HIS EYES could never fool me. His voice may have sounded cold but I could see so much love in his eyes.
“Yes, I forgot something.”
He grimaced. “Then go and get it. What the heck are you doing just standing there?”
I smiled once more. I saw how he lifted his hands and then stopped when he was about to reach out. He clenched his hands instead. I crossed the remaining distance between us and embraced him with all the love I feel.
“Actually you are the one that I forgot. I’m in love with you, too, Caleb. I don’t know when it happened. Maybe a long time ago when you followed me to the shore when I was crying or when I woke up and found you by my side one morning when I was feeling unwell. I’m sorry if it took me a long time to recognize my own feelings. But it’s only because-“
“Oh, just shut up.” He roughly said as tears fell down his cheeks. He put his arms around my waist. Not long after and I felt him lifted me as he kissed me passionately on the lips. The kiss was longer this time. It was as if he was making it up for all the times that we had hurt each other.
“Wait,” he said afterwards. He was panting when he released my lips. “What about Alaric? What will happen now?”
“It was funny how your conscience only bugged you now when you’ve kissed her a lot of times already.”
I gasped when I heard that voice. I did not notice that Alaric followed me here.
“Hello again, brother. Long time no see.”
When Caleb put me down, Alaric immediately punched him. Caleb was stunned but when he recovered, he returned Alaric’s punches. But instead of trying to stop them, I stepped away and let them fight to release those pent-up emotions that they had been hiding inside for so many years now. Maybe this was what they needed. Maybe after this, they could find it in their hearts to finally forgive each other. I will pray for that.
I went to the kitchen and had Manang Rosing prepared some towels and ice cubes. When I came back, the two men were now sitting on the marbled floor. Both of them were panting. They also had bruises on their faces. Caleb’s lips were bleeding and so was Alaric’s nose.
I remained quiet, afraid to ruin the moment. After a while, I saw Alaric moving closer and closer to Caleb until finally, he was sitting beside his twin. He slowly lifted his hand and placed it on Caleb’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about Erin and the baby, Caleb. I’m sorry that you suffered for a long time because of me. I’m sorry for being weak. I regretted what happened that night. I don’t know if you will believe me but it haunts me even until today.”
Caleb breathed loudly before he patted Alaric’s back. “I believe you. I am truly sorry, too about Gianna. I’m sorry for ruining your wedding. But like you, I love her, too, Ric. I didn’t mean to. It just happened one day. Even I had a hard time accepting it when I realized it. Gianna taught me how to forget and to live again. Every day that I was with her, she tirelessly taught me how to be a better person. I didn’t know how to forgive and let go until she came in my life. Without her, I doubt if this conversation between us would even be possible.”
“Nah, I’ve known her for a long time. You see, Gianna was the warmest little thing that I have ever met that’s why for years, I’ve tried to be the man that she deserves.” Alaric laughed but it sounded empty in my ears. “I’ve tried and tried and... failed in the end. Maybe we were just not meant for each other. But don’t worry; I’ve learned my lessons now. And I learned the hard way. I know how to accept defeat now. It took me a while, though.” He pressed his hand tightly on Caleb’s shoulder as he closed his eyes as if he was savoring the moment. “I’ve missed this, you know. I’ve missed you, Caleb.”
“Me, too, Ric. No matter how a pain in the ass you’ve been, the awful fact still remains... that you are still the only family I have left. I have no choice. I guess I am stuck with you forever.”
Alaric cleared his throat loudly. “Look who’s talking!”
I smiled sweetly when I heard the twins laughed. It was such a picture-perfect scene and I know, it was the beginning of peace between the three of us.
I stood near the window, looked up at the sky, closed my eyes, and uttered a short prayer. Thank You, Lord, for granting us this miracle. Thank You for always making me realize that Your plans are always bigger and better than mine.

Six months later…
“I HAVE a problem and I am hoping you can help me solve it, DJ Gi.”
I frowned when I heard that familiar voice. It had been almost six months ever since I came back from being a disk jockey in the radio station where I used to work at.
That was my only job now because Caleb insisted that I quit working in the hotel so he and I could spend more time together. A naughty smile formed on my lips at the thought of it. I did not refuse him since I had no problem regarding the orphanage anymore. Caleb solved it for me when he volunteered to become one of the sponsors there. And with Alaric’s help, too, everything was going smoothly that it almost seemed like a dream.
Manang Rosing remained in the island as its caretaker. Once every two months, Caleb and I would visit the island for a vacation and for a get-together as well with Manang Rosing’s family. The last time we visited the island was during Gianna Rose’s christening.