Make It Without You

Chapter 24: Endings and Beginnings

#MIWOY24

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That Wednesday, hinatid ni Gabo si Billy at mga anak  sa Billy Bakes bago siya pumasok sa opisina. After work, pinasundo niya rin sila sa driver para mahatid sa condo, with the promise na susunod siya pagkatapos ng trabaho. Nag-imbita kasi si Sputnik ng wine night. Gabo thought he'd give Billy a chance to talk to her friends first kaya nagpahuli siya. Naisip din niyang kumuha muna ng magandang bote ng wine sa bahay niya para naman may contribution siya sa maliit na handaan.

Billy had just put the twins to bed and when she went out of her room, busy na sina Sputnik at Mikael sa pag-set up ng dining table. May dalawang bote ng favorite nilang wine sa isang ice bucket at may platter pa ng cold cuts and cheese. Nagbukas din si Mikael ng isa sa mga favorite niyang scented candles. Madalas nilang gawin yun lalo na kapag nagsasakto ang schedules nilang tatlo. Ngayon, nakaleave ang magjowa dahil nga sa pag-uwi ng parents ni Mikael. When they all sat at the table, Sputnik poured out three glasses and toasted to a night with good friends.

"Mik, kamusta parents mo? Bumalik na ba sila sa States?" Billy asked as they settled in.

Ngumiti si Mikael. "They're extending their vacation until July para daw nandito sila sa birthday ko. Gustong bumawi kasi matagal-tagal na daw kaming 'di magkasama," masayang sagot niya. "At may isang tao dito, close na close na kay Mommy. Parang siya na nga yung anak! Siya na yung laging hinahanap, hindi na ako!"

Natawa silang tatlo. "Iba talaga ang charm ni Atty. Stephen Perez o!" panunukso ni Billy sa best friend.

"Sira ka talaga Belinda!" balik naman ni Sputnik. "If I know, tuwang-tuwa ka at wala kami dito! Pano, solo niyo ni Gabo 'tong condo kapag tulog na yung mga inaanak ko! Naku Hon, ipabless nga natin ulit 'tong condo! Maraming kababalaghang nangyari! Sabi ni Gavin nung tumawag siya nung isang araw, may friendly ghost daw yata tayo dito! Umuungol! Dinamay niyo pa si Casper!"

"Hoy!!!" Billy protested, blushing.

Tawang-tawa si Sputnik sa itsura ni Billy. Guilty as charged! "O ano? Ba't ka namumula?! Ang lalandi niyo kasi! 'Di man lang magpigil ng ungol!"

They fell into their usual easy conversation, catching up on each other's lives. Matagal-tagal na rin kasi since nagsama-sama sila at nakapagkwentuhan dahil busy sila sa trabaho at si Billy, busy rin sa kambal at kay Gabo.

When they were almost finished with their first bottle, Sputnik decided it was the right time to tell Billy about their big news. He cleared his throat a bit and put down his glass. "Actually, Billy, may gusto talaga kaming sabihin sa'yo. Kaya kami nagyaya ng ganito," he started and looked at Mik for support.

Tumango si Billy. "Ako rin, may kailangang sabihin," nakangiti niyang sagot. She was actually relieved that she can finally talk to Sputnik and Mikael about her decision to move into Gabo's house. She'd been thinking about it since the weekend at saktong nagyaya sila ng wine night. "Pero mauna na kayo."

Tumingin ulit si Sputnik kay Mikael saglit, smiling, before he turned to Billy. "Alam mo naman na kacecelebrate lang namin ni Mik ng fifth anniversary namin. You're one of the few people who supported our relationship during the early days..." His voice quivered and he looked like he was about to cry.

Mikael chuckled, took his hand at pinatong yun sa lamesa. That was when Billy saw the white-gold band on Mik's ring finger. Sputnik also put his other hand over their clasped hands and he was sporting an identical ring. "Wait. What?! Is that... Is that what I think it is?!"

Smiling, Sputnik and Mikael nodded, on the verge of happy tears. Napatili si Billy at tumitig sa mga singsing bago siya tumayo para yakapin ang mga kaibigan. Natawa sila at para silang mga timang na nag-iiyakan. "Oh my gosh! Congrats! Sa wakas! I'm so happy for you two," Billy said and wiped her eyes. "Kailan? Pa'no? Saan?! Bakit 'di kami invited?! Lagot kayo sa kambal!"