CHAPTER 9
FASHIE was awaken by a smooth voice from somewhere.
“Fashie, sweetheart, wake up.” Someone shrug hed shoulders a little.
She yawned then stretch her arms. She opened her eyes. “Where... am...i...” Her mouth parted and her eyes widened.
Oh gosh, did i fell asleep?!
“Get up, sweetheart. Continue your sleep in your house.” Malamyos ang boses na sabi nito at bahagyang sinuklay ang nagulong buhok.
It is obvious and believable but she still ask. “Did i fell asleep?”
He nodded, “3 hours to be exact. Come on, get up. Baka nandiyan ang sundo mo.”
Fashie's eyes widened even more. “3 hours?!” May klase siya ng 2:20! “Omg, may klase kami ng—”
He speak, “Evion called. I told her to excuse you to your professor.”
Duon ay nakahinga siya ng maluwag.
Napatingin siya sa relo. She couldn't believe she slept for 3 hours. Pero hindi siya nakatulog kagabi, inatake siya ng insomia kaya inabot siya ng alas tres ng umaga bago makatulog.
Fashie look for a pony tail in her bag and found out a clamp with a design. Hindi niya ma-explain pero malali iyon na parang palaso na tatlo.
She clamp her hair while Timothy is watching her every moves. Kinuha niya ang bag at naglagay lang ng lip gloss bago niya isinukbit ang bag.
“Tara na.” Aya niya rito.
“Labasan na. Is it okay to you if students here sees us?” Seryosong sabi nito habang prenteng nakaupo sa bench.
Natahimik si Fashie. It is okay to her but once her family especially cousins found out about Timothy, she's dead, so is he.
She smile at him, “is it okay kung mauna ako?”
He nodded, “go on. Don't worry, i'm always watching you.” Anito.
Duon ay lumapad ang ngiti niya at bahagyang yumukod upang halikan ito sa pisngi.
He chuckled, “how about the lips?”
Pinalo niya ang braso nito nang hindi kalakasan. “Anong lips ka diyan!” Malakas ang boses na saway niya rito.
Here he is again, a tease and naughty.
“Kidding aside.” He pulled down a little her her upper body and kiss his forehead. “Go now.”
She wave her hands, “byebye.”
Angdaming estudyante ang pauwi na nang makalabas siya sa Terra Pulchritudinis. Alam na ni Manong Dante ang schedul niya kaya kahit hindi niya ito tawagan ay pumupunta na ito.
Bihira lang naman siyang lumabas. At kapag lalabas siya ay planado.
Fashie saw Evion and Ruthea like as if looking for someone. At mukhang siya ang hinahanap ng dalawa. Bago pa lumingon ang mga ito sa direksiyon niya ay dali-dali siyang tumalilis paalis sa lugar.
She doesn't know to explain it. Sigurado siyang tatanungin ni Evion kung sino ang kasama niya. And worst, magsumbong kila Kylie — kasama na ito sa gc niya at nagmeet na ang mga ito. Even Evion is not like that, there's a possibility.
Just few minutes, Manong Dante arrived. Mabilis siyang sumakay sa kotse at duon lamang siya nakahinga ng maluwag.
She's not yet ready. Saka anong sasabihin niya? Magkaibigan lang naman sila ni Timothy.
Kaibigan nga lang ba?
Takhang napaikot ang tingin ni Fashie sa kapaligiran. Staffs are everywhere. Are they starting on decoration?
To answer her question, Fashie entered the household. Busy people welcomed her. Her forehead knotted, is this for real?
She saw Daday walking towards us.
“Can you tell me what's happening? Why everyone is busy?”
“Dumating po si Senior at Seniora kaninang tanghali. Kaagad na nag-utos na magsimula ng maglinis at mag-ayos pati na rin ang mga cater. ” Daday answered her.
“Where's my mom and dad?”
“Si Seniora po nasa likod, tinitignan kung maayos ang mga halaman niya. Si Senior naman nasa library ulit.”
Fashie nodded, parang ngayon palang sumasakit na ang ulo niya.
Pinapunta nalang niya kay ate Daday ang bag sa kwarto niya at dumiretso sa likod.
There she saw her mom busy commanding about what to do and not to their housemaids.
“Mom,” she called her mother when Fashie get near her.
“Oh, my dear.” Her mom has a wide smile om her face. “Kanina pa ka nakauwi?”
She shook her head, “no.”
“I see. Go change, i'm busy with my plants. I'll talk to you later.” Humalik lang ito sa pisngi niya at umalis na sa harapan niya.
Sighing, Fashie went to her room upstairs. She change her clothes into her usual clothes when she's at home.
Ayaw niyang lumabas dahil maiirita lang siya sa makikita kaya umupo nalang siya sa couch niya sa loob ng silid ag nagbasa ng wattpad book.
WEARING A body-con long navy blue one sided sleeve, Fashie stared at herself in the mirror.
She looks fabulous and sophisticated. Her mother made her wore her favourite collection of diamond which really suits her look. Fashie's hair is in a designed bun.
Mukha na talaga siyang dalaga sa suot at ayos niya.
Kinuha niya ang Dior high heels na limited edition pa to complete her look. Her party starts at 7 pm, at konting minuto nalang ay magsisimula na kaya pinababa na siya.
Fashie's mother praised her when she saw her.
“My very gorgeous daughter.” Hinalikan siya nito sa magkabilang pisngi at umaktong tila inaayos ang damit niya.
Her father kiss her cheeks as well, “you look gorgeous, my child.”
A smiled appeared on her lips. “Thank you, daddy.”
“The event is about to start. Robert, halika na.” Tawag ng Mommy niya sa Daddy niya dahil mga ito ang unang lalabas bago siya.
Fashie cannot explain how nervous she was. Hanggang 16 niya ay halos kids party at hindi naman ganitong kabongga.
“Let's welcome, the birthday celebrant, Fashie Marquez Guerrero!” Nang tawagin siya ng emcee ay inayos na niya ang postura at nagsimulang naglakad palabas ng mansiyon dahil nasa harap nila ang venue.
Claps are all around, someone raise their toast and shee could hear their whispers.
“Is that her? She's gorgeous.”
“She's indeed a beauty.”
“Elegant.”
Ilan lang iyon sa narinig niya.
Kuya Theodore offered his arm to her that she instantly wrapped her arm to his.
“Happy birthday, you look gorgeous.” Bati nito sa kaniya.
“Thank you, kuya.”
At syempre hindi papayag ang lima niyang pinsan na si Kuya Theodore lang ang makalakad na kasama niya.
Kaya naman habang papunta siya sa gitna kung saan nakalagay ang uupuan niya ay iba't-ibang braso ang hinawakan niya. At ang huli ay si Kuya Warren.
“Happy birthday, our only princess.” He greeted her with a kiss on the forehead.
Fashie's replied is a wide smile. Having her kuyas and friends here made her happy. Buti nalang nandito ang mga ito. She will always thank them for being present in her life.
Kung ano-ano pa ang ginawa nila pero wala na siya roong pake. Hinahanap ng mata niya si Timothy. Makakapunta kaya siya? Pero sabi niya he will never miss this day for me.
Kylie poke her cheek. “Looking for someone?” Tanong nito. She joined their table. Kylie, Thallie, Amor, Ruthea and Evion while her cousins are in the next table near them. Ang mga magulang niya ay nakikipag-usap sa mga bisita nila at syempre, nakikipagnegosyo na rin.
She sighed when she checked her cellphone and it's already eleven pm.
Tumayo siya sa kinauupuan kaya napatingin sa kaniya ang lima.
“Where are you going?” It's Amor.
“To the comfort room.” ’Yun nalang ang sinabi niya pero ang totoo ay hindi naman siya roon pupunta.
She went at their backyard, no one is there. Magpapalipas lang siya ng sama ng loob. Fashie's heart is hurt. How could he not come? Is he busy again? Have readings?
She sat on the narra chair beside the fountain. The sound it made is calminh and soothing, but it didn't help her heart ease a bit.
Patingin-tingin siya sa cellphone niya kada-minuto. Hanggang hindi niya napansin ang oras at mag-aalas dose na ng ilang minuto.
Wala ma talaga siya. Malungkot na aniya. “Maybe he don't really mean it.” Bulonh niya.
“Who said i would not come? I told you, i won't miss this important day of your life.” A voice came from behind.
Her eyes widened and she immediately turned around her body to see if it is reall and he is really here.
“Timothy!” Nagagalak na tawag niya sa pangalan nito.
He smiled at her, “happy birthday, sweetheart.” Just now she notice a blue bouquet flowers he's holding. Fashie accepted it and give him a hug.
“Thank you... for coming.” Pakiramdam niya ay maiiyak siya. “I really thought you would not make it.” At tuluyan na mgang nagbagsakan ang mga luha sa mata niya.
She felt his hands on her cheeks, his tumb is drying off her tears.
“I told you i will come, didn't it?”
She sobs, “p-pero akala ko talaga hindi ka makakapunta.”
“But i am now here.” Masuyong anito at niyakap siya ng puno ng lambing.
This is their first hug and it feels so comfortable. Being in his arms like this makes her want to stay like this forever.
He kiss her forehead, “kumain ka na ba?”
She nodded, “oo. Ikaw? Anong gusto mo? Ihahain ko.” Aniya.
His daring eyes with so many emotions stared at her. “You. I want you.”
That made her speechless. She widened her eyes at him, “angbastos mo!”
His face remained serious and stoic. Sa susunod na sasabihin nito ay hindi niya alam bakit kinakabahan siya.
“Fashie Marquez Guerrero,” he called her with her full name!
Naumid ang dila niya. Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya habang ang isa ay nasa pisngi niya.
“Can i court you? Please, say yes.” His face is now pleading and hoping she would say yes.
She bit her lower lips. She's shock, does he like her? “Isn't it... weird? You're 4 years older than me and—”
“Fashie, it's a number. I wanna court you because i like you. And our age gap will never be a hindrance for me to stop from wanting you.” He caress her face, “you got me. You're soft, fragile and adorable. Someone that is opposite of me and my likes. But i like you, i like you very much. Please, let me court you.”
Fashie took a deep breath and stares at him back. This man likes her. Pakiramdam niya siya na ang pinakamasayang babae sa mundo. Her heart is pounding loudly, she's afraid it might explode.
Ang mga mata nito at napatitig sa baba dahil binalot ng katahimikan ang pagitan nila. Tila nawalan ng pag-asa ang kaninang puno ng pangungusap.
“Timothy...” She called him. “Timothy Desgustare...” He look up at her, with this small hope in his eyes. “Yes, you can.”
His face lit up and jump onto the air. “Oh fck, dmn! Thanks God!” He face her and touch her cheeks again. “Thank you, for giving me a chance. I will do everything to receive your Yes.” Mahigpit siya nitong niyakap at ramdam niyang masayang-masaya talaga ito.
Fashie hug him back using her one hand. Then he pulled away and kiss her forehead. Naramdaman niyang kinuha nito ang kamay niya at naramdamn niyang may isinuot ito sa palasingsingan niya.
Takhang napatingin siya rito nang mapagtanto kung ano iyon. “W-What is—”
“This is what i call Court Ring.” He kissed her hand. “I chose a simple design so you can wear it everyday. I want you to never remove this. This ring represents me as your suitor, and you as my goddess. As long as the ring is there, ibig sabihin patuloy parin akong mangliligaw. At syempre madadagdagan payan, kapag sinagot mo na ako.”
Ang papatulo niyang luha ay naudlot dahil sa sinabi nito. “Kakapaalam mo palang manligaw, iniisip mo na kaagan ang pagsagot ko sa'yo.” She rolled her eyes. He just laughs.
This ring will be very sentimental to her.
Inilagay nito ang baba sa kaniyang balikat. “I'm hungry,” bulong nito.
She smiled, “wait here. I'll get you food. Hindi ka pa nagdinner?”
He shook his head, “kagagaling ko lang sa Masbate.”
Nanlalaki ang matang napatitig siya rito. “Are you serious?! Tapos nagpunta ka dito?”
“It's your birthday, i won't miss it.”
Napahinga nalang ng malalim si Fashie, “okay, wait here. Kukuha lang ako ng food mo.” Aniya at umalis na at nagtungo sa kusina upang kumuha ng pagkain. Kawawa naman kasi ang manliligaw niya.
Fashie caress the ring on her finger, a court ring huh. That's new.
....
A/N: Age is just a number for adults, okay? Remember that this is fictional. It's still not a good idea of having a relationship to someone older than you especially if you're a minor while they are already in legal age. Better wait for the right time.
I computed their timeline and i realized na more than 4 years lang pala age gap nila kasi pagbabasehan 'yong age ni Ashton. 'Di ba 26 si Ashton noong nagmeet sila ni Carisha? So, basically, Timothy is 21 this time and Fashie is 17.
PRETTY IN DARK|PID