SEIRI GRAGNE
"Good morning," bati ni Calix pagka-labas ko sa tent.
"Morning, ano 'yan?" Tanong ko.
"Breakfast, kain na," yaya n'ya kaya lumapit ako.
"Teka lang," tinapik ko ang kamay n'ya ng akmang kukuha na s'ya. "Picture muna."
"Balak mo bang punuin ang feed mo ng picture ko?" Tanong n'ya.
"Sino ba nagsabi sa'yong ikaw kukuhanan ko?" Tanong ko din sakan'ya.
"Ah ganon ba? Kuhanan mo na 'yung pagkain," he said with red cheeks.
"Charot lang. Smile!" Natatawang sabi ko pero sumimangot s'ya.
"Ngingiti na ang baby na 'yan oh," I pinched his cheeks and he started giggling. Agad ko namang inangat ang phone at pinicturan iyon.
"Post ko ulit, ah?" Paalam ko at tinanguan n'ya naman ako bago kumagat sa tinapay.
@seirinity First meal of the day. 🥪
I posted his picture and the plate of sandwiches he prepared. Aster's name immediately notified.
@asterisk Beh, saan banda 'yung meal? 'Yung kagat o 'yung kumakagat?
@seirinity @asterisk Pwede both? Having breakfast with my dinner. Rawr.
"Dinner? Sure ka?" Tanong ni Calix habang kaharap ang phone.
"Gago, joke lang uy," bawi ko.
"Bakit joke kung pwede naman totohanin?" Tanong n'ya ulit.
I leaned backwards and acted scared. "Kuya, huwag po. Maawa kayo."
Tumawa s'ya. Umayos ako ng upo at nagsimulang kumain.
Tumunog ang phone ko and it was Aster trying to video call. Sinagot ko ang tawag n'ya.
"Hoy!" Bungad n'ya. Nasa apartment s'ya ngayon at parang naghahanda para pumasok sa restaurant.
"Hoy din," sagot ko.
"Jusko, asan si Calix?" Tanong n'ya.
"Calix? Sinong Calix?" Tanong ko. She tilted her head.
"Don't tell me edited lang 'yung pictures at sa'yo talaga 'yung IG account?" Sabi n'ya.
"Okay, I won't tell you that it's me talaga," sabi ko.
"Ano ka ba, dzai. Paano kapag nakita n'ya 'yun?" Tanong n'ya at pinandilatan pa ako.
"Well, may chance na kakausapin n'ya ako kapag ganon diba?" Sabi ko.
"Gaga ka. Poser pota," sabi n'ya na tinawanan ko lang. Nilagay n'ya ang phone n'ya sa stand. "Pero teh, ang gwapo kasi talaga. Kung ayaw sa'yo, pwedeng akin na lang?" Tumalikod s'ya at kumuha ng baso ng tubig.
"Gwapo ba?" Umusog ako palapit kay Calix na kanina pa natatawa at pinakita na din s'ya sa screen.
"Oo nga pakiusap, jojowain po!" Sagot n'ya. Humarap s'ya sa phone at biglang naibuga ang tubig.
"Bastos ka talaga kahit kailan, Seiri!" Sigaw n'ya bago nagmadaling linisin ang sahig at sarili. Calix and I bursted out laughing.
"Pasensya na, Aster. May jowa na ako," sabi ni Calix.
"Talaga? Sino naman?" Tanong ni Aster.
"Katabi ko," sagot ni Calix. Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Aster.
"Sure ka na d'yan? Nagra-rap 'yan kapag nagmumura," paninigurado n'ya.
"Panira ka ng reputasyon teh," sabi ko kay Aster pero pinandilatan n'ya lang ako.
"Matagal nang sira ang reputasyon mo gorl," sagot n'ya.
"Hoy! Hindi kaya," I often say bad words pero kapag kaming dalawa lang 'yun. Isa kaya akong santa sa harap ng pamilya at mga kliyente.
"Anyway, ano ang plano n'yong gawin ngayon?" Tanong ni Aster.
"We'll probably go to Banff and visit the castle," sagot ko.
"Ride the gondola din. Then the sulfur mountain! It's pretty up there," she suggested.
We decided to get ready. May malapit na wash room doon sa sight namin kaya doon na kami naligo.
Napag-usapan din naming pumunta sa Lac Maligne Lake, Canyon at dumaan sa Tangle Creek bago umuwi. My 1 week break is gonna be sulit, I guess?
Napagkasunduan namin na kotse n'ya muna ang gamitin ngayong araw para makatipid kami sa gas. Pwede namang iwan dito sa camping site ang ibang gamit at ihabilin sa nagbabantay.
"We're here," saad ni Calix pagdating namin sa Castle.
The Castle was so wide at halatang inaalagaan ito ng mabuti. It has a rich history and one of Canada's grand architecture.
"There's a Heritage Hall Tour later at 1PM. Should we join?" Tanong ni Calix habang nagbabasa sa mga sign sa wall.
"Yeah, sure," pagsang-ayon ko.
Nilibot namin ang labas at ang ibang bahagi sa loob ng Castle. We stayed at the wide veranda wherein we can see the vast mountain rockies. May ilang telescope doon para makita namin ang mga bundok at ang kabilugan ng lugar.
"Being up here makes me feel like a princess," I unconsciously said.
"Do you want to dress up, princess?" Biglang tanong ni Calix.
"Huh?"
"You can dress up then we can tour the castle. It's like their event today," sagot n'ya.
"Ayoko. Parang baliw naman ako kapag ganoon," sabi ko.
"Edi sasamahan kita sa kabaliwan mo," he said then laughed.
"Paano kung baliw ako sa'yo?" Banat ko.
"Mabuti kasi baliw na baliw din ako sa'yo, prinsesa," sagot n'ya dahilan para mahampas ko s'ya.
"Aba, gumagaling ka na tol ah? Iba talaga kapag ako nag-alaga," sabi ko.
"Syempre, ako lang din 'to pre. Bachelor of Science, Major in Banat," proud na proud pang sabi n'ya.
"Bigyan ng jacket 'yan!"
After talking about nonsense things, we decided to have lunch and get ready for the tour.
"Miss, we have your gown ready. Please follow me," sabi sa akin ng isang babaeng nagtatrabaho dito.
"I told you. Dress up, princess," sabi ni Calix bago tumayo at sumunod sa isang lalaking nagtatrabaho din dito.
Pumasok kami sa isang kwarto at doon bumungad sa akin ang isang magarbong gown. The skintone gown was adorned by glitters and gems.
May hair and makeup artist din doon na nag-aayos ng mga gamit.
"Does the other guests have their own rooms too?" Tanong ko sa mga nag-aayos sa'kin.
"No, Miss. It was a special request from the guy you were with. You two will have an exclusive tour of the castle," sagot ng isa.
I was left dumbfounded. Parang tanga talaga 'tong si Calix.
They placed a small tiara above my head as the final piece and I must say, everything went smoothly even though it was rushed.
"Mr. Calix is waiting for you outside, Miss," the staff said.
"Thank you," sabi ko sakanila bago tumayo.
I breathed deeply before opening the door. Outside, Calix was standing looking dashing in his black tux. He was smiling widely at me.
"Grab my arm," sabi n'ya kaya sinunod ko naman ito.
"Closer," he said and grabbed my waist to pull me closer.
<< ☀︎ >>
Just a simple treat before the year ends. Thank you to everyone who has been reading my stories from Augury's Bestowal, Come To Me and 4EVER. Kleyna and Kaizen will surely meet y'all again in Come Back Home! I hope y'all created enough memories to remember this year. Happy Holidays!
YOU ARE READING
4EVER
Romance"It was summer when I first met you. Fall when I officially owned you. Winter when I took my first step away from you and spring when I found you again. You're forever my summer, fall, winter, spring."
