This is a work of FICTION. All characters are used in FICTITIOUS manner.
---
It's the last day of the year. Everyone is very busy. The kitchen seems so be so crowded. Paano ba naman kasi, kahit mga hindi marunong magluto ay nandito.
"Magbalot na lang kase kayo ng shanghai." sabi ni Liza kila Bongbong.
"Expert ka na nyan?" sagot naman ni Bongbong.
Inirapan lang siya ni Liza at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. Nakita kong umalis si Greggy.
We are preparing a lot of foods. Rice cakes such as puto, maja blanca, biko, palitaw, ube halaya. There are also ceasar's salad, sans rival, spaghetti, macaroni salad, carbonara, pudding, fruitcake, paella, crema de fruta, leche flan, camaron rebosado, pancit, cordon bleu and many more.
Kaya pinayagan ni mommy na tumulong ang lahat. This is because, our cousins will come over and celebrate with us.
I am chopping some vegetables when I felt someone gathered my hair and put a tie on it.
"There. Para hindi ka hawi ng hawi." Greggy said. I looked at everyone and they are also looking at him. "What? Baka kase malagyan ng buhok ang mga pagkain."
Nagtinginan sila at sabay na nag-ismiran. Tinuloy lang namin ang pagluluto.
Later on, "Hey guys." tawag ng bagong dating. Nandito na sila Martin.
"Tikoy is here, and lechon will be delivered tonight" Alfred said as he put the boxes on the table.
Cristina, Alfred's wife, went straight to me. She teased me when she saw Greggy. "Now I will witness you guys personally. May maichichika na naman ako kila Dawn" she smiled widely and she looks excited.
I just shook my head, smiling.
"Ang aga niyo ata." mommy asked.
"We thought we could lend some helping hands tita so we came early." Cristina said.
"That's good. Can you check everything in the kitchen?"
"Sure tita" she said. Tinawag niya rin si Yedda, asawa ni Martin para samahan siya.
---
It's already three in the afternoon, we're almost done. Kahit sa dami ng prinepare, naitawid namin.
"Mommy sa taas lang ako, I'm tired." Paalam ko. They're talking about something.
"Go sleep. Gisingin ka nalang namin." she said so I went to my room.
Mabilis akong nakatulog dahil sa pagod. Nagising ako nang may maingay sa kwarto ko. I looked around. What are these three ladies doing in my room?
Liza and Christina is on my vanity table and Manang is again on my book shelf.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Ay kabayong bruha!" gulat na sabi ni Manang kaya napatawa ang dalawa.
"We're waiting for you to wake up." Liza said. I looked the time and it's already seven thirty.
"Take a bath now, we'll wait for you here" Cristina
I went to the bathroom to take a shower. When I'm done, they also went out of my closet. "We picked your clothes." they said, they seem to be proud.
They showed it to me. It's a light pink bustier ruffle dress with a slit. "Hindi ba masiyadong OA?" I asked.
"Hindi yan." sabi ni Cristina at tinulak ako papasok sa walk in closet ko. "Bihis na dali."
May laban ba ako doon kung umayaw ako? Tatlo sila, tapos ako lang. I had no choice but to wear it. They are also wearing dress so no biggie.
I paired my dress with a stiletto and went out.
"See, you look beautiful"
"As always" I chuckled.
"By the way, I borrowed this heels" Manang showed me her feet. The same heels she borrowed again before. "Ay akin na lang kaya para hindi ko na hihiram-hiramin?"
Umismid ako pero um-oo na lang din. I don't use it anyway. As we went downstairs, I can smell barbeque all the way here.
I went to the kitchen but I don't see any food. "Sa labas po maam" sabi ng isang maid.
I went to the garden and there I saw a long table. Parang magbu-buffet. I also saw that they put a grilling area there. Tumabi ako kila Mommy.
"Stop that Borgy, mamaya pa yan" suway ni Manang sa anak niya na kanina pa nagtotorotot.
"Let him be. Ang KJ mo namang maging nanay" I said.
"Gaga maingay nga" she laughed.
"Maam tumatawag na po si Maam Aimee" sabi ng isang maid.
Dinala na din pala nila dito sa garden ang mga camera. Oh shoot, I forgot to bring my camera.
I saw Greggy and Martin going inside. "Greggy" tawag ko at sabay silang lumingon. "Greggy ka?" I asked Martin.
"My bad." He chuckled.
"Please get my camera in my room, you know where it is right?"
Tumango siya. "Wait lang" he said and they went inside.
"Here" he handed me. "You look so gorgeous."
"I know." I giggled. "Thank you, you too"
He smiled and kisses my cheek. "Doon muna ako" turo niya sa grupo ng mga kalalakihan.
"Don't drink too much ha"
"I won't. Bukas kami iinom" he chuckled and walked away.
I went to see my dogs. Naipaalam ko na kila mommy. I will let them roam around, hindi naman sila manggugulo mamaya, and they said yes. I trained them well so I know they will behave.
Nagsidatingan na din ang iba pa naming kamag-anak. Mabilis na lumipas ang oras. The countdown will begin few minutes from now.
Nakita ko si Manang na parang kumakandidato kung makapag-bigay ng torotot sa mga nandito. Nasa likod niya pa si Liza na may hawak ding torotot.
"And the last one, for you" she gave me one.
We are drinking wine to let the time pass. Until, "One minute" sigaw nila.
We stood up when it reached the remaining twenty seconds.
"Twenty"
"Nineteen"
"Eighteen"
I felt someone wrapped their hand on my waist. I turned around and it was Greggy. He's smiling widely. I am holding my glass and the torotot in my other hands.
"Fourteen"
"Thirteen"
"Twelve"
"Eleven"
"Ten"
"Nine"
"Eight"
"Seven"
"Six"
"Five"
"Four"
"Three"
"Two"
"One"
"Happy New Year!!"
Everyone is making noise so I also blew my torotot. Fireworks are all over the sky.
Nang bigla akong niyakap ni Greggy ng mahigpit. "Happy New Year" he said.
"Happy New Year" I answered and hugged him back.
"I would love to kiss you right now but everyone is here" he whispered in my ears.
Pinalo ko ang likod niya kaya napatawa siya. We watched the fireworks, his hands still on my waist.
When he let me go, I went to mommy and hugged her. I also went to my siblings, si Liza, Kuya Tommy, Cristina, and my cousins.
"I saw that" Cristina told me.
"Saw what?"
She scoffed, "You know what I mean"
"Wag ka na lang maingay."
"Too late. I already told our amigas, and showed them the picture" she said.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. "What picture?"
"You'll see it later." she laughed and left me.
What the hell was that picture?
We are now eating and they praised every food that we prepared.
Because of that, yumayabang na naman ang mga tumulong na akala mo naman napakalaki ng ginawa, pagbabalot lang naman, napakabagal pa. I'm talking about these boys, especially my kuya.
We had so much fun. Dahil marami kami, they played games. When it was already we decided to end the party.
Umuwi ang karamihan pero may mga matutulog dito. Nagpaiwan sila sa garden dahil tutulong daw sila sa pagliligpit dahil hindi daw sila nakatulong sa pagluluto.
We let them para mas mabilis ang trabaho. Kuya and Manang went to fix the guestrooms where our cousins will stay.
Nang pumasok ako sa kwarto ko, nakahiga si Greggy sa kama ko. "Go get some of your things in your room, they will use it."
"I will sleep here?"
"Malamang, tutal naman daw dito ka natutulog, they will let Alfred and Yedda stay in your room. Now go get your things"
"Lilipat na ako dito" he said and run fast.
Umiling ako at pumasok sa walk in closet para magpalit ng pang-tulog.
Before going out, I checked my phone. I opened our group chat and saw the pictures Cristina has been talking about.
Did she took these? A picture of Greggy and I hugging and the other one is like we're kissing because of angle of the camera.
Sunod-sunod ang mga chats nila sa akin, hindi ko na binasa dahil alam ko na ang mga sasabihin nila. They will just tease me so I turned off my phone and went to take off my makeup and jewelries.
Then I went to bed because I feel sleepy now.
---
Greggy's POV
I woke up and felt an arm on me, it's Irene's. Her legs are also on my stomach and she's using my hand as her pillow.
I hugged her and kissed her head. I stared at her, peacefully sleeping. My gaze went down to her chest. Damn, I can see her cleavage from here. She's too close to me so I can feel her.
She's just wearing a spaghetti strap. Naramdaman kong may bumubukol kaya dali-dali kong tinanggal ang pagkakayakap ni Irene sakin dahil baka maramdaman niya. Tumakbo ako sa cr dahil sumasakit ang puson ko.
When I went out of the bathroom, Irene is still sleeping. I went downstairs and saw Alfred, Cristina, and Bongbong.
"Umalis na pala sila Naneth kaya dun na kami sa kabilang guest room. Kami na lang nila Martin ang nandito" Alfred said. He's reffering to their cousin who slept here.
"Kain na. Hindi pa gising si Irene?" Bongbong asked.
"Hindi pa. Gisingin ko mamaya."
"Gigisingin ko na rin mamaya sila mommy para makakain na."
"Pupunta ba tayo ng LNMB?" I asked because I remembered they told me, ginagawa nila yon every ocassion as long as nandito sila sa Manila.
"Oo. But I think hindi singtagal noong christmas."
Tumango ako at nagsimula nang kumain. Bumaba na rin si Tommy.
"Ano, tuloy ang inuman mamaya ha. Tinawagan ko na rin sila Jairo." sabi ni Alfred
"Oo, mamayang gabi." Bongbong.
Pagkatapos kong kumain, bumalik ako sa kwarto ni Irene, she's still sleeping.
I went beside her and wake her up. "Come on, tanghali na. I know you're already hungry." I said. Her stomach is growling.
She didn't respond but I know she's already awake. Hinila ko ang kamay niya at doon lang siya nagmulat ng mata.
"Let's go. Aalis na tayo mamaya" sabi ko pero bumalik siya sa pagkakahiga.
I sighed and decided to carry her. Tumili siya at nagpupumiglas. I brought her to the bathroom and placed her in the shower. "Maligo ka na para hindi ka antukin" I said and went out.
Pumasok ako sa walk-in closet niya at namili ng maisusuot. I picked her a jeans and a blouse.
I sat down on her bed and waited for her. Suddenly, "Greggy" tawag niya. Her head is peaking in the door. I was about to go near her pero pinigilan niya ako. "Diyan ka lang, I'm naked!" sigaw niya sakin. "Get my towel and my robe at the back of the door of my walk in closet."
"Bilisan mo nilalamig na ako" she said as I go near her.
"Do you want a hug?" I offered.
"Siraulo doon ka na nga." she said and closed the door.
Tatawa-tawa kong nilagay ang damit niya sa kama at lumabas na para maligo.
We waited for them, and then we went to the LNMB. Doon na lang daw sila kakain.
As we get there, just like during christmas, we prayed, eat, and bond with each other.
After our dinner, dumating na sila Jairo, along with two more men. I know them but we're not close.
We enjoyed our drinks until my head is now is hurting, my vision starts to get blurry and my wholle world starts to spin.
---
Irene's POV
I am watching something in my laptop when I heard the door opened. "Lasing na sila" Liza told me.
Yeah right. Wala nang ingay, kanina lang ang lalakas ng boses nila. "Tulongan mo akong buhatin kuya mo" she added.
I went to the garden with her. Damn these men. Kuya Bongbong and Kuya Tommy are now laying on the floor. They are so wasted. They all passed out because of too much liquor. Their visitors went home already.
It's a good thing Alfred and Martin can walk to their rooms. Tong tatlong to ang problema namin.
"Bumangon nga kayo, para kayong siraulo diyan" Pinapagalitan sila ni Manang.
Ako na ang nangbangon kay Kuya para madala na namin siya sa kwarto nila. Alangan namang hayaan kong alalayan siya ni Liza nang mag-isa eh buntis siya.
We walked him until we reached their bed. "I'll help you carry Greggy." She insisted.
"No need, asikasuhin mo nalang to then you should take a rest right after." I said and touched her tummy.
"Kaya mo ba?"
"Oo naman." I uttered and went back to the garden. Naligpit na ang mga bote at basong ginamit nila.
"Iiwan talaga kita dito kapag hindi ka bumangon diyan" pagalit paring sabi ni Manang kay Kuya Tommy kahit na tulog na ito.
"Tulongan ba kitang iakyat yan?" I asked her.
"No. Kung ayaw niyang bumangon, mas ayaw kong buhatin siya papunta sa taas. " she said and went inside.
I was regaining my strength when Manang came out with a pillow and blanket.
She fixed her husband's position and made it more comfortable then she puts the blanket.
I am just watching her leave Kuya Tommy here. Naawa rin naman pala, di pa sagarin.
"Do you need help on that?" She pointed Greggy.
Umiling ako, "It's okay, I can manage"
She gave me a nod, "Una na ako. Goodnight" she said and kissed my cheek.
"Good night buntis" I told her and then she went upstairs
I looked at this drunk man beside me. "Wake up" I said and slightly slap his cheek, and thank god he did woke up.
Itinayo ko siya at pumasok na kami. "Umayos ka paakyat na tayo"
Gegewang-gewang kaming pumunta sa kwarto niya. I don't want my room to smell like liquor.
As I was opening his door, he hugged me. I lay him down on his bed but since he's hugging me, napasama ako.
"Dito ka lang please, wag mo kong iwan" I heard him.
I slowly remove his hands but then he suddenly cried like a kid.
"Irene don't leave me, stay here. I want you here" atungal niya. Ganto ba to pag nakakainom siya? Umiiyak at nagiging clingy? I cannot.
I ignored him and just went to the bathroom to get a basin of warm water and a towel. Then I opened his closet and get a pair of night wear, a short and a sando.
I started unbottoning his polo when he pushed my hands. "Who are you? How dare you undress me? Only my Irene can do that to me. Get away." he said.
Really now? Kanina lang napakaclingy! And I have to deal with his tantrums whenever he gets drunk.
I sighed and continued to unbutton his polo but he keeps on pushing me and telling me that only 'Irene' can do that.
"Tumahimik ka nga, ang ingay mo. Paano ko to matatapos kung ayaw mong papigil bwisit ka" I said that made him stop.
Then he suddenly realized who am I. But of course he's drunk, what would I expect?
"Who are you? Oh wait" tinitigan niya akong mabuti, "can I just call you mine?" he giggled.
'Yan sige, ikaw lang natutuwa sa mga banat mo idiot. I whispered that to myself.
"Stay still so I can finish this" I said.
"Why are you so mad? Don't you love me anymore?" malungkot niyang sabi.
"Matulog ka na."
Pupunasan ko na sana siya pero umiwas siya.
"Ayoko na, hindi mo na ako mahal" he's about to cry again.
Good Lord please extend my patience on this one.
"I love you. Now please can we finish this now?" I asked sweetly.
Bigla siyang tumigil at nagkislapan ang mga mata. Now I can continue what I am doing.
Natanggal na din ang pants niya so he's just wearing his boxer shorts. Pinunasan ko ang buong katawan niya para kahit papaano ay mahimasmasan siya. I put the basin and towel back in the bathroom.
"Wear this. Alangan namang ganyan ka lang na natutulog?" I uttered ans he laughed. Anong nakakatawa sa sinabi ko? Mukha ba akong nagjojoke?
Isinuot ko ang mga iyon sa kanya at pupungay-pungay siyang ngumingiti. Parang siraulo.
"Sleep beside me." he pulled me when I was about to leave.
He closed his eyes and wrapped his hands around me.
Ang galing, ginawa pa akong teddy bear. I tried to get out of here but he's too strong. I got tired of trying to escape until I fell asleep.
---
Next morning, we are having our breakfast. Nakikinig ako sa bawat sermon nila, but it's not for me tho, para sa mga nalasing kagabi, most specifically, Kuya Bongbong and Kuya Tomny. Tahimik lang kaming nakikinig nila mommy, Cristina, Alfred, Yedda and Martin.
"You let me sleep outside." Kuya Tommy.
"Of course you're knocked out, do you expect me to carry you to our room? Hello, I'm pregnant" turo ni manang sa tiyan niya.
"Buntis din naman si Liza, but she carried me upstairs." sabat ni Kuya Bongbong
"I asked Irene for help. Hahayaan rin sana kita doon pero naawa ako sayo" Liza
"Hon, hindi ka ba naawa sakin?" Kuya Tommy
"Naawa. Kaya nga kita binigyan ng unan at kumot diba. Yun na yung sagad ng awa ko, nangibabaw inis ko sayo." Manang
Later on, Greggy entered the kitchen and sat beside me. He's holding his head. "Sakit ulo mo?" I asked and he nodded. "Inom pa"
Masakit ang ulo nilang tatlo. Hangover. Si Alfred at Martin ay hindi masiyadong nalasing kagabi dahil uuwi sila mamaya.
"Eat now and take your meds right after. Itulog niyo yang kalasingan ninyo." Mommy said and we finish our food.
---
We helped to prepare our lunch as the three of them sleep. Nagpaalam na sila Martin kanina.
"Irene, katukin mo na sila" mommy said so I went upstairs. I knocked first on manang's room and Kuya Tommy opened the door immediately. "Kakain na kuya" I said and he nodded.
Katok ako ng katok sa kwarto ni Kuya Bongbong pero hindi niya binubuksan kaya pumasok na ako. Tulog na tulog.
Niyugyog ko ang balikat niya at lahat-lahat na pero wala pa rin. Hinila ko ang paa niya hanggang mahulog siya.
Iniinda niya ang sakit ng likod niya habang tinatawanan ko siya.
"Apay met nga kasjay?" (Bakit naman ganon?) he glared at me.
"Nu di kan tu met ita mariing, tattay nak pelang dituy." (Hindi nga kita magising, kanina pa ako dito) "Get down already, I also have to wake up Greggy"
I entered his room but he's nowhere to be found. Ang hinayupak, sa kwarto ko na naman natulog. I went to my room and I was right.
I was about to wake him up but I noticed his eyes. Gising na to, nagtutulog-tulogan lang.
"I know you're awake. Tara na"
But he keeps on acting asleep. "Bahala ka, edi wag kang kakain" I said.
"Ito na, baba na tayo" sabi niya at bumangon.
Sabi na gising to eh. Lumnabas na kami ng kwarto. Bago bumaba, sinilip ko ang kwarto ni Kuya Bongbong. Bumalik siya sa pagkakahiga kaya pumasok ulit ako.
"Haan mo nga iyuray nga ni Mommy ti umay mangpabangon kanyam" (Wag mong hintayin na si Mommy ang pumunta dito sayo) banta ko.
Bigla siyang napabangon at tumayo na. "Tara na, gutom na ako" he said and pulled me. Sinenyasan ko si Greggy na sumunod na, hinintay pa talaga kami.
We ate our lunch and after that, I stayed in my room, of course, Greggy is here again.
"Babalik na ako sa work ko bukas" he said.
"Hmm?"
"I just want to sleep for the last day of my vacation." aniya at humiga sa may tiyan ko. "Matulog tayo"
"Greggy sandali yung laptop ko" sabi ko dahil may ginagawa ako. "Matulog ka kung matulog ka, wag mo kong idamay."
Nilagay ko na lang ito sa tabi ko dahil desidido siyang matulog.
I can't stop my hands to play with his hair so I carressed it. I love to play with it. I said I'm not sleepy. Pero hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog ako di kalaunan.
*******************************************************************
i'm sorry, I thought I published the ud kaninang 12am, napasarap kase kain ko, nakalimutan.
but here it is, 2 chapters. Have a very Merry Christmas and safe holidays.
hope you'll like it. Enjoy!! :))