“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Kim was the first one to recover. I didn’t realize that my friends and I are holding our breaths.
“Sabi ni Jeron nandito daw yung mga suits. Si Cienne daw in charge ng mga damit para sa wedding. I’m here to pick up mine,” Thomas answered with his hands are raised as if surrendering. He obviously was taken aback by the less than lukewarm welcome to his arrival.
“Jeez guys, chill out. It’s just Thomas,” AVO said. I look around and my friends and I look like archers ready to fire. “Oh Ara’s here,” he said nonchalantly.
I officially want to rip AVO’s head off his gigantic body. I love you Cienne but you are going to be a widow at an early age.
“She’s…” Thomas’ reaction immediately changes into something I can’t comprehend, like longing or anticipation or I don’t know. He looked around searching for something… or someone, obviously me.
“Here.” Thomas said when his eyes met mine. Our eyes locked, I wanted to look away but my eyes won’t. He still looks the same. Nothing has changed. Same old Thomas, same old beautiful Thomas.
But I hate Thomas.
Get your big panties on, Ara. You’ve thought about this meeting. You know what to do.
“Hi Thomas. Kamusta?” I am amazed at how empty my words can get. I can pull this off.
Thomas blinked. He can’t read what’s behind my words. He used to know everything about me, used to. “Okay naman. Ikaw?” he robotically answered.
“Okay din naman,” I answered.
Mika immediately went to me and carried Ty, hiding my boy’s face from the newcomer. “Lalaruin ko lang to sa labas,” Mika said and zoomed out of the house to the garden.
“Sino yung-“ Thomas didn’t finish his question.
“Ara, eto na yung damit mo,” Cienne interrupted and handed me a huge box. “Wait lang yung sayo Thomas. Pinakukuha ko pa.”
“Yeah, sure,” Thomas said without removing his eyes from me.
“So guys, I’ll see you around?” I immediately grabbed the opportunity for an escape. I secured the box with my two hands.
“May maghahatid sayo?” Thomas automatically asked… just like before.
I smiled like I’m so cool except that, inside me, I’m everything but. “Yeah. Mika’s bringing me home. Bye guys, daanan ko na si Mika sa labas.” I tried to walk as fast but as normal as possible. I didn’t dare to look at their expression. I just want to get out of here.
“Mika! Tara na,” I almost ordered.
My bestfriend read my facial expression perfectly and she immediately moved. I scooped Ty up as soon as I got to him and went to Mika’s car.
“Let’s go. Let’s go,” I said once we were in the car.
When we were out of Cienne’s subdivision, Mika and I looked at each other and blew out all the carbon dioxide we hoarded after holding our breaths.
“That was close,” Mika exhaled.
“Too close.” I said and hugged Ty who’s sitting on my lap.
***
“Medyo mahigpit sa boobs ng kaunti pero keri naman,” I said as I looked at my reflection with the green long dress.
“Okay na yan baks. At least mapu-push up yung boobs mo,” Carol said.
“Lumaki ata yang hinaharap mo,” Mika commented who’s munching on the chocolate cake. We are in my Kuya’s condo and I’m trying on my dress for the wedding. It kinda looked good on me, just a little tight on the breast area.
“Siyempre! Nagkaanak kaya ako!” I told her.
“Ganun ba yun?” Kim asked who’s also busy with her chocolate cake.
“Babe, I like green!” Ty butted in.
“Good boy! Lasallian in the making. Ano kaya to? Spiker or Archer?” Kim reached for Tyrone as the boy followed. Kim let him sit on her lap.
“Wala! Uuwi kami ng London,” I immediately said.
“Eto naman. Alam mo naman siguro na mas maraming opportunity si Ty dito. By the looks of him, he’s athletically built,” Cienne said.
“We’re going back to London. That’s final,” I said firmly.
My friends looked at each other and got the message that I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
“Marunong bang magtagalog to?” Kim pointed at my son.
“Hindi nakakapagsalita ng tagalog pero nakakaintindi ng konti. Pero super konti lang. He knows mahal kita, maganda, pogi, ano, sino, saan…” I answered.
“Ai turuan ko kaya to,” Kim pondered.
“Hoy Kimmy! Ayusin mo ha! Wag mong turuan ng kalokahan,” I immediately said. I collected my my hair on one said. “Cienne paki-unzip naman ako. Okay na tong dress tamang-tama sakin. Galing niyo ah.”
“Siyempre naman!” Cienne said proudly.
I stripped the dress off me. I am still wearing my bra and my pambahay shorts inside. And besides, nakita na to ng teammates ko no, kaya okay lang. Wala namang ibang tao dito.
“Ara ano yan?” Carol asked with curious eyes.
“Alin?” I asked as I put the dress on the nearest couch.
She stood up in front of me and bent down to look at my belly. “Nagpatattoo ka!!!” Carol blurted out. Everybody looked toward my direction, except Tyrone whose busy tinkering something on Kim’s phone.
“Patingin!” Mika walked towards where Carol and I are standing.
Now, they are all fuzzing on my tattoo. I just rolled my eyes.
“I got it last year,” I said. They all stood up now looking at me quizzically. “What?”
“Bakit?” they all said in unison.
“Moms? Dumami ata nanay ko,” I said and let out a small laugh. They ignored me and waited for an explanation. “What? I’m an adult I can do whatever I want with my own body.”
They just squinted their eyes on me.
“I just wanted to hide my scar,” I said but they just continued to look at me. “My C-section scar, Ty was delivered CS. I wanted to hide it. I don’t want it removed but it doesn’t look nice so I got a tattoo.”
“Hmm? Eh ano ba yan?” Carol asked.
“Oo nga. Hindi ko naman maintindihan,” Kim asked as she looked down to scrutinize my tattoo again.
“Arabic for stronger,” I answered quickly. They all became silent as they gave me a look. “Ty made me stronger.”
I was taken aback when they all tackle me with a warm group hug. “What are you doing?”
“Parang ang lungkot mo kasi nung sinabi mo yun,” Cienne said. I chuckled
“Para kayong mga timang,” I said but I hugged them back.
“Babe! I want hugs too!” We all broke the hug when we all heard Ty.
***
“Best! Asan ka na ba? Akala ko ba kukunin natin yung mga give aways mo?” I ranted at Mika on the phone.
“Ambush interview, Best! Hindi kinakaya ng ganda ko! Ba’t ba kasi in-announce pa nung intsik na yun yung wedding. Susunduin ka niya diyan. Kasalanan naman kasi nun!” Mika said. I can hear voices from her side. She seems to be in a place full of people.
“Wait sabihin mo sa office na lang ni Kuya. Hahatid ko dun si Ty. Susunduin nila Mama,” I said immediately.
“Huwag na antayin mo na lang si Jeron. Siya na lang maghahatid sa inyo dun,” Mika said.
“Ok na Best! Restless na kasi si Ty, gusto na umalis. Malapit lang naman. Sabihin mo hintayin na lang ako sa café sa tapat.” I said as I collect my bag on the couch. “Babe! Let’s go!” I called on Tyrone.
“Okay sige! See you in a bit!” Mika. I hang up and reached for Tyrone.
After delivering my son to Kuya where my parents will pick him up, I walked to the café across the street where my bestfriend’s groom will pick me up. I opened the door as the wind chimes clang to the action. My body froze and I thank God that I’m not holding Tyrone anymore.
“Ara, Jeron called me to get you, stuck daw siya sa traffic,” Thomas immediately said to me when he’s in front of me.
“Oh, bakit ikaw?” I tried to sound cool. In my head I’m already slicing Jeron’s neck. Seryoso Jeron??!!
“My office is just a block away,” Thomas answered.
“I could wait for Jeron. You can go back to your work,” I smiled.
Thomas looked at me like gauging me or something. He virtually dismissed a thought and smiled. “If you really don’t want me to bring you wherever you’re going, maybe I could give you company while waiting for Jeron.”
“Really Thomas, I can manage,” I said.
Thomas smiled his playful smile. “Iniiwasan mo ba ko?”
“No, why would I do that?” I asked and ransacked my bag for my phone. Urgh!
“Then you wouldn’t mind spending few minutes with me while you wait for Jeron,” he challenged.
“Fine.”
He guided me to a table for two near the window. “What do you want to eat?”
“Nothing. Jeron’s on the way naman,” I answered.
“You were gone for a while na nga. You don’t know Manila traffic anymore. It’s been a few-fold worse than before,” Thomas said. “Jeron won’t be here in a while.”
I gulped. This means more time to spend with him. I looked nervously at the building across the street. Sana sa likod sila Mama dumaan.
“So… you want spaghetti bolognese or penne arrabiatta?” I turned my attention to Thomas who’s already checking the menu.
“None. Chamomile tea please,” I said.
“You’re not hungry?” Thomas said as he raised an eyebrow at me.
My tummy grumbled objecting to what I said. Pahamak naman. Kulit kasi ni Tyrone kanina hindi na ako nakapagbreakfast.
Thomas smiled. “Hmm? Spaghetti,” and looked down to the menu again.
He called the waiter, “A Spaghetti Bolognese, a tuna Panini, two caramel croissants, and the two blueberry cheesecake.”
“For your drinks sir?” the waiter asked.
Thomas looked up to me, “Are you sure with the tea? Mainit sa labas, you might want something cool and refreshing.”
