Chapter Forty Four
Her name was called.
What is it to you, Jeff?!
I looked at her. She's stunning. She's blooming. She has changed.
Hindi na siya nai-stress dahil sayo.
I laughed inside. Baka nga talagang mas nakabuti pa kay Phia nung naglet go ako.
"Sir, are you Doc Jeff?" Tanong sa akin nung isang host.
"Yes, why?"
"Invite lang po namin kayo sandali para sa program."
I met two more men sa likod ng backdrop. They were talking at mukhang magkakilala sila.
"Does she know you are here?" Tanong nung isa.
"She doesn't. It's actually a surprise." Sabi pa ng isa.
"May boyfriend ba siya ngayon?"
"Sabi ng kuya niya, wala as of now."
"So may pag-asa ka na?"
The other grinned. Familiar sa akin ang mukha niya.
"I don't know yet. The last time magkachat kami, he still loves her ex but her ex doesn't know."
"Man, her ex is an assh*le! Bakit niya pa pinakawalan si Phia!"
I chuckled! These men knew nothing!
Pinabunot kami ng isang staff at pinasagutan sa amin ang tanong. Hindi daw kasi pwede marinig ang boses namin dahil makikilala ni Phia.
"Okay... The answers are here... Sabi ni number one, I'll choose to stay dahil alam kong mas gusto mong ipaglaban kita."
"Wow ha, ang drama niyan." Sabi ng lalaking host. "Sabi naman ni number two, I'll stay, because leaving will only hurt you."
"Sagot naman ni number three, depende sa situation. If staying would mean hurting you in the process, I'll choose to let you go because you deserve to be happy."
"Aww, partner. Ang sakit naman niyan. Mukhang may pinagdadaanan si number three." Sabi ng babaeng host.
"So... Mam Phia, what will be your choice?"
"Kailangan ko ba talagang pumili?" Natatawang sabi ni Phia.
"Of course!" Sabi ng lalaking host.
"Go, Phia!" May sumigaw sa mga guest. Parang boses ni Zander yun.
"Sige, I'll choose... number... Three."
I was not expecting, but I was happy that she felt my message.
The host revealed who was number one and two first.
"Okay... Miss Phia... Si Number three, sorry pero request kasi to ng newly weds, at dito nakasalalay yung komisyon ko, please meet Doctor Jeffrei Andrew Cheng."
Lumabas ako sa backdrop at iniabot sa akin ng host ang garter. Nakipagbeso ako kay Cheska and I gave a man-hug to his brother Aian. Nakatingin lang sa amin si Phia. Halatang naiilang siya sa presence ko. We did what was traditionally done at weddings. Isinuot ko sa kanya ang garter.
It was the turn for the couple's first dance. Tumanggi kaming sumabay dahil ayaw daw ni Phia na agawan ng moment ang kuya niya. Sinuportahan ko naman ang sinabi niya. Mabuti na lang at nakaintindi ang host.
"I'm sorry. Napilit lang ako ng host." Sabi ko sa kanya habang papabalik kami sa pwesto namin.
"Okay lang." Tipid niyang sagot.
