A Life To Live, A Life To Give (Book Two)

[kkkkkkkk]

ayan, sis, pinagpuyatan ko na 

sensya na at medyo matagal ha? although buo naman ang kwento since true story nga, medyo wala lang time isulat the past weeks

pero i can write na uli so expect the installments na the comings days and weeks

hope you like the next chapters. and medyo iiyak lang tayo ng konti ha? ayaw ko kasi baguhin eh. i wanted to write it talaga as it happened

thanks for the update sis. full of kilig moments talaga story mo. will wait for the next installments. kahit sad yung next, im sure magiging super happy naman after that. and that would just make the story/relationship more exciting and stronger.

[jezamae]

Nine: Like The First Time

“Mikaela?”

The familiar voice that I heard even in my dreams. Kap. I blinked.

Kap was frowning, but concern was etched on his face, as he gestured his hand. “The elevator. It’s waiting.”

I turned and saw three men looking at Kap and me, obviously waiting for both of us.   One of them looked annoyed, glancing at his watch.

I felt that my cheeks turned red. “Of course,” I mumbled and stepped inside as Kap held the elevator door open.

Kap walked in behind me, leaned down and whispered, “Are you sure that you are all right?”

“I am. I’m fine, really,” I whispered back in a very soft voice, thinking that the other passengers could hear us in the small space of the elevator.

Kap continued to gaze with probing intensity into my eyes before he nodded. Then, he faced the door of the elevator that was now closing, as his right hand searched for my left hand. I felt his fingers weave through mine before he turned to me and smiled. I smiled back.

“Wait! Please hold the elevator. Please!” The familiar thrilling voice called out.

Kap’s left hand, the one holding the green umbrella, shot up and pressed a button. Open.

Christine walked in. “Hi Mikaela.”

I smiled in response.

Winnie was behind Christine. She smiled at me before she stared at Kap, smiling sweetly.

Two other women walked in too. Both of them glanced at Kap and smiled at me. Candy and Angie, who are both from the information management department.

I stepped backward to give them space and Kap did the same, still not releasing my hand. Instead, he moved closer to me. The move made us stand beside each other, closely touching each other’s body, his right side to my left side, with our intertwined hands in front of us.

And four sets of curious eyes were watching the intertwined hands.

Instinctively, I tried to pull my hand but Kap didn’t let go. I glanced up and met his impassive expression.

“Where are you having lunch?” Winnie asked, as she turned to me and stared at Kap again. I saw Kap smiled at her.

“At the pizza house,” I replied. “Are you also going out for lunch? Where?” Please not in the pizza house too.

Instead of responding, Winnie turned to Christine and asked, sounding hopeful, “Pizza for lunch?”

I almost gasped and then I saw Christine smile, her eyes flickering to mine, as she answered in her small firm voice. “Let’s eat at the fast-food. I want fried chicken today.”

I heaved a sigh of relief and smiled back in gratitude. Thank you Christine.

Christine gave me a tiny nod of understanding.
 
“If that’s what you want,” Winnie grumbled, looking disappointed, then she turned to me again.

I waited, wondering what she wanted to know this time but the elevator opened up and Christine pulled her hand.

“We’ll go ahead,” Christine said to me and turned to Kap, “Kap.”

Winnie glanced at Kap, smiled sweetly and nodded to me. Then the four women walked ahead of us.

And I was able to breathe normally.

“They don’t know about us. About me,” Kap stated the words dryly. His voice was not accusing and I wondered if it was a good sign as I glanced up.

He was watching me with his intense eyes that have now turned black from brown although his expression remained impassive.

“Only Christine,” I said and paused, expecting him to ask for more questions but he just watched me quietly. I waited for him to speak but he didn’t.

“No one asked. But I guess, now, they will. I just don’t know how to explain to them how someone as great as you ended up with me. The simple me,” I added, smiling.

He simply grinned and opened the umbrella that he was holding as we stepped out of the building.

[jezamae]

Nine: Like The First Time

The pizza house was located two buildings away and the sun was at its peak. The heat was too much and I was grateful that he brought the umbrella. The man from Mars of course, I thought. Always taking care of me. The thought made me smile.

“You are beaming, just like your mom,” he commented.

“Am I?” I asked innocently.

“Yes.”

Mom and me. It reminded me of something. “Have you heard this?”

“Heard about what?”

“That before a man marries his girlfriend, see her mother first. If he likes what he sees, knowing what his girlfriend looks like thirty years from now, wrinkles and fat and all, that’s when he marries his girlfriend,” I told him.

He raised his brow. “This is my first time to hear that. If that’s true, well, you know that I like your mom. And I am definitely marrying her daughter.” And his face was set determinedly.

“You’d better be,” I said, smiling.

He grinned in response and squeezed my hand. Then he talked about going to V. Luna Hospital when he goes back to Fort Bonifacio. He explained that he, the colonel, and two other military officers from G1, would visit soldiers who were wounded in Mindanao.

“Mindanao is not a safe place,” I commented as I sipped the mango juice.

He chewed the small piece of pizza in his mouth before he responded. “In some towns, yes.”

“The war in Mindanao doesn’t end. Why?  Because the military can’t do it?” I asked as I wiped the red stain of hot sauce on the right corner of his lower lip with a tissue.

The act seemed to amuse him as he smiled. “It’s not a war. It’s a situation. Or a conflict. And it’s complicated.”

“Meaning?” I asked as I rolled the used tissue with the red stain into a crumpled ball.

He watched the tissue on my hand as he responded. “Because of politics. The politicians complicate the Mindanao situation.”

“You talk like Dad.”

He smirked. “The soldiers, especially the lower ranks and junior officers like me, are like pawns in a chess game. It’s very frustrating.”

And he really looked frustrated.

I was quiet for a moment. “If that’s what you feel, if that’s what the other soldiers feel, why are you still a soldier?  I mean, why won’t you and the other soldiers leave?”

He stared at me. “Because we shouldn’t. If we, the soldiers, the military, give up, what will happen to this country? To the people?”

I just listened, as I didn’t know what to say.

“We may be disillusioned on what’s happening. On what the government and the self-centered politicians are doing, but we love this country. We have to stay and do our job. To protect this country and it’s people. Politicians come and go, but the military stays. Someday, a good and strong leader for this country will emerge.” He sighed and shook his head.

I nodded, realizing the truth in his words. I love this country too. And I wished that the good and strong leader he mentioned would come soon. But at this very moment, I realized one thing; that I didn’t want him to be assigned in Mindanao. I didn’t want him to be one of the pawns. Because in a chess game, the pawns are the first line of defense, and sacrificed.

He was quiet, staring out of the window. I just watched him. Then, he turned to me and met my gaze, then he surprised me.

Later, I realized, I was not just surprised, but rather, I was shocked.

[kikai]

yey, there's an update...

[chen]

wow! thanks for sharing this sis!

i seldom visit GT now but then when i did couple of days ago, book 1 caught my attention and so i started reading it and i got hooked.

so excited for the next update

[kaycee88]

hello jezamae,  thank you for sharing with us this beautiful story...  it is very well-written...  and what i love most about your story is the fact that it did happen in real life...  am looking forward to the rest of the story....   

[jezamae]

Nine: Like The First Time

“What do think of going to Cebu this weekend? I already bought the plane tickets,” he announced, now facing me.

“What?” I exclaimed. “That’s five days from now.”

“Yes,” he agreed dryly. “That’s why we will inform you parents tonight.” His voice was firm as he waited for my reaction.

“This weekend is too soon. Tonight is too soon.” I murmured softly and looked down. I was thinking of Dad. I’m going to Cebu, Dad. This weekend. With Tres.

He stared at me momentarily as if he was studying my expression. Then, he spoke softly. “Mikaela. Do you want to meet my parents? My family?”

“Of course.” And I really do, but it appeared that my expression showed otherwise.

“We can reschedule your visit to Cebu. When you are ready. I’ll cancel your ticket,” he suggested, shrugging his shoulders.

My ticket. Not our tickets. It alerted me. I looked up, puzzled. “Are you going to Cebu without me?”

“Yes. I have to. It’s my parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary. All of us are coming home. Even those in the U.S. And my parents’ siblings, my cousins and other relatives are coming too. They also want to meet you,” he explained in clipped, emotionless sentences before he muttered softly, “anniversaries.”

I was speechless. Earlier, I was surprised. But now, I was shocked. Kap wanted to bring me to Cebu. To meet them. All of them. The Torres clan.

For the past months, I spent a lot of time thinking about meeting his family. And I have also tried not to think of the one before me. The childhood sweetheart. The one that Kap promised to marry. Aileen. I witnessed how close Kap’s cheerful sister Anne was to Aileen and it only meant one thing.  Anne accepted Aileen for Kap. And I was sure that Kap’s family accepted Aileen too. But Kap left Aileen, who had loved him for twelve years, just to be with me. Me, the woman who took their son away from the woman they had embraced in their family. Would his parents, his family, welcome me?

Or was my own fairly tale starting to turn into my Mom’s favorite soap opera? I groaned in silence. 

“It’s all right. We can visit them some other time,” he declared and reached for my hand.

I knew what he was doing. He wanted to reassure me. Of course, he would because he was so tuned to me and he knew what I felt right now. So, I opened my mouth to get the words out before I change my mind.

“I’m going with you. I want to meet them,” I said, forcing the words out through my teeth.

Kap looked surprised for a second then his expression changed, his eyes were probing but his voice was composed. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said, in a clear confident voice, to convince him. And to convince myself too. Because I realized, I might have been brave to stand up for Kap against my parents, but now I admit, I didn’t have the courage to meet his whole family.

“That’s great. And don’t be worry. They will like you. They will,” he said and squeezed my hand.

He sounded so sure. And listening to the absolute confidence in his voice, I whispered, “I’m not. Why will I be when you are with me?”

I was lying.

Because what I felt was the opposite. I felt it again. Like the first time. When Kap decided to inform my parents that he was marrying me. I was nervous. Well, not just nervous. I was scared.

[jezamae]

Nine: Like The First Time

Half lies, half truths. That’s what I said as Winnie and the others, standing around my table in a circle, probed about Kap.

“No. Carl and I had called it quits before Kap entered the picture.”

“Yes. He’s an army officer,”

“Yes. We’re classmates.”

“Yes. I have known Kap for a long time.”
 
“Yes. Carl and I are okay. No hard feelings. Still friends.”

“Yes. I know. Kap is really cute.”

I managed to display a fixed smile as I replied on their questions but my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking of Cebu. Of Kap’s family. Of Dad.

“Don’t you have work to do? You boss will come here looking for you,” Christine told them.

Winnie turned her attention to Christine. “How come you didn’t tell us?”

“Well, I am telling you now. Seven words. Carl is out and Kap is in. Now, will you please leave so we can do our job?” Christine said in a firm voice.

“You act like Mikaela’s mother hen,” Winnie pouted before she turned around and walked out of the room. The others went after her.

I rose, took five steps and stood beside Christine’s table. “Thanks.”

“Friends support each other,’ she said simply.

“Thanks,” I repeated with a grateful smile and I went back to my work area.

“Mikaela?”

I turned around with inquiring eyes and waited.

“He’s too big for you,” Christine said.

I raised my brow, not understanding what she meant.

“But women are flexible,” she added in a teasing voice before she giggled.

“Christine! You really shock me!” I exclaimed, understanding what she meant. “We haven’t,” I started, realized what I was saying, and stopped, blushing and embarrassed.

“Well?” Christine prodded.

“Can we change the topic please?” I demanded and tried to look offended.

“Sorry,” she apologized and then inquired, “Have you seen him?”

“Seen who?” I asked.

“Carl.”

“No,” I answered quickly, clicking the mouse of my computer, pretending to be working.

 â€œCarl is nice to me,” she said, tapping the pen in her hand on her table.

I didn’t reply, wanting the conversation to end but Christine was waiting for me to speak. Then the phone on Christine’s desk rang and she answered it.  Somehow, we both got busy and the day went on.

 

[jezamae]

Ten : Surprises Come In Threes

They also want to meet you. Wedding anniversary. Everyone would be there. The words played in my mind, running in circles, as I waited for Gabriel. I love surprises, but not something like this, I sighed.

The horn of a car honking made me look up. Gabriel was grinning, as he rolled down the window.

 â€œWhat’s that irritating grin for?” I asked as I climbed in my brother’s blue Toyota.

“Its déjà vu.” He turned, saw the road was clear and started to drive.

“Déjà vu? What are you saying?”

“Being here. Picking you up after work while your boyfriend is busy. Just like before.”

Before, with Carl. Now, with Kap. But now is different. “It’s not the same.”

Gabriel shrugged.

“Tres was here,” I defended Kap.

“He was?”

“Yes. We had lunch,” I said smugly. “I am telling you, Tres is not like Carl.”

“I hope so, sis. For your sake.”

“He is. And he might come over tonight. If they leave the military hospital early.”

“Who’s in the hospital?” Gabriel asked. “I wonder if Dad wants to see him again this soon,” he commented, grinning again.

“Some wounded soldiers,” I replied and moaned, “Dad used to like him, Gabe. And now,” I continued, with a hint of complaint in my voice, “it’s upsetting.”

“You can’t blame Dad, sis. You’ve been doing things that we least expect you would do.  Breaking off with Carl, being engaged with a stranger, coming home drunk. What’s next little sister?”

“Tres is no stranger,” I protested.

“Listen sis. You’ve grown up. You’ve become unpredictable. And you are giving Dad a heart attack. And Mom.”

“I am an adult, Gabe. I can do these things.”

“Consider this brotherly advice. Just give Dad some time. No need to rush. Things will work out, eventually.”

Time? I don’t have it. Kap was bringing me to Cebu. He would inform Dad and Mom. Tonight. The words screamed in my head as I nodded to Gabriel.

Gabriel gave me a reassuring smile before he stared at the road ahead, and I quietly listened to the soft purr of the blue Toyota weaving in between cars on the busy road, on our way home.

[jezamae]

Ten : Surprises Come In Threes

“Stop playing with your food.”

I glanced up to the soft reprimand. “Mom?”’

“You are barely eating.”

Again, I twirled the fork around the orange- sauce pineapple on top of the fish. “I am not really hungry.”

“Kap is coming over later,” Gabriel suddenly announced, chewing the food in his mouth.

“Gabe!” I exclaimed giving him the best exasperated expression I could manage.

“Huh? Is it a secret?”

Dad paid no attention to my brother and looked at me. “Mikaela?”

“He . . . Tres is coming tonight to . . .  I should not . . .  He will . . .” I stammered.

“He will what?” Dad pressed.

“He will tell you, I mean , he will ask you,” I paused, looking down on the orange sauce on my plate.

“You can tell us now,” Dad urged, eyeing me suspiciously.

“Tres is . . . He . . .  wants me to go to Cebu with him. It’s the wedding anniversary of his parents,” I said timidly and held my breath.

The room fell in silence.

A few seconds passed before Dad spoke. “When?”

“This Saturday.”

“He will be here tonight,”’ Dad mumbled.

“Yes.”

More silence.

Mom broke the silence. “Kap will like what I cooked tonight.”

“He will,” my brother agreed, giving me a quick glance.

My father continued eating.

And I waited. But Dad didn’t speak about Kap again. Until Kap arrived.

[jezamae]

Ten : Surprises Come In Threes

I didn’t get the chance to warn him.  I should have warned him through a text message, I thought, fidgeting on my seat and smiling at Kap as he emerged from the door.

Kap, who was still in his military uniform, took the seat across Dad.

“My daughter told me that you are going to Cebu this weekend,” Dad told Kap and gestured his right hand.

I held my breath, waiting for . . . what? I didn’t know what I was waiting for to happen, I realized.

Kap looked at me with inquiring eyes, which disappeared immediately. “Yes sir. It’s my parents’ wedding anniversary. I am here to ask your permission if Mikaela can travel with me,” he said, calmer than I would have expected 

“How many days do you plan to stay in Cebu?” Dad asked casually.

The question surprised me. No violent reaction. Yet. What does it mean? I looked up, feeling hopeful now.

Kap seemed surprised too but, in an instant, his face went perfectly blank and smooth. I was grateful of his military training. He could mask what he felt. “Four days, sir.”

“You will take care of my daughter while the two of you are in Cebu, won’t you?”

Still no disapproval from Dad. The hope I was feeling raised a notch.

Now, Kap looked really surprised, or rather, disbelief was in his face. Then he vowed, saying each word with sincerity, “I swear to take care of her, sir.”

What happened? I stared at Dad then turned to Kap. Did Dad just simply allowed me to go to Cebu? No argument? No pleading? Was I surprised? Yes, definitely. Two surprises in one day. Happy surprises, it seemed.

“That’s settled then,” Dad said dismissively but a small smile slowly appeared on his face.

“Thanks Dad,” I said, relieved, releasing a deep breath.

“Thank you sir. I have something to add, sir.”

Dad looked up, waiting. So was I, as I try to recover from state of disbelief with my father’s unexpected but favorable reaction.

“When Mikaela and I come back from Cebu,” Kap made a soft coughing sound and reached for my hand, “my parents will be with us, to see you, sir.”

His parents? He didn’t tell me this. “What? Why?” I asked, puzzled.

My reaction seemed to have alarmed my father as Dad raised his brow, with the frozen smile on his face.

Mom, who sat beside Dad, was also waiting.

“My parents will be here to see you, sir, ” Kap paused and his eyes flickered to mine before he continued, “to formally ask Mikaela’s hand in marriage. And discuss our wedding.”

What was he saying? Marriage? Wedding? I wanted it. I prayed for it. I wished for it. But the way Kap was doing it, I was not sure that I wished it right.

“What did you say?” I asked, trying to understand what he just said.

“We will ask for your hand. The first step, I think. We are getting married in three months,” he declared.  And it was pretty clear on his face that he meant it.

I was speechless. We are getting married in three months. The words echoed in my ears as I stared at him. Only him. Because everyone else and everything else in the room disappeared, except for my mother’s loud gasp which I ignored. I was surprised. No, not surprised, because it would be an understatement. I was stunned.

Mom raised her right hand, covering her mouth, eyes wide on what she heard.

I glanced at Dad. The smile on his face was gone and he just looked at Kap. My father’s expression made me look away and I turned to Kap.

“Three months?” I managed to choke out in a nearly unintelligible whisper.

Kap frowned. “Did you change your mind?  You still want to marry me, don’t you?” he asked apprehensively.

“Of course I do.” And I was absolutely sure. But deciding when to get married and telling my father about it without warning was a different matter. Dad had given his consent of me marrying Kap with just one condition. No word about marriage in six months. And today was two months early.

My reply seemed to assure Kap as he looked pleased and turned to my father again. “Sir?”

“She didn’t tell us about this,” Dad accused, his brows knitted together as he scowled.

“I didn’t know,” I countered and bit my tongue before saying what was on my mind. I was as surprised as you.

“I’m sorry. I know that I should have told you first about it, but something came up.” Kap paused and murmured, “but we will talk about that some other time.”

Something? Another surprise? Suddenly, Dad did something I didn’t expect.

“All right. I certainly want to meet your parents,” Dad announced in a strained voice, looking resigned.

I felt the guilt of not heeding to my father’s wishes. But the joy of realizing that Dad had just agreed to Kap’s announcement of marriage overwhelmed the guilt I felt.

Three months! I whispered, staring at Kap.

“My parents want to meet you too, sir,” Kap said and turned to Mom, “and you too maám.”

Mom beamed, as she appeared to have recovered from Kap’s announcement.

I faced my parents and began, “Dad? Mom? I . . .” Then I paused. What would I say? Confused and unsure of what to say or do, I turned to Kap.

Kap leaned closer to me, smiled and whispered, “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

I believed him, and I always will. I smiled back as I thought of what my new name would be. Mikaela Medina-Torres.

[jezamae]

yey, there's an update...

happy reading 

[jezamae]

wow! thanks for sharing this sis!

i seldom visit GT now but then when i did couple of days ago, book 1 caught my attention and so i started reading it and i got hooked.

so excited for the next update

hi sis  hope you visit gt more often 

[jezamae]

hello jezamae,  thank you for sharing with us this beautiful story...  it is very well-written...  and what i love most about your story is the fact that it did happen in real life...  am looking forward to the rest of the story....   

hi sis

thanks for the inspiring words

and yes, this is real. the pain and joy of the people involved in the story are real

[kikai]

thanks for the update.. grabe suspense na... til the next saga...

[kkkkkkkk]

Grabe si kap sis.. ang bilis! hehe.. thanks for the update! will wait for the next updates.

[jezamae]

Eleven:  Pretty, Sweet And Happy

Tight and loose. Push and pull. Like a string of a flying kite, my nerves were on a haywire today. And yesterday. And the day before that. And the day before that day. For every second that passed, the more I felt like the string. Because every passing second meant the closer I was in going to Cebu. To meet his family. Not just his parents but the entire Torres clan.

“Mikaela?”

The sound of my name broke the string of the kite in my mind. “Christine? Did you say anything?”

“Your phone. It’s ringing.” Christine looked concerned but has chosen wisely not to probe.

I love you, you love me. Barney, the loveable purple dinosaur was singing from my mobile phone. My new ringing tone that Jeremiel, my bother’s two-year-old son, loved to hear.

I automatically picked up the phone on my table, looking at the screen. Kap.

“Hi,” I smiled, even if he couldn’t see it because I couldn’t control myself. Being happy. Expressing the joy I felt. Just talking to him. Thinking of him. My husband to be. In three short months.
 
“I’m on my way to the barracks,” he said explaining the call using the mobile phone instead of the landline. “I’ll leave the camp in fifteen minutes, is that all right?”

“Yes,” I replied, looking up. The wall clock told me that I have twenty-five minutes before I would wait for him downstairs.

“And Juliet?” he inquired.

“I’ll meet Juliet at the mall.”

“All right. I’ll see you later, okay?” he murmured, sounding distracted, and I heard another voice on the background.

“See you,” I replied then the phone went dead and I spent the time typing the keyboard of my computer when I was not thinking of the string of a kite until five o’clock.

Kap was waiting for me at the lobby when I went out of the elevator, exactly twenty minutes after he called.

He grinned when he saw me. His eyes crinkled. His Josh Hartnett eyes in his Josh Hartnett smile.

I felt my heart beat faster. Here I am again, I thought. Heart melting, joy surging, love tingling in every cell of my body. It’s all because of him, I admitted before I smiled.

He stepped forward, stood beside me, leaned to me and whispered, “You look prettier when you smile like that. Why is that?”

“Ummm . . . Because I’m happy?” I replied with another question.

“Is it because of me?” His grin grew wider as he waited for my reply.

Still smiling, I stared at him. “Yes, you make me happy.”

“That’s what I promised you. To make you happy. Remember that,” he reminded me and squeezed my hand.

“I will,” I said and I squeezed back.

I was happy. Kap looked happy. The short trip to the mall was a happy one too. The string of a kite was pushed away from my mind.

“Are you sure that you don’t need me?” he asked again.

“I am sure.”

“I can carry your shopping bags.”

“Juliet and I can handle that.”

“I . . . “

I interrupted him. “I’m shopping with Juliet. And you know what that means.”

“Yes. That means twenty kilometers of walking,” he said, slightly shaking his head .

I chuckled. “I’m saving you from premature arthritis. Don’t worry. I’ll be good.”

“You’d better be. Here we are.” He looked at me trying to look serious but he grinned instead.

“You can drop me in that corner.”

The car slowed down. “I should park the car and stay with you until Juliet arrives.”

“You don’t have to. Juliet is already waiting for me inside the mall.”

“All right. But in case you change your mind,” he said as he got out of the car and circled the car to open the passenger door. “Call me when you are done,” he said as he opened the door.

“Yes, sir.”

“You take care. And give my regards to Juliet,”

I nodded. “Drive safely,” I told him then I turned around and started for the mall entrance.

I looked back and saw him watching me, looking apprehensive as I entered the mall.  I smiled, mouthed, I’ll be good, before he drove off.

My gaze met the smiling eyes of my friend. Juliet was grinning, a curious, couldn’t-wait-to-ask- about-something grin.

“You look like a cat that just caught a mouse,” I teased, smiling on her facial expression.

Her smile grew wider. “First of all, I am reminding you of your promise.”

“What promise are you talking about?” I asked, putting on an innocent face and I pulled her left hand going to the escalator.

Juliet allowed me to drag her, with her four-inch heeled black open-toe shoes thumping on the tiled floor. “I get to be your maid of honor,” she declared happily.

“News traveled fast. Gabriel?” I inquired, giving way to two elderly women for the escalator.

“No. Your brother didn’t tell me. Your mom did. So, when do I get to be maid of honor?”

“No date yet. And no details yet but the wedding will be three months from now. His parents are coming here and see Dad and Mom. Ask for my hand, talk about the wedding.”

“You are going to Cebu but his parents are coming to Manila?” she asked with disbelief.

I almost laughed at the expression I saw on her face. “No. His parents will be with us when Tres and I come back from Cebu,” I explained.

Juliet nodded in understanding then asked looking serious, “How can you get married in three months? I mean how can you prepare a wedding in just three months?”

Her statement made me think. My sister prepared for her wedding for almost year. My eldest bother’s wedding took more than six months’ preparation. And mine would be three months, according to Kap. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “Tres and I have to talk about it, I guess.” I was sure Kap had some plans.

Juliet slightly shook her head twice. “Are you sure of this wedding? This marriage?”

I looked at my friend, smiled and replied with confidence. “Yes. I am absolutely sure.”

“You know what? I expected that reply. You wanted to marry him since day one,” she paused and added, “And I get to be the maid of honor, ain’t I?”

“Day one? What? Anyway, of course. You will be my maid of honor,” I assured her, looking around. We were now on the second floor where the ladies department was. I glanced on the left wing, ladies clothes. I glanced at my right, ladies shoes and bags.

“So what’s the motif? And color? I don’t like the color green so that’s out,” Juliet said in an excited voice, looking on where ladies clothes were displayed. Like a magnet drawn to a metal, she started to walk towards the clothes with blue and pink floral prints on display.

“I’ll remember that,” I murmured at my friend, walking behind her.

“I shouldn’t have my hair cut until the wedding. Long hair looks better in a gown,” she continued.

“Yes,” I agreed. Long hair looked better in a gown. Or rather, the wedding gown would look more beautiful with long hair. This is real, I am getting married, I told myself quietly, trying to hide how this realization thrilled me.

But Juliet heard it. “Yes. This is real," she commented then suddenly asked, “What will you give them?”

“Give what to whom?”

“His parents,” she replied.

A present for his parents? “It didn’t occur to me that I should bring something,” I admitted, embarrassed for not having thought about it.

Juliet stopped from her tracks. “As a future daughter-in-law, you are not sweet.”

“Sorry. My mind was on other things,” I apologized and I meant it. “What should I buy for his parents?”

Juliet ignored my question. She frowned as she inquired. “Why are we here? Your text message last night was, wait, let me check,” she paused and pulled out her mobile phone from her black bag.

I waited patiently, watching my friend as she pressed some buttons on her mobile phone.

“Here’s the message sent last night while I was blissfully asleep,” Juliet began and shoved her phone to me. “Read.”

I read the message quietly. I sent it to her at around eleven o’clock last night. Hi friend. I know that you are asleep. I’m going to Cebu with Tres this weekend. Meet the parents. I’m excited. Are you free tomorrow? Let’s go shopping. Text me back, please. I turned to Juliet and raised my brow. “And?”

Juliet rolled her eyes. “We are going shopping. You are meeting the parents. So I concluded that we shopping for them.”

“Well, we are not shopping for them.”

“We aren’t? Why are we here then?”

“To buy new clothes and things I need for our Cebu trip. I want to make a good impression,” I confessed, looking down on the tiny golden button on Juliet’s black shoes.

Juliet was quiet for a moment then held my arm. “They will like you. I am sure of that. So don’t worry.”

I looked up and met Juliet’s gaze. “Thanks,” I murmured.

Juliet smiled and her eyes lit up. “Let’s go shopping for pretty clothes and pretty things,” she said and pulled my hand.

Two hours later, Juliet and I went to the bench in a corner of the store to rest. We were carrying five paper bags. In them were a white dress with purple spiral patterns, a bright yellow knee-length flowing skirt, a pink blouse with tiny pretty ribbons on the right shoulder, another pink blouse that Juliet chose for me, a pair of straight-cut denim designer jeans which I reluctantly purchased due to its price, three sets of sleepwear, half a dozen underwear, half a dozen handkerchiefs and a pair of white sandals. All of them were mine. Meeting his parents was expensive, I thought. Making a good impression was expensive, I corrected.

Tired but satisfied, I turned to Juliet who looked happier than I was even though she didn’t buy anything for herself. I realized Juliet really loved shopping, for her and for the others. And in this case, for me, the future daughter-in-law.

“What do I buy for my future parents-in-law?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Get them something that they will be pleased receiving from a sweet and thoughtful future daughter-in-law,” Juliet replied, laughing.

“I have no idea on what they like. I haven’t meet them, remember?”

Juliet paused as if she was contemplating on something. “How about asking Kap?”

“I’m not sure that I should.  He'll tell me that I don’t have to give them them anything.”

“Then, let’s go shopping again. We will see something that we like,” Juliet suggested.

I stared at her. I was tired and I was sure that she was tired too but the way her face brightened, it seemed that I was mistaken. I nodded as I groaned in silence. And Juliet and I alternately laughed and exclaimed circling the store. Looking for a present for future parents-in-law with a single childhood friend like Juliet seemed to be a bad good idea. Cecille, the married one, would have been a great help.

Almost an hour later, I was staring at the face of a silver Virgin Mary etched in a glass. It was glowing with various hues that changed depending on what angle I looked at it. It was pretty. I stared at it, mesmerized, as I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

“I like it,” I announced.

“It’s pretty. How much is it?” Juliet inquired.

I raised it up to check the price at the bottom of the glass and peered. Juliet peered at the price tag too.

“It’s quite expensive for a glass,” she commented.

“It is but I like it. And they are my future parents-in-law, so I guess it’s all right,” I said to convince Juliet.

“Are they catholic?” Juliet suddenly inquired.

“Tres is a catholic, so I assume that his parents are catholics too,” I replied, unsure now.

“What if they aren’t?” Juliet asked.

“Well, I can ask Tres but I don’t want to. My hunch tells me that they are catholics so I’m buying this. They will like it,” I told Juliet in a confident voice. Surprisingly, I was convinced that my future parents-in-law are catholics.
 
I was not sure if I bought the Virgin Mary as a gift for the parents of Tres or because I liked it myself. I wondered what if my hunch was wrong, what if they were not catholics?

“Ask him if they are catholics,” Juliet whispered very softly as she started to get out of the car.

Kap’s Kia was parked in front of Juliet’s house, with Kap quietly looking ahead to where my parent’s house stood. Juliet’s house was only a stone’s throw away from us. Kap appeared to be giving Juliet and me space for private talks since we left the store. His only participation was composed of four words. Yes, sure, and I will. And his lovable grin.

I wondered if Kap could hear us so I replied to Juliet by giving her a tiny nod.

“Thanks Kap. Take care of my friend,’ Juliet said.

Kap turned to Juliet and smiled. “I will and you are welcome.”

“My parents are catholics. All of us in the family are,” he announced as he drove off.

“You heard us?”

“I was not eavesdropping, but your friend was whispering a little too loud for my hearing. So, why do want to know?”

“I bought a present for your parents.” I braced myself for his reaction as I mentally thought of words that will convince him.

“That’s very thoughtful of you. What’s the connection of this present to their being catholics?” he asked simply.

His reaction surprised me. And the expression on my face told him so.

He chuckled. “You seemed surprise about something. Or on what I said.”

“I thought you won’t like my giving a present to you parents,” I admitted.

“No. I think that’s sweet. And my parents will agree. Anyway, what is it? Or I shouldn’t ask?”

He gave me an idea and my face brightened. “It’s a surprise.”

He chuckled again. “It suits you. When your eyes lit up like that, you look very pretty.  No, not pretty. Lovely. You look very lovely.” The grin on his face was gone as he stared at me with his brown intense eyes. He sighed before saying. “We’re here.”

I looked out of the car. Mom was at the gate, waiting for us. I guessed that she saw the Kia parked near Juliet’s house.

Kap stayed for dinner. Both my father and my twin brother missed having dinner with us, having left for my father’s friend’s car repair shop. The old family car that was seldom used, Dad’s old Mitsubishi Lancer, was being repainted.

Kap decided to leave immediately. “I guess I have to leave now. We both have to rest early tonight. We should be at the airport an hour or two before our five o’clock flight tomorrow. Do me a favor. Sleep early.”

“Yes sir,” I agreed in jest.

Mom was beaming when Kap bid her goodbye.

After dinner, I spent an hour to prepare my things and another half an hour to fit everything in the traveling bag. More than an hour since my body hit the bed, I was still awake. I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know if it was due to apprehension or excitement. I was only praying for two things. Everything should be fine. Not just fine, but perfect. It should be perfect and I should be perfect. I should be what they expected for a daughter-in-law.

I reached out for my mobile phone intending to call Kap but I hesitated. Call him and then what? To disturb him in his sleep by saying I couldn’t sleep? What would he say? Count sheep. Of course, that’s what he would say. But counting sheep didn’t work for me before. I groaned. I really have to go sleep or I would be facing his family with darks circles under my eyes.

I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The numbers glowed at the darkness of the room. Eleven forty six. Fourteen minutes before midnight. I stared at the digital numbers on the face of the small clock. Eleven forty eight, eleven forty nine, eleven fifty. Ten minutes before midnight. I yawned, and felt my eyelids were heavier. I stared at the clock again. Eleven fifty four. Eleven fifty five.

[jezamae]

Eleven : Pretty, Sweet And Happy

I opened up my eyes, disoriented. I didn’t move. What’s that sound? Someone was singing. Barney was singing I love, you love me. I reached out for my mobile phone. Kap was calling.

“Are you okay? What time is it?” I asked.

“I’m fine. Time to wake you up,” he said in his sleepy voice.

I glanced at the glowing numbers of the clock. Two o’clock. “It’s still early,” I complained.

“I know but we have to be at the airport at four o’clock. Get ready in an hour.”

“Okay,” I groaned.

I heard a soft chuckle before the phone went dead.

I put the phone down on the table when my eyes caught a square outline beside the glowing clock. A red wodden box. I reached out for it and pushed a latch. When the tip of my fingers touched what’s inside the box, I felt joy slowly spread through me. Even in the darkness, I could see what it was because it would be forever drawn in my mind, even with my eyes closed. A miniature wooden military tank. Kap’s lucky charm, given to me on my twenty fourth birthday.  I gently caressed the tank.

“Tank of the man that I love and need
Give me the luck that I sincerely seek,
May his family accept me as the devoted one
That will love and marry their beloved son.”

I whispered what sounded like a chant to me, with my eyes closed. I stayed motionless, until I heard the loud alarm of the glowing clock. I opened up my eyes. Two oh five.

“Time to wake up. Time to prepare myself,” I murmured and gave the tank one last caress before I closed the lid of the box.

Forty five minutes later, I was freshly-showered and properly made up, wearing an orange cotton blouse with four tiny gold buttons just below the neck. The color of my shirt perked up the simple dark blue jeans that I paired it with.  With the tiny silver stud earrings and the soft pink tint on my cheeks, I was quite impressed on my appearance. Almost pretty but definitely happy, I smiled on my reflection on the mirror.

I was still smiling as I carried my bag downstairs, and did not notice the bright lights of the living room. Mom was also smiling, just like me, as she looked up.

Surprised, I exclaimed, “Mom!” Then I saw Dad.

“Dad!” Alarmed, I asked, “ What are doing here? Is everything all right?”

“Oh, everything’s fine,” Mom replied. “Do you want a full breakfast or just coffee? Before you leave?”

Instead of replying on my mother’s question, I looked at Dad, turning suspicious. “You are not seeing me off, are you?” I inquired pretending to be annoyed, but in truth, I was about to laugh.

Dad didn’t reply and just grunted, sipping coffee, staring at the screen of the television.

A quick glance told me that the show was about little turtles slowly crawling, going to the sea with big waves.

“Coffee Mikaela?” Mom asked again.

“Thanks Mom,” I responded then I heard soft tapping on the door. “Tres is here,” I announced and hurriedly went to the door.

The cold wind of dawn greeted me when I opened the door. Kap was clutching his green jacket closer to his body. He smiled when he saw me.

I smiled back. “Hi.”

“Are you ready?”

Before I could reply, Mom called out. “Children, coffee is waiting!”

Kap raised his left arm and looked at the watch on his wrist. He glanced at me, looking resigned, before he stepped in but he stopped in his tracks when he saw Dad in front of the television.

“Sir, good morning.”

“Good morning too. Coffee,” Dad offered.

“Thank you sir,” Kap said, taking the chair on Dad’s right side.

I sat down beside Kap and gave him the cup of coffee.

“What time is your flight again?” Dad was smiling as he asked this.

Dad was smiling at this ungodly hour, I thought.  Everyone was smiling at this ungodly hour, I corrected. I wondered if this was a good sign for this Cebu trip.
 
It also seemed to relax Kap. “Five o’clock sir.”

“Tell your parents, congratulations on their anniversary.”

“I will sir,” Kap responded, finishing his coffee, turned to me and whispered, “We have to go.”

I nodded. “Mom, Dad, we have to go. We have a plane to catch.”

“Of course,” Mom beamed.

“Take care of my daughter.” Dad reminded Kap, looking serious.

“I will sir,” Kap replied and looking more serious.

I watched the two men. Then I saw Mom winked at me, pointing her lips to Dad and she rolled her eyes. Mom’s gesture made me chuckle.

Kap turned to me. Dad turned to me too, as both of them simultaneously spoke.

“What?” Dad asked, frowning.

“What?” Kap asked, with a half smile on his lips.

“Nothing,” I murmured, trying hard to suppress a laugh. “We really have to go or we will be late,” I declared and started for the door.

I heard Kap’s footsteps behind me. Reaching for the door, I waited for Kap.

“Sir, maám, we are leaving. Thanks for the coffee,” Kap said before he picked up my bag.

“You are welcome,” Mom told him.

“Tres, bring my daughter back in one piece,” Dad said, giving Kap a slight tap on the back.

Dad called him Tres! It was the first time and it surprised me. What does it mean?

“Yes sir, I will,” Kap replied. He reached out for my right hand and started to pull me as he walked out of the house.
 
“Bye Dad, bye Mom,” I said over my shoulders.

“Mikaela, you take care. Both of you,” Mom's motherly reminder made me smile.

Kap looked back.  “Yes maám,” then he turned around and pushed the gate outward.

The Kia was parked a few inches from, and effectively blocking, the gate. The window at the driver’s seat was rolled down and an unfamiliar face was behind the wheel, quietly watching us.

I turned to Kap with inquiring eyes.

“Villanueva, a soldier from the camp. I asked him to drive today,” he explained.

I nodded and smiled at Villanueva, who in turn, smiled back at me.

Kap opened the passenger door and gestured his hand for me to get in. I mechanically followed his silent instruction.

“I’ll sit beside Villanueva,” he whispered, dropping my bag beside another bag which I presumed was his, and closed the passenger door.

“Let’s go,” Kap ordered, as soon as he sat down beside the other soldier.

Villanueva nodded, glanced at me at the rearview mirror, and then drove off.

Both men were silent afterwards. Kap was a quite man. Villanueva seemed to be a quite man too. I wondered if being quite was typical for soldiers.

Although I hesitated, I decided to speak. I leaned a little closer, just enough but not too close thinking of the other soldier, to Kap. “You have the tickets, don’t you?

“Yes,” Kap responded without looking back.

Silence again.

“I’m sleepy,” I complained.

This time, he turned to me. “You can sleep during the flight,” he suggested in a soft voice.

“I think that I will take that suggestion,” I agreed, smiling on the idea of sleeping.

He smiled before he straightened himself and looked ahead, as if he was concentrating on the darkness of the road ahead of us.

There was silence again and I gave up striking a conversation with the two men, both soldiers and both quiet, in font of me. Instead, I made a mental list of questions for Kap about his parents.

Are they really expecting me?
Do they really, really want to meet me?
What do they expect their future daughter-in-law and future sister-in-law should be?
How should I dress? Conservative, trendy? Dress, jeans?
And the way I should talk? Are there words that are not allowed?
What would offend them?
What shouldn’t I do or say?
Do I act like a guest or a member of the family?

I never had the chance to ask any of these questions. Before the plane took off, I was asleep. Kap’s broad shoulder made sleeping, a thousand feet above the ground, comfortable. Having Kap beside me, I felt secured and safe. Having Kap this close to me, I could never have been happier. And nothing else mattered.

[kaycee88]

hi jezamae, thanks for the update...  looking forward to the rest of the story.  thanks again!

[jezamae]

Twelve: Broken

I ignored it but it wouldn’t stop, gentle nudging on my shoulder by someone who was firmly holding me.  I reluctantly opened my eyes. Kap was smiling. I smiled back and closed my eyes again.

“We are now in Cebu,” he whispered softly, his warm lips gently touching my left ear.

I abruptly opened my eyes. “We are in Cebu,” I mumbled, disoriented, either from the soft tingling feeling on my ear or his announcement that we have arrived in Cebu.

I turned to the small window on my right side.

Pavement. An airplane. Another airplane. And one more airplane. Airport.

We’re now in Cebu. I would meet his parents, his family. The entire Torres clan. Would they like me?

I was ready to panic when Kap raised both his hands and cupped my face.

“Mikaela, look at me. You have nothing to worry. My family will like you. They will love you, like I do,” Kap stated each word slowly and clearly, looking at me with his intense, but gentle, brown eyes.

“Thanks,” I whispered, wishing for him to release me, embarrassed, seeing that some passengers were now watching us.

But Kap didn’t release me. “We are doing this together. I am here for you. Keep that in mind.”

“I will.”

He seemed to hesitate then he released me. “Are you ready now?”

No. I’m not. I’ll never be. “Yes,” I responded softly.

The airport changed a lot since my last visit. Or I should say my one and only visit when I was still a teen.  It was much bigger now, and there were more people now.  Watching these people passed by, walking in and out, made my head spin. This was what happened when I was deprived of my eights hours of sleep. I envied Kap as I watched him. He seemed not affected by the lack of sleep, patiently waiting for our bags just like the rest of the other passengers. I saw him looked back at me, while I stood here in the corner away from the sea of people in the busy airport.  I knew what he was doing. He was checking on me. Ensuring that I was safe. This thrilled me, making me smile.

Kap was smiling too as he walked towards me, carrying both bags in each hand.

“They are here,” he told me on our way out of the airport.

“Who are here?” I inquired but before he could reply I heard someone cried out his name.

“Tres! Tres!”

I turned and searched for the voice. And I saw her.