Napatigil kami sa pagtititigan nang tumahol sa gilid namin si Pascal.
Napabitaw si Liam sa pagkakahawak sa mukha ko upang silipin ang aking fur baby. He's barking at Liam, like he's mad because he made me cry.
"I'm sorry, Pascal," ani Liam at lumuhod upang pakalmahin ang aking alaga. He caressed his fur and pet him.
Napangiti ako at napaupo rin para haplusin ang balahibo ni Pascal. He's wearing a bow tie like he's also a part of this little prom. He looks so adorable.
Nang maramdaman ni Pascal ang haplos ko, sa akin siya humarap. He licked the side of my face as if he was drying the excess tears on my cheeks and tried to leap on me, hugging me. I also embraced him and give him a kiss on his forehead.
Pascal barked on Liam, demanding him to hug us, too. Liam chuckled and did what my fur baby wants. He wrapped us around his arms, hugging us tight and saying another sorry to the both of us.
Muli kaming nagsayaw ni Liam. Ngunit hindi na tulad kanina na mabigat sa pakiramdam. I feel light and excited again. I feel so happy that we're comfortable with each other again.
And I was surprised that he knows many dance steps. He held my hand, guided me to dance, and swirled me. Kahit kailan, ang talented niya talaga.
Matapos i-setup ng mga kasambahay ang long table sa isang gilid, nakisali rin sila sa sayawan. At nang mapagod kami, pinanood na lang namin sila ni Liam habang nakaupo kami sa picnic blanket. Lahat ay nagkakasiyahan, maging si Pascal na sumasayaw kasama ni Manang Terentina, kaya hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.
Nagmamasid ako sa paligid hanggang sa dumapo ang mga mata ko sa maliwanag na buwan sa madilim na kalangitan. Kasama niya ang mga kumikinang na mga butuin. Napakaganda, nakakamangha.
"Fly me to the moon... And let me play among the stars... Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars... In other words, hold my hand... In other words, darling, kiss me..." I sing as I chuckle and looked at Liam.
He's already looking at me. But when our eyes met, that's when he lifted a smile.
Then he continues the song, "Fill my heart with song and let me sing forevermore... You are all I long for all I worship and adore... In other words, please be true... In other words, I love you..."
I hummed the tune of the song. I sway my body and averted my gaze from his ocean eyes to the moon above us.
Isinasayaw ng malamig na hangin ang buhok. Niyayakap din nito ang katawan ko kaya't humalukipkip ako upang mabawasan ang ginaw na nadarama.
"Fill my heart with song and let me sing forevermore... You are all I long for all I worship and adore... In other words, please be true... And another word, I love you..." pagpapatuloy ko. "And another word, I love you..."
Muli akong napangiti nang maramdaman ang coat ni Liam sa balikat ko. Pakiramdam ko, yakap niya ako dahil agad kong naamoy ang pabango niya.
And it feels so warmth.
A warm hug that makes me feel I'm safe.
I was startled when he rested his head on my shoulder. Nang nilingon ko siya, nakangiti siya at nakatingala sa langit, pinagmamasdan ang buwan.
"Ang ganda ng boses mo, Vivienne," bulong niya dahilan upang agad na mag-init ang pisngi ko.
Hindi ako nagsalita at nanatili lang na nakatitig sa kaniya. Kung lilingon siya sa akin, siguradong magtatama ang mga ilong namin. Ganoon kami kalapit sa isa't isa.
But seeing him this close makes my heart flutter. Because I could see how happy he is. His ocean eyes are smiling, too. He looks like a child lost in a wonderland.
"Look at that bright star up the sky. Do you think is it Mom?"
From his face, my gaze averted to the sky. I saw two bright stars near the moon. They're shining and twinkling like they're winking at me from the endless horizon of void-black. They're like scattered moon dust in the raven sky.
"Yeah, maybe. Do you know that there's a myth that says that if a bright star catches your attention in the sky, it's a soul of a dead person silently watching you? Maybe that's your Mom."
I smiled and giggled.
"And my Kuya Hans."
"They're watching us..."
"Hmm..." I slowly nod. "For sure they're so happy right now. My Kuya Hans is happy because he's seeing me happy. Your Mom is happy... and proud... because her son is making someone happy."
"I do?"
Tumango ulit ako, at alam kong naramdaman niya iyon dahil mas lumapad ang ngiti niya.
"I'm so happy right now. I thought it would be so impossible for me to experience prom. You know, high school stuff like that." I chuckled. "But because of you, I did. So thank you, Liam. Thank you for making me happy every day. I super appreciate you."
"Always, Vivienne."
"Inuunti-unti mong ma-check ang nasa bucket list ko. Once all of it were done, let's do yours naman."
He chuckled. "I only have one thing on my bucket list."
"Really?" He nodded so I giggled. "Then let's do it na. What is it ba?"
"See the light in your eyes."
Kasabay ng pag-awang ng labi ko ay ang paghuramentado ng puso ko. It is pounding so hard in my chest. Not because of nervousness or what, but because of an unexplainable glee.
Normal pa ba itong nararamdaman ko?
Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko maintindihan. Dahil lahat ng nararamdaman ko ay bago sa akin.
All my first was with Liam, even this terrifying but euphoric feeling.
Nang mapansin niyang tahimik ako, inalis niya ang pagkakapahinga ng ulo niya sa balikat ko at hinarap ako. He stared at my eyes and I did the same, especially when he opened his mouth as if he's planning to say something.
Ngunit hindi niya natuloy ang sasabihin nang may magsalita sa likod ko, "Dude!"
Kahit ramdam ko ang paglapit ng mga tao sa amin, hindi niya inalis ang pagkakatitig sa mga mata ko. Those ocean eyes are telling me so many things, bringing me to the impossible conclusions I don't want to face yet.
Because I know that it can ruin everything.
Every. Little. Thing.
I immediately averted my gaze to face the people. I saw Tristan and Josh with two unfamiliar faces I'd never seen before. But when I stared at them, that's when I realized Liam have pictures of them in his camera. Especially that pretty girl with a daring and seductive evening dress.
I stared at her. She looks so lovely. Like a barbie doll. No, she looks like a human Bratz doll. Because of her aura and her lips! Her lips are so red, it looks so tender and healthy!
She's elegantly slim and her clavicle and shoulders are smooth and sexy wearing that red dress with a high slit on the left thigh. It is so bagay to her because her skin is glowing. Maputi siya at makinis. And just like the color red that signifies vigor and power, she has that aura that is so strong.
Mukha siyang modelo ngunit mas nakaka-intimidate siya sa mga taong inakala kong modelo, tulad ni Jezra.
At mas lalo akong na-intimidate nang lumingon ako sa lalaking malapit sa kaniya, lalo pa't nagtama ang mga mata namin. He has brown eyes and they look so lovely. But just like the girl, I could say he has so much power in him by just looking at his eyes.
Naka-itim siyang button down shirt kung saan ang unang dalawang butones ay bukas. Simple lang ang get up niya ngunit sobrang lakas ng appeal.
"What's up, Vivienne. Long time no see!"
Napalingon ako kay Tristan na may suot na white dress shirt sa ilalim ng itim na coat. Mayroon din siyang bow tie at tila pinaghandaan din ang gabing ito tulad ni Liam. He looks so gwapo especially because he's smiling. His eyes get chinky rin.
"Hello!" I waved a little to him so he chuckled. "You're gorgeous tonight."
Medyo ngumiwi siya. "Tonight lang? 'Di araw-araw?"
"Uh... I can't see you everyday naman so how will I know?"
Napanguso siya, nagpipigil ng tawa habang si Josh sa likuran niya ay humahagalpak na kasama ni Liam na naiiling. Even the other guy slyly smiled while the girl rolled her eyes.
Nang makita niyang nakatitig ako sa kaniya, pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay kaya agad kong pinaglaruan ang mga kamay ko habang wala sa sariling agad na hinanap si Liam.
He was already looking at me when I looked at him. When he saw my reaction, he slightly smiled and walked towards me. Tapos ay hinarap niya sila at nagsalita.
"They're my other friends, Vivienne. This is Raven..." aniya kaya napatingin ako sa lalaking bahagya akong tinanguan. Binigyan ko siya ng maliit na ngiti. "And Mirasol."
"You don't have to call me like that in front of her, mutual! At hindi mo na kailangang ipamukhang friends tayo. Friends your ass," mukhang iritang sabi ni Mirasol na tinawanan nilang lahat.
"Friends daw kayo, best friend. Friends lang,"ani Tristan sabay akbay sa kaniya. Pero agad niyang inalis iyon nang tinapik ni Raven ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa balikat ni Mirasol.
Mapang-asar na humagalpak ng tawa si Tristan.
"Tapos 'yung isa rito, special friend. What a friend!"
"Shut up," iritang sabi ni Raven.
Hindi ko nasundan ang pang-aasar ni Tristan sa kaniyang best friend nang tumili si Mirasol. Pascal is barking at them... at her. Agad siyang kumapit sa braso ni Raven at tila natatakot na nagtatago. The lioness I'm seeing in her was gone. She looks so soft.
Kahit gusto kong mamangha sa nakikita, dahil sobrang parang naging anghel siya, agad kong dinaluhan si Pascal.
Lumuhod ako sa tapat ng magkakaibigan upang pakalmahin ang aking alaga. I lifted my hand and caressed his fur to pet him.
"Stop scaring them, Pascal. Please? They're Liam's friends. They won't hurt you. That's a promise," bulong ko habang patuloy na hinahaplos ang balahibo niya hanggang kumalma siya.
Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Liam. After Pascal tranquilized, Liam stood up and carried him. Then he offered his other hand to help me get up so I accepted it. Tapos ay muli naming hinarap ang magkakaibigan na patuloy sa pag-aasaran.
"Tsansing ka, Mira," ani Raven na nakangisi sa naiiritang si Mirasol.
She rolled her eyes at him, making Josh and Tristan laugh. Pareho silang nanonood at mukhang na-e-entertain sa dalawa.
Mirasol then smirked and walked towards Raven so the smile on his lips slowly fades. The next thing I knew, pinausdos ni Mirasol ang kaniyang kamay sa dibdib ni Raven hanggang mahawakan nito ang balikat ng huli. Ginawa niya iyon ng hindi pinuputol ang titigan nila.
"Ito ang tsansing, Raven."
May gagawin pa si Mirasol ngunit hindi ko na nakita dahil dumilim ang paningin ko dulot ng pagtakip ng palad ni Liam sa mga mata ko.
"Don't mind them," he whispered in my ear.
"The plates are up, guys. Come on," rinig kong sabi ni Liam bago ako inalalayang maglakad, itinalikod sa mga kaibigan habang nakatakip pa rin ang kamay sa mga mata ko.
Nang makatalikod na ako, doon niya inalis ang kamay niya. I saw his face slightly smiling at me before cocking his head, gesturing the way to the table.
I smiled and walked with him. Sa likod namin ang mga kaibigan niya na patuloy sa pagtatawanan. Hindi ko napansin kanina ang naka-setup na mesa nunit ngayong nakita ko na ay hindi ko mapigilang mamangha.
The long table is placed near the tree with fairy lights. I was mesmerized by it because everything looks so perfectly organized. 'Yung table set-up ay talagang pinaghandaan dahil sa mga plates at utensils na may kasamang candles at iba pang decorations.
Mukha talagang naka-plano at pinag-isipan.
I was about to sit when Liam pulled it for me. "Thank you," nakangiti kong sabi at naupo. Sinigurado niya munang komportable ako bago siya bahagyang tumango at ngumiti.
He also did the same to Pascal beside me. May nakahandang pagkain para sa kaniya at mukha siyang na-e-excite roon dahil gumagalaw ang tail niya.
Si Liam ay naupo sa isang tabi ni Pascal, pinagigitnaan namin ang aking alaga. Josh, wearing a navy blue button down shirt, is sitting at one end of the table. Then, Tristan and Mira and Raven who are not sitting yet.
Napatingin kami kay Mira nang hinaplos niya ang buhok ni Tristan at mukhang inaamo ito. "Itong isang pet mo, ang behave, Vivienne," aniya dahilan para tumawa kami.
Tristan took off his coat that's why he's wearing only the white dress shirt with a bow tie. Matchy na sila ni Pascal!
"Pagsabihan mo nga 'yang pet mo, Salverio," ani Tristan.
"Excuse me? I'm not his pet, 'no!"
"Ano lang?"
"Well, we're... I..." Napatingin si Mira kay Raven na nakatitig lang sa kaniya. Inirapan niya ito bago nagpatuloy, "I'm starving na. Mag-behave ka d'yan, Tristan."
Humagalpak ng tawa si Tristan habang sina Mirasol at Raven ay inabala ang sarili sa pagkain. While Liam and Josh shake their heads. Ako naman ay inasikaso si Pascal.
Masaya akong kumain kasama silang lahat. They're happy people. They're indeed fun to be with.
Even though, sometimes, I was uncomfortable with their words... especially with Mira. She's kinda harsh but she will stop naman whenever Raven would whisper to her ear.
That's when I learned that Mira and Jezra were cousins. Hindi lang daw siya nakapunta ngayon dahil busy. And Alex, too. Whereas Kiara, with her boyfriend Kenneth, were out of nowhere raw.
I don't mind it, though. I'm more than happy that these five people give me their precious time. It's more than enough.
After we have eaten, Tristan danced with me. Habang sina Mira at Raven naman ang magkasayaw, kasama namin. But they're quite far from us as if they have their own world.
Ganoon ang na-obserbahan ko sa ilang oras na kasama ko si Mira. Tila wala siyang pakialam sa iba kapag nakatingin na siya sa isang tao, o bagay.
"Hanggang kailan kaya tayo kikiligin sa relasyon ng iba?"
I averted my gaze from Mira and Raven to Tristan. His hands are on my waist while mine is on his shoulders. He's smiling at me and it looks so playful while looking at his best friends.
Nang makita niyang nakatitig ako sa kaniya, tumawa siya. "Biro lang. 'Yang relasyon nila, 'di tunay. Hindi pa naamin sa isa't isa."
I smiled and looked back on the two again. Mira's eyes are twinkling while looking at Raven. She looks like she's telling a kwento to him because the latter keeps on laughing and smiling, making his dimple show. Ganoon din ang mga mata ni Raven na sa mukha lang ng babae nakatitig.
"They look in love," bulong ko.
"People around me are in love." Muling bumalik ang tingin ko kay Tristan. He's already looking at me with a genuine smile plastered across his face. "You are, too, Vivienne."
Nahihiya akong umiling. "I'm not."
"Weh? 'Di nga? Kinikilig ka nga, mga isang kilo."
"What?"
Humagalpak siya ng tawa at umiling bago hinawakan ang isang kamay ko upang iikot ako. The moment I swirl, I has a chance to glance at Josh, Pascal, and Liam who are looking at us. They look like they're talking about us, too.
Kahit na nakaharap na ako kay Tristan, hindi ko maalis ang paningin ko kay Liam. His ocean eyes look so adorable even if he's from afar. His smile looks like it could make flowers grow. It's so bright like a beam of moonlight illuminating the dark night.
"Gusto mo bang makarinig ng secret, Vivienne?"
Again, I look at Tristan. He glanced at where Liam is located before beaming a mischievous smile. Parang may binabalak siyang gawin na hindi dapat gawin.
"Why would you tell it to me if it's a secret?" I asked innocently.
Humalakhak siya. "Hmm... bakit nga ba? Siguro kasi makakatulong iyon sa inyo?"
I frowned. I don't get what he's pointing out.
Siguro ay kitang-kita iyon sa mukha ko kaya muli siyang humalakhak. Tapos ay inilapit niya ang bibig sa tainga ko, umastang may ibubulong.
"Liam practiced slow dancing with every girl in our squad so he could dance you perfectly."