Tila Tala

IX

“Put some stars here, Tal,” Mommy commanded.

I obeyed her immediately. We are currently baking a cake for Daddy. It’s his birthday today. And we’re gonna have a family dinner later, just the three of us again. Since Papalo and Mamala can’t go here in Manila.

“What about,” Mommy thrilled. “Invite Gani?”

I frowned. I like the idea but, “Is it okay? It’s Daddy’s birthday. I think, we should ask his permission first who could come.”

“Hi, love!” Mommy greeted Daddy over the phone. “Can we invite Gani sa dinner later? Talaga? Right. Thanks, my love... I love you...”

The sweetest. Hindi lang naglalambing si Mommy. Natural na paraan niya iyan ng pakikipag-usap kay Daddy. The call ended with me watching her smiling genuinely. I love this idea of love.

Tala
ganiii! I’m inviting you sa house later. it’s dad’s day today, so we’re gonna have dinner and he wants it with you

Isagani
I’ll come :)

Tala
greattt, see you later po!
(🩷)

When the sun started to set, Mommy and I prepared the dining table for our special dinner. Mommy picked a red satin dress for me, so I picked a red dress for her fit tonight, too.

Umakyat ako’t dumiretso sa kuwarto para mag-ayos ng sarili matapos tumulong kay Mommy sa baba.

I took a very fast bath just to freshen up a bit. I did my makeup first. I started it from primer until setting spray. Step by step, I completed my full face makeup in just a few minutes, just a tint for my lips and I’m done with my face. Sinunod ko ang pag-soft curl sa mahaba kong buhok. I like it better when it’s a bit curly. I also put some pins to stop some hair strands from falling in front.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Wow. Makeup did its thing. Hindi ako madalas gumamit kaya nabibigla pa rin ako sa mahikang nagagawa nito at ng mga kamay ko. I looked a bit different because of the style I did. Pinanood ko lang iyon ng ilang beses kanina at nakuha ko na ang tamang timpla. Pasensiya sa pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko pero... iba ang ganda ko ngayong gabi.

“Isagani’s here!” Mommy shouted down stairs.

I immediately smiled and took a last glance at myself in the mirror before going out. I stopped running a little when I saw him entering the house. Agad na nagtama ang tingin namin. Bumagal ang lakad ko’t sinalubong ang mga tingin niya. With his parted lips and pair of eyes now, I assumed I successfully made a little transformation for putting wonders in my face.

“Hi, Gani!” I greeted. Nakabawi siya agad at sumilay ang maliit na ngiti saka ako simpleng tinanguan.

“Have a sit, Gani. In just a few minutes, your Tito Marcus will arrive.”

Nagpaalam si Mommy na aakyat muna ulit. Naupo kami ni Isagani sa sofa sa sala. Hanggang ngayon ay nag-iiwas pa rin siya ng tingin kapag may pagkakataon. Huwag mo namang hayaang mag-assume ako rito, Isagani.

“I baked brownies and cupcakes, gusto mo?” Alok ko.

Umiling siya habang nilalaro ang labi. “Mamaya na siguro...”

“Hindi ka ba busy? Baka nakaabala kami,”

Bahagya siyang nakayuko but still manages to look at me. “I am not... when it comes to you.”

I did not hear the last words well, baka nag-explain lang siya ng kaunti kaya hindi ko na inintindi.

Daddy arrived at seven in the evening. We sang a birthday song with me holding the cake we did earlier. Daddy’s priceless reaction always made my heart full. Nothing can beat the contentment of seeing your parents genuinely happy.