My Darling Vanessa

Dress Fitting

SA LOOB ng dress shop ni Ricky Meneses sa Greenbelt na ang pangalan ay Tassel, nakaharap si Vanessa sa cheval glass para bistahan nito ang suot-suot na wedding gown. Ang napili niya ay isang mermaid gown na ang cap sleeves at waist ay may disenyo ng appliqués at crystals na may kasama pang flounced full skirt with ruffles. Tumabi sa kanya si Ricky sa salamin, halata ang satisfaction sa mukha nang makitang tuwang-tuwa si Vanessa habang tinitingnan ang pagkaka-fit ng gown sa kanya.

“This is gorgeous, Ricky!” Nasabi agad ni Vanessa nang makita si Ricky sa reflection ng mirror.

“It’s a labor of love, Vanessa. Those appliqués were carefully handsewn. Kaya it took us beyond your alloted schedule. Sorry kung na-stress ka ng slight. I want to make sure kasi you won’t find any imperfection on your dress.”

“Are you kidding me? It’s beyond perfect!” Nayakap pa ni Vanessa ang couturier. “Thank you for ever being reliable, Ricky!”

“I only have one concern though.” Sabi ni Ricky matapos ang quick embrace sa kanya ni Vanessa.

“What?” Bumakas naman agad ang worry sa mukha ng bride-to-be.

“Hindi ba dapat hindi nakikita ng groom ‘yung wedding dress ng bride? Bakit sinamahan ka ni Daniel for your fitting. You even informed me you’ll tag Rhiannon along when you first called.”

Parehong napatingin sina Vanessa at Ricky kay Daniel na nakaupo sa isang plush couch katabi ang isang mannequin na may nakasuot na heavily beaded A-line gown. Nakukunot at heavily lined ang noo nito habang may tinitingnan o pinapanuod sa screen ng iPhone nito.

“Don’t worry about Daniel, Ricky. He doesn’t belief those superstitious crap kasi hindi naman siya Catholic.”

“Really?” Si Ricky naman ngayon ang gulat na napatingin kay Vanessa. “Is he a Buddhist? Methodist? Adventist? Scientologist? Hare Krishna?”

“Agnostic.” Nakangiting sagot ni Vanessa. “I’ll just check on him, Ricky. He seems really stressed.”

Lumakad palapit si Vanessa kay Daniel habang si Ricky naman ay lumuhod sa kinapupuwestuhan ni Duchess sa flooring para pakainin ito ng oat cookies.

Kaya pala stressed si Daniel ay pinapanuod nito sa phone ang recent i********: video post ni Michelle kung saan in full gusto nitong sinusunog ang mga personal niyang gamit sa malawak na ng lawn ng bahay nila ng ex-partner sa Forbes Park sa Makati. Parang nakagawa ng mini-bonfire si Michelle habang isa-isang nilalagay ang mga expensive suits, shirts, neckties, designer jeans at kung anu-ano pang personal effects. Ginagamit naman niya ang mga expensive perfumes and colognes niya para i-ignite pa lalo ang fire.

“I think we’ve burned enough.” Sabi ni Julian nang lumapit kay Michelle para hopefully pigilin na ito sa ginagawang pagsusunog.

“We’ve barely started, Julian. Plus I’m having fun. And I’ll not stop ‘till I’ve burned every single item that my Lothario ex owns.” Adamant na sabi ni Michelle sabay bagsak sa pyre ng hawak nitong Burberry trench coat.

“s**t! That’s my favorite coat.” Hindi na napigilang mapamura ni Daniel nang makitang tinutupok na ng apoy ang fabric ng trench coat.

Dahil konsentrado sa pinapanuod ay hindi niya namalayan na nakalapit na pala sa kanya si Vanessa. Kaya nagulat pa siya nang biglang mag-kneel ang fiancée niya sabay patong ng dalawang braso nito sa hita niya. “I never heard you cuss before. After effect ba ‘yan of being together with your loud-mouthed ex of yours?”

Grunt lang ang sinagot ni Daniel pero nakatingin pa rin ito sa screen ng phone.

“Kanina ka pa upset d’yan sa pinapanuod mo. Patingin nga.” Bago pa makatutol si Daniel ay nakuha na ni Vanessa ang phone na hawak niya. Ang naabutang eksena ni Vanessa ay ang paglalagay ni Michelle ng Belstaff biker boots sa ibabaw ng iba pang nasusunog na personal na gamit ni Daniel.

“Napanuod mo na ‘to kanina, ‘di ba? That’s why you only toyed with your food while we’re eating at Lusso earlier. You’re too upset to even eat. Kaya nga I ask for you to put away your phone then. And now you’re watching it again? Is that your kink? Torturing yourself?” Inangat pa ni Vanessa ang phone para i-brandish kay Daniel ang eksena sa i********: video ni Michelle.

“Vanessa, those were my things. Of course, I was attached to them! A lot of them I bought from memorable trips abroad. Kahit ikaw din naman, if someone ruined your favorite Valentino gown, you’ll also get affected and depressed.” Sagot ni Daniel habang nag-a-attempt na kunin ang phone niya kay Vanessa pero lalo nitong nilayo ang kamay niyang may hawak sa phone.

“You know what, I have an idea to end this madness.” Sinimulan kalikutin ni Vanessa sa screen ng phone ni Daniel.

“What are you doing?” Kunot-noong tanong  naman ni Daniel.

“Here.” Sabi ni Vanessa habang binabalik ang phone sa fiancé. “I blocked that deranged lady’s account for you. If she posted anything on social media that would gravely concern you or both of us, I’m sure one of your staff will notify you right away.” Hinawakan pa ni Vanessa sa magkabilang pisngi si Daniel para mapilitan itong tumingin sa kanya. “She’s mad as a hatter, Daniel. You don’t want that negative energy ruining our upcoming wedding. I won’t allow it. We should be celebrating. And we would only achieve that if we totally removed Michelle out of the picture.”

“I can’t totally cancel her out. We have a son, remember?”

Nawala ang enthusiasm sa mukha ni Vanessa. Tinanggal nito ang pagkakahawak sa pisngi ni Daniel at napayuko ng tingin sa suot niyang voluminous gown. Napansin agad ni Daniel ang pag-iba ng timpla ng fiancée.

“You know what I meant when I said I can’t cancel Michelle out, right? We have to still communicate about our son’s well-being kahit na napaka-difficult niyang kausap. I don’t have feelings for Michelle anymore, I can assure you that. But I fiercely love my son. And it’s upsetting that since my birthday, I haven’t have the chance to see my son or even talk to him on the phone. Michelle must have changed Owen’s personal cellphone number para totally akong i-exclude sa kanya. She’s a cruel b***h, Vanessa. And I hate her each day for her effort to distance me from my son.”

Nag-angat ng tingin si Vanessa nang marinig na nag-crack ang voice ni Daniel. Hinawakan niya ulit ito sa pisngi.

“We’ll think of a way to see your son again. I’ll help you.”