Dandelions in the Wind

50

"Are you sure those horses won't run away?" tanong ni Dionne habang magkasabay silang naglalakad ni Charlotte papunta sa bukid na pinapalibutan ng dandelions.

Lumingon si Charlotte sa likuran at nakita ang dalawang kabayo na kulay itim at puti na komportableng kumakain ng damo malapit sa puno ng Jacandara. Hinawakan ni Charlotte ang kamay ni Dionne nang makarating sila sa bukid. "They won't leave, they're too happy to eat some grass." Nakangiting tugon ni Charlotte.

Umupo si Dionne sa damuhan at tinanggal ang suot na helmet, sabay din hinubad ang itim na guwantes. Tumabi rin si Charlotte at tinanggal din ang helmet at guwantes. Banayad ang simoy ng hangin at makulimlim ang langit. Papalapit na rin ang paglubog ng araw at tuluyang naging kulay ginto ang bukid na tinatanglawan ng sikat ng araw.

Sabay na humiga sina Charlotte at Dionne sa damuhan, hinayaan ang talutot ng dandelions na dumikit sa kanilang damit at pareho nilang pinagmasdan ang mga ulap. Nagmukhang mga bulak ang nakikitang ulap na kinulayan ng kahel at pula dahil sa tingkad ng araw.

"Remember our first year of marriage? You trying to cook that romantic dinner and setting the kitchen on fire?" Nakangiting kuwento ni Dionne habang nakatingin sa langit.

Narinig ang mahinang ungol ni Charlotte. "Oh, don't remind me. I thought I could impress you with my culinary skills. Instead, I almost burned down the house...again."

"Honestly, I was more worried about the fire department recognizing us. 'Oh look, the newlyweds are at it again!" natatawang sambit ni Dionne.

Itinakip ni Charlotte ang kamay sa bibig nang napahagikhik. "Hey, I was aiming for a hot date night. Didn't realize it would be that literal."

"Well, you definitely know how to heat things up. Just not in the kitchen."

"To be fair, the recipe said 'sear on high heat.' It didn't specify 'not to the point of arson," pagdadahilan na lang ni Charlotte.

"And you managed to turn a simple pasta dish into a four-alarm fire. Quite the talent," pang-aasar ni Dionne, hindi rin mapigilan na mapahagikhik sa naalala. Halos maluha luha ang kaniyang mata habang tumatawa.

"At least we know now: I provide the love, you provide the food. It's a perfect balance." Masuyong tinapik ni Charlotte ang balikat ni Dionne. "Well, next time, I'll stick to the reservations instead of the recipes. Deal?"

"Deal. But I'll miss the adrenaline rush of wondering if we need to call the fire department during dinner." Hinawakan ni Dionne ang kamay ni Charlotte at mahinang tumawa. "We ended up eating takeout on the floor, surrounded by fire extinguisher foam. So romantic," naging mapula ang pisngi ni Dionne nang pinigilan tumawa.

Pinisil ni Charlotte ang kamay ni Dionne. "Hey, at least the takeout was good. And we had a memorable first dinner as a married couple."

"Memorable? That's one way to put it. I thought I married a lawyer, turns out I married a pyromaniac," panunukso ni Dionne.

Nagkunwaring nasaktan si Charlotte sa narinig at marahang tinapik ang balikat ni Dionne. "Excuse me, I've improved since then! Remember my spaghetti carbonara last month? No fires involved," pagpapaalala ni Charlotte.

"True, but you did forget the garlic bread in the oven. We had carbonara with a side of charcoal," kontra naman ni Dionne.

Maarteng umikot ang mata ni Charlotte. "Details, details. At least I try. Unlike someone who claims to be a 'culinary critic' but can't even make toast without burning it."

Napalingon si Dionne at nagtama ang kanilang paningin. "How dare you! I make excellent toast. It's a skill, you know," mariing depensa ni Dionne.

Inirapan lang siya ni Charlotte. "Sure it is. But seriously, despite the kitchen disasters, those early days were the best. We were so clueless and in love."