43
PRIS
DECEMBER 2018
Nanlulumong ibinaba ni Pris ang cellphone sa ibabaw ng desk matapos nyang makausap si Annabelle. Tinawagan sya nito kanina para sabihing nakausap na nito ang bagong may-ari ng bahay sa Tagaytay at hindi raw ito interesadong ipagbili sa kanya. Ayaw ring ibigay ni Annabelle ang number ng may-ari for privacy reason. Gusto sana ni Pris na sya ang kumausap sa bagong may-ari.
Kung bakit kasi hindi man lang sya sinabihan nina Annabelle na ipagbibili pala nila ang bahay na yun? She wanted to have that house for her and Dominique. She could imagine them redecorating it. She could picture them making it their home dahil si Dominique lang ang nakikita nyang makakasama nya sa hinaharap. Hindi pa rin sya sumusuko, sinabi pa rin nya kay Annabelle na gusto nyang kausapin ng personal ang may-ari.
8PM na ng gabi pero nasa office pa sya ng Fatal Frames. Katatapos lang nyang i-finalize ang editing ng wedding coverage ng recent client nila. Naisip tuloy nya habang ginagawa ito na sana magpakasal din sila ni Dominique balang araw sa ibang bansa. Gusto sana nyang magpropose sa dalaga kaso natatakot syang baka mabigla ito. It's still too soon. Bago pa man ang aksidente ni Dominique, hindi pa nila napag-uusapan ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal. She was willing to wait anyway. Maghihintay sya at darating din ang tamang panahon para dyan.
Sa ngayon, ang tanging gagawin nya ay paslangin ang mga taong magtatangkang agawin ito sa kanya. "I have the God Killer in my possession after all. Might as well use it," natatawa nyang sabi sa sarili.
"Why are you smiling?" Dominique asked curiously when she entered the already opened door of Pris' office.
Napatitig na naman si Pris sa mala-diyosa nyang kasintahan. Napakaganda nito sa suot na black body hugging sleeveless dress at Manolo Blahnik heels. Hindi pa rin nya mapigilang humanga sa kagandahan nito sa tuwing makikita ito. She was like a dream walking in her reality. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin sya makapaniwalang iniibig rin sya nito. Na sya ang nagmamay-ari ng puso ni Dominique.
Dumaan sila nito sa isang matinding pagsubok ngunit nalagpasan nila ito. Kahit nakalimutan sya ng isip nito, naaalala sya ng puso nito. Nagpapasalamat syang pinili nitong magtiwala sa kanya at mahalin sya. Pris swore she'd love her with all her heart. That she'd make her feel special everyday so Dominique wouldn't regret taking chances with her.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of something naughty again?" Tukso ni Dominique nang hindi sya nakasagot agad. Sinarado nito ang pinto saka ni-lock iyon. She walked sexily towards Pris and sat on her lap. "I miss you." Dominique showed how much when she kissed her lips passionately. Niyakap sya nito nang mahigpit.
Pris rested her head on her chest. Dinig na dinig nya ang malakas na tibok ng puso nito. Nanatili sila sa ganung posisyon ng mga ilang minuto. "Saan mo gustong kumain?" Tanong ni Pris. Naramdaman nyang kumulo na ang tiyan nya sa gutom.
"Kahit saan basta may pizza and chicken wings," nangiting sabi nito.
It's a Friday night. They decided to go home at Pris' penthouse and had pizza, fries and chicken delivered. Sa tabi ng pool sila kumain under the clear night sky.
"May gagawin ka ba tomorrow? Gusto mo bang sumama sakin?" Pris tried to ask casually. "Mukhang ayaw nya," she thought when Dominique didn't answer. "Or we can see each other after the event and go somewhere."
"Okay," matipid na sagot nito habang ngumunguya ng fries.
Pris was going to a Pride parade tomorrow. She's going to cover it. Taon-taon din syang sumasali sa ganun after coming out. Its either here or abroad. Depende kung nasaan sya. There would be fun activities like marriage booth. She'd be thrilled to do that with Dominique but it's still too early for her. Sapat na kay Pris ang mahalin sya nito. Hindi na nito kailangan ipagsigawan pa. Ang mahalaga, nagkakaintindihan sila nito.
"Nakausap ko pala si Annabelle kanina. Hindi raw interesado ang bagong may-ari ng bahay na ipagbili sakin kahit nag-offer akong bayaran ng doble. Mukhang nagustuhan talaga ang property. Hindi ko naman masisisi. That place is perfect. Sayang talaga at hindi sakin in-offer dahil bibilhin ko talaga yun para satin, Love," nanghihinayang nyang sabi.
"Pris, you don't have to buy it," Dominique said.
"But you really love that house," giit ni Pris. "And I want it too. For us. I want to build my home with you. Don't you want it too?"
Pris was a little hurt when Dominique didn't answer. Obviously, her girlfriend didn't remember how much she loved that house. Maaaring mahal sya nito, pero sa ngayon hindi pa nito naiisip ang mga bagay na pang-long term. Gusto tuloy nyang batukan ang sarili. Baka isipin pa ni Dominique na masyado syang nagmamadali.
"I don't know," medyo hindi kumportableng sabi ni Dominique. "Huwag mo na lang kulitin sina Annabelle. Buying a property is a big step. The truth is, hindi ko pa naiisip yan. Let's enjoy what we have right now. Hindi naman natin kailangang magmadali di ba?"
"Right." Pris managed to give her reassuring smile. "Let's enjoy what we have and let's enjoy the pizza too." Ngumiti si Dominique. "Ayan, nagmukha ka tuloy nagmamadali," pagalit nyang sabi sa sarili.
Iniba na lang nya ang usapan. Kinumusta na lang nya ang preparation ng Christmas concert party ng kumpanya nila. Magiging guest nila sina Anastacia at Vanessa, who'd also release her first single on that day and would sing it live at the party.
"Kukuha lang ako ng ice, Love," paalam nyang sabi at dinala ang ice bucket papasok ng condo. Binuksan nya ang ref saka nilagyan ng ice cube ang bucket. Isinara nya ang ref at pagharap nya nakatayo sa harap nya si Dominique. Titig na titig ito sa kanya. "What is it?"
Hindi ito nagsalita. Kinabig sya nito at saka sya hinalikan sa labi. Pris loved being kissed by this woman. "I love you so much, Pris. I really do. Be patient with me. Hintayin mo ko. Wala akong ibang gustong makasama kundi ikaw," sabi nito nang maghiwalay ang kanilang mga labi.
"Hihintayin kita, Dominique. I'm sorry if I sounds like I'm in a hur..." Hindi na nya natapos ang sasabihin dahil muli sya nitong hinagkan.
The Pride Parade started as early as 8AM. Everyone gathered in a sports complex in San Juan, Manila. After the speeches from the city mayor and reprensentatives from several LGBTQ++ groups, they paraded on the streets bursting with rainbow colors.
Pris, who was wearing a black tshirt with rainbow printed infront, busied herself snapping photos here and there. Claire and Matt, also Fatal Frames photographers were also with her covering the event. Ang dalawa naman talaga ang naka-assign dito pero minabuti na rin nyang tumulong since advocate sya ng LGBTQ.
Pagkatapos ng parade, bumalik ang lahat sa sports complex kung saan may mga itinayong booth where you could buy Pride stickers, handmade accessories by various LGBT groups, LGBT literatures and marriage booths, where they could declare their love and commitment with each other.
Loud music was blasting from the live band performing on the stage. Pris took photos of some celebrities supporting LGBTQ community. She spotted known couples like the film director Samantha Lee and her partner Mari Jasmine. She also saw Marga on the Mic and her girlfriend Issa Pressman. The weather was very hot but she's enjoying the scene. It's a safe place for people like her.
"Ang init noh? Here have some." Pris was surprised to see a very pretty young lady standing infront of her. She was holding two red cups and was offering one of it to her. "Don't worry. Juice lang yan. At wala ring lason o kaya gayuma."
"T-Thank you." Tinanggap na rin ni Pris. Pakiramdam nya sinadya talaga nitong kumuha ng juice para sa kanya bago sya lapitan.
"You're welcome. I'm Roxanne by the way," pakilala ng dalaga. Nakasuot ito ng fitted white shirt na may rainbow print din sa harapan.
"Pris." They shook hands.
"I know. I'm a fan. You really take amazing pictures."
Pris smiled. "Thanks. What do you do?"
"I'm still in college. 3rd year Journalism in UST," sagot nito. "One of these days, I'd like to invite you para sana magbigay ng talk about photography. For our photo journalism subject."
"Sure," matipid nyang sagot.
"Pwede ko bang makuha ang number mo?" Tanong nito.
Nagpigil tumawa si Pris. Hindi nya masabi kung totoo ngang Journalism student ito, but she could tell from the way Roxanne looked and smiled at her flirtatiously that she's interested with her. "I'll give you Meghan's number. She's Fatal Frames manager. If I'm not available she could send one of our photographers."
"Didiretsahin na kita, Pris. Kanina pa kita pinagmamasdan and I really like you. Gusto kong makilala pa kita. I'd like to get your number for that and for photography reasons too," she said boldly.
"I'm already taken," diretsahan ding sabi ni Pris. "And you are too young for me."
"Age doesn't matter. If you are taken, where is your partner? Like I said, kanina pa kita pinagmamasdan."
"She's on her way here," Pris said but Roxanne knew she's lying.
"It's either you're lying to send me away or you're already taken but your girlfriend can't tell the world about you," she said matter factly. "Sorry about that," she added quickly when Pris' smile vanished. "Straightforward talaga akong magsalita. Pasensya ka na. I'm sure she's an amazing person pero kung ako sya, ipagsisigawan kita sa lahat."
"You're right." Parehong nabigla sina Pris at Roxanne nang may babaing nagsalita. They both turned to Dominique, who looked fashionable and radiant on her knee length boots and vintage yellow dress that feel above her knee.
"And you are?" Napataas ang kilay na tanong ni Roxanne.
"I'm Dominique," sagot ng dalaga saka hinawakan ang kaliwang kamay ni Pris. "Her amazing girlfriend. You're right though. Dapat nga talagang ipagsigawan ko sa lahat si Pris para na rin siguro walang magtangkang umagaw sa kanya sakin." And without hesitation, Dominique kissed Pris' lips.
"Who are you and what have you done to my Dominique?" Pris said astonished after the kiss. "Why are you here? Akala ko ba magkasama pa kayo ni Julia?" Nagpaalam kasi itong pupunta somewhere kasama ng kaibigan.
"Maaga kaming natapos. Pupunta naman talaga ako dito. I wanted to surprise you. Bakit? Ayaw mo ba akong nandito? Naistorbo ko ba kayo ng babaing yun?" Masungit nitong sabi. Napansin ni Pris na wala na pala si Roxanne. "Buti pala pinuntahan kita. Siguro kanina pa may nakikipag-flirt sayo noh!" Bakas sa mukha nito ang selos. Hindi mapigilang matawa ni Pris. "It's not funny."
"They could flirt all they want, but I'm not interested," seryoso nyang turan.
"Dapat lang," napangiti na nitong sabi saka sya ulit hinalikan. "I love you."
"I love you too." May mga natutuwang nakatingin sa kanila. Pris felt like she just won the lottery. Hindi naman nya dine-demand na ipagsigawan ni Dominique ang tungkol sa kanila sa lahat. Sapat na sa kanya ang mahalin sya nito. But as always, Dominique went beyond her dreams. Kahit noon pa, nagagawa syang sorpresahin nito. Hindi nya inaasahan na sasabihin nito agad sa mga magulang ang tungkol sa kanila. Kaya naman napakaswerte nya rito dahil handa nitong ipaglaban ang pagmamahalan nila.
"Don't drink that. Baka may gayuma pa yan." Inis na kinuha ni Dominique ang red cup sa kanya at itinapon sa pinakamalapit na garbage can. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink." Nangingiti na lang na sumunod rito si Pris.
Magkahawak kamay nilang inisa-isa ang mga booths. "Will you marry me?" Nakangiting tanong ni Pris habang tumitingin ng mga accessories si Dominique. Natigilan ito. Gumuhit ang disappointment sa mukha nito. "May marriage booth kasi. Pero okay lang kahit..."
"Of course, I'll marry you," sagot nito nang maliwanagan.
Hindi maiwasang malungkot ni Pris. Kung totoo ngang niyaya nya itong magpakasal, baka mareject sya base sa reaksiyon nito. Iwinaksi na lang nya iyon. Dominique just kissed her in public. That's a big step for her. In time, they would talk about their future.
They had fun at the marriage both. They exchanged their vows and kissed again after that. Nagstay pa sila ng isang oras and went to have lunch at Pris' mother's house. Gusto daw kasing makipagbonding rito ni Dominique.
Tuwang-tuwa si Mrs. San Victores nang makita sila. Nagpahanda ito ng mga paborito nilang pagkain. Nagkwento sila tungkol sa parade. Masayang nakikita ni Pris na nagkakasundo ang dalawang babaing mahal nya.
"Tita Beth, may sasabihin po sana ako inyo. I've talked to my parents and brother about it after my birthday. They already gave me their blessings," Dominique said. She seemed nervous. Napatingin sa kanya ang Ginang. Pris poured orange juice in her glass and brought it to her lips to drink. "I want to marry your daughter."
Napaawang ang mga labi ni Mrs. San Victores. Nagliwanag ang mukha ni Olivia samantalang nasamid naman si Pris dahil pinigilan nyang maibuga ang juice na iniinom.
"I really love Pris, Tita Beth. I can't imagine my future without her. During my Cousin Mary's wedding, while I was walking down the aisle, I saw myself as a bride. I saw myself marrying Pris." Dominique was furiously blushing. "So, if you will give me your blessing, I want to spend the rest of my life with your daughter."
When Mrs. San Victores recovered herself she was teary-eyed with happiness. "You have my blessing, my dear." Tumayo ito at niyakap ng mahigpit si Dominique.
"Are you sure you want to marry my stupid sister?" Maluha-luhang biro ni Olivia matapos silang magyakap ni Dominique, na tumango-tango. "Kelan nyo balak magpakasal?"
"Sana next year na, iha. Wag nyo ng patagalin," sabi naman ng Mama nya.
"Teka, hindi pa nga ako tinatanong ng will you marry me eh, pinag-uusapan na kung kelan ang kasal?" Protesta ni Pris nang makarecover sa mga tinuran ng girlfriend. "Hindi pa nga ako umoo."
"You don't have a say on this," Olivia retorted. "Kami na ang magye-yes para sayo. Chu-choosy ka pa ba? Sya lang ang nagkamali sayo."
Inirapan ito ni Pris. Tumayo sya saka hinila si Dominique sa may living room para masolo nya ito at makausap. "Was that for real?" Tanong nya rito. "You really want to marry me?"
"Yes."
"Baka nabibigla ka lang. Kagabi sinabi mo sakin to enjoy what we have. Na hindi kailangang magmadali. Kanina when I asked you to marry me, you looked disappointed," naguguluhan nyang sabi.
"I've been thinking about this mula nang magkabalikan tayo, Pris. Kaya hindi ako nabibigla lang. When I told you last night to wait for me, I was mentally asking you to wait for another day. I was disappointed earlier when you asked me to marry you, dahil akala ko naunahan mo ko. Ang gusto ko kasi, ako ang magtanong nun sayo. I feel so incomplete because of my lost memories. I feel like a puzzle with a missing piece but when I'm with you I feel complete. I'm still afraid, but I feel brave when you're beside me. I want you in my life now and forever," nakangiting sabi ni Dominique. "Let me formally ask you." Ipinakita nito ang kanina pa pala nitong hawak na familiar looking green box. Binuksan nito iyon at nakita ang isang rose gold diamond cube ring na parte din ng Avec Moi collection. "Priscilla Adriana San Victores, will you marry me?"
And once again, this astounding wonderful woman infront of her, gave her a mind blowing surprised. "Yes, I will marry you." Pris gently caressed Dominique's cheeks and gave her a tender kiss on the lips after the ring was slipped on her finger.