3 years ago, I am known as the Ice King of Delci Corporation. Mainly because of my stiff, rough and cold personality that gives ‘chills’ to anyone I'm with. I don't know the word love because my parents didn't even gave it to me. They raised me to act like a robot and to be their puppet. But I know them to well. They want to use me for their illegal business and I will never do that kind of things. I started to build my own empire and here I am.
But my ice was melted because of Valarie. When she came into my life, it was as if fireworks started to spark on my very sky. She was the most beautiful surprise I ever gotten into my fate.
And so, I wanted her to be fully mine.
Habang iniintay ko siya rito sa may tagpuan namin ay hindi ako mapakali. Everything was perfect for this night. From the setting, the arrangements of every decoration, and for our dinner, it was exquisite.
A matchless dinner for a flawless woman.
I swallowed before I put down the bouquet of daisies and red roses. She actually love daisies kaya't ito ang pinili ko. Pinasahan ko na rin ng red roses para mas maging pormal at maganda.
I took a deep breath bago naglakad pabalik balik. I looked at my watch at sinimulang kabahan. I'm starting to get anxious. Bakit wala pa siya? She's two minutes late!
“Come on Cire, darating ‘yon! Huwag kang galaw nang galaw. Pawis ka na. Baka tanggihan 'yang singsing dahil mabaho ka.” I don't know if this man was comforting me or teasing me.
I glared at Tyler that made him surrender his hands upward at tumahimik na lang. I heard the others laugh at him at hinila na siya.
“Sir! She's here!”
My eyes widened in shock at hindi alam ang gagawin! I immediately took the bouquet and held it at my back to hide it from her. Our family and friends immediately went to their post and secreted from there.
I bit my lips. I didn't even looked at myself. Hindi ko alam kung guwapo ba akong haharap sa kaniya. She might say no because I'm not presentable.
Pero agad ding nawala ang kaba nang maalala ko ang tinanong ko sa kaniya rati.
“Hon,” I called her and hugged her from her back. "Will you still love me if I look like a koala?"
I heard her sweet chuckle that made me smile. “Bakit mo naman natanong? And what's with the koala?”
I buried my face on her neck. I can still hear the flowing water. She was washing the dishes na ako dapat ang gumagawa. “Hmm, nothing. It just came into my mind. So... will you still love me?”
I felt her stopped before she giggled. Napahiwalay ako sa kaniya nang humarap siya sa 'kin. She placed her wet hands on both of my cheeks before she kissed me. “Kahit koala ka pa, basta ikaw si Cire ko, mamahalin kita.”
I smiled when I remember what she said. Every words from her lips is like a sweet addictive song na kahit kailan ay hindi ako magsasawang pakinggan. But her smile is even more addicting. She's so irresistable.
Nang biglang tumunog ang violin na siyang hudyat ng pagdating ni Valarie, agad akong napaayos ng tayo at tumingin sa daraanan niya.
My heart started to beat faster when I saw Valarie in her white backless dress, walking slowly while looking confused. She knew I was not that romantic, but damn, kakainin ko lahat ng sinabi kong hindi ako affectionate para sa kaniya.
My mind went in blank when she looked at me in the eyes. I saw her beautiful brown eyes, her perfect thin lips together with her addictive smile, and her long wavy hair na sumasabay sa pagsayaw ng hangin. I smiled and even felt emotional habang papalapit siya sa 'kin. Bigla kong naimahe ang simbahan, habang siya ay unti-unting papalapit sa 'kin sa altar. She'd be the most beautiful view.
She smiled happily at binilisan ang lakad. I hugged her with my right arm at nang maghiwalay kami ay ibinigay ko sa kaniya ang bouquet of flowers. “Flowers for the most wonderful woman I've ever met?”
She smiled sweetly bago tinanggap ang bouquet. “Wow! Ang romantic. Where's my Cire? Baka ibang tao 'tong kaharap ko?”
I chuckled and lowered my head para magkapantay kami ng tingin. “I'm still your Cire but this time, I'll be romantic for you, Babe.”
I saw how her cheeks reddened that made me feel warm. I always loves to see her blushing.
“Silly!”
Natawa ako bago lumayo nang kaunti mula sa kaniya. Taka niya akong tinignan ngunit wala siyang sinabi.
I can still hear the romantic song playing by the violist. The cold breeze of the air, the stars and the moon witnessing my love for this woman, and our friends and her family, watching us from afar without the knowledge of this sweet heart.
“Love,” my voice became shaky because of the overwhelming feeling. “You know that I always plan ahead of time. Everything I do is planned and you know I'm a very strict person. All I know is work and that's what all I can do.”
I paused when she uttered my name emotionally. “C-Cire...”
I smiled. “But when you came into my world, I never expected that the everything for me became nothing. When I saw you, I knew that you'll be that someone I'll be needing when I wake up in the morning, same as I go to sleep. It was unexpected but you were the most beautiful thing that happened in to my life.”
Ngumiti ako at unti-unting lumuhod. It was also the signal for our loved ones to get out from their post. Agad kong nakita ang luha sa mga mata ni Valarie habang nakatingin sa paligid. This time, my heart ached because I knew it was a tear of joy.
“I already talked to your parents and they agreed to this. Everyone in this place knew that I love you so much that I can give up being the cold man just to be a romantic guy for you.” I chuckled ngunit nakatakas pa rin ang luhang tumulo na sa aking mata. “So Valarie Theonne Dela Cruz, will you accept this man to be your koala for the rest of your life? Love, will you marry—”
I didn't had the opportunity to finish my statement when she kissed me on my lips, while she's also kneeling down para magkapantay kami. Nang lumayo siya ay nakita ko ang kaniyang ngiti at ang kaniyang luha sa mata. My heart bit faster because of that. I-I don't know what to say, I'm shocked.
“Yes, Cire. I'll surely take you as my koala for the rest of our lives.” She said that made all of my hair arise from my skin.
Bigla akong na blanko. I was still staring at the most mesmerizing woman with her tears flowing on her cheeks. Nang makabawi ako ay agad kong binuksan ang box at nanginginig na kinuha ang singsing roon. I took her right hand and slowly slid the pink diamond ring on her ring finger.
When I finally placed it on her hand, I knew that this will be the start of heaven for us. It's funny how I planned everything for the next ten years pero nang dumating siya, bigla 'yong naglaho. Biglang napalitan 'yon ng mga planong kasama siya. And I don't regret changing everything for her.
Agad ko siyang niyakap nang mahigpit. Doon nagsigawan ang mga tao sa paligid namin at lalong lumakas ang musika na nanggagaling sa violin. Even the stars and the moon shone brighter than usual. But her light is the most beautiful of all.
I let her go to her parents and our loved ones. They congratulated her and hugged her. I can see how emotional and happy they are from here. Even if tears where in their eyes, naroon pa rin ang saya sa kanilang mga ngiti.
I smiled. Finally, I have her. Maybe I am the luckiest man in this world for having an angel fiancée. For having Valarie for the rest of my life.
“Dude, congrats! Binata ka na talaga!” Tyler said dramatically that made me glare at him again.
“Dude naman, huwag ganiyan. Sinuportahan na nga kita tapos sasamaan mo lang ako ng tingin?” sinabi niya iyon na para siyang naiiyak. Umismid lamang ako sa kaniya.
“Congratulations, Cire. So proud of you, man.” Allister smiled and patted my shoulder. I smirked at him. I knew he liked Valarie.
“Thanks, man. Makakahanap ka rin ng sa 'yo.” I meaningfully responded to him. Nawala ang ngiti niya at umiwas na lamang ng tingin.
“Hi, boys!”
I didn't even felt Valarie's presence. She encircled her hands to my right arm that made me smile. “Do you want to eat, wife?” I asked.
“Wew! Wife agad.” Rinig kong bulong ni Tyler kaya't agad ko siyang sinipa sa likod ng kaniyang hita. He peace signed at me before he ran away.
Allister congratulated us again bago nagpaalam. I called the waiter and told him to serve the food for us. I pulled the chair for Valarie before I sat on my seat.
Our friends and families were at the restaurant, also taking their dinner. I specially placed our table outside the restaurant, sa lugar kung saan kita ang Taal lake. She loved nature very much kung kaya't dito ang pinili kong venue.
We ate and talked about us. Every smile on her face made me full. I know it sounded very corny pero nakakabusog tumingin sa kaniya. Maybe I just fell in love with her so much. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng mangyayari sa 'kin kung bigla siyang mawala.
“Wife,” I called her while I am hugging her from the back. We already finished taking our dinner. “Thank you.”
She held my hand and caressed it. “Why are you saying thank you?”
I lightly kissed her shoulder at iniharap siya sa akin. “Because you said yes.”
“Who wouldn't say yes to you, Mr. Koala?” She softly chuckled and hugged me. I closed my eyes and felt her embrace. It was warm and loving. “Kahit sinong babae, o-oo sa isang lalaking katulad mo. Kahit masungit ka, kahit sobrang workaholic mo, kahit sobrang strikto mo at kahit hindi ka romantiko, masarap kang mahalin. Napakasarap mong mahalin, Cire.“
I smiled. “Pero mas masarap kang mahalin, Val.”
She chuckled before she lightly hit my chest. “Bolero,”
I held the left side of her cheeks and kissed her on her forehead. Bumaba 'yon hanggang tungko ng kaniyang ilong hanggang sa tuluyan akong makarating sa kaniyang labi. I savored her sweet lips and the sensation it gives. I felt her tightening her grasp on my shoulder.
We panted when we finally let go of each other. It was a long, passionate kiss. I hugged her once again and closed my eyes. “I love you so much, Valarie.”
“I love you more, Cire Dylan Del Suarez.”
After that night, I sent her and her parents to their house. We bid good byes to each other and reminded her to call me tomorrow. She's a veterinarian and she owned an animal clinic sa Taguig, malapit sa company ko.
I went straight to my condo and immediately took my laptop to check my schedule for tomorrow. It's already twelve in the midnight ngunit nakatapat pa rin ako sa aking laptop. Hindi ko nagawa ang mga papers ko kanina kung kaya't kailangan ko 'yong tapusin ngayong gabi.
I took my glassess of my eyes nang matapos ko ang ilan sa mga papers ko. I checked the clock on my wall.
2:35 a.m.
I sighed before I went to bed. I closed my eyes and remembered what happened yesterday. I smiled when I saw her beam and her eyes on my mind. She can really make my mood lighter with just her lips, curving into a smile. One day, I'll be waking up with beside her. I can't wait to be her husband.
I slept happily while thinking of her.
Nagising ako sa malakas na tunog ng aking telepono. Pupungay-pungay akong bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga at kinuha ang aking telepono sa table ko.
Ngunit nang makita ko kung sino ang tumatawag ay parang nagising ang aking diwa at mabilis na nawala ang antok sa aking katawan kahit na madilim pa ang paligid.
“Yes, wife?” I smiled when I greeted her. How I love to call her 'Wife' in the future.
“U-Uhm, hello po? Sir?” Biglang nawala ang aking ngiti nang ibang boses ang narinig ko sa telepono. It was an unfamiliar voice of a girl.
“Who the hell are you? Bakit mo hawak ang telepono ng fiancée ko?” nagtataka ngunit naroon ang galit sa aking boses.
“S-Sir...” pagtawag niya sa akin. “Isa po akong nurse dito sa Batangas Medical Center. Your girlfriend's car had been found sa isang bangin dito po sa Batangas. Agad po siyang isinugod dito nang may makakita sa sasakyan niya. Kayo po kasi ang emergency contact ni Miss Valarie. The doctors are treating her pero critical—”
Agad akong napabangon at mabilis ma kinuha ang wallet at ang susi ng aking sasakyan. I felt my heart stabbed and my hands became shaky. Ramdam ko ang panlalamig at ang paguho ng aking mundo. Hindi na ako nag-abalang magsuot ng desenteng damit. M-Mas importante ngayon si Valarie.
I was still wearing my pajama and a white t-shirt habang naka tsinelas. Patakbo akong tumungo sa elevator at sumakay roon. I checked my phone. Namatay na pala ang tawag. Mabilis kong tinawagan si Tita Bel habang nararamdaman ko ang pawis na tumutulo sa aking noo.
God, please! Not her please...
“Hello, C-Cire?”
“Tita... Si Val?”
She was silenced dahilan para lalo akong kabahan. “Pumunta siya sa Batangas—”
“Bakit niyo pinayagan?!” I exclaimed on the phone and controlled myself not to punch anything. I was damn tearing up! “Tita naman...”
“W-Wala akong magawa. Bigla na lang siyang umalis nang walang pasabi nang mabalitaan niyang nasusunog ang bahay ng lola niya sa Batangas. B-Bakit ba, iho?”
“T-Tita, si Val...” I sobbed at mabilis na lumabas ng elevator. I immediately went to my car at pinaandar 'yon. “Naaksidente siya, Tita... naaksidente siya!”
“Ano?!” she exclaimed. Mabilis kong narinig ang pag-iyak niya habang tinatawag ang pangalan ni Tito.
“T-Tita, I'm going there. A-Ako na po muna ang bahala. D-Don't worry, Tita. She's strong.”
I didn't let her respond and just ended the call. I tried hard not to shed tears dahil kinakailangan kong makapunta ng mabilis sa ospital. I need to see her.
Halos wala na akong pakealam sa bilis ng aking pagpapatakbo. I was beeped for a hundred times ngunit hindi man lang ako tumigil. I can't lose her. Hindi pa ako nagiging romantiko sa kaniya. I still want to prepair a breakfast in bed after our honeymoon. I still want to be in the bed with her. I still want her to do my necktie whenever I'm going to the office, and I still want to kiss her lips and be with her.
I still needs her.
Nang makarating ako sa ospital ay agad akong bumaba sa sasakyan. I immediately went straight to the emergency room at hinanap ang kaniyang maamong mukha sa lahat ng bed.
Nang hindi ko siya makita ay agad akong humablot ng isang nurse at hinawakan ito sa balikat. “W-Where's the patient for the car accident?”
Gulat lang siyang nakatingin sa 'kin dahilan para alugin ko siya. “Answer me!”
“W-Wala pong car accident na narito S-Sir. Puro m-mga fire victims po ang naririto!” she nervously said dahilan para pakawalan ko siya.
“M-May pasyente ba ritong Valarie Dela Cruz? Please anong number ng room niya? N-Nasa'n siya? A nurse called me kanina a-and she said na rito siya dinala.” I pleaded. “Please tell me where she is.”
Napalunok ang nurse at mabilis na pumunta sa kanilang station. I followed her at my tinanong pa siya. They where whispering na lalong naging dahilan ng akig pag inis at kaba. Why the hell are they whispering?
“S-Sir...” pagtawag niya kung kaya't mabilis akong lumapit sa kaniya. She was fidgeting dahilan para lalo akong kabahan.
“Where is she? Nasa taas ba? A-Anong room number?” I nervously asked.
She looked in me in pity that made me nervously laughed. Why is she looking at me like that?
“S-Sir, wala po siyang room number.” She paused. “She's at the morgue.”
“She didn't make it.”
Four words. My mind went blank when I heard the nurse. Ang balikat ko ay nanamlay at ang aking tuhod ay bigla na lamang nanghina.
When a tear fell down on my cheek, so was my world. She was my life. But why did she had to die?
She was my light. But why did she had to make my life dark again?
She my my love. But why did she hurt me like hell?
And I knew that since that day, I was drowning in the seas of why.