Hue in my Photograph (Hue Series #4)

Hue #23

Hue #23

Mirn’s POV

One year later

“Daddy, are there any chicken nuggets sa handa nina Tita CL and Tito Chiro?” tanong ni Gabby habang inaayos ni Gavion ang collar ng anak. 

Natawa ako sa narinig kaya natigil ako sa pagma-make-up saka lumingon sa kanila. “Gabby, it’s their wedding, why would you want chicken nuggets?”

“Tita CL told me she would have some for me,” he pouted. “I want to eat chicken nuggets.” 

“I am not sure,” si Gavion ang sumagot tapos tumayo na siya nang maayos na ang damit ni Gabby. “Gusto mo ba na magdala na lang?”

“Can we? Can we? But we have to hide it from Tito Nic. He told me he won’t buy me a gift if he saw me eating nuggets. Pwede bang hindi na lang siya kasama?”

“Really, Gabby?” 

Agad na napatingin si Gabby sa pintuan tapos nakita niya si Kuya Nic na nakasandal sa pinto habang nakakunot ang noo. Gabby gasped tapos nagtago sa likod ni Gavion kaya mas natawa kaming lahat.

“I am kidding, Tito Nic. I love you.”

“Sige, wala kang pasalubong sa akin.”

“Wait, right! You just arrived from Antarctica. But hold on, what pasalubong did you bring?”

He shrugged. “Hindi na. Inaaway mo na ako.”

Nagkunwaring aalis na si Kuya Nic kaya humabol naman si Gabby hanggang sa lumabas na sila ng kwarto. Kasalukuyang kaming naghahanda para sa kasal ni Kuya Chiro at Ate CL. It was an intimate wedding on a private island that Kuya Chiro bought for Ate CL. Tanging pamilya lang at malalapit na kaibigan ang nakakaalam dahil nga sa parehong sikat itong si Kuya Chiro at Ate CL kaya ayaw nilang ipaalam sa media dahil baka dumugin pa.

“Ang kulit ni Gabby. Mana talaga sayo,” sabi ko kay Gavion at nagpatuloy sa pagkukulay ng mukha ko. May kinuha naman silang make-up artist pero mas gusto ko na ayusan na lang ang sarili ko. 

“What? Hindi kaya ako makulit.” Gavion pouted. Tumayo siya sa likuran ko tapos siya na ang nagsuklay ng buhok ko. 

“Weh?” Hindi naniniwalang sabi ko. 

“Mas makulit ka. Remember when you kept on texting Marcus?” 

“Oh, someone’s jealous.” I teased him with an evil laugh.

“No. I am not.” He stuck his tongue out as I watched him through the vanity mirror. “Alam ko naman na hindi kayo magkakatuluyan.”

“Wow…” My mouth circled. “And why not?”

“Because I prayed for you. Malakas ako kay Lord.” He grinned.

Napairap ako. “Seriously?”

Hindi ko alam kung tatawa ba ako o ano—siguro kikiligin? Kelan ba ako hindi kinilig kay Gavion? Kahit nga nang galit ako sa kanya ay kinikilig pa rin ako.

“Why? You don’t believe in me?”

“I am not sure,” sagot ko. 

“You should ask Cynrix, Cyan and Carylle. I go with them to church. Come on, mukha ba akong demonyo?” May tampo sa boses niya pero hindi naman siya mukhang galit. He started braiding my long hair na natutunan niya habang nagpapagaling siya sa bahay so he became my stylist. 

It took him months thought because during the first month ay binuhol lang naman niya ang buhok ko kaya kailangan ko pang gupitin.

Thankfully, he could now walk. The doctor already allowed him to train for the F1 though he hasn’t signed yet with any F1 team. May mga offered na sa kanya pero hindi pa niya alam kung saan. Ayoko rin naman pangunahan dahil career niya yan.