IT'S already near evening when they reached Siargao. They will be going back to JeCha island, their island. Jeva was about to step into the pump boat that they'll be using to cross the ocean when her phone suddenly rings. She picked up her phone from her clutch bag.
"Hello."
"Where the fucking hell are you Jeva Leyn?!" - inilayo niya sa kanyang tenga ang kanyang cellphone nang bigla sigawan siya ng taong nasa kabilang linya. It was Kyza.
"I'm in Siargao--"
"Punyeta ka! Anong ginagawa mo dyan?!" - napangiwi si Jeva sa lakas ng boses nito. Kyza is always Kyza, para itong nakalunok ng megaphone. Nagtataka nga siya kung bakit hindi pa nagkaka-goiter ang kaibigan dahil palagi itong nagsisisigaw.
"I will be having a good time with my husband. What's the problem with that?" - inosenteng saad niya sa kaibigan niya.
Kyza scream irritatingly. "Bakit ngayon niyo pa naisipang magquality time dalawa. You knew that tomorrow is my wedding!" - parang naiiyak na sambit nito sa kaibigan.
"Ano ba oras ang kasal mo?" - alam naman niya kung anong oras ikakasal ang kaibigan. Tinanong niya lang ito para mas lalong mainis.
"6 pm! 6 pm! Arrgh! I really hate you!"
Natawa naman si Jeva sa kaibigan. "You knew that's not true. Don't worry. We will be there before 6."
"You better!" - after that, Kyza ended the call.
Hindi niya alam kung ano ang trip ng kanyang kaibigan at kung bakit ito magpapakasal ng 6 PM. Sana tinodo na lang niya at magpakasal siya ng 12 midnight.
"Who was that?" - tanong ng lalaking nasa kanyang tabi.
She chuckled. "It was Kyza. You know..." - she shrugged. "She's worried that we will not be on her wedding. Alam mo naman yun. Ayaw na ayaw niyang hindi kumpleto ang kanyang mga kaibigan sa kanyang kasal. Kahit naman siguro ako, no."-she said.
Champ nodded. Habang inaalalayan siya nitong sumakay sa pump boat. "Do you want a grand wedding?" - tanong niya sa kanyang asawa.
"No, I wish for a simple intimate wedding. Yung families lang natin at friends."
He hummed. "That will be impossible."
Of course, that is really impossible knowing the Kims and her parents, they will not let their only heir and only child have a simple wedding. She already doubts having a simple wedding.
She chuckled and wrapped her arms around the latter's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I know that it's really impossible to have my dream simple wedding but I wouldn't care less as long as you'll be the one I'll be marrying."
Bahagyang inilayo ni Champ ang kanyang sarili sa asawa at nakakunot ang kanyang noo habang nakatingin dito. "Bakit minsan ba ay naisip mo bang ikakasal ka sa iba?"
"What?" - Jeva wrinkled her brows. "What are you thinking? Of course, not. Ikaw lang naman ang gusto kong pakasalan ng paulit-ulit at hindi ako magsasawa."
Champ snorted. "Dapat lang."
She chuckled at her husband's silliness. May anak na nga sila at lahat-lahat hindi na niya makikita ang sarili niya na ikakasal o magmamahal ng iba.
She loves her husband. She does and she will always be. He will always own a big part of her heart. Him and their child.
"Nandito na po tayo ma'am, sir." - anunsyo ni Manong Kabo nang makarating na sila sa isla.
Maingat na tinulungan ni Champ na bumaba sa pumpboat ang kanyang asawa na animo'y maselang nagdadalang tao.
"Maraming salamat po, Manong Kabo." - sabi ni Jeva sa matandang lalaki.
"Walang anuman po, Ma'am. Alam niyo naman pong trabaho ko ito." - masayang sabi ng matanda.
"Dumito muna kayo manong. Dito na rin po kayo magpalipas ng gabi, madilim na po delikado na pong pumalaot." - ani ni Jeva.
Iwinasiwas ni Manang Minda ang kanyang kamay. Sumama din kasi ang matandang babae sa paghatid sa kaniya. "Nako! Wag na po, ma'am. Matagal na kaming pumapalaot kaya hindi na po kami natatakot."
She sighed. Nag-aalala siya para sa mga matatanda. Champ noticed his wife's facial expression kaya hinarap niya ang dalawang matanda.
"Manang tsaka Manong, dito na po kayo magpalipas ng gabi. Hindi makakatulog ng maayos ang asawa ko sa pag-aalala sa inyo. Hindi po yun healthy sa baby." - ngumisi siya at pasimpleng tumingin sa tiyang ng asawa.
Jeva furrowed her brows. "Anong pinagsasabi--" naputol ang sasabihin niya ng kinindatan siya ng asawa. Oh! That's was the plan? She mouthed thank you to her husband while the latter gave her a sweet smile.
Nagdadalawang-isip man ay pumayag na lang ang dalawang matanda na magpalipas muna ng gabi sa isla.
"Great! At least, may audience na." - nagulat naman ang tatlo dahil sa lalaki.
"Anong audience ang pinagsasabi mo?" - takang tanong ni Jeva sa kaniyang asawa.
"Look around you."
Napatingin naman si Jeva sa paligid. Her jaw dropped and tears formed in her eyes to what she saw.
The seashells were painted with varieties of color blue and were perfectly arranged saying will you marry me?
Jeva covered her mouth with her hands to suppressed her sobs. Lumipad ang kamay niya sa batok ng asawa niya.
"What the hell was that for?!" - napasigaw si Champ dahil sa gulat.
"Sinisigawan mo ba ako?"
Napalunok naman si Champ dahil sa tanong ng kaniyang asawa. "Hindi naman. Nagulat lang ako kaya medyo napalakas ang boses ko. Hindi naman talaga ako sumigaw, napalakas lang."
"Ahh. Okay. Sabi mo eh." - patango-tangong ani ni Jeva.
Champ swallowed his breath. "Bakit mo ba akong binatukan?"
"Nakakainis ka eh." - Jeva said while wiping her tears away.
"Yung iba nga dyan nagtatalon sa saya dahil saya tapos ikaw diyan namamatok. Hindi ka ba masaya ha?" - he tsked.
She sniffed. "I'm sorry, it's just, I am surprised."
"Nakakatakot ka naman pa lang masurprise." - nakangiwing saad ni Champ.
Seryosong tiningnan ni Jeva ang kanyang asawa. "Hindi ka ba napapagod?" -tanong niya rito.
Napakunot naman ang noo ni Champ. "Saan?"
"Sa pagsorpresa sa akin."
He faced his wife and wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I will never get tired of loving you. And that also means, I will never get tired of surprising you." - he whispered to her. "I love you."
"WHAT THE HELL?! ANG OA NAMAN, KAILAN BA YAN SASAGOT NG OO?!" - Jeva pushed her husband lightly to see who ruined their moment.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita si Kyza na nakacross ang mga braso nito sa kanyang dibdib habang ang nakataas ang kilay na nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa kasama ang iba pa niyang mga kaibigan.
"Wh-what-how?" - naguguluhang tumingin si Jeva sa kanyang asawa.
Champ gave his wife a wide smile. "Surprise?"
Wala sa sariling tumango si Jeva sa kanyang asawa. Muling napabaling ang kanyang atensyon sa kanyang mga kaibigan.
"What are you all doing here?" - tanong niya sa mga ito.
Kyza snorted. "Can't you just say 'thank you'? Gosh! I should be at home having a beauty rest because I don't want to look like a zombie on my wedding day. What the hell am I doing here?!" - reklamo nito habang natawa naman si Jeva.
Kyza may be harsh but she's just ashamed to admit that she also wanted to be present in all of their friend's unforgettable moments in life. Si Kyza ang kanyang kaibigan na hindi nagpapakita ng kasweetan sa ibang tao. Hindi niya maisip kung anong klaseng babae siya sa mapapangasawa nito.
"Well, you just love so much that you wanted to witness the happy moments of my life."
Kyza rolled her eyes. "As if!"
She chuckled and looked at her other friends. "Thank you for being here."
"Yeah, sure. Can you just say yes to your man. Tagal eh." - supladang sabat ni Kyza.
Natatawang lumingon ulit si Jeva sa kanyang asawa. "You knew that my answer will be the same, right?"
Champ nodded. "Yeah, but I wanted to hear it again from you."
"Yes, Champ. I will marry you."
He grabbed her wife and hugged her tightly. "I will never get tired of proposing and surprising you as long as your answer will never change." - he whispered.
"I will never get tired of saying yes. Okay lang sakin na kahit ilang beses ikakasal basta ikaw pa rin ang groom." - she whispered back.
"Hindi ako papayag na mag-iiba ang groom mo. Makakapatay ako."
Natawa si Jeva nang biglang nag-iba ang boses ng kanyang asawa.
"Oh, siya! Tama na yang loving-loving na yan. Nagugutom na ako." - they laughed when the forever bitter Mari inserted and ruined the moment.
Their friends congratulated them before going straight to the long table where all the foods were placed.
Napatanga si Jeva sa kanyang nakita. Hindi niya napansin ang mesang well-decorated with white and blue clothes. There were varieties of foods and sweets.
Jeva snickered when Kyza passed in front of them while rolling her eyes heavenwards. "Ako pa rin ang maunang ikakasal." - malditang sabi nito.
Kyza was distance to other people especially men, kaya hindi lubos maisip ni Jeva na magse-settle down na ang kaibigan at paulit-ulit pa nitong sinasabi na siya ang maunang ikakasal.
"As if, maunahan natin siya, eh bukas na ang kasal niya." - natatawang saad ni Jeva sa kanyang asawa.
"That will be possible. Sabihin mo lang kung gusto mong magpakasal ngayon. Then, I'll give my men a call."
Jeva jaw dropped, at agad siyang napailing. "No, for sure, magwawala yang si Kyza." - she said while laughing.
Alam ni Jeva na kung tutuusin kayang-kaya siyang pakasalan ng kaniyang asawa ora-mismo. She also knew that he can give her even a grand wedding in just one call. Alam niyo naman kung ano ang kayang gawin ng pera, and Quiroz and the Kims have a lot of money. Hinding-hindi ito basta-bastang mauubusan ng pera.
"Tara." - aya naman ni Jeva sa kanyang asawa ngunit hindi pa sila nakakaalis sa kanilang kinatatayuan ay may tumawag sa kanila.
Her jaw dropped when she saw her parents and the Kims.
"Mom, dad, you're here." - kaagad niyang binigyan ng mahigpit na yakap ang kanyang mga magulang.
"Of course, dear. We will not miss this moment. Congratulations, hija." - nakangiting sabi ng kanyang ina at binigyan siya ng halik sa pisngi.
"Dad." - baling niya sa kanyang ama.
Walang buhay na tumatango ang kanyang ama. "Dad naman eh." - maktol niya.
Tumawa naman ang kanyang ama. "I was already a villain to your husband for three years ayaw ko ng dagdagan." - itinuon nito ang kanyang tingin sa asawa ng kanyang anak
"Just remember what you promised." - mariing sabi nito.
"Yes, sir." - kaagad na sagot ni Champ.
Gavin pats Champ shoulder. "Call me, Dad or Papa. You are already my son the moment you married my daughter."
Labis-labis na saya ang hatid ng kaniyang mga itinuran sa puso ni Champ. He smiled at his wife's father. "Si, papa."
"Misis and Mister Kim." -Jeva bowed her head to the old couple.
"Don't be so formal, hija. Just call us lolo and lola. Come here. Give us a hug." - nakangiting sabi ni Mrs. Valene Kim. Kaagad namang niyakap ni Jeva ang matandang babae. "Congratulations, dear." - bati nito sa kanya.
"Lolo." - bati naman ni Jeva kay Zellion Kim. The old man gave her a sweet smile and she also gave him a hug.
"Manang Minda! Manong Kabo!" - tinawag ni Jeva ang matandang mag-asawa na caretaker ng kanilang isla.
Mabilis namang lumapit ang dalawa sa kanila. "Manang, Manong, this is my parents, Gavin and Maribel." - pinakilala ni Jeva sa dalawang matanda ang kanyang mga magulang. Nakipagkamay naman ang dalawa sa mga magulang nito.
"This is my grandparents Valene and Zellion Kim." - pakilala naman ni Champ sa kanyang lolo at lola. "And, this is Manong Kabo and Manang Minda, the caretakers of this island."
"Kinagagalak po naming makilala kayo sa personal mga ma'am at mga sir." - bati ni Mang Kabo sa kanilang mga magulang habang isang masayang ngiti naman ang ibinigay ni manang Minda sa mga ito.
"Nice to meet you too." - nakangiting sagot naman ng mga ito sa dalawa.
"Manang Minda and Manong Kabo, join us for tonight's celebration." - aya ng ina ni Jeva sa dalawa at tumango naman ang mga ito.
Naunang pumunta at pumwesto sa mesa ang kanyang mga magulang at ang lolo at lola ni Champ kasabay nina Manang at Manong. Naging masaya si Jeva dahil mabilis na nagkasundo ang mga ito ay ngayon ay nagtatawanan na sa kung ano mang pinag-uusapan nila.
"Thank you for bringing all my love ones here, sweetheart." - madamdamin niyang sabi sa kanyang asawa.
"You're always welcome. And as your husband, I will also treasure those people that you love." - sabi nito. "Anyways, here." - Champ pulled something from his pants.
It's a blue velvet box but bigger than the usual one. "Don't tell me, singsing na naman yan? Saan ko yan isusuot?"
Champ chuckled. "Don't worry it's not a ring."
He opened the velvet box and revealed the most expensive bracelet in the world. Napanganga si Jeva sa kaniyang nakita.
It's a Cartier's tutti frutti bracelet.
A gem-set, diamond and enamel "Tutti Frutti" bracelet by Cartier that has become the world's priciest jewellery ever sold at an online auction.
"How did you--?" - bukas-sara ang bibig ni Jeva dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin.
"I have my ways, sweetheart. Sorry this isn't the most expensive bracelet but as of 2020, it is the most expensive." - nanlulumong sabi ng kanyang asawa. Binatukan ni Jeva ang kanyang asawa. "What was that for?!" - gulat na sigaw nito.
"You know that I don't like expensive things, don't you?" -nakataas ang kilay niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki.
"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" - malungkot na tanong nito. "What are we going to do with this? Itapon na lang ba natin ito?"
"What?! Heck no! Akin na nga yan." - mabilis na inagaw ni Jeva ang velvet box na pinaglagyan ng bracelet. She can't afford to throw something worth millions.
Ngumisi naman si Champ sa asawa. Alam na alam niyang ayaw na ayaw nitong magsayang ng pera.But, he wanted to give the best to his wife. Pera na ang magiging higaan nila kung magpapatuloy sa pagiging kuripot ang kaniyang asawa.
"Anyways, who made that?" - turo ni Jeva sa nakaarrange na seashells.
"Who else?" - nakangising saad ni Champ. "You knew that I would waste my energy just to surprise my wife."
Jeva wrinkled her brows. "When and how?"
Champ bit his lips and looked away. "Well, uhm." - he scratched his nape. "It was when I told you that I will be out for a while because I'll be having a business meeting."
Pinasingkit ni Jeva ang kanyang mga mata. "You lied to me."
"I didn't." - mabilis na tanggi Champ. "I was really out for a meeting pero isang araw lang yun. So I spend the rest of the days here with Manong Kabo and his men. They helped me with this."
"Still."
Bigla namang kinabahan si Champ sa pagiging seryos ng kanyang asawa. "I'm sorry. It's just that, I wanted to surprise you."
She sighed. "In any means, I don't want you to lie to me again."
"Pero, paano kung mag surprise ako---"
"You can surprise me without lying to me." - putol ni Jeva sa asawa.
Napakamot naman ng ulo ang lalaki. "How can I do that?"
"Ewan ko sayo, just do what I said."
Napalabi naman si Champ bago tumango sa asawa. "You know that lying can cause misunderstanding. I don't want us to misunderstood each other."
"Yes, ma'am." - natawa naman si Jeva nang magsalute sa kanya ang kanyang asawa.
"Silly! Let's go?" - aya niya rito.
"You go first, I'll go get something inside the house."
"What is it?" - she asked with creased brows.
Champ hummed. "Wine?"
She tsked. "Wag mong masyadong lasingin ang mga kaibigan natin. Baka hindi na tayo makakapunta sa kasal ni Kyza bukas. Patayin pa tayo ng bruhildang yan." - natatawang sabi niya.
"Yes ma'am." - he said while chuckling before he ran inside the house.
Jeva was smiling while looking at the direction where her man ran into.
"MOMMYYYYY!!" - napalingon naman si Jeva nang marinig ang boses ng kanyang anak.
She saw her daughter running towards her direction when she saw Beatrice following the little girl. Kararating lang pala ng dalawa kaya pala hindi niya nakita ang mga ito kanina.
Jeva left her child to Beatrice when her husband told her that they will be having an out-of-town alone together.
She dropped to her knees and spread her arms upang salubungin ang kanyang anak. Little Way wrapped her arms around her mother's neck.
"I love you, mommy." - bulong ng kanyang anak sa kanya.
"I love you too, baby."
She stood up while carrying her daughter in her arms and mouthed 'thank you' to her friend.
"It's nothing. I like seeing you happy. I mean, all of you." - Beatrice said, referring to her friends.
"What about you?" - tanong niya rito. "You also deserve to be happy."
"I will be." - Beatrice smiled at her. "I decided to follow where my heart is."
Jeva smiled at her friend proudly. "That's good. I will always support you. Remember, that I'll be always at your back." - sabi niya rito.
"I know, and I, to you." - Trice said. "Anyways, congrats."
"Thanks." - she simply said as they walked together towards where their friends and family are.
Ilang minuto lang ay sumunod naman sa kanila si Champ bringing two bottles of wine. Alvin grabbed the other one, at tinulungan si Champ na magsalin ng wine sa kanilang mga wine glass.
The moment Champ sat beside her, Kyza stood up and raised her wine glass. "I HOPE MARI WILL FIND HER TRUE LOVE. CHEERS!"
Natatawa man ay itinaas nila ang kanilang mga wine glass at sumigaw ng 'CHEERS', even Way raised her glass with juice in it, maliban sa isa, dahil nakabusangot kang ang mukha ni Mari.
Later on, Mari stood up while raising her glass. "I wish, happiness for my friends and a blessed married life. Okay lang, kahit wala ako. Basta, happy kayo."
Her friends shouted 'boooo' to Mari and laughed.
"Isave mo yan para sa message mo kay Kyza sa kasal nila." - Nerize said.
Umaktong parang nandidiri si Mari. "NEVER!" - mas lalo silang natawa dahil doon. Mari and Kyza were like cat and dog, kung hindi mo sila kilala, aakalain mong magkaaway sila pero iyong totoo, takbuhan nila ang isa't isa. They're just ashamed to admit it.
SEEING her loved ones complete and happy is a very satisfying view in her eyes, she wouldn't ask for more. Especially that, her anchor is always beside her and will never get tired of supporting her in all the things that he does.
She will live for her family and friends.
THE NEXT morning, naunang umuwi sa kanila ang kanilang mga kaibigan at mga magulang.
The moment they stepped out from Luther Lucena's Airport many reporters and journalists were waiting for them.
Jeva sighed. "Bakit sa tingin ko may kinalaman ang mga kaibigan ko dito kaya nauna na silang umuwi kaysa sa atin?" - she said to her husband who's carrying their daughter.
Champ nodded. "I think so too."
Kaagad naman silang dinumog ng mga reporter.
"Totoo po bang may asawa na kayo, Mister Quiroz?"
"Is she the one?"
"Totoo po bang galing kayong Siargao at nagpropose po ulit kayo sa asawa niyo?"
"Why are there so many people, dad?" - Way asked her father.
"Sino po ang batang kasama niyo?"
"Bakit niya po kayo tinawag na daddy? Anak niyo po ba siya?
"Ilang taon na po ang relasyon niyo?"
"Totoo po bang, siya ang dahilan bakit kayo umalis sa showbiz?"
THEY hear lots of questions and different theories about their relationship. Champ looked apologetically at his wife but Jeva gave her a nod and a smile.
Today is the day. Hindi naman sila basta-bastang makakaalis dito.
Tumikhim si Champ at inayos ang pagkakabuhat niya sa kanyang anak gamit ang isang kamay at inakbayan ang kanyang asawa gamit ang isa pa.
"This woman right here," - he glanced at her wife. "Is my wife. We have been married for almost 5 years now. And no, maybe she's part of the reason why I left showbiz but it was my own decision. And this kid right here," - he looked at her daughter. "Is my daughter." - he proudly said to the reporters.
Marami pang gustong itanong ang mga ito sa kanilang but they refuses to talk more.
"I'm sorry about that." - paghingi niya ng paumanhin sa kanyang asawa nang makasakay na sila sa kanilang kotse.
"It's okay." - she gave him an assuring smile. "You accepted me and my life. And I will do the same." - right! Handa na siyang tanggapin ang buhay showbiz ng kanyang asawa. "If you want to do acting again, know that I will support you wholeheartedly." Hindi makapaniwalang ngumiti si Champ sa kanyang asawa. He never expected her to say those words. "Do whatever makes you happy."
Champ gave her a peck on her lips. "Thank you, sweetheart. Te amo."
"Te amo también, cariño."
-
A/N: Echos lang yang si Champ ang nakabili ng Tutti Frutti bracelet the truth is, it was bought by Sotheby's with $1.34 million (approx Rs10 crore) - credits to google.