That Summer When She Cried

Those Sunny Little Selfie Days Along The Way

Love? When your friends find it, you'll be happy for them. But when you're the only one who doesn't have it, it is something that can make you feel envious. I promise you.

-Kim

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It was Tata's wedding.

Sino ba naman magaakala na all this time kaya naman pala sya hindi sumasama ng madalas e dahil nagaasikaso ng kasal?

The first Tiger of my batch who will take the vow.

He finally decided to tie the knot with his beautiful bride Mikko, isa sa mga resident girlfriends ng Tigers. They've been together for some time now and they're one of the couples I admire. She looked really beautiful in her gown when I checked on her and Tata was the happiest man that day.

We were all there and just the usual, I came in without a date. But that was okay. If I don't have a date, pwede naman maghanap dun sa kasal mismo. I was one of the groomsmen and kanina pa ako nandito sa isang suite prepping up.

Mayamaya pumasok si Ron sa kwarto, kasunod yung isasakal - I mean, ikakasal - and everyone knows how funny Ron can be. Mas nakakaaning pa kay Kev. He started taking a video of us dancing to the tune of Treasure. Pag lumabas yung video na 'to, panigurado...

Mafrustate na naman ako sa dami ng nagooffer ng sarili nila sa akin na parang tindang damit sa stall pero hindi ako makapili. Lahat na naman sila tatawagin akong babe or mahal. At lahat din sila tatawagin kong mahal or babe. Lahat sila kakatagpuin ko sa isang lugar at lahat sila walang hinangad kundi ang Prince Charming's kiss.

We were in the middle of shooting the vid when someone went inside. She was wearing a floral spaghetti strapped dress, knee length, and her hair was just put into a messy bun. Her footwear was just flat and it looked like the footwear of the Roman gods. Yung may umiikot hanggang sa binti. She looked cheerful and she smiled when she saw us.

"The dance looked good," she said. "I'll take a picture."

"Ikaw yung event photographer namin di ba?" Tata asked her and she nodded. Pumwesto naman kami saka sya nagsimulang kumuha ng pictures namin from different angles.

"Give me some emotions guys. Tell me what you feel now that Tata's getting married," she said while moving around taking shots.

Agad kaming nagyakap yakap na tatlo, ako yung nakasandwich dun sa dalawa which made her laugh.

"Bromance?" she asked.

"Illicit affair," Ron said. "Tata! Mamimiss ko yung hubad mong katawan na nakadampi sa balat kong malagkit pag nagsama na kayo ni Mikko."

"Wala na kong mayayakap sa gabi," I added.

"Pwede naman kayong gumitna samin ni Mikko, problema ba yun?" he answered.

I laughed and detached myself from them. Napapraning na siguro yung photographer namin. Mukha pa namang inosente.

"Uy sorry a. Ganito talaga kami dito kay Tata e," I told her and flashed her my biggest asset.

Isang ngiti na may kasamang lipbite.

"At your service," she proudly said. "I can take your picture while dancing guys."

"Papicture na lang kami kasama ka, Miss - ?" I asked her, with the pure intention of knowing her name. Kanina pa kasi ako naku-cute-an sa kanya. Lalo na yung ngiti at aliwalas ng mukha nya. Ang sarap makita sa umaga. Nagdadala ng liwanag, mas matindi pa sa dala ng Meralco at ng haring araw.

"Pam," she smiled and extended her hand to me. "And you are?"

I took the hand she was offering me. "Jeric. Jeric Fortuna. Single. Taga-Parañaque. Pwede din lumipat kung saan ka nakatira. 09178581256," I smiled at her. When I held her hand, I felt so excited and for a while, I thought binawian ako ng buhay.