Amelia Martini
"Baby, Calm down."
"Nakakahiya kasi!"
Hindi parin ako maka get-over sa napaka-bobo kong palusot. Pagkatapos kasi non, hindi na ako tinigilan ni Blake hanggang sa inawat na siya ni Kuya, at si Blaine naman hindi ako tinulungang mag-explain. Kunsabagay, ang bobo din naman kasi ng palusot ko, ginamit ko pang excuse ang neck tie na wala naman. Bakit naman maglo-lock ng pinto kong aayusan lang ng tie?
Napaka-bobo mo, Amy.
Naramdaman ko ang paghimas ni Blaine sa mga braso ko. "It's fine, Amelia. They would understand."
"Nakakahiya kasi! You should have answered their question at baka mas matino ang sagot mo."
He held my face to turn it infront of him. "Don't frown, baby. We have the whole night to enjoy"
Ngumiti ako. Oo nga naman, buong gabi ang selebrasyon para sa dalawangpu't taong pagsasama ng mga magulang ko. Imagine, 20 years? I mean, a lot of couples have gone past that long pero nakaka-amaze pa rin na sa loob ng mahabang panahon, nakayanan nila Mommy ang mga pagsubok nila sa buhay.
"Hey," Blaine touched my cheeks when he felt my silence. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing." I smiled when he didnt look convinced with my answer. "Nothing important."
He sighed . "Let's go out, baby." he held my wrist to help me stand up.
"Everyone's outside already."
Tumango na ako at tumayo mula sa pagkaka-upo dito sa sofa. Pagkatapos kaming katukin ni Kuya kanina, isa isa na silang lumabas dahil dumating na daw ang iilang mga bisita.
I was holding Blaine's arms while walking. Hindi ko maiwasang ilapit ang mukha ko sa katawan niya. I leaned close enough for my nose to touch his clothing. Hinalikan ko siya ng kaunti sa braso dahil ang bango niya, sa sobrang bango niya gusto ko siyang yakapin at pangigilan na parang teddy bear.
Napansin niya siguro ang paghigpit ng hawak ko sa braso niya at medyo tumungo siya sa akin. "I told you, we should've just lock ourselves inside your room". he smirked.
Napalo ko tuloy siya sa dibdib niya dahil baka may makarinig. Binaba ko ang kamay ko sa braso niya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. He immediately intertwined our fingers.
"Hindi pwede!" I pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's fine." he shrugged his shoulders. "I'll just sleep beside you later."
Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran bago ako nagpalinga-linga sa paligid. "Someone might hear you."
He chuckled and kiss the top of my head. Sakto namang nakalabas na kami sa backyard namin, ready na ang mga mesa at upuan. There's also a small stage set up in front filled with blue palette designs. Mom's favorite color is blue kaya blue ang theme ng anniversary nila. Medyo marami rami narin ang dumating.
Dad made sure that it's going to be an intimate party between close family and friends. Kung iimbitahin ni Mommy at Daddy lahat ng kilala nila, hindi kami kasya dito dahil ang daming kilala ni Daddy lalo pa't Mayor siya ng lungsod namin.
I roamed around and saw a lot of familiar faces. We made a lot of stops to greet them and of course, to introduce Blaine to them before we could actually see the table for us. Dumiretso kami sa lamesa na nasa harap mismo ng stage. Nandoon na sila Kuya, Amara at Blake while my parents are busy entertaining some guests that have just arrived.
"You are so pretty, Amy!" Amara immediately stood up when she saw us coming. "I'm sure Blaine can't take his eyes off of you." she kissed me on my cheeks.
Medyo uminit ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya lalo pa't nararamdaman ko din ang titig ni Blaine sa akin simula pa kanina. Nginitan ko lang si Amara at tiningnan ang suot niya. She's wearing this aqua blue cocktail dress that matches my brother's neck tie. Si Blake naman ay naka dark blue din na long sleeves kagaya ni Blaine pero pinatungan niya ng white coat.
"Ikaw din Amara, ang ganda ganda ng suot mo." Umupo ako sa upuan na hinila ni Blaine para sa akin. Binalingan ko si Kuya at humalik sa pisngi niya. "Ikaw din Kuya, ang gwapo mo."
"You look just like Mom, Amy." Kuya answered before looking at Blaine. "You look good together." medyo mahina iyon pero narinig ko naman.
Ngumiti lang ako ng pasimple kay Kuya at niyakap siya. I know he has nothing against Blaine but this is the first time he actually said something about us-that we look good.
"Thank you, Kuya." i whispered "Akala ko ayaw mo kay Blaine."
He accepted my hug while slightly tapping my back. "Pwede ba iyon? Blaine's a great man. I am so happy to see you this happy."
"I love you, Kuya!"
"I love you too, little sister." he kissed my head before letting go of the hug.
Tumayo siya at humarap kay Blaine na nakatayo sa likod ng inuupuan ko. "Welcome to the family".
I smiled when the two of the most important men of my life hugged each other. Well, it looks like a man hug pero tuluyan na rin iyong naging malaking yakap dahil naki-yakap na rin si Blake sa kanilang dalawa.
"Aww, Kuya ko na din si Malcolm-aray!" Agad na napa-kamot si Blake dahil binatukan siya ni Kuya. "Group hug mga Kuya ko!."
They all look very funny dahil halatang napipilitan lang ang dalawa habang si Blake naman ay nakayakap ng mahigpit sa kanila para hindi sila makawala. Me and Amara looked at each other before we both decided to join the hug. Nakisali kami sa group hug, pumwesto ako sa likod ni Blaine habang si Amara sa likod ni Kuya.
Nasa ganoong pwesto kami nang maabutan ni Mommy at Daddy. Pareho silang natawa nang makita kami. Mukha kasi kaming pinagbuhol na mga tuta sa pwesto namin. Dad asked us to stay still para makunan kami ng litrato. After a few shots, we gave a little space in between us para makasali si Mommy at Daddy na game na game din. We ended up looking funny, para kaming mga batang nagsisiksikan para makuha ng camera kahit na ang laki naman ng space.
We posed for a few times before letting go of each other dahil baka magusot ang mga damit namin. After the huge hug, pareho na kaming nakatayo katabi ng mga kapares namin-except for Blake.
"Ang daya talaga!" pumadyak si Blake na parang bata. "Tito, may kakilala kabang dalaga diyan?" tumuro pa siya sa iilang nandoon na parang nag wi-window shopping lang.
"Oo iho, marami." Inakbayan ni Daddy si Blake at sabay silang naglakad paalis. "Ipapakilala kita sa sekretarya ko, dalaga iyon."
"Talaga, Tito? Ilang taon po?"
"Mga 35 ata."
Sabay kaming natawa nang biglang bumalik si Blake sa amin. Si Daddy naman ay tinawanan din siya bago tuluyang naglakad paalis para puntahan ang mga bagong dating na bisita. We all went back to our seats but Mom stopped me. Hinila niya ako medyo palayo sa lamesa namin.
She held my shoulders and looked at me from bottom to top but her stare lingered on my face.
"Bakit, Mommy?" nag-papanik kong tanong dahil mukhang iiyak na ata siya.
She shook her head and wiped little tears on the side of her eyes. "Masaya lang ako, Anak. You look very beautiful."
She carresed my cheek while looking at me lovingly. "Masaya ako Anak dahil kitang-kita ko sa mga mata mo na masaya ka."
"Masaya naman talaga ako Mommy, I have you and Daddy. I also have Kuya and-"
"Blaine? Your eyes never looked so happy like this before."
"Yes Mommy, I also have Blaine." Lumingon ako sa direksyon ni Blaine na mukhang masaya din na nakiki-pagusap kasama sina Kuya. " I love him."
"And he loves you too, Amy. Don't let go of each other, I hope he's the one for you." Mom held my hand tight.
Hindi parin naaalis ang tingin ko kay Blaine. Is it too soon to tell? Isang buwan palang kami. We still don't know what the future holds for us. Doubts and fear came crawling inside my mind but when Blaine looked at me with a smile, all my inhibitions faded away. I was calm, he made me calm.
"I hope so, Mom. I really hope so."
The celebration started after quite a while. Medyo umiingay na ang paligid pero mas nangingibabaw ang musika mula sa hired live band na tumututugtog. Everyone was almost done with their food when Dad stepped in the middle of the stage with a microphone with my Mother beside him.
Napatigil ako sa pag-kain ng dessert at tumagilid para humarap ng mabuti sa stage. I felt Blaine's arm around the back of my chair.
"Good evening, everyone!" Dad spoke to get the attention of the crowd. "In behalf of my loving wife, Alma, I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight. This day marks the 20th anniversary of our marriage at karamihan sa inyo ang naging ka-alalay namin sa loob ng mga taong lumipas. I have loved my wife for more than 20 years and our love gets stronger and stronger as each year passes by. The same love that blessed us with two wonderful children." He looked at me and Kuya.
Blaine held my arms and I intertwined my fingers with his. Mahina ako kapag si magulang ko na ang nagsasalita, madali akong umiyak.
"To all of us here tonight, let us celebrate love. Here's to many more years to come!" Daddy raised a glass of wine and we all raised our glasses as well. Pagkatapos nilang uminom ng wine na parang bagong kasal, pabirong kinalampag ni Blake ang tinidor sa baso para gumawa ng ingay.
"Kiss! Kiss!" Blake stood up and raised the glass while tapping it with a fork.
The crowd cheered the same thing and my parents shared a sweet kiss in front of us. Bago bumaba si Daddy at Mommy sa stage, nag-salita siya ulit.
"Let's enjoy the rest of the night as we dance to Wonderful Tonight."
As if on cue, the band started to play Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight which is my Mother's favorite song. My parents led the dance floor. Nag slow dance sila na para bang first dance nila sa kasal, kulang na lang may magsabit ng pera sa suot nila. Paisa-isa na ring tumayo ang ilang mga bisita para sumayaw sa gitna kasama na doon si Kuya at si Amara, pati si Blake may kasayaw na rin.
"Can I have this dance, baby?" Blaine stood in front of me and offered his right hand. "May I?"
Ngumisi ako sa kanya, hindi naman niya kailangan pang magpaalam. Kahit nga ako pa mismo mag-aya sa kanyang sumayaw, okay lang.
Pumwesto kami sa gilid ni Mommy at Daddy. Blaine embraced his arms around my waist, my arms hugged his neck and my head rested on his chest. Mas mukha kaming magkayakap kaysa sumasayaw. Dad gave us a smile when he saw the both of us, ganoon din si Kuya at Amara.
A lot of people joined and slowdanced when I remembered something.
Tumingala ako sa kanya. "Blaine, do you remember the last time we danced like this?"
Yumuko siya at napangiti. "Yes I do, baby. I was still courting you back then."
Napatawa ako ng kaunti kasi kung maka-sabi naman siya ng 'back then' parang ilang taon na ang lumipas, 2 months pa nga lang ata iyon.
"Your parents are great. I love your family." he whispered.
Blaine has said a lot of sweet things to me but what he said just added butterflies inside my stomach. Nothing turns me on more than a guy who loves my family.
Nakontento na akong kasayaw siya habang nakatingala ako sa kanya. Sumasabay kami sa ritmo ng kanta. I could almost feel his heart beating next to mine and his stares makes me feel as if we're the only ones dancing.
"You look wonderful tonight." I said following the lyrics of the song.
"You always look wonderful, baby."
ANG BILIS lumipas ng araw, before I knew it, nandito na ulit kami sa condo. The party was very memorable. Maybe sa akin mas memorable iyon dahil kasama si Blaine, kilala na siya ng mga magulang ko at tanggap na rin. The day after the party, hindi na rin natuloy ang pagpunta namin sa beach dahil pagod kaming lahat lalo na si Mommy at Daddy. Tumambay na lang ulit kami sa pool side at sa bahay buong araw. We made most of the day dahil bukas balik na naman kaming lahat sa normal. May pasok na naman, tapos na ang bakasyon.
"Nakakapagod!" pabagsak na humiga si Amara sa sofa. "I hate that tomorrow is Wednesday. Ayaw ko pang pumasok."
I feel the same way, may pasok na which means lesser time with Blaine. I sighed and sat flatly on the floor. Si Kuya naman ay naupo sa paanan ni Amara.
"Don't worry babe, kunting tiis nalang. Graduate na tayo!" Kuya massaged Amara's feet. "How about you Blaine? Uwi ka na?" tanong ni Kuya kay Blaine na na-upo sa pang-isahang sofa.
Before he said anything, he looked at me first. I gave him a puppy look hoping he would stay. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at tumingin sa orasan.
"I guess, I also have classes tomorrow."
Sumimangot ako at sinadya ko talagang makita niya iyon. I have something prepared for tonight. Tomorrow is the exact date of our monthsary, I want to surprise him kahit na tapos na ang celebration namin sa B&B ni Winslet.
"Kuya?" I faced Kuya and placed both palms on my face. "Pwedeng dito matulog si Blaine?"
Napatigil si Kuya sa pag-mamasahe ng paa ni Amara at napatingin sa akin. He didnt say a thing and looked at Blaine.
"It's not necessary, it's not that late" Blaine interrupted.
"Please, Kuya?" I made sure I used the most convincing voice I have.
"Saan siya matutulog?"
"In my room?" I answered straightly.
"Amelia!"
"Amy!" Magkasabay na sabi ni Kuya at Blaine. Alam kong nakakagulat ang sinabi ko pero I wasnt expecting Blaine to be this shocked,kunwari pa siya. Tabi naman kaming natulog for three straight nights, hindi ko alam kung may nakapansin ba o wala pero mukhang wala naman except kay Blake.
Mabuti narin at wala dito si Blake at nauna nang umuwi, dahil baka maisipan niya pang matulog din dito.
Patay malisya akong lumingon kay Blaine at Kuya. "I'll leave the door open, Kuya. Please?"
Bumangon si Amara at umakbay kay Kuya. "Pumayag ka na babe, wala naman siguro silang masamang gagawin diba?" she gave us a meaningful look.
"Wala! Promise!" Hindi ko na hinintay si Blaine na magsalita dahil aangal lang siya. Napapansin ko na ibang iba umakto si Blaine kapag nasa harap ng ibang tao at iba din kapag kami lang dalawa. He's playful when we're alone yet very firm when someone else is around.
"Sige na babe, payagan mo na." Amara winked at me as she convince my brother. Amara knows my plan and I specifically asked for her help dahil ang approval lang naman ni Kuya ang kailangan.
Pabalik balik ang tingin ni kuya sa aming tatlo bago siya tumango. "Fine, pero walang mag-lo-lock ng pinto." he looked at me as if he was reminding me about what happened the last time we locked the door.
Hindi naman talaga ako mag-lo-lock ng pinto. Although, Blaine can sleep here on the couch but my plan would work better if he'll be on my bed.
I immediately showed Blaine my room to make it look like it's his first time inside. I also told Kuya that we'll rest already dahil baka magbago pa ang isip niya. Blaine was hesitant at first pero hindi naman niya ako matitiis. In the end, nasa tabi ko na siya at mahimbing ang tulog.
His hugging me from behind. His arms wrapped around my stomach, he's too close that I could feel his breath on my nape. Pinaramdaman ko lang siya at nang bumigat ang paghinga niya, I took my phone and quietly did what I had to.
Sa higpit ng yakap ni Blaine, muntik na rin akong makatulog pero pinigilan ko lang talaga ang sarili ko. I patiently waited for the time to come and when 11:30 came, I slowly gor out of my bed. Nilagyan ko ng unan ang pwesto ko at pinayakap iyon kay Blaine.
I silently walked outside of my room. Dumiretso agad ako sa kusina at nandoon na sa kitchen counter ang isang paper bag na may lamang 31 yum burger. I made my actions quick. I removed all the wrappers from the burger and arranged it to form a pyramid. After a while, mayroon na akong maliit na stack ng yum burger. It was 10 minutes before 12 midnight when I went to the bathroom to fix myself.
Saktong dalawang minuto nalang bago mag alas dose, maingat kong binitbit ang platter na pinatungan ko ng burger papasok sa kwarto ko. I placed it on my bed carefully and went back near the door to open the lights.
As soon as the lights went on, Blaine moved a little. Gumalaw ang braso niya at itinakip niya sa mata niya. I pulled a chair and sat beside the bed holding the platter of burgers. I reached for his hands and patted it lightly to wake him up. While doing so, I was also staring at my wristwatch. 30 seconds nalang.
"Blaine, wake up." I whispered.
He started making little moves before he removed his arms away from his eyes. Unti unti niyang binuka ang mga mata niya, as soon as he opened his eyes, it automatically roamed around the room before it landed on me.
"Happy first month, baby."
Ngumiti siya at bumangon ng kaunti. Itinukod niya ang siko niya at patagilid na humarap sa akin. He gave me smile and kissed the back of my hand. Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti niya nang makita niya ang hawak ko. He let out a small chuckle.
"I chose yum burgers because I know how much you love Jollibee." I slightly pinched his palms. "Thirty-one yumburgers, one for each day that we've been together."
Hindi siya nagsalita at nakatitig lang siya sa nakapatong na yumburgers. I also stopped trying to figure out what he's thinking. Gusto niya ba na may kandila sa tuktuk?
"Do you want to blow a candle and make a wish?" I asked and leaned closer.
"No, how about you? Do you want one?" he asked me as he remove the platter from my hands. He got up and signaled me to come closer.
Umupo ako sa kama at pumwesto siya sa likod ko habang niyayakap ako at nasa harap namin ang mga burger.
"Do you want to make a wish?" he asked again.
I shook my head without looking at him. "I already have everything I could wish for atsaka I believe that prayers are more powerful than wishes."
I felt him nod. Tumahimik ulit siya kaya tumingala ako sa kanya. "Bakit ang tahimik mo?"
He didnt look at me, instead he closed his eyes. He stayed like that for a few seconds before he looked at me intently.
"I was praying."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "About what?"
"I thanked God because I have you." he kissed the top of my head before hugging me close and settled his head on my neck. "I also asked God If I could keep you forever."
My heart melted in awe as I reached for his cheeks. "You can keep me for as long as you want."
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