Chapter 26: She’s My Girlfriend!
Last time sinabi ko kay Andreau na ”Once you do something you love, you do it with everything you have.” I thought hindi siya nakikinig sa litanya ko nung nag-away kami last week. I must not underestimate his sharp memory, ako lang ang napapahamak eh.
Sa almost one year at six months na nakilala ko si Andreau, alam ko na ang mga ayaw at gusto niya. He likes 70’s and 80’s movies, brewed coffee, jazz music, chocolates, salty French fries.. and the list goes on.
Pero.. wala sa listahan niya ang baking.
“Ouch! Goddammit!” my head snapped to his direction and I caught him sucking his thumb. Paano ba naman, kinuha niya ang baking pan with bare hands! Basta na lang niyang nilapag sa counter ang pan at tinitigan ito. “Damn it, not good enough.”
Halos three hours na niyang pinapahirapan ang sarili niya sa pagbi-bake ng birthday cake para kay Tristan. 7th birthday kasi ni Little Boss bukas at gusto ni Big Boss na maiba naman ang regalo niya. Kung paano niya naisipan na magbake ng cake? I don’t really wanna know and ask. Baka matawa lang ako.
Andreau gingerly removed the burnt cake from the pan and placed it on the tray with the other failed ones. “Pwe,” sabi niya after niyang tikman ang cake. “What the fuck’s wrong with this cake?” Muntikan na niyang ihagis ang buong tray sa sobrang inis.
Ako? Aba wala akong gagawin dyan. Una, wala akong kaalam-alam sa baking. Ang tanging gusto ko lang ay ang finished product. Pangalawa, sinabihan ako ni Andreau na wag siyang pakialaman kaya sa sala ako pumirmi at nanood na lang ng TV. Sinisilip ko lang siya mula dito sa kinauupuan ko. Ang ganda ng view ko dito in fairness!
Seryoso na ako sa panonood nitong Phineas and Ferb (influenced by Little Boss) nang..
“Zades, I need your help.”
Hah. Sabi ko na nga ba.
Pinatay ko muna ang TV bago ko siya pinuntahan sa kitchen. Gosh, ang dating pang-magazine sa linis na kitchen niya.. wow. Ang gulo. Nagkalat ang utensils sa counter at sink, may flour at eggshell bits sa floor, nakatiwangwang ang mixer, nanigas na ang chocolate sa bowl at.. ang daming sunog na cake.
At si Big Boss? He looked.. adorable in a messy way.
May kaunting chocolate at cake batter siya sa pisngi, tapos namuti na ang ilong at buhok niya dahil sa flour. Plus.. he totally rocked the Kitchen Nerd apron he’s wearing. Kaso asa pa siya na marunong siya sa kusina.
I couldn’t hide my smile from him. Refreshing na makita ang unguarded moments ni Andreau Cortez. Pasimple ko siyang kinunan ng picture habang naghuhugas siya ng kamay. Future blackmail prop.
“So.. anong kailangan mo, Boss?”
“Tss. Don’t call me that.”
“Okay. What gives?”
With a slight frantic look, he turned back to the counter and lifted up the tray of cake rejects. “Look at these! Damn it, I wasted three fucking hours for nothing!” He slammed the tray down with more force than necessary. “Damn it!”
Oh, Pissed Off Andreau pala siya ngayon. Isang indicator na nasa ganung mode siya ay kapag nagmumura na siya. Just like now. “Andreau…”
“Okay, I’m sorry,” he said quickly. ‘This is so frustrating. Bakit sa cooking shows madali lang ‘to?
“Well experienced kas—“
“And I fucking burned every damn cake!” he confessed on a near wail. “I swear I got the temperature right. The oven has a timer so why the hell that happened!”
Pumunta ako sa may counter at nilayo ang epic fail cakes mula sa kanya. His frustration was so intense na feeling ko any minute ibabato niya ang tray sa pader.
“Hey, calm down,” Curving my hands over his shoulders, I began to massage gently, trying to dispel the knots of stress. “You know, you could just buy him a ca—“
“Ugh. Don’t g— damn that feels good,” he groaned as his head lolled back. Kahit paano naramdaman ko na narelax din siya. “Where’d you learn this?”
I took my time before replying. “Kay Nana. Magaling siya sa ganito. Dapat nagpahilot ka sa kanya last time.” I applied gentle pressue on the back of his neck that made him wince. “Did that hurt?”
“Sshh.. I’m thinking.”
“Is this helping you think?” I asked, moments later.
He slowly nodded. “Y-yeah. Pwede bang diinan mo dito?” he tapped his right shoulder. Wow, hello there tight knots! Nagbake ba talaga siya o nagbuhat ng mga sako ng bigas? “Fuck!” he muttered when I pressed on the tightest spot. “That feels so good.”
Massaging someone like this is such an intimate act. Mahilig akong magmamasahe pero kapag may nagrerequest lang sa’kin. Etong masahe kay Andreau? Ako lang naman ang may paandar nito. I was surprised, hindi siya nainis sa’kin. He needed this massage, that I could tell.
Plus, nandito ulit kami sa kitchen niya. Ba’t ba lagi dito nagaganap ang intimate moments namin? Una, yung kiss. Tapos yung birthday celebration ko. At ngayon.. ito. May sussunod pa ba?
The massage lasted for few more minutes. After that, Andreau turned around, sporting that mysterious smile again. “Thanks a lot, Zades. That made me feel much better.”
“You’re welcome, Boss. But.. the massage isn’t enough, right?”
“Yeah,” his troubled look returned for a moment and was quickly replaced with a tired smile. “One last try. Kung panget pa rin, bibili na lang ako ng cake.”
“Okay, I’ll ask for help,” I told him as I reached for my phone. “Anong cake ba ang gagawin mo?”
“Chocolate cake. Hey, sinong tatawagan mo?”
“Texting, actually. Si Mima. May three hours pa bago ang shift niya sa restaurant. She could help you.” Nanahimik siya bigla nang mabanggit ko ang nanay ko. “What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing,” mabilis niyang sagot. “I’ll clean up first.”
Tahimik na nagligpit ng kalat si Andreau habang hinihintay ko ang reply ni Mima. Ten minutes later, a text message arrived: Facetime na lang! Good thing laging bukas ang wifi dito sa condo ni Big Boss. “Andreau dalian mo dyan. Facetime na with Mima!”
Nag-ayos pa ng buhok si Andreau bago siya lumapit sa’kin. Peering over my shoulder, he impatiently asked, “Nasan na? Is she the—“
“Say!”
Dear God, muntik ko nang mabagsak ang phone ko sa gulat. Pa’no ba naman, may suot na facial mask ‘tong nanay ko! “Ma! Ano ka ba! Ba’t di ka naman lang nagsabi na may suot kang ganyan!”
Tinawanan na lang niya ako. “Nasan si Andreau?”
Ugh, fangirling mode na naman ang nanay ko ngayon. Inabot k okay Andreau ang phone ko. “Magsama nga kayong dalawa! Kainis!”
Andreau cleared his throat before speaking. “Hello po Tita George,” aba ang bait ata niya ngayon! Ganyan talaga siya pag may kailangan! “Sorry po talaga sa abala.”
“Uy ano k aba! Don’t worry! So.. baking?”
Ang dapat na 10 minutes na pagtatanong ni Andreau ay nauwi sa halos 45 minutes na chikahan nila ng nanay ko. Kung hindi pa siguro nalowbatt ang phone ko I’m sure aabot ng ilang oras ang kwentuhan nila!
“O, may napala ka?” tanong ko sa kanya habang naghuhugas siya ng kamay. Hindi siya sumagot, pero tinanggal niya nag apron na suot niya at naglakad palabas ng kitchen. “Andreau! Where are you going?”
He stopped and turned around, grinning. “Fine, you win.” Naglakad ulit siya nang wala akong naisagot sa kanya. No choice ako kundi sundan siya.. and we stopped in front of his bedroom.
“Ha? Nag-away ba tayo at di ako informed?”
“You’re right. I should just buy a cake.”
“What? Seryoso ka ba dyan?” okay gusto ko talaga na bumili na lang siya ng cake pero akala ko gagawa pa siya ng last one! Gusto ko kasi siyang makita na namomroblema sa pagbi-bake! Ang sama ko talaga.
“Yeah. Sabi ni Tita George tuturuan na lang niya ako magbake pag umuwi siya dito.”
Unbelievable. May secret relationship ba sila ng nanay ko ha? “Eh nagnotes ka pa naman ka—“
“Just shut up and fix yourself, Zades,” he flashed his charm smile to lure me. “We’re gonna eat lots of cakes.”
xxx
Boy, did we eat lots of cakes.
I don’t really like cakes, Andreau knows that pretty well, pero dinala niya pa rin ako sa iba’t ibang bakeshops para maghanap ng awesomely perfect cake for Tristan. Lahat ng pinuntahan naming shops ay nagulat sa sudden visit namin (well, ni Andreau talaga). He definitely could charm almost everyone! Proof diyan na pumayag silang lahat na i-taste test namin ang halos lahat ng flavors na matripan niya. nabusog ako sa kakatikim ng cake! Kaso siya.. sobrang nag-enjoy at parang walang kabusugan.
“Andreau.. hindi ka pa ba satisfied?” I asked him seriously. Kakaalis lang namin sa fifth bakeshop na nakita namin at halos walong cakes na ang nakaupo sa backseat ng Dodge niya. “Anong gagawin mo sa cakes na yan?”
He chuckled at my question. “Of course, I’ll eat them. Or ibibigay ko kina Roldan at Mars.”
“Another question.. anong ginagawa mo sa cakes na bigay sa’yo ng sponsors sa birthday mo?” Ang tagal ko nang gustong itanong yan sa kanya after kong mapanood ang birthday prod ni Jillian sa isang Sunday variety show recently. Ang OA sa dami ng cakes eh!
Andreau glanced at me and smirked. “And you’re curious now?”
“Just answer me. Kinakabin mo ba lahat yun, inuuwi.. or what?”
“May iba na.. for show lang. Minsan binibigay ko sa staff ko. I keep the ones I really like though.”
“Oh. You do love sweets, huh? Hindi ka ba natatakot na magkaron ng diabetes? Baka nasa lahi niyo yun ah. Or tumaba?” I babbled, thinking about the amount of cakes he consumed earlier. “That’s quite unhealthy, Andreau. Aware ka naman na nakakataba ang sweets di ba? Kahit sponsor mo ang Gold’s Gym dapat may diet ka pa rin. Sayang ang pagwoworkout mo thrice a week kung lagi kang kuma—“ I stopped talking nang mapansin ko na nakatingin pa rin sa’kin si Andreau. “What now?”
“Did you just praise my physique?” he inquired with a wolfish grin.
“Ha? Saan mo naman nahugot yan? I did not say anything about your physique. Sabi ko sayang lang ang workout mo. Totally different things.”
His grin just grew wider. “Damn you did, Zades. You don’t have to be shy about it. I’m good at accepting compliments.”
“Ba’t naman kita icocompliment ha? I don’t even like muscular guys,” I scoffed, avoiding his steely gaze at me.
Andreau’s jaw dropped and shook his head. “Wow. So all this time pinaplastic mo lang ako?” he asked in mock disappointment. Okay dinadramahan ako ng lokong ‘to. Bahala siya sa buhay niya.
“Eyes on the road, Andreau,” I retorted back, neither confirming nor denying anything.
In the end sa isang maliit na bakeshop malapit sa campus namin nahanap ang perfect chocolate cake for Tristan. We found the place by accident, nagkamali kasi ng street na nilikuan si Andreau. Ayaw pa nga niyang i-try nung una, baka raw di masarap. Buti na lang napilit siya ng kagandahan ko. Kidding.
“Hah! What did I tell you? Worth the shot, right?” I told him once we stepped out of the elevator. Halos mangalay na nag mga braso namin sa pagbubuhat ng cakes!
“Oo na, the credit’s all yours. The cake is so damn good.” This guy bought two chocolate cakes, one for him and one for Tristan. Ten cakes, all in all. Anong gagawin niya dun?
Tinulungan ko siyang magligpit ng kalat niya sa kitchen pagkadating namin sa condo niya. Andreau’s very particular about cleanliness, to the point na binibusisi niya ang spaces ng tiles sa kitchen counter niya kung may dumi pa o wala. Dapat uuwi na ako after cleaning up pero napilit niya akong magstay pa saglit para kumain ng cake. Again.
“So.. tomorrow,” he said tentatively as he devoured the last bite of his cake. “What time will you be there?”
Inubos ko muna ang cake sa platito ko. “An hour early siguro. Nirequest ni Tristan eh. Kelan mo ibibigay yung cake?”
“Tomorrow, breakfast.”
“Sira ka ba? Breakfast ‘yon, at bata si Tristan. Di healthy na pakainin mo siya ng cake sa umaga.”
His eyes grew wide in disbelief. “C’mon, Zades. He’s just a kid. And it’s his birthday so he deserves to have that indulgence.”
“Ugh,” I groaned. Inabutan niya ako ng baso ng tubig. “I don’t wanna bring up your fascination with birthdays right now ‘coz I know I’m gonna lose the argument.”
“No more arguments about that subject, Patty B. Birthdays are very monumental to kids, especially if it’s their seventh.”
“Di ba dapat first birthday yon?”
“The seventh is also included. Don’t you dare give me facts about birthdays ‘coz they’re invalid.”
“Fine. Just promise me na after breakfast siya kakain ng cake. Magagalit na naman sa’yo si Ms. Marisse.”
In fairness, masarap talaga yung cake! Sa lahat ng cakes na natikman ko ito ang pinakanaappreciate ko ever. Aasarin niya na naman ako once na malaman niya ‘to. He really loves it when he’s right.
Our day ended on a different note. Recently kasi hinahatid na ako ni Andreau pauwi sa dorm. Ilang beses din naming pinag-awayan ‘to but in the end he won the fight. Well, gets ko naman ang point niya. Gusto niya akong magkaron ng gwapong driver for a change.
Perks of being friends with Andreau Cortez. How convenient.
xxx
I never had a big birthday celebration for my 7th birthday. Ni hindi ko nga matandaan kung anong nangyari non eh, kung may handa ba kami o wala. Nandito pa kasi nun si Mima, baka nagluto yun ng something na masarap pero di ko na matandaan. Basta sure ako na may arroz caldo ako nun na galing kay Tata Greg!
Of course, Tristan’s different. Anak siya ng isa sa pinakasikat na travel show host dito sa Pinas at pinsan ng heartthrob ng bayan (did I just say that?) At kahit bata pa lang siya, notable na ang awesome artista genes niya, thanks to his gorgeous parents. Tristan is their prince. Tama si Andreau, he deserves to have every indulgence he wants on his special day.
Kaya hindi na ako nabigla na sa isang pang-yamings na country clubhouse ang venue ng birthday niya. Summer pa lang planado na nina Mars at Ms. Marisse ang details for the party. Nagulat nga ako na gusto niya ng simpleng party, na may games, good food, malaking birthday cake, bisitang classmates and lots of cotton candy. Phineas and Ferb theme sana ang gusto nila kaso himalang umayaw si Mr. T.
Around 2PM ako dumating sa clubhouse, just as promised. Solo ang drama ko ngayon kasi nasa fieldtrip si Kesh the whole weekend. Sana nandito rin si Roldan para may kausap ako. Media people agad ang nakita ko, nagsesetup sila ng lights and cameras around the area. Must be the Wanderlust crew. I heard na ifefeature raw nina Ms. Marisse sa show ang birthday ni Big Boss.
Instead of the Phineas and Ferb theme, simpleng white and blue decors na lang ang ginamit sa chairs, tables and even sa stage design! Ang agaw atensyon for me ay yung AVP ni Tristan. Ang cute cute ni Little Boss sa baby pictures and vids niya! Si Andreau siguro ang gumawa nito.
“Ate Zade! Ate Zade!”
Nakita ko si Tristan na patakbo papunta sa’kin. Wow, porma kung porma siya ha! Nakasuot siya ng white long sleeves, dark washed jeans at black leather shoes. Little Andreau Cortez ang peg niya today!
“Happy birthday Mr. T!” batik o sa kanya sabay yakap. God this kid smelled so good. “How’s your day naman?” I spotted Andreau walking towards us, almost wearing the same attire as Tristan’s. Bitbit niya ang dSLR niya, so that means siya ang official photographer ngayon. Okay pinagmukha na naman nila akong yagit sa tabi nila!
Todo ngiti sa’kin si Tristan. “it’s a blast, Ate! I’m really having fun! Thank you nga po pala sa cake!”
I looked at Andreau, who just smiled at me. “You’re welcome, Mr. T! mamaya na yung gift ko sa’yo ah?” Nilabas ko ang phone ko para magpicture kaming dalawa. “Birthda selfie nga tayo!” I crouched down para level kami ni Tristan. “Okay Mr. T! One, two.. smile!” Ilang shots pa ang kinuha naming selfie bago tawagin ni Andreau ang atensyon namin for a picture.
“Kuya Andreau,” Tristan tentatively called him after a shot, “dadating ba si Ate Sarah mamaya?” Nagkatinginan na lang kaming dalawa ni Big Boss.
“Uhh.. no. May taping kasi siya eh. Pero may gift siya sa’yo.”
Tristan bit his lip and nodded silently. “Okay po. Wait lang po ah? CR lang po ako!” niyakap niya ulit ako bago siya tumakbo papunta sa CR.
Okay that was weird. Anong gagawin ni Sarah sa party na ‘to? This is a kiddie party, and wag niyang gagawing excuse na kaibigan siya ni Andreau kaya siya invited. Well kung ininvite siya ni Ms. Marisse pwede pa. Pero hindi naman sila close ni Tristan so.. what gives? Pwedeng-pwede ko namang itanong dito sa katabi ko kaso ngayon pa ata ako tinamaan ng hiya.
“Andreau?” tanong ko sa kanya moments later. “Anong meron dun sa cake?”
Nginitian niya ako at hinila palabas ng clubhouse. Sa likod ng malaking speakers niya ako dinala. Damn this guy, muntikan pa nga akong madapa sa nagkalat na cords sa lapag!
Tiningnan muna niya ang paligid kung may tao, the nearest ones were about 10 feet away from us. “What’s that again?” tanong niya sa’kin.
I rolled my eyes at him, and in return he chuckled. “Sabi ko ba’t sinabi mo kay Tristan na galing din sa’kin yung cake?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Tama naman ah? We found that bakeshop together so you also deserve the credit.”
Trust me, I really really want to fight him with that cake thing but he looked so.. dashing. Confession time: I’ve developed this thing for Scruffy Andreau Cortez. Ilang araw na rin siyang hindi nag-aahit kasi tinatamad daw siya. Ugh. “But it’s your mone—“
“Zades.. don’t fight me on this.”
“Uhh.. okay,” I replied, slightly avoiding his gaze. “Question. Ba’t pupunta si Sarah dito?” I was expecting na mag-iiba ang reaksyon niya, na may tinge of hurt or resentment towards his almost love. Kaso mali ako. The smile never left his lips. So masyado lang talaga akong nag-aassume ha.
“Sabi kasi ni Mars baka dumaan siya. I really don’t know why, though. Hindi naman sila close ni Trist.”
Maraming theories ang pumasok sa isip ko about sa motive ni Sarah sa pagpunta niya dito. Ang sama naman niya kung gagamitin niya si Tristan as a publicity stint ha. I heard na magkakaron daw siya ng debut album next month. Good thing sobrang panget ng boses ni Andreau kaya imposibleng magkaron siya ng album niya. Hindi maisasalba ng kahit anong klaseng auto tune ang boses niya.
A loud clap brought me out of my trance. Isang nakangising Andreau Cortez ang nakita ko sa harapan ko. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asked.
“W-wala. Matagal pa ba yung buffet? I’m darn hungry. I only ate a muffin on my way here.”
“C’mon let’s go, may donuts si Mars sa tent sa likod. Let’s eat there, shall we?”
He had me at donuts so I don’t care kung pinagtitinginan kami ng media people nang mapadaan kami sa harapan nila. Gutom ako please.
xxx
Habang pinapanood ko sina Tristan at ang friends niya na nag-eenjoy sa party, hindi ko mapigilang mainggit sa kanila.
Siguro.. mayaman kami ngayon kung buhay pa si Papa at isa siyang successful na painter. Eleven years ago meron din akong 7th birthday celebration, maybe Hello Kitty themed tapos may malaki akong Hello Kitty chocolate cake. Baka siguro nakasuot ako ng white dress na may pink na belt at black shoes. Katulad din siguro ako ni Tristan na naglalaro as if walang bukas, as if hindi na sila tatanda. Iniisip ko rin siguro kung anong laman ng malalaking box, kung masarap ba ang cake ko at kung anong wish ko mamaya sa candle blowing. Siguro ang saya rin ng 7th birthday ko.. kung nabuhay ako sa ibang circumstance.
Gosh, Zades. Pining over something you never had is pathetic. Wala kang pinanghahawakan kung hindi imahinasyon at pangarap mo lang. Sinasaktan mo lang ang sarili mo para sa wala.
Drama aside, nakakatuwa ‘tong party ni Tristan. Marami siyang bisitang bagets, mostly classmates and friends niya sa Grade 1 class niya, and yung iba celebrity sons and daughters ng friends ni Ms. Marisse. Even yung mga magulang ng mga bata nag-eenjoy! And cuteness overload lang ang mga bagets! Sina Andreau at Mars ang host ng program and in fairness may hosting skills ‘tong si Big Boss. Responsive sa kanila ang mga bagets, mainly siguro sa itsura niya (okay, smooth talker talaga yan dapat but face it, it’s the looks) and sobrang nakakatawa si Mars. Pati kami ni Roldan walang tigil sa kakatawa dito sa table namin dahil sa mga jokes ni Mars. Bakas kay Tristan ang happiness niya sa party. Abot tenga ang ngiti niya, tapos super saya pa ng mga mata. I’ve never seen him happy like this.
After ng ilang games at ng food (na sobrang sarap! Buti na lang si Roldan ang kasama ko, sa plato niya ako nakikilagay ng extra food), dumating na rin sa favorite part ni Tristan: ang candle blowing. Ilang araw niyang pinagpractisan ang pagblow ng birthday candle niya kasi gusto niyang maganda sa video. Sa gitna ng clubhouse nakapwesto ang simpleng blue & white three-layer cake ni Tristan, plus the cute little cupcakes. Kanina pa binabantayan ni Andreau ang cupcakes, lalo na nung narinig niyang Nutella ang filling nun. Boys.
“Okay Trist!” masiglang sabi ni Andreau nang makapwesto na sina Tristan at ang parents niya sa harap ng cake. Nakasakay si Little Boss sa balikat ni Sir Shane dahil di niya reach ang height ng cake. “Ready ka na ba to blow the candle?”
“Naman, Andreau! Yan pang bagets!” Mars added, laughing at Tristan’s pigil look. “Friends, pinaghandaan po ng birthday boy ang part na ‘to! So c’mon, let’s sing Happy Birthday for him!”
Nagsitayuan kaming guests habang pinalibutan ng mga bagets ang table na may cake. Lahat sila excited dun sa cake ha. Sana may ganung enthusiasm din ako pag nakakakita ako ng cakes!
“Okay let’s sta—“ Andreau was cut off by Tristan who suddenly started to clap. “O bakit, Trist? What’s wrong?” parang ewan din ‘to, di man lang nilayo ang mic sa bibig niya!
“Si Ate Zade! Si Ate Zade!” sigaw ni Tristan sabay turo sa’kin. Napatingin din sina Sir Shane at Ms. Marisse sa’kin. Uh oh.. ba’t ako? Nilapit ni Andreau kay Tristan ang mic. “Ate Zade dito ka please?” he announced sweetly.
Oh God. Seriously? Gutom pa ba ako at nag-iimagine ako ng bagay bagay? I just stared back at Tristan, unsure of what to do next. Tumahimik din ang ibang bisita sa request ni Tristan. Okay hindi pa ata sila nakakamove on dun sa Chismis Squad blind item!
Agad akong tumingin kay Andreau.. and ugh. He’s using the smile again. “Zades, punta ka raw dito. Birthday boy’s orders.” Nang hindi pa ako gumalaw siniko na ako ni Roldan. “C’mon, kanina pa gusto kumain ng cake nitong mga bata oh.”
Wow, porke’t nasa kanya ang microphone pwede na niya akong asarin ha. I took a deep breath before walking towards their table. Kay Ms. Marisse ako tumabi, baka mamaya gawan ulit kami ng issue. My goodness feeling ko lahat ng mata nakatingin sa’kin eh. That rumor really did a number on me.
Si Mars ang naglead ng Happy Birthday song, na sinabayan naming lahat. Andreau did all of us a favor by not singing with us. Good thing he knows his boundaries. Si Tristan lang ang tinginan ko habang kumakanta kami. Ang bilis pala talaga ng panahon! He was just five years old nung nakilala ko siya tapos ngayon.. god I don’t wanna tear up in front of everybody!
Bago siya magwish, bumaba si Tristan from his father’s shoulders at nagpakarga kay Ms. Marisse. “C’mon Mr. T, make your wish na!” she whispered softly.
Tristan closed his eyes for a moment before leaning down to blow the candle. Mas lumapad ang ngiti niya after wishing. Nagpalakpakan kaming lahat at nakisali rin siya. Aww this boy’s so cute!
“So Tristan,” Andreau asked after the claps subsided, “what was your wish?”
Inabot sa’kin ni Mars ang mic niya para makapagsalita si Tristan. We were all surprised to see the birthday boy blush. Totoo ba ‘to, nagbublush din pala ang seven year olds? “Uhmm.. ano po..” nahihiyang sabi ni Tristan. Mas nacurious tuloy ang mga bisita sa reaction niya. “Ano po.. I wished na.. sana po maging girlfriend ko si Ate Zade!”
WHAT.
I felt Tristan’s arms enveloped my neck before I could even react. Sa gulat ko bigla akong napalingon sa kanan ko.. and the unexpected happened.
Tristan’s lips touched mine.
xxx
Ate Zade.. galit ka po ba sa’kin?
What? No no no. I’m not! C’mon, Mr. T, don’t cry! Birthday mo ngayon oh. Dapat di ka malungkot. And besides, you already apologized. You’re forgiven na.
…
Tristan? Please, don’t be sad.
Dapat pala.. ibang wish na lang yung sinabi ko. Marami naman akong wishes pero.. yun pa po sinabi ko.
Okay lang naman yu—
Eh kasi Ate.. sabi ni Kuya Andreau pwede magwish kahit impossible things. Kaya yun po ang winish ko. Hindi ko naman po talaga kayo magiging girlfriend eh..
Oh God Tr—
Gusto ko lang po na magkagirlfriend na tulad mo, Ate. Sorry din po pala dun sa kiss. Di ko po yun sinasadya.
Oh. Accident naman yung kiss eh. Wala sa’kin yun, Tristan. C’mon, smile na.
Pero Ate Zade.. di ba dapat kinikiss mo lang yung mga love mo? Lalo sa lips? Ganun kasi sina Mommy at Daddy eh. Love nila isa’t isa kaya sa lips sila nagkikiss. Tapos po si Mommy sa lips din ako kinikiss. Sorry po kung kiniss kita sa lips, Ate.
Hey, ano ka ba. Of course, I love you, Tristan. I won’t stick around this long if I don’t, right?
Talaga po, Ate? Love niyo ako?
Yep. I do. I love you thiisssss big!
Sana po pala winish ko na lang na tumanda ako agad, Ate Zade. Para pwede na po kita maging girlfriend.
Alam mo, Tristan? Bata ka pa naman. Marami ka pang makikilalang girls. Malay mo may best girl pa dyan, na mas awesome pa kesa sa’kin.
No, I already found the best girls, Ate.
Girls?
Of course, you and Mommy. Best girls.
Ahhh don’t say that! Malay mo next time may mameet kang mas best pa sa’kin. Tingnan mo si Kuya Andreau mo, 21 years old na pero wala pa ring girlfriend.
Oo nga po. Alam niyo po ba kung bakit wala pa siyang girlfriend?
Uhmm.. we.. don’t talk about that stuff eh. Pero baka he’s waiting for the best girl? Kaya ikaw.. habang hinihintay mo muna si Best Girl, maging Best Boy ka muna ha? 7 ka pa lang, Trist. Study ka muna. Kabisaduhin mo muna yung multiplication table of 4.
Kabisado ko na po yun! Kuya Andreau helped me!
Oh okay na! Hindi na masama pakiramdam mo?
Opo, Ate. Thank you po talaga. I love you din po.
Anytime, Mr. T. I love you, too.
Ate Zade?
Yes?
Wala po namang magagalit sa’kin di ba po?
Magagalit? What do you mean?
Uhmm.. wala po. Just checking.
xxx
That last conversation with Tristan left me with mixed emotions. Bata ba talaga yung kausap ko? Okay, nagulat talaga ako sa nangyari after ng candle blowing niya kanina. Sino ba namang hindi? Si Andreau nga napanganga at natawa eh. Good thing nandun si Mars to lighten up the situation. The kiss wasn’t a big deal for me. Hell, I did worse things than that. At least kay Tristan accident. Dun sa pinsan niya, silencer ang drama ko.
As usual Andreau drove me home after the party. Around 6:30 PM kami umalis and inabot kami ng Sunday night traffic. Hindi naman long weekend ngayon pero ang daming sasakyan sa EDSA. May Grand Fans day kasi sa Araneta Coliseum kaya sobrang traffic. Nakakaasar naman!
Speaking of Andreau, tahimik lang siya sa buong drive pauwi. Actually, kanina pa siya tahimik after ng candle blowing incident. Nakakain naman siya ng tatlong Nutella cupcakes pero parang hinang-hina si Big Boss. Maybe he’s already tired. Thank God for comfortable silence and relaxing jazz music!
Bigla kong naisip yung tanong sa’kin ni Tristan kanina. Bakit nga kaya walang girlfriend si Andreau? I know na he’s looking for a girl na worth the trouble pero.. hindi ba siya naghahanap? Lalo na ngayon na marami siyang free time? Sabi na nga ba eh, hopeless romantic din ‘tong epal na ‘to!
“Why are you smiling like that?”
Oh shit. Am I? I glanced at Andreau, na nakatingin pala sa’kin. “What?”
“Your smile creeps me out. Penny for your thoughts?”
“Ba’t mo ba ginagamit yang saying na yan? Wala ka sa America, Andreau.”
“Ang sagwa namang pakinggan ng Bente singko for your thoughts di ba?”
The ever pilosopo ugh. “Pwede naman kasing centavo for your thoughts. Pinahirapan mo pa sarili mo.”
“Nazi.”
“I heard that!”
He sighed. Hah, a sign of defeat! “Ano nga yung nginingiti-ngiti mo dyan ha?”
“Ano..” I paused for a second, pang-asar lang. “Tinanong kasi ako ni Tristan kanina. Kung bakit daw wala ka pang girlfriend.”
Hindi ko maexplain ang reaction ni Andreau, kung nagulat ba siya, natuwa o ano. “Hmm.. Really?” he said casually. “What did you say?”
“Malamang almost nothing. We don’t really talk about that stuff. Touchy ka kasi don.”
“Huh? Me, touchy about my love life? I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. You don’t want to talk about Sara—“
Andreau stared at me with his death eyes. Creepy. “Because that was nothing.”
“You felt something for her. That’s obviously not nothing.”
“Ano ngang sinabi mo kay Tristan?”
“Na.. you know. You’re waiting for the best girl something something. I think I kinda made things up. Sabi niya kasi kami raw ni Ms. Marisse ang best girls for him so.. I kinda went that way.”
Shaking his head, Andreau chuckled and shifted in his seat. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya natuwa, sa sinabi ko ba o dahil umandar na rin ‘tong traffic na ‘to. “Hmm.. nice save.”
“Heads up na yan ha! Baka mamaya magulat ka pag may sinabi siya sa’yong best girl. Pero seryoso nga.. ba’t wala pa nga, Andreau? I know na may worth a trouble thing ka dyan pero.. by any chance.. tinry mo bang maghanap ng trouble?”
Nagstretch muna siya bago niya ako sagutin. “I.. really don’t know,” he admitted honestly. “Yes, there were times that I tried but.. for the wrong reasons. Those times.. gusto ko lang ng maalagaan. Ka—“
“Eh dapat bumili ka na lang ng aso. Alagain pala gusto mo eh.”
Tawang-tawa na naman siya sa sinabi ko. Totoo naman ah! Maghanap siya ng pet kung gusto niya ng may alagaan! “U-unbelievable, Zades,” hingal niyang sabi. “T-that was.. my.. moment.. there!”
“Ugh sorry pero nakakaasar yung dahilan mo.”
“I know. That’s why I stopped searching and ended up waiting. I was looking for love for the wrong reasons. And.. factor din kasi si Tristan, Zades.”
Whoa, that was new. “Ha? Ba’t si Tristan?”
“Uhmm.. I was 14 when Tristan was born. Actually I was kinda.. sad when Marisse told me that she was pregnant. Sila pa ni Shane nun though pabalik-balik siya dito sa Pinas. Three years pa lang wala ang parents ko nun and.. I depended a lot on Marisse. Kaming dalawa na lang naman dito sa mundo eh. So.. I was crushed. Kahit wala pa si Tristan dito sa mundo.. nagselos na ako sa kanya. Kasi pag nandito na siya.. wala na sa’kin si Marisse. I’m alone again.
So.. I ate everything I’ve said after I saw him inside that nursery room, exactly seven years ago. I cried. I was wrong to think that I’ll be alone again. In fact, he filled some of the empty spaces inside me. Only child lang ako and that time lahat ng friends ko nasa US. Minsan lang naman kami magkita ni Roldan that time so wala talaga akong makakausap. Then there’s Tristan. He became my baby brother. You know what, I really have a choice to buy my own house. But I didn’t. I can’t leave him and Marisse.”
“Why?”
“Nagkalabuan sina Marisse at Shane nung two years old si Tristan. Don’t tell Marisse I told you this but.. she declined Shane’s wedding proposal. Nasa peak kasi ng career nun si Marisse kaya ayun. So Shane was heartbroken and decided to go back to the States. Before he left.. he made me promise one thing. Na ingatan ko raw ang family niya, lalo na si Tristan. He said that his son needs a father figure and he chose me. Magkakilala kasi sila ni Dad kaya tiwala siya na maayos kong mapapalaki si Tristan so.. there. Kaya ang hirap ding pumasok sa relationships, Zades. I know this may sound silly but.. Tristan is a big part of my life. I can’t do casual because.. it might affect him. That’s why.. I want the best.. for the both of us. Isn’t that.. silly?” He sheepishly smiled at me and wow, Big Boss blushed. Kaya pala ayaw niyang pag-usapan ‘tong love life stuff. Nahihiya siya!
“C’mon, I totally get your point. But.. Tristan is a smart kid! Even though.. you teach him stupid stu—“
“Hey, I teach him informative stu—“
“Germbusters?”
He groaned. “Fine.”
“Pero.. he’s smart. He’s good with people. And I think he wants you to live your life. You’re young. You’re entitled to make some mistakes and I think he’ll understand. Nandyan naman kayo ni Ms. Marisse to guide him. Maiintindihan naman niya pag pinaliwanag mo eh.”
“But still Zades..”
“Oo na, hindi ko naman gustong baguhin ang stand mo. I just want you to ponder on some things. You want the best? Then be the best. Maybe she’s doing her best to be the best for you, too.”
A small smile formed on his lips. “You think so?”
“Yeah. C’mon, girls must be proactive these days! We can’t expect the guys to do everything, right?”
“Coming from the gi— woman who believes in soulmates.”
“Tss. Ewan ko sa’yo. Pero please Andreau ha? Wag si Jillian. Trouble siya pero not the romantic way.” He eyed me for awhile with a devilish grin. “Okay, now what?”
“Alam mo Zades.. sabihin mo lang kung nagseselos ka kay Jillian. I would totally unde—“
“EXCUSEZ-MOI!?” I was answered by a roar of laughter from him. “Hah, I admit na nagselos ako kay Emma Stone kasi wala talaga akong panama dun. Per okay Jillian? Hah excuse me lang Andreau, baka siya pa ang nagseselos sa’kin! Kairita ‘to!”
“Yeah right, Zades. Whatever you say,” he said in mock seriousness. “You can deny it all you want but.. I know it when you’re jealous.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes I do. You’re doing something right now that indica—“
“I’m not doing anything! I’m just.. talking.. and breathing.. and.. staring into sp—“
“You’re doing something else.”
“Wala nga! Ano bang ginagawa ko pag nagseselos ako ha?”
“Nope. Not gonna tell you.”
“Ang daya naman nito! TellmeTellmeTellme!!!”
“Nope. It’s for me to know and for you to find out.”
“Ugh. I hate you. Haharap nga ako sa salamin habang nanonood ng video ni Emma. Baka makita ko yung sinasabi mo.”
“You do that. You do that.”
“Yeah, I will. Tapos papractisin ko na hindi gawin yon.”
“Zades?”
“Hmm?”
“Regarding Jillian? You have nothing to be jealous about.”
“I know. I’m waaaaaaay awesome than her. Of course, Emma Stone is the awesomest of us all.”
“Yeah. She is.”