Chapter 24

2 years passed since the death of Akaza.

1st day nang kanilang pagiging senior students sa Windfall University. Sa kanilang magkakalase, may ibang huminto na sa pagaaral, meron ring tulad nila Aikoh and Yasumi, nagpatuloy nang magkasama.

Umabot silang dalawa nang 4th year sa Windfall University as consistent Dean's listers.

"I wish kasama pa natin si Akaza ngayon," Malungkot na sabi ni Yasumi kay Aikoh habang papuntang eskwelahan.

"Niligtas niya buhay mo so don't waste the chance she gave you," Aikoh said while smiling.

Aikoh is no longer the boring and nonchalant person like before. Simula nung dumating si Yasumi, natuto na siyang ngumiti and sometimes nakikipag biroan na siya kay Yasumi and his other classmates.

Si Yasumi naman, she is no longer the shy type as she was before. Dahil kay Aikoh, natuto narin siyang magtiwala sa sarili and of course, learned a few martial art moves from Aikoh just in case.

Tumango si Yasumi bilang pagsangayon sa sinabi ni Aikoh.

A few minutes later, nakarating na sila sa kanilang school.l and after checking their schedule, napunta sila sa Rm. 20

"Ikaw na maunang pumasok babe, kinakabahan ako eh,"Pagaalangan ni Yasumi.

"Luh, ikaw na," Aikoh pushed Yasumi to towards the door.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Yasumi dahil sa ginawa ni Aikoh.

"Ang daya mo naman babe eh," Sabi ni Yasumi bago nagpout ng napakacute that caused Aikoh to giggle habang pinipisil ang chubby cheeks ni Yasumi.

Pinihit ni Yasumi ang doorknob before stepping inside the classroom but what she saw inside made her pause in surprise.

The entire classroom is decorated elegantly, hearts and balloons everywhere while rose petals decorated the floor.

To complete this set up, isa isang lumapit at nagbigay nang rose ang kanilang classmates kay Yasumi.

Nasurprise siya nung naramdaman niya ang movement sa likod at nang lumimgon siya, her tears fell from her bright eyes.

"Babe, will you marry me?" Aikoh asked habang nakaluhod sa harap ni Yasumi.

Everyone is screaming yes!

To add to the surprise, Yasumi's parents were also among the people screaming 'yes'.

Yasumi is soo happy. She's in Cloud 9

Di niya mapigilan ang tumawa habang tumutulo ang mga luha sa kanyang mga mata. She looked at Aikoh's eyes and nodded as a response.

"Yes, I'll marry you," She added.

Nang marinig ito nang lahat, everybody cheered!

Giggling, tumayo si Aikoh before asking for Yasumi's hand.

"This ring suits you," Sabi ni Aikoh bago niya isinuot sa ring finger ni Yasumi ang singsing.

"I~ I can't believe it," Bulong ni Yasumi habang tinitingnan ang singsing sa kanyang daliri.

"Believe it or not, we're already here babe," Aikoh said before huging Yasumi.

"Dahil sa inyong dalawa, cancel kalahati nang schedule ngayon, so you'd better make your married life worth it," They were on top of the world nang biglang sumapaw ang isang professor that made everybody laugh including Yasumi and Aikoh.

The whole day went on na silang dalawa ang usapan nang buong school.

Sa study room, naglalaro ng chess si Aikoh and Hiro.

"Sa tingin ko, nakapagpili kana," Hiro said bago niya iginalaw ang isang chess piece.

"Wag ka muna maingay," Sabi ni Aikoh habang nilagay niya sa lips ang kanyang index finger vertically.

"I know you already did the moment na nagpropose ka sa kanya," Mahinag sabi ni Hiro.

Aikoh let out a sigh bago sumandal sa sandalan ng upoan.

"Yes, I did," Sabi ni Aikoh.

"The universe will take back what it gave you," Tiningnan ni Hiro sa mata si Aikoh at nakita niya ang unwillingness ni Aikoh.

"It's all meant to be," Sabi ni Hiro before letting out a sigh.

FEB 14 20**, Dragon Mountain Range

The lake where Aikoh's clan used to reside is very calm and quiet but this day, it became bustling with activity.

Ginamit ni Aikoh ang kanyang pera to create a safe trail papunta sa kaniyang ancestral ground. He developed the entire place and transformed it into a tourist spot.

Binigay niya ang manangement ng buong lake sa pamilya ni Yasumi to improve their livelihood.

On the lake side, an arc decorated with flowers stand proudly. A priest is standing beside an altar underneath the shadow of the arc.

Below the altar, Aikoh is wearing a black suit while Hiro is standing by his side.

Everybody is sitting on their own decorated seat.

The music created by an orchestra somehow blends with the welcoming and refreshing ambiance of the nature.

Birds and butterflies are flying everywhere.

After a few minutes of waiting the music changed on cue.

"She's here," Bulong ni Hiro kay Aikoh.

Beautiful kids decorated the bride's path with red petals.

Di mapigilan ni Aikoh ang kanyang ngiti. After waiting for millions of years, she's finally here. The answer he is waiting for is finally here.

Yasumi looked so beautiful in a gown as white as ivory. She marched slowly together with her parents papunta kang Aikoh.

"Aikoh, ingatan mo sana anak namin," Sabi ni Iwama sabay tapik sa balikat ni Aikoh.

Niyakap naman ni Dara ang kanyang kaisaisang anak.

"Maging masaya ka anak huh," Bulong niya kay Yasumi.

After a few words, itinaas ni Aikoh ang kanyang siko, asking Yasumi to grab hold unto him.

Yasumi nodded and coiled her arm around his.

Together they took the first step towards the altar.

No words could describe the happiness both of them are feeling right now.

Dahan dahan silang umakyat paharap sa pari na nagaantay sa kanila.

This scene was immortalized by a picture.

"You may now kiss the bride," The priest proclaimed.

Nagkatinginan naman si Aikoh and Yasumi when they heard the proclamation of the priest.

Yasumi is radiating a very cute and refreshing aura while a playful smile hang around Aikoh's face.

Tinitigan na muna ni Aikoh ang mukha ni Yasumi, commiting it into memory but eh was surprised when Yasumi made the first move.

"Bagal mo, hehe," Sabi ni Yasumi while giggling.

Naghiyawan ang lahat nang makita nila ang nangyari. Everyone is so happy. Laughters rang everywhere.

Just as Aikoh is feeling happy inside, his pupils sunk.

The laughter, music, chirpping of the birds and all other noises disappeared.

Nang tiningnan ni Aikoh ang paligid, Everyone paused. Ang lahat nang nasa paligid ay parang mga characters sa isang movie that was paused by someone.

This is not the first time na nangyari ito kay Aikoh. Nangyari ito nung una niyang nakilala si Hiro.

Aikoh blinked his eyes and to his surprise may nakita siyang babae na nakatayo sa red carpet kung saan dumaan si Yasumi.

Ang katawan nang nasabing babae ay parang pinaghalong illusion and reality.

Kulay ginto ang kanyang malago at curly hair. Maliit at cute na ilong, cheeks with a natural blush on, well proportioned eyebrows and long eye lashes pero ang agaw pansin sa babaeng to ay ang kanyang mata. Walang siyang pupils at puro puti lamang ang makikita.

Ang diosa ng tadhana! Mas kilala bilang tagatanaw nang kinabukasan. This is not the first time Aikoh met her. The first time was when binigyan niya nang gabay si Aikoh tungkol sa kanyang parusa.

"Aikoh," Bumuka ang bibig nang diosa but her voice came from every direction.