Chapter 16

After four years.......

Umalis na ang pamilya ni Devon sa bahay ng mga Castillo. Successful na si Devon ngayon. Nagtayo sila ng boutique business nila Fretzie, Jenny, Kyra at Lauren through multiply. Sina Lauren, Fretzie at Jenny ang naglabas ng puhunan. At naging maganda ang negosyo para sa kanila. They named their brand 'Gem'. Noong una they designed clothes for teenage girls. Tapos lumago ang business nila kaya nag-decide din silang mag-design ng clothes na pang teenage guys. At ngayon may mahigit nang 50 stores sila sa Pilipinas.

Isang araw nagbe-brain storming sila sa kwarto ni Fretzie. "Bes, alam mo, dream kong makapag-design ng wedding gown," sabi ni Devon. "Ako rin, parang ang saya mag-design ng wedding gown," sabi ni Jenny. "Pag-kinasal sina Lauren at Sam na lang. Lo, pwede ba kaming mag-design ng wedding gown mo?" tanong ni Fretzie. "Oo ba. Kaya lang yang kuya mo Devz, ayaw mag-propose eh," sabi ni Lauren. "Sabi mo yan Lo ha. Kami ang magde-design ng weddng gown mo," sabi ni Devon sabay wink kay Fretzie. Na-gets naman ni Fretzie ang sinasabi ni Devon.

Later that evening, nagka-reunion silang magbabarkada. Sina Yong at Patrick ay nag-take over na sa business ng pamilya nila. Si Ryan ay naging isang komedyante. Samantalang si Sam ay nagtayo ng recording studio. Si Sam din ang nagmamanage ng iba pang business ng kanyang pamilya. "Kumusta naman ang mga paborito kong fashion designers?" sabi ni Sam habang inaakbayan sina Devon at Kyra. "Sus, kunwari pa tong si Kuya. Aminin mo na kasi na hindi kami yung favorite mo. Si Lo naman ang pinaka-favorite mo eh," sabi ni Kyra. "Kuya, ready ka na ba?" sabi ni Devon. "Medyo kinakabahan, pero ready na..." sambit ni Sam. "Karaoke taym naaaa!" sigaw ni Ryan sa mike. "Hey, ako ang unang kakanta!" sigaw ni Devon. "Let me present to yu, Debon!" sabi ni Ryan. Nagsimula nang kumanta si Devon.

Someday, you'll gonna realize
One day, you'll see this through my eyes
But then I won't even be there
I'll be happy somewhere
Even if I cared

I know you don't really see my worth
You think you're the last guy on earth
Well, I've got news for you
I know I'm not that strong
But it won't take long, won't take long
'Cause someday, someone's gonna love me
The way I wanted you to need me
Someday, someone's gonna take your place
One day, I'll forget about you
You'll see, I won't even miss you
Someday, someday

But now, I know you can tell
I'm down and I'm not doin' well
But one day, these tears
They will all run dry
I won't have to cry sweet goodbye
'Cause someday, someone's gonna love me
The way I wanted you to need me
Someday, someone's gonna take your place, Ooh
One day, I'll forget about you
You'll see, I won't even miss you
Someday, I know someone's gonna be there

Someday, someone's gonna love me
The way I wanted you to need me
Someday, someone's gonna take your place
One day, I'll forget about you
You'll see, I won't even miss you
Someday, someday

Nadama ng lahat ang emosyon ni Devon nung kumakanta sya. Alam nila na nasasaktan pa rin si Devon. Pero alam nila na ayaw rin pag-usapan ni Devon ang tungkol kay James. May biglang pumasok. "Guys, this is my cousin, Enrique. Hinatid lang ako nyan," sabi ni Fretzie. "Enrique? Hey, ang tagal na nating di nagkita ah," sabi ni Devon. "Kilala mo sya Devonski? Nice to meet you, pare," sabi ni Patrick. "Ah, oo. Nagkakilala kami mga 8 years ago? Nung nagpunta sya kina Fretzie," sabi ni Devon. "Nice to meet you guys. Nice to see you again, Devon-von," sabi ni Enrique. "Naaalala mo pa rin pala yung nickname na yun, Quen," sabi naman ni Devon. "Mag-stay ka na Quen. These are my friends, Jenny, Ryan, Patrick and Yong. This is my younger sister Kyra, do you remember her? My brother Sam and his girlfriend-slash-my friend, Lauren," sabi ni Devon. "Nice to meet you guys. I'm Enrique. Devon-von, I remember your sister but I don't remember you having a brother," sabi ni Enrique. "Yeah. It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later," sabi ni Devon.

Nagsimula na uli ang kantahan. Tapos nag-request si Devon. "Even If" tapos si Sam ang kakanta. Kinuha ni Sam ang mike. "I dedicate this song to my beautiful girlfriend, Lauren," sabi ni Sam. Nagsimula syang kumanta. Lumuhod pa sya sa harap ni Lauren at hinrana ito. Matapos ng kanta nagpalakpakan ang lahat. "Lauren, I think it was destiny thet we've met again that day on Batangas. It meant that even though we parted ways at some point in our lives, we will definetely meet again cause we're meant to be. I know that you know I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So Lauren, will you marry me?" sabi ni Sam na nakaluhod sa harap ni Lauren at may hawak na diamond ring. Naluluha si Lauren. "Y...Yes," sabi ni Lauren. The ring fitted perfectly on Lauren's fingers. Sam stood up and hugged Lauren. Nagpalakpakan ang lahat. Everybody congratulated Lauren and Sam.

A week after the engagement, nagsimula na ang preparation para sa kasal. Ang kasal ay six months from now. Devon is the maid of honor and Sam's brothers', AJ and Enchong are the best men. Light green ang color ng wedding. And as promised, sina Devon ang magde-design ng wedding gown ni Lauren. Isa itong A-line sleeveless dress that ends on the knees. Tapos ang kanyang veil ay hanggang elbow. Design pa lang ang nagagawa nila. It will take them at least 4 months para magawa ang gown dahil kailangan tahiin ng kamay ang mga beadwork sa gown. They decided na sa Batangas, sa resort nina Shey gaganapin ang wedding. Isa itong beach wedding. Si Sam ay naka-white suit. Hindi na masyadong formal ang wedding. Hands-on sina Sam at Lauren sa wedding. "I can't wait for the wedding," sabi ni Devon kina Jenny, Fretzie at Lauren, isang araw habang tinatahi nila ang damit. "Ako, I feel something will happen tapos ma-su-surprise tayo," sabi ni Jenny. "Jen, masu-surprise ba tayo nyan in a good way or in a bad way?" tanong ni Fretzie. "I don't know," sabi ni Jenny with a shrug. "Huy, wag nyong takutin si Lauren. Kawawa naman ang future sis-in-law ko," sabi ni Devon. "Ako, basta andun si Sam, andun ang pare at may isang witness, okay na sa akin," sabi ni Lauren jokingly.

And di nila alam, magkakatotoo ang sinabi ni Jenny.