He Was My Umbrella

68

We were both caught off-guard. Hindi ko ine-expect ang tanong na iyon. Tumingin ako kay Renzo at hindi ko mabasa kung ano ba ang reaksyon niya.

"To be honest, Nay, I never really saw it coming. Ang daming nangyari, kung alam niyo lang. There were so many ups and downs, and then we were brought here. Alam niyo namang dati pa ako gusto ng apo ninyo, pero simula nang magustuhan ko siya, mas naipakita niya sa akin na kamahal-mahal siya." He sniffled. "I've been your granddaughter's kuya ever since I met her. Because that's what she wanted, a Kuya. You've seen happiness in her life ever since she had one. And now, now that we're in a relationship together, I only had one sole purpose, winning her back, and so I did."

Naluluha na ako pero ayaw kong umiyak dito kaya tumungo na lang ako.

"I have a new purpose." Dagdag niya. "And to answer your question, yes, I have the means to marry Adi."

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya nang sabihin niya iyon. Though, I wasn't expecting no for an answer. But I was expecting, 'Not now, but maybe soon' kind of answer. Pero hindi, gusto niya na nga akong pakasalan.

"Kasal agad? 3 months pa lang?" Biglang tanong ko.

"12 years na tayong mag-jowa, hindi lang natin alam."

Tumawa naman kaming lahat. Hindi lang pala namin alam pero kami na noon pa man. I mean, the bond stayed within us until now. Sometimes you need to break things down so you can build them back up again. This time, with a much stronger foundation. And that foundation is love.

"Ingatan mo ang apo ko, ha, Renzo? May tiwala ako sa 'yo." My Lola smiled at him. Wow, kakaiba ang smile ni Nanay, ang genuine. 

"I assure you, Nay. I will take care of Adi. We are the endgame."   

Grabe, parang kailan lang, noong nagkasakit ako, Avengers: Endgame ang naisipan namin panoorin. Pero ngayon, kami na ang endgame. Ang bilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang, sinusungitan ko pa siya noon kasi para hindi mahalata na may gusto ako sa kaniya. Tapos ngayon, kami na. May mga trabaho at nagsitagumpay na sa buhay.

Mahal na mahal ko siya. Ginawa niya ang lahat para sa akin simula nang naging teenager ako. I understood why he ghosted me. Baka masira lang din kami noon kung isinabay ko siya sa pag-aaral ko. Mabuti na't hindi siya ang pinakawalan ko noong hindi ko na mabuhat lahat. I adore Renzo for everything he's done for me. 

We went home after an hour because we were tired. Wala na ring tao sa bahay. They all moved out. Si Tita Li na lang ang natira. Hindi na siya nakapag-asawa dahil inaalagaan niya ang mga magulang niya.

"How many kids do you want?" Biglaan kong tanong nang makasakay kami sa sasakyan. 

"I want 2 kids. A boy and a girl. Gusto ko mas matanda ang lalaki, I want our daughter to experience having a sibling, especially a brother. A kuya." He smiled to himself. "And I'll always remember how bad her mom wanted one before."

"Aw. It's really nice to have a kuya, you know? Kaya ikaw, when we were young, I was so lucky to have a friend like you before. You were just so perfect in my eyes. Dream guy, for real." I made an OK sign.

We were about to kiss but he had a notification. He opened his phone and Architect Aragon messaged him.

"Oh my," he gasped. "There will be an alumni game for Hilaga Stars and Diamonds on Sunday."

I looked at him with big eyes. Oh my gosh! I would really like to see him play again! Oh my, God! I'm so excited.

"I'll play," bigla kong sabi.

I enhanced my volleyball skills whenever I had free time when I was in college. I went to a volleyball camp. Open spiker ang position ko.

"Aba, muling nagbabalik, ever-loving North?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Yes, tender-hearted North. Nagbabalik muli."

We went home as soon as we can. Nakakapagod, haha. Parang ngayon naga-add up 'yung pagod ko sa loob ng isang linggo. Dito naman kami ulit sa bahay namin matutulog. Masaya rin kasi 'yung may private space kayong dalawa. 'Tong si Renzo, hindi na talaga napagod. Nag make-out pa kami kanina pagka-uwi. 

Hindi nagtagal, Sunday na agad. Nag-aayos ako papuntang church. I wore a laced light pink dress that ended above my knees, white stilettos, and a white bag. I put my hair into a half ponytail and let down a few strands on the front. Ang ganda ko talaga! Kaya naman pala na-inlove sa akin si Re-Ren, eh. 

Sabay kami ni Daddy na pupunta sa church dahil nakabukod sina Re-Ren. I always like Sundays! It signifies the start of a new week, and of course, worshipping God. Sunday is family day, lover day, and friendship day. Rest day also. I wish everyday was Sunday. 

When I got out of the car, I saw my man waiting for me in one corner. God, when did he get this handsome? He was wearing a light blue polo and black slacks. And he has this Kiss Me hairstyle that made me fall for him even more. He walked to me slowly and it made my heart race. Re-Ren is extra beyond extra handsome today. 

"Hi, baby. Good morning." He pulled me by the waist, closer to him. Oh my! That made my heart skip a beat. 

"Will you pick me up later? Before the game?" I raised my eyebrows. 

"Yep. Maybe around 4. Kumpleto ba gear mo? Knee pads? Elbow pads? Compression socks? Arm sleeve? How about a headban-" 

"Yes. Kumpleto na. Ren, hindi naman ako libero. Grabe ka naman sa gear. Hindi naman ako magd-dive. At saka hindi naman concrete ang floor." Inirapan ko siya. 

Grabe naman 'to! Ano beh, hindi pwede magas-gasan? Headband pa! Mukha akong ewan doon. Nga pala, ang ganda ng jersey namin. Kulay dark blue siya tapos ang volleyball shorts ay kulay white. Jersey number ko ay #19. Sina Ren din, ganoon ang kulay. #31 ang naman ang number niya. Ang cute naman! Matchy-matchy. 

Time passed by quickly and it was already 3:30 in the afternoon. I just took a shower and I am now tying my hair into a ponytail. I also added a few clips so that no hair would block my face while I am playing. I already wore my jersey, nagbaon na lang ako ng pampalit na damit. I wore my white running shoes and I used my white gym bag. Hindi rin nagtagal, narinig ko nang bumusina ang sasakyan ni Re-Ren sa labas pagka-dungaw ko sa bintana. Si Dad naman daw ay susunod na lang doon. 

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, nakita ko si Renzo na suot ang jersey niya at may puti pang headband. Ang gwapo! Tiningnan niya pa ako mula ulo hanggang paa! 'Tong lalaking 'to talaga, oh! 

"Wow, legs." Napatingin siya sa legs ko dahil kitang-kita iyon! Maiksi kasi ang Spandex. 

Nilamas ko ang mukha niya kasi hindi na natanggal ang tingin niya roon. Alam ko namang sexy ako, pero hindi para tingnan nang tingnan! Tumawa naman siya at tiningnan ang nakasimangot kong mukha. 

"You're so pretty even when bare-faced." Nginitian niya ako. Aw! Ang sweet, nakakainis! I love compliments so much! 

"Stop it, you're making me blush! Tara na nga! Drive!" Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko. 

Pagdating namin doon, nagtitinginan ang lahat ng tao sa akin at kay Renz. Ano'ng meron?! Tapos eto namang si Icah, sumigaw pa!

"OMG! Iyan na ba ang couple of the year?! Naks naman! Forda matchy sila!" Sigaw niya. 

Oh my gosh, nakakahiya. Si Renzo natatawa pero sa loob niyan, nahihiya na siya. Well, 'di dapat kami mahiya kasi, 

Ang mga tulad namin, ipinagmamalaki, hindi ikinakahiya. 

*****