Mamili ng Isang Lalaki, Karen

Ikaapat na Gatas

Ikaapat na Gatas

"Karen, I want to see you," he said over the phone. Um-oo naman ako at sinabing magkita na lang kami sa Milky Bistro.

Nakaramdam na naman ako ng kilig. Sic wants to see me. I still can't believe that we're getting married in a week. Napatingin ako sa invitation sa ibabaw ng dresser ko.

SicRen Nuptial. It still seems surreal. Mahal na mahal ko talaga ang lalaking ito.

I asked Nathalia to give me a ride. She should be here any minute now.

From: Nathalia

Karen, I'm already meat your condi! Hihihi.

We've been friends since TM101 at wala pa ring improvement sa kanya. Napailing na lang ako. I shouldn't think about it now. What matters is that I'm going to see my man.

Minutes later, dumating na si Nathalia and we made our way to Milky Bistro. I thanked her and went inside to see Sic.

I was serenaded by the voice of the guy singing on stage. I think he's of our age. Nakakasabog ovaries ang boses.

Si Sic kasi hindi kumakanta. At pipiliin ko na ring hindi siya pakantahin. Takot ko lang na bumaha.

I saw Sic sitting on the far end of the bistro. Hindi siya nakaporma and he looks gloomy. So, he did not call me for a date. I wonder what's this for.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at umupo sa harap niya. I sense that something's wrong but I acted strong.

The guy on the stage began singing Almost Is Never Enough.

"Hi," I said as I sat down.

"Karen, I can't do this anymore. You deserve someone better." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tumingin sa mga mata ko. "Karen, I'm gay."

Tinawanan ko lang siya. Nababaliw na ba siya? Sic Santos, bakla? Para mo na ring sinabi na maganda ang boses niya. THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!

"Look, Karen. I won't be there on our wedding day. Wala kang aasahan na darating. Kaya ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko na sa'yo 'to."

"Kailan pa?" It was all I managed to say.

"A few months after I proposed to you."

Nagsimula nang magpatakan ang luha ako. No, this is just one of his jokes. This can't be. This is not happening.

"Karen, I have to go. I have a plane to catch," he said as he stood up and walked to me. "But believe me, I loved you."

He hugged me for a while and before I knew it, nakaalis na siya.

I was awakened by Overdose by EXO. Napatingin ako sa orasan, 10am. Geez! I barely slept.

I looked at the caller ID and saw an unknown number. "Hello?"

"Hi, Karen! Did I wake you up?" Oh, so it's Dana. "I heard kasi that you do tutoring. Gusto ko sana namin ni Cyriel ipa-tutor ang babies namin."

I wasn't really up to do anything today. Kaso sayang din 'to. So I said yes and told her that I'll come over at 12.

Napahiga ulit ako sa kama at naalala ang panaginip ko. Malinaw na malinaw pa rin sa akin ang nangyari 2 years ago. How I loved Sic and how he left me.

Maybe that's the reason why I'm afraid to let myself fall again. If I'd fall, I want it to be worth it. I had to make it worth it.

**

Dumating ako kila Dana ng 12:30 since I was caught in a traffic jam along EDSA.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." Okay, I sounded like a student there.

"Okay lang, sorry sa istorbo ha," she said as she ushered me to their sofa. "Wait, I'll just get the kids."

She left me alone in the living room. Malaki ang bahay nina Dana. Cyriel Perez is really a wealthy man. Naalala ko na naman si Clarence. I know that they're brothers. Hello? Ang talino ko kaya.

I busied myself by scanning the frames displayed. They really look good together at ang dalawa nilang anak, sobrang cute din!

Dana came back with the kids. Oh my gosh, they're so adorable!!!

"Kids, say hi to Tita Karen. Siya na ang magiging tutor niyo ngayon. Be nice, okay?"

Agad naman silang nagsitakbuhan papunta sa akin at lumundag para yakapin ako. Sweet little kiddos.

"Hi, tita Karen! I'm Cyra! I want to be beautiful like you!" Then she kissed me sa cheek.

"I'm Danie, tita Karen. You're so beautiful po! I want to marry you!" Tapos kiniss niya ako sa cheek then nagblush siya.

Kung siguro kasal kami ni Sic, meron na rin kaming mga cute na babies. Maganda ako, gwapo siya. Oops! Maganda nga rin pala siya.

I talked to the kids for a while. Dana and Cyriel will be out for two days para may asikasuhin. So that means, maiiwan ang mga bata kasama ang nanny nila for two days.

"Karen, we need to go now. Iwan ko na kayo, ha? If you need something, nandiyan naman sina Manang Chicha," sabi ni Dana habang inaayos ang hikaw niya.

"Alright. Ingat kayo!"

They left and I started teaching the kids. Mabilis silang nakakasunod and everytime they get the answers correct, sobrang tuwa nila.

Cyra and Danie look the same. Parang mga foreigner nga sila. Their nose and eyes make them stand out. Pwedeng pwede silang mag-model or yet, mag-artista.

I heard a car's engine. I wonder whose car is it.

"Tito Clarence!!!!" The twins exclaimed and ran towards the door to meet him.

He bent down and kissed the kids. Mukha siyang ama ng mga batang 'to. Kung kami kaya magkakaanak, ano'ng itsura?

Hala ka, Karen! Utak mo!

"Look who we have here," he said, walking towards me. "Hi, Karen!"

He sat beside me and called out to Manang Chicha. "Manang, saging na may condensada nga po! Pakigawa na pong dalawa!"

Great. Just great.