AMISELLE SERISE AVELLANO
Nakatingin lang ako kay Zamira habang tulog pa rin siya. Pangatlong araw na ito pero hindi pa rin siya nagigising. Tatlong araw na lang din ay babalik na kami ng manila pero hindi pa rin nagaganap ang family gathering nila.
I kissed Zamira's forehead and stood up from the bed. Mag u-usap kasi kami ni Celestine sa hotel rooftop lounge kasama si Penelope.
Napairap ako ng makita ko ang dalawa na nakayakap sa isa't-isa.
"Bitter, tulog lang girlfriend mo." Celestine said and playfully nudge me.
"Magsabi ka na habang nasa mood pa ako, Kaida Celestine Villaries." saad ko at pinanliitan siya ng mata.
Celestine cleared her throat and smiled at me. "First of all, I want to say sorry for hiding this to you my bebe Serise. We're in a relationship for seven months."
My jaw literally just dropped.
"Seven months?!"
"Y-yes, and we're engaged."
I looked at Penelope who smiled at me. She's holding Celestine's hand.
"Hoy ikaw Pen, alam kong kaibigan ka ng bebe ko pero bakit hindi niyo manlang sinabi sa'kin?!"
"Celestine told me not to tell you yet, she wants to surprise you." ngiwing saad ni Penelope.
"Nice fucking surprise, I asked myself multiple times if I'm not trustworthy." I sarcastically said.
But deep inside, sobrang saya ko para kay Celestine. She's getting married and I'm so excited!
I sighed and smiled as I saw Celestine looked at the floor. Her shoulders slumped.
"Celestine," I called her. She looked up and then looked at me.
I smiled at her. A genuine smile.
"I'm so happy for you," I said that made her surprise. Kumislap ang mga mata niya, may mga nagbabadyang luha.
"Serise..."
"Hindi ako galit, okay? Nagtatampo ako kasi hindi mo sinasabi sa'kin ang tungkol dito. Hindi mo alam kung ilang beses akong nagdasal kay Lord para sa'yo na sana maranasan mo ang mahalin ng totoo." I said.
She's crying now!
Tita Celine would be so happy kapag nalaman niya ang tungkol dito. Silang dalawa na lang din ng mommy niya dahil matagal na silang iniwan ng daddy niya.
Penelope is looking at me, looks like she was about to cry too.
"Celestine, kahit kailan ay hindi ako nagalit at hinding-hindi ako magagalit sa'yo. You know how much I love you my friend." saad ko at mahinang tumawa dahil sa huling dalawang salita na lumabas sa bibig ko.
"Penelope," I called for her soon-to-be-wife. "Please, don't hurt Celestine." paki-usap ko sa kaniya.
"Kapag sinaktan mo 'yan, ako mismo ang magpapatigil ng kasal mo at ibabalik kita sa tyan ng nanay mo!" banta ko pero tinawanan niya lang ako.
"You don't have to worry about her, Serise. You will never see her cry because of me or because of something. Trust me when I say I love Celestine more than anything and anyone." Penelope said and kissed Celestine's forehead.
Napangiwi ako. "Oh siya, binibigay ko na ang basbas ko sa inyong dalawa. Doon na sa far way!" pagtataboy ko at tumawa.
Napatigil ako sa pagtawa ng yakapin ako ng mahigpit ni Celestine.
"Serise..." she called me and cried. "Thank you, thank you my bebe Seri..." usal nito at humiwalay sa pagkakayakap sa'kin.
Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at inayos ang mga nakawalang buhok sa mukha niya. "Be happy Celestine, I want you to be happy." I said.
