Russia Ocampo and her choice

Chapter 5

Today is my parents’ wedding anniversary. I wore a black halter-neck dress. It is floor-length long and has a side slit up to my upper thigh. I paired it with black high heels and a black clutch bag. I also wore pearl earrings. A professional did my make-up. Tita Andrea sent a glam team for me and Mom. My hair is styled in a classic updo. I can say professionals really know how to put the right color and style.

“Do you also do modeling, Iha?”

The one who did my make-up said he was the head of the team. Tita Andrea said that usually he’ll just be commanding his team, but if he likes the person that they're going to do the makeup, he’ll do it himself.

I’m beautiful, that's why he likes me and did my makeup himself. Hahahaha

“Nope. I don’t think it’s for me.”

“Why? Don’t you know that you’re so beautiful? No wonder you and Asia are cousins.”

See? I’m beautiful.

“Thank you. But I don’t have Asia’s confidence, I don’t know how to pose.”

“Such a waste. You should consider it in the future. You’ll make a great rival for Asia. Cousins and rivals.”

I just smiled at the thought. Asia and I's relationships are too good to be rivals.

“Nah! My daughter is camera shy.”

Mom is beautiful in her black off-shoulder bodycon long dress. She doesn’t look like she's in her early 50s already.

“You're so beautiful, Mom. Are you really my Mom?”

“You’re such a sweet talker, you sure got it from your Dad.”

I flashed her a cheeky smile. Her make-up enhanced her aristocratic beauty.

“Wait for Dad’s reaction later, Mom. He’ll probably fall in love with you again, not that he fell out of love. Maybe even more? If ever, I'll probably have a younger sib after tonight. Could you please make it a little sister, so Kuya’s possessiveness won’t be directed at me anymore? Please, Mom?”

“And now you’re being goofy. Don’t you ever let your Kuya hear what you just said or else he’ll sulk at you, especially these past few days he's been sulky towards you. I don’t even know what his deal is anymore.”

Someone knocked. It’s Tita Andrea, Ate Europe and Asia. We exchanged greetings. They are also stunning tonight.

“Oh my! Jasmine, I’m sure Marvin’s head is going to start aching from now on. He can’t hide Russia’s beauty anymore.”

“Nah Tita Andrea, Dad’s cool. It’s Kuya who isn’t, he beat Dad with his warnings. He doesn't even like what I’m wearing right now. He said it exposed too much skin. ”

“Just let him, he’ll eventually stop when he falls in love.”

Ate Europe said while wiggling her eyebrows.

“Should I match him to one of my acquaintances? I know some models who are older than me.”

Asia suggested and we just laughed at it.

“That would be nice, Asia, but knowing Kuya’s personality, I don’t think he would be attracted to those models. I think he wants someone who’s in the medical field like him. You don’t know anyone, Mom?”

“You! You should stop minding your Kuya’s love life.”

Tita Angeline arrived. We greeted her. She asked the glam team to do her hair as she didn't know what style would match her dress. Even if Tita Angeline just let her hair down, she’s still beautiful. No wonder there are a few girls who like the triplets, their mother passed them good genes. Tito Joseph is also handsome. I just don’t like to say it because I look like him and I feel like I’ll be praising myself too much. The three of us got Granddad’s appearance-Tito Joseph, Kuya Neel and me. Unusual, right? Well, that’s what was given to us.

When all of us women were done preparing, we went out of the room that was set for the glamour. I laughed at Dad’s reaction when he saw Mom. He gaped. Told you, Dad loves Mom a little too much.

Cringe yet romantic.

I heard Kuya huffing when he saw me in my dress.

“I really hate what you're wearing.”

He said while offering his arm to me. We will be entering the party after our parents. The rest of our family had already been inside and sat on the table that was allocated for our family.

“It’s not every day that I dress like this, Kuya. Don’t be annoyed anymore, okay?”

I batted my eyelashes at him cutely, which made him smile. He can’t endure me, he always gives in.

The host started to greet everyone a good evening. It’s also our cue to enter. Kuya fixed his tie and stood up properly. As soon as our parents' names were mentioned, someone opened the door to reveal us to the guest. As if we were royalty, would we really enter inside like this? Embarrassed, I just walked with my family. I looked at the guests. I saw that all of us Ocampo are complete. I also looked at the guests while we were walking towards the front when I saw Tristan.

What is he doing here?

I don’t have friends present tonight. It’s not my party, and they might just get bored with this kind of party. I still tried to invite Lily and Red, but they had other plans. You're wondering what happened after that short moment between me and Tristan at the bar counter? He just helped me bring the juices. I was carrying Red and Lily’s orders while he was carrying both ours. When I complained that I should be the one who’s holding my juice because I want to drink my juice while walking back to our table, the asshole just answered that I can still sip while he's holding it. It’s so inconvenient, so I just endured my thirst and just drank my juice when we got back to our table.

Confirmed, the one who blessed his birth is the God of Flirtation if there’s any.

When I finished my juice, just a little later, Kuya Jeevan showed himself to us again. He wants to take me home already, since it's past 1AM already.

Back to the present, Tristan also looked at me. I saw his eyes flashing with admiration for a moment. I rolled my eyes at him, he was smiling like he’s a deranged person. I looked away when we were already at the front. I looked at my cousins, I saw Paxton looking at me seriously. He slightly tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at me.

I’m so dead. Did he see it?

I mouthed sorry at him. I’m in my serious mode as my parents were about to give their speeches to the guests.

“We thank everyone for coming tonight. My husband and I are so happy to celebrate this day with all of you. To our friends, thank you for going out of your way to be here. To our family, thank you for your never-ending support. To our children, Arzt and Russia, thank you for being good kids. Despite our busy schedules, your understanding always warms our hearts. Both of you are the biggest gift of our marriage. We love you both so much.”

Kuya and I hugged our parents.

“Ah, ah, ah… Let me also give my speech.”

Everyone laughed at Dad.

“Our married life is not perfect, but I can only continue to promise that I will always love my family as they are my life. Life will never be just a rose and a rainbow. You need to hold on even though the thorns are prickling you. You can treat your wounds afterward. Let the rain pour on you as well. You can always dry your body when the rain stops. If you catch a cold, there are a lot of pharmacies that sell medicine. Like everybody else, my decisions are not always right. I made mistakes, and I’m grateful that my wife loves me enough to understand. Jasmine, Love, thank you so much, and I love you more than words could describe.”

Dad then kissed Mom on the lips. Other guests clapped their hands, but my cousins were booing. Lala scolded them. Subsequently, they behaved. Maybe they remembered that our grandparents are here. Granddad is glaring at them.

Granddad is probably disappointed with their actions. We’ll definitely receive a sermon later.

If our parents are cool, well, Granddad is not. He is strict, we’re always on edge if he’s present. Kuya Neel inherited his strictness, but milder, and sometimes he’ll join us with our craziness.

The host asked me and Kuya to give a speech for our parents. I winced. Giving speeches is not my thing, it will never be. Kuya accepted the microphone from the host and gave his speech.

“We may not see each other every day, but as our parents you never make us feel lonely or neglected. You always make sure to be there when we need guidance and that’s enough for us. Thank you, Mom and Dad for being supportive parents. I’m also thankful that I don’t need to pressure myself to achieve the things I want because both of you are super flexible as parents. You always tell me and Russia that what we’re giving you is more than enough. No need to push ourselves too much. Because of that, we can do the things we need to without worrying. Thank you for being our parents and we love you both as well.”

Kuya said the words that I wanted to say too. Can I just vanish? Kuya passed the mic to me.

“Well, I always say this to both of you that I’m grateful and forever will be that I’m your daughter. This may be cringing, but no matter what happens in the future, I’ll remain as your Princess. No one could take that away, I promise. I am yours forever, that I’m certain about.”

I tried to hold my emotions but a tear escaped. I looked up and blinked thrice to stop myself from crying. My life is considered perfect compared to other people. I have successful and loving parents. I have a brother who may annoy me sometimes but pampers me. I don’t know why my heart is tightening. I just hugged my parents and ignored what I felt.

“So can we ask for a favor then?”

Dad looked at me with a bright smile. Mom is crying in Dad’s arms.

“What favor, Dad?”

I asked, but I was nervous about what he was going to ask.

“Can you sing our favorite song?”

Their favorite song is I’ll be loving you (Forever) by New Kids on The Block. It’s their wedding song as well. And they both like me to sing it for them, which I already did a lot of times.

“Can I say no?”

He just shakes his head. I don’t want to sing in front of many people.

“I’ll play the piano for you.”

Kuya said, as if that would make me less nervous. That’s why there is a piano in the center? To make me sing? I guess I don’t have a choice. I followed Kuya, I sat beside him while holding the mic. He started playing the piano and I started singing as well. I just looked at his hands dancing on the keys. I’m too embarrassed to look at the guests. I’m not off-tune, but I don’t know if my voice is pleasant to the ears. After I sang, me and Kuya bowed, then sat on the table where our cousins were. They all teased the hell out of me. Then we ate.