And all my narratives always ended up with being utterly captivated by your enigmatic beauty. And I love you so...
***
Maagang nagpaalam si Ilyich na uuwi muna sa kanilang unit ni Red matapos namin kuhanin ang naging results ng kaniyang mga test kahapon. She will be busy today.
But she managed to cook breakfast and leave a note and bouquet.
Always the loving and gentle, giant.
I was driving myself to school when I remember something from the past. It was a simple interaction that changed my life.
Itatanong ko nga kay Mommy kung naitabi pa nila yung cassette tape na iniyakan ko noong sinamsam ni Dad dahil ayoko pang matulog dahil gusto kong paulit-ulit itong pinapakinggan.
***
The soft yet alluring piano keys kept playing in the empty theater hall. A kid who appears to be five years old is playing the piano with expertise. Her hand was light and and almost like a wind touching each keys. Parang ipinanganak ito para tumugtog ng piano.
She was playing with no care around her. She didn't notice an intruder's prying eyes. Equally amazed and captivated.
She watched the other kid play the piano like a pro. Wala siyang maipintas sa galing nito sa pagtipa ng bawat nota. Pulido at mahusay ang pagkakagawa.
Parang kung paano lang mag-piano ang kaniyang mommy tuwing may request siyang piyesa o tuwing may music class ito.
Tila nasanay na siya sa perpektong estilo nang pagtugtog ng piano kaya alam niyang talentado ang nag-titipa ngayon sa nga notang humahalina sa kaniyang pandinig. The kid was playing one of Mozart's composition.
Ngunit agad siyang napamulat sa pagkaka-pikit noong magbago ang takbo ng mga nota. Hindi niya kilala ang composition na tinutugtog ngayon. Ngunit kagaya ng kina Choplin, Bach, at Mozart sobrang ganda nito. Parang paanyaya ang tunog sa paraiso.
Mabagal, Maingat at may lambing ang bawat nota.
Kailangan niya malaman kung anong composition ito nang mai-request niya sa kaniyang ina bago matulog bukas o hindi kaya mamaya.
Batid niyang hindi dapat siya naririto dahil recital ito na dadaluhan ng ina para mag-judge.
Ngunit sa kagustuhan niyang manood ng mga tutugtog ay nauna pa siya sa mga ito.
Sarado pa kasi sa may labas. 30 minutes pa bago magsimula.
Natapos na ang tumugtog kaya hindi niya napigilan ang pagpalakpak.
Sa gulat ng bata na kanina ay nalunod sa kaniyang musika ay lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng palakpak.
The girl who appears to be older than her is pretty. Parang ang kaniyang Hermana Louise, pero para sa kaniya ay mas maganda ang estrangherang bata.
"You shouldn't be here." She exclaimed in hushed tone.
"I know. I am sorry. I was just excited for the recital. What was the last piece you played?" Masiglang tanong ni Reverence sa kausap. She is captivated by the music the little one produced a while ago.
"It was my entry for the recital. It is my own composition. It is Fairies and Lullaby." Ruelle replied in her low register. Lumapit naman sa kaniya ang batang si Reverence na ngayon ay may kumikislap na mata at mawalak na ngiti.
"Can I have a copy of your composition?" She boldly inquiried.
"No!" Giit naman ni Ruelle sa kausap. Sumimangoy naman si Reverence sa nakuhang sagot sa kausap. Akala niya ay magiging madali lang ang pagkumbinse niya rito na ibigay ang kopya ng composition para maitugtog ito ng kaniyang mommy para sa kaniya ngunit parang hindi umaayon ang kausap.
"Fine. Can we settle for an agreement?" Pag-bargain nito upang makuha ang gusto.
"Okay. I will only talk to people who knows law. Ibibigay ko sa'yo ang composition once you become a lawyer like my Dad." Ani ng bata na nagpasimangot sa kaniya.
"Then you will become an Engineer in exchange because they are cool." Segunda naman ni Reverence. At kapwa sila naka-simangot dahil hindi nila kagustuhan ang nangyari.
"You should stop frowning. Ang panget mo na." Ani ni Ruelle na mas lalong nagpasama sa mukha ng kausap.
"Here, this is a cassette player. I put here my composition pero secret lang natin ha? Don't tell the others, okay?" Ruelle asked with a smile. At noong maiabot niya ito kay Reverence ay may malawak na ngiti na rin ito.
Mabilis din nitong iniabot ang musical pin na galing sa kaniyang ina.
"Take this pin. Iyan ang bayad ko rito sa cassette player mo." Reverence said before they heard a loud whistle from the admin of the recital. Agad na tumakbo si Reverence palabas ng theater hall. Pagkalabas niya ay doon niya rin nalaman na sa kabilang theater pala dapat sila dahil doon ang recital na dadaluhan ng ina.
***
Mabilis na natapos ang araw ko since the students were cooperative. Nahihirapan man ay nakaka-sabay naman ang mga ito sa discussion kanina. They are all good.
Mga pwede na bigyan ng 100 test item with situational analysis.
I mean, I like presenting my subject as a challenge for students to set up their game. Lalo na kapag major subjects because I want them to be uncomfortable, since uncomfortable situation allows growth. At gusto ko silang mas matuto. I know that most of them call me devil or other names but they can never complain with my competency since I always present my students with higher level of learning. I always put my best teaching them whatever they need to know.
Especially, the world is unforgivable. Ayokong sanayin silang mahina baka isang hampas palang ng kapalaran ay hindi na nila kayanin.
And I know when to be soft and firm when I am teaching. Dahil dapat alam nila ang disiplina dahil kung wala noon, wala rin ang lahat.
Halos hindi ko namalayan ang oras at nakarating na pala si Ilyich Ruelle sa harap ko dala ang pagkain sa paborito naming restaurant. Bakas ang pagod sa mga mata nito ngunit malawak at malambing pa rin itong ngumiti sa akin.
"Happy Lunch, My love." Masuyong ani nito bago halikan ang ulo ko at caress my cheeks softly. I cannot help but to turn deep shade of crimson.
Her simple yet sweet gestures kept pulling my heartstrings into loving her more.
"Thank you, Jagi." I murmured before giving her a peck. Kung kanina ako ang namumula ngayon ay siya naman. The giant baby is flaming red, cute tho.
And the said giant baby is mine.
"Love, kanina hanap ka ng board." Ani nito habang inaayos ang dala niyang pagkain. Dinaluhan ko naman ito para tulungan siya but she insisted on doing it alone. Kaya I was just watching her tidy the meals on the table.
She manage to appear comfy but sexy in her attire. She is wearing a power suit and white button down and black slacks. She prefer to remain wearing flats dahil matangkad na raw siya (mayabang).
Mukhang nainitan ang baby kaya bukas ang dalawang butones ng button down niya.
Bago tuluyang umupo ay tinanggal nito ang suit saka itinupi sa may couch. I bit my lower lip while watching her being just plain adorable.
"Mata mo Attorney. Matutunaw na po ako." Ani nito habang namumula ngayon. I cannot help but to chuckle. Ang cute niya talaga ngayon. What a baby.
"Why? I am just looking at you, Jag." I said while giving her a faux innocent smile.
Nag-iwas naman ito ng tingin na nag-pahalakhak sa'kin.
"Love kasi.." She whined while I just stood up to kiss her cheeks.
"Stop being so adorable, Jag." I whispered before sitting across her. She didn't banter back nahiya na.
Sometimes she will go all in to annoy me before making my heart flutter. Minsan naman nahihiya siya kapag inaasar na.
But this is one of my favorite thing about her. Her never-ending and so natural adorable aura. We are exchanging conversation while eating. She told me that her results were almost normal. Na after one more therapy her condition will be good.
We will toast for a celebration later dahil kailangan naming parehong bumalik sa mga trabaho namin. Since, I will have my last class and she needs to go back dahil may mga pending paper works pa siya at meeting na kailangang matapos ngayong araw.
Bukod sa sobrang thoughtful at sweet niya. One thing I admire about her is her ability to manage her time and to always put an extra effort to do her responsibilities.
Kaya nga lahat ng pinsan niya ay takot sa kaniya kapag business ang pinag-uusapan. She is double-edged sword in business. Para kang tumutukoy sa balwarte ng leon kapag hindi ka handa kapag siya ang ka-deal mo.
She is blunt and unforgiving when doing business. She is very professional. Wala kang ipipintas dito bilang ka-trabaho o boss. She treat everyone with respect. Kahit pa elevator attendant, janitor, guards at mga secretaries.
I immediately clear the table bago pa siya maka-angal ay tinignan ko na siya nang makahukugan kaya hindi na naka-kontra. She can really be overbearing lalo na kapag gusto niya palagi akong i-spoil sa mga bagay-bagay. But I always believed in partnering. If she is treating me like that then she deserves the equal treatment I am receiving.
Bago umalis ay naglambing pa ito nang ilang minuto at niyakap ako habang naka-upo sa kandungan niya. She is really cuddly.
"Susunduin kita mamaya, mahal. I know you would be tired later." She whispered while kissing my temple.
"Mm'kay." I replied between our soft kiss.
Kumaway ito bago lumabas ng office ako. I bet she didn't even wiped my lipstick in her lips. Hindi na nito sinuot ang suit. Baka mamaya sa sasakyan. But she tidy up her button down dahil sinabihan ko siya bago lumabas kanina.
After a few minutes I headed to my last class. Dahil mas higher year ay mas demanding ang naging takbo ng lesson. They spent 3 hours straight in lecture.
Mabilis ang naging pacing ng aming klase. Mahusay rin sila katulad ng una kong mga klase. I have 3 class in total.
Hindi ko rin namalayan ang oras. It was almost 6 pm. Tinapos ko ang mga kailangan i-check at reports na kailangan i-double check. I even drafted several task load for next week. While I review several documents for the expansion of overseas pharmaceutical company ng mga Constantine.
Dahil ayoko namang mapahiya at tatlong beses kong inayos ang gawa ng proposal ang some legal advice for the company.
Narinig ko naman ang katok sa office ko.
"Come in." Ani ko habang inaayos ang aking mga gamit.
"Hello, Attorney ko." She beamed at me while flashing her million dollar smile.
"Hi," I murmured softly before hugging her.
"I miss you." I couldn't help but to blurt it out.
"I miss you more, love." She replied while kissing my cheeks and caressing it softly.
"Let's go home, love." Aya nito sa'kin habang kinuha na sa akin ang mga gamit ko habang nauna na ito palabas habang inintay lang ako sa may harap ng office ko upang tuluyang maisara ito. She wrapped her arm possessively in my waist. Walang angal naman akong naglakad kasabay nito while I snaked my hand to hold her bicep while leaning my head in her shoulder.
I love walking with her. I love being with her.
"Will you marry me?" I asked her at agad naman itong tumigil at tila nagulat sa naging tanong ko.
"Huh?" She responded as if not getting it at all.
"Can you just read this for me?" I said, while handling her a card.
It says...
"You must marry me, whether you like it or not or be dead later."
And now the she is chuckling while wiping the her tears.
I immediately held her hand and went in one knee while holding the box in front her.
"Let me love you more by saying yes to me." I whispered at nakita ko naman ang mabilis na pagtango nito.
[This is the engagement ring]
I really want our engagement to be intimate. Kaya itinaon ko na walang tao na sa school. Why in Allejo? Because this place made us love each other more. Saksi ang hallway na ito sa lahat ng asaran, sigawan, pag-irap ko sa kaniya at mga pigil na ngiti ko.
This hall is the sole witness of my profound adoration before me even admitting and realising it.
***
Tahimik naman kaming umuwi while she is driving us home. Suot na rin nito ang engagement ring na 3 years ago ko pa binili.
Noong maka-uwi kami sa condo ko dapat ay dumaan muna kami sa bahay dahil may kukuhanin daw siya. Nagulat naman ako noong marinig ko sa may living room yung pamilyar na tunog.
I saw the familiar cassette tape playing. And my favorite person was holding it in her hand.
"Hey, I was just about to ask about that cassette tape. Saan mo nakuha?" Takang tanong ko dito. Ngumiti lang siya sa'kin. Not providing an answer to my question.
"Do you remember this, Love?" Tanong naman nito habang pinakita sa'kin ang musical pin.
Agad ko naman itong kinuha sa kaniyang kamay.
"H-how did you get this?" Tanong ko while holding it dearly while my tears were flowing.
"Hi, Attorney! Engineer na ako. Quits na tayo ha?" She said with a smile confirming my theory.
She is the kid who used to be the owner of cassette tape.
"Omg! Jag!" I squeal and hugged her tightly. Pero agad na kumalas ito sa yakap kaya nagtatanong ang mata ko na tumingin dito
"Can you do me a favor muna, mahal?" Kahit hindi sigurado ay tumango lang ako dito.
"Upo ka doon. Then close your eyes. I will play for you." She said while guiding me to a specific chair. Habang umayos naman siya ng upo sa grand piano sa living room namin.
She didn't play for five years since the accident but she will be playing for me. She will be playing again because of me.
I cannot help but to bite my lower lips to stop my soft sobs from coming out. Dahil alam kong sobrang importante nito para sa kaniya. Music is a sacred part of her. And she will be sharing it to me once again.
Tuluyan na akong pumikit.
Her harmony filled the room. Wala akong naririnig at nararamdaman kung hindi siya.
She is also singing softly.
And it momentarily pause and it started playing again.
"Can you open your eyes, love?" She requested and then I saw her in one knee with a smile in her face. Mugto rin ang mata nito while I am now totally crying.
"I promised to marry my first love... Akala ko dati sisira pa ako sa pangako ko. Because of you. Hindi ko naman alam na ikaw ang firsy love ko. Hindi ko nakuha ang pangalan mo. Wala akong alam bukod sa musical pin na binigay mo at challenge na maging engineer kasi cool sila. Dati akala ko kaya ko ginawa 'yon dahil iyon talaga ang pangarap ko. Pero ikaw pala... You are my dream. Sinabi ko sa'yo five years ago. Noong gabi na nag-break tayo. Hindi ka pa nga naniwala e. Sabi mo, I am settling for less. Pero ngayon malinaw na. I know that even before that you are my dream, you are the reason why I kept dreaming," She said while looking straight to my eyes.
"Malinaw na palaging ikaw ang lahat sa'kin. Thank you for finding your way back to me. Would you please marry me, Attorney?" She husked softly and nodded vigorously.
"She said Yes!!!" Sigaw nito pagkatapos isuot sa'kin ang singsing at halikan ako sa labi.
And I heard cheers, claps and cry from our family na hindi ko halos napansin kanina.
I guess I will be really a Constantine. And I thank heaven for always finding its way to intertwine my fate to her.
I was made for her. So, am I.