“Butterfly Kisses"

I was nervous and excited.
            A month from now my Family will introduce me to the society. I am going to celebrate my 18th birthday with Dustin as my escort. He was my kuya’s best buddy. I secretly love him, because he was very vocal in saying that I’m just a kid sister to him. Dustin is a man whom every woman would wish to share the rest of her life with.
            “Are you ready?” daddy asked as they finally entered my room
            “The pink gown perfectly fitted for you my princess.” Mommy said then she hugged me tightly.
            “Shall we go now?” my parents escorted me downstairs where the party was all set.
            “Dustin!” I called, as my dad headed me to the man who will be my escort for the whole night. “You are very lovely, princess.” Princess as my family and close friends fondly called me. Tonight I felt I am really a princess and Dustin is my prince charming. “You are very handsome yourself.” I sincerely complemented with a sweet smile on my lips. “I’m glad you came”. “I don’t see any reason to be not here and I cannot afford to miss your big day, princess” He replied as he proudly escorted me to the crowd. The party was almost over when we are walking around the garden. I promised to myself that I will not end this night without him knowing about my true feelings. Each day was getting harder for me because my love for him goes deeper. I will prove to him that I am not a kid, instead, a woman that he can also love. We sat on the bench then he finally gave his birthday pleasant for me. It was a gold bracelet. He put it on my hand and I don’t know where I got the courage to kiss him. To my delight, he kissed me back. And then….
            “Stop! This is wrong” he said and then he left.
            After that painful incident, I never saw him again. I know that he is avoiding me and I have realized that he really can’t love me the way I have loved him. I can sense that my brother knew something but he chooses to be quiet. Ever since that happened I never allowed any man to be near me. It’s not because I’m a man hater or something. It’s just that, someone has taken my heart away.
            After 7 long years, I am strong enough to accept man in my life. After my first heartbreak I never felt love since and finally I found my second love, Millard. He is typical tall, dark and handsome man. The first time we have meet was during summer. We are both participants in a summer workshop and seminar about “Stress Management”. During the one week seminar, we are always been partners in all of the activities.
            Months passed and he began courting me. One night, Millard brought me to a place where he could express his feelings. The place was full of heart shape balloons and fascinated lights. There was a little fountain too and the red carpet was filled with petals of roses which made the place even more romantic. The musician began to play the violin when Millard headed me to the table. I was stunned when I saw the words beautifully written in a cake. It’s says, “I love you Angeline, will you be my girl?” I was speechless. I can’t even utter a word. I was really overwhelmed by his romantic gesture. I just hugged him and said, “Yes, of course”.
            Since we became official, Millard still continue to shower me with flowers and gifts.  We were happy together and for that we both worked hard for our wedding that will happen in 5 months. We already decided for the style of our house, the number of our children, we are really planning to have an ideal family. I could not ask for more.
            He brought me to their house to introduce our best man who happens to be his cousin that just arrived from USA. I was shocked when I saw the very familiar face that’s always hunted me in my dreams. Now he looked matured, more confident and even more handsome, no doubt about that. The man is no other than Dustin Buenafe.
            “Angeline?”
            “D-Dustin..” I was numb to still feel the same thing for him.
            “You already know each other?” asked Millard, “Wow, What a small world, isn’t it?” amusement was written all over his face.
            “Yeah. What a small world.” Dustin answered while his eyes still looking at me. I saw love then anger. Love? Or was it just me and my perception over the fact that he was finally here? The anger maybe for the thing I did to him during my debut.
            I could barely sleep after our encounter with Dustin. He keeps lingered my mind. Millard notices my changes. “Is there something wrong?” He asked. I just stared him. “It’s Dustin right?” I saw the weak smile drawn on his face. “I know you love him.” He continues. “How could you say that?” I asked demanding an answer. “I can see it through your eyes.” He simply replied.
Then here came his word of wisdom.
            “If I could not have you 100% then, I don’t want you at all. I rather set you free to see you happy than to make you mine but not really.” Millard emotionally said as if implying that he really wants me out of his life. I was so confused. My mind said he is the best for me but my heart refuse to acknowledge the thought. I don’t want to hurt Millard the way someone did to me before. But if I will not be true to myself, I know, I will just going to hurt him. I departed bringing with me tears and a free heart. I found myself in a beach resort. The place was peaceful. It allowed me to think, checked my heart and even nursed it. Suddenly, someone sat beside me, it was Dustin.
            “Once upon a time, there was a lovely princess. I was afraid to love her because I thought what I had for her been for a sister. But I admitted that I was totally wrong. Then, she kissed me and the kiss change my perception about my feelings for her.” He said, still looking in the calm sea. Then our eyes meet.
 “I know I don’t deserve your love, but I’m asking you to please give another chance.” He held my hands and kissed it. I just can’t utter a word. “If you’re thinking about Millard,” He paused as if he can read was on my mind. “He’ll understand. He knows I have love you even before I left for US. I keep telling him about my princess he just don’t you that it is you.” I’m shocked by his revelation.
            “You’d love me? You did?” I can’t stop the tears from falling.
            “Yes, I do. I don’t know when maybe it was on your birthday or when you’ve kissed me or even before that.” He said as he wept my tears away. “I swear to myself I will make you fall in love for me again.” Determination can be sense in his voice.
“Hey, you don’t need to do that because you already took my heart almost 8 years ago.” I’m happy at the same time I’m glad that after all those years he had feelings for me too. He held my hands tight as if he will never let go of me ever again.
Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair. Walk me down the aisle daddy it's just about time…
As I walk down the aisle, I saw my love with so much adoration in his eyes as he patiently waits for me to be with him at the altar.  From this day onward, I am going to live life with the man I have truly loved.
Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right. To deserve her love every mornin' and butterfly kisses I couldn't ask God for more than this is what love is…