Anthology

Tulips

(Nakatambay si Rocky sa may garden ng hotel, hawak-hawak ang isang bouquet of tulips. Kasal ng pinsan ni Wes kanina, at isa siya sa bridesmaids. Merely 20 minutes ago, out of the 15 single ladies inside that reception, siya ang nakasalo ng bridal bouquet. Everyone went ecstatic. Next month kasi ay magce-celebrate na sila ni Wes ng 10th year anniversary nila as a couple. Marami na sa relatives at friends nila ang nag-aabang (nagtatanong, nangungulit) kung kalian sila magpapakasal. They never really talked about it since busy sila sa respective careers nila.

Pero ngayong nakuha niya ang bouquet.. mas lumakas ang ugong tungkol sa pagpapakasal nila. Her boyfriend kept mum about it, at siya ang naiwan para sagutin kung kailan sila magpapakasal. After that gruelling ambush interview, lumabas muna siya para “magpahangin”.)

Rocky: *whispers* Stupid stupid bouquet! Ba’t pa ako ang nakakuha? Ang awkward tuloy namin ni Wes! *about to throw the bouquet when someone caught it* What the—

Wes: *smiles* Sayang naman ‘tong bouquet kung itatapon mo. Ganda pa naman!

Rocky: *retreats; huffs and faces him* Why are you here?

Wes: Hmm… let’s just say nagtataka silang lahat sa loob kung bakit nawawala ang girlfriend ko. Nakita mo ba?

Rocky: *rolls eyes* Whatever. Can you leave me for awhile? I’m still thinking.

Wes: Thinking about.. what?

Rocky: *takes a deep breath* God you really want me to say it?

Wes: *nods*

Rocky: Fine. It’s about this.. bouquet. No, about.. marriage. I know this is so stupid pero.. never kasi nating pinag-usapan ‘yon. *sighs* Wes.. I know we’re busy and all. Pero.. I’m just wondering kung bakit.. hindi natin pinag-uusapan ‘to. Look.. I know you have this weird notion about marriage and forever. I know that. I understand that. I.. signed up for that, I guess. Pero.. we’re not getting any younger. I know that I will.. will spend.. *voice breaks* my lifetime with you. I.. I just want to know.. if you feel the same way, too.

Wes: …..

Rocky: I.. I love you, Wes. So much. Magtityaga ba ako for 10 years kung hindi, ‘di ba? I.. fucking shit. Just.. forget it. Stressed lang ako siguro. D-don’t mind me.

Wes: *smiles widely*

Rocky: W-why are you smiling like that?

Wes: Look at the flowers.

Rocky: What? May hawak ka bang baril dyan? Ikaw ba si Carol ng Walking Dead?

Wes: *shakes head* No no.. Just.. look closely, okay?

Rocky: *looks at the flowers closely; notices something weird* B-bakit parang.. may uka yung isang flower? *looks up to Wes* Wesley? What’s with this?

Wes: *takes a deep breath then smiles* Open it.

Rocky: I-I don’t li—

Wes: Just.. do it, Rachel. Please? For me.

Rocky: *sighs; opens the flower; sees a diamond ring embedded inside the flower* Oh my God. Oh my God.. is this.. Wes, kailangan ko bang ibalik ‘tong bouquet? Dapat ba si Claire ang makakasalo nito? I heard Jimmy earlier, magpopro—

Wes: Ssshhh… stop babbling, Chel. It’s.. for you.

Rocky: *cries softly* R-really?

Wes: Well.. yeah. I’ve been.. planning this for.. six months so—

Rocky: Six.. months? Wait a second.. kasabay nitong wedding?

Wes: *nods* Uhh.. alam nilang lahat ‘tong.. sa bouquet.

Rocky: So everything’s a decoy, then?

Wes: The wedding’s real, Chel. Ano ka ba. *laughs* Uhh.. I’m sorry if I took a very long time to.. propose. I’ve always wanted to marry you. Ang tagal na. Gusto ko lang na.. m-maging ready tayong dalawa sa lahat. I want you to be sure kasi.. hindi lang 10 years ang pagtityaga na ‘to, Chel. *gulps* I love you so much, Rachel. Marry m—

Rocky: *hugs Wes tightly* Yes! Yes! It’s always a yes!

Wes: Y-you’ll marry me?

Rocky: Well.. may 10 years na akong experience sa pagtityaga sa’yo. I think a lifetime wouldn’t hurt, right?

Wes: *kisses her soundly* God, I’m marrying the right woman.

Disclaimer: This is not a TMEUAS spoiler.

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