Happiness Vendor

I sighed heavily as I looked up at the mirror. I'm wearing a Barong Tagalog, as they call it. The cloth is made of pineapple fiber with detailed embroidery of some kind of flowers, mainly Sunflower. It suits me well, the designer and dressmaker did well. Kung kayumanggi lang ako katulad ng mga tipikal na pilipino at mayroong matang kulay dark brown, maybe the clothes look casual to me. But of course, it is not. I have sky blue irises like the color of the sky, and a pale white american skin. An American wearing Barong Tagalog looks weird to me. Leaving the hotel room, I went up to Corro's where he is looking at himself nervously. He's now getting married at last. Sa tagal nila ng girlfriend niya hindi na ako nagtataka sa kasal na ito. My best friend is definitely smitten by Neya. “Bro, you'll be fine.” I assured giving him a tap on his shoulder. “Your bride won't run— well, I hope, she won't.” He frowned at what I said. Corro shook his head, eyes fixed on the mirror. “Shut up. You're not helping.” I grinned. “Come on. Neya is crazy for you, trust her, man.” “More likely it's the other way around.” Corro smirked. “Yeah. I can see that you are smitten.” “So as you.” my friend answered back giving me a glance and playfully smirked. I instantly remembered Nelya. “I guess I am too.” saying it is easier now. Admitting my feelings to Nelya will be harder, I should know that. Corro hummed while fixing his tie. “Dapat lang. Binigyan mo agad ako ng pamangkin.” he say it more likely to himself. My brows furrowed in an instant. This man knows something I should know. “What?” he's talking about something. What the f**k is pamangkin? He raised his brows on me and shrugged. “You'll see.” Pamangkin. He has pamangkin. I can understand and speak his language but that word sounds strange to me. The door slowly opened revealing Ana and Roco. They are Corro's parents. I nodded a bit when our eyes met. “Good day.” Ana hugged me while Roco tapped a part of my back. “We're glad to see you again, son.” Roco went to his son after saying that to me. “You've grown up very well.” Ana commended me and I just smiled. The statement was false. I've grown up physically, but I do know to myself that I am still that American boy who always wants to chill, not matured enough. “Bro, see you at the church.” I bid my goodbye to Corro before leaving the room. I closed my eyes as soon as I stepped on the lift knowing that someone will also ride so I just stood there breathing heavily. The elevator ping and went down. My nervousness is slowly swallowing my whole being. I know Nelya will be there, her twin sister who happened to be Corro's fiance told me. The couple knew about my past with Nelya, I told them. Nelya doesn't know or does have any idea of me being here or attending her sister's wedding. What if she doesn't want to see me? But she'll probably be living happily now, right? Why am I thinking that anyway? I'm here to be Corro's best man. I'll just see Nelya from afar with another man as her escort on Neya and Corro's wedding. I sighed again before opening my eyes only to blink enumerable times. A woman years older is with me inside the lift. Her hair is turning gray but it was styled in perfection, her features are aging but it doesn't stop me from examining her. Her features are similar to the Paduas— Nelya's family. She's wearing a golden yellow ankle length gown, an inch tall heel. Dude, she's staring at me intensely from the reflection on the lift door. Does she have any idea who I am? The door ping and opened causing the lift to stop. The woman took one last glance at me before stepping out, so did I. “Lola Vicky!” isang matinis na pambatang boses ang narinig ko sa paglabas ng babaeng kasabay ko sa lift. The voice echoes to whole hotel lobby gaining attentions. I stepped out of the lift and slowly walked towards the lobby, leading to the hotel's exit. “Lola Vicky, ang ganda ng barong ko oh!” the child's voice echoed again that now gained my attention. As I turn my head towards the child, the old woman beside her is staring at me like daggers. The child is grinning from ear to ear, examining his well tailored Barong. When the child's blue innocent eyes bore into mine. My breathing stopped, my lungs did not function as I analyzed the features the boy has. He has the same square face shaped like mine, a roman shaped nose, deep set of eyes that are the color of the ocean, curly blonde hair, only that he has softer features than mine. Dude, he looks like me when I was a child except for those perlique pinkish lips that only one woman I know has. Nelya. My heart rapidly raced when the kid smiled at me showing his pearly white little teeth. I smiled back at him but before I could take a step towards him, the old woman who he called Lola Vicky a while ago got his attention. “Tara, hinihintay na tayo sa simbahan.” she said and gently held the child's hand before the two walked towards the exit. I was left there— in the hotel lobby, dumbfounded and had so many thoughts running through my mind. There is no way in hell who'll object that the kid is mine. I have no doubts about that kid, he is mine, so is his mother. Taking a deep breath, I sort all of my thoughts and walk rapidly onto the exit. I saw one of Antonio's cars and brought the engine to life before hitting the driveway going to Basilica Minore— where the wedding will be held— where my child and my wife are now. Not going back to this place is my biggest f*****g mistake that I ever did. It is a mistake living in California after everything I enjoyed with Nelya. It is my mistake leaving her alone with our child. If only I know. If only I knew. Nelya. My beloved Nelya, why didn't you tell me about our child? I must've taken care of the two of you. Tears are forming in my eyes as I park the car at the church's parking lot. I don't need a goddamn DNA test to make sure that the kid is mine. He is mine and I won't let this day end without him and Nelya in my arms. Happiness Vendor © 2021 Day Biasca ANNOUNCEMENT This story will be published on my w*****d account (@daybiasca) as well as the rewritten version of "God's Plan" with its new title: "Why Are We Poor", and "Blue Eyes I First Saw" with its new title: "First Blue Eyes On Me". Most of my stories are published on my w*****d account as well which you can visit anytime. ANUNSYO Ang istoryang ito ay ilalagay at tatapusin sa aking w*****d account (@daybiasca) kasabay ng bagong bersyon ng "God's Plan" na may bagong pamagat na "Why Are We Poor" at "Blue Eyes I First Saw" na may bagong pamagat na "First Blue Eyes On Me". Karamihan sa mga aking isinulat na istorya ay nasa aking w*****d account din na pwede ninyong bisitahin kahit anong oras.