Steady Rhythms of Love (Ryker Series #2)

SROL [44]

Our cake will be sponsored by The Baking Bean. Nahihiya pa nga ako nung una nang sabihin nila iyon. Ang sabi naman ni Tita Rizzy ay huwag ko na raw alalahanin dahil minsan lang naman daw kami ikakasal.

"We'll start with the classic po, and then move on to some unique combinations." Iyon lang ang naintindihan ko sa sinabi ng staff na nag-aassist sa amin.

I picked up my fork and eyed the first slice. It was a traditional vanilla cake with a rich buttercream frosting. I took a small bite, letting the flavor melt on my tongue.

"It's good," sabi ni Blade bago bumaling sa akin. "Classic and simple."

"Not bad. Let's try the others," I said.

The next few slices were a mix of creative flavors. There are lemon lavender, match white chocolate, and even a spiced pumpkin with cream cheese frosting.

"Okay, this matcha one?" sabi ko bago nilapit kay Blade ang fork na may laman para matikman niya. "It's different but amazing."

Bahagya siyang yumuko para kainin iyong nasa fork. Tumango rin naman siya pero hindi siya mukhang satisfied kaya nilagpasan ko na.

Hanggang sa matikman namin iyong salted caramel cake. First bite palang, halos manlaki na agad ang mga mata ko. The cake was moist and fluffy, the salted caramel buttercream perfectly balanced between sweet and savory.

"Love, you have to try this one," I said. "This is the winner. This is the cake."

Blade took a bite. Sunod-sunod siyang tumango. "I think we just found the one."

I narrowed my eyes on him. "Sinasabi mo lang ata 'yan kasi pang-ilang tikim na natin 'to, eh."

Napailing siya. "I'm saying it because it's the best. Besides, you've got great taste. Why would I argue?"

I rolled my eyes before telling the lady about our decision.

"It's a popular choice for good reason," sabi niya sa amin. "We can customize it further, Ma'am, Sir. Add some gold accents, maybe a caramel drizzle."

"Yes. That sounds perfect," I quickly nodded.

With the flavor decided, we moved on to discussing the design. I flipped through a portfolio of elegant.

"What about something with clean lines? Like modern architecture?" Blade suddenly suggested.

I raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about aesthetics?"

"I don't," mabilis na sabi niya. "But I know you like things that are simple yet classy. Plus, if the cake reflects us, it should have a little of you in it."

Two months of preparation and both of us were already drained but satisfied. It had been a whirlwind of decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to arguing over cake flavors. The everyday calls, appointments, and checklists faded as the sun dipped below the horizon.

I found ourselves in the backyard of our house. Naging tambayan na namin ni Blade ito simula nang magprepare kami para sa kasal. Sobrang thankful din ako sa kanya dahil sinasamahan niya ako sa lahat. Akala ko nga dati ay magkakaroon pa kami ng mga pagtatalo dahil iyon ang madalas na naririnig kong nangyayari sa iba but nothing like that happened.

Blade was very patient and understanding to me. Sa tuwing may gusto akong gawin, papakinggan niya iyon at titingnan niya kung anong magagawa niya. Kapag may ayaw ako o biglang gustong ipadagdag, ginagawan niya kaagad ng paraan.

"Natatakot ka na ba?" biglang tanong ko.

Napatingin kaagad sa akin ni Blade. "Saan?"

"Sa atin," sabi ko. "The wedding. The marriage. Everything that comes after. It's all so big. So permanent."