“They say time and distance is the best cure for a broken heart. And that is what I am aiming to achieve.”
“VICTONARA!!! Sasabunutan talaga kita kapag hindi ko nakita yang bungo mo dito sa Pilipinas sa araw ng kasal ko!” Mika shouted through the phone. Hay naku lang, talagang feeling reyna pa rin hanggang ngayon.
“Alam mo daks, ang ingay mo kahit kailan. Nasa London na nga ko pero parang dinig na dinig pa rin talaga kita,” I replied with a sly smile.
“Huwag mo ngang iniiba yung usapan. Ara naman, magtatampo talaga ako sa iyo. Hindi kita kakausapin forever,” Mika said in much lower tone.
“Alam mo namang niloloko lang kita. Siyempre pupuntahan ko ang kasal ng bestfriend kong 'napakaingay. Kahit…” I stopped myself from continuing… and remembering.
“Kahit? Ano Ara? Ayaw mong makita ang tatay…” Mika continued my hanging statement.
“Pupunta na nga ako, ang dami mo pang sinasabi!” I rebutted before she can finish.
“Ara, alam mo naman siguro na hindi mawawala yun sa kasal ko diba pero please pumunta ka. Para sakin,” Mika said.
I know I don’t have a way out of this. Maybe I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there. Bahala na. “Oo nga. Kulit eh. Bahala na lang kung anong mangyari.”
“Maid of honor ka ha. Alam mo na yan,” Mika said without a hesitation. “I won’t take no for an answer. Kahit huwag mo na kong tulungan sa preparation basta ikaw ang maid of honor ko.”
“Daks, alam mo namang hindi na ko pwede. Ang maid of honor para lang sa mga dalaga,” I countered.
“Gaga ka ba! Dalaga ka pa kaya! Single ka pa Ara. Huwag ka ngang ambisyosa wala ka pang asawa kaya pwede ka pang maid of honor,” Mika ranted. She has a point.
“Ai naku bahala ka nga, pero hindi pa ko makakauwi agad-agad. Baka mga 2 weeks before the wedding na ko makakaalis dito,” I said.
“Okay nga lang. Nandito naman sila Carol. Basta nandito ka at kumpleto tayo. Okay na ako,” Mika said.
“Eto naman ang drama eh,” I said smiling.
We last saw each other about 5 months ago when Mika and the others namely Carol, Cienne and Kim came to visit me here. It was a surprise visit though. I didn’t know they were coming until they showed up on my front door. They said they missed me, even if we were talking on Skype every week. That was something we agreed on before. I never went home by the way so they were the ones coming here. Going back…
“Eh ikaw kasi eh, ayaw mo namang umuwi. Tapos ang mahal kaya magpabalik-balik diyan. Mahiya ka naman. Ikaw naman ang umuwi dito.” Mika ranted.
“HAHA sa dami na ng pera mo kayang-kaya mo na kayang magpabalik-balik dito kahit every week pa,” I said. Mika is now a super athlete/ supermodel (print and runway)/businesswoman in the Philippines. Oh diba, edi siya na!
“Aba at gusto mo pa talagang i-haggard itong beauty ko sa dami ng oras na itetengga ko sa eroplano pag pumupunta ako diyan,” she said.
“Ewan ko sayo. Sinabi na ngang uuwi na ko. Paulit-ulit kasi ang gusto,” I replied.
“Oo na, oo na,” She answered. “Teka pakausap nga sa cute and gwapong may British accent diyan.”
“Sorry po at tulog ang mahal ko,” I answered as I looked at his beautiful and peaceful face. My main man for the past 4 years is soundly sleeping beside me. I couldn’t ask for more.
“Ai sayang. Gustong-gusto ko pa naman naririnig yung magandang accent niyan. Isasama mo ba yan sa pag-uwi mo?” Mika asked on the other line.
“Oo naman! Alangang iwan ko to dito. Kunin pa to ng iba,” I said.
“Sabi ko nga eh,” Mika said. “Oh sige na. Matulog ka na at alam kong gabing-gabi na diyan. Goodnight daks! Umuwi ka! Love you! Mwah!”
“Goodnight Daks! Love you! See you soon!”
Before I sleep, I took my time to look at his beautiful and angelic face. I smiled. He really is the best blessing in my life. I kissed his temple and lay beside him.
***
“Why do we have to go to the Philippines?” he asked with his British accent. It always makes me smile. “What are we going to do there?”
“I told you we’re going to my friend’s wedding, babe. Remember her?” I pointed to Mika’s photo in my phone. “They came here 5 months ago to visit me and you.”
He looked at the photo with his brows almost meeting at the centre. This cute man, I can’t. His eyes grew as if he solved the biggest Math problem in the world. “Oh! I remember her. She’s the tallest!” He flashed his cutest smile and my heart melted.
“Yes, you are right. Well can you remember her name?” I asked. His eyes narrowed, almost closing them because he’s naturally a chinito, as if he’s diagnosing a very complicated medical case.
“Mika! That was her name!”
“Correct again! Good job, babe,” I commended.
“Will I get to see your Mom there?” he asked again.
“Oh yes and my dad and my Kuya June. You’ll see them all there. We’ll visit them in Pampanga,” I answered.
“Really?” His eyes grew and that is an indication of excitement which I am very familiar of.
“Yes honey. But now I need you to take out some clothes that you want to bring to the Philippines. Then I will pack it later, ayt?” I ordered.
He smiled and saluted like a soldier. He kissed me before leaving the room and now I’m left alone.
He was the only person in the face of Earth that has been holding me together. Four years ago when he came into my life, I was a train wreck. But he turned me into a fighter and I became stronger. He came in the most unexpected moment but I’ll take it because I couldn’t imagine my life without him. He is my life now.
***
It’s time for my weekly dose of Bullies and it is going to be the last Skype conversation for now because in five days I will be flying home.
What’s taking them so long? I’ve been waiting for almost 15 minutes already. Cienne texted me earlier and she said that they are already together for our Skype. Hay naku Bullies talaga…
Few more minutes and they finally called. “Ay naku, ang kukupad talaga. Pinaghintay pa talaga ako,” I said right after I saw their squeezed in faces on the monitor. Actually all I can see is their faces like they purposely squeezed into the webcam so I can’t see their bodies only their faces.
“Victonara napaka-walang pasensiya mo talaga. Eto naman, may surprise kasi kami sayo,” Cienne said. Everybody was smiling mischievously.
“Ano na naman yang mga kalokohan niyo?” I asked. I’m stifling my laughter because they almost look hilarious in their positions. “Anong trip niyo?”
“Wait for it… Girls, on three,” Carol started.
“1” Mika said.
“2” Cienne added.
Then… they all looked to Kim. “Kim ikaw magsasabi ng 3! Ano ba! Nireherse natin to!” Cienne said.
“Grrr!” Kim growled at her. “3”
They all stood up properly and I can see that they’re wearing their gowns for Mika’s wedding. Of course Mika is wearing her wedding dress which looks amazing on her. Galing magdala, wala eh, model nga. Mika’s color-theme for the wedding is green. Siyempre La Sallians ang mga ikakasal eh. True green blooded nga. The gowns of the other girls were identical. Parang nung naglalaro pa kami uniform palagi. HAHA.
“HAHAHAH anyare sayo Kim? Ba’t ganyan itsura mo?” I asked as I noticed Kim frowning on one side.
“Sino ba naman ang matutuwa sa suot ko. Labas kaluluwa,” she answered. The other girls are wearing princess cut tube long gowns.
“Ano ka ba? Huwag kang mag-alala pag nandiyan na ako dadamayan kita. Alam mo na hindi natin trip yang mga ganyan,” I said to her. You know me and Kim, we’re not your typical girls.
“Tigilan mo ko Victonara! Ikaw ayaw mo ngang magsuot ng mga ganito pero bagay sayo. Eh ako, ayaw kong magsuot ng ganito at ayaw rin ng mga ganito sakin,” Kim rebutted which made the others laugh.
“Masyado mo kasing pinakalaki yung mga muscles mo, Kimmy,” Carol said.
“Che! Oo alam ko na sinabi ko sa inyo na magbabalik loob na ko sa pagkababae ko pero ayoko pa rin ng mga ganito,” Kim said.
Kim mentioned a few months ago that the identity crisis phase of her life is finally over. And she decided that if the right MAN comes she will be willing to give it a chance. Oh diba. The only constant thing in this world is change. Ako nga… haaaayy…
“Kimmy, nag-promise ka sakin na aayusan ka sa kasal ko. Maririmedyohan lang yan sa wedding day, magaling make-up artist ko. Baka mahanap mo na si right MAN mo nga dun eh,” Mika said with a sly smile.
“Ginagamit mo na naman yang wedding card mo ha! At talaga naman ininsulto mo pa tong kagandahan ko ha! Che! Ayoko na!” Kim exclaimed.
“HAHAHA Umayos ka nga Kim, kaming bahala sayo. Tatalbugin mo pa si Mika sa kasal niya,” Carol butted in.
“Hindi naman ata ako makakapayag diyan,” Mika said.
“Ewan ko nga sa inyo. Nasan yung akin?” I asked.
Cienne disappeared from my view and when she came back she was holding the same gown that I assume is meant for me. “Siyempre meron ka ding para sayo,” Mika said.
“At talagang super terno kaming apat ha,” I said.
“Naman! Hindi yata ako makakapayag na masapawan ako no!” Mika said with matching taas kilay pa.
“At papayag ba si Coach Ramil na hindi tayo in uniform. Excused lang si Mika kasi kasal niya,” Carol said which made us all agree.
“Nga naman. Teka kasya ba sakin yan?” I asked.
“Ano ka! Siyempre, prototype La Salle body ka kaya! Iisa size natin, ano ka ba!” Carol said.
“Para ma sure mo, umuwi ka na dito,” Mika said.
“Ang sigurista mo talaga, Daks. Sabing uuwi ako diyan. In five days pa flight namin,” I told them.
“Excited na kaming makita ang napaka-cute mong escort. Naku nanggigil na ko ngayon pa lang,” Cienne said. I smiled I know whom she is referring to, my man.
“Oo nga, ganda pa ng accent pang sosyal,” Carol added.
“Oi tigilan niyo nga. Huwag niyong sirain ang mukha. Mahal na mahal ko yun,” I said warning them.
“OA ka!” Cienne said. “Nasan na ba yun? Hindi ko ata nakikita.”
“Ano pa ba? Edi tulog na naman. Alam niyo na takaw tulog yun.” I explained.
“Parehong-pareho talaga kayong dalawa,” Mika said.
“Siyempre!” I said.
Then they all became silent. “Ano?” I asked.
“Daks, invited si ano eh. This time sure na ako, nagpa-RSVP na sa jowa ko,” Mika broke the temporary silence.
“Alam ko naman na pupunta yun. Okay lang daks, huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi ako mag-eeksena dun. Quiet lang ako. Pero yung pinag-usapan natin dati. Walang magsasalita and follow the story,” I told her and pointed to the other girls. “Kayo din.”
They all zipped their mouths telling me that they are not going to say anything.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Daks, meron pa,” she added.
“Ano?”
“Siya rin yung best man,” she smiled sheepishly.
“Mikaaaaaaaaa……” I almost growled.
***
“Ara!” I heard Kuya June the same time I saw him. He was waving with a big smile. I missed by big brother. He is the one picking us up here in the airport.
“Kuya!” I hugged him the moment we reached him. “Kamusta ka na?”
“Ok naman, ikaw? Ai nasan pala si…” he asked and I moved a little to give my big brother the full view of my man who was just behind me. “Hala ang gwapo naman pala nito. Kung ganito kagwapo pala to eh hindi ko na masasaktan yung…”
“Kuya naman eh. Kadadating ko lang,” I said before he could continue.
He just rolled his eyes at me. “Ano nga pangalan niyan?” Kuya asked.
“Christian Tyrone, Ty na lang tawag mo” I answered.
“Ahhhh Okay. Oh sige na, mamaya na nga tayo magkwentuhan, sa condo na lang. Baka maipit pa tayo sa rush hour traffic. Alam mo naman dito sa Manila,” he said as he help with our bags.
It was not quite a road trip from the airport to my brother’s condo since it’s not that far.
“Oh magpahinga na muna kayo at magpapadeliver lang ako ng pagkain,” Kuya said the moment we enter his condo.
“Ai naku, wala man lang ba special luto for me? Tagal nating hindi nagkita eh,” I joked. “Oh baka hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa rin marunong magluto?”
“Busy sa trabaho eh,” he said as he dial something on his phone. I think that is going to be our dinner.
“Mag-asawa ka na kaya,” I suggested with a grin.
“Ayoko nga at hindi muna ako mag-aasawa hanggang wala pang umaako sayo. Yan diba yung promise ko,” he said it like a joke but we’ve already talked about this before.
“Kaya ko na tong mag-isa. Ako pa. At parang nakakapanibago ka naman, ang sweet mo ngayon ah,” I noticed.
“Haha may expiration date to Victonara, miss ko lang talaga yang nguso mong malaki. Bukas wala na to,” he said and laughed.
“Haha talaga lang ha. Nahiya ka pa,” I said.
“Babe, I’m hungry,” I looked behind me and it was Tyrone complaining.
“I’m sorry. Can you wait a little longer? Food’s not yet ready eh,” I asked. My handsome just smiled and nodded.
“Bakit Babe tawag sayo nun?” Kuya June asked.
“Bakit? Hindi ba pwede? Eh ako girlfriend nun eh,” I said with a proud grin.
“Ewan ko sayo Victonara. Pumapatol ka na pala sa bata at hindi lang bata ha, anak mo pa,” Kuya June remarked with a grin.
