a moment 3.jpg Second Series of Fate’s Cruel Intervention: Waiting for the Magician a moment 1.png The Special Chapter An original story Written by uknowulovemary / MRDL Copyright © 2012 by uknowulovemary All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either product of the author or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Dedicated to everyone who had read My love for a Magician and Waiting for the Magician. And to those who gave their feedback. Chapter 1 – New Life, New York Mary's Point of View It's been weeks since the accident and the death of Kuya Michael. Alyssa has been recovering at ngayon ay nakalabas na siya ng hospital. Nung nilibing si Kuya Michael, the hospital allowed Alyssa to go and the scene was so heartbreaking. I've never seen someone cry that hard. It has been weeks pero wala parin progress with Alyssa not physically but emotionally. She's a wreck. Wala siyang kinakausap and she just kept on staring outside the window. She doesn't have any motivation to live and that's where Jenny comes along. Jenny keeps on letting her watch the video Kuya Michael took. At sa tuwing pinapanood yun ni Alyssa, she'll cry hysterically at sobra akong nasasaktan tuwing nakikita ko si Alyssa na ganun. She blames herself for it. JC has been visiting pero hindi siya pinapansin ni Alyssa, well wala naman talagang pinapansin si Alyssa, it's like we're all a ghost or air for her. There's nothing we could do except to be there for her and that's what I'll be doing dahil kung dati wala ako sa tabi ng pinsan ko ngayon nandito na ako. "Gab nakita mo ba si Alyssa?" I asked Gab who was sitting at the couch in the living room, reading a newspaper. He looked up to me and shook his head. Since the accident, Gab has been here for us, for me, pero we haven't talked about us, kung ano ba kami. Sure he was there when I left the altar pero kami na ba? At ano bang mangyayari with us? Hindi ko muna yun tinatanong dahil what's important is Alyssa and not my relationship with Gab dahil alam kong mahal ko siya at mahal niya ako, sa ngayon si Alyssa muna. Umupo ako sa tabi niya and I sighed "She's not in her room." I said. Kinuha ni Gab yung kamay ko and squeezed it and smiled at me "Maybe nasa garden lang siya." he said "Nandito lang yun." I rested my head on Gab's shoulder "Maybe." I said and closed my eyes. I'm so tired na kasi simula kahapon, I've been with Alyssa hindi ako umalis sa tabi niya dahil nga hindi ko naman alam kung suicidal ba siya o ano. "Where's Alyssa?" biglang dating ni JC at nagtanong agad siya. Napaupo naman ako ng maayos and looked at him and just shrugged. "I looked for her pero wala siya." JC added. "And your car is gone." he said to Gab Gab immediately stood up at hinanap siguro yung susi niya. "Shit." he murmured. "Try calling her." We were panicking, Alyssa is not in a good state to drive, or to go anywhere without us! We tried calling her pero naiwan lang dito yung phone niya, and then it hit me, saan ba pwedeng pumunta si Alyssa, of course pupuntahan niya si Kuya Michael, she's been asking for it. So we drove to the cemetery and nagmadali kaming pumunta sa puntod ni Kuya Michael with an extra umbrella kasi umuulan ng malakas. And we were right nandun nga siya, napatigil kami sa paglapit sa kanya or we could say na natigil si JC kaya natigil din kami ni Gab. "Come back to me please." Alyssa cried. She was sitting to the grass and just crying there in front of Kuya Michael's grave "Please come back. Diba sabi mo forever? Diba walang iwanan bakit mo ako iniwan? Please Michael come back to me. Hindi ko kaya eh. I miss you so much." she cried. And tears just kept falling from my eyes. I can't see this. Hindi ko kayang makita na ganito yung pinsan ko, hindi ko kaya kasi nasasaktan ako. "Michael please, nagmamakaawa ako sayo bumalik ka na. You promised to spend the lifetime with me. Why did you leave me Michael? Please come back to me, come back to me alive." Dahan dahan lumapit si JC kay Alyssa, I know that he's badly hurt, mahal niya si Alyssa, at nangako siya kay Michael na aalagan niya ito, na hindi niya ito iiwan pero napakahirap ng pinapagawa sa kanya ni Kuya Michael. "I love you so much Michael." natigilan si JC sa paglalakad. Pero saglit lang yun at nagpatuloy ulit siya. Agad niyang pinayongan si Alyssa at tinignan siya ni Alyssa "Conrad?" she called him "Why won't he come back to me?" she asked "Hindi na ba niya ako mahal?" lumapit ako kay Gab and sumandal lang ako sa kanya. Lumuhod si JC and he forced a smile "Mahal na mahal ka niya Alyssa that's why you have to live for him." he told her but she shook her head "Please Alyssa, try to live, not for me or your family but for Michael." again she shook her head. "He died for you." "I never asked him to. I wanted him here by my side." Binitawan ni JC yung payong at niyakap niya agad si Alyssa "He's always there by your side, he's in your heart." "I don't want to forget him." "You won't. You'll live your life for him so let's go home." Alyssa nodded at dahan dahan siyang tinayo ni JC "Conrad take me to New York." When Alyssa decided to go back to New York, I decided to come along. Sympre ganun din si Gab. Ayaw pa akong pasamahin ni JC dahil nga daw I have a company to run but I can't leave my cousin alone. And I haven't even gone to that building anymore dahil natatakot akong makita si James. I embarrassed him in front of so many people. Even Tito Ronald was disappointed in me dahil sa ginawa ko, our wedding was the biggest wedding in the business world and I made it a laughingstock but I was just following my heart. I love Gab and it was all worth it. Nandito ako ngayon sa bahay namin to prepare my things for New York, I'll stay there until I know Alyssa's fine. I'll put my life on hold for Alyssa. Simula nung kasal, I never went back to the condo unit kung saan kami dati nakatira ni James, it was mine but I still can't. Siguro pag may time na I'd sell it. Pagbaba ko, sinalubong ako nung maid at nasa garden daw si Tito and so nagpunta ako dun at nandun nga si Tito Ronald. I kissed him sa cheeks as a greeting at pinaupo niya ako. "Sasama ka daw sa New York?" he asked. I nodded "Alyssa need me tito." "Paano na yung DLN?" he asked about my company with James. Ano nga bang mangyayari dun? I'm sure James hates me kahit pa sabihin na natin na he did let go of me. We're partners but we were good partners dahil once we were a couple pero ngayon na hindi na ano na nga ang mangyayari? "You can't forever hide from it Mary." "I'm still working tito, I let Cassie to send me papers that I have to sign." I told him. Ganun ang ginagawa ko ngayon, my assistant is constantly emailing or faxing me the things that I have to read or sign. And James is working, I once asked Jewel how's James, she said he's fine but barely living. Ang ironic nga eh, kasi nung sinasabi niyang mahal niya ako hindi ko siya mapaniwalaan pero nung araw ng kasal and he let me go, dun ko napatunayan na mahal niya ako, na ako na talaga yung mahal niya at hindi si Alyssa. It took him letting me go for me to finally realize that what we have was indeed ours. I don't regret giving my 8 years to him because I was happy with him and I did love him pero siguro nga pag true love na ang pinaguusapan, it's not about the time we spend together or the memories but the love itself. I loved James with all my heart but with Gab I didn't need to try and learn to love him again kasi hindi siya nawala sa puso ko. "Mary, I do want you to be happy alam mo yan diba pero until now I don't get it why you have to leave James in the middle of the ceremony." he said "You could have called it off days before the wedding." he continued "Hindi lang si James ang pinahiya mo pati na din ang pamilya natin." I hold my tears off. Ayokong umiyak. I wanted to call it off, God knows how much I wanted to leave James pero hindi eh, hindi ko nagawa kasi natakot akong magisa, Gab was happy with Elaine at paginiwan ko pa si James, sino nalang ang matitira sa akin. I was ready to marry James, I was pero when I heard Gab stopped the wedding, I knew what I had to do; be selfish and follow my heart. And I did. "I'm so sorry Tito. I.... mahal ko si Gab tito." "I know you do. It has always been him for you, ayaw mo lang aminin and it took you both that wedding to realize na hindi niyo kayang mawala ang isa't isa." Tito said at lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap ko siya. "Sana lang Mary, pagkinasal kayo ni Gab don't make that kind of scene anymore." he lightly chuckled. "I won't." A day later, Alyssa, JC, Gab, Jenny and I flew to New York to let Alyssa start her new life, a life she would be living for Kuya Michael's sake. It was time for her to live. When we were in New York, we roamed the city, Alyssa was slowly getting her life back. But of course hindi parin tulad nung nagkasama sila ni Kuya Michael siguro hindi na namin ito mababalik pero at least she's making progress. Tama nga si JC, New York was Alyssa's safe haven. It was her escape from everything that has been crashing her. Alyssa’s parents are slowly reconciling and nakakatuwa dahil tita who had always been cold to Alyssa started getting back to Alyssa’s heart, and also tito’s. Natutuwa ako kasi slowly her family is finally being whole again. Alam kong masaya si Alyssa para sa dad niya who has always been in love with tita, pero nga dahil dun sa nangyari kay Kuya Anton, they got separated kahit pa mahal nila ang isa’t isa and now they’re slowly getting along. New York seems to be a good place to start a new life, not just for Alyssa but for everyone around her, even her family. Chapter 2 – Milan, I love You Alyssa's doing fine kaya kailangan ko na din ayusin yung sa company works ko. Since I'm out of the country na naman, ako nalang yung nagpasyang pumunta sa Europe especially around Italy, we're a travel agency so sympre, kailangan magisip ng mga new packages and everything. I need to talk with resorts and hotels around Europe for exclusivity with our company. James is handling the local affairs while handle our international one dahil nga ako yung wala sa Manila. Me and James? We're fine, I mean naguusap kami sa phone pero sympre about work lang yun. I don't wanna ask him if he's fine dahil napaka-insensitive naman ata nun diba? Of course, Gab joined my trip to Europe. He said na it's like a vacation na din daw at isa pa he's jobless! Remember he's supposed to be in New York pero he didn't go dahil pinigilan niya yung kasal ko? Yeah. Tito Ronald hasn't given him back his job but I think he wants to have this own company. He once joked nung napagusapan namin kung anong gagawin niya since wala nga siyang work, he said na pwede naman siyang makipag-partner sa amin ni James with DLN Line, it wasn't funny. Sympre kami pa nga lang ni James ngayon, it's awkward paano pag nadagdag pa siya diba? Baka ma bankrupt ang company dahil hindi kami magsisipasukan para lang hindi kami magkitakita. And his joke was mean and insensitive. I don't know his plans pa pero like he told me, he really doesn't want to work under anyone anymore, he wants to be his own boss. So I recommended him to build his own IT firm, I'm sure Tito would love to fund him. Ganun kasi ang tito ko, yung bang tinutulungan niya yung mga starting company para umangat, katulad nung amin ni James. And of course nung sinuggest ko sa kanya yun, sabi ko kumuha din siya ng mga partners, and of course I recommended Harry and Mat. They're both IT grad so tama lang yun and I'm sure gusto din nilang magkasariling firm. Gab said he'd think about it. Sympre, it's risky dahil paano pag hindi naging success diba? He'd lost everything. At malaki na naman ang salary niya with JP so ayun he's really thinking about it. "Saan mo gustong pumunta?" Gab asked me. I was looking to some papers Cassie faxed me last night, nilapag ko ito sa table, we're staying at Armani Hotel Milano here at Milan, it's free dahil this hotel is one of our client. "I'm not sure. It's a done deal with the three hotels here in Milan, then I have to go to Paris and Prague." Gab lightly laughed "I mean habang nandito tayo sa Milan, saan mo gustong mamasyal?" "Ahh.." I said "Well Jenny asked me for pasalubong and mom would want me to buy her some designer brand so let's hit the Quadrilatero d'Oro." I said "Ooh.." I got excited nung nag sink in na sa akin na mamasyal kami "I've never seen the Last Supper!" He smiled at me "Then we'll go to Santa Maria Della Grazie first tas shopping?" "Forget shopping Gab. Gusto kong mag sightseeing! I've never been in Milan for pleasure!" Sabi ko sa kanya. He raised his eyebrows sa sinabi ko "Ok. Ok. Mom and I used to go shopping here." I surrendered. When I was still a teenager mom and I would go to Milan or Paris to shop kasi there's this sale every year especially sa Paris. "But still I've never been here with you. And it would be really a pleasure strolling along down the streets with you." He smiled again "We'll do whatever you want today." I grinned. Napakaswerte ko talaga kay Gab! "I do love you, you know that?" I said. "Do you?" He smiled "Para kasing gagawin mo lang akong tour guide pati personally shopper mo eh." "Isn't it how you show someone you love him?" "Pag pala mahal mo, kailangan gagawin mong slave para ipakita na mahal mo ito?" he chuckled. "Of course! Ano pang saysay kung mamahalin mo siya tas nasa tabi tabi lang siya at walang ginagawa? Might as well use loving him as a tool!" "I'm offended." he acted hurt "I'm just your tool?" I laughed "I love you Gab." "I love you more." he said seriously. We got ready then we decided to roam Milan na. And just what we planned we first visited the Last Supper, grabe lang talaga ang galing galing talaga ni Da Vinci. We visited almost all of the Cathedrals, Duomo, it was so big and all. We were inside Duomo and we were praying. Pero I made a wish nung pumasok kami, diba kasi sabi nila pag first time mo sa isang Church you can have one wish? Parang halos lahat ata ngayon ng Church na pinuntahan namin, nag wish ako. Sa lahat ng Church I wished for one thing ayun yung sana maging ok na ulit si Alyssa at sana kung nasaan man si Kuya Michael masaya siya dun. Pero here at Duomo, I wished for something different. I wished that it would be me and Gab forever. Na sana kami na talaga at wala ng hahadlang pa. I wished for happily ever after with Gab. Corny but I do believe in happily ever after, and I do hope it's with Gab dahil ramdam ko sakanya yun. What we have is true love and nothing beats true love. Lumabas kami ng Duomo and he held my hand and squeezed it at naglakad kami ng magkaholding hands. Since my wedding, I asked ano nga ba kami ni Gab kasi hindi namin ito napapagusapan, pero ngayon I don't need labels. Hindi ko kailangan yun. All I need is Gab by my side. Basta ang alam ko mahal ko siya. "Gusto ko ng gelato." I whined Natawa sa akin si Gab "Alright." naglakad na kami and we went to RivaReno for gelato, they have the best gelato. Umupo kami sa table namin and ate the gelato. I wanted more than one scoop pero sympre Gab being Gab isa lang daw muna at bibili nalang ulit kami. "I so love gelato." I said "I don't get it." Sabi ni Gab "It's just ice cream. Parehas lang sila ng lasa." I raised my eyebrow "Which is?" "Matamis!" He exclaimed "Pinaarte lang ang tawag sa gelato and because it's in Italy but still it's just Italian ice cream! At pareparehas lang ang ice cream matamis!" I leaned over tas pinahidan ko siya ng gelato, he looked shocked "That's for insulting ice creams!" "Really Mary?" Gab asked "Parang bata lang." he said at pinunasan na niya yung gelato sa mukha niya. "And yet you still love me." I smirked and ate my gelato. Gabi na din kami nakabalik sa hotel and Gab just ordered room service dahil I was so tired from walking at ayoko ng pumunta sa mga restaurants. I just want to eat in the bed and watch TV. Gab decided to take a shower habang wala pa yung food. Ako naman I grabbed the remote and decided to watch Italian shows, I may not be fluent in their language but hey nakakaintindi naman ako! Suddenly my phone rang so sympre I answered it without even looking. "Hello?" I greeted. "Mary!" "Jen!" I rose up from lying flat on the bed excited to talk with Jenny. She's still in New York with Alyssa eh . "How are you diyan?" "Fine." she answered "Eh ikaw? Kamusta naman kayo ni Gab?" she asked. "Fine?" "Magiging maid of honor na ba ulit ako?" Napaupo ako sa sinabi ni Jenny. Maid of honor? Kasal? I haven't even thought of that. Dun din ba kami darating ni Gab? "Hindi pa namin napapagusapan." "Hindi pa siya nagpropropose?" she sounded shocked. "Nope. I don't even know what we are." "Duh. Kayo na! Malay mo he's just finding the perfect time to propose. Hey say yes agad ah." I laughed "Of course naman diba! Pinili ko nga siya eh!" I said "Kwento ka naman." "Oh right. Alyssa dragged me to some fertility clinic!" pagkukwento niya. "Ewan ko sa babaeng yun but ayun we went to that clinic and had me tested. And guess what I have more eggs than an average 28 woman!" she laughed. Fertility clinic? "You should go and have you checked. Some woman daw kasi tend not to ovulate at time at nahihirapan with pregnancy. And sabi din na sometimes women in late 20's tend to you know, lose more eggs." I was suddenly taken. I wanted to laugh at her dahil I'm still young, we're still young to talk about those things I mean, wala pa nga kami sa 30 eh and we're talking about fertility and pregnancy? Pero a part of me wanted to know too. "Nah. I'm healthier than you kaya kampante na ako kung sinabi mong you have more eggs than the average!" I faked a laugh. I wasn't. "Sabagay. Hey gotta go." Jenny said. "I miss you Mary." "Miss you too Jen." The next day, I told Gab na may pupuntahan ako and he doesn't need to come with me, last night kasi through the internet I scheduled for a checkup. I just wanted to make sure. Because I want to have a big family with Gab. "Buongiorno." bati sa akin nung nurse and I greeted her too. The doctor started the tests and everything. Sabi niya it would take two hours for the result to come back so sabi ko paglalakad lakad muna ako. "Grazie." I said and she nodded. Dahil hindi ako makapakali so ayun I strolled around the streets, ate gelato and nung two hours na I went back to the clinic. I was directed to the office of the doctor. She held a serious face and that made me shiver. Kanina she was cheery and all, now why the sudden seriousness? And when I was seated, she started rambling about things connected to fertility and being infertile and all. And then she cut from the bushes and told me the news. And it almost broke me. Chapter 3 – Paris, Marry me Gabriel's Point of View Mary has been weird ever since she got back dun sa pinuntahan niya in Milan, for 10 years I've been with her kaya I know her and alam kong may tinatago siya sa akin. I know something is wrong, nakikita ko yun, but hindi ko kayang itanong sa kanya dahil natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka kami ang mali. Na baka naisip niya na mali pala na pinili niya ako. Natatakot ako dahil hindi ko na ata na hindi siya makasama pang habangbuhay dahil mahal ko siya. Sobra. Ayokong magtanong dahil natatakot ako sa sagot niya. Baka hindi ko kayanin. We're in Paris now and dito ako nagplaplan to propose to her, Paris has been her favorite city and diba Paris is the city of love kaya I know it would be romantic. I might not be able to give her the dream wedding dahil James already gave her that then sana lang with the proposal it would be magical. Ang gay pero pagdating kay Mary, I would always be this cheesy crazy in love guy. I contemplated on where I should propose. I first thought it would be so romantic if I proposed on the top of the Eiffel Tower but then again, hindi ako ganun kayaman to rent the tower for the whole night. Then I thought of the Louvre Museum, Mary loved arts and I would propose to her in front of the La belle jardinière or Mona Lisa pero again, too touristy. I couldn't also rent the whole museum or even the hall. I don't want crowds gusto ko kaming dalawa lang. So I decided to rent a river boat for us to have our own private tour of the city at night. So ayun in the morning we would tour the museums then at night we'd go to the Seine river to ride the boat I charted. I do hope it will rain, I know kasi na ang mga girls they love rain so sana for tonight umulan to add the magical feeling into it. I want to propose to her, nang nasa New York kami I bought her the ring. Hindi pa ako makapag decide dahil James gave her the ring, that Harry Winston classic was perfect. It fitted Mary perfectly. It suited her. I want the ring that I would give to her to be more perfect. I want to propose, I'm not having second thoughts about her, I'm scared that she'd turn me down. She's been acting weird lately and I just want it to be perfect. James almost gave her the perfect fairy tale, the ring, the 4 engagements, the house, the wedding. It was perfect to say the least. At eto ako naiinsecure dahil can I really give her another fairy tale? Can I? I'm not as rich as James, I can't give her the grand wedding James gave her, pero I do want to give her that. I badly want that. And the life after I do want to give her the life she deserves. Kaya nga I don't want to risk my work at JP dahil they give me the right salary, alam ko right now wala akong trabaho but Tito Ronald told me that my job before I accepted the New York transfer would be available to me if I want it again or sa New York ba. Pero I do want my own firm, my own IT firm, Mary has her own company and it is rising. That's why I'm wavering. If I do decide to build my own IT firm, I still need help from Tito Ronald and minsan ewan ko pero ayoko ng tumanggap ng utang na loob from him or Mary's family. Para kasing ang labas nun, Mary's the one giving not me and I'm a man. So gusto ko pag gumawa ako ng sarili kong firm, I won't need their help dahil look at DLN Line, they're under the hands of Tito Ronald and I don't want that. But do I have a choice? So when Mary was busy with her stuffs here at Paris, I called Tito Ronald, sino pa ba ang makakatulong kundi siya. And I also called Harry Naval. Ang weird dahil I called him and asked him to be my partner when I took his twin's bride. Pero Harry is best at his job so I want him. So when we come back to Manila, Harry and I would become partners and build a firm together. The phone rang so I answered it, wala pa si Mary dahil she has a meeting. "Hello?" "Gabriel si Mary?" asked Jenny. "Meeting." "Ohh... So have you proposed yet?" she asked. "I plan to. Pero kasi Mary's been acting a little weird." I told her. She's Mary's best friend excluding me so yeah baka alam niya kung bakit. "Kailan ba hindi naging weird si Mary?" she laughed "She's waiting for it you know that right?" "Paano pag ayaw niya?" She laughed again "Gabriel! Iniwan niya sa altar si James para sayo! Duh! Kung weird siya maybe naiinip na dahil ang tagal mong mag propose! May ring na ba?" Tama naman siya diba? She left James for me, so why am I feeling this? "Meron na. It's Cartier." "Not Harry Winston? Kala ko Harry Winston ka din!" "Baka maalala lang ni Mary si James pag Harry Winston pa din!" I chuckled. "I don't know if it will suit her." "It will! Believe me whatever you give her it will be perfect." "Bakit naman?" "Because it's from you, her true love." Jenny answered. "Mary said that before. So wag ka ng ma- insecure kay James, it was never perfect with James but with you it will be." "Thanks Jen. Pinalakas mo ang self-esteem ko!" "Of course. I just want Mary to be happy at kaya mag propose ka na!" Jenny said "Gotta go Gabriel. Tell Mary I called. Good luck with the proposal!" "Thanks bye." I said and hung up. The next morning, I decided to propose kaya I chartered the river boat and prepared na ang lahat for tonight, we'd go to Museums, then at night at Seine and we'd tour the city by the river, and in the foot of the tower, I'd go on one knee and propose and as if on cue there would be fireworks. Mary was on the bathroom getting dressed for today. So for one last look sa ring, I breathe deeply. This is it. This ring will hold our future together. Sinara ko agad yung box nang nagbukas yung pinto sa bathroom, I placed it on my pocket and turned to see Mary, ngumiti ako sa kanya and she smiled at me too. It's almost five months since the wedding. Kaya siguro this would be the right time right? "Ready?" I asked. She smiled at me "Saan ba tayo ulit pupunta? Cause may pupuntahan pa ako later." she asked. "I thought you weren't busy today." I said akala ko kasi free siya for today, paano na yung plano ko kung hindi? "I... uhh... something came up and I need to go somewhere later this afternoon." Mary said weird. Saan naman siya pupunta? Siguro I looked disappointed and sad kasi she changed her mind "Uhh.. I guess i- resched ko nalang yun." she weakly smiled. "It's not that even important anymore." she murmured under her breath but I still heard it. What's not important? Ano bang meron? I smiled at her "Thank you." So ayun, nag tour kami sa mga museums, she was my little tour guide dahil she almost knew every piece lalo na sa Louvre Museum and just what I expected we stopped at the La belle jardinière painting. This was one of her favorites. After that, we ate at a cafe near the museum, nung hapon na that's where we went to Seine to ride the boat. She asked me why but I just shrugged. It was near dusk and it would be the perfect time to propose. I made her sit sa loob muna while the waiter I hired, prepare the table outside. We talked first and among all things napagusapan namin yung sa IT firm na gagawin namin ni Harry, she was happy but there was still a part of her that was sad. I know because I've seen her hide her emotions before and this is one of those times. It made me worried and I wanted to ask her but I stopped dahil Mary would tell me what's bugging her in the right time for her. "I need to tell you something." Mary said. "Ano yun?" "I...." she cut off dahil biglang dumating yung waiter. "La table est préparée monsieur." "Merci." I said. Then tinignan ko si Mary "Ano ulit yung sasabihin mo?" I asked Tumayo siya and weakly shook her head "We can talk about it later." she said and begun to walk outside. Nakita ko siyang nakatayo dun sa may table, sakto dahil the boat stopped at nasa foot na kami ng tower. I popped the champagne and poured our glasses, I handed her one but she hesitated so I put it down and hand her the macaroons. Sympre she took one. "It's beautiful here." she said. "Yeah." "I'd miss Paris." sabi niya. "Me too. Pero we can always come back naman eh." I said tumingin siya sa akin with a pained expression and I didn't see it right away siguro dahil I was caught at the moment. "Una kitang nakilala as one of Love's sidekick when it comes on following me around the campus or even sa labas din. Tas one night, you asked kung pwedeng mahiram yung phone ko, I lend it to you, hinatid din kita sa bahay ni Alyssa, nakwento mo habang nasa daan tayo yung kay James. Our second meeting was when you came at that bar again drinking your sorrows. Sa totoo lang sinundan ko talaga si Michael nun pero nakita kita and I knew I had to help you, I had to be there for you. Siguro that night I had fallen for you, you were at your worst but still I wanted to heal you. To take away your pain because at that moment I didn't realize that you took mine away. You considered me as your best friend ever since at ayos lang sa akin basta nasa tabi mo ako, I vowed to never leave you. I've fallen hard and I'd do anything for you." I said. Tinigan ko siya ng seryoso. "That night 8 years ago was probably the happiest time of my life dahil sinabi mong mahal mo ako. But then you had to choose him. Tinanggap ko yun dahil mahal kita, the day we spent together I knew when I held you in my arms na wala ng babae pang darating na mamahalin ko katulad ng pagmmahal ko sayo. You're exceptional. And now you're here with me. You finally chose me. After everything we've been through I know you're the one for me as I am for you. True love waits and I'm glad I waited for you to come back. You said love is never too late so tell me now if I came too late for you." I continued and she shook her head. "I love you so much Mary." I then kneeled in front of her and took out the ring "Mary, we've known each other for 10 years, I've loved you for 10 years. We've seen each other at our best and worst moments and kahit gaano ka kaweird I always you see perfectly. In my eyes you're perfect. You don't have to dress up to be perfect in front of me kasi Mary kahit anong gawin mo you are always perfect. I've been your best friend so Mary will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I finally asked. "I would be so lucky to have you as my best friend, wife and the mother of my children, the light of my household, marry me." Tears came flowing from her eyes at tinakpan niya agad yung mata niya, and I couldn't read her expression, hindi ako tumayo dahil I want her to say yes first, and sakto umulan bigla. Inangat niya yung ulo niya and she lightly laughed sarcastically. She was crying. And hindi ko alam kung sa saya o sa lungkot. She then finally looked at me with determination and pain. She smiled weakly "Can I just be your best friend?" she asked. Sa tanong niya alam ko na yung sagot niya. Alam ko na. Tumayo na ako at nagsimulang lumapit sa kanya pero lumayo lang siya. "Hindi. Hindi pwede." I said. "I...." she started "I cannot marry you." "Bakit?" I asked, nagsisimula ng tumulo yung mga luha ko "Bakit? Diba ako ang pinili mo? Diba ako ang mahal mo?" I asked "Mahal mo ba ako?" She looked up to me "I do." she answered. "Sobra kitang mahal na sobra din akong nasasaktan ngayon. Pero kailangan. Hindi ako yung babae para sayo Gab." "Nonsense!" I yelled "Hindi mo ba ako narinig? Sabi ko ikaw lang ang para sa akin. Ikaw lang ang babaeng mamahalin ko! Wala ng iba! Ikaw lang!" She cried again and shook her head. "I.... I'm so sorry Gab hindi ko kaya." she cried. "Can't you be my best friend?" "Ayoko. Hindi pwede. I want you to be my wife!" "I CAN'T" she shouted. "Bigyan mo ako ng isang dahilan kung bakit hindi pwede Mary. Or I swear to God..." "I.....I.." she looked at the floor "I.... I'm in love with James!" I was taken by what she told me "Hindi. Hindi totoo yan." I said "Sabihin mo sa akin na hindi na ako at si James talaga. Tell it with your eyes in me not the floor!" Tumingin siya sa akin, and her expression pained me dahil alam kong she's just lying. She's hurting herself and I don't know why. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. And I want to know, to heal her. "I.... I..... I... James.... I .... can't." she said and she nagmadali siyang bumaba ng boat. Hindi ko siya masundan dahil hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Why? Bakit ganun? I know she's lying. Hindi nga niya masabi eh. Pero why is she lying to me? Ano bang meron? I badly need to know dahil hindi lang ako ang nasasaktan kundi pati siya. Chapter 4 –Prague, I want you Gabriel's Point of View Since that night, Mary left. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan niya, Jenny don't know, her mom neither. Hindi pa siya nakakabalik ng Pilipinas dahil her mom asked immigration, so she's somewhere here in Europe. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya pero hahanapin ko siya. Hindi ako magsasawang hanapin siya. Kahit pa tinanggihan niya ako, there was a reason behind it at aalamin ko yun. Mahal niya ako, she said so herself. "Sobra kitang mahal na sobra din akong nasasaktan ngayon. Pero kailangan. Hindi ako yung babae para sayo Gab." She said that. So there's a reason. Pero bakit? Why? Hindi ako nagpapakatanga dahil alam kong mahal niya ako, alam kong hindi niya ako iiwan ng walang dahilan. I just need to know. Nasa Paris parin ako because I'm waiting for her to come back on her own. She'd come back pero still hinahanap ko siya dito, I've been in every corner here at Paris, and I've looked around the south of France pero wala siya. The phone rang and nagmadali akong sagutin ito. "Mary?" I called. "Gabriel." It was Jenny. She was worried din dahil pati siya hindi niya alam kung bakit umalis si Mary. "Sir DiLaurentis called na and nakausap na niya yung secretary ni James dahil sobrang loyal ni Cassie kay Mary." she said. "Summer stole Mary's itinerary from Cassie's desk and there's this day's schedule." "Saan?" "Prague." sagot ni Jenny. "Look Gabriel, don't lose her at Prague dahil that's the last schedule of Mary being known. And the rest was blue meaning time off. She'd be off our radar so don't lose her ok?" "I promise Jen." I said. "Hindi ko lang maisip kung bakit." Jenny sighed. "Trust her, I know may pagka-weird si Mary at hindi natin alam yung tumatakbo sa isip niya but there must be a reason." "I know there is." sabi ko "Pero since talaga nung araw na umalis siya sa Milan she's been acting weird." "When is that?" Jenny asked. "Because the last I called her sa Milan, she was excited and sabi niya she would say yes." Napaisip ako kung kailan ba yun. Ang alam ko that was the day after our tour around Milan. Around the Cathedrals. Then it hit me. "Day after you called." I said dahil nakwento ni Mary na tumawag si Jenny at kinamusta kaming dalawa. "Umalis siya nun magisa then pagbalik niya I knew she was crying pero sabi niya sa dust lang daw at napuwing siya." "Saan siya nagpunta?" Jenny asked. "I have no idea. Baka nasa sched niya. Pero Jen wala ka bang nasabi sa kanya dahil to tell you the truth naging weird din siya nung gabi." as much as I remember, after kong magshower at siya naman sa phone call with Jenny she was weird, forcing laughter pero halatang may iniisip. "Wait." Jenny said "You said na nung kinausap ko siya? Well I talked to her about....." she said then parang may hinahalungkat siyang mga papers must be Mary's schedules. "Gabriel." she sounded serious "Mamahalin mo ba si Mary kahit anong mangyari?" she asked. It made me nervous. "Ou naman." "Kahit pa..... kahit pa hindi ka niya mabigyan ng anak?" Jenny asked. Hindi parin nagsi-sink in sa utak ko "What... anong ibig mong sabihin?" She breathe deeply "Nung gabi I told her about my visit sa isang fertility clinic, told her she should try sabi naman niya she's fine. Pero....." she said "But nasa schedule niya was she went to some clinic in Milan." Pumunta siya sa isang fertility clinic? For what? "May result ba diyan?" "Wala pero Gabriel..... it make sense." It does. But I don't care about that. Wala akong pake kung hindi kami magkakaanak. Basta kasama ko siya! Why is she so damn stubborn? "I don't care Jen. Hindi ko kailangan ng anak, siya ang kailangan ko." "Tell her that." Jenny said. And I sure hell will. Stubborn woman, always deciding without even asking me. Mary's Point of View I'm at Prague, tinatapos ko na yung mga kailangan tapusin and this is the last stop I think. I've already talked to the Valerio Group at their Milan Headquarters. And ngayon nandito ako sa isa nilang resort at Prague. It's calming here at the beach. I needed calm. I left Gab at Paris dahil hindi ko kaya. He proposed at pinakinggan kong mabuti yun. I thought maybe pwede. Na baka it wasn't in his priority but it was. And I can't give him that. As much as I want to hindi pwede. Hindi ko kaya. He deserves the family he wanted not me. Hindi ako dahil I might not be able to give him a family. Kahit sobrang sakit isipin na maghahanap siya ng iba, ayos lang kasi hindi naman pwedeng sa akin siya habang buhay. I was walking down the shore, malapit ng mag sunset and it's so lonely, magisa lang ako sa beach side. It's cold but it's nothing for me, kasi kahit anong lamig yan, I'm too numb to feel it dahil sobra akong nasasaktan, pero eto naman ang tama eh, ang masaktan ako at wag lang si Gab, ang lumayo kay Gab dahil I won't always be there for him. He can't be tied down with a woman like me. Umupo ako and just sat there looking at the sea. I miss Gab. I miss him so much. And it hurts so much na kailangan ko siyang iwan. Na kahit pa mahal namin ang isa't isa hindi yun sapat ngayon. Na nanalo yung reality against us. Maybe this is karma. Yeah karma dahil ang dami kong nasaktan. Karma and reality. Tinignan ko yung phone ko and yung picture namin ni Gab together yung wallpaper ko, I smiled bitterly, haggang tingin nalang ang magagawa ko. Haggang litrato nalang ako. I scanned my phone for the calendar. Malapit na akong pumunta sa Germany and off the radar for me. "I miss you." I said at loud wala naman makakarinig sa akin eh. Dapat masanay na akong magisa diba? "Kung namimiss mo na ako then bakit hindi ka pa bumalik ng Paris?" I was startled dahil sa boses na narinig ko. I slowly turned my head towards the back to confirm and there he was standing, at lalo akong nasasaktan dahil nandito siya, nakita niya ako and I might lie to him. Hindi ko nga nagawa yun eh. Hindi ko magawang magsinungaling na hindi ko siya mahal. "Missed me?" he asked. "Go away Gab." I said at tumalikod na at tumingin ulit sa dagat. Umupo siya sa tabi ko pero hindi ko siya pinansin "Mahal na mahal kita Mary, ikaw lang at wala ng iba pa. Ikaw lang ang gusto kong makasama habang buhay. I want you, only you." he declared his love again. "I know what you've been up to." nagulat ako kaya napatingin ako sa kanya, alam niya? Pero paano? I was discreet. "Yes alam ko." he said confirming my question in my head. "I love you and I want you, and I don't care if you're infertile, kung hindi na tayo pwedeng magkaanak we could always adopt. I just want to marry you and spend the lifetime with you." he said. Tears fell from my eyes. Ang sakit kasi eh. "I know Mary that you've went to a fertility clinic at kung ano man yung result from there, we'll fight together. Nandito ako, hindi naman ako mawawala Mary eh. Hindi kita iiwan kahit pa hindi mo ako mabigyan ng anak dahil ikaw ang mahalaga ikaw. I don't want children if I can't have you." he said at tuluyan na siyang lumapit upang yakapin ako. I wanted to hug him back pero hindi ko magawa, akala ko madali lang ang mawala pero hindi pala. Akala ko paginiwan ko siya sa Paris ayos na pero nandito siya saying things. "I love you so much. Let's go home." And I badly want to go back home with him. But I can't. I slightly shook my head. Naramdaman niya iyon kaya humiwalay siya at tinignan niya ako pero hindi ako makatingin sa kanya, I can't, because it's breaking my heart. He used his hand to lift my head and he did so successfully. "I.....you have to leave Gab." I said looking in his eyes. He was surprised no that would be an understatement "Wh..why?" he asked. "Iwan mo na ako Gab. Go and live a live without me." I said at tumayo na ako "I don't deserve you Gab." I said at naglakad na ako palayo. "HINDI KA BA NAKIKINIG? I SAID I WANT YOU. IKAW LANG. WALANG BABIES!" he yelled and lumingon ako sa kanya nakatayo na siya and nagsimula siyang maglakad palapit sa akin. "I HAVE CANCER GAB!" I yelled and he stopped his tracks and looked at me in horror. I have cancer. Mahirap aminin pero I have cancer. I have an ovarian cancer. Nung nandun ako sa clinic, I thought I was just infertile or I have an hormonal imbalance. But the doctor said I have cancer and hindi pa alam kung anong stage that's what Germany was for. For treatments. I left Gab hindi lang dahil baka hindi na ako magkaanak but because I can't let him marry a woman with cancer like me. Me who would soon be so sick. I can't let him waste his life with me. Kahit pa gusto kong samahan niya ako with all of this, I can't napakaselfish ko naman kung gagawin ko yun. Kasi mahirap na ngang malaman na may cancer yung babaeng mahal niya then he would accompany her all throughout, diba hindi naman fair yun. "Ano?" He asked. "I have ovarian cancer Gab." I cried. "So please just leave Gab." "No." He said at nagmadali siyang lumapit sa akin, he held both of my shoulder at inalog niya ako ng mahina then he stopped at tumingin siya sa akin. "No. No. No." he said firmly. "You won't leave me alright? Hindi ka pwedeng mawala." he cried. "Hindi mo ako iiwan. Hindi." Sinandal ko yung ulo ko sa kanya "Gab please.... kung mahal mo ako, lalayo ka na. Please just let go." "No. Hindi ko kaya. We'll fight this together understand?" Gab asked "Hindi ko kakayanin mawala ka sa akin Mary so please..." dahan dahan siyang lumuhod "Wag mo akong itulak palayo. Please Mary kailangan kita so let's fight together. Sasamahan kita." "Paano pag namatay ako Gab. Iiwan din naman kita eh, kaya mas maganda na kung dito palang wala ka na, para kunting sakit lang." "Sa tingin mo hindi ako masasaktan lalo pag namatay ka na wala ako sa tabi mo?" He asked "Mas masakit yun Mary at hindi ko hahayaan na mawala ka sa akin." he said "Hindi ko kaya Mary. If you really love me Mary, let me stay by your side, let me in." "I do love you kaya nga I'm giving you a way out." "BUT I DON'T WANT TO WALK AWAY! Naiintindihan mo ba ako Mary? Hindi ako aalis! I won't. Kahit pa ayaw mo. Dito lang ako sa tabi mo." He said determined. "I love you so much Mary." I can be selfish right? Siguro nga kailangan ko siya pero ayoko siyang saktan. But you're hurting him right now. Para sa kanya din naman to eh. He wants to be there for you. "Walang kasiguraduhan Gab. I might die or I might not be able to give you a child." I said. "I don't care about kids, I just want you, alive. With me." Dahan dahan akong umupo para maging magkalevel kami "Kung hindi mo na kaya, iiwan mo na ako ah?" He shook his head "I'll be strong for the both of us. All you need to do is fight and live ok?" I nodded. "I'll be bald." I tried to laughed. "I'd love you anyway. I don't care if you're ugly or bald. You will always be perfect for me." He said "I will always love you no matter what." "I love you too Gab." I cried. Niyakap niya ako "Now that's what I want to hear." he said. "No more secrets ok? Let's fight this together." "Do you still want to marry me?" I asked. Natawa siya at hiniwalay niya ako sa kanya "Of course Mary. If I can, I'd marry you right here." he said. "I do want to get married in a beach." I commented. "Pero I want to be beautiful when I get married so can you wait till I'm better?" "Whatever you want Mary." He said and he finally kissed me. I might die or whatever but at least I was with the man I love right? At least alam kong mahal niya ako. No regrets. The Last Chapter –Philippines, I do 2 years after..... Gabriel's Point of View We've been through a lot. We've suffered. We've been broken. We even let each other go but our love was strong and we fought everything. I fought for her as she did for me, for us. And all the pain that I've taken was worth it. If she was the prize then it was worth it. I don't care if I will get hurt if she would be there at the finish line waiting for me. I love her with all my heart. Siya lang at wala ng iba pa. Madaming nangyari, madaming pagsubok ang dinaanan namin, madaming naging hadlang sa pagibig namin, madaming oras ang nasayang pero sa huli ang pagmamahalan namin ang nagwagi. She didn't choose me once before but then at that moment she did. She chose me in the end. And today would be the day she'll once again decide to choose me. 2 years ago, I learned Mary had cancer. She tried to let go of me again pero sa huli she let me be by her side. She called her parents to tell them and they immediately went to Germany with us. Dun treatments were given to her. Chemo was first given, and all throughout nandun ako para sa kanya. Surgery was then needed to remove the cancer cells. But of course, she was still weak and not cancer free. Chemo was once again necessary. Sobra siyang nahihirapan and I tried to be strong para sa kanya kahit pa sobra na akong nasasaktan para sa kanya, I didn't want her to suffer. She doesn't deserve to suffer. At nights, she would crawl out of bed and ran towards the bathroom to vomit and then she'd cry, she'd covered her sobs for me not to hear pero rinig ko, rinig ko pero hindi ako lumapit dahil alam kong kailangan niyang mapagisa. Pero nung hindi ko na kinaya na marinig pa siyang umiiyak, I went towards her and let her cry on my shoulder. Diba even before I was always lending her my shoulder to cry on. I told her na kung iiyak siya sa harap ko para hati kami sa sakit. Na hindi niya kailangan itago sa akin lahat ng nararamdaman niya. How many times did she think of giving up were so many I couldn't even count. Pagod na daw siya pero I can't. Call me selfish pero hindi ko kaya eh. I can't imagine a life without her. Baka sundan ko lang siya agad. I just can't see my future without her in it. I'm not that strong to live without her. Naging insecure siya because wala na daw siyang buhok and she looked so fragile, so thin. But I had to remind her na siya lang. It was hard pero nakinig siya. Dahil ayun naman ang totoo eh. I didn't see her as ugly, no, I won't ever. Kahit pa wala na siyang buhok, I won't leave her, kahit anong mangyari. That's so trivial. When you love someone, you love them by who you they are not what they are or how they look. It isn't love if you only care about the outside appearance, if you truly love someone then you'd always see her beautiful no matter what. You'd see perfection. And I saw perfection in her. Always. Madami kaming pinagdaanan and today would be the day we would finally say our I do's. We survived heart being broken, and of course, we survived cancer. I know she's strong. She fought hard. And I can never believe that this woman would be mine at last. She didn't give up. She fought not for just herself but for us. For our love. Hindi ko akalain na mamahalin ko pa siya ng sobra sobra. Our wedding would not be like her old wedding with James. Hindi siya grande. Hindi din ito ang inaabangan na kasalan sa business world. It was just a simple wedding filled with the people we both know and loved. It wasn't her dream wedding because it already happened right with James? So I couldn't give her that. But I could give her my love and this simple wedding. Mary decided to have a beach wedding, a simple one. She didn't even want to wear a wedding dress anymore, simple lang daw talaga ang gusto niya. "I would say I'm happy for you pero I would be lying." tinignan ko yung nagsalita and it was James, sympre he was a great impact on Mary's life kaya nandito siya, he's with someone pero hindi ko alam kung sino yung babaeng kasama niya ngayon. Alam ko na haggang ngayon mahal niya parin si Mary, siguro nga hindi na mawawala yun pero alam ko din na kaya pa niyang magmahal ayaw lang niyang buksan ito para sa iba. Kasi dati din ginawa ko yun, ayokong buksan ito para sa iba dahil si Mary lang ang gusto ko. "Thank you for coming." Ngumiti siya sa akin "How could I say no to Mary?" he said and raised his glass of champagne "Just make her happy and don't hurt her." "I won't." "Good." He said. "Salamat kasi hindi mo siya iniwan nung pinaka-kailangan ka niya. Thank you for making her strong enough to live." 30 minutes later, I was called and the ceremony was going to start. Naghintay na ako sa kanya habang siya ay nandun sa dulo, making her way. Her hair was short but she was still beautiful. She was smiling at me while she was walking, I was too overwhelmed by the feeling. After all these years, here she is walking down the aisle for me. Her dad handed her hand to me and she smiled her most sweetest smile ever "I love you." she mouthed. And I love her too with all my heart. Mary's Point of View Today is my wedding with Gab. And I'm so excited. So happy. Madami na kaming pinagdaanan and we made it through. Hindi siya nawala sa tabi ko kahit kailan. Hindi siya nag give up kaya I didn't too. Hindi ko kaya eh. Isipin lang na iiwanan ko siya hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko siya kayang iwan. Natatakot din ako. Natatakot akong mamatay. I survived cancer but there are still risks of course. I could still get pregnant but the chances are slim. I don't want to get pregnant dahil baka bumalik yung cancer right when I'm pregnant I don't want that for my child. Pero I do want a child of my own with Gab. "I'm happy for you couz." Alyssa said as she looked at the mirror para tignan ako dun. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. She's fine, she got married first with Conrad. I know she loves Conrad but of course Michael would always be the first in her right but at least diba she’s trying? Pero siguro because of the scars of the accident and Kuya Michael's death, she lost a part of her, she's sometimes gloomy and she's so serious. Nawala yung masayahing Alyssa, yung carefree. "Thanks." I said. "Finally ikakasal ka na Mary!" Jenny exclaimed. "No more of that runaway bride stunt ah! Baka may tinatago ka pang lover boy diyan." we all laughed. The three of us became closer lalo na silang dalawa, siguro nga dati enemies sila pero not now or ever, because they’ve formed a bond. Jewel and Love were also here pero I think because of what happened 2 years ago, mas naging close talaga kami nila Alyssa and Jenny at dati pa naman Jenny always been my closest. "Baliw. Si Gab lang naman ang tumanggap sa akin kahit pa I'm bald and ugly." I said. They stopped laughing. My cancer was a serious thing for them. Lalo na kay Jenny and Alyssa. Jenny said she couldn't lose me too. Alyssa might not tell me pero I know na she can't handle losing me too. "Well I would still love you." narinig ko from the door and James was there standing smiling at me. James and I are fine. I mean we're great friends. Dun naman kami nagsimula eh. I know part of him is still hurting but still he's there always. I know he's moving on. There's this girl I always see at his house. Or wherever. Basta. I turned around him and smiled, lumapit siya sa akin "Be happy." he said and just like that the others disappeared. "You look beautiful." "Thank you James." I said. "Nagsasabi lang ng totoo Mary. You would always be beautiful." He said. "Thank you for living Mary, kahit hindi para sa akin kaya ka lumaban thank you dahil buhay ka. Salamat kasi naging malakas ka. Kasi Mary kahit pa hindi ka na sa akin, hindi ko kakayanin kung mawala ka nalang bigla." I nodded holding back the tears, masisira yung simple na make up na ginawa ni Jenny. "I... salamat James. And don't say things like that. I fought for everyone. Hindi para sa sarili ko kundi para sa inyong lahat. Kasama ka sa mga taong mahal ko James tandaan mo yan. Importante ka sa akin." "If letting you go was for you to be happy then I would not regret anymore. Dahil masaya ka. So continue on being happy for me not to regret ok? Just be happy not for me but for yourself.." "Ikaw din James. Be happy. Try and be happy. Try to love again." I said. I know James. He does love me pero baka dahil sa pagmamahal niya sa akin, mamiss niya yung chance ulit for love. I want him to be happy. To find the right girl. "How could I love again?" he asked. "You're the love of my life Mary." he confessed. "Tama ka with Alyssa. I was in love with the idea pero ngayon I can differentiate the idea with the reality. I love you. You will always be the love of my life." I was about to say something but then the door opened and a girl, I saw this girl already was there standing, shock and hurt were clear in her eyes. I know that look, I've seen that before. Right before the mirror. She's in love with someone who can't even love her back. "Lillian." James called as he cleared his face from tears. "James." The Lillian girl called "Hinahanap kasi kita eh. I..... got a... call from Edward and I...need to go." she lied. I know someone's lying when I see one. She's lying. "You told me you'd stay." James said, I was hearing some kind of jealous tone out of him and I secretly smiled as I remembered the girl. Siya yun. "Stay." I said to Lillian. "Sabi nila it's bad luck if a guest leaves before the ceremony even starts." I smiled at her. Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko "I..ehh.." she fidgeted "Please Lillian." James said. She sighed "Ok. I'll wait for you outside." Sasara na niya dapat yung pinto but then again "James it would be rude kung you'd let her be alone at isa pa maraming bachelors outside." I said. "Right." James said "You'd be fine?" he asked me and I nodded "Be happy ok?" I nodded again "Don't try your stunt from before." he tried to sound like he was teasing pero he failed. It still sting for him and maybe for me. "Thanks for loving me before." he said and leaned forward to kiss me in the forehead "See you." Right after they left, I was ready. Inayos ulit ni Jenny yung make up ko and then Alyssa gave me my flower. Just then the door opened and mom and dad both came in and gave me their speech, how happy they were and then dad took my hand and for the second time he walked me down the aisle. I saw Gab right away and I smiled. Gab would say this wasn't my dream wedding dahil James gave me that already but he's wrong. This is my dream wedding dahil siya ang lalaki na nasa harap naghihintay para sa akin. James did give me the wedding I've always wanted, the grand one, the one in a big Church and a wedding gown girls would die for but Gab gave me himself and that's the dream. Me and him getting married. He would be insecure with James dahil he'd think James gave me the perfect thing. But no. James might gave me the perfect engagement, and wedding but he gave something more. This is perfect because this is true love. As dad handed me to Gab, I smiled at him and mouthed my I love you. The ceremony started and we both said our vows, and our I do's. And by the end of the day, we were married. And it was perfect. A moment I would never regret. A moment I would always cherish from the bottom of my heart. A moment I would forever be grateful for, for it gave me my husband, my Gab. Having met him at that bar that one night was the start of the love story, our love story. Having met him there gave me the moment of knowing him, a moment that gave me my best friend, my love, and my happiness. Even if we almost gave up love for each other still at the end naging kami parin. No... scratch that we did or rather I did gave up, I let go of him before and when I thought it was too late, he proved me wrong. True love is never too late. Kahit pa kagaano kayo katagal mahiwalay sa isa't isa, at the end kayo parin kung talagang true love yan. "I love you." Gab said as he looked at me with eyes full of love. "I love you too Gabriel Jhonson." I smiled at him. We might not know what happens tomorrow but at least we have this moment to live for. This is not the end of our story for we have just reached the first few chapters of it. It's not the end but I can tell you this....... We live happily ever after. The End. gab's engagement 2.png engagement ring.png necklace.png Gallery Mary’s engagement ring with Gabriel Mary’s engagement ring with James The necklace Gabriel gave Mary before Sexy 11.jpg 090730_kim_hyun_joong_mvio_1.jpg Mary DiLaurentis Gabriel Jhonson Feedbacks on Waiting for the Magician From: love_hatred: Grabe po naiyak po talaga ako sa nngyri, bkt nagpkamatay si Michael? Bakit gnun? Nakakawa din si James pero sympre isa akong maka Gabriel simula palang. Msya para kay Mary pero malungkot pra kay Alyssa, alam k po n simula plng magrerevolve kay Mary yung story ksi ayun po ung sbi mo sa my love for a magician na mawawala tlga si Alyssa for 10 years at ganun nga pero akala k po tlga n pgbalik nya happy ending na. hnd nmn po s disappointed ako kya lang ksi diba Alyssa deserve a happy ending too? For Mary naiinis ako sa kanya, simula palang inis na ako, naiintindihan k n pnli nya si James ksi nguguilty siya pero nmn spat n ba yun pra pakawalan nya si Gabriel? Then nung nagdecide siya na itutuloy nya yung kasal, she should have stick wth her decision. Although na I love their love team kaso nakakaawa talaga si James. Awang awa ako sa knya ksi book one plng wala na syang love life lagi. Lagi nlang nwawala sa knya. Lagi nlng na hnd siya mahal. Pero po I love your stories. I’m one of your biggest fan! Keep on writing po! From: Racquel Rhochie Santiago: hello po ate mary. una ko pong nabasa sa mga stories mo yung my love for a magician na sobrang nagandahan po ako. nakakakilig, nakaka iyak din yung nangyari sa love story ni Alyssa saka ni Michael. ksi di sila nag kaintindihang dalawa na syang dahilan kung bkt umalis si Alyssa sa pilipinas. mas nagustuhan ko po yung love story ni Mary at Gab ksi nagsimula sila sa isang di inaasahang pagkikita sa bar tpos ayun nga, nging love na sa huli kso madaming hadlang sa love story nila. naiinis ako kay James, ksi prang ginamit nya lang yung pagkaka aksidente nya para balikan lang sya ni Mary khit alam nya na medyo nawala na yung love ni Mary sakanya. oo, gnawa nga ni James lahat para lang mahalin sya ni Mary kso di nman nging masaya si Mary sakanya, lalo lang nasaktan si Mary dhil alam ni Mary na kay Gab sya tlga sasaya. kala ko nung una tuluyan ng magiging malungkot yung love life ni Mary at Gab ksi nga ikakasal na si Mary kay James, kso hndi pala mas pinili ni James na wag ng ituloy yung kasal at ibigay na yung taong mahal na mahal nya sa piling ng totoong mahal nito. nakaka awa din si James ksi matapos nyang masaktan ng husto sa pagkawala ni Alyssa, nawala ulit yung taong mas minahal nya ng husto. pero sa lahat ng love team na ngustuhan ko ay yung Mary at Gab, akala ko sa story na waiting for the magician kila Alyssa at Michael prin iikot yun pla hndi. hinintay ko ng matagal yung soft copy ng waiting for the magician mas interesado ksi ako sa mga story mo ate mary. :))))) akala ko nung una wala na tlgang pag asa ang Mary-Gab love team e. nakaka awa ksi si Gab, sobrang tgal nyang naghantay kay Mary na nging dhilan din ng muntikang pagsuko nya, buti na lang andyan si Alyssa at Jenny na syang tumulong para mabatukan yung dalawa. hahaha. kaya sana po, isa ako sa mbigyan mo ng special chapter about sa story ni Gab at Mary. gusto ko po ksing subaybayan yung love story nila. :D advance Merry Christmas and Advance happy anniversary sa inyo ni Watty. God bless. :))))) From: HannahKF11: Hello po ate Mary! nabasa ko na po ung waiting for the magician n my love for a magician. Gusto ko po talagang mabasa ung special chapter! Si Gabriel and Mary po is perfect for each other. Kumbaga sila po ung shoes na pagsinuot, di ka po magkakapaltos kasi po hindi nman po masikip. Tapos po gusto ko po magkaroon po sila ng Happy Ending katulad po nila Harry and Jewel kasi po mahal po nila ang isa't isa. Un lang po! Salamat! From: flirtyyuri / Yuri Yamato: Hi Ate! I’m not sure kasi if you’re going to give me some special treatment and just give me the copy kahit pa I’m not giving you my insight. So just to make sure, here’s my insight. Tatanungin sana kita kung paano ka nakakapagsulat ng ganyan ka heartbreaking na story pero I know the answer na dun eh. Masyado kang bitter! Peace ate pero sa loob ng ilang months natin na magkakilala at nakwento mo na din sa akin yung college life mo at sila J and M and the other boys, bitter ka lalo na kay M hindi kay J. Sobra kang bitter kaya pinatay mo siya! Hala ka ate pag yan nabasa ni M at napagtanto niyang based sa kanya yung pinatay mo, lagot ka na! Pero in all seriousness ate, do you really have to kill Michael? What did he do to you? Bitter much! Kawawa naman si Alyssa ate, hindi mo ba naisip yun? Pero hindi nga ate, naiyak talaga ako. First few chapters palang nakakaiyak na ate, minsan lang ako natawa sa story pero puro lungkot na talaga. If I didn’t know you personally I’d say na ang galing mo dahil there’s so much emotion but of course I know you and alam ko yung mga heartbreaks mo. Pero still you’re such a great writer! You brought out so many emotions. Masaya ako kay Mary and Gab ewan ko pero kinikilig ako sa kanila! Tama ka kasi may chemistry silang dalawa! But still po diba kawawa si James. Sana lang ate sa story ni James, maging happy naman siya kasi I know you eh, bitter ka eh! My love for a Magician and Waiting for the Magician are one of the greatest stories I’ve read on Wattpad, hindi ko yan sinasabi dahil close tayo pero totoo yun ate, iba kasi yung plot. Siguro kung nabigyan mo din si Alyssa ng happy ending at medyo siya yung focus mas gaganda kasi truth ate, yung title is for Alyssa and Michael pero yung laman hindi sila. I must say na ang inaabangan talaga namin was their story although Mary’s story along with Jewel were also great pero kasi ang kunti lang ng screen time nila ni Alyssa at Michael. That’s all. Thank you and I salute you kasi natapos mo dito with all the things happening around you. I-promote mo ang story ko ate! Joke lang! – Yuri From: Maerielle Albero: Hi Miss author, good day to you. Finally natapos ko na ring basahin ang Waiting for the Magician and I must say that nagandahan ako sa flow ng story,though hindi na si Michael and Allyssa ang focus because I was expecting that book 2 would be a story on how they will fight for their love and have their happy ending but don't worry Miss Author I'm not disappointed,ganda kaya ng story ni Gab and Mary. Worth it,yung paghihintay ko for the softcopy of this story. I admit I'm a bit sad on what happened to the love story of Michael and Allyssa,yun nga I thought happy ending but I really admire Michael, he was able to prove that he truly loves Allyssa to the point that he could even sacrifice her own life for her. For the love triangle of Gab, Mary and James----sobrang ganda Miss Author, two thumbs up.Sobrang iyak ko dito,feel na fell ko talaga bawat emotions nila…hehehe.Naawa ako sobra kay Gab, he's such a martyr guy. I thought Mary would really marry James buti nalang she realized sa end part ng story that Gab is the one that she truly love and not James.Mag-iiyak talaga ako ng bonggang-bongga pag sila ni James ang nagkatuluyan(hehehe,bitter ako masyado).Pero sa totoo lang Miss Author, I guess it's just right na sila talaga ni Mary and Gab ang magkatuluyan sa huli.They both deserve each other because they're not selfish. They made many sacrifices for each other to the point that they can even sacrifice their love for each other kahit masakit for both of them.Kung pinili man nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang narramdaman sa huli,hindi ibig sabihin na selfish na sila,let's take a look at the sacrifices that they made, Mary and Gab deserves their happy ending and I think it's not unfair for James' part because he was given a time and chance to prove his love to Mary but wala siyang ginawa.He's stuck in his part---his love for Allyssa.Hindi naman sa anti-James ako or what but I guess that's what it's supposed to be. Mary gave him chances,minahal nya nang sobra si James,nagpakatanga siya for James because she thinks that somehow James would learn to love her pero anong nangyari unrequited love,siguro sa last part narealize ni James na mahal na nya si Mary but it's too late because Mary is already inlove with Gab. Sinayang nya lang ang lahat ng pagpahalaga ni Mary for him and sa pagkakaintindi ko kay James He's a type of guy who is always in a state of denial and confusion…hehe,hindi makapag-decide kung ano at sino ba talaga.Ang sakit kaya sa part ni Mary na plagi na lang siyang second option.Wala na man sigurong babae na gustong maging second option.Sinasabi ni James that she loves Mary but whenever Allyssa is around, she forgets Mary..,she rejects Mary..,I guess it's not love James. Unlike Gab who is always there with Mary, there are so many reasons why Mary should chose and love Gab, he's martyr---hindi siya sinusukuan kahit many times na siyang na- reject, understanding, patient, mapagparaya,hindi selfish,laging nandyan sa tabi nya and lastly he loves her so much and etc.,and that's also the reason why I LOVE GAB…(hahaha…,epal masyado).Mary is meant for Gab,siguro si James mayroong ibang girl na destined for her. Overall assessment sa story, I love it..,umiyak ako,tumawa kasi just like them I'm a stalker to my crush also…hehehe,kinilig at na-inlove(kay Gab) and realize that Love is not selfish Love lasts till eternity And sabi nga nila Love is never too late. And also I just want to take this opportunity Miss Author to say thank you to you kasi lahat ng stories mo may easy access to download the softcopies kasi silent reader lang ako Miss Author,minsan lang ako mag-online and read stories on wattpad.So far My love for a Magician and Waiting for a Magician pa lang ang nababasa kong story mo,but I will really find time to read your other stories soon. Congratulations Miss Author for writing such a great story. Maerielle here Miss Author. From: Jenny Belle Orkin: hey pal... aha... katapos q lng basahin ng Magician series muu... kainis... kakaiyakk.... haha... peo maganda xa... unique po ung story muu... pero naawa tlaga aq kay Alyssa... bakit po wala xang happy ending w/Michael Salmonte? .. from d start till the end... xa po ung nag suffer ng husto... from her family to her friends... nag paubaya xa... tinalikuran nya lahat para maging masaya cla... specialy ung pinsan nya na c mary.. peo bakit sa huli po ... kahit sorry walang nag sorry sa kanya... xa padin ung sinisisi kung bakit nasaktan c mary... although po nag kaayos nman cla... peo hindi pdin po satisfy haha... kawawa kce tlaga c alyssa...parang walang nag mahal sa kanya ng totoo.. walng nag comfort sa kanya... yaeh binangit that she have JC during her sorrowful day... peo hindi nmn na empasize ng husto... expect q po kce happy ending ... at xa ung star sa story... ung tittle po kce... parang nwala kay alyssa ung spotlight... napunta kay mary.. c mary nman hindi nman mxadong malaki prob nya... nag pakatanga lng xa sa decision nya ehhh... dapat po tlaga nabigyan ng katarungan c Alyssa... kce in the first place... nawalan xa ng friends... mom nya wala din sa side nya.. ung mga lalake na nag k-care sa kanya na punta na kay mary... taz sa huli parang sinisi pa xa ni Jewel... haha bitter tlaga aq para kay alyssa... hindi aq nakatulog ng dahil dunnn... haha ....KAWAWA TLAGA C ALYSSA.............. huhuhhu... From: imyourprincess13: Hi po! Kaiyak grabe p ung story! Si Alyssa po sana talaga ngkaroon po sya ng happy ending ksi po s book one plng po prang kawawa na sya. Sobra po tlga na nakakalungkot pra ky Alyssa. Mnsan po naiisip ko ksi po diba dun po s note nyo na bitter kau kay Michael at James nab aka dn kay Alyssa bitter po kau, ksi s lht ng characters sya lng ang walang hppy ending. Si Jenny na dating kaaway may fiancé, si Love, may baklang baboy, si Jewel may Harry si Mary may Gabriel pero si Alyssa wla po pti si James at pinatay nyo po si Michael. Hay… naiiyak tlaga ako dto. Pero mgnda po ang story nyo kya lng tlaga si Alyssa eh, prang ginwa ksi na kay Mary umikot lht, hnd lng tlga ako makapaniwala sa ending. I thought it would be James and Mary talaga and Michael and Alyssa. Ayun po pla! Hnd po masydo na kwento ung love story nila ulit, diba po ngng sla pero hnd nmn po msydo ngwan ng narration, ang blis ng pacing po. Sna po kung papatyin nyo tlga si Michael sna po binigyan mo po kmi ng kilig moments between the two. Wag po kayong magalit po ah. Gusto ko parin po ng story niyo! Dabest ka prin po! Good luck po and Merry Christmas. From: ayumirocks: Love the story. Love the love teams. Mary and Gabriel forever. Para sa akin kahit pa namatay si Michael ayos lang! Kasi he gave up his life for Alyssa naman eh, at isa pa hindi naman magisa si Alyssa ngayon diba? There’s JC and I’m sure Mary would be there for her. I salute you kasi sinunod mo yung gusto mo at hindi yung gusto ng iba, hindi mo tinapos yung story mo in accordance with what others might say about it. Basta you set your mind sa ending at ayun talaga. Ang galing lang talaga. I think may reason naman talaga kung bakit namatay si Michael diba? Basta ang galing po at ang ganda. Pinaiyak ako nito sana ay pagpatuloy mo pa ang pagsusulat ng mga storya. A note just for you Una po sa lahat, maraming salamat sa oras na binigay niyo dito para lang magbigay ng komento tungkol sa story na ito. Sobra ako na-overwhelmed sa pagbugso (not sure sa term) anyway sobra kasing dami yung nagsend sa akin ng feedbacks, within 20 or less days umabot na ito ng 100+. Nagulat ako and at the same time natouch kasi wow hindi ko alam na may impact ito sa iba. Yung file palang naido-download is 500+ na, so really hindi ko alam na madaming nagaabang dito kaya medyo na disappoint ako sa ginawa ko. Kasi madami din na-disappoint. Pero hindi ko talaga babaguhin yung ending kahit ilan pa kayong magrequest. Na-publish na yun, may libro ba kayong nakita na pinalitan yung story right after being published dahil sa public demand, dahil madaming may ayaw ng ending? Binago ba ni Nicholas yung ending ng mga story niya? Diba hindi naman? I can’t change it and I won’t. Yes I might be bitter sa mga characters ko pero hindi dahil dun kaya namatay si Michael. If you’re going to keep reading my stories especially the two books that will be connected to this lalo na yung last which is the story of Mary’s daughter, dun niyo malalaman kung bakit ko pinatay si Michael kasi his death did give a great impact lalo na dun sa story na iyon. Kaya no I won’t change it. Ang dami kasi nagsabi na palitan ko. I can’t. Umm.. next is I know akala niyo kay Alyssa focused yung story ng book two but to the whole gang po talaga yun. If you read the prologue again, hindi po “She” kundi “They” ang ginamit ko kasi it referred to all of them not just to Alyssa. And yes I did make it clear before that it will not revolve around Alyssa. Sa note ko sa wattpad in chapter 42 – Christmas heartbreaks part two. Talaga pong hindi kay Alyssa at Michael kasi po yung timeline ko sa book two ay yung nawala si Alyssa at nasa Manila ang storyline ko wala sa New York kasi diba nga wala siya ng 10 years, mystery kasi yun ng book two kung kalian siya darating, kaya hindi siya masyadong nagpakita, but I did write 2 chapters about New York and her. I’m just saying this kasi I don’t want you to think na it shouldn’t be like that. But it should be. And I made it like that kasi, it’s really hard to imagine what really may have happened in 10 years right? Alyssa’s story was based on a true story, she left Michael here in the Philippines and that was it for her. And isa pa, really guys don’t be disappointed dahil hindi kay Alyssa nag revolve kasi kung gusto niyo ng kay Alyssa I can give you that pero mas handa ba kayo dun? Book two palang is masyado ng heartbreaking daw paano pa if I give the back-story of Alyssa in New York? It will be dark. Really dark. So just tell me kung gusto niyo yun and I will write you the story. Next issue, the title, Waiting for the Magician. Sabi ng iba dapat daw hindi yan ang title. Pero for me it’s perfect. Alyssa was indeed waiting for the magician, hindi literally but she was waiting for his heart. And isa pa, ang hirap kayang mag isip ng title na may catch, na may magician din. Then nag pop yan sa isip ko kasi diba 10 years ang gap ng story so ayun, waiting lahat sila naghihintay. Ayun basta mahirap explain pero this is the right title. Next is, James. What? Sabi ko naman sainyo bitter ako kay James eh kaya wala iniwan siya ni Mary! Ako kaya si Mary! Anyway yes nakakaawa si James kasi book one palang lagi nalang siyang talo but really kung hindi ako naging bitter sa kanya ng sobra baka siya talaga nakatuluyan ni Mary. Bagay kaya kami. Mali bagay sila ni Mary. Anyway to give him naman po justice may sarili siyang story, and natuwa ako kasi may nag request na bigyan siya ng story! Meron na po talaga! Nakapag sign na siya ng kontrata sa akin pati anak nila Mary naka sign na ng kontrata para sa story nila! Unahin ko lang sympre si James! Sabi nung iba pag daw may story si James, sana happy ending kasi daw kahit daw may pagkamasama siya, teka saan kaya nila napulot na masama si James? Anyway ayun sana daw bigyan ko parin daw. Sure ng may happy ending si James kasi nga nakasign na sa kontrata ang mga anak nila! Anyway read it soon mga end of February ay isusulat ko na ang Finally Found You, na banggit na kanina yung leading lady ni James, Lillian ang name niya yes and sundan niyo story nila ni James,and hindi po siya katulad ng part two ng Waiting for the Magician na magbibigay ako ng pdf nalang. Ipopost ko po ito, one by one. Kasi hindi ko pa tapos! Dapat sa Wattpad ko ipopost kaso nagloloko talaga yung account ko, yung write a new story tas pag nagloading na yung page, biglang may advertisement sa gitna ng blank page yung prang apoy or whatever hindi ako makapagsulat. So sa blogspot ko popost. Look sa profile ko for the link ng site. Nandun lahat ng on going ko lalo na ang JUST A SPOONFUL OF LOVE at A LITTLE HELP FROM DESTINY. Ayun confirmed pong may story si James ah! I wanted to write you guys an alternate ending para lang kahit pa hindi kayo na satisfy sa tunay na ending you can imagine it in an alternate one, yung nabuhay sana si Michael, pero nung sinuslat ko na siya, my mind is blank. Wala talaga, it’s like ayaw ng mabuhay ni Michael kahit pa alternate ending lang yun. Mahirap eh. And kasi if I do write it, alam niyo bang si Alyssa lang ang magkakaroon ng happy ending sa kanila? Yeah she will be the only one. How? . Sympre nga nabuhay si Michael so there weren’t any reason Alyssa and the others to go to New York kasi nga buhay si Michael so kung hindi nagpunta sa New York sila Alyssa and hindi nagpunta sa Europe sila Mary and Gabriel then how would Mary learn her illness? Diba so siguro kung malalaman man ni Mary too late na and yung cancer cells ay nag spread na so there will be a chance na mamatay siya diba? Or let’s say tinanggal na yung reproductive organs niya so wala na siyang chance magkaanak meaning kahit pa kasal na sila ni Gabriel would she be happy, would they? No. Why? Because from what I see around my family and friends mahalaga ang anak sa isang marriage. It is. A marriage can cramble with a childless marriage. And isa pa James would not be able to meet the girl namamakatuluyan niya why? Kasi nasa office palagi si Mary kasi hindi nga sila nagpunta sa ibang bansa so yeah. Madami pang reasons kaso magiging spoiler ako for James’ story along with the last story of this series. So intayin niyo yung dalawa at malalaman niyo din. Madami pang issue kaso nakakatamad isulat. So haggang dito nalang po. Maraming salamat po sa pag subaybay sa story ko. Kung maikli po remember this is just a special chapter kaya ganyan lang. Thank you for reading! finallyfoundyou.png angelscry.png --- Third Series of “Fate’s Cruel Intervention” Lumabas muna ako dahil nakakabingi siya. “Pagpasensyahan mo na si Sir James ah” napatingin ako sa nagsalita. Yung secretary niya. “Hindi naman talaga ganyan yan dati eh, super bait niyan dati, pero since then naging cold na siya.” She said. “Today is 24 kaya medyo cranky yan ngayon.” Anong meron sa 24? Tumingin ako sa kanya yung para bang nagtatanong. “5 months na since May 24.” May 24, ang kasal dapat namin ni Troy at ang araw ng kasal ni James dun kay Mary right? “I guess hindi parin niya kaya.”Anong hindi niya kaya?“He changed. Nawala na yung masayahing James Naval, naging cold na.” “Anong nangyari?” “He got left in the altar.” Summer said. Iniwan siya ni Mary sa araw ng kasal nila? Pero bakit? --- Fourth Series of “Fate’s Cruel Intervention” imaprincessonbreak1.png Here I am papunta sa ladies room, nitong hotel na to, we are having our rehearsal dinner, I heard voices sa ladies room, may naguusap, I don’t really want to eavesdrop but they left me with no choice. “Red, I don't want to be your mistress.” It’s Alexis boses niya eh, parang umiiyak siya. “I don’t want you to be my mistress Alex. I want you to be my wife.” “But I can’t, can I? Kakasal ka na bukas Red.” “Alex give me time, babalik din ako sayo. 3 years Alex, wait for me.” “Three years? I can’t wait for you that long.” “Mahal na mahal kita Alex. Tatlong taon lang. No make that two years. Siguro naman papayag na sila na mag annul kami ni Angel.” Nasasaktan ako, kasi kahit naman ayokong magpakasal sa kanya din, hindi ko naman naisip na hiwalayan din siya agad, two years? But anong magagawa ko mahal nila ang isa’t isa. “Ayoko maghintay Red. Kung mahal mo talaga ako, don’t marry her. Runaway with me tomorrow.” “I love you.” And that is my cue to leave. Pinunasan ko muna yung luhang tumulo kanina, he’s not going to attend the wedding tomorrow. Eto ba yung karma na sinasabi nila? --- “Do you miss him?” stillinlove.png I looked at the person who was also looking at me sincerely. I forced a laugh. “Why would I miss my kidnapper?” I asked, “At isa pa anong magagawa ko pag sinabi kong miss na miss ko na siya?” I asked and he looked at me with a puzzled look. Of course sinadya ko iyon, he doesn’t understand Filipino after all. “Then why are you sulking around?” he asked, he is very irritated right now “What really happen to you when you were kidnapped?” What happened? That I don’t know too. I am a princess by blood, once I was kidnapped, and that changed my point of view in life. I looked at the stars above me, and I started remembering what happened before this all. When I was still an obnoxious princess. --- Nagpunta si Julie sa nursery at pinapasok siya sa loob, she looked at the incubated baby. “What would happen to you baby?” she asked. Could Damon take care of the baby alone? “He will have no mother.” Nagulat siya at napatingin sa gilid niya, si Damon. “Kaya mo ba?” she asked. “I don’t know. Ayaw kong lumaki siya ng walang ina Juliet. Gusto kong may buo siyang pamilya pero paano na ngayon?” Damon said. “Dianne even begged the doctors to tell me not to put her name on his birth certificate.” Nagulat si Julie sa sinabi ni Damon “Anong ibig mong sabihin?” “She asked for your name to be written.” Sagot ni Damon. “But I didn’t, wala pang nakasulat.” alittlehelpfromdestint.png She looked at the baby, Dianne named her son Alexander or Ace for short. Alexander was Julie’s grandfather and he took care of Dianne’s schooling ever since high school. “I’ll be his mother.” Julie said. This was the right thing to do. Dianne was her family even though she betrayed her, they were still a family and Ace deserve a mother. “If you decide to be his mother you will have to marry me Juliet.” Damon told her “I don’t want him to grow without a whole family.” She closed her eyes. If things were different, she would say no to his proposal, but Charles was not her Charles anymore and she won’t ever forgive him. “Then I will. Just so you know I got engaged last night.” She tried to smile. “But damn him for cheating on me.” Tears began falling again. It still hurts. “Thank you for doing this Juliet.” Damon said. “Pero Juliet I want a real marriage.” --- Part Two (2013) “I get it.” He smiled at me “But will you wait for me?” tanong niya sa akin. Parang mali naman siya eh, dapat ako ang nagtatanong niyan kasi haggang ngayon siya ang naghihintay sa akin diba? Tumango lang ako “10 years from now, kung handa kang maghintay ng 10 years at wala ka pang ibang mahal at ganun din ako then I would marry you Kim.” Nagulat ata siya sa sinabi ko kasi his jaw dropped open. “Magaaral tayo ng mabuti at in 10 years pagtayo talaga edi tayo. That’s our 10 year plan Ian.” That’s when I formulated our 10-year plan, the plan that made me think about the future. But before I didn’t know that that plan wouldn’t be made possible. justaspoonfuloflove1.png --- Part Two (Out on February 2013) I’m in love with her. She’s the only one here in my heart, she’s my first love. And I’d do anything to be with her, even if I have to beg my family for her. I was being selfish because of her, all I ever wanted is to be with her, I didn’t think about the consequence of being with her. I risked the life her mom died for. “Babe.” I felt a hand around my shoulder. I stood up and she looked at me. “What’s wrong babe?” she asked as if things are not right. “Everything.” She looked at me again and now her eyes are full of pain. As if, I hurt her feelings, doesn’t she know I’m more hurt. “Babe please.” Nagmamaka-awa na ang mga mata niya ngayon, she walked near me and tried to hold my hand. “Akala ko ba we’re working this out?” she asked me. “Bea please, just leave me alone.” Naglakad na ako palabas ng classroom, it’s been two months since I last talked to her and it’s been hell. “Hindi ka niya mahal Daniel.” Napatigil ako sa paglalakad “Masaya na siya kay Enrique.” Tumingin ako sa kanya. Bea’s right, she’s happy with Enrique, she’s not in love with me. What if, just what if things were different? Would we have the happy ending we deserve? I love her and only her.