Love of France (Friend Series #3)

Chapter 40

"Nervous?" France asked beside me.

"My heart is beating so fast." I said as I was kept on fidgeting on my seat. Pilit kong iniintindi at pinapasok sa utak ang sinasabi ng host sa harap pero kahit pa yata gamitin niya ang first language namin ay 'di ko na rin maintindihan.

The throb of my heart is taking over. Currently, I couldn't take any information into my mind.

Pinaypayan ko ang sarili gamit ang kamay nang makaramdam ng pagka-balisa.

Ano bang nakakakaba rito? Magsasalita rin lang naman ng kaunti sa harap at guguntingin ang pulang ribbon! Simple as that!

Pero bakit tagaktak ang pawis ko? Nasisilungan din naman kami rito sa lilim ng puno ng Narra. Hindi rin naman ganoon kainit dahil magdadapit-hapon na rin.

But I know, I know for sure that this is not because I will speak in front and will cut the ribbon that make my heart throb. This is because of what will I say later, how they will react to it, how he will react to it. That's what make my heart throb.

France swiftly caught my hand and right at the moment I laid my eyes on him, he also caught my attention. By that, I was sure, sure enough that I couldn't take it back. He totally owned it and there's no room in his eyes telling that he'd give it back to me.

I stared at him as he intertwined our fingers together. Dinala niya ang magkahugpong naming kamay sa tapat ng kanyang labi at marahang pinatakan ng halik ang likod ng palad ko.

Parang isang hangin na nilipad ang kabang nararamdaman kanina at napalitan ng panibagong kaba dahil sa taong sentro na ng buhay ko ngayon. He tucked the freed strands of my hair behind my ear while whispering:

"You wouldn't be the Love of France for nothing." he sincerely whispered that fueled to the flames inside of me.

Slowly, a genuine smile crept on his lips. His smile is more than saying a good luck to me. I squeezed his thigh to let out the fear I am feeling inside.

The cold breeze of the pre-gloaming wind tousled his pitch-black hair. I am starting to love his signature white dress shirt and the black studs on his right ear.

Nang tinawag na ang pangalan ko ay tumayo na ako at lumapit sa stand sa harap. Tiningnan ko ang kaunting bisita at iilang media na inimbitahan para sa eksklusibong opening ng brand ko.

After checking the mic, I finally let my first word out of my mouth.

"Hi." I nervously greeted them.

"Hello." a child replied. Kaagad na tinakpan ni Hope ang bibig ng anak kaya napangiti ako.

"I am grateful that you heeded my invites." I continued.

"I, together with my team planned this for quite a long time. Now that we are finally bringing our plan into life, I'm more than elated." sabi ko at tiningnan ang mga kaibigan niya at mga pamilya nito, mga kaibigan ko, si Nanay at Tatay at si France.

"Of all people who know me now, you were the ones who had witnessed my bitter failures before... and I wanted to share my sweet successes now... together with you." sabi ko at tiningnan silang lahat.

"Many are curious why I am still keeping the name of my brand but I know you already have a guess in mind."

I turned my head to them and faced my store instead. I raised my hand, a signal to drop the white fabric from the wall that covers the logo and name of my brand. I felt satisfied with what I am seeing.

I faced the crowd when I heard gasps and whispers. After a while, I saw them nodded their head like they understand why and there's no need for further explanation. But still, I want to say something about it.

"I became known first in France that's why people call me the Love of France... but before I became their Love, I became his Love first. That's what he called me." sabi ko at nilingon siya.

Nakayuko lamang siya habang kinakamot ang kilay, nahihiya yata.

"Korni." Step.

"Feeling mo uy!" Alric shouted at the back. I raised my fist at the two that received a massive laugh from the crowd. 'Tamo 'to. Kahit saan napaka-patapon ng mga kaibigan niya.

Nang makabawi ang lahat sa pagtatawanan ay nagsalita akong muli na may ngiti sa labi.

"The France on my brand name, I primarily refer it to my France." I said and pointed at the man who is now looking at me intently, lips were parted a bit.

Did I surprise him?

Sa tingin ko ay oo.

Hindi man lang ba niya naisip kung bakit siya ang kasama ko sa photoshoot noong nakaraan para sa brand ko?

"Love of France since he is my partner then and will be my partner forever." I said and lifted my right hand where my ring was placed.

I laughed when I heard curses and thud sounds.

"I'm engaged." I softly admitted to everyone. Sunod-sunod ang pag-kislapan ng camera habang nakaangat ang kanang kamay ko.

"Praise the Lord!" rinig kong sigaw ni Jo. Una siyang lumapit kay France at parang awtomatikong nagsunuran ang iba pa niyang kaibigan at dinumog siya.

Yeah, praise the Lord.

Kaagad akong niyakap ni Nanay pagka-alis ko sa stand.

"Congrats 'nak." sabi ni Tatay.

Humiwalay ako sa yakap ni Nanay at gulat na tiningnan ang ama. That simple words pierced my heart, deep. I never heard him say that to me, just now. Kaya iba ang atake sa'kin no'n. Kaagad ko siyang dinamba ng yakap.

"Salamat, Tay." I sighed when I felt his warmth from his embrace. I was thankful that he's still here, they're still here, seeing me succeeding. Itong lahat ng mayroon ako ngayon ay mababalewala rin lang kung wala sila ni Nanay sa tabi ko. Higit sa lahat ay para sa kanila 'to.

Humiwalay ako sa mga magulang nang ibigay sa'kin ng host ang malaking gunting. Hinanap ko si France sa kumpol ng tao. I already instructed them that we'll cut the big ribbon together.

Tumigil ako sa paghahanap sa kanya nang itulak na siya mismo sa'kin ng mga kaibigan niya. A staff handed him a scissors. Hindi ko mapigilan ang matawa dahil parang isasauli pa niya sa staff ang gunting.

We were guided to the door of the building. Tumingin siya sa'kin na parang may ginawa akong kasalanan.

"Ano pa ang mga inililihim mo sa'kin?" tanong niya, ngayon ay magkatabi na kami at hinihintay ang hudyat upang guntingin ang laso. I never felt that cutting a ribbon would be this fulfilling.

I was smiling from ear to ear, amused with his expression.

"We're getting married Doctor Cortes. You should expect that what's mine is yours as well." sabi ko at sabay naming pinutol ang ribbon. Confettis rained down on us. I asked for a high five but he clasped our hands instead.

I scrunched my nose and he just pinched it before pulling me into his chest.

"Congratulations." he whispered amidst the chaos in the background.

"Congratulations to us." I revised before we faced the crowd in each other arms.

Tumawa ako dahil paglingon ko ay naghihintay na ang mga babae na ihagis ko ang ribbon na parang bouquet ito sa isang kasal.

"It's still early for that." I said, laughing. Pero alam ko, kaunting sulsol lang ay itatapon ko na talaga 'to sa mga babaeng nakaantabay.

"Practice lang!" sigaw ni Peachy sa harap. I made an eye-roll before I turned to them and threw the ribbon effortlessly.

Nang humarap ako sa kanila ay hindi ko malaman ang magiging reaksyon dahil si Aesthrielle ang nakakuha. I gasped and eventually squealed along with Hope and Eve. Hindi ko alam kung para saan iyong tili basta't nakitili na lamang ako.

Aesthrielle bloomed at an early age. She's already got the shape at such her teenage year. Kagaya ng ina ay maganda at malapit sa mga lalaki. I mean, a flock of guys visited her at her house the other day. May mga babae rin pero doble ang dami ng mga lalaking bisita. Rain is letting them visit her daughter while his husband is at work. Kaya hindi ko alam kung okay lang ba 'yon sa asawa niya.

"Hoy, atabs ka pa Aesthrielle." sabi ni Jo habang ang asawa ni Rain ay kinuha sa anak ang ribbon at basta na lang itinapon. Dahil sa nangyari ay pinalibutan na siya ng mga Titos niya, kasama na si France roon.

Rain was astounded, Step was laughing and Eve was giggling.

Oh my god. They can't be fucking serious.

Nawala lang ang atensyon sa kanila nang sabihan na 'ko ng staff na oras na para buksan ang pinto ng unang store ko. I let my parents open the door. Nang mabuksan ay sigawan at nag-unahan sila papasok. Huli kaming pumasok ni France sa loob.

Journalists interviewed Kyzer and Marcus on my behalf, photojournalists started taking photos of my first collection while reporters cover my opening.

Abala ako sa pag-libot ng tigin ng sa buong store nang may sumundot sa tagiliran ko. I saw Pau and Peachy.

"Who would've thought..." Pau said in awe while Peachy pulled me by my arms.

I wiggled when she caressed my body.

"Oh my god, I'm touching a supermodel's body." she squealed and squeezed my tiny waist.

"Ang OA." sabi ko nang humiwalay ako sa kaibigan.

"I'm not overreacting. Do you know how successful and popular you are?"

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kaya ngumiti na lamang ako. Kyze and Devi let me with the two dahil mukhang nagsawa na rin sila sa'kin. The two were busy checking an apparel anyway.

"Ikaw na."

"Gago, bakit ako? Ikaw na!"

I turned around and saw my guy friends. Mukhang nagtutulakan pa sila kung sino ang unang lalapit sa'kin. Mga siraulo pa rin.

Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat... kulang nang isa. I tried to stop myself from sighing. I might give them the wrong message.

I wore a genuine smile they deserved and walked towards them, spreading my arms for a group hug. Hindi naman ako nabigo nang mag-group hug kaming lima at sumigaw pa.

"Miss puwedeng pa-picture?" si Dan sabay labas ng cellphone niya.

Kar punched his abdomen. "'Lol. Hindi ka na niyan maintindihan. English speaking na 'yan."

Hindi ko mapigilan ang matawa at sabunutan si Kar.

"Gago ka pa rin." sabi ko na ikinangisi niya.

"Aba'y akalain mong gago ka pa rin." balik niya at kaagad kaming nag-fist bump.

Ang nangyari ay parang mini reunion itong opening. I caught up on their lives. Ang dalawa ay may asawa na samantalang ang dalawa ay fiancée ang mayroon. Akalain mong may na-uto ang mga 'to.

I was laughing because of our funny conversation when a child pulled the hem of my dress. Kaagad na napunta ang atensyon naming lahat sa bata.

It was Hope's. Ito rin 'yong kandung-kandong niya kanina. I smiled and carried her when she opened her small arms for a hug.

"O? Saan na naman ermat mo?" kausap ni Bob sa anak ng kaibigan.

Tumawa kami dahil umiyak. I tried to hush the little girl.

"Pangit mo kasi bro."

"Tangina. Sino'ng pangit?"

I left them when they started to quarrel. Sinubukan kong hanapin si Hope sa alon ng tao pero imbes na siya ang mahanap ay si France ang nakahanap sa'kin.

The girl wiggled when she saw France. Mukhang gustong magpa-karga sa kanya. Ngumuso ako habang binibigay sa kanya ang anak ni Hope na tuwang-tuwa na ngayon sa kanyang bisig.

"Hmm mukhang may crush sa'yo." I teased and he just smiled at me.

He started a baby talk with the child. Something in me flinched at the sight of them. I chuckled when she giggled as France lifted her up. Tumigil lang siya nang makarinig kami ng palakpak sa likod.

"Babe, mukhang pagpa-practice-an pa anak natin." si Jo na naka-akbay sa asawa.

I sneered at him. France was beside me, carrying the child in his arms. Kahit nasa harap na nito ang mga magulang ay hindi man lang ito lumikot mula sa mga bisig ni France.

Hindi ba't ganoon naman talaga kapag nakita ang Mommy at Daddy ng isang bata? Gustong-gusto nang umalis sa pagkakahawak ninuman, mabalik lang sa yapos ng mga magulang?

But that didn't happen. It seems like the baby was comfortable with him as she was to her parents. He arched his brow when he noticed that I was staring at him for a while.

After spending the night at the opening of my first branch, we went home. We were tailing Jo's car habang nakasunod sa amin ang iba pa.

Pagkarating namin sa bahay, akala ko ay makakapagpahinga na kami pero mukhang pagkaparada pa lang ng mga sasakyan nila sa kani-kanilang bahay ay tumuloy na naman sila sa bahay namin.

Naglabas na ng mesa sa balcony si Alric at si Jo ay isang case ng beer. They're setting the tables and liquors while their wives were busy putting their children to bed. Mabuti na lang at maraming guest room ang bahay. Mukhang given na palaging mangyayari ang ganitong sitwasyon kaya para talaga sa kanila ang guest room.

I crossed my arms as I looked at them. I feel fully fulfilled. For years of living in luxury, ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito. While looking at them, I just realized now that the people I am with have a great effect at making me feel fully fulfilled.

"What were you thinking?"

France.

Simula nang umuwi ako sa bansa ay sa kanya na 'ko umuwi. No questions were asked and no explanations were needed. I just see myself waking up everyday and getting up in his bed. It was like I was really meant to be in his bed, living in his house and being with him everyday.

Kagaya ng sabi niya noon ay gusto niyang itira rin sa bahay ang mga magulang ko pero una pa lang ay tumanggi na sila. Ang mga magulang ko, doon pa rin sila sa dating bahay nakatira. They had it demolished and built a new one.

Kahit gusto ko rin ang plano ni France ay wala na rin akong magagawa kung iyon ang gusto ng mga magulang. But they promised though. They'll pay a visit here as much as they can. I will just be looking forward to that.

"Just thinking..." bulong ko at nilingon siya sa aking tabi.

His pitch-black and straight hair was in disarray. Ganoon din ang makapal niyang kilay. His pitch-black eyes never faltered to tell me the sincerity and honesty he has. Hindi ko mapigilang hawakan ang kanyang panga at marahan itong hinaplos. Kagaya ng maamong hayop ay pumikit ito upang damhin ang aking haplos.

This is the view I will never get tired of staring at everyday. Nang i-alis ko ang kamay sa kanya ay iyon din ang pag-mulat ng kanyang mga mata. Na para bang pinagbigyan lamang ako 'tsaka itinuloy ang pakay.

"Of what?" he sounded so curious.

Why, France?

I never knew that asking what I was thinking could race my heartbeat like crazy.

We were standing under the chandelier here in his spacious living room. Surrounded by kids, evading their mom arms. Mukhang ayaw pang matulog ng mga bata. Sa balkonahe naman ay ang mga kaibigan niyang lalaki na malakas na nagkukuwentuhan at nagtatawanan. He should've been there, drinking and enjoying.

"I was thinking why I was thinking about you." I shrugged and watched how he would react.

His eye-roll didn't fail to make me laugh.

"Sigurado ka bang hindi mo alam ang sagot sa iniisip mo?" he crooked a smile.

This time, it's my time to roll my eyes.

"Napakayabang." I snickered and looked ahead. I only heard his small laugh before he wrapped his arm around my waist and swiftly pulled me to him.

"Hoy France, napaka-clingy!" si Alric mula sa balcony. Humarap kami sa kanila at nahuling halos lahat sila ay nakatingin sa amin ngayon.

"Clingy mo raw." ulit ko kahit alam kong narinig niya rin naman.

I tilted my head to face him. Our nose touched with my sudden movement.

"I know. I was, I am and I will be clingy." he whispered and rested his forehead on mine. Parang maduduling ako sa lapit ng mukha niya sa'kin.

"I am about to go insane because I want to kiss you." he breathed.

"Are you still asking for permission?" natatawa kong tanong. We did more than kissing. Him asking if he could kiss me is absolutely absurd.

But my question was answered by a touch of his lips.