The Brainy Rebel

Special Chapter - Bouquet

I woke up feeling heavy.

My head hurts and my body feels weary.

Ganito talaga siguro kapag matagal nang hindi nakakainom. Before, I can remember being immune to alcohol. Iyong kaya kong uminom buong gabi ngunit tuwid pa rin ang lakad ko kinabukasan. Pero kagabi ay naka-tatlong bote lang yata ako tapos ganito na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon.

"Happy anniversary, brainy." I smiled as I felt Nate plant a kiss on my forehead.

I slowly stretched my arms before opening my eyes a little. Halos mapahalakhak ako nang makita ang getup nito. Kung hindi siguro masakit ang ulo ko, tinawanan ko na siya. "Happy anniversary, and please, stop calling me brainy."

"Why not? Aba, love, ipagsisigawan ko sa buong mundo kung gaano katalino ang mahal ko!" He sat down beside me, placing the bouquet he held just beside me.

I pouted. "I want you. Not these flowers."

"Stop, Maxine, oy! Nasa labas lang si Mama Monique!"

"What?" I wanted to laugh, but my head really hurts.

"We can't do it now."

I got what he meant when his eyes twinkled of amusement. Mabilis kong hinablot ang unan sa tabi ko at ibinato iyon sa pagmumukha niya. "Go away."

"Saan naman ako pupunta, eh anniversary natin? Malamang nagleave ako. At saka, sayang naman 'tong outfit ko." Pagdadahilan nito, sabay ipinagmalaki pa ang costume niyang Batman.

"Why Batman, love?"

His laugh echoed throughout my bedroom. "Gusto ko lang. Nakakapayat ang black eh."

I laughed because of that. Still giggling, I sat, my back on my bed's headboard. "Pasuyo ako kay Manang, please. Sabihin mo luto siya ng soup. Ang sakit talaga ng ulo ko."

"Maxine, I am a chef."

"Okay. Chef Nate, please, pasabi kay Manang na magluto siya ng soup for Dra. Maxine." Natawa na ako nang tuluyan nung kumunot ang noo nito. "Sige na! Ikaw na magluto. Sasama ako sayo sa kitchen."

Kinuha niya ang bouquet mula sa tabi ko at nilagay iyon sa ibabaw ng bedside table. "You stay here. I will be back in thirty." He left a chaste kiss on my lips before getting out of my room.

I stayed for five minutes more before fully waking up. I did my usual morning routine whenever I have no work, and proceeded downstairs.

Sinalubong ako ni Mommy na papunta yata sa garden niya. "Oh? Sabi ni Nate, masama raw pakiramdam mo?" She asked and kissed my on the cheek.

"Hangover po. Naparami inom ko kagabi."

"Pagsasabihan ko nga 'yang mga kaibigan mo. Sobra sobra ang pinapainom sayo!"

Last night, Basic DC held a party. We do it annually, but this one was different because I invited my friends- sina Nate, Aine, sina Glenn. The whole gang. Pinilit ako ni Lorraine uminom ng uminom kaya ayon, nanibago ako. I haven't drank for a long time. Hindi na kasi iyon ang past time ko. For leisure, I usually read and travel. Mas gusto ko na iyong tahimik, iyong wholesome.

"I'm with Nate, Mommy."

"I know you're with your husband! Pero kahit na!"

Natawa na lang ako at pinuntahan na si Nate na nasa kusina. He was surprised to see me. I can say with the way his eyes widened. "Diba, sabi ko, stay there?"