RED (Aragonza #1)

RED 40

Troy didn't propose that night, which is such a relief. Ayaw naman ni Red na agawan ng eksena si Vico sa mismong kasal nito. Maayos na ang relasyon nilang magpinsan. She didn't want to ruin it. Troy just made a speech, like he promised. He thanked Vico for taking care of her and for being such a huge help to basically everyone.

Pagkatapos ng speech at pagkain, nagpunta sila sa tabing dagat. They danced around the bonfire. She put her hands under Troy's coat. She intertwined them behind him. Saka siya sumandal sa dibdib nito habang ito naman ay nakayakap sa kanya.

"Are you cold?"

"Not anymore," she answered as she snuggle him.

"Do you want this kind of wedding? Yung simple lang? O gusto mong magarbo?" sunod-sunod nitong tanong.

"I thought I wanted a grand wedding," she confessed. "But this is actually nice. Mabuti na yung kaunti lang ang bisita. Hindi nakakapagod makipagplastikan."

Troy laughed at her remark. "Don't worry. Hindi tayo mag-iimbita ng taong hindi mo gusto."

"Let's not publicize the wedding. Baka pumunta si Tanya tapos tumutol sa kasal."

"I wouldn't let her ruin our day," masuyo nitong sabi. "Sa'n mo ba gustong makasal? Gusto mong sa ibang bansa rin so she won't be able to come? We can tell her a different venue, throw her off course."

Umiling siya. "Gusto ko, sa Pilipinas. And I want a garden wedding."

"Yellow roses?"

"Everywhere."

He smiled and kissed her. "Done."

"Pero hindi ka pa nagpu-propose," simangot niyang sabi. "Kelan ka ba magpu-propose?"

"Basta. Not tonight, but I will. Surprise na lang."

--

Kinabukasan sila bumalik sa Pilipinas. She's guessing na gabi ng Sabado o madaling-araw ng Linggo sila makakarating. Troy advised her to not go to work by Monday, kasi baka jet-lagged pa sya. Ayaw rin sana niya dahil wala si Vico pagbalik niya. Tumuloy na kasi ito sa Maldives kasama si Mitch for their honeymoon.

Next, next week pa ang balik nito. Rose, Vince's secretary, will be handling her schedule. She didn't want to burden Rose but the latter insisted. Buti na nga lang, diligent ito. Pulido na ang sked ni Vince for the next two weeks. So, sa kanya na lang yung poproblemahin.

Last night, Troy got the chance to talk to her dad. They talked over a bottle of champagne and maybe it's the just the wedding vibe, but her dad was actually jovial during the conversation. Hindi na nga ito nagreklamo nang kay Troy siya tumabi during the 11 hour flight back to Manila.

Magkahawak sila ni Troy ng kamay. Nakasandal siya rito. They weren't talking. Nagpapahinga lang sila. Maya-maya ay nakatulog na siya.

She woke up a few hours later. Tulog na halos lahat ng passengers. Troy's still awake. Nakatingin lang ito sa labas ng bintana.

"Hindi ka nakatulog?" tanong niya.

Umiling ito. "Ikaw, bakit gumising ka kaagad?"

"Hindi ko naman sinadyang gumising agad. Maybe I'll sleep again later. Hindi na ako masyadong inaantok e."

Inayos niya ang upuan. Mabuti na lang at first class ang seats nila, mahimbing ang naging tulog niya.

"We could kill time at the lavatory."

Kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi nito. And then her cheeks redden when it finally sunk in.

"You—"