Tomorrow is Valentine's Day kaya may pa-promo na ang ibang food establishments around the area na mula pa kahapon at magra-run hanggang February 15.
Naglakad lang talaga kami para maghanap ng makakainan, and Luan likes to walk. Nag-uusap sila ni Clark, and everyone could hear the two of them baby-talked to each other. It was cute, though. Hindi nga nakakahiya kasi naku-cute-an sa kanila ang mga nakakasalubong namin.
Luan was gripping Clark's navy blue pants as he walked. Utos din ni Clark kasi ayaw niyang hawakan si Luan sa kamay. And his reason, malaki ang height difference nila ng bata at ayaw niyang masyadong ma-extend ang joints ni Luan sa braso kasi nga, bata pa at nasa developing stage pa ang muscles.
"Kakain kami ni Wuwan ng fish," pagkanta ni Clark habang naglalakad kami.
"Nining Kwerk, kakain si Wuwan guway!"
"Gulay."
"Guway."
"Gu . . ."
"Gu . . ."
"Lay."
"Way."
"Bakit ikaw bulol sa L?"
Natatawa na lang ako nang mahina habang sinasabayan silang maglakad. They really looked good together, and it was so adorable to see the two of them talk like this.
After two streets and three houses, pumasok kami sa isang mini garden restaurant. Good news kasi wala halos tao sa loob, maybe dahil alas-dos pasado na at tapos na ang lunch time.
Sa doorway pa lang, ang dami nang vines surrounding the walls. Pagdating sa loob, parang may dungeon feels at parang kulungan pa nga noong unang panahon sa dami ng grills. Kung hindi lang maraming flowers sa vases na malalapit sa mga mesa, baka ayain ko na si Clark sa ibang lugar kumain.
Wooden ang table na covered ng white cloth. Nakatayo lang si Clark sa likod ng upuang sinasampahan ni Luan.
Akala ko, wala siyang pakialam sa bata kasi mag-isang umaakyat sa silya. Bubuhatin ko na sana si Luan pero inawat ako ni Clark.
"Why?" tanong ko pa.
"Hayaan mo yung bata."
"Nahihirapan nga."
"Kaya ni Luan 'yan."
"Baka mapilayan."
"Hindi mapipilayan 'yan," katwiran niya. "If he can do things independently, hayaan mo siya. Huwag mong hayaang laging umaasa ang bata sa 'yo kasi bumababa ang self-reliance skills niyan."
Kinunutan ko na lang ng noo ang sinabi niya. "You didn't do that when you were the one taking care of me."
"I regret not giving you that treatment."
"Nining Kwerk, kakain po ako guway!"
Pagbaba ko ng tingin, nakaupo na nang maayos si Luan sa upuan niya.
"Okay po. Hahanap si Ninong Clark ng gulay. Behave lang si Wuwan, ha?"
"Opo!"
Tinapik lang ni Clark ang balikat ko para utusan akong maupo sa tabi ni Luan. Malamang na bantay ako ng bata habang siya ang oorder ng pagkain namin.
I was staring at Luan pagkaupo ko sa right side niya. The kid is really cute, and it makes me want to have a baby too. Pero ayoko ng ako ang manganganak. Para kasing stressful.
"Luan likes gulay?" I asked him and he cutely cupped his cheeks as he nodded.
"Kakain si Wuwan guway para very good."
"Wow, kakain si Luan ng gulay para very good."
Bulol si Luan sa L pero hindi masyado sa R. Matigas ang R niya, siguro kasi mahilig mag-growl. Basta para siyang wild baby siopao na lumabas mula sa gubat.
"You know what's this?" tanong ko saka itinuro ang candle holder na may pink and white candles na hindi pa sinisindihan at pinaka-centerpiece ng table namin.
"Kendew," sagot niya.
"Candles," pag-ulit ko. "You say candles."
"Ayaw."
"Bakit ayaw?"
"Ayaw." Tinakpan niya ang tainga niya saka pinalobo ang pisngi.
Ang sungit talaga ng batang 'to. No wonder, anak nga 'to ni Leo.
It didn't take Clark too long to get us our meal. When it comes to diet, buong barkada ni Kuya, strict sa kinakain nila. Clark got meat and veggies. May veggies din si Luan and leche flan dessert. He didn't ask me kung ano ba ang gusto ko, but he bought me a good amount of kare-kare and haluhalo.
Pero ang umagaw talaga ng attention ko ay yung red rose na nasa tray na dala niya. May label naman ng name nitong garden na naka-ribbon sa tangkay, so for sure, galing dito ang rose.
"Pawer!" sabi ni Luan habang itinuturo ang red rose na maganda ang pagkaka-bloom.
"Very good, flower," sabi ni Clark habang inililipat sa table namin ang mga dala niya mula sa tray. "Kanino ibibigay ang flower?"
"Tita Sab!" Tinuro ako ni Luan kaya napandilatan ko siya sunod si Clark na biglang natawa.
"Bakit kay Tita Sab?" napapangiting tanong ni Clark, focused pa rin sa paglalapag ng mga plato sa table.
"Bibigay sa girr . . ." sagot ni Luan saka nag-cup na naman ng chin niya.
"Anong gir? Girl," pagtatama ni Clark.
"Girr."
Tinawanan lang 'yon ni Clark at inabot ang rose kay Luan. "Bigay mo kay Tita Sab."
Sinunod naman 'yon ni Luan at ibinigay nga sa akin ang rose. Pigil na pigil naman ang ngiti ko sa kanilang magninong nang kunin ko ang bulaklak.
"Ano sasabihin dapat ni Tita Sab kay Ninong Clark?"
"I wav you!"
Gulat na gulat akong napapaling kay Luan dahil doon sa sinabi niya. "Anong I love you!" sabi ko pa. "Bakit I love you?"
"Si Dada, bibigay siya pawer si Mimy tas sasabi Mimy, I wav you."
"Very good," sabi ni Clark kaya tiningnan ko siya nang masama. "Ano sasabihin ni Tita Sab?"
"Hoy," sita ko sa kanya.
"Yung bata, naririnig ka," sabi pa niya habang natatawa sa 'kin.
"Luan, ang sinasabi kapag binibigyan ng flowers, thank you."
Ngumuso lang si Luan saka nagsalubong ang kilay. Parang kasalanan ko pang tama ang tinuturo ko! Aba!
"Naghihintay si Luan," parinig ni Clark.
"Si Luan ba talaga?" Sinipa-sipa ko siya sa ilalim ng mesa para lang hindi makita ng bata ang inis ko sa lalaking 'to.
"Wuwan, hindi very good si Tita Sab, 'no?"
"Tita Sab, hindi ikaw very good." Inirap-irapan pa 'ko ni Luan habang nagsasandok na ng pagkain niya. "Si Wuwan, very good."
"Kung ano-anong tinuturo mo sa bata, ha," naiiritang bulong ko kay Clark.
"Hindi ako. Sisihin mo yung tatay saka nanay niyan." Pero kahit ganoon, natatawa pa rin siya.
These two pesky boys. My gosh.
I glared at Luan next to Clark before I said it. "Oo na. I love you, Ninong Clark."
"Very good," Clark said, grinning at me.
I raised my middle finger at him, checking if Luan saw me. Good thing, the kid was focused on his food.
Clark was supposed to eat, but he ended up cleaning Luan's mess. Naka-white tux si Luan kaya lalong mas mahirap.
"Masarap ang food ni Wuwan?" tanong niya sa bata.
"Opo!"
"Very good. You finish your gulay so you can eat your leche flan, okay?"
Luan nodded and quickly munched his meal.
Clark wasn't feeding him as Leo did to his kid. Hinahayaan lang talaga niyang kumain. I have a different opinion about that since pa-baby kasi ako most of the time. And if I had Kuya around me, talagang magpapasubo ako.
Clark started eating nang dessert na ang kinakain namin ni Luan. When he said Luan must finish his meal, the kid really finished his meal kahit pa gulay lang ang meron sa plato. I barely eat veggies noong bata ako. Favorite ko kasi talaga ang fried chicken that was why I was fat. Will was the one who "forced" me to eat veggies kung ayaw kong lumobo nang bongga. And it worked—unless Kuya wanted to annoy me by eating desserts while I did my exercise routines.
"Next month na ang wedding ni Leo, ikaw na susunod?" tanong ko.
"Duda ako."
Nakagat ko ang dessert spoon dahil sa sagot niya. What does that mean?
"I thought ikakasal ka after Leo," I said.
"Sa darating na full moon ngayong Feb."
"What?"
"May family meeting kina Calvin saka sa mapapangasawa niya."
I looked like a curious bird, craning my neck near the table to hear Clark. "Then?"
"Mamamanhikan na yata."
"Wow . . ." I was amazed by it na hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. It was surprising kasi wala akong naririnig, and Calvin is not the loyal type, though. "Arranged ba 'to?"
"Yeah."
"Chinese din?"
"Ano pa ba?"
I see. Well, I saw it coming. Melanie is a Phoa and marrying a Lauchengco is a very good choice. Doon pa lang, ine-expect ko na ang patutunguhan ni Calvin.
"Si Calvin ba, Catholic?" tanong ko.
"Yes. Siya lang yung binyagan sa kanila. Pero family decision na 'yon, e. Nag-agree na siya."
"Really?" I replied with a scowl. "Okay lang sa kanyang magpakasal kahit arranged?"
"Expected na raw niya. Kaya nga walang sineseryoso 'yon."
Lalo pa akong lumapit para makitsismis. "I heard the last time I was there sa kanila, si Mel daw dapat ang pakakasalan niya. How true?"
"Kailan mo narinig?"
"Noong wedding din ni Mel. Parang disappointed yung mga katiwala nila na kay Pat ikinasal si Melanie."
"Si Calvin kasi ang nagbantay kay Mel mula pagkabata kaya siya ang nakasanayan n'ong mga katiwala nila roon sa Laguna."
I was supposed to say something, but that story was a lot closer to my heart—or to Clark, as well. And . . . I wasn't that close to Calvin or to Melanie, but it was sad to hear na boto sa inyo ang lahat and you grew up together, but you ended up with someone else.
I don't think Calvin saw Melanie as someone to marry. Ganoon din si Mel toward Calvin, but we can see how close they are.
"Nining Kwerk, ubos na!"
My mind shifted to Luan after wandering somewhere else. The kid really finished his food and that earned another very good from his Ninong Clark.
"Busog na si Wuwan?" tanong ni Clark.
"Opo."
"Very good. Babalik na tayo kay Dada saka kay Mimy."
Luan didn't say anything but nod. I finished my dessert and we headed outside the garden resto after that. Dala-dala ko ang rose galing sa garden paglabas namin kasi sayang. Rose din 'yon, hello?
"Nining Kwerk!" Luan exclaimed. He was doing a close-open in his hands, asking Clark to carry him.
"Aantok na si Wuwan?" tanong ni Clark kahit wala namang sinasabi ang bata maliban sa nagpapakarga lang naman.
Binuhat nga ni Clark ang bata pero tinakpan niya ng panyo ang kaliwang balikat niya. Kinuha na naman niya ang isang kamay ko saka kami naglakad pabalik sa hotel.
It was quarter to three in the afternoon, and we were trying to hide from the sun under the houses' roofs. The vintage feels of Intramuros made the vibe so nice kasi ang lakas maka-vintage kilig moments.
Wala akong jowa, so ie-enjoy ko na lang kahit sinong makaka-holding hands ko basta humihinga.
I peeked at Luan kasi tahimik. Clark was right, tulog na nga. Doon nakahiga ang ulo ni Luan sa malapad na balikat ng ninong niya na may nakalatag na handkerchief.
"You won't regret if Leo marries Ky?" I asked Clark.
"Ha?" He cringed at me. "Saan galing 'yon?'
Saglit ko siyang binangga sa kanang gilid. "Crush mo si Ky, di ba?"
"Ano ba 'yang mga naiisip mo, Sab?" naiiritang sagot niya. "Binibiro ko lang si Ky, pero kahit single 'yon, hindi ko babalaking pakasalan 'yon."
I was staring at his face, and he really looked annoyed. But not the kind of annoyed na inis na inis. We two have a love-hate-we-don't-know kind of relationship, as of the moment. I didn't want to enforce anything between us right now kasi parang mas busy pa si Mum sa panlalait sa wedding ni Leo over sa aming mga anak niya. And whatever it was na meron kami ngayon ni Clark, mas prefer ko na 'to over another headache caused by forced love life. Ang importante, wala akong gastos sa lalaki—kasi wala naman talaga akong panggastos in the first place.
We headed back to the hotel, and everyone glanced at us for a second, then their stares went back at us again with some questions in their eyes na parang gusto ko na lang sagutin na "Oo, magkasama kami ni Clark kasama si Luan, bakit?" kahit wala pang solid question na dina-drop.
Clark was holding my left hand, and I had a red rose in the other. Everyone was quiet as we walked, and someone lowered the music from the speakers.
Leo signaled something to us. Clark said something inaudible. I had no idea what it was na pinag-uusapan nila, and it took me a minute to realize that the silence around us was intended not to wake up Luan from his nap.
Clark let go of my hand and went inside the hotel. Iniwan niya ako sa garden kasama nina Kuya. Nang hindi na namin siya makita, saka bumalik ang lahat sa normal. Everyone continued what they were doing at nasa last part na pala ng photoshoot na bride and groom na lang ang kukunan. Wala nang suits and bow ties sina Kuya at naka-dress shirt na lang din.
"Ano 'yan?" tanong ni Kuya Ronie pagkakita sa hawak kong rose.
"Valentine freebie ng kinainan namin," sabi ko saka ipinakita ang ribbon na may tag ng garden resto.
"Kaka-lunch n'yo lang nina Daddy, kumain ka na naman?"
"I'm hungry kaya!"
"Tapos diet?" Kinurot naman ako ni Kuya sa pisngi saka ako hinatak palapit sa kanya. "Mag-sit-ups ka mamaya. Nagiging bonbon na mukha mo."
"Ayoko nga."
"E di don't. Magkabilbil ka sana."
"I hate you!" I slightly slapped him using my rose and watched Leo and Ky did their romantic shots.
Kuya Ronie hugged me from behind and let me rest on his muscular chest. Jaesie must be so lucky to have a man na may sturdy chest like my brother. Favorite higaan ko talaga ang katawan ni Kuya. Sayang, nakuha na ni Jaesie ngayon, how sad.
Leo, naturally, has the vibe of a hunter, and glaring might be his typical. But as we saw him look at Kyline, doon lang namin nakikita kung gaano ka-soft ang tingin niya sa mapapangasawa niya. I would die to have a man na titingnan ako na parang ako na lang ang pinakamagandang babae sa balat ng lupa, and the rest are just faceless.
"One, two, three!" Then the assistant threw the veil of Kyline in the air for a dramatic shot.
"Good take! Last!"
We were watching them do their wonderful wedding shots, and I was excited to have mine soon. If! Ikakasal nga ako.
Kyline wanted to see the shots sa laptop ng cameraman. Nanonood lang ako sa kanya kasi ang ganda talaga ni Ky sa gown niya ngayon—na hindi ang gown na susuotin niya sa mismong wedding kundi yung lumang dress na nakita namin kanina.
Busy si Ky sa pag-check ng mga photo. Busy naman si Leo sa pagpapaulan ng cheek kisses sa kanya.
Leo is not afraid to show his dark sides regularly, but he's not afraid to show his clingy side to everyone either. He has this vibe na hindi siya yuyuko sa kahit na sino kahit pa gilitan siya ng leeg. Pero kapag si Kyline, kahit maglakad pa siya nang paluhod sa bubog, ayos lang.
Baka ipinanganak lang talaga ako ni Mum para mainggit sa love life ng iba. Ang sad.
"Okay, good job, guys!"
Wrap up na sila.
Kuya didn't let go of the hug. Pinanood lang namin ang iba na kumilos at magligpit.
And here we are with our robotic complaints about our own blood.
"Where are your parents?" I asked Kuya.
"I wanted to cut ties with them as soon as possible," Kuya said with determination. "Then I'll change my name to something else."
"That's a good plan."
"Mum said the gown of Kyline is ugly."
"It is."
"I know," Kuya replied in a monotone. "But it's a family heirloom."
"Kahit pa."
"She shouted at Tita Linda."
"As I expected."
"We," he corrected.
"What happened?"
"Nothing worse, so far. But Mum's not liking the gown. It was way worse than Jaesie's jumpsuit, though."
"Jae's jumpsuit was powerful. Hindi lang updated si Mum sa trend."
"She was informed."
"But not favored."
"Unfortunately."
"Plan?"
"Wait. That's all."
"That's a bad plan."
"I know, but we have no other choice but to wait."
We both sighed, and I must say, magkapatid nga kami.
"Did Clark take you on a sudden date?"
"More like he fed Luan and I watched."
"What's with the rose?"
"Freebie nga."
"Kilig ka naman."
"Hoy!" I slightly slapped Kuya the rose to stop him from teasing me. "Kuya, intrigero ka!"
"Hahaha! Sad ka, wala kang ka-date bukas?"
"Makiki-third wheel ako kina Daddy o kaya sa inyo ni Jaesie."
"May Valentine's Day promo kami sa Purple Plate tomorrow. Busy kami ni Jae."
"Grabe, Kuya, mukha talaga kayong pera."
Tinampal agad ni Kuya ang noo ko. "Business 'yon. Palibhasa wala kang work ngayon. Mag-waitress ka nga sa amin bukas."
"Ayoko nga. Mapapagod lang ako."
"Tamad." Tinampal na naman ni Kuya ang noo ko kaya sinampal ko rin siya ng rose sa mukha.
"Hatid mo 'ko sa bahay," utos ko.
"Nah, pagagalitan ako ni Mum kapag nakita na naman niya 'ko. She's complaining nga sa gown ni Kyline, biglang napunta sa akin ang sermon."
"Ayan kasi. Hindi ka nga raw kasi nakikinig sa kanya."
"I want a new mom." He kissed me on the cheek and tapped my shoulder once. "Hanapin ko si Clark, uutusan kong ihatid ka."
"Puwede bang si Patrick na lang?"
"Sure! Tapos sabunutan ka ni Melanie. I'll be happy to see that."
"Ayoko talagang kapatid ka! 'Kainis!"
"Hahaha! Stay there, ha!" He pointed where I was standing. "Kapag wala ka diyan pagbalik ko, I'll call the police para ikulong ka."
"OA!"
♥♥♥