The hour of Departure has arrived, and we go our ways: I to die and you to live. Which is better? Only God Knows"
- Socrates
***
Eiffel's PoV
Pagkatapos ng wedding ceremony ay nagcelebrate na kami ng reception sa mansyon. Madaming nakahandang pagkain at lahat ng mga katulong ay nagsasaya kasama ng mga pamilya ni kuya Clyde.
"You look so adorable sister-in-law!" nangigigil na puri ng kambal.
I am now wearing a baby pink haltered dress partnered with white laced sandals. They insisted na magpalit daw ako ng damit since tapos na ang ceremony.
I smiled at kasama silang lumabas ng kuwarto ko. Pagbaba sa hagdan ay nakita kong nakatayo si kuya Clyde at hinihintay ako.
"Oh, can't wait to spend the time alone with your wife?" nangaasar na sabi ni ate Lene and they both giggled.
Kuya Clyde glared at them pero inabot niya sa akin ang kamay niya.
I extended my hand at lumapit sa tabi niya. "Let's go and eat, kanina pa nila tayo hinihintay" aniya at tumango ako.
Magkasiklop ang kamay naming nagtungo sa dinning table. I saw my parents and kuya Clyde's sitting and chatting.
Kuya Clyde assisted me on sitting down and he sat at the chair beside me.
"Congratulations for being married Eiffel and Clyde" nakangiting saad ni Papa.
"Let's give them a toast!" Daddy Gene propossed. We all held the wine glass up and cheers.
Syempre juice lang ang sa amin ni kuya Clyde at sa kambal.
I took a sip and smiled. I know I would really treasure this moment.
"We can all be at east. The Fuentabella and Sinclaire will for sure have a bright future together" Papa stated.
"Everyone in the industry will surely be shock once Eiffel and Clyde turned in the right age! The two families are now united!" Daddy Gene remarkably laughed.
I can't help but feel worried, they're all expecting big from us in the future. Can we meet their expectations?
"Boys, don't pressure the kids, the business can wait for them, right now why don't we just celebrate?" sita ni Mommy Sophie.
"Sophie is right, this wedding is just a formality. Eiffel and Clyde can't be really called husband and wife legally until the papers are processed in the right time. We can simplify this situation as engagement party only, don't feel pressured" malumay na explain ni Mama habangn nakatingin sa amin ni Kuya Clyde.
"Don't worry Mama, chill lang kami ni Eiffel" ayon ni Kuya at uminom.
"Mommy, Daddy, I know this is too early for me to say, but I promise to be the best wife to my husband" Both Mama and Papa smiled while Daddy and Mommy looked amazed with what I have said.
Kuya Clyde frowned "Don't say that in front of everyone!" nainis na sita niya sa akin.
"W-Why?" I asked confusedly.
"C-Cause it's embarrassing!" he yelled back with his flushed face.
I tilted my head, now I'm more confused.
The adults laughed "They look adorable, aren't they?"
"Yes balae!" Mommy Sophie yelled which earned another outburst from Kuya Clyde.
"Ma!"
Clyde's POV
Kumatok ako sa pintuan ng kuwarto nila Tito Raven. Eiffel and Tita Pau are currently in the living room with my Mom who God knows is talking behind my back. I want to talk to him now that his daughter and I just got married.
"Come in" paanyaya ni Tito. I took a deep breath and entered the room.
"Tito..." tawag ko sa kanya na kasalukuyang nakaharap sa malaking book shelf. He took a book and faced me.
"Clyde" he called me, smiling.
Damn, kahit gaano kaamo ang mukha nit Tito ay kinakabahan parin ako.
"Why are you standing there? Come take a sit and have a cup of tea, to calm your nerves" saad niya at kinindatan ako.
Naglakad siya sa lamesa na nasa tabi ng bintana, pinatong niya ang libro sa lamesa at nagsalin ng tsaa sa dalawang tasa "I was also like that when I met Pauline's father, I was so nervous that I almost forgot how to talk."
Then he gestured me to sit with him. I mustered all my might and sat with him.
"Tito Raven..."
He chuckled "Bakitt yan ang tawag mo sa akin? You just called me Papa at the ceremony"
"M-Medyo awkward po kasi, all these years ay Tito ang tawag ko sa inyo" ekspleka ko.
"Yes... And because of a selfish request, you sacrificed and married my daughter" puno ng guilt na sabi niya.
"That's not true Papa! Kahit kelan ay hindi ko inisip na sinakripisyo ko ang sarili ko. I wanted it. I wanted to marry Eiffel and it was my own decision." I disagreed.
Papa smiled and took a sip from his cup. "Ang totoo ay natakot din ako, na baka dahil sa request ko ay ako mismo ang maging dahilan ng kalungkutan ni Eiffel, I never wished for her to marry someone she never met and I never wanted to hand her to a stranger. Pero nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng sayo siya nagpakasal."
"Bata palang kayo ay ikaw na ang pinakamalapit na tao sa anak ko. We always see how happy she is pag ikaw ang kasama niya. Your father even suggested to get you engaged with her back then when you two were still kids" pagbibigay alam niya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko. So kahit nong bata palang pala kami ay pinlano na nila ito?
"But of course, ayaw naming ipilit sa inyo ang ganitong bagay, baka kasi kami mismo ang maging dahilan ng paglayo ng loob niyo sa isa't isa, Pauline and I always treated you like a son, just like how Gene and Sophie treated Eiffel like their daughter at ngayon ay masasabi kong anak na nga talaga kita" pagpapatuloy niya.
"Papa, I volunteered to marry Eiffel because I was selfish" I bluntly stated na ikinalito niya.
"I still don't understand myself because of that too. Ayokong isipin na mapupunta sa ibang lalaki si Eiffel, na kailangang magpakasal siya sa isang stranghero. Andaming tanong na pumasok sa isipan ko noon, tulad na bakit ko siya inayawan noong niyaya niya akong magpakasal, bakit kailangang sa iba kung pwede naman sa akin, o bakit ko hahayaang mawala sa akin si Eiffel? I wanted Eiffel to be mine. And I selfishly made her my wife. I-"
"And because of that selfishness, I am rest assured that Eiffel will be in great hands" he interrupted me.
He sighed "I'm dying Clyde" saad niya at may kirot na gumuhit sa puso ko.
Why did a good man like him have to suffer like this?
"Don't say things like that Papa" pigil ko sa kanya ngunit umiling lamang siya.
"I know it and I'm ready for it"
"Noong una ay hindi ko matangap na kailangan kong iwan ang magina ko, I never wanted to make them suffer from the pain of losing me, I love my wife and my daughter so much... Pero ganito talaga ang kapalaran ko" He chuckled but I saw pain in his blue eyes.
"But at least right now, I can rest in peace. Na kahit mawala ako ay may papalit sa akin sa pagabay at pagmamahal sa anak ko."
"I can never replace you in her life Papa, you are her father even if I'm her husband now. Her love for you is greater than me and I am happy with it."
Papa Raven glanced at me seriously "Clyde, son. Eiffel is my most valued treasure in my life. I am a Count of an old wealthy family but I am willing to sacrifice that tittle and everything I have just for her because she is priceless. Both of your lives will not be easy with all the given age gap and bloodline my daughter have. You both will be placed under pressure with all those people surrounding you. Will you be able to handle it all? Will you be able to stay happy even if you don't belong in the same world?"
Napaisip ako sa katanungan niya. I was always been aware of that truth, especially when I saw her in that marriage interview party.
Bagay na bagay si Eiffel sa mga ganuong kumukutitap at magandang lugar at para akong nakikiitsapwera lamang. Magkaibang magkaiba ang mundong ginagalawan naming dalawa.
"If it's her, I believe I will be able to surpass any trials Papa. If its Eiffel whom I'll be sharing those problems and pressure, then yes, I will stay happy" nakangiting sagot ko.
Papa smiled at me tenderly "I will not request for you to protect her smile because that will be up to Eiffel. Sooner you will be under a big trial my son but it's all up to you, it's all up to the choice you will choose when the time comes. What I will request is for you to love her whatever happens" dagdag niya. Nalito akong muli sa sinabi niya pero agad akong tumango at sumagot.
"I am not yet sure about what my feelings about her is Papa but I will make sure I will makes to protect her" pangako ko.
"Thank you, Clyde... Thank you so much"
He took the book beside him and handed it to me.
"That book was my best friend, and I guess you'll need it more than I do now." Natatawang pahayag niya.
Nagtatakang tiningnan ko ang tittle ng libro at agad akong namula.
"How to be a Good Husband"
He laughed at tapped my shoulders "Ikaw na ang bahala sa anak ko Clyde. I'm sure you can do it" bilin niya
"I will do my best Papa" I stated with a smile.
Eiffel's Pov
Sa sumunod na araw ay nagtungo na kami sa Airport para ihatid sina Daddy at Mommy. Kasama ko si Kuya Clyde at ang mga magulang niya.
"Princess, be a good wife to Clyde ok?" nakangiting bilin ni Daddy
Papa paused and tears fell from his blue eyes. "I-I promise princess" then he hugged me so tight. I felt so sad, andaming mga pumapasok sa isispan ko.
He'll be healed right? There so many good doctors in US right?
I started to cry as I held on him "I love you Eiffel"
"And I love you more" he held my cheeks and kissed me on my forehead. He stood up and faced Kuya Clyde, "Take care of her Clyde"
"Yes Papa" Kuya Clyde answered and hugged Daddy "You have to come back; my wife and I will always be waiting for you" he added and Daddy smiled.
Mommy hugged me "Take care Eiffel"
"Yes Mommy."
I hugged my father for the last time.
"Goodbye Princess."
"Don't say that Daddy, w-we'll see each other, again right? So, it should be till the next time" I said with a smile, trying my best to stop myself from crying.
Pain registered in his eyes and I felt hurt on how he looked guilty but for the last time, he held my cheek and smiled.
"Yes princess, till the next time"
Tumayo na si Daddyapa at hinawakan ang kamay ni Mommy. I smiled and waved as they walk inside the airport.
Naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Kuya Clyde sa kamay ko.
I know he's comforting me silently; he knows that I'm so afraid right now. Pilit kong inaalis sa utak ko na baka ito na ang huling pagkakataong makikita ko ang Daddy ko. I want to hug him and tell him not to leave me.
But I can't...
"It's ok. I'm here Eiffel" Kuya Clyde said. I looked at him and more tears started streaming down to my cheeks.
Silently I cried again.