// At night - Coogee Beach, Australia //
I opened the windows and fixed my eyes at the moon cutting a silver path across the dark waters of the shore.
Here, in a small hotel room by the beach, Anthony and I spent the hours talking about me moving to Australia. I've already been honest with him about Mom oppossing our engagement. And that I am willing to sacrifice and compromise.
The sadness obviously manifested in Anthony's face. "We'd be happier if everyone is happy for us," he muttered and swayed his head in frustration.
I plainly sobbed. My heart, tinged with overflowing ache, as I rested my head on Anthony's shoulder, holding his hand in silence. If the stars could speak, they'd light up the sky to comfort us.
The reality of it all. How I wished I can simply upload to my mother's head my deepest love for Anthony and make her understand.
"I'm sorry I am your disaster." Anthony spoke after epochs. "This is not what I wanted for you."
I already stopped Anthony before he uttered another word and kept reassuring him that he is my life, that this is not just some honeymoon phase, and that I am here to stay.
"You are my beautiful disaster." I tried to smile at Anthony. "The wildest forest fire I can still grow and bloom." Anthony may have hurt me but he did change me for the better. He is the reason I began communicating with Mom again, and he made me believe in love again.
Anthony faced me and cupped my chin. For a moment, we locked eyes, his blue eyes slowly drowning me into the depths of his oceans. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me. What did I ever do to deserve you?" The rasp of his voice didn't fail to echo sincerity.
Watching him, watching those eyes sparkle with the chandelier overhead, my love for him grew deeper. Could this be possible to fall in love everyday?
My tears leaked as I received his consecutive and passionate kisses, my head kept replaying his profound words as he fed on my entire being.
We thought about our lives together and our next steps in the coming days. And us moving to a bigger apartment and planning a simple wedding in Melbourne. We promised each other to navigate conflict and disagreements with love and respect, and won't shame each other intentionally.
It felt more liberating now. Being more honest and open, and more connected. Even our fantasies in bed, we shared and talked in details. Of where to touch and how we like it tickled.
Every painful memory about my previous heartaches faded in that moment. We just made love. Ate and talked in between. Argued a little. There is no denying Anthony did know how to keep the fights clean and the sex dirty. It was magical the whole time.
As we lay in bed together, him catching his breath and me in the state of afterglow, it was crystal clear I was at my happiest. I wanted something like this everyday. His voice rummaging through every vein in my body and emptying me of every last drop. For every moment I wake up, I want Anthony to be there. I want him by my side... on top of me... underneath me.
***
// A week later - Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Australia //
I looked at the plane ticket again as Anthony and I waited for our flight to Manila. This time, as a married couple.
The wedding happened earlier than we expected. In Melbourne when everyone in Anthony's life was there, except mine. Anthony and I could no longer wait to embark on a new chapter of our lives and start a family together. We did plan on having another wedding. This time, in Manila. That is why we are going there, to iron things out, and make amends with my family, especially Mom.
"Here." Anthony said as he handed me a bottle of water that I requested. He was more caring than ever. The night we got married, he showed more care and commitment amid the honeymoon high. Somewhere between the bliss, there were moments we let each other down. It was not always saccharine, but we apologized and made up. We became each other's best friend and trusted counsel.
With Anthony, I am at my best. He showers me love more than I deserve. He shares the blame when it is my fault and listens when I can't shut up.
I smiled at Anthony as we boarded the plane. To my surprise, he smiled too, unperturbed, as though he won't be seeing my mother again in a while.
"We got this," Anthony reassured and held my hand tightly, us beside each other in economy class seats.
"I know." I reassured him too, and I could only fall in love again with his charming wink. He does it every time to perk me up, and it never fails.
As the plane took off, we smiled at each other knowing we opened ourselves to the possibilities of life. That this must be our shot at happily ever after.