OFFSTAGE (Suspire Series #2)

EPILOGUE

Dumaan ang mga araw at buwan ay malapit nang matapos 'yong construction na pinapatayo namin ni Aubry. Ngayon, pareho kaming hindi maka-decide kung anong magandang pangalan ng business.

"A&C nalang kasi mas madali," Aubry said while eating her yogurt. Nandito siya sa condo ko para tulungan akong mag-ayos mamaya para sa awards ceremony ni Mason. The last time I promised him that I would be present for his award ceremony, I was unable to do so. So now I want to make good on that promise.

And I'm thankful Aubry was here to help me with my efforts. It's been a long time since we've had a bonding. Dati, inaaya ko lang siya lagi mag-club para makabingwit ng kung sino man diyan. Nakakatuwa at ganitong ma-ibang ganap naman.

"Ang panget nga," sumbat ko. Kanina pa niya pinipilit na 'yon nalang daw ang pangalan ng bagong business namin dahil initial daw ng first name namin. Kaso hindi ko bet.

Pareho kaming nasa loob ng walk-in-closet ko. Busy ako sa pagre-restitch ng gown na susuotin ko mamaya sa event habang si Aubry naman ay kumakain. Kausap namin si Lexa sa laptop para tulungan kaming mag-brainstorm para sa pangalan ng new business.

"What if 'years with you' ?" Lexa suggested. Naka-speaker siya kaya rinig namin. "Which means you're going to spend the rest of your years with your other half," she explained.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Aubry at parehong napakurap. It's actually a good business name. Tamang-tama dahil about kasal lang naman ang event na iha-handle namin. Nagtalo muna kaming magkaibigan bago namin napagkasunduan na 'yong sinabi ni Lexa ang magiging pangalan ng business. Magpapasalamat pa sana kami ngunit pinatay na pala niya 'yong video call. Nabad-trip siguro dahil maingay kami ni Aubry kanina.

"Sungit talaga," bulong ni Aubry kaya natawa ako. Hindi pa ba siya nasanay sa pamangkin niya? Lumabas si Aubry sa kwarto para itapon ang pinagkainan niya habang ako naman ay hinahanda ang mga makeup na gagamitin ko.

I cleansed my face, sat in front of my dresser, and started applying concealer. Aubry returned from the kitchen to help me with my hair as I worked on contouring.

After hair and makeup. Aubry assisted me in putting on my gown. The fabric was a bit of a luxury. It was a black sheer net collared yoke boat with a rear string style. To keep it from looking boring and basic, I added rhinestones and crystals.

"Ganda," malokong puri niya kaya pabiro ko rin siyang inirapan.

However, I am grateful to Aubry for the work she did on my hair. She embellished my loose dutch braid with floral diamond clips. After that, I finish up with some similar jewelry and silver scarpin heels.

Nagtaka ako nang may-iabot siyang papel sa akin. "Ano 'to?" nagtatakang usal ko.

She inhaled deeply and cleared her throat. I cocked my head at binuksan ang papel. Nagulat ako nang makita ang outline ng isang wedding gown.

"Gawa ni Ate. Mas-advance talaga mag-isip 'yon kesa sa akin," she remarked. By smiling, she was masking a tinge of grief in her voice.

Hindi ako nagsalita. We both fell silent in a while. Muli kong tiningnan ang laman ng papel. Maganda ang pakaka-drawing. May mga shades lang akong hindi maintindihan pero nilagyan naman ng label kung anong kulay at materials ang naka-indicate sa gown.

"Nag-propose na ba si Eros sa'yo?" I asked.

"Hindi pa," sagot niya. "Ikaw?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Si Eros? Hindi ah!" gulat na sambit ko.

"Si Mason kasi," sumbat niya, rolling her eyes.

I scoffed. "Hindi pa. Mauuna ka muna."

She laughed. "Paunahan nalang," panghahamon pa niya. Ako naman ang napairap kaya mas lalo siyang tumawa.