"Yes, that's right," he said with a nod of the head. He put down the pen and crossed his arms. He has such great confidence.
I gasped in disbelief. Hinawakan ko ang listahan ng mga bisita na gusto niyang imbitahin sa kasal. "Are you serious? 250 people? I thought you want it to be intimate," I argued.
"That's intimate," he said, as if he's so sure. I'm not sure if he's on his right mind, but there's no way I'm walking in the aisle with 250 people staring at me! Man, Cyrus is hopeless.
"The last time I checked, we are going to have a wedding. Hindi barrio fiesta!" I insisted.
"I just thought that we can invite more people if we have a large number of guests." He shrugged.
"But we have agreed that it will be an intimate wedding. With just friends and family members, right?" My forehead creased. "Isa pa, ayaw ko ng masyadong madaming tao. Boy, that would make me dizzy. The attention . . ." Napahawak ako sa aking noo. "I don't like it." Just the thought of having to talk to all these people makes me cringe already.
"But you're really going to be stared at because you're the bride." He laughed, as if my fear of people is something that's so comical.
"Exactly! That's the point." I pouted. "Besides, I just really want to celebrate that day with people who really matter in our lives, as individuals and as a couple. Ayaw ko na after wedding, 'hi and bye' lang kami ng mga 'to." Binilugan ko ang pangalan ng mga taong dinagdag niya sa listahan. I don't even know who these people are. My goodness. "Cyrus, please. You know me, I don't like being around . . ."
Nanghina ako at napayuko na lamang.
"Okay. I understand. I'm sorry," he said, touching my palm, as if massaging it. "Sorry for being too pushy." I can see in his eyes that he's really apologetic. I smiled. It feels good to be upset when someone is there to cheer you up.
"No, it's fine. Siguro nasanay na ako na mabuhay in seclusion kaya mahirap na sa akin na makisalamuha sa madaming tao." I paused. "Sorry?" I asked, because I don't know if that's something I should ask for pardon. To be honest, I'm still adjusting with the life that I have now.
He shook his head and said, "At least now, you don't have to be alone anymore." He smiled. "I'm here . . . . visible and tangible." A laugh escaped him.
Mahina kong sinuntok ang braso niya. "You're a stalker," biro ko.
"No. I was a coward," he said with pain and regret, I can tell. "Had I confessed to you way back then, we would have had three children by now."
Halos mabuga ko ang tubig na ininom ko. "What?" Tumawa ako. "You're really confident that you can win me as easy as that, huh?" I mocked him.
"Love, we both know I can. In a second." He winked at me. My heart leaped. Goodness, Cyrus, we're not even in high school and yet, you can still make my heart flutter like it's the first time every time.
"But who practically begged me to marry him?" I joked.
He shrugged. "Well, you basically waited for me. So, it's a tie," he jested. Kumunot ang noo ko. "White flag, anyone?" he lifted his right hand, as if waving something.
"Whatever floats your boat," I said, standing up. I grabbed the pen and paper and left.
Madali niya akong hinabol.
He put his arm around my shoulder and said, "This marriage is going to be so fun!"
We walked around Town Square and managed to buy some groceries before we headed to Mitch's house. We've been planning for this moment and since we're too busy preparing for the wedding, we can only accommodate their request today.
