Be With Him

A familiar lovely song was playing inside the church.

Nang lingunin ko si Derek ay hindi ko napigilan ang pag-ngiti, the Derek I know was the toughest and bravest man ever but now he’s crying, a rare scenery of him.

Wearing a black suite, he’s trying to stand firmly while waiting for his bride wala pa man ay naiyak na ito.

When the door opened, everyone was in awe, camera flashes were everywhere, Macey the girl who tamed my friend is indeed beyond gorgeous.

She’s wearing a white trahe de boha that suites her perfectly.

After a few moments, everyone is crying while they’re exchanging their vows.

“You may now kiss the bride” as on cue, Derek pulled his wife and closing their distance while feeling each others lips.

Habang tanaw sila sa malayo habang kinukuhaan sila ng family picture ay hindi ko mapigilan ang mapa-ngiti, akalain mo ‘yon? Naka-tayo pa ‘din ang bandera ng pagkakaibigan namin kabila ng lahat?

Who says man can’t be friend with woman?

“Reu! Tara na!” Kino pulled me for a group photo. But mukhang mali ang naisip ko dahil inilagay niya ako sa linya nang mga babaeng nag-aantay ng paghagis ng bouquet.

Tatawa-tawa ako ng magsimulang magtulakan ang mga babae ng umambang ihahagis na ni Macey ang bulaklak.

“Duga!”

Malakas na inihagis ni Macey ang bulaklak dahilan kung bakit lumagpas ito sa’min.

“Yiee!”

Nakunot ang aking noo at dagliang lumingon sa likuran dahil sa kanilang hiyawan. My jaw dropped.

A gorgeous man holding a bouquet was walking towards me.

“Here” Adam handed me the bouquet kaya kinuha ko ito ” I’ll make sure that the next wedding will be ours”

Samu’t saring hiyawan at kantyawan ang naganap kaya mas ramdam ko ang pag-daloy ng dugo sa aking pisngi, Kakilig shems!

Nagtawanan ang lahat ng padabog na iabot ni Derek ang garter kay Adam.

“Hindi porke kasal ako pwede mo nang saktan si Reu..” He made a sign like I-am-watching-you-motherfvcker.

Naguumapaw ang hiya sa aking katawan ng isuot niya ang garter sa aking hita ngunit mabilis ring natigil ang asaran ng nagkaniya-kaniya na silang alis upang tumungo sa reception.

“So kanino ako sasakay?” Tanong ko kay Zhack dahil may sakay sakay siyang isang babae.

“Kanila na ate, wag kang istorbo!” He sound frustrated pero naka-ngiti.

” Taranta–” I was cut off when a big rough palm covered my mouth.

“Watch your mouth, Woman. Nasa simbahan ka” Adam warned me before letting me go.

” Can I ride you? ” Walang hiyang tanong ko dahil ayoko namang maglakad patungong reception.

“Ate bastos!” Zhackary laughed his ass out bago dagliang sumakay sa kaniyang sasakyan at pinaharurot ito. “D’yan ka sa manliligaw mo!”

Yes, a week ago he said he wants to court me I didn’t answered him but he was too persistent, halos araw araw na ata siya sa bahay, may dalang bulaklak, balak ko na nga rin atang magpatayo ng flower shop.

My face heated, mukhang nagkamali na naman ako ng sinabi.

“Ride me huh? ” He chuckled making my face reddened more, he leaned closer to me and whispered something “I don’t drive someone who isn’t my girlfriend, Reu… but if it’s you, you can ride me anytime” he winked.

Para akong tuod ng iwan niya ako sa aking kinatatayuan, binabalot ng hiya ang aking katawan. Dahil sa simpleng pagkakamali umabot ng ganun sinasabi niya nasa simbahan kami for Pete’s sake!This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“C’mon, are you gonna ride me? I mean with me?” Asik niya habang naka-silip sa bintana ng kaniyang kotse, mabilis akong naglakad palapit sa kotse niya at pasalampak na na-upo sa passenger seat. “Why are you frowning?”

I looked at him and made a faced.

“Tangina mo” I rolled my eyes afterward just to covered myself from embarrassment.

“Tsk” he tsked and removed his seatbelt to lean on me “Your dirty mouth, lady”

His voice sent shiver down my spine, we’re too close and I can even smell his minty breath.

“I’m an attorney, law follower.. it’s a crime to kiss you without your permission…” He licked his lower lips while staring deeply at my eyes “.. Can I kiss you then, baby?”

His voice was like hypnotizing me, I was hypnotized. I nodded and close my eyes waiting for him to kiss me.

“Don’t close your eyes yet” he said huskily, nang buksan ko ang aking mga mata ay naroon na ang mapaglarong ngisi sa kaniyang mga labi dahilan kung bakit naginit na naman ang aking mukha.

“One last question before I kiss you, babe..” he cupped my face using his right hand and caressed his thumb on my cheeks. “I’m courting yo–”

“Stop courting me” I said with finality, I saw how his brows knitted and moved his jaw aggressively.

” No, I’ll court you” before I can even answered he held my nape tightly and leaned his lips on mine.

No one was moving, naka-dikit lamang ang kaniyang labi sa akin ngunit pag lipas ng ilang segundo he planted three small kisses on my lips before distancing his self.

“Please don’t make me stop courting you” he said not looking into my eyes.

“What I mean is, Let’s stop it already, I love you” there, nasabi ko rin.

My heart pounded when he looked at me cluelessly, shit hindi niya ba naiintindihan?!

“Ano?” He said while staring at me “What did you just said, Reu?”

“I said I–” before I can even finished my words, sinakop na niya ang aking mga labi habang marahang naka-kapit sa aking batok.

“Say it, again” he said huskily while planting kisses on my cheeks.

“I love you…. I still love you” I kissed the tip of his nose nang makita ko ang pamumula ng kaniyang mga mata mayroon ding nagbabadyang mga luha, natawa ako.

What a cute baby he is!

“Don’t leave me like that again, Reu ha? Hindi ko kaya” he said between his sobbed. He’s crying already!

Please don’t hurt me like that again..

“Halika na! Umalis na tayo!” Tatawa-tawa kong hinatawa ang kaniyang likudan at marahan siyang itinulak palayo.

Tumawa siya habang pinupunasan ang kaniyang mukha bago bumaling sa’kin.

“Tawagan mo si Derek kamo ako sagot sa catering” biro niya dahilan kung bakit natawa ako.

Gosh, I miss this.. just like the old days

Months have passed naging maayos naman ang samahan namin, kalahating taon na ang lumilipas ngunit parang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat.

Pansamantalang si Ate Ayesha ang namamahala cafeteria ko sa Maldives. Nagpatayo rin ako ng flower shop sa Gentri Cavite kung saan malapit ang bahay na ipinatatayo ni Adam and to mind you, mismong ang triplets ang engineer ng bahay.

“Ate! Andito si Asunscion!”

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako dahil sa kabastusan ni Zhackary, walang modo.

Sandali ko pa munang tinignan ang aking sarili sa salamin. Wearing my yellow puffed dressed and white T-strap pump, naka-sukbit rin sa aking balikat ang white gucci sling bag na regalo sa’kin ni Zhackary.

Nang bumaba ako ay hindi ko maiwasan ang mapa-ngiti dati rati tuwing susunduin ako ni Adam ay parehas silang naka-upo ni Zhackie sa sofa habang may hawak na game controller, ibang iba sa nakikita kong Zhackary na naka-upo sa salas may katapat na laptop at sandamakmak na libro.

“Bye, Zhackie!” Lumapit ako sa kaniya upang humalik sa kaniyang pisngi ngunit mabilis siyang naka-iwas at sinamaan ako ng tingin, nagulat ako “hoy! Bakit?” reklamo ko.

He just smiled and pulled me for a hug, ramdam ko ang marahang paghalik niya sa aking ulo, okay na ‘to.

“Take care, Ate” I smiled to assured him.

“Good Afternoon, Love” Adam greeted me with a smile and bouquet of flowers. ” Sila tito? Di’ba galing silang Batanes?”

“Nasa Bohol sila ngayon”I answered him, I don’t know whats with my Father and Tita Zheria balak libutin ang buong bansa pero okay na rin yun para hindi sila mastress and bored.

Si Mom? Nag migrate siya sa US with Soriena’s help, sabi hindi daw kami kayang harapin dahil sa hiya, ayos lang yon basta ako napatawad na siya.

“Let’s go?” Nginitian ako ni Adam, his brown eyes were sparkling so his smile too.

Gosh those eyes and smile of him.

Umakbay siya sa’kin patungong sasakyan at inalalayan ako papasok, nang maupo ay napansin ko ang brief case sa likod, mukhang galing pa siyang trabaho.

“Are you excited to our first date?” Tanong niya nang maka-upo sa driver seat, natawa na lamang ako. Lagi niyang tanong sa’kin ‘yan tuwing magde-date kami every last day of the month.

“As usual..” I let my voice trailed off making him frowned “.. lagi naman akong excited”