A Designer's Creation

47. The Wedding Gown Designer

The awards night was a bliss. Para siyang sandaling panaginip na saglit lang din akong pinagbigyan kahit na yung pinaka-goal ko, hindi ko naman talaga nahawakan. I didn't win as the grand winner, but the recognition from different fashion entities and sponsors, it was greater than what Petunia Adarna had.

Actually, Pet received so many backlash after her victory kasi mas maganda pa nga raw ang gawa ni Jake kaysa sa gawa niya. Everyone knew my entry was disqualified because of the major alterations kaya pumayag na rin akong hindi makatanggap ng award. But since I wanted the sponsors to notice me mula pa naman noong umpisa, hinayaan ko nang manatili ang entry ko gaya ng decision ni Tyrone. But the case was the suit I made and with my blood on it, deretso na talaga sa National Arts and Design Museum. They already gave it a title: The Blood of Cinnamon. That wasn't just a suit—that was already an art piece na ipapa-exhibit nila next month along with the other t'nalak designs made by the local artists and Ifugao indigenous weavers.

After the awarding, kinabukasan na ako nabalikan ni Tyrone sa ospital. And what I didn't like about the timing? He came back discreetly. Nalaman ko lang na nakabalik na siya habang tulog ako.

Nalaman ko lang na nakabalik na siya kasi nagising ako sa mahinang pagtatalo nila ni Forest habang natutulog ako.

Patay ang ilaw sa hospital room, madilim sa loob pero maliwanag sa labas ng ospital kaya may kaunting liwanag pang pumapasok mula sa bintana.

I was resting, and I just woke up after I heard an angry hissed somewhere near me.

"Nababaliw ka na ba, Tyrone? Puwedeng hindi ka na makabalik dito kapag pumunta ka doon!"

It was Forest in her low voice yet annoyed tone. I barely open my eyes and saw them behind the closed door of my room.

"I need to be there, Rest. Hindi ko siya puwedeng hayaan lang doon."

"Paano kung hindi ka na payagan ni Tita Cindy na umuwi rito sa Pilipinas?"

Tyrone heaved a deep sigh na kahit sa puwesto ko, damang-dama ko ang frustration niya. He was massaging his temple and dropped a heavier sigh afterward.

"We're talking about Yue, Forest. Alam mo namang hindi ko siya kayang iwan na lang basta sa ere."

"Paano naman yung maiiwan mo rito? What about Cinnamon?"

After I heard my name, para akong dinamba ng kung anong mabigat na bagay pabagsak sa dibdib ko. Sa isang iglap, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, at kung malala lang ang lagay ko at may heart monitor lang ako ngayon, malamang na ang ingay na n'on.

"I'm sure Cin will understand my decision."

Sandaling hindi nakapagsalita si Forest. Kahit siya, napapabuntonghininga na lang din.

Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan nila at nadadamay ako?

"Ty, baka puwedeng sabihan si Yue na hindi na lang ituloy ang kasal."

"Resty . . ."

"Yung conflict kasi sa family n'yo, kahit ako, masi-stress din e."

"That wedding will save me and Yue. We need our parent's blessing, alam mo naman 'yon, di ba?"

"Si Cinnamon, iiwan mo rito."

"I have no choice.

Sa lungkot ng boses nilang dalawa, gusto ko nang sabihing gising na 'ko at naririnig ko sila sa pinag-uusapan nila.

Si Ty . . . iiwan ako rito?

Bakit? Saan siya pupunta?

"Hindi ka man lang ba magpapaalam nang gising siya?" malungkot nang tanong ni Forest at talagang gusto ko nang bumangon para umentrada sa kanila.