Clarriese Zyah's POV
Now that Dale is now in front of me, I couldn't search for any words to utter. I was dumbfounded and lost my speech. My heart was beating loudly that it may come out of my chest at any moment. My rapid heart beats hindered me from letting out a word.
I never thought this moment would happen. I am not prepared for this. I couldn't even bring myself to meet his gaze. Even if I wanted to, I just couldn't do it. For now, looking at him directly in his eyes was the most difficult thing to do.
"Ah? I need to accompany her," I said, intentionally avoiding him. I hurriedly went to Delia's direction and sat next to her. 
"Enjoying the view?" I wrote on the piece of paper I was holding. I felt my palms sweating and my hands shaking. I am in a deep panic and don't know how to calm myself down. 
When I handed the paper to her, she turned and gave me a "thumbs up" accompanied with a bright, wide smile. 
I write something again on another piece of paper. "Do you also love to watch the sunset? Like, everyday?" 
I reached out my hand to give her the paper and pen so she could write her response as well.
"Yes, I do. I love it very much. You know, it's beautiful. I'll never get tired of watching it."
She handed back the paper to me. This way I could write something again and our conversation will continue. I was about to write again when someone sat down next to me and snatched the paper and pen away from me. He wrote something and passed it to Delia. When she received the paper, she nodded and smiled. With my curiosity, I looked at the paper he handed to Delia and was astounded when I saw what was written on it.
"Can I borrow some time to talk with my woman?"
Delia patted my shoulder and gave me a gesture to just go and it's fine with her.
I hastily stood up, still with the intention to avoid him but he followed me without hesitation. I was halted when I heard him talk.
"Zy, I already know the truth," he started. "I am now aware of what really happened to your dad, to Sir Clavey. I already found out that you are the author of Drizzles of Yellow."
"Oh. Then what are you doing here?" I shook my head. "No. What's the point of you being here?"
Even I myself isn't used to how I behave. Why am I acting like this? Do my hormones have their own mind and act in their own way? No. No. No. They don't have a mind. I only have one. Then, why did it turn out like this? I badly want to hug him right now but why do I seem like I am distanced from him?
"I am here for you," he replied in his calm yet soft tone. His glances were filled with wistfulness.
"For what?"
Oh no. Why did I sounded so heartless and fierce? What has gotten into me?
"Zy, I am here for -"
"No need. I can manage to be alone."
Oh why, Zyah. You'd gone insane! What are you saying? Can you manage to be alone? Since when did you learn to say such a thing? I thought.
"Woman, I know that you are broke-"
"Oh! I am broke!" I interrupted him. My heart suddenly exploded. I couldn't take it anymore. The more he said a word, the more it got heavy. "What are you here for? Look at me! Look at how messed up I become! Dale, you-"
"I have eyes, Zy. I could see. I saw how messed up you are right now. Look at your swollen eyes, you can't even fix your hair-"
"Oh. Then why don't you just leave? There's no good at me anymore, Dale! I am broke! I am messed up!"
"You are messed up but it's still you! You are still the woman I love!"
His words caught me off guard. He got me hypnotized by his dark hazel eyes.
"Woman, I am willing to be messed up with you. I'll be there when you cry crying with you. Zy, I know that you are carrying such unbearable pain right now. That's why I am here! I am here because I want you to share the pain with me. That's too heavy for you to carry it alone."
"If you are because you pity-"
"What a stubborn woman," he mumbled under his breath but still I could hear it. "Look into my eyes, woman. I am here because I love you. I love you to the point I wanted to snatched all the pain you have right now and bear it alone!"
"Dale, you-"
"Let me be stubborn this time, Zy. I won't go anywhere even if you chase me away."
"You won't go anywhere?"
He nodded. "Oh. I won't go anywhere."
"Then, I'll go," I said firmly.
"I'll follow you," he fought back.
I let out a deep breath. How I could argue with him where in just his single words, I lost already. After all, what I was saying was all contrary to what my heart really felt.
I turned my back but he grabbed my hand and made me face him. He pinned me with his longing gazes. His eyes right now have the emotion that I thought I will never see again. But right now, he was right here, in front of me.
"I have loved you yesterday and still I will for the rest of my life. I will always search for you in every corner because the warmth of your embrace is my safe zone."
He increased his strength and pulled me close to him. He hugged me tightly. I felt my knees go weak. I sense my tears escaping from my eyes. The feeling that I am in his arms again made me burst into tears. I could hear his heart beating, same as mine. Felt like I found comfort that was badly needed. I don't know what to do anymore. All I knew was I couldn't stop myself from sobbing on his chest. It's the only choice I have left right now. My heart surrendered. I couldn't resist it anymore. 
"Woman, I missed you," he whispered. "I am not going to lose you anymore," he continued. 
I found myself crying hard. I don't mind his shirt being wet with my tears. He made me cry this much. I moved my hand and wrapped it around his waist. 
"Let's get hurt together," he said while rubbing my hair. "I am hurting seeing you crying."
I didn't move. I just let myself cry. I let out the emotion that has always been buried deep in my heart. I never expected that this day would ever happen again. When everything was turned around. 
"Zy, let's both open our hearts for forgiveness. I'll be there with you just like how you stayed with me when I face my battle. Woman, allow me to be with you this time." He caressed my hair. "Let's go home, woman."
I distanced myself from him and met his gaze. "But. . ."
"Not ready?"
"Hmm."
"Then let's stay for another while," he replied while pinching my nose. "Are we good now?"
I shook my head. "I forgot. We still haven't made up." I took a step away from him. "I am going up again!"
"Eh? Woman you are being abnormal again!" he shouted.
"Normal!"
Dale Daniel's POV 
"I found her," I said on the phone.
"Hello, Cuego. What are you saying?"
"I can't reach your girlfriend, Ryle. Tell her that I already found Zyah."
"Really, no kidding?! Then that's great!" he exclaimed.
"Can you please stop screaming, Ryle. You'll make me deaf."
"Does her parents know this?" he inquired next.
"Oh. Yes, I told them already.
"You told them what?" He paused and gasped. "Is Zyah in Manhattan right now?!"
I distanced my phone from my eyes. He is too loud. 
"I am at Dreem right. Mountain's Paradise," I clarified.
"What? You're in the country?!"
"Oh."
"You didn't tell us that you were coming back!"
"I was about to. Aren't you dealing with your Dwight lately?"
"I'll hang up! I need to call her!" He then ended the call. 
I put down my phone with a smirk. Head over heels with Dwight, huh?
I am at the outside balcony where Zyah was staying. From outside I could see her entertaining Delia, her new friend. They are exchanging papers. 
Wherever she goes, does she always meet a new friend? I remember our trip to Riem, she met Mara and became friends with her. When she was in Paris, she met Trish Scott. And now, she is with Delia. It's indeed easy for her to attract a friend.
It's already 30 minutes past midnight but still I couldn't sleep. Maybe, the time. I still need to adjust. I got up from the sofa where I was lying and went outside. The wind blows with a frigid breeze. I let my mind wander a little. 
I felt happy to see my woman again. I thought I could only stare at her photographs for the rest of my life. Me and her were lost but our love holds on. It never cuts the ties connecting both of our hearts. 
I was startled when someone hugged me from behind. If I didn't hear her voice, I thought the place was haunted by ghosts.
"Lalaki. . . " she called, softly. "I'm sorry."
I moved and met her. "Why aren't you asleep, woman?"
"I can't sleep."
She can't sleep but look at her, she looks so sleepy even her voice. She can barely talk.
I shoved away the strand of her and locked it beneath her ear. "Go to sleep first."
"How 'bout you?"
"Are you worried about me?" I teased.
"Hmm." She nodded and met my gaze. "I am worried."
"You are dreaming or something, huh?" 
"I am not," she replied. "How did you know that I am here?" she inquired.
"Simple. I am paying attention to everything you said," I responded. "How are you all these years? Where have you been?"
"Why felt like I am talking to the journalist Cuego not my-"
"Your man?" I halted her.
She punched my chest and looked away. "Oh."
"Woman," I called her. "I want you back and I am serious this time."
"Aren't you serious everytime?" she asked.
"Yeah. Right?"
She giggled and patted my elbow. "You didn't-"
"Woman, I've been wanting to apologize to you. I hated your father, in fact he did nothing wrong."
She didn't move. She was listening to me, meeting my gaze.
"I am sorry I left you crying on that shore a few years ago."
"Lalaki, when we broke up, did you hate me that much after that?" 
I held her cheeks and looked right into her eyes where I could see the reflection of the moon. "I flew away not because I hate you. I distanced myself because I hated myself. I am mad at hurting you even if it's not your fault."
I saw her tears fall down through her cheeks. I moved my hand and gently wiped away those liquids. "I was enclosed with guilt and wanted to chase you out of my mind but my heart never allowed me. The more I wanted to push you away, the more you came closer. The more I wanted to let go, the more I realized how much I love you."
"Stop that already," she cried. "You are too good with your words. So good that I nearly couldn't believe it."
I lifted her hand and laid it on my chest, right where my heart is. "I have evidence right here."
"Do you believe it now?" I asked when she went quiet for a while.
"Hmm."
"I know my heart, Zy. It's still you. You are my first love and I am certain that you'll be my last." I leaned closer to her and kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep now, woman."
"How am I supposed to sleep now?" she uttered.
I squeezed her cheeks and smiled. "I don't know. Just go and sleep."
"Good night, lalaki."
"Good night, my woman."
After a week, I finally persuaded Zyah to come back home. While we were on our way, she was playing with her hands to release her nervousness.
"We are here," I stopped the car when we arrived at the front of their house.
She got down from the car by herself. She walked slowly towards her house.
"Zyah, baby!" Her mother ran to her and hugged her. They couldn't stop both of their emotions. 
"Ma, I'm sorry!" Zyah apologizes between her cries. 
Her mother tapped her back and said, "It's okay. It's okay. I'm glad that you are safe and sound."
I saw sir Harvey coming near us, teary-eyed.
"Dale, thank you."
"Sir Harvey. . . "
He smiled. "You are too formal. Uncle Harvey sounds nice, isn't it?"
I forced a smile and nodded. "Ah. Yes, Uncle Harvey." 
I thought it would be hard for me to call him that way but actually not. I've got no problem calling him that way.
"Zyieee!" Ellaine and Dwight screamed when they got down in a car.
"You are back! We thought we already lost you!" Ellaine cried. 
"Zy, don't do that again," Dwight said.
They are in tears while embracing each other.
"Sorry, girls. Sorry," Zyah uttered. "Sorry, I made you worried."
Zyah then faced Uncle Harvey. She didn't utter a word, she's more like don't know what to let out. Uncle Harvey invited her for a hug, she didn't refuse. She cried while on her Uncle's arm. 
"Zyah, anak," Uncle Harvey stated. "I hope you'll forgive this Uncle for hiding the truth from you."
"Uncle Harvey . . " Zyah sobbed.
"Zy, I have loved like my own daughter. I don't have child so I thought of you as mine."
"Uncle Harvey, I am sorry."
"You do have the right to be mad, Zy. You don't have to be sorry."
Zyah broke their hug. "Uncle Harvey, I already heard what my dad said that day. I'll just need to accept the truth."
Couple of weeks after that moment, we are now seated at one of the benches at Light Way Park. She was enjoying an ice cream in her hand. Even now, she still loves eating ice cream. More likely that it is escape food.
"Woman, do you remember what I said that we are going to be healed together?"
"Hmm."
I faced her and uttered,"I found a way on how to do that!"
He looked at me with curiosity. "How?"
"By having a marriage certificate!" I exclaimed!
"Marriage certificate?!"
"Oh. Let's get married, woman."
"Are you proposing to me right now?" she asked with her eyes wide open.
"Oh. I am. Will you marry me, woman?" I stood up and pulled a ring from my pocket. I kneeled down before her waiting for her response.
There were a lot of people who saw what I did and cheered for me.
"Marry him! Marry him!" Some of them shouted.
Zyah was astounded. She covered her left hand on her mouth. 
"Will you let me be your man forever, woman?" I inquired again with a heart beating fast.
"Wait!" She shouted and that put me in horror. 
All the people surrounding us paused, startled by what she said.
"My ice cream! It's melting. Lemme finish it first!"
I heard laughter around. I couldn't help but smile too. She was going to eat her ice cream before giving an answer to me. A man is proposing a wedding in front of her but she didn't forget her ice cream. What a woman.
"Yes. I will!" 
Felt like the sweetest music was playing in my mind upon hearing her response.
🚩 ROYAL DREAMER'S GRAND HOTEL 🚩
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Tulle Lace Applice Wedding Dress embellished and encrusted with gemstone embroidery, exquisitely sewn. Bow Tulle Wedding Heels. Crystal and Faux Pearl necklace and earrings.
Zyah's reflection on the mirror reflects glamour and elegance from every angle.
"Zyie!" Ellaine came in at the door. "You are getting married, girl!"
"Congratulations!" Dwight joined. "In just a minute, you'll be Mrs. Cuego!"
"How beautiful, you two!" Zyah turned her head to her friends. "I wonder who'll be the next bride?" she joked.
"The bride is here?" a woman's voice from outside the door.
Thereafter, Rosaline came in where the girls are.
"Lin!" Zyah joyed when she saw the old friend. "You came!"
"Of course!" The lady smiled at her. "It's your wedding day!"
"Can I come in too?" Ledger peeked at the opened door.
"Ledge, you are here! Have you met your brother?" Zyah asked.
The man smiled and nodded. "Yeah. We already talked downstairs."
The group took a photo of them with the bride. A moment later a very familiar woman came in.
"Grandma!"
"Finally, you'll officially be my granddaughter, Zy!" the woman gave her a hug. 
"Our Zyah? Where is she?" Zyah could hear his lolo's voice full of excitement.
"Lolo! I'm here!"
"What a beautiful bride you are, Zy!" her grandmother commented.
"You must be Salvy. I am Dionalita, Dale's grandma," she introduced herself to another party.
"Ah. Yes, I am. Finally, we meet each other." They greet each other with a peck on the cheeks.
"Let's catch some talk, Salvy. I have a lot of things to say to you."
"Alright, Lola's take your time,"  Dwight said.
Dale Daniel Cuego couldn't take his eyes off his woman. She definitely holds the best down-the-aisle look. As she walked slowly towards him, he couldn't hold back his tears. 
"Cuego, don't cry. Your bride isn't. Look at her smile," Aron Ryle commented, his best man.
Clarriese Zyah was with her Uncle Harvey. While she was taking a small step closer to her groom, she felt an ecstasy inside her heart. He is the most handsome groom she has ever seen. Her heart beats rapidly as they come closer. 
"Dale, the hand of my girl," Harvey passed Zyah's hand to Dale. "Let's just talk after the wedding. Both of you look so excited," he said and left the two at the center.
Dale and Zyah's gaze met. They smiled at each other as if their hearts had known what those stares were for. 
The ceremony started. Both of them could feel the insane beats of their hearts. Dale stole a gaze from her woman every now and then. He just couldn't stop himself. 
"Now, you may kiss the bride!" the priest announced.
Dale took a deep breath and unhurriedly put up her wife's veil. He then pulled his wife closer and landed a kiss on her lips, a very gentle and passionate kiss.
"I love you now and forever, my wife," he said after.
"I love you too, my man," she replied with a joyous heart. 
Beautiful smiles were curved on the audiences' faces as they witnessed the two loving hearts collide as one.