AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 35: Caregiver

I was expecting Clark to run after me. Hindi naman sa nagpapaka-hard to get, pero ang easy-easy na nga ng task niya. Mag-yes or no lang, hirap na hirap pa. So we ended up hanging the question kasi wala isiyang sinagot na kahit ano.

At that moment, sinabi ko na sa sarili kong kay Archie na lang ako. At least, si Archie, alam kong malaki ang chance na mag-yes sa 'kin. Mum said by June, uuwi na si Archie galing States. I could wait for him. Although he wasn't saying anything sa chat or sa TG about having a relationship with me, I'll still consider him my future.

Laging ini-insist nina Kuya na busy raw sila sa wedding nina Leo and Ky, at akala ko, OA lang sila. But . . . well. They didn't lie. Walang ibang bukambibig ang lahat kundi wedding nitong dalawa.

Mum took me sa pre-nup photoshoot nina Leo, and tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Damang-dama ko ang pagiging single because may dalang partner ang halos lahat. There were flowers and red things and Cupid's and all that everywhere. Kahit nga si Daddy, sinamahan si Mum, e manlalait lang naman ang mommy ko rito sa venue!

But I doubt na itong pre-nup ang ipinunta ng parents ko kasi naka-golf outfit si Daddy, and Mum's wearing a white Ralph Lauren polo and pink skirt. May dala pa rin naman siyang pamaypay pero parang mas sinamahan niya si Daddy kaysa sinamahan siya nito.

Leo and Kyline decided to have their photoshoot sa Intramuros. And their reason? During their college days, madalas silang nakakapag-meet dito. I could hear them recalling some of those college nights na dito ginanap, and they were laughing about it.

Kompleto ang barkada nila, and Clark's around, pero hindi ko siya pinapansin. Ayoko ring magpapansin kasi walang point. Si Mum nga, hindi siya hinahabol, ako pa kaya?

Leo rented a unit in White Knight, and this place is somewhat famous internationally kasi may international movies na ring nag-taping dito sa lugar. We could feel the Spanish vibe inside kahit modern naman na kasi may parts na na-keep pa rin ang old items pati ang pinaka-foundation ng hotel.

"Is this the . . . ?" Mum pointed the vintage gown na yellowish na at parang Spanish era pa yata noong unang ginamit.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Mum na tinataasan ng kilay ang vintage gown na nakasuot sa mannequin. I must say, the fabric is really nice. Amoy fab con naman at nalabhan, but the color smelled like an old closet. Hindi nagma-match ang visual and olfactory aspects.

It was a closed-neck with tiny ruffles around the neck cover. The sleeve part on the shoulder is puffed, and the rest of the cloth around the arms is fitted. It has medium-length pleats and no train, just plain dress na abot hanggang sakong.

Tinangay ako ni Mum, para nga raw ma-check ng "professional designer" ang susuotin for pre-nup. But as of the moment, ayaw akong pagsalitain ni Mum kasi busy pa siya sa paghu-humiliate sa wedding gown ni Kyline.

"You know what, Belinda, you should have had an exclusive designer for your daughter instead of letting her wear something like this," Mum said, trying to hide her degrading tone yet failing on doing so. Naglahad pa siya ng pamaypay saka napakaplastik na ngumiti kay Tita Linda. "Minsan lang naman ikasal, sana nag-effort ka man lang."

Ngumiti rin ang mama ni Kyline, pero nagka-goose bumps lang ako sa smile niya. Halata kasing na-offend pero nagpipigil lang ng inis.

"You know what, Tessa, you should have shut your mouth kasi hindi naman anak mo ang ikakasal." Nakangiti pa rin si Tita Linda pero hindi ko na rin alam. Gina was smiling beside her too—nah, she was grinning like a robot kid. There was no sign of happiness in her eyes, just forced to smile because it was a must.

I stole a glance at Mum's reaction kasi, obviously, that was offensive. But knowing Mum, offensive words means a challenge to her. Sanay siyang nakikipagpalitan ng offensive remarks sa mga "kumare" niya.