Happy (BARA)

Worse Lovers, Good Friends

Ara's POV

Andito kami ngayon sa Maddayag Mansion, 10:00AM ng kinaumagahan after ng victory party. Nasa sala kaming apat nila Bang, Mela, at Kim. Habang nagbe-breakfast kanina, pinatawag kami ng katiwala ng Lolo ni Maddie, may importanteng sasabihin daw. Kaming apat lang ang nasa sala. Malaki ang bahay at parang walang ibang tao.

Binasag ni Mela ang katahimikan, "Ikaw kasi Kim e, pasaway ka, nabuhusan mo kasi ng beer ung damit ni Bea kagabi, ang harot mo naman kasi. Ayan, baka papagalitan tayo, alam mo namang malapit si Bea sa grandparents ni Maddie e."

Pumalag si Kim, "Anong ako?!? E eto ngang si Bang, sadya atang binangga si Maddie e. Buti nahila ni Ara ung braso ni Maddie, kundi laglag sa pool yun! At saka, ang taray kaya ni Bang habang kinakausap niya tayo kagabi! Ayan, nasumbong tuloy tayo. Baka ipabayad satin ung nabasag na vase ni Bang. Maganda nga, clumsy naman."

Umangal si Bang, "Teka! di ko naman sinadya un!"

"Ung pagtulak kay Maddie sa pool?"  tanong ni Kim

"Ah un medyo, pero ung sa vase, hindi!" sagot ni Bang, sabay nag-peace sign.

"Hahahaha" tawanan namin. 

Bigla akong napatayo, sumunod tumayo sila Bang, Kim, at Mela.

"Good morning po Lolo, Lola." lumapit kaming apat sa kanila para mag-mano.

"Hi Maddie!" kumaway ako kay Maddie na nasa likod. Bebeso sana ako kaso hinila ni Bang ung shirt ko para pigilan.

Umupo si Lolo sa sofa "Maupo kayo mga iha." Nakaupo sa gitna ni Lolo't Lola si Maddie. Kami naman ay umupo sa sofa sa tapat nila.

Nagsimula nang magsalita yung lolo ni Maddie, 

        "Ara, I have something important to tell you. Listen, even if I don't peel my eyes, I see the things that happen around here. I heard certain stories..."

(*napalunok ako, aminado naman akong pasaway kami. lagot na talga*)

        "I heard that when you went to the market, dun sa palengke sa bayan, you met an old beggar, sat and talked with her for fifteen minutes. You then left her and came back a few minutes with bread and the medicines she needed. 

        I know that when you thought my dog, Blu, was a stray dog wandering the hacienda, you fed him food and gave him water thinking he was hungry and thirsty. That brat, Blu, is a wanderer, kaya he's free to roam as he please. You made sure one of my katiwala would feed Blu everyday whenever he sees him..

        I know that when you saw a kid down in the middle of the road, you told your driver to stop just to check if the kid's okay. The kid sprained his ankle and was crying from the pain.  You took him to the nearest hospital then gave him a ride home. The kid was actually one of my katiwala's son, and his parents were grateful that you took their son to receive medical attention.

        You acknowledged the presence of elders. We don't usually get noticed when Maddie and her friends are here. But you, you even sang for us, and made us stand on our feet to dance. Its been years since I danced with my wife. I felt forty years younger that night!

       Ara, I believe that for restoring my faith in humanity, you are perfect for my apo Maddie. 

       My wife and I decided that Maddie and you are destined... to remain good friends, because you deserve someone with an equally loving heart, like the lady beside you" then winks at Bang. 

Napa-smile ako kay Maddie; siya rin naka-smile sakin. Si Bang, naka-akbay sakin at naka-ngiti. Si Kim at Mela, nag-thumbs up sign at ngumiti rin sakin.