Four hours before noche buena, ramdam na ang pagiging abala ng ilang tao rito sa bahay. Yes, iilan lang. Kasi tulad ko na nakatunganga lang dito sa island counter habang nakikipag chismisan sa mga kasambahay at kay Papa na abala sa pagluluto.
"Pabalik naba ang mga Kuya mo?" tanong ni Papa.
"Sabi nila Pa." Bumili kasi ng alak yung tatlo kasama si Eli. Si Daddy naman ay nasa dining area.
Humarap sakin si Papa. "What's your status with Cloud anak?"
"Yeah. What's the real score?" I heard Daddy's voice from behind.
Napa ayos naman ako ng upo. Bihira sila mag tanong. Hindi pala bihira, as in ngayon lang sila nagtanong tungkol samin ni Elijah.
"Uhm... We don't have a label, but we've already said 'I love you' to each other."
I felt Dad's arm on my shoulder. "You're old enough. Alam mo na kung ano yang pinasok mo. Just always remember that we're always here for you. If you want some advices call me or your Papa, he's good with that."
"You're not mad? I mean because we don't have a label and here we are acting like a real couple."
"Are you happy with what you have with Cloud?" Papa asked.
"So much."
Nag titigan silang dalawa bago bumalik si Papa sa niluluto nya. Si Daddy naman ay hinarap ako ng tuluyan.
"You want me to be honest?" tumango ako. "You're my only daughter and as a father I want the best for you. You and Cloud having a no label relationship is really a no for me. Pero yung makita kang masaya? Iba yung binibigay na saya sa 'kin non bilang tatay. Ngayon lang kita nakitang ganito kasaya at hindi ko kayang pigilan kung ano man ang nagpapasaya sayo ngayon. Mabait na bata rin naman si Cloud, napatunayan naman na nya iyon samin. As long as he's not hurting you physically and emotionally, you may continue whatever your status is. Walang problema samin yon. But promise me, kapag dumating na sa puntong may mangyari na talagang sisira sa samahan nyo. Let go. It's hard, yes. But you should let go and don't ever beg. Isa lang ibig sabihin non anak, someone is more deserving than he is."
Tumayo ako at yumakap kay Daddy. "Thank you Dad." He kissed my head and hugged me back.
Nang mag bitaw kami ay pumunta naman ako kay Papa at niyakap sya sa likod. "Thank you Papa."
"Ow darling." He faced me and hugged me tightly. "We support you always."
-
"Okay everyone! It's time to change your clothes. It's time for our yearly pictorial." anunsyo ni Daddy.
"May white shirt ka?" tanong ko kay Eli habang paakyat kami.
Nasa likod ko ang kamay nya, tila inaalalayan ako sa pag akyat. Sila Kuya naman ay nasa likuran din namin.
"Meron ata."
"Magsabi ka pag wala para mahiraman kita kila Kuya." ani ko bago ako pumasok sa kwarto ko.
Sa katabing kwarto ko naman sya. Napapagitnaan namin nila Kuya. Sila Daddy naman ay may kwarto rin dito sa taas. Pero madalas sa office na nila sa baba sila natutulog, may isa rin kasing kwarto sa loob non.
For this year's Christmas pictorial, we chose to wear all-white outfits. Every year iba iba kasi ang kulay ng suot namin.
All white coords ang suot ko, spaghetti strap top and a trouser.. Just did a simple bun and added a big bow clip. I put on some pressed powder, blush, and lipstick. Then for the final touch, I sprayed a bit of perfume.
And I'm all done!
