"Alejandros!!! O to the M to the G!"
Nanlaki ang nga mata ni Elisha nang pumasok sa silid naming dalawa ni Sabino nang umagang iyon. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes because we were about to make love and then she just barged in.
"I'll be taking a bath." Sabi na lang ni Sabino. He chuckled and turned around. Tinitigan ko naman si Elisha. Her eyes were still closed. Nakatitig ako sa kanya. I put my robe on and sat on my bed and still looked at her.
"Tapos na ba? O to the M to the G!"
Elisha Marie Lamico sounded so much like my mother when they were the same age. She was my mom's goddaughter, Pan's best friend and my business partner. Halos kasabay ko na siyang lumaki. Pan and her would always have sleepovers when they were growing up. Isa din siya sa mga unang taong nakaalam kung ano talaga ang kasarian ako and she was okay with it.
"Eli, its fine. Sabino is inside the bathroom now. What are you even doing here? Hindi ka pa marunong kumatok?" Inis na tanong ko. She made a face.
"Sorry naman, Alejandros!! I was just so excited to see you! Alam mo naman! I have no Alejandros for two weeks! Rome was so lonely without you! You know, I love having you around!" Tuluyan na siyang pumasok sa silid namin at naupo sa kandungan ko. We're that close. She's one of my closest friend. Hirap akong makipagkaibigan dahil sa sitwasyon ko. My family loves me. Tanggap nila kung ano ako pero hindi ang ibang tao.
Kahit nga ang pamilya ni Elisha ay hirap akong tanggapin. I am just thankful that I have this kind of support group.
"I am getting married!" She announced.
"O to them M to the G!" I exclaimed. Tumayo kaming dalawa at nagtatalon dahil sa sobrang tuwa. She was ecstatic and I am too. "Teka! Kay Alfed ba?" Tanong ko pa. Para makasigurado lang. Pabiro niya akong sinampal.
"Of course no! He proposed and that was the reason why he asked me to come to Rome! Nag-propose siya sa tapat ng Saint Peter's Basilica. It was epic! It was romantic! It was unforgettable!"
Muli kaming nagtatalon sa sobrang tuwa. Sa ganoon kami nadatnan ni Sabino. We stopped when I realized that he was looking at us. Nakabihis na siya tapos ay ngiting-ngiti.
"Why did you stop?" He asked. "Just go on. I love the sound of your laughter, Alejandros." Sabino winked at me. Kinilig talaga ako pero kinailangan kong itago iyon dahil kay Elisha. Inaya ko siyang lumabas ng kwarto para makapag-ayos na si Sabino.
He'll be leaving today for another two-week seminar in India. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit sa lahat ng country sa mundo, sa India pa gaganapin ang conference nila, naiisip ko na amoy sibuyas talaga doon, but I've been there, India is a really beautiful country. I love how colorful and vibrant their culture is.
"Kilig na kilig ka na naman kay Sabino. Humaba ang buhok mo! If I know kung hindi ako dumating, nag-sex na kayo!" Atribida talaga ang babaeng ito. Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran. Bumaba kami ng kusina. I didn't see Nautica, siguro ay tulog na tulog pa siya.
Nagluto ako ng breakfast. Kinukulit ako ni Elisha habang nakaupo siya doon at kumakain ng carrot sticks.
"Nagka-first time na ako, Alele." Alele, iyon ang tawag niya sa akin. She grew up calling me that. I just don't mind at all. Tumaas ang kilay ko at pumilantik ang daliri ko. Pinamaywangan ko siya.
"What?! Sinuko mo na ang Bataan sa Roma?!"
"Oh yes! Well, I have no idea what to feel. We're getting married na rin naman so I guess, doing it with him isn't crazy at all. Alfredo, well, I have no experience before him so I don't know if I like it or not." Tumitig ako sa kanya at saka tumawa nang napakalakas. Binato niya ako ng carrot sticks.
