride.

"Why do you want to push the wedding date?"

"We 'technically' barely know each other Joseph. You don't even know my favorite color, or my favorite food. We have only our feelings to begin with."

"Fuck those favorites!" He said with anger. "We'll know that once we're married."

"Why don't we know each other more now before we get married? This is a crucial part of one's relationship." Her voice was calm. She wasn't arguing with him. Gusto niya lamang na maunawaan siya nito.

He looked ate her ng matagal. At bandang huli ay nagpakawala na lamang ito ng malalim na buntong hininga. Alam nitong hindi siya nito mapipilit.

"I'd never thought you'll be this difficult Lilac."

Finally, he smiled.

"Whatever makes you happy." He said in defeat. At niyakap siya nito. She buried her head in his chest.

"So how long are we talking about here?" His face was resting on top of her head. "Two weeks? One month? Two months? Six months?"

Tumikhim muna siya. "What about a year?"

"What!?One year!?"

Niluwagan niya ang pagkakayakap rito. Nag-aalangan niyang tinitigan ang binata. Papayag kaya ito sa gusto niya?

His face was saying, 'You're unbelievable Lilac!'

He looked at her eyes first before speaking. Then he sighed.

"What if I can't wait a year?" Seryoso ang mukha nito. Siya naman ang kinabahan. Is it too much?

"T-then, I think you don't really love me enough. Love endures right?"

His lips twisted in a smile. "And do you think ganoon kababaw ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo? I almost died thinking I already lost you!" He kissed her tightly on the forehead.

Her heart melt. "I love you Joseph." She hugged him as tight.

"I love you more Lilac, more than you ever know."

Pagtapos ng ilang sandali ay hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang pisngi saka hinalikan. She kissed him back with so much love.

Then he groaned like he was in real pain. "So I have to manage to be content with just hugs and kisses for one year? Damn you Lilac. You tricked me!"

Bumunghalit siya ng tawa. "Hey, Joseph Leandro. Tandaan mo, the harder you labor for something, the more it becomes worth it." She just made that statement but it felt she was suddenly a great philosopher.

Napapailing ang binata. "Kung hindi lang kita mahal Lilac Montes.." He brushed his forehead with hers.

DAYS, weeks and months have passed. Napakaraming nangyari sa isang buong taon. They have discovered so many things about each other, their likes and dislikes. Para silang nakasakay sa isang bangka.

Joseph kept on wooing her kahit na engaged na sila. Like normal couples, they had their share of misunderstandings. They faced trials and big adjustments. Joseph's world was far different from hers and still, he tried his best to belong to hers.

It was one heck of a roller coaster for both of them but she was happy they still made it.

"BAKIT para kang binagsakan ng langit at lupa?" She asked Joseph while sipping on her cold coffee. They were sitting at Joseph's garden in Tagaytay. Nakasimangot lamang ito. Mula kaninang umaga ay wala ito sa mood at hindi masyadong kumikibo. Medyo kinakabahan siya na inaakto nito pero pinalis niya iyon sa isip.

"Nothing. Just.. just work." Hindi siya naniniwala rito. She took another sip. Hindi pa nito nagagalaw ang tinake-out na Americano.

"Kilala kita Joseph. Spit it."

Bumuntong hininga ito. "It's almost nine months now Lilac." She knew what he was referring to. "Pero wala ka pa ring date na gusto para sa kasal natin. Are we still on the same boat?"

She smiled at his furrowed eyebrows. Lalo lamang itong nainis sa ngiti niya. She stood up and walked to him. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi nito.

"Hey! Your hands are cold!" He screamed. Natatawa siya yumakap dito. He was so frustrated. Sa nakalipas na siyam na buwan ay maraming napatunayan si Joseph sa kanya. He was very persistent. She did not imagine that the mighty Seph Leandro who was once tagged as the Famous Unlabeled Bachelor will be under the spell of an ordinary Lilac Montes.

She sat on his lap. Ang kamay nito ay nasa beywang niya.

"And this. Why do you have to torture me?" She pouted. "Do you know how much it pains me that you are here readily available in front of me but I could not even touch you? You're like my favorite dish I could only smell but can't dig in."

She really saw pain in his eyes though his voice was angry.

"May 25." She said. "It's your birthday right?"

"And so?" He said. Irritated.

"Let's get married on your birthday." She smiled at him lovingly.

Mula sa pagkakunot ng noo ay isang ngiti ang pinakawalan nito.

"Ito lang pala ang kailangan mo Lilac Montes para magpakasal ka. Sana noon ko pa ginawa." Ang ngiti nito ay para siyang naisahan.

"You were just acting?" Naningkit ang mga mata niya. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo rito subali't agad din siyang napigilan ng binata ng malalaking bisig nito.

"You fell for it." Natatawang wika nito.

Arghh.. Nakalimutan niyang artista nga pala ang katipan.

"Simula ngayon, bawal ka na ding yumakap at humalik sa akin Seph Leandro. That's your punishment." She said seriously.

Tumaas ang isang kilay nito. "As if you can resist me."

Wow. He's really so full of his self.

Inirapan niya ito.

"Let us see sino ang unang bibigay."

He suddenly changed his facial expression. He looked at her, then touched her face with one hand and caressed her cheek. Nilapit nito ang mukha sa kanya. Naaamoy niya ang mabangong hininga at ang cologne na gamit nito. It was ecstatic! His other hand was caressing her back. Para siyang naliliyo. She was being hypnotized.

She automatically raised her arms to his neck. "Joseph." She called his name softly.

"Yeah?" He said back in whisper.

"You're a sorcerer." She said. Her eyes moved all over his perfect face. How can she really resist this man? He never loses his charm.

"And you're my sorceress." His eyes met hers.

Then she closed her eyes.

She no longer cared who gave in first. What's important is the moment they shared right now. One of these days ay gigising siya sa tabi nito bilang Mrs. Garcia. She just couldn't keep herself from imagining waking up in bed beside him.

💟 W A K A S 💟