Light Up The Sky

Chapter 09

"You have a ring, too."

Iniangat ko ang kamay kong puno ng pintura upang ipakita kay Liam ang maliit na singsing sa aking palasingsingan.

We're both laying on the faux fur rug because we're tired of playing na. Sobrang dumi na ng mga damit namin dahil sa iba't ibang kulay ng pintura. Our faces have paints, too.

Si Pascal ay nasa pagitan naming dalawa. Puno rin ng pintura ang kaniyang balahibo dahil nakisali siya sa amin kanina. His head is resting on Liam's belly while we're both caressing his fur.

"Kuya Hans gave me this."

I smiled as I look at the ring, like I'm looking at Kuya Hans and the way he looks at me that day.

"Vivienne!" rinig kong tawag ni Kuya Hans sa baba.

"Coming up, Kuya!" sigaw ko sa maliit na boses kaya natawa si Ate Nory sa tabi ko. She's braiding my long long hair. "Is it done?"

"Malapit na. Isang ipit na lang."

"Yay! Thanks, Ate Yaya!"

Ate Nory put so many flower hair clips on my braided hair. When it is done, I embraced her first before looking at the antique French mirror in front of me. Medyo tumalikod ako upang makita nang maayos ang buhok at hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti at mamangha nang makita iyon.

It looks so marvelous.

Dali-dali akong bumaba para ipakita ang itsura ko kay Kuya Hans. The hem of the purple dress I'm wearing sways as I ran down the stairs.

"Careful, Vivienne," Kuya Hans, with his white button-down dress shirt, said.

I grin and walk near him. Nang nasa harap ko na siya, umikot ako. "Do I look like a princess na?"

He smiled and nodded. "My princess."

I pouted because I felt a little kilig. My Kuya Hans is really sweet!

Nagpunta kami sa courtyard kasama ang mga kasambahay. Our parents aren't home that's why we can do everything we want. And this afternoon, we planned to throw a princess-theme tea party.

I'm the creative genius behind all of this. But Kuya Hans was the one who prepared the food and set up the glam stations in the whole courtyard for entertainment. Then we tell magical stories, sing my favorite song which is Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi's I See the Light, and have our faces painted.

When it's time for the cake and everyone is busy preparing it, Kuya Hans poked my cheek using his index finger.

I chuckle as I look at him. "What is it, Kuya?"

Ngumiti siya at pinakita sa akin ang isang maliit na singsing sa palad niya. My eyes widened in so much awe. It's a sparkling angel wing ring. It looks so elegant and amazing.

"Super ganda niya! Para kanino 'yan, Kuya?"

"For you."

"For me?" I asked in a childlike wonder that's why he chuckles.

"Yes, for you, my princess." Kinuha niya ang kanang kamay ko at inilagay ang singsing sa ring finger ko. "I want to give you a ring before your man will. So that you'll remember that I loved you first."

I smiled but I felt how hot tears brimmed on the corners of my eyes. "I love you, Kuya Hans."

He spreads his arms, waiting for me to hug him so I did. I felt him kiss the top of my head before saying, "I always love you, little sis."

Napangiti ako sa alaalang iyon at itinagilid ang ulo upang makita si Liam. But my lips slightly part when I surprisingly see him staring at me. Parang kanina niya pa iyon ginagawa habang nagk-kuwento ako.