THE PLAY PRETEND

Best gift

Nang gumabi ay isa-isang dumating ang kanilang mga bisita. Since private wedding ang sadya nila ay mga pamilya at malalapit na kaibigan lamang ang imbitado. Nang gabi rin iyong ay nagkaroon ng simpleng salu-salo ara sa birthday ni Felix.

His mom and dad surprised him with a brand-new Aston Martin Victor. Farah and Kaden bought him a suit and tie and Coraline handed him a rolex as a gift. Sinabihan niya pa ito na suotin bukas. Like, pala-desisyon ka sa buhay girl?

While me? I have nothing for him as a gift.

Kaya naman ngayon ay nagmamaktol ako habang binubuksan niya ang pinto ng kwarto. Panay ang sulyap niya sa akin habang ako naman ay panay ang irap sa ere. Nang tuluyan niyang mabuksan ang kwarto ay nauna akong pumasok.

Ang sabi ng staff ay isa daw itong master villa. Well, mukha nga talaga itong master’s bedroom dahil sa lawak nito. Maganda. Kumpleto ang facilities. May Wi-Fi, television, and air-conditioner. Mayroon ding living room kung nasaan ngayon nakalagay ang mga gamit namin at parang maliit na kitchen kung saan may eight-seater table.

The room has bathroom, shower, and bathtub. Mayroon din itong glass door kung saan dadalhin ka sa balcony para makita dagat. All in all, I love the room. The only thing that’s making me sad here is that, bakit dalawa ang kama?! Does it mean Felix and I will be sleeping separately?

Felix entered the room as well and closed the door silently. Kinuha ko na ang gamit ko sa sahig tapos ay dumiretso na sa kama. Mula sa bag ko ay kumuha ako ng damit at iba pang essentials ko. Maglilinis lang ako ng katawan at balak kong matulog na.

When Felix sat down in the opposite bed, I went out to enter the bathroom. I did what I had to do. Wash my body, clean my face, and brush my teeth. When I went out, handa na akong matulog. Surprisingly, he was still there, at the edge of the bed. Bowing with his hands clasped to each other.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Lalagpasan ko na sana siya nang impit akong napasigaw dahil sa bigla niyang paghawak sa kamay ko at paghila sa akin.

“Felix.”

He placed me in between his legs and locked both my hands in his, making sure I can’t escape him.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered.

He started breathing the space between my neck and my shoulder. Then he started planting little kisses tracing my neck to the back of my ears. Nagtindigan ang balahibo ko.

Pinigilan ang sarili kong humarap sa kanya pero nang naramdaman ko ang hininga niya sa tenga ko ay hinayaan ko na ang sarili ko. I tried to reach for his lips pero lumayo siya.

“I said I’m sorry,” he said.

Hindi ako sumagot. Kinuha ko ang tsansang iyon para bawiin ang kamay ko sa kanya. I cupped his face but he gripped it tighter. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at mahinang hinampas ang dibdib niya. Tumayo na ako at lalayo na sana nang muli niya akong hinigit. When I faced him, he crushed his lips against mine.

This is the second and I never knew I craved for this since the first time. I sucked my breath when he teased my lower lip by his tongue and he used it as an opportunity to deepen the kiss.

I can almost taste the mint tea he had at dinner.

As his hand went down to trace my spine, my fingers clawed at the fabric of his shirt. My head is cloudy and all my senses almost leaving me when he broke the kiss.

Both panting, I tried to open my eyes.

“Are you still upset?” tanong niya.

Naliliyo ko siyang tinignan. I collected myself before answering him.

“A little.”

“I’m sorry. I actually planned on telling you over dinner but… some things happened. Also, I wanted to celebrate it with just us two but, we're here.”

Niyakap niya ako sa bewang at ipinahinga ag kayang baba sa aking balikat.

“Alright,” pagsuko ko. “Wala naman ng magbabago kahit magtampo pa ako. But still, it’s kinda sad that everyone gave you a birthday gift but not me.”

“It doesn’t matter. This is the happiest birthday I ever had. When we go back to the city, can we have dinner?”

I smiled at him. “Sure! Thinking about it, you can’t ask for anything anymore. You already have the best birthday gift ever.”

“Hmm. The Aston Martin?”

“Ugh, of course not!. It’s me. I am the gift,” anunsyo ko.

He chuckled softly.

“Right. Thanks be to God for the best gift.”

Ngumisi kami sa isa’t-isa.

“Happy birthday,” bati ko.

“Thank you,” he kissed me on the lips.

It was almost midnight when we decided to sleep. Sadly, ayaw ni Felix na magkatabi kami.

“Are you sure you’re letting me sleep in this bed alone?”

Patay na ang ilaw sa buong kwarto at tanging ang lampshade lamang sa bedside table sa gitna namin ang nagbibigay liwanag. Nakapikit na ang kanyang mga mata ngunit patuloy pa rin ang pangungulit ko sa kanya.

Saglit akong bumangon para silipin kung gising pa ba siya o nagtutulog-tulugan lang dahil hindi niya ako sinagot.

“Felix…” tawag ko.

“I’m sleeping.”

Ngumuso ako at bumalik sa pagkakahiga. “Your bed is pretty much larger than mine. Do you want me to share it with you?”

“No.”

“But why? I am new to this place, Felix. What if may mga multo pala dito at hilahin ang kumot ko?”

“Shut up and sleep already, Shiloah.”

“Oo nga pero what if nga na-”

“I said, shut up,” marahan niyang sabi.

“Humph!”

Fine. Hihintayin ko na lang na lumalim pa ang gabi at tatabihan ko na lang siya. Ngumisi ako ng nakakaloko. That was the plan. Unfortunately, napapikit ako at hindi na namalayang tuluyan na pala akong hinila ng antok na pagkagising ko, nakasikat na ang araw.

Kinusot ko ang mata ko at nilingon ang kama ni Felix only to see he was not there anymore. Where is he?

“Felix?”

Saktong pagtawag ko sa pangalan niya ay narinig ko ang pagbubukas at sara ng pinto. Tuluyan akong bumangon at lumabas. Doon ay nakita ko siyang inuutusan ang staff na ilapag sa mini kitchen ang mga dala nilang pagkain.

He might have sensed my presence dahilan ng paglingon niya sa gawi ko.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

“Good morning.”

“Breakfast?”

Tumango ako. “Can we have it at the balcony?”

“Sure.”

“Ilipat na lang namin sa labas, sir,” sabi ng isang babaeng staff.

Umiling si Felix. “Ako na. Thank you.”

The staffs nodded and politely exited.

The weather is nice today. It’s in-between of sunny and windy. Na-enjoy ko tuloy ang pagsimsim sa kape ko habang tinatanaw ang kabuuang imahe ng magkadugtong na linya ng langit at ng dagat. The sea is almost sparkling.

I am more than willing to waste money if it means I could live a life as peaceful as this.

Mula rin dito ay nakikita ko ang mga staffs na abalang naglalagay ng mga flower posts at iba’t-ibang dekorasyon sa may swimming pool. Nakita kong lavender ang bulaklak na ginamit kaya natuwa naman ako na nababagay ang damit na binili namin ni Felix.

I was told that I can explore the resort today since wala naman akong maiaambag sa preparasyon ng kasal pero naisip ko nakakahiya naman kung magliliwaliw ako samantalang ang lahat ay abala at naghahanda. Kaya naman pagkatapos namin magbreakfast ni Felix ay sabay kaming bumaba.

“Good morning!” masayang bati ni Farah sa amin. She looks like she’s really happy and excited. “Kumain na ba kayo?” tanong niya nang nilapitan nya kami.

Iniwan ako ni Felix sa kanya at dumiretso siya sa kanilang mommy at daddy.

“Yes. Ikaw?” ako sang sumagot sa kay Farah.

Magiliw siyang tumango. “Magpahinga ka muna. Mamaya pa naman tayo aayusan after lunch,” aniya sabay angkla ng kanyang braso sa akin.

I’m starting to feel comfort with her. Lalong-lalo na na madalas niya itong gawin kapag magkasama kami.

“Ugh. I wanted to help sana.”

Inakay niya ako pa-upo sa sofa sa mismong lobby ng resort.

“Hay nako! ‘Wag na. There is enough manpower here. Isa pa, you’re here as my visitor.”

“It’s okay. Wala naman akong plans for today.”

“Why don’t you go snorkeling? They offer activities like that here.”

Mariin akong umiling. “Felix and I decided to do that tomorrow since babalik na din naman kaming Metro kinagabihan.”

“Aww. That’s sad. Gusto ko sana-”

Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang biglang sumingit si Coraline.

“Farah, they’re waiting for your direction at the function hall,” she said.

“Huh? Oh. Okay. I’m sorry, Shiloah. I’ll se you later, okay?” baling ni Farah sa akin. I smiled at her as an answer.

Nakaalis na si Farah ay nanatili pa ring nakatayo si Coraline sa harapan ko, masama ang tingin na ipinupukol sa akin.

Aalis na sana ako at hindi na siya papansinin pero natigilan ako sa sinabi niya.

“Enjoy everything now while it lasts,” makahulugan nitong at tinalikuran ako, leaving me confuse.

Seriously, what’s her problem?

I shrugged it off and went outside to see the lavender display.

Nakita ko ang mga organizers na parang namomroblema sa kung ano. Lumapit ako sa kanila. Sakto lang ang distansya para marinig kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila.

“Paano kapag may malasing mamaya tapos mahulog dito sa pool?”

“Pangit naman kasi kapag lalagyan natin ng parang fence, e.”

Nilingon ko ang pool na sinasabi nila.

“Uhm, excuse me,” hindi ko na napigilan pang sumali. “What if po maglagay kayo ng platform to cover the pool and then decorate the flower posts around it. Think you could also add a mirrorball and neon lights so it could look like a ballroom party,” suhestiyon ko.

Nagkatinginan ang mga organizers and staff.

“Sige ma’am, tatanungin namin ang head organizer kung anong pwedeng ilagay,” anito. Ngumiti ako at tumalikod sa kanila. I decided to follow the wooden boardwalks. Iginiya ako nito sa pinakadulo kung saan masisilip ang tubig dagat at mga bangka na gagamitin sa island hopping at snorkeling.

Nalibang ako sa pagtanaw at pakikinig sa mahihinang hampas ng alon na ilang minuto akong nanatiling naroon. Until I heard someone calling me.

“Ma’am!”

Napalingon ako at nakita ko ang mga organizers na kinakawayan ako. Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko para makalapit sa kanila.

“Parating na po dito yung gagawing platform. Thank you po sa idea!” balita nila sa akin.

“Talaga? Wow! Kung ganoon, pwede ba akong tumulong?”

“Naku,” napakamot sa ulo ang isa “Nakakahiya naman po.”

Umiling ako. “It’s nothing. Everyone have their tasks but not me. Mabuburyo lang ako kapag titingin lang ako sa ginagawa ninyo.”

“Si ma’am… p-pero sige po kung g-gusto niyo talaga.”

With that, I smiled. Hindi nagtagal ay dumating nga iyong platforms. They arranged it while I do the flowers. Nilagyan ko ng ibang klaseng bulaklak ang flower posts para magcompliment sa kulay ng lavender.

Matapos nilang I-arrange ang platform ay saka nila kinabit ang light bulbs and mirror balls. Natuwa ako dahil tinanggap nila ang ideya ko.

Pinapanood ko na silang i-testing ang lightings nang may lumpit sa aking resort staff. Pinapapasok ako sa loob ng function hall dahil hinahanap daw ako ni Felix.

“Where have you been?” salubong na tanong niya sa akin.

“In the pool area,” sagot ko.

Pinunasan ko ang pawis ko gamit ang likod ng kamay ko when he grabbed my by my elbow and made me sit in the chair. May hinugot siyang panyo mula sa kanyang bulsa at siya ang nagpunas ng pawis ko.

“Ako na,” sabi ko sabay abot ng panyo mula sa kanya pero hindi niya iyon ibinigay sa akin kaya hinayaan ko na lang siya.

I can feel some stares at me so I scanned the whole place and saw the piercing gazes of Coraline and her mom. Nang nakita nilang nakita ko ang ginagawa nilang paninitig sa akin ay sabay nilang iniwas ang kanilang paningin.

Pagkatapos maglunch ay nagpaalam ako kay Felix na maliligo muna. Pagkababa ko ay saktong tinawag ang pangalan ko para papuntahin sa kwarto kung saan kami aayusan.

Farah is so warm towards me. Kung tutuusin, hindi naman na kailangan na kasali pa ako rito because I am not even one of her bridesmaids but she’s making sure I feel belong and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Pagkatapos akong ayusan ay sinuot ko na ang damit ko. This sheath long silk dress is complimenting my natural make-up. The stylist straightened my hair and pinned it in one-side exposing my left shoulder. I am beyond happy with how I look.

I am curious as to how Felix is he sees me like this.

“Wow! You’ve always been beautiful in my vision but you’re extra beautiful today, Shiloah,” Farah complimented me. Actually, everyone in the room did except for her mom, who has been silent to me since yesterday. As well as Coraline and her mom.

“Tss. She just looks… simple,” rinig kong pasaring niya.

Hindi rin nakalagpas sa paningin ko ang ginawang pagngisi ni Farah. “Well, yes,” aniya “Shiloah really looks simple yet elegant, ‘di ba? Coraline?”

Tinago ko ang nagbabadyang ngiti.

After that, I proceeded to the hall. I waited until the bridesmaids and groomsmen strode their way. Isa-isa silang naglakad palapit sa altar hanggang naghiwalay para umupo. And then I saw Felix. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nakita ko ang buhok niya. He had a new haircut!

Bagay sa kanya ang mullet hairstyle. It’s like he is this character who had a bad boy image that walked out straight from the book. He is looking very gorgeous with his black wedding tuxedo suit with Coraline’s arm anchored on his. She looked like a fairy in her chiffon bridesmaid gown.

Although he got other woman with him, his eyes never left me.

Nakakapagtaka nga na siya ang maid of honor pero bakit groomsmen na si Felix ang kasama niya? Hindi ba dapat ang best man? So weird.

Tipid ko siyang nginitian.

Everyone was in awe when the bride walked down the aisle with her parents both on her side. She’s beautiful in her minimal v-neck a-line wedding gown. Natawa ang lahat ng humalakhak siya nang nakita niya ang naluluhang si Kaden na naghihintay sa kanya sa altar.

My vision traced to where Felix is and I was surprised when he settled his eyesight on me.

Ganda ko ‘no?

For years, I have never really imagined myself being with someone because I wanted to be the boss of my own life. Never did it occur to me, not even once, that I would fall in love, much more to my nemesis.

Umiikot ang mundo ko sa trabaho na ultimong magulang ko ay hindi ko na nabibigyang pansin. But Felix, the most unexpected thing happened in my life, is a breath of fresh air. For once, I thought of wanting to leave everything behind and just be where he is.

And standing here in the sea of people where most is strangers to me, and some are known to be against on what he and I have, the only thing I am sure of is that I am willing to give him what I have and risk everything for him.

Because just when my mind was busy conditioning myself that I am only attracted to him, my soul was busy falling in love with him.