Resting in Blowing Gale (Element #1)

xxxii

Tiningnan ko ulit ang sarili ko sa salamin. I ran my hands on the hem of my dress. It's a black satin dress just below my knee with black heels. Inayos ko ang singsing na nasa kamay ko at tiningnan muli ang sarili sa salamin.

Humalik ako sa noo ng anak ko na natutulog na. It's 7 o'clock in the evening pero dahil napagod siya kanina, maagang nakatulog. Nag off road kasi kami kasama ang tita Jaja niya, ginala na rin namin siya. At sa buong gala halos naka apat na palit ata ng shades ang anak kong 'to.

I glanced at him again. Kapag natutulog siya, kamukhang kamukha niya talaga ang tatay niya. At ngayong gabi, I'm planning to confess everything to him.

Nadatnan ko si Jade na nakaharap sa isang malaking papel, she's in the living room. Studying the big paper in front of her.

"Ready to confess?" she said without even glancing at me.

I nodded, "Yes, I hope he can accept it though."

"Sus, hindi pa nga niya alam na kanya ang anak mo pero kung angkinin wagas. Kiss mo na lang tapos make up sex. It works, you know."

"Just study the paper in front of you, Jade. I'll go now." humalik ako sa pisngi niya at lumabas na ng bahay.

I practice breath in and breath out. I even fan myself using my hand. Grabe ang kaba ko ngayong gabi. But anyway, ayos lang kung ayaw niya. Hinding hindi ako mamimilit.

The waitress guided me to the private room. I immediately saw him inside. He stood up when he saw me, kissed me on my cheek and guided me to the chair.

"Good evening, mas maganda ka pa sa lahat." he said and grinned.

I shook my head lightly. "Nahahawa ka na sa mga kaibigan mo, mga bolero."

He made a face. "'Wag mo isipin ang mga pangit na 'yon, nakakasira ng gabi." he said and pouted.

I just smiled at him and looked at the breathtaking view on our side. Kitang kita ang kinang ng gabi. The Metro is shining because of the lights. Idagdag pa ang magandang buwan ngayon, mas lalong naging maliwanag ang madilim na langit.

Nakasimangot si Skyler habang nakain kami. Dahil sa kaba ko ang inorder ko na lang ay salad, ang steak ko ay halos hindi ko nagalaw.

"C'mon, don't eat like that." I said while looking at him. Mas lalo siyang sumimangot dahil doon.

"Eat half of the steak and we're good."

I shook my head and sipped on my red wine. "No."

"Then no, too." he said and pouted.

Pinagsaklop ko ang aking palad at lumunok. Grabe ang kaba ko.

"Well, I need to tell you something." pag uumpisa ko.

He looked at me, curious. "Are you gonna say yes to my proposal?" he asked.

"No," nakasimangot kong sagot. "Plus you're not proposing yet."

"Make sense," tumatango tango niyang sagot.

Gosh.

"Well, the thing is..."

"What is it, love?"

"Ahm..."

Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay. "Ikaw ba ang mag p-propose sa 'kin?" tanong niya sa seryosong boses.

"What? No!"

"Kung kabahan ka. Kala ko pa naman." he looked at my eyes. "Ano 'yon?"

"Well the thing iswehaveason." mabilis kong sagot.