MIKA
It's a beautiful day, in a particular, strange way.
This morning at church, two of our leaders announced some great news.
They're getting married.
We're witnesses to how their love grew from being workmates to being friends to being lovers.
"God's love comes in many different forms. You don't have to look for it. It will find you. Kaya yung love is blind? Hindi totoo yun. Being in one team, nakita namin ni Anne kung paano kami when plans are not met, when too many ideas collide... kapag inaabot kami ng gabi sa meeting at pagod na kaming lahat. She saw kung paano ako ma-frustrate, mainis, magalit... At hindi niya tinolerate yon. She corrected me, yet did not condemn me. She knows my fears, and she helps me overcome them. Love sees clearly, but chooses to keep no record of weaknesses. It always trusts, hopes, and perseveres.", Kuya John shared.
The whole community couldn't be any happier for them.
Ako kaya... Will I find myself in that kind of love, too?
Lord, Kayo pa rin po over anyone else. But if I could just pray for a man who would love me close to the way You do... Na kung magkamali man ako... Tutulungan, hihintayin niya akong maitama ko yun, kahit gaano pa katagal. At ganun din ang gagawin ko sa kanya.
After the service, I met with Ara for lunch since doon niya rin ibinigay yung pass for King Archer's exhibit which she promised me.
Sayang lang na hindi niya ako masasamahan dahil uuwi siya sa pamilya niya sa Pampanga.
Today's exhibit will be held in UP Diliman. Kaya naman kagabi pa lang, I already made a research on how to get there.
The weather was fair... And windy, I must say. Siguro kung bata lang ako, malamang kinulit ko na si Papa na samahan akong magpalipad ng saranggola.
Sadly, I haven't even seen him for a long time.
Staring at the Commonwealth avenue, I realized how busy life has become for me. Too busy to the extent that family became a faraway memory...
How different this life would be if I chose to follow what my parents wanted?
Malamang, kasal na ako ngayon.
But other than that, wala na akong mabuong conclusion.
The thought made me heave a deep sigh.
Galing Philcoa, sumakay ako ng jeep papasok ng campus.
I kept my gaze out of the window, trying to absorb the university's calm scenery.
Habang nakadungaw sa bintana ng jeep, nakita kong nagkukumpulan ang mga tao sa may Sunken Garden kaya naisipan kong pumara.
Bumaba ako at naglakad papunta sa oval, kasama ng mga taong nakatayo doon.
That's when I saw another magical moment happening.
In the center of Sunken Garden was a man on one knee, and a woman stood in front of him. Kahit malayo, nakita kong hawak ng lalaki ang isang maliit na kahon sa kanyang kanang kamay.
On one side of the garden, there was a grass-cut wedding proposal, forming the words "Will you marry me?"
Though we knew it was planned, it's as if nature was one with him in asking for his beloved's hand in marriage.
Like good members of the audience, we clapped when the lady said yes.
Wala pa ako sa main event of the day but with these scenes I've witnessed so far, parang pwede na akong umuwi.
Taking my time, I started to walk my way to Ang Bahay ng Alumni, the venue of the exhibit.
While walking, thoughts of would've-beens entered my mind once again.
Kung nag-yes ako noon, siguro meron ding proposal...
A grand one... Held in a big hall, with a hundred people in formal attire, only few of them I would really know. But they would all behave like they know me, and they'd be happy with the news of my marriage.
Everything would look perfect.
Because all of it would be staged.
I smiled bitterly.
Kaya ako, hindi na ako humihiling ng isang engrandeng proposal. Ang gusto ko lang... Yung totoo. Totoo sa puso niyang gusto niya akong pakasalan.
Haaaaaayyyyy
Kasalanan ng lugar at mga pangyayari ngayon kung bakit ako may drama outburst.
Finally, I reached the place. The building looked classic and modern at the same time.
It had a vaulted roof and there were large stained glass windows on both sides of the assembly hall. One can say that ample design consideration has been given to the natural ventilation and day lighting of the interiors.
I approached the registration table and gave my pass.
Before entering the hall, I looked to my right and saw the exhibit's poster.
"Light Meets the Dark...", I read.
As expected, a breathtaking setting welcomed me.
Photos were displayed in variation. Merong framed in glass, may printed in canvass and wooden framed, at merong printed in paper and delicately clipped on hanging strings.
But they had one thing in common. Every image was taken in the dark of night. It's the camera flash that captured life in each shot.
I should know, kasi nagawa ko na 'to noon. Di hamak na mas magaling lang sa akin si King Archer.
Kung wala kang suot na relo, aakalain mong gabi na dahil sa ibinibigay na emosyon ng mga litrato.
As I kept on looking at the pictures, one person came to mind. Ayokong aminin, pero siya at ang takot niya sa dilim ang naalala ko.
Sana pala, sinama ko yun dito. So that he would witness how beautiful things can be, even in the dark. Siguro, nawala ang takot nun.
I continued to walk around, smiling at every photo I pass by, until I reached the back of the exhibit.
I was surprised to see a small display of pictures. They're different from the rest because none of them had a dark background. The photos were actually taken in broad daylight.
Among them, one photo caught my eye. It's a picture of a corded lace and rustic silk ivory dress hanging on a tree branch.
I'm certain that any bride would be happy to walk on the aisle wearing this.
My eyes were fixed on its beauty until someone called my name.
"Mika!"
Lumingon ako at nakita si Drei. He's known to be an apprentice of King Archer. Kaya isa rin siya sa mga konting taong nakakakilala rito. And ever since, siya ang assigned to attend to the viewers if they have questions. Alam niya ang mga kwento sa likod ng mga larawan.
I greeted him back with a smile.
"Ngayon lang kita nakita ah. Kaninang umaga pa kami open.", kwento niya.
"Ah, oo. May pinuntahan pa kasi ako eh. Uhm, Drei. Bakit may ganitong separate exhibit?", tanong ko.
"Ayan kasi, late. Inexplain ko na kaninang opening."
"Ehhh... Sige na...", pilit ko sa kanya.
"Pasalamat ka, crush kita.", he said cutely, making me laugh. We both know that our relationship will always resemble that of siblings.
"Anyway, this is the bonus part of the exhibit. Itong mga shots na 'to, kuha 'to ni King Archer before he became King Archer."
"You mean... When he was still a kid?", I asked incredulously.
"Hindi naman sobrang bata. Basta when he was younger. Kaya if you'll go over them, you'll see that most are properties of his family. And the one you're looking at right now, that's a photo of his grandmother's wedding dress worn on their golden wedding anniversary."
Wow. I ran my fingers over the canvass, admiring it once again.
"O sige na, ikot muna ako sa iba ah."
"Wait!", pigil ko sa kanya.
"Uhm... Alam mo ba kung... maraming nagpipitch sa photo na 'to?", I asked, referring to the white dress.
"Naku, wag mong sabihing yan ang gusto mong iuwi?"
"Oo sana eh. Bakit? May problem ba?"
"Ang dami niyong mag-aagawan mamaya. Kumalat kasi yung news na whoever gets the photo, siya ang papakasalan ni King Archer.", he answered with a laugh.
"ANO?!?!? Anong klaseng news yun! Where did that come from?"
"One of the fans kanina. And you know how crazy they can be. Sasabihin ng isa, tapos maniniwala naman yung iba. Kahit wala namang substance."
I sighed in frustration.
"Baka naman ikaw, gusto mo rin siyang mapangasawa? Pwede kitang i-reto.", pang-aasar niya.
"Baliw! I have other reasons 'no! Alis ka na nga!", pagtataboy ko sa kanya.
"Hahaha! But seriously, good luck later! It's the one with the highest number of buyers so far so... malamang huli yang ipapa-bid."
I nodded my head and thanked him.
Kung huli nga 'tong ipapa-bid, it's either I'll go big or go home with nothing.
Because in all his exhibits, photos have always been sold out.
It was only in the first na first come, first served ang rule kaya ko nakuha yung broken bike photo. Yung mga sumunod, nakukuha sa bidding which happens before the day ends.
Nakakaiyak naman oh.
Pero ito talaga yung gusto kong iuwi eh...
"Mika?", I heard another familiar voice in the middle of my deep thinking.
I looked to the direction only to see the old couple who earned a place in my heart.
"Angkong! Ama!", I shouted in surprise.
We gave each other a tight embrace.
"Grabe Angkong! Ang lakas niyo na po ulit ah!"
"Aba syempre, hija. Magaling ang batang nagligtas sakin eh. Hindi mo na ako dinalaw, hindi tuloy kita napasalamatan.", may tampo niyang sabi.
"Naku, pasensya na po kayo. Naging busy na po kasi sa school pagkatapos nun. Pero masaya po akong makita kayo ulit. At malakas pa sa kalabaw! Sabi ko naman po sa inyo diba, gagaling kayo."
"Thank you, apo. Hindi ko akalain na dito pa tayo magkikita. Thank you, too, for supporting our grand-... grand... ah... grand idol!", he exclaimed.
His wife let out a laugh.
"Wow! Idol niyo rin po si King Archer?! Kelan pa po?"
"Just recently, dear. Kasi recently din lang namin nalamang meron palang ganito. Ikaw, you seem like a long-time fan. Has it always been like this?", Ama asked.
"You mean crowded? Hindi naman po. But the number of comers grew with every exhibit. Worth it naman po eh."
Both nodded their heads.
All of a sudden, Drei went up the stage to get our attention.
"Hi everyone! Bidding will start at 4pm, so you better use the time to go around and finalize your targets! Just approach the registration table to enter your name on the photos you desire to purchase. Thank you!", Drei announced.
"Hija, magmemerienda muna kami ng lolo mo dyan sa café. Kaninang umaga pa rin kami dito eh. Why don't you join us?", Ama invited.
"Naku, hindi na po. Halos kakarating ko lang po eh. Iikot po muna ako. By the end of the day, may magmamay-ari na po ng lahat ng 'to.", I answered, referring to the photos.
Nagpaalam sila at umalis.
I then strolled around the place for another time and ended up in front of the wedding dress photo yet again.
"Kung para sakin ka, mapapasaakin ka.", my final words for it.
Not long after, the people were asked to settle down as the bid is about to begin.
Isa-isang nabenta ang mga litrato at narealize ko kung gaano na ka-big time ang idol ko ngayon.
I only have 3k to spend at umaasa na lang akong sapat yon para maiuwi ko yung photo.
Just as Drei guessed, yung larawang gusto ko ang huling ipapa-bid.
Whew. This is it.
"Alright guys! We're down to the last photo! This one's entitled White Dress. Cast your bid, malay niyo, magkatotoo yung news! You might be King Archer's future bride!"
Langya ka Drei, you just killed my chances.
"1000!"
Putek, 1000 agad?!?
"2k!"
Hinay-hinay naman mga meng!
"3 000!"
Omaygulay, yun na yung sagad kooo
Few seconds passed at wala nang ibang nagsasalita.
"3000! Going once... Go-"
"3500!", I shouted. Bayaan nang magutom, huhuhu
"Woohoo! 3500! Going once... Going twi-"
"4k!"
WHAT?! Hoy ateng! Bago ka gumastos ng malaki, baka pwedeng gastusan mo muna yung damit mong kulang sa tela! Hindi ka ba nilalamig?!?! UGHHHH
"At 4000! Going once... Going twi-"
"4500!" Sigaw ko.
Putek, palalayasin na ata ako sa bahay nito
"5000!", sigaw ulit nung babae sabay irap sa akin.
AAAHHHHHH
O SIGE NA! IYO NA! ANAK NG TOKWA OH. ARAL MUNA BAGO KASAL
"10 000!", a voice shouted from the back.
The crowd gasped.
Lumingon kaming lahat para tingnan kung sino ang may-ari ng boses.
My eyes widened upon realizing who it was.
Ama?!
"10 000! Going once... Going twice... SOLD!", Drei shouted.
"Oh my gosh! Not an old lady!", sigaw nung babaeng kapos sa tela.
Aba't!
"Hoy miss, teka lang ah. Alam mo yang perang di mo nagastos, ipampaayos mo na lang ng damit at dila mo. Parehong masama ang tabas eh."
"And who are you?!", she asked, rolling her eyes once again.
"I'm-"
"She's King Archer's future bride.", Ama said all of a sudden.
SUSKO TEKA LANG PUSO KOOO
Author's Note:
GUYYYSSS LA SALLE WONNN GRABEEE YUNG SAYA KOOO
Sorry, no kilig! :( Decided to cut the chap para lang focus tayo sa mga ganap ni Mika XD
Up next yung kay King Archer! :) Will try to post within the week ^^
This one's for Ate Ara L., one of the two Miefer friends I gained outside my viber group, hihi. Belated Happy Birthday, Ateee! <3