Princess Series One: A Cinderella Story

Fifteenth Shot.

The Princess Series: A Cinderella Story

Fifteenth Shot
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Cinderella Tuazon

Nagising akong maaga kinabukasan. Oo, umaga na naman. We spent most of yesterday making love and we only ate dinner before getting at it again. Ang sakit na nga ng ibabang parte ng katawan ko at kahit walong oras higit na ang tulog ko ay pagod padin ako. But nevertheless, I unwrapped myself from Richard's embrace and put a pillow in my place. Agad niya yung niyakap kaya naman napangiti ako. I grabbed a robe and went straight for the shower to ease some of my tiredness.

Nung natapos na ako, nagsuot lang ako ng shorts at yung jersey ni Richard bago lumabas ng kwarto at dumiretso sa kusina. One thing only few people knew about me is that I cook and bake. More on baking ako dahil sa tiya ko pero hindi naman ako pagdating sa pagluluto. Sure, I pretend I don't know how to sometimes. Tinatamad kasi ako madalas at tsaka lang ako nagluluto kapag gusto ko yung tao. I've only cooked thrice in my life: Nung 50th birthday ni tita Cassy, when Clishique celebrated it's fifth year, and when the bitter bitch--Jasmine--cried because of her damned ex.

Now, I was cooking for my fiancé.

"Erella?!" Napatalon ako sa gulat nung bigla nalang sumigaw si Richard at nasapo ko ang dibdib ko ng wala sa oras. "Erella!"

"Nasa kusina!" sigaw ko pabalik at dahan-dahan na nilagay yung ginawa kong chicken friend rice sa lamesa. Nakarinig ako ng yabag at nung dinig ko ang pagsinghap niya, tumingala ako at ngumiti. "Good morning, babe."

He was looking at the breakfast I prepared and then me. "You made me breakfast?" di-makapaniwalang tanong niya sakin and I giggled, walking up to him.

I kissed his lips. "Yes. Okay ba presentation?" biro ko sakanya but he was just staring at me. Napasinghap ako nung walang sabing hinapit niya ako sa bewang at binaon ang mukha niya sa leeg ko, nuzzling it. He sighed in content and I put my arms around him. "Richard."

He kissed my shoulder at humiwalay ng konti para magsalubong ang tingin namin. He smiled at me. "As much as I love seeing you cook for me in the morning, I prefer waking up beside you."

Ngumuso ako. "Ang arte mo," sambit ko sakanya.

Tumawa naman siya at niyakap ako ng mas mahigpit. "Mahal na mahal kita, Erella."

I smiled and hugged him back. "Alam ko na 'yan. Kumain na nga tayo," kunwaring inis na sabi ko at tinulak na siya. He mocked a pout and I kissed his lips tapos ay pinagsilbihan ko siya.

All my life, ako ang inaalagaan at inaarugaan. My dad never let me raise a finger; my maids won't let me do things because I was a 'princess'; my aunt still treating me a baby hanggang ngayon; my cousin spoiling me to death. So I cared for my friends instead, kay Ariel madalas. Pero ngayon, while looking at Richard eat the food I cooked and enjoy it, I felt happy and I realized I wanted to take care of him for the rest of my life--how long may that be.

"What're you looking at?" kunot-noong tanong niya sakin kaya naman natatawang pinaghiwalay ko ang magkasalubong na kilay niya. Napanguso siya.

I smiled and shook my head. "I just really wanted to take care of you for the rest of my life," sabi ko at nakita kong napangiti nadin siya.

He held my hand and kissed the back of it. "Which reminds me," sabi niya at may kinuha sa bulsa niya. I gasped in shock when I saw a velvet box. He didn't wait for me to process it and instantly opened the box--and the most beautiful ring was there.

It was simple yet elegant and attention-worthy. Silver ang band nito na may golden linings and there was a beautiful crown made of diamonds in the middle. Naramdaman kong naiiyak na ako at hindi ko 'yun napigilan lalo na nung ilagay ni Richard ang singsing sa daliri ko. A perfect fit. Just like us.