THIRD PERSON'S POV
Both Irene, and Greggy went downstairs. Surprisingly, Irene's family just arrived and was about go to the venue where Greggy supposedly propose.
At first, Irene's family didn't notice the ring. They walked towards them.
Irene's family is wondering why Irene wasn't surprised that they are here.
Imee was the first one to notice the ring that Irene is wearing.
"Omg?!" Imee exclaimed. "Congrats! I thought later pa?" Imee asked Greggy as she hugged her sister.
Greggy gave her a shrug as an answer. Ferdinand patted Greggy's shoulder before giving him a hug. "Take care of my bunso..." Ferdinand uttered.
"I will, Tito" Greggy said, with a smile on his face.
"Dad, call me dad" Ferdinand smiled to Greggy.
Greggy looked at his soon to be father in law, not knowing what to do. All he know is that he's happy.
"Thank you, Dad" He uttered, finally.
Bonget also patted Greggy's shoulder for approval. He smiled, and nodded.
Irene glances at Catali who's beside Imee. She smiled before giving her a tight hug. "I missed you" She uttered.
Before even she even respond, Catali's loud cry is heard. "I missed you too, My love" She uttered, while crying. "I thought you won't forgive me na" She added.
"I already forgave you, You didn't do anything wrong" Irene uttered, while caressing Cali's back.
"Aww!" They all uttered.
"Care to explain why you two are together earlier?" Irene whispered.
Cali stopped crying, and looked at Irene. "You saw us?" She asked.
"Yes, so what's the score?" Irene asked.
"Hmm" Cali hummed as an answer.
On the other hand, Greggy and Diego were whispering about a certain topic.
"What happened?" Diego asked.
"To make the story short, she said yes" Greggy answered, while staring at her soon to be wife. He's always been a fan of her.
Diego sighed. "I accidentaly light up the fireworks, I was just joking pero tumama. So wala na tayong fireworks for later"
"It's fine, such a coincidence" Greggy smiled, thinking how the fireworks came exactly as Irene said yes.
"Ahh Greggy...." Diego called.
Greggy looked at him.
"Thank you pala, for setting us up"
Greggy smiled. "Okay lang 'yon. So?"
"We're working on it. I realized that I can't live without her. Okay lang kahit hindi na kami ikasal, basta wag niya na lang ako ulit iwan"
Greggy proudly looked at Diego.
They all covered their ear when they heard Greggy's sister scream. They all looked at Elvira. She didn't care, and walked towards Irene with an open arms.
She cried as loudly as she can. "I'm so touched! I'm so happy for kuya and you!" She said exaggeratedly. "Anyway, this is my boyfriend Philip" She said, and back to her straight face.
"Hi" Philip uttered, was about to shakes hands with Irene when Greggy appeared, and shakes hands with Philip. "Hi" Greggy uttered, while shaking hands. "Philip, right?" Greggy cleared.
"Si Kuya over protective kay Ate Irene" Elvira uttered, and rolled her eyes.
Greggy tightened his hands, while Philip is trying his best not to show he's hurting. "Okay" Greggy uttered, and let go if his hand.
"Nice to meet you" Greggy said, smiling.
"Hon, tara na?" Greggy asked, while offering his arm to Irene.
Irene clings to Greggy and started walking.
Alfonso, on the other hand was smiling from ear to ear. Staring at his parents who are somehow now happy. No one is more happy than Alfonso is.
He finally felt whole.
Bong noticed Alfonso, He kneeled down, and looked at his nephew. Alfonso can't help but to cry.
Bong gave him a warm hug. "Why are you crying? Aren't you happy that your parents are now back?"
"I'm happy" He said, and wiped his tears. "I still can't believe this is happening po. I'm still in shock. I'm around new people, when usually I was just with my Mom"
"I really felt whole right now. Back then, I always feel like something is missing, but now I couldn't ask for more. This is already too much" Alfonso said.
Bong felt how happy Alfonso is. He can't blame his nephew for crying because of joy. Because he himself, was also happy for them.
The way he could feel how Alfonso awaits this moment to happen, is just making him teary eyed.
Maybe this kid really went through a lot with his Mom. He is way too mature for his age.
"You'll never feel incomplete again, you have us already" Bong uttered. He close his eyes, as he feel like any time he could burst into tears.
Imee came, watching the uncle- nephew moment. She just knew that she's already crying.
She sniffed, and wiped her tears. "I am really something" She said to herself as she can't stop her tears.
Imee walked towards them and hugged them both.
They were left alone, by their family. They were too happy for the engagement.
Imee turned to hugged the both of them, and cried. (Literally missing Bong, and Imee's interaction in real life)
"We love you, Alfonso. You know that" Imee uttered.
"I love you both too. Thank you for being here" Alfonso said. "Sorry because I always cry" He apologized.
"You don't have to be sorry, your feelings are valid" Bong said. "You have such a big family now, not just Mom. Now you have Dad, Tita, Tito, Dada, Lala, and your cousin's. You'll never feel lonely"
"Thank you, tita, and tito" He said almost whispered. He cried harder, and hugged them more tightly. "I'm happy, really" Alfonso uttered.
The night went well, it was full of laughter and kwentuhan's.
~~~
A vacation indeed.
The boys having drinks, while the girls having kwentuhan's. They know they'll be taking care of a drunk guy any moment.
"Let's have a bet" Imee uttered.
"What kind of bet?" Irene asked.
"Bong will probably be the most drunk later" Imee said, while smiling. "Look at his shots, parang ang tagal na hindi uminom"
They all chuckled.
I stood up, and went to the kitchen. Greggy's Mom was there. She smiled at me as I get something to drink.
"Irene" She called.
I raised my eyebrow, and looked at her. "Bakit po?"
"I'll take this moment to thank you for everything. Until now, nakokonsensya parin ako. I know how hard it is to be a mom. Alam mo, si Greggy sobrang lambing niyan. Hindi yan sakit sa ulo, because he wanted to make his father proud"
"When I heard that he's seeing you. Natuwa ako dahil ang saya saya niya lagi. Kaso nalaman ni Lusio. Laging natakas 'yan para makasama ka lang"
"Pinupuntahan ko sa kwarto minsan kapag naiyak siya, palagi kasi siyang napapagalitan ni Lusio. Lusio has been putting a lot of pressure to him, pero wala akong nagawa noon dahil may kasalanan din ako"
"Greggy told me na you're making him happy. Once he asked me "bakit hindi niyo ako kayang mahalin at suportahan katulad ng ginagawa ni Irene?" That stuck in my mind, and I realized that you're so important to him"
"May mga araw na pinagtatakpan ko na lang si Greggy dahil alam kong mag-kasama kayo. At alam kong ikaw lang ang gusto niyang kasama"
"Even Elvira sinasama niya minsan 'di ba? Kasi yung batang 'yun gustong gusto ka. Nagkekwento yun sa'kin. She said, you loves to braid her hair"
"Naiyak din 'yun kapag hindi pinapayagan yung kuya niya, kasi hindi ka raw niya makikita"
"I wonder what's in you that even Elvira loves you. Now that I met you, alam ko na. Iba ka eh. You're everything. Mabait ka, you know how to deal with people. You're almost perfect, Irene"
"Irene, thank you for being with my son. Thank you for staying with him when he needed someone. Thank you for making him happy. I'm sorry for what we did. I'm sorry"
Irene bowed her head, while holding back her tears. She never thought something like this would happen.
She realized that everything was truly okay now. She recieved the apology she always wanted, but didn't expect.
She felt like she healed something on her.
Greggy's Mom, walked towards Irene, and gave her a warm hug. That is when Irene let her emotion out. She cried.
Emelia patted her back. "It's fine. Everything's okay now" She whispered.
"You did a great job raising your son. I'd like to credit that to you. You're such a great Mom. I love you, Anak" There, Irene cried harder.
She felt so much better.
The feeling of being accepted, made her cry even more.
They stayed like that until Irene stopped crying. Emelia smiled, and invited Irene to go outside already because it's almost christmas.
"Mom? San kayo galing? I've been looking for Irene" Greggy worriedly said, and walked towards them.
"We just talked about something" Emelia said.
"Did you cry?" Greggy worriedly asked, and caressed Irene's face.
"No, Hon. I'm fine" Irene smiled.
Greggy looked at his Mom. Emelia just smiled, and patted Greggy's back before leaving them.
Greggy turned to look at Irene, and gave her a warm hug because he knew she needed it.
"Tara na, Hon" Greggy said, and escorted her to her seat as they're doing the count down.
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Merry Christmas!" They all shouted.
They begin their exchange gift. Alfonso, Irene, and Greggy looks like they have their own world as they exchanged gifts.
"Kayo na mga sis" Imee uttered bitterly. "Charot!" Imee withdrew what she said.
"Eh bakit kasi hindi mo imbitahan dito si Kuya Rod?" Bong asked jokingly.
Imee glared at Bong. Bong ran as he knew her ate will kill him for mentioning her suitor's name.
"You moron! I'll kill you" Imee said running towards Bong.
Alfonso chuckled.
"You knew everything, aren't you?" Irene asked her son.
"Of course" Alfonso uttered, while laughing.
"Ikaw talaga" Greggy said, and ruffled Alfonso's hair.
Alfonso frown as his Dad ruffled his hair. He hate it when someone messed with his hair.
Greggy chuckled. "Sorry, anak"
Greggy poked Irene. "Tingnan mo yung dalawang yun" Greggy pointing at Cali and Diego that's sitting on the sand. Cali leaning on Diego's shoulder.
"They look good together 'no?" Irene asked.
"We look good together more" Greggy added.
Irene smiled, and laughed.
On the other hand, Both their parents are watching them.
"Look how happy they are" Lusio uttered. "I really feel guilty about what I've done. Sorry for everything, Imelda and Ferdinand" He added.
"It's fine, at least everything's okay now. Let's choose to move on, and not dig the past" Ferdinand said as he smiles.
"It's funny how destiny still find the way to get our friendship back" Lusio chuckles.
"Yes, who knows diba? After how many years, we became friends again" Ferdinand said.
Ferdinand and Lusio used be a good friends, they even considered themselves as brothers, but they fought because of money.
Until then, they became rivals, and never talk with each other again.
"We were like 29 or 30? So young, and now we're getting older and older" Lusio said.
Emelia, and Imelda just look at both of their husbands. "Finally, they're okay" Emelia said.
"Yes, War is over" Imelda jokingly said.
"War talaga" Emelia said and laughed.
~~~
A Happy New Year
Everyone is busy getting their (torotot).
"Nako, Elvira, you don't need any Torotot na. You're loud enough" Her Ate Patty said.
Elvira frowned when she heard her boyfriend, Philip laughed. "You really think I am?" Elvi asked his boyfriend.
She walked out.
Greggy chuckles. "Nako, lagot!"
Philip followed Elvira. "Hey, I didn't mean to laugh. I like it when you're loud. That's why I fell in love with you. Don't be mad na"
Elvira managed to frown even though she felt 'kilig' "but why did you laugh? You want me to change my personality?" She asked.
"You don't need to change any of your attitude. I love who you are, I love your personality, everything" Philip uttered, carresing Elvira's face.
With that, she smiled, and kissed his lips.
"Hoy!" Greggy and her Dad simultaneously said.
She laughed as loudly as she can. "Relax it's just a smack kiss"
"Ikaw, Elvi. Not because I let you have a boyfriend ganyan ka na lumandi ha!" His protective kuya uttered.
"Tama! I didn't raise you to do the first move anak ha" Her Dad, Lusio said.
"Okay, kuya, Dad" She said, and chuckles. "Hays, I'm old enough"
"So what? You're still our bunso" Greggy heard what she said.
"K, fine!" Elvira said. She smiled, and gave Philip a kiss again. Greggy and Lusio narrowed their eyes at her. She stuck her tongue at them.
"By, stop teasing them" Philip said.
"Okay" She said, and smiled.
"Oh, it's new year already!" Irene, Imee, and Pat simulataneously said.
"Happy New Year everyone!" They all greeted each other.
"Happy New Year, Cali" Diego greeted Cali with a smiling face.
"Happy New Year also" She smiled. "I love you" She whispered.
"What?" Diego didn't hear what she said due to the fireworks.
"I said I love you" Cali repeated.
Diego slowly looked at her. It was the first time she said I love you after their break up. Diego looked at her eyes, before her lips. They slowly kissed each other.
Quick but sweet.
"I love you too" Diego uttered, before hugging Cali tightly. "A Happy New Year indeed" He added.
They saw at the people in front us. They chuckle, and sighed because no one saw them kissed. It would be embarrasing.
"Cali, come here!" Irene called her best friend.
"Bye" Diego said, and waved his hand. Cali just smiled.
"Ang saya natin ah" Greggy said as he saw Diego smilling alone. He stood beside him.
"Sobra" He answered. He turned his gaze to Greggy. "Salamat, Pre. Ang laking tulong mo sa'kin. I love you, Pre"
They've been friends for how many years, and they never told I love you's to each other.
Greggy chuckled before answering. "I love you too" Greggy laughed.
They both laughed. "First time ah!" They simultaneously said. They laughed harder.
"Ako ang nauna pero si Irene ang nag-wagi" Diego said, while laughing.
"Gago" Greggy said as he laughed harder.
Greggy patted Diego's shoulder, before giving him a hug. "Best man ka ha?" He uttered.
Diego smiled. "Oo ba"
"That was the only thing I can gift you for being such a good friend"
"It's my pleasure"
"Salamat... Basta alam mo na 'yun!" Greggy just said, as he is getting emotional.
Diego on the other hand was already crying.
Greggy laughed as he saw his bestfriend looking like a child.
"Why are you crying?" Greggy asked, even Greggy, himself is already crying.
"Ang dami na rin kasi nating napagdaanan, nakakatuwa lang ngayon na ayos na ang lahat" Diego said, both crying and laughing.
Greggy wiped his tears, and again laughed.
They never thought they will have this kind of interaction. Where they will laugh and cry. Just for sure, they're happy for going through hardships together as friends. They have each other's back ever since.
Thinking about the problems they went through, made them said that "We get to go through it"
They kept on laughing when they get to catch each other's eyes. Probably embarrassed for what just happened.
"Tama na, ang sakit na ng tiyan ko" Diego said, while caressing his tummy.
"I am too" Greggy said before stopping himself from laughing. "Nakakatawa ka kasi"
"I know" Diego laughed.
"Tara na dun" Greggy said pointing at the food. "Gutom na ako"
Diego just nodded, and followed Gregorio. Irene went close to Greggy and whispered something. "Nag-moment kayo ah"
Greggy chuckled. "Yep" He said, and stole a kiss from Irene. Irene frown. "Happy New Year, Hon" Greggy said, kissing Irene again.
"Happy New Year" She whispered.
They ate, and proceed to their own seat. They kept on talking, and talking. Alfonso already fell asleep on Greggy's lap.
"Hon, can you get me a glass of beer?" Greggy asked.
Irene nodded. "Last na 'yan, and then pasok na tayo sa room ha?" She uttered, as she gave him the glass.
"Yes, Hon" Greggy answered.
"Hindi ka ba nangangalay?" Irene asked.
"No, Hon. I'm fine" He said, smiling.
Irene's phone rings, and it was her amigas, Cali's phone is also ringing. Cali walked towards Irene so that they can use just one phone. They amswered the phone.
"Happy New Year!" Small uttered.
"Happy New Year, Cali, and Irene! You guys are together?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, we're on a vacation. Happy New Year also" Irene said, and she stroked her hair a little, causing her friend's to notice her hair.
"Oh! My! Gosh! Irene is engaged?" Small said exaggeratedly.
"What?!" Alex, Alice, Dawn asked out of shock. The expression shown on their face is pure shock.
"Yep, for about about how many days na actually before christmas pa" Cali cleared.
"Hala? Really? Congrats, Irene!" Small congratulated.
"Congratulations!" The rest of her friends said.
"Thank you, guys!" Irene said.
"I'm so happy for you" Dawn said, teary eyed.
"Thank you, Dawn" Irene said, and pouted.
"You owe us chika ha" Alex uttered.
Irene, and Cali chuckles. Irene looked at Cali, asking for permission if she can say about her, and Diego's relationship.
Cali smiled as an answer, allowing Irene to spill the tea.
"Diego's also here" Irene said.
Silence hit them all. "Woah" Small said, and she chuckles.
"Wait, wait, wait, are they back together again?" Alice asked, while grinning.
Cali stayed quiet.
"Silence means yes" Small said, and screamed her lungs out. "I'm so happy for the both of you! I'm gonna cry because of joy!" She added.
Cali, and Irene smiled while shooking their head. "Hindi pa" Cali corrected.
They all chuckled. "We really need to catch up personally soonest!" Alice said.
"Yep" They all agreed.
"I think we'll end the call here. Happy New Year again" Dawn said, as she smile.
"Happy New Year!" Irene, and Cali simultaneously said as they ended the call.
"They're loud" Cali said. Irene couldn't agree more.
Irene yawned, and Greggy noticed it. "Hon, let's go na sa room?" He asked.
Irene smiled and nodded. Greggy carried Alfonso, and his ither arm went to hold hands with Irene.
They walked with their hands intertwined.
While Cali on the back captured them, as she thinks it was a a wonderful moment. Well it is actually.
Greggy gently put his son on the bed.
Greggy turned to looked at Irene, and wrapped his hands around her waist. He kissed her neck, that made Irene sigh.
"Greg, not tonight" Irene uttered.
Greggy sighed, and stared at Irene. "I'm indeed a lucky guy to have you" He uttered.
"Are we having a moment again?" Irene jokingly said.
"Maybe?" Greggy chuckled. "Happy New Year, Hon" He uttered.
Irene pinched his cheek "Happy New Year" she kissed his lips. Greggy deepened their kiss, as he closed his eyes.
They heard Alfonso groaned, that made them stop.
They both chuckled when they saw Alfonso sleeping peacefully. "We should sleep already" Irene said. Greggy agreed.
~~~