"Shaira, Vinz is here!" Sigaw ni papa mula sa sala. Dali-dali akong bumaba. Nakita ko si Vinz na napatayo sa couch. We're just looking at each other.
"Okay, if you'll not stop staring at each other malulusaw kayo." Papa laughed. Nun lang namin binawi ang titig namin sa isa't isa. Sinabihan kami ni papa na umuwi agad after ng party. Hindi naman kami kumontra dahil ayaw din naman namin masyadong magpagabi.
"Take care of my princess, Vinz." Inakbayan ako ni Vinz at marahang pinisil ang balikat ko.
"Yes sir, I will. Don't worry." Pumunta na kami ni Vinz sa school namin. College night namin ngayon at si Vinz ang escort ko. Ayaw ko na nga sana siya abalahin pa pero nag-insist siyang samahan na ako. Yun din ang gustong i-suggest ni papa since hindi niya din ako maihahatid dahil may work pa siya.
I'm enjoying the party, Vinz too.
"The food here is incredibly delicious." I can't help myself to laugh. Vinz really has a big stomach. He love foods, and I always enjoy watching him eat.
"Excuse me, may I request everyone to pay attention first. This is the most awaited part of tonight's party. We will now announce the winners for Mister and Miss LU." Tumigil ang lahat sa ginagawa nila. They were all waiting for the result. They all prepared and I think everyone deserves to win.
"For Miss LU, you ladies are so beautiful tonight but there is this one lady who stand out from the rest. Now, may I call on..." I examined the whole place to see kung sino ang mananalo.
"...may I call on Miss Shaira Espinosa." Nagpalakpakan ang lahat habang tinitignan ako. Wait? Did I just win? Hinawakan ni Vinz ang kamay ko and helped me walk up the stage. Hindi pa din nagsisink-in ang nangyayari sa akin.
"Ofcourse this party will not end until Miss Shaira found her Mister LU. So among all the handsome boys here in the auditorium, who will win the title?" Itinapat ng emcee ang microphone sa audience at nagkanya kanya na sila ng sigaw kung sino ang gusto nilang manalo.
Gusto ko sanang isigaw na sana si Vinz na lang pero hindi naman siya pwedeng isama sa pagpipilian since he's just my guest escort.
"Ladies and gentlemen our Mister LU, Mister Charles..." My eyes widened ng marinig ko ang pangalang iyon. Is he here? Did he planned everything? Nilibot ko ang paningin ko para hanapin siya from the crowd but I can't see him.
"Mister Charles Hoffman." My heart was beating fast. But when I realized that he's not the Charles that I know, my heart calmed itself. I'm being paranoid and this is not good.
---
"Congratulations Shaira and Vinz." My mom greeted us. Finally, natapos na ang four years na pagpapakapagod ko sa pag-aaral. One of my goals was achieved.
"Tita, tito, kayo po dapat ang i-congratulate." Vinz hugged my mom. Mom offered Vinz to join us in celebrating this special day pero tumanggi siya. He said that he will be waiting for his parents para sila na ang sabay. Nanuod sila ng graduation pero may pinuntahan lang sandali, about daw sa business kaya umalis din agad.
"Please Vinz, sumama ka na sa amin. Just text them kung nasaan tayo para dun na lang sila sumunod." Vinz agreed sa suggestion ko. We ate at a fancy restaurant. Ayoko sana dito pero nag insist si papa since minsan lang naman daw iyon.
"So what's your plan after this?" Papa asked Vinz.
"Dad wants me to manage our business sir. I guess yun na po ang pagkakaabalahan ko." Natigilan ako sa pagkain. I thought ayaw niyang i-manage ang business nila? He told me na gusto niyang mag-apply sa ibang company. Gusto daw muna niyang magsimula sa mababa.
"Akala ko ba we'll look for a job together?" I asked him. He stopped eating and looked at me.
"I have no choice, I need to manage it since my dad said so." My mom changed the topic. Well, I think he'll do well in managing their business. Nagtaka lang ako kung bakit biglang nag-change of plans siya.
---
"Mam Shaira, Sir Vinz is waiting for you outside." My secretary told me while smiling. I smiled back and nod. I hurriedly fix my things to see him.
"Vinz!" I walk towards him and hugged him. I missed him so much. We haven't seen each other for two weeks since he's too busy managing their business.
"Mama!" A cute little voice got my attention. I knelt and spread my arms wide while waiting for him to embrace me. Oh gad! I miss him too.
"Hey baby, how are you?" I asked.
"I'm fine mama. Daddy bought me a new car." I looked at Vinz and give him a death glare. How many times will I tell him that he should not buy toys for Andrei?
"Sorry na, how can I say no kung ganito ka-cute ang mamimilit sa akin." He pinch Andrei's cheeks.
"Okay fine. For now bawal na munang bumili ng new toys." Tumango naman si Vinz. I carried Andrei and kissed him a million times.
"Where are we going mama?" Andrei asked from the back seat. I looked at him and told him to wait because it's a surprise.
"We're here baby." Vinz carried him. We prepared a surprise since it's his 3rd birthday. I covered his eyes while we walked inside the restaurant.
"Surprise!!" He was surprised. He kissed us because of happiness.
We are now eating when Andrei became quiet. I guess Vinz noticed it too.
"What's wrong?" Vinz asked him and Andrei stopped eating.
"I miss popsy and mamsy." He looked sad. Vinz look at me, I don't know what to say.
"Siguro padala na natin yung cake. Lets blow your candles first, okay?" Tumango si Andrei sa sinabi ni Vinz. I called the waitress for the cake.
"Happy birthday Andrei. Blow your candles!" He closed his eyes then after a bit he blew his candles.
"So what's your wish baby?" I asked him.
"I just want to see popsy and momsy, mama." Vinz looked at me again. Naiintindihan ko si Andrei, he haven't seen mama and papa for about a year now. Puro skype na lang ang ginagawa namin to communicate.
When papa retired from his work, sa Philippines na niya napiling mag-stay. Hindi ako kumontra because I know na miss na miss niya na dun. Since nung pumunta ako dito hindi na kaming umuwi sa Pinas. Instead na kami ang umuwi si mama ang dumadalaw sa amin.
"Please mama, daddy."
"Okay." He clapped his hands.
"Are you sure about this?" Vinz asked. I nod.
"Sabi mo nga, how can I say no kung ganito ka-cute ang mamimilit sa akin." Tumawa kami. Andrei look so happy. I will not be selfish.
"Finally, we're going home." Vinz said.
