AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 6: Rare Glare

"Aww. Kahit few bites lang?" She pointed to the meat. "Walang fat part diyan, promise."

The smell of it was making me drool, but ugh! I don't want to add another routine sa exercise ko.

"Sige, isang stick lang."

It was a freaking barbecue! How can I say no to barbecues? Ugh! I hate it.

"Sayang, wala akong dalang swimsuit," sabi ko kay Kyline.

"Oh! Prepared sina Jaesie, don't worry. We got you." Then she winked at me and smiled.

Kyline is Leo's fiancée, but they've been living together for almost twelve years.

If there was a guy sa barkada ni Kuya na intimidating talaga, it would probably be Leo. I was intimidated by him ever since I met him noong grade school days ko. Matagal na siyang friend ni Kuya, but he wasn't that friend na sobrang close na close sa family namin compared kina Clark and Mat. Although kilala siya nina Mum because his mommy is a dermatologist, but really, he has that vibe of a don't-touch-me guy. Pero hindi ko itatanggi na siya ang daddiest material sa barkada ni Kuya, apart from the fact na daddy of two kids na siya. He's taller than Kuya, his skintone is slightly darker than Clark, and he glares at everything—in a very sexy way. May mga glare talaga sa Earth na imbes na matakot ka, mapapa-"ror' ka na lang. And Kyline's a lucky angel to have him as a husband. She really looked like an angel being guarded by an intimidating demon.

"Buti nakarating ka," biglang sabi ni Melanie paglapit sa akin.

Ang laki ng tiyan niya. Kitang-kita ang stretchmarks at ilang dark brown areas sa katawan, especially na naka-bandeau top at bikini lang siya. Pero mukhang wala siyang pakialam sa weight and skin discoloration niya. Kung maglakad siya, parang makikipagsampalan sa akin, niyayabang pa ang malaki niyang tiyan.

Hindi ba sumasakit ang tummy niya sa ginagawa niya?

"Himala, isinama ka ng kuya mo."

"I know right."

I watched her take a tumbler of water from the series of alcohol bottles beside me.

"Nasa loob pala ang swimsuit mo. Pina-ready na ng kapatid mong makulit."

"May occasion ba?" tanong ko.

"Barkada outing nila na ilang beses nang na-delay. Last month pang naka-reserve 'tong date. Alam mo naman ang mga 'yan. One month before the event dapat ang appointment."

So, walang special occasion. I see.

"Excited ka sa wedding?" tanong ko habang nakatitig kay Melanie na pine-flex ang dimple niya habang kumukuha ng selfie.

"Hindi masyado haha! Excited ako sa baby! Tara, selfie tayo."

Sabay pa kaming nagpa-cute sa camera at ilang beses nag-pose para sa sunod-sunod na shot.

"Start na kami ng suit ni Patrick. Okay na ba ang gown mo?" tanong ko.

"Well, yeah! Tatlo pa nga! Ang OA naman kasi ng mga planner, hindi makontento sa isang design."

Mel didn't look excited sa wedding niya sa paparating na January. But she's absolutely happy with her baby bump. She held her tummy and bobble her head while dancing in her seat. She even lip-synced the song Break Your Heart.

"Hey and I know karma's gonna get me back for bein' so cold
Hey, like a big bad wolf, I'm born to be bad and bad to the bone . . ."

Ang cute ni Mel, I cannot.

My eyes suddenly found Patrick, sitting on the edge of the pool. Among Kuya's barkada, si Patrick ang madalas kong biktimahin para utos-utusan. Pat's cute, not really a husband material, and I doubt na kaya niyang pumantay sa level ni Leo to have that daddy vibe because he's far from that in reality. But he's persistent in marrying Melanie. At mayaman siya, so I guess the daddy vibe didn't matter at all. Pero hindi ko idi-discredit na si Patrick ang pinaka-eye-catching sa kanilang lahat. Probably because he was emitting that happy aura na parang ang dali-dali lang niyang lapitan. Siya rin naman kasi ang pinaka-approachable at welcoming. Once you see Kuya's barkada, either you see Leo first because he's the tallest and most handsome, or you see Patrick for being the most charming and fairest among them all. Siya kasi yung isang smile pa lang, mapapa-"yes, I do" na ang babae kahit hindi pa siya nagtatanong. Natatawa ako kapag naiisip ko na ang cute ni Mel tapos ang cute ni Patrick. For sure, ang baby nila, hindi lugi sa looks.