Chapter 4
937 Words
Pagdating ni Andrea sa kanilang bahay, maraming tao. Some are her relatives na galing pa sa ibang bansa. They are busy arranging something. A party? Anong meron?
Tumuloy siya and they saw her.. Niyakap siya ng mga ito. They are throwing a party for a reunion? Wow! This is great!
"Dad, you didn't tell me. I'm so happy I miss them a lot." Punong puno ito ng tuwa. It's her Tita Jess that she misses a lot. Ito ang tagasaway sa kanya when she stayed two years in US.
"Ija, I wanted to surprise you, go upstairs and change. Nakahanda na ang susuotin mo." His dad is very sweet.
"Thanks dad.." niyakap nito ang kanyang ama.
Nagpaalam muna ito sa kanyang mga pinsan, tito at tita then she went to her room.
An evening gown? for a reunion? Hindi kaya masyado namang pormal to wear this when her relatives are just in casual dress? Oh, maybe her father really wants her to look pretty like a princess.
30 minutes pagkatapos nyang mag-ayos ng sarili, bumaba na ito. Nagtaka sya ng mas dumarami na ang tao sa kanilang bahay. It's a Pool party, everything is settled. The foods, the light, and the people. Yeah, there are a lot of visitors. Most of them are business tycoons from all over the city. And the Media catches her attention. Anung klaseng family reunion ito? Bakit kailangan ang media? Their family was never like this. They've always wanted to keep things secret.
Sinimulan na ng kanyang papa ang pagpapasalamat sa lahat ng dumalo. As always, her father is really good in speaking in front of the people which she never did. Pagkatapos ng masigabong palakpakan. Nagsimula na ang kainan, sayawan at kantahan.
"Andrea" Tawag sa kanya ni Don Alfonso.
"Dad, what is this.. akala ko family reunion lang 'to?" Bulong nito.
Instead of answering her, inakay siya ng kanyang papa para ipakilala sa kanyang mga kaibigan, kanegosyo at iba pang bisita. Everybody knows her syempre. Ilang beses nga namang ginawang cover ang kanilang mukha ng kanyang papa sa mga magazines at diyaryo mula ng bata pa siya.
"Amigo.." Isang pamilyar na tao ang papalapit sa kanila.
"Juaquine Trinidad,.." Tawag ng kanyang ama sa hindi naman katandaang lalake.
Finally, we met. Sambit ni Andrea sa Sarili.
Nagkumustahan ang dalawa na parang isang dekadang hindi nagkita. Ipinakilala siya nang ama dito.
"Your daughter is beautiful amigo..." Masayang nakipag-shakehand ito sa kanya.
"Good evening Sir." Pormal niyang bati.
Where is Paul? Parang gusto nitong itanong sa kaharap.
Biglang namatay ang ilaw, nabigla ang lahat.
Siya mismo ay kinilabutan ng dumilim at tumahimik ang paligid.
Suddenly, a sweet music from a violin was played. The people made a way for a light that comes from nowhere.
Someone walked through it.
Patungo sa kanya. She's beginning to worry.
"Dad? what's this?" Sinikap niyang hagilapin kung nasaan ang kanyang ama. Nasa tabi niya ito.
"Relax Andrea, make me proud today my princess, you're about to become a queen... I'm so happy for you. I love you, no matter what. I want you to be happy" Her father told her.
She keeps on asking. But she knows the answer. But why?
Here comes the prince.
No! This could not be happening.
This is just a dream...
"P-Paul?" Garalgal ng kanyang boses. Para siyang mawawalan ng hangin sa katawan. At ang masakit, she can't run. Something is holding her to stay while the other side of her brain says No!
"Andrea," Ang unang kataga mula sa kanyang prinsipe.
"I know this is too sudden, but the very first day we met in childhood, I know we were really meant for each other"
Isang hakbang nalang ang layo nito sa kanya. Childhood? we met? She can't remember anything.
Kinilabutan siya ng biglang lumuhod ang lalake sa harapan nya. May kung anung bagay siyang kinuha mula sa kanyang bulsa.
"Marry me Andrea..." he opened the small box.
A ring? No! something's wrong...
"What? how about your girl-"
"Let's not think of anything, tonight let's just think about us.. Trust me"
Muling hayag ng lalake.
She can't tell if those eyes are sincere...
Say yes! Marry him!!!
Such an adorable couple!
Narinig niya mula sa mga bisita. Pero bakit? Why so sudden? Kasal agad? Hindi manlang ba siya nito liligawan? Did he really fell in love with her? May kung anung saya ngunit may halong pag-aalinlangan sa puso nya.
"Trust me Andrea, let me be your king.." Muling bigkas ng lalake.
Anung gagawin ko? He seems so handsome tonight. And I can't just run and make a stupid embarrassment in front of the people.
Their eyes met. She wants to trust him, she can't imagine if she will not take this chance that could only happen once in her life.
Suddenly, she held his hands.
"I might have a lot of questions. But tonight, I will follow what my heart tells me to do."
"YES! I will marry you Paul"
Nagsigawan ang mga bisita. Isang masigabong palakpakan para sa bagong engaged.
Kiss! kiss! Muling sabi ng mga tao.
Nakangiting tumayo si Paul.
It was so sudden, a soft touch of his lips on hers. That something inside her chest is repeatedly jumping.
Mas lumago ang tuwa at saya sa mukha ng kani-kanilang mga pamilya at bisita.
"Congratulations for the both of you.."
Mula sa kani-kanilang ama. They are so happy and excited.
The way he holds her hand,
The way he dance with her,
Those were so natural...
and they danced..
and danced,
and danced.....
like they were dancing alone
and she feels like they've known each other for so long...
- Writer
