[HyukStal] Opposite = Love

13

* G A B R I E L L E *

After paying the bills ay nagpaalam na ko kay Bianca saka sumunod kay Chrystal na nasa labas na. She's cutely leaning on the car. Nakacross yung braso niya at nakanguso na naman siya.

Kinuha ko yung cellphone ko at pasimple siyang kinuhanan ng picture. Another art piece of mine. Haha.

Nilapitan ko na siya at nginitian. Pero imbis na ngitian din niya ko ay sinimangutan niya ko saka binuksan yung pinto sa back seat. "Pasok."

"Ha?"

"Go inside. Pasok. Ano bang mahirap intindihin dun?" Mataray na sabi niya sakin.

"I'm going to drive. Bakit ako papasok sa back seat?"

"Who told you!? I'm not stupid to make you drive! You're a patient! Pumasok ka na!!" Iritang sabi niya saka ako ipinagtulakan sa back seat. Nakita kong pumunta siya sa driver's seat.

"Chrystal, okay na naman ako eh. I can dri—"

"Shut up. Tsk." Eh? Ano bang problema niya? Tungkol ba yun dun sa kiss na hinihingi ko? I'm just joking.

Ibubuka ko pa lang sana yung bibig ko nang buksan niya yung radio at itinitodo yun. I stretch out my arms and reach the radio to turn down the volume. "You shouldn't listen to too much loud sounds. Mabibingi ka niyan."

"'Kay."

"Look Chrysta—"

"Shut up. Just sleep. Tsk." Masungit na sabi niya sakin. Did she really get disappointed with that joke? Aish. Niloloko ko lang naman siya eh. I won't going to ask her to kiss me, instead I'm gonna be the one who'll kiss her.

Nakarating kami sa condo without talking to each other. She doesn't even give me a glance. Is she that upset much? Aish.

Sinundan ko siya papasok sa unit. Agad naman siyang pumasok sa kwarto kaya sinundan ko siya. "Hey Chrys—"

"Sleep there. Gonna sleep on the couch." Lalabas na sana siya pero hinawakan ko yung braso niya.

"No. You'll going to sleep on the bed. Chrystal, ano bang problema? Yung sinabi ko ba kanina? That was a joke."

"Do you think I'm upset because of that? Well, sad to say but it's not about that. Better think about the things you've done a while ago that can made me upset. Matutulog na ko." Pumunta siya sa kama at nagtalukbong ng kumot.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Ano bang ginawa ko? Aish.

---

Kinabukasan ay maayos na yung pakiramdam ko. Pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako kinakausap ni Chrystal at patuloy pa rin siyang nagsusungit.

"Sir, pinatawag niyo daw po ba ko?"

"Oh, yes. Yes. What's my sched for today?"

"Ah Sir, bukod po sa next meeting niyo after lunch with Mr. Kiyoshi, wala na po. But your father let me remind you na mamaya na pong 6pm yung party for all companies."

"Ah, ngayon na ba yun? Okay. Are Richards and Lopez Corp. going to come, too?"

"Yes, Sir. They're all invited."

"That's nice. Okay, thank you." Nagbow siya saka lumabas ng office ko.

Richards Corp. is going to come. Is Chrystal going to come too? Na. Of course she will. She should. She's my wife. Dapat lang andun siya.

After my meeting ay dumaretso ako sa boutique ng mga Lopez. Jackson Lopez, not Adrian Lopez. But not totally Jackson's but his sister's.

"Hey Gabbie!"

Tumayo ako at nagbow kay Ate Jackie. "Hi Ate."

"Have a seat. What can I help you? It's so rare to see you here. Minsan na lang kayo bumisita. Tsk."

"Sorry Ate. We're just busy these past few days."

"Hay. Time really do fly fast. Ang lalaki niyo na. Dati mga iyakin at uhugin pa kayo. Tsk tsk! Ay, ano bang matutulong ko sayo?"

"I actually want to give someone a long dress. I want simple one kung pwede."

"Sino naman yang someone na yan ha?"

"Someone special. Haha."

Sinamahan ako ni Ate Jackie sa pagpili ng dress. I choose a simple white long dress. Off shoulders siya but I think this really suits her. She'll look more beautiful with this.

I also asked Ate if I can hire her hairstylist and make up artist for Chrystal. Fortunately, she said yes and it's free. I insist pero sadyang nasa dugo na ata ng mga Lee ang mapilit kaya wala na kong nagawa.

"Medyo mataray lang yung aayusan niyo. But she's kind."

"Kaano ano niyo po yung aayusan, Sir?"

"My wife." Nginitian ko sila saka binuksan yung pinto. Naabutan ko namang walang tao sa sala pati sa kusina kaya naisipan kong pumasok sa kwarto at tama nga ko dahil andun siya.

She's reading a book. I knock at the door at dun lang siya natauhan. She looks at me for seconds pero hindi nagtagal yun dahil iniwas din niya ang tingin niya.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero alam kong inis ka sakin. Ayaw kitang pilitin pero kailangan. We're going out. Let them help you to get ready. Here's your gown." Ipinatong ko sa kama yung box ng gown. She just give me confused look. I just smile at her instead of answering.

Iniwan ko na sila dun at nag-ayos na ko.

Hours past. Ayos na ayos na ko pero hindi pa rin si Chrystal. Did they put a lot of make-up? Hindi naman kailangan nun eh. My Chrystal is naturally beautiful.

"Sir, okay na po." Napatayo ako dun sa narinig ko. Nakatayo yung dalawang staff ni Ate sa harap ng kwarto. They parted ways and open the door.

My heart skip a beat when I saw her. Damn. Is she an angel? How can she be so beautiful?