BHOCAMP #BlaRis #BHOCAMP10TWC
CHAPTER 44: GIFT
ERIS' POV
"Are you still awake?"
Blaze's chest rumbled with laughter. He kept swaying me while his arms were wrapped around my waist and his chin was on top of my head. Around us, The Joker and The Queen are playing softly, just right after the song Blaze chose for the wedding, Yours by Russell Dickerson, ended.
"Dapat kasi natulog ka na pagkakain. Hindi ka naman hahanapin ng mga 'yan."
Isinandal ko ang ulo sa dibdib niya at nilingon ko ang pamilya namin. Katatapos lang naming kumain at wala na rin namang gagawin dahil may nakasalo na ng bouquet ko. Wala rin naman kaming detailed na program bagay na alam kong ikinaka-stress ng wedding coordinator namin. I mean saan ka naman nakakakita ng kasal na wala ng gagawin after sabihin ng pari na "You may now kiss the bride"?
But I want my wedding not to be just about me. Kada naman kasi may ikinakasal sa BHO CAMP ay parang nagiging family reunion na. Kaya nga ang tagal lagi ng reception dahil kainan at kuwentuhan lang talaga ang nangyayari. Ayoko namang mapilitan sila na makisali sa mga kadalasang ginagawa sa kasal samantalang taon-taon na lang ata may ikinakasal sa amin. It's just going to be too redundant. Kahit ako ay pagod ng ulitin ang mga ginagawa sa kasal sa dami kong napuntahan niyon kahit pa sabihing hindi naman ako bride noon. Weddings in BHO CAMP really revolve around the wedding of the bride and groom, and not what happens after. Maging ako ay ang unang bahagi ng araw ang inaabangan ko sa mga kasal ng mga agent.
Napangiti ako nang matanaw ko ang wedding coordinator namin na si Jennifer. Kasalukuyan siyang nakikipag-inuman kasama ang mga magulang nina Athena at Hera.
"Meron bang kasal na nawala ang groom?" tanong ni Blaze.
"Kahit ako pa ang mawala sure akong hindi nila mapapansin."
Our wedding reception is located on the beach, just a few meters away from where Blaze and I took our vows. My wedding organizer set up a huge white tent for our outdoor setting. There's what felt like hundreds of lanterns and fairy lights hanging around us to illuminate the place, since the sun had already set.
Sa labas naman ng tent ay may naka-set up na projector. Noong una ay ipinapalabas lang doon ang mga video na magkasama kami ni Blaze. His proposal video got played a number of times before Ainsley, Athena's daughter, went to me and asked if we could watch a movie instead.
Kaya ngayon ay imbis na mga bata lang ang nanonood ay nakaupo na rin sa buhanginan ang ilang agents kasama ang mga anak nila. Even the Original Elites are there. May iba naman na nasa loob pa rin ng tent pero katulad ng iba ay mga nakaharap din sa projector para manood. Kanina nga ay nag-iiyakan pa sila habang pinapalabas sa projector ang kuwento ng isang ama na nawalay sa anak niya. Hindi ko akalain na heavy drama pala ang Finding Nemo.
"Stop worrying about me. I've been into a mission where I haven't slept for forty-eight hours."
"It's our wedding day. Not a mission."
Bahagya siyang lumayo sa akin at naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa baba ko. Marahan niyang inangat ang mukha ko para mabigyan niya ako ng magaang halik sa mga labi. "My mission today is to give you a lot of orgasms."
Malakas na napasinghap ako na ikinatawa niya lang. We've done things and there were times that we almost crossed the line, but Blaze proved that he still has self control. He's not the kind of person to follow rules, but he tried hard to follow my father's ultimatum. Later, he's going to be unleashed and I'll be the lucky one receiving all of him.
"Blaze?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you happy?"
Muli siyang nagbaba ng tingin sa akin. Hindi man niya sabihin sa akin ang kasagutan sa tanong ko ay nakikita ko na iyon sa mga mata niya.
"Before you, I thought I already know the meaning of happiness."
I gave him a soft smile. He's trying to talk around it. Naiintindihan ko naman siya. No bride wants to be reminded of his groom's past. No matter how accepting you are, you want your day to be yours. But just like I said, my wedding day is not just my day, and Blaze and I have long accepted the kind of history that we had.
"You mean when you were with my sister?" Inangat ko ang mga kamay ko na nakalapat sa dibdib niya at ikinawit ko ang mga iyon sa leeg niya. "Others might not understand, but I rather that you had her during those times that you needed someone, and I was not in your life yet. Kahit na sa huli ay kinailangan niyong maghiwalay, alam kong minahal ka niya ng totoo sa paraan na kaya niya. And there's no one in this world that I would have trusted my sister with at that time except for you."
Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. He traced the side of my cheek with the back of his hand. "How did I ever get this lucky?" Sandaling nakatingin lang siya sa akin na para bang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na ito na ang hinaharap na sasalubong sa amin. For the rest of our lives, we would be together. He will always have me. "She asked me before what's the best day of my life. I told her that it was everyday that she was in it."
I nodded and ran my fingers through his hair. "You were happy."
"Now she and I know how different it was, because we now belong to the people that made us see what real happiness could be."
Parehas naming nilingon ang kinaroroonan ng mga kapatid namin. Katulad ng iba ay nanonood din sila sa pelikulang ipinapalabas. Karga nila ang mga anak nila habang nakasandal ang ulo ng kapatid ko sa asawa niyang nakapalibot ang isang braso sa kaniya.
"Nothing is enough for me when it comes to you. With you, I want to be selfish. I want your every second, because the happiness you bring is so intoxicating. Sometimes when it's late at night and you're in my arms, I didn't want to close my eyes. You make me so happy that I don't want to end the day just yet."
He wanted to know how lucky he could be, when here I am feeling like I'm the lucky one.
"The day that you got buried alive, I took you in my arms and you weren't breathing. You were so still and so cold. If you died that day, I would have gone with you."
"Blaze..."
"Just the thought of you not existing feels like death to me. What kind of life would it be if I didn't have you with me?"
It felt the same way to me. Those days when I thought that I could lose him at any second were the worst moments of my life. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng buhay ang magkakaroon ako kung kinuha siya sa akin.
"I know what pain felt like. I know what it's like to be broken. I know the feeling of being trapped into a suffocating darkness, and all through that I still lived. But without you, I couldn't. I wouldn't."
I shook my head and I gave him a gentle smile. "Someday, when it's time for me to go, and I need to leave you... I need you to try for awhile. Kasi sa panahon na 'yon, hindi lang ikaw ang iiwan ko. At that time, we probably had children that still needed you. Kailangan ka rin nila." Pain flashed in his eyes, but he returned my smile. "But if by chance it's you that will need to leave me first, it's okay with me. So that I could keep my promise to you that I will never leave you."
Kinuha niya ang isa kong kamay at inilapat niya ang mga labi niya sa likod ng palad ko. "We still have a lot of time."
"You'll have me for a long long time."
"But for now, I need to let you go."
I gave him a questioning look, but he just smiled and pulled away. Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at iniharap ako sa maliit na platform na nasa unahan ng reception set up. I found my father standing at the stage awkwardly with a microphone in his hand.
"Can I have everyone's attention for a moment, please?"
Nilingon ko ang kinaroroonan ng mga nanonood at nakita kong patay na ang projector. Tumatayo na rin ang mga agent para humarap sa kinaroroonan namin.
"Tara na! Panoorin na nating umiyak si Aries," narinig kong sabi ng uncle ko na si Andreige Lawrence. "Tirador ng mga Wright pala ang mga Reynolds. Ninakaw na lahat ng mga anak niya."
Nang-aasar na inilagay ng isa ko pang uncle na si Marveige Lawrence ang mga kamay niya sa gilid ng mga labi niya para kantiyawan ang ama ko, "Aries gusto mo ng hug?"
Naiiling na napabuntong-hininga ang ama ko. Sa mga taon na naging parte siya ng pamilya ng mga Lawrence ay nasaksihan na niya ang patunay na hindi lang si Mama ang sakit ng ulo kung hindi maging ang mga kapatid niya. He has long accepted that headaches that the Lawrences could bring. Si Tito Craige lang naman kasi ang matino sa magkakapatid. Kaya lang nakapag-asawa naman siya na kayang taubin ang kalokohan ng lahat ng mga kapatid niya.
"I'll get a hug from my wife, but thank you for the offer," my father said to the microphone.
Napatawa na lang ako nang maririnig sa iba't ibang bahagi ng lugar ang mga salitang "Para ka ng others, Aries.".
"Since I have everyone's undivided attention, I would like to say something. Sa kasal ng panganay ko na si Enyo ay siya ang may mensahe para sa pamilya namin. I would need to wait until my hair is completely white before Eris would do that."
Kilala ako ng pamilya ko. I would melt if I speak in front of them kahit pa na kilala ko na sila buong buhay ko.
"The moment that I married my wife, I knew that my life wouldn't be ordinary. For years, I attended more weddings than a normal person probably went to in a couple of his lifetimes combined. I just didn't know that for two consecutive years that I would be attending the weddings of my daughters."
Nagkatinginan kami ng kapatid ko na nakapaloob pa rin sa bisig ng asawa niya. She threw me a smile and I returned it to her.
"I would have appreciated it if I was given a few more years before I'm taking another of my children into the arms of the one she chose to marry, but I guess I can't blame the Reynolds men for wanting to put a ring on my daughters fingers immediately. Like their mother, they are the kind of light that you would want to be in your life." My father's gaze went to me, and he held mine for a moment. "Anyone would be lucky to have my Eris. I know that, because I was lucky to be her father."
I heard a stifled sob beside me and when I look to my side, I saw my mother watching my father. Kumawala ako kay Blaze at hinayaan niya naman ako nang makita niya kung saan ako papunta. Tumayo ako sa tabi ni Mama at yumakap ako sa kaniya.
"Ma, inunahan mo pa si Papa na umiyak," biro ko sa kaniya.
"Enyo and Eris were born as twins. Before, they always used their similarities to their advantages. They would often exchange clothes and pretend to be the other, confusing the hell out of everyone around them. If someone is looking for the other twin, one will take on the role instantly. I thought they just enjoyed playing with everyone, but as time went by I realized that it's because they always have each others backs. Kung may makulit na manliligaw at hinahanap si Eris, at alam ni Enyo na ayaw ng kapatid niya sa taong iyon, she will not bat an eye and break his heart for her sister. When Enyo needed Eris, she would do the same. I'm their father, but I know for a fact, that they could live without me and my wife as long as they had each other." Napapangiting napailing siya habang parang inaalala ang mga pinagagawa naming magkapatid. "Sometimes late at night I would wake up, and I would find them in the kitchen. Enyo would be sitting on a chair, her feet barely touching the ground, while Eris would pull out a small ottoman stool to stand on so that she could make a sandwich for her sister. When they grew up, Eris would cook food for Enyo and stock up her fridge so that she wouldn't go hungry. Minsan mas marami pang laman ang refrigerator ni Enyo kesa sa bahay naming mag-asawa. When one of them is sick, you'll find them together lying side by side. Kahit na may posibilidad na magkahawaan sila ay ayaw nilang maghiwalay."
That's the advantage of having a twin. Hindi lang kapatid ang meron ka. Meron ka ring best friend. Cane and Cana would have that from each other. And I hope that my future children would have it too.
"Don't get me wrong. Hindi sila laging magkasundo. Maraming pagkakataon na nag-aaway sila. Pero kahit anong inisan at tampuhan, hindi nila magagawang iwan ang isa't isa. Maybe that's why, it's not easy for me to let them go. I spent years thinking that they would be fine with just the two of them, but now I know that I'm wrong. Because I watched the light in their eyes dim for years. I watched them struggle from the battles they wouldn't share with us. One moment they were my little girls, and the next they grew up. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't protect them from everything in this world. I realized that they didn't need someone to shield them from the pain that this life could bring. They just needed someone that they could share it with. Eris and Enyo might have that from each other, but they need someone that the world didn't give them the moment they were born, but to create their own path and find the one that they will choose to be theirs."
Sa pagkakataon na ito ay hindi na lang si Mama ang lumuluha kundi maging ako. Aries Liam Wright might not be an agent, but he's the kind of father that would have exhausted every life he has left for us three; his girls.
"In this life, I was fortunate enough to be given two kinds of daughters. My Enyo, my wanderer one, and my Eris, my dreamer. Enyo would chase the world and make it hers. Eris would dream of it and make it hers too. Life gave Enyo a husband that could give her a companion to the adventure that she needed, and Eris was given a husband that she could share her dreams with. And for that, I want to thank Stone and Blaze, the thieves that took my daughters, but also the men that I know that will take care of them even when the time comes that we won't be here for them anymore. For that I will always be grateful. Welcome to the family."
"Dapat pala magpasalamat sa akin," narinig kong bulong ni Blaze kay Kuya Stone na nakalapit na pala sa amin kasama ang asawa at mga anak. "Isang taon na kayong kasal pero ngayon ka lang winelcome."
My mother choke with laughter and tears, while I just shook my head at my husband. My husband. I wonder when will I get used to calling him that?
"Before I dance with my daughter, I think it's about time that you make a speech too. Tutal apat na mga anak mo ang nanakaw na rin," biro ni Papa habang nakatingin sa isang direksyon na nang sundan ko ay nakita kong naroon ang ina nila Blaze. "May I call on to Hurricane Reynolds?"
Nagpupunas ng magkabilang pisngi na umakyat ng stage ang ginang na pinaningkitan ng mga mata ang ama ko bago kinuha ang mic. My father just gave her a knowing smile before he went down and went in our direction.
Pinakawalan ako ni Mama at kaagad na yumakap ako sa ama ko. He enveloped me into a tight embrace and he gave the top of my head a kiss, before pulling my mother inside his arms where I am too. It wasn't long before we felt someone wiggling herself inside the hug.
Nakangiting mukha ng kapatid ko ang bumungad sa amin. My mother is on my father's left, she's on the right, and I'm at the center being hugged by all of them.
"Thank you, Aries, sa pagdamay sa akin," bungad ng ina nila Blaze. "But you are right. Hindi lang kayo ang nanakawan. A part of me feels sad, because after all, I carried this four beautiful children inside me for months, and me and my husband raised them for the most amazing years of our lives. Pero malaking parte sa akin ang kampante lang. I know that they won't be gone. They are still mine, and if you think just because your children are married na hindi na nila kayo kukulitin para sa pagkaliit na mga bagay ay nagkakamali kayo. From time to time, I'll roll around the bed, and I would be surprised that Sky or Storm would be there sleeping. Kapag tinanong ko kung anong ginagawa nila sa kuwarto naming mag-asawa, sasagot sila na kasi raw stress sila sa sarili nilang mga asawa at kailangan nila ng Me Time. Me Time pero sa amin nakasiksik. Stone would often call my husband in the middle of the night asking what to do dahil may tampuhan silang mag-asawa at sinasilent treatment siya. Of course, my husband, that lived a lot of years being at the receiving end of my silent treatment, would give him advise, that I hope Blaze would take note of. Kapag kasalanan mo ay kasalanan mo. Kapag kasalanan ng asawa mo, kasalanan mo pa rin."
Napuno ng tawanan ang lugar at sa kabila ng luha ay napahagalpak din ako ng tawa. Blaze gave me a look as if telling me that he already knew that. Minsan na rin niya kasing sinabi iyon sa akin.
"Weddings are not just about letting go. It's also about receiving more. Dahil magkakaroon ka na ng panibagong dadagdag sa pamilya mo. Sometimes Adonis would come to our house when Sky's out because she's working at that time, and he will take me and Reese out with our grandchildren. Manonood kami ng sine, kakain sa labas, at papasyal. Si Hermes naman magugulat ka na lang at nasa kusina na namin para magluto kapag may naiisip siyang ipa-try sa amin. And just recently, Enyo visited us without her twins. She asked my husband to teach her how to cook. Kapag si Ocean daw kasi ang nagturo sa kaniya ay iinit lang ang ulo niya, at nahihiya naman daw siya kay Hermes. Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, my husband tend to make a kitchen explode whenever he's cooking. He's not a good cook, but as years passed he learned. I guess from a terrible cook to someone that was once a nightmare in the kitchen, they found a kindred spirit."
"Iyong feeling na hindi siya nahiya sa akin," pasaring ni Ocean sa kapatid ko.
"Ikaw nga hindi nahiya sa akin no'ng dalin mo sa hotel ang ipinakilala ko sa'yo na dati kong kaklase sa first date pa lang ninyo," sabi ni Enyo sa kaniya.
"Sa restaurant lang ng hotel ko siya dinala! I wasn't planning on anything— aray ko!" Masamang tingin ang ibinato ni Ocean kay Harmony na basta na lang siyang sinipa sa likod ng tuhod niya. His knees almost buckled and gave out on him kung hindi lang siya napakapit sa katabi niya na si Chlymate. "What was what for?"
"Dapat sa mga katulad mo, binubura sa mundong 'to," asik ng babae.
Inosenteng namilog ang mga mata ng lalaki. "Bakit?"
"Kasi... kasi... kasi hindi ka tao!"
"So ano ako? Hayop?"
"Buti alam mo."
Kumurba ang malawak na ngiti sa mga labi ni Ocean. "Sabi mo sa isa mong interview ay animal lover ka. Kaya pala patay na patay ka sa akin dahil sa hayop ko na kagwapuhan."
"Kids, quiet." Naputol ang kantiyawan sa pananaway ng ina nila Blaze. "As I was saying, weddings don't take away from us. Nadadagdagan lang ang mga kumukulit sa atin and at the same time may nakakahati tayo sa sakit ng ulo na dala ng mga anak natin. They'll have two set of parents, and a bigger family. Kaya kung ako sa inyo ay ipakasal niyo na ang mga anak niyo. Iilan na lang ba ang hindi pa lumalagay sa tahimik?" She scanned the crowd and her eyes stopped in Erebus' direction. "Ikaw na kaya ang sumunod? Tutal eh tahimik masyado ang buhay mo dahil natutulog ka lang, lagyan mo naman ng konting ingay. Sino bang nakasalo ng bouquet? Sa dami kong kasalan na napuntahan wala pang nakakasira ng tradisyon. Itanong niyo pa sa nanay ko." Mishiella Night raised her hands and gave a thumbs up in response to her daughter. "To end this impromptu speech, I would just like to thank everyone here. BHO CAMP is not just a place, not just a home, but it's a family. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko malalagpasan lahat ng pinagdaanan ng pamilya ko kung hindi dahil sa inyong lahat. My family and I are still standing here, because everyone of you became our pillars those times that the ground that we were standing on started to crumble. For the rest of my life, I will carry that gratitude. To blood we awaken, to justice we rise, and to our comrades we will gladly fall."
Whistles and cheers could be heard. I can feel the hair at the back of my neck rising, because what she said at the end is something that is familiar to everyone that took the oath of the organization. It's signifying how the blood that has been shed started an organization that vows to honor it. For justice we all come together, and we will lay our lives down to protect one another.
From the speakers around us, the song Piece of my Heart by Chris Mason played, and without asking, I know it's for the father and bride dance.
Sa malaking screen sa gitna ng entablado ay kita ang tila compilation ng mga video naming pamilya mula noong mga bata pa lang kami ng kapatid ko. From the screen, I can see me and my sister as babies. Karga kami ni Papa sa magkabilang braso habang nakangiting isinasayaw niya kami at paminsan-minsan ay tumitingin siya sa camera kung saan alam kong sa likod niyon ay naroon si Mama.
Someday you might be the president
Someday you might be a star
Someday you might be a home owner
You might even play guitar
In the between and all the fun
I'll be by your side
I'll love you, cause you're a piece of my heart
"Eris, let go of your sister. This is you and your father's song," Mama said to me.
Imbis na sundin siya ay lalo lang akong yumakap sa kapatid ko at sa kaniya. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Enyo na humigpit ang pagkakayakap sa akin at kay Papa na nasa kabilang bahagi niya.
"Girls," she warned.
"Ayaw," sabi ko.
"No," my father said.
Napatawa lang kaming dalawa ni Papa nang paningkitan kami ng mga mata ni Mama. May mga pagkakataon na magkaparehas sila ng kapatid ko, pero marami ring pagkakataon na parehas na parehas kami. Isa ang bagay na ito roon. He hates attention the way I do too.
"And since when that it's just me and Papa? It's always been us four," I told my mother.
What ever you do
Where ever you are
No matter the time, the place, near or far
In all the good, and all that's hard
I'll love you, cause you're a piece of my heart
Someday you might make big mistakes
Someday you might break hearts
Someday you might just fall in love
You might even Drive a car
In the between and all the change
I'll be by your side
I'll love you, cause your a piece of my heart
Something passed between me and my father. His eyes glazed for a moment, while my own got filled with tears. I can't help but remember that time in the garage.
"A hard path doesn't mean an unhappy one, specially if the easy road means not having you at the end of it."
He was right. Of course he was. If I took the easier path, I would never know what it's live to be loved and love someone as much as I do now. If I took the easier path, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. Hindi kailangan maging madali ng buhay para maging masaya ka. There will be struggles, but if you're with someone that will hold your hand, you will get passed through the unimaginable challenges that life will throw on your path.
What ever you do
Where ever you are
No matter the time, the place, near or far
In all the good, and all that's hard
I'll love you, cause you're a piece of my heart
Someday you might just change the world
I know you're changing mine
Someday you might have a family
Don't worry, take your time
In the between and every part
I'll be by your side
I'll love you, cause you're a piece of my heart
"Thank you, Papa," I mouthed to him.
His only response was to take me in his arms. My mother pulled on my sister and she enveloped her into a hug while they watched my father take me in his. Ikinulong ni Papa ang mukha ko sa mga kamay niya at binigyan niya ako ng halik sa noo.
"I love you," he whispered to me. "Now go to your husband, before he kill Ocean."
Nang lingunin ko si Blaze ay nakita kong nangunguyapit sa kaniya si Ocean na umaaktong sinasayaw siya ng lalaki. Storm and Sky are goofing around and dancing with each other, ang nanay naman nila ay sinasayaw ng asawa niya, at si Stone ay karga si Cana at Cane.
My father gave me another kiss on the forehead, before he let me go. Lumapit ako kay Mama at sandaling yumakap ako sa kanila ng kapatid ko at pagkatapos ay humalik ako sa pisngi ng ina ko bago ako humiwalay na para puntahan si Blaze.
I pulled at Ocean's collar and I pushed him towards Harmony who was busy texting. She caught him instinctively because she was taken by surprise. Pero nang makita niya na si Ocean ang ngayon ay nasa bisig niya at aakalain mo ay nasa romcom na palabas ay basta na lang niyang binitawan ang lalaki.
"Hey, husband," I called to Blaze.
His eyes shine with amusement, "Hey, wife."
"It's your time to whisk me away," napatingin ako sa langit na kunwa'y nag-iisip. "Saan nga pala tayo pupunta? Sa hotel lang ba? Mas okay do'n walking distance lang. Para kasing hindi na kayang abutin ng diwa mo kung mangingibang lalawigan o bansa tayo. Baka ikaw pa ang buhatin ko—"
Napatili ako nang basta na lang niya akong kinarga. As if proving his strength, he started walking out of the huge tent. I threw my family and friends a smile. I waved at them and they waved back while the others started cheering loudly. Some of them even threw petals at us. Pati ang mga batang karga nila ay nakikihagis din.
We were almost out of the crown when Blaze suddenly stopped. Sa pagkagulat ko ay sa mabilis na kilos ay nagawa niyang alisin ang wedding garter sa pagkakasuot sa akin. Without missing a beat, he threw it at Erebus' direction that was currently on mid-yawn.
"Ipinapasa ko na sa'yo ang sumpa. I hope you'll be as happy as I am. But first, you need to pull your head out of your ass. Actually, both of you need to," he straightforwardly said to Erebus. Pagkasabi niyon ay tuluyan nang naglakad palayo si Blaze.
I was expecting for us to go back to the hotel room. Hindi ko alam kung kumuha siya ng panibagong kuwarto o ang ginamit niya na kuwarto ang tutuluyan namin. Either way, it's fine with me. Pero imbis na sa direksyon ng hotel pumunta ay direksyon ng dagat ang tinutungo namin.
"Uhh... parang kakakasal lang natin para pagtangkaan mo ko na lunurin." Nang tumawa lang siya ay pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. "Are we going on a late night swim? Gusto mo ba ng part two ng skinny dipping natin? Okay lang naman sa akin pero ang lapit lang ng pamilya natin sa atin. Baka maaalala pa ni Dawn na may atraso tayo sa kaniya."
"We can skinny dip, but we won't be doing it here."
"Then where?"
"To our island."
Dumiretso siya sa tubig. Balewala lang sa kaniya na basa na ang pantalon niya. When I looked at the direction we're taking, I saw a man waiting for us on a small speedboat. Nang makita niya si Blaze ay kaagad na bumaba siya mula roon.
Inakyat ako ni Blaze sa speedboat at pagkatapos magpasalamat sa lalaki ay sumampa na rin siya.
"Did you just say our island?" I asked.
"Yes."
Hinubad niya ang suit jacket niya at ipinatong niya iyon sa tabi ko. He pulled his necktie off, and he unbuttoned his cuffs to roll it up. For a moment, I could only watch him, while my lustful self got woken up from its slumber. He's hot and he's my husband. Ang swerte ko naman.
When I found the will to take my eyes off his body so that I could meet his eyes, I saw that he's giving me a knowing look, as if he knows where my mind wandered.
Muli ko siyang tinanong, "Like an island that you rented for our honeymoon?"
The engine roared, and his lips tipped up. He winked at me and I felt it sent a spiriling heat all over me. "No. An island that I bought for you."
Napakurap ako. "What?"
"It's my wedding gift to you."
"Blaze!" I hissed. "Who buys an island as a wedding gift?"
"I do."
"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?"
"Then it won't be a surprise."
Nakasimangot na humalukipkip ako. "I'm not prepared. Wala pa kong wedding gift sa'yo."
"Sino namang may sabi na wala? You have a gift for me."
I rolled my eyes. "Ang kagandahan ko?"
"Yes, but that's not what I meant," he said through a chuckle.
"Ang pagmamahal ko?"
"Again, yes, but not that one." Yumuko siya sa direksyon ko at binigyan niya ako ng mabilis na halik. His eyes are telling me more than words can say. A promise of what's about to come. "You're my gift and I'll take my sweet time unwrapping you, baby."
Inspiration for Blaze and Eris' wedding reception.
__________________________End of Chapter 44.