AIRI
"Act in love." Simon spoke as he held the camera towards us.
Pinanlakaihan ko siya ng mata. 'tong lalakeng 'to. Porke sinabi ko na wala pang nagsasabi ng 'I love you' sa amin ni Sandro ginaganyan kami.
Sandroo laughed nonchalantly beside me. "Sure."
He put his arms around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. I blinked. I was not expecting that.
Sandro smiled at me and kissed my forehead then my nose.
"Congratulations Cinnamon. We made it together." He muttered looking at me particularly my eyes with our face an inch closer.
I couldn't help but to giggle. "Thank you Sandwo," I chirped. "Here's to the next step of our adulthood." I replied and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I said act in love not PDA!" Simon shouted.
"Just take the picture Si!" Sandro shouted back.
I laughed. Oh what a year it has been.
--
Attorney Liza treated me for dinner. We celebrated Sandro's graduation yesterday and now we are celebrating mine too. I told her not to bother but she insisted, telling me I deserve it and that she has already made reservations.
Kung iyakin siguro ako umiyak na ako nung sinabi niya sa akin but I am not a cry baby so I just thanked her and promised her paparamihin namin ang lahi ng mga Marcos. Kahit humingi siya ng sampung anak okay lang sa akin. Kidding. I'm not a pig.
She took us in Savoy Grill, one of Gordon Ramsays restaurant here in London. I d not know how to describe how happy I am with her gesture. I mean, how can they hate the family when they are so kind and down to earth.
I gave Sandro a smile when he sliced my beef Wellington for me.
"Here's to new chapters," Atty. Liza spoke, holding a glass of red wine. I smiled and raised mine. She looked at me and Sandro. "I wish you all the best on the next journey you will take. Sandro, you know very well that we'll always support you in whatever you plan to do." Atty. Liza looked at me gently and smiled genuinely. "Airi. We have met in the most unusual way but I am glad that you are with my boring son, giving his life a bit of a spice as he tells me. I hope you'll stick together through thick and thin as he has told me of your ten-year goal together."
Sandro's hands found mine and held it tight.
"Bakit mo sinabi." Bulong ko sa kanya.
He snickered. "Relationship goals." He whispered back.
"Anyway, if there's anything you need or you want someone t talk to kapag sawa ka na sa mukha ni Sandro, I'm just a call away." She continued.
I smiled at her. "Thank you." I mouthed.
"Cheers?"
We all clicked our glasses together. Sandro turned to me and smiled. "To our future, Cinnamon." He said.
I blew a sigh and smiled. "To our future it is."
And I wondered what's ahead of us though.
SANDRO
"I applied for graduation." Simon spoke beside me by the sidewalk where we were standing at.
I looked at him. "Good for you. Have you told the parents?" I asked.
Simon shook his head. "You're the first one in the family to know." He replied.
"Aww Simon." I teased.
He rolled his eyes. "I told Airi first."
I made a face. "Why?"
"We're friends." He answered, almost teasing me.
"Whatever Simon."
I checked the time on the Rolex watch Airi gave me last Christmas. It was already past five in the afternoon which means Airi would be here any minute.
"So how's work?" Simon asked.
"Good," I answered. "Pretty good."
"Nice." He muttered.
Airi and I quit our job in the bar after graduation. I found a job in a consulting company while Airi found a job a month later after ten applications and four final interviews, two companies called offering her a job position. She chose The Waldorlf Hilton Hotel and works in the sales team. It's a bit near from my work and our place so it's nice.
I still dj but only during events when they invite me.
Minutes later, Airi ran to me from the employees exit and clung to my neck, leaning herself.
"Ayoko na. Inaalipin ako doon. Mag-re-resign na ako. Ikaw na ang bahala sa future natin. Magiging palamunin na lang ako. Ibabayad ko na lang katawan ko. Kahit laspagin mo ako." She retorted.
I saw Simon raise a brow. "Is is that hard?" He asked.
Airi looked at him and nodded. "Uu. Alam mo ba pinagalitan ako ng head kanina dahil mali daw yung nabigay ko na file. Tapos kanina inutusan ako sa front office tapos nawala ako. Tapos nung lunch lang ako nakapagpahinga ng maayos kaso isang oras lang." She bawled.
I laughed and embraced her. "That is work all right."
She looked up to me pouting. "Resign na ako."
I rolled my eyes. "It has only been a month."
"Ihhh. Ayoko na." She retorted.
"Just give it a year. For experience and it would be a bad record on your resume in the future. If you still don't like it, you can resign and look for another job." I told her.
Airi nibbled her lower lip while giving me a cute face. "Hindi ba pwedeng ikaw na lang ang kumayod for us? I am willing to be malaspag for your own expense."
I made a face. "Woman please."
"Eto eto na magtitiis na. Kagigil." She mumbled.
"Have patience. You'll get use to it." I told her.
"Simon bilisan mong mag-graduate at magtayo ng business para ako ang general manager." She told Simon.
"I'm not planning any." Simon answered.
"Hindi mo sure." Airi mumbled.
We walked the streets and headed to the nearest restaurant to fill our stomachs. I was tired too. The whole day of sitting down in that four cornered wall was tiring. But Airi have always made my day as usual. In the morning when I wake up and I see her smiling face and hear her corny or horny jokes then in the afternoon where she complains about work but still does it. She really gives spice to my life.
"Eh ikaw Simon, kelan ka magkaka-jowa?" Airi asked when we were seated down the restaurant.
Simon made a face. "What's with the sudden intrusion?"
"What's with the sudden intrusion," Airi mimicked. "Ang tanong ay hindi sinasagot ng isa pang tanong. Sipain kaya kita?" She retorted.
He rolled his eyes. "I am dating. I will tell you both about it when it's serious." He replied.
I raised a brow. "So there is someone." I commented.
"Yung blonde ba nung last sa sinehan?" Airi asked excitedly.
"We did not click."
"Paano kayo magcli-click kung ayaw mo sa BDSM?"
"It's not about sex AJ. It's just that we've got nothing to talk about. She's into material world. All she talks about is how she wants to buy this and that."
"Gago sugar dadey ata hanap nun hindi jowa." Airi muttered.
"My point exactly."
"Sorry Simon. I believe you will be third wheel for a while." I teased him.
He rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming."
"Anong gusto mong graduation gift Simon? Gusto ba ng waifu pillow ulit?" Airi asked.
"No thank you."
"I insist. Bibilhin ko. Or sex toy you want?"
I covered Airi's mouth. "I think that's enough," She bit my hands. I jerked. "What the hell?!"
She pouted the smiled, taking my hands and rubbed them. "Masaket ba? Kiss ko na ba Sandwo?" She said sweetly.
I could only sigh.
---
Rawr