Chapter 6

Wedding Plans and Work

Valerie became busy with my family deciding on the wedding. While I asked for my Dad and Kuya Austin to give me a job at the company. Hindi naman pwede na umasa na lang ako palagi sa grandparents ko or my parents. It's different now that I already have my own family...

At ako ang dapat na bumubuhay kay Valerie at sa tatlong mga bata sa sarili kong pera galing sa pagtatrabaho ko rin. So I started working as well. Mabuti na lang at nakakuha na rin kami ng nanny so we can leave the children in my condo and someone would be there to look after them.

"Tingin mo kaya na ni yaya sina Achi, Ashi at Shin? Na siya lang mag-isa ang maiwan sa tatlong bata?" Valerie asked me worriedly as we were already inside my car. Aalis kami ngayon para tumingin ng susuotin namin para sa kasal.

I smiled at Valerie. "It's all right. Mukhang maasahan naman natin si yaya." I said.

Tumango rin si Valerie. "I'm just worried na baka mahirapan din siya..."

I also nodded to what she said. Naisip ko rin na ang lilikot na nga pala ng tatlong makukulit na mga bata. And the middle-aged woman might not be able to handle our three boys... So I decided that I think we'll get another nanny para may katulong si Yaya Florida. Inabot ko ang kamay ni Valerie na nasa lap niya habang nakaupo siya ngayon sa shotgun seat ng sasakyan ko at hinawakan. I smiled to reassure her. "Don't worry we'll get the kids another nanny to help Yaya Flor." I told her.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Valerie sa kamay ko na nakahawak sa kamay niya ngayon. Agad ko namang binawi ang hawak ko nang ma realize ko rin na hindi ko dapat siya basta na lang hinahawakan. What was I doing just now? Trying to hold her hand... Mas'yado na ba akong nadadala sa bahay-bahayan namin... That maybe I'm already thinking that this can be true...

What the fuck, Gus? Are you serious now, man? Kailangan kong ayusin ang utak ko at hindi dapat kung ano-ano na lang ang naiisip ko.

I immediately turned to the steering wheel and started driving. Pagkatapos ay tahimik na akong nagmaneho paalis ng basement parking ng condominium towers.

Tahimik din si Valerie sa biyahe. I think that I just made it awkward for the both of us...

Pagdating naman namin sa shop na nirecommend din sa amin ni Ate Beverly ay agad na kaming pumasok ni Valerie sa loob to meet our appointment there. Pagkapasok ay agad din kaming winelcome ng staff at designer doon.

"Mr. Lozano, and soon-to-be Mrs. Lozano." The woman designer greeted us with a big smile on her face and she looked delighted.

Nag-usap sandali bago nagsabi si Valerie that she wanted to check their readymade gowns. Nagsabi naman ang designer na she can definitely design Valerie's wedding gown and my suit as well. Ako naman ayos lang sa akin kahit ano. Pero pinagbigyan pa rin si Valerie sa gusto niya.

Kaya naman nasa labas ako kaharap ang dressing room ng shop kung saan nandoon sa loob si Valerie at ang staff. I was seated on the sofa. While the designer was getting some suits for me, too. Inabot ko ang ilang magazine na nandoon sa may coffee table sa tabi. I tried to entertain myself with it while waiting for Valerie. I was also on my phone for me not to get bored. Pero namatay din agad ang boredom ko the moment I saw Valerie...

And when the curtains were opened, nag-angat ako ng tingin at halos mabitawan ko pa ang hawak kong magazine. My lips also parted when I looked at Valerie and seeing her wearing a lovely wedding gown... And I thought to myself that she just looked perfect...

I saw her like her cheeks were blushing a bit... Tumayo ako at nilapitan ko siya. "What... do you think?" She looked even shy when she asked me.

Tumingin naman ako sa suot niya at sa kaniya. "You're... beautiful." I said. Although it's also an understatement. I feel like there's a lot of words that I wanted to say just by seeing her so beautiful in this gown right now.

Dati pa nang magkakilala kami ni Valerie sa office ni Ben, nasabi ko na rin sa sarili ko noon na maganda rin talaga siya. She's a beautiful woman. Valeria Lavrov is a half Filipino and Russian beauty. No man could deny that she's really pretty...

And I feel lucky that she'll be my bride soon...

Natigilan lang ako sa paninitig sa kaniya at napaiwas kami ng tingin sa isa't isa nang marinig naming biglang nagsalita at nand'yan na pala ang designer sa tabi namin.

"Perfect! I feel like any of my gowns here would fit you perfectly. But you might still want a certain design of your choice..." The designer smiled.

And then I nodded and looked at Valerie. "I think she's right." I smiled to Valerie. Agreeing to what the designer said.

I thought that I wanted the best for Valerie and our wedding. And I'd support everything to make her feel special on our wedding day...

Tumingin din siya sa akin at pagkatapos ay ngumiti lang. Tumango rin siya sa designer.

Ngumiti naman ang designer na mukhang natuwa sa desisyon at nag-usap pa sila ni Valerie.

"Ang mahal pala ng gown..." Valerie said when we're back in my car.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya. "It's all right. Don't worry about it. I'm working now to provide for our family's needs, anyway. So it's okay. Just focus on what you want for our wedding." I told her.

"Oo nga pala, kumusta ka sa work mo?"

I smiled. "All right. Tinuturuan pa ako nila ni Daddy at Kuya Austin."

Bahagya rin napangiti si Valerie. "The last time I talked with your Mom they were happy to know that you've started working." She smiled.

Napangiti na lang din ako sa sinabi niya. "I just realized that I have to work now..." I said and I looked at Valerie again.

Saglit kaming nagkatinginan bago siya nag-iwas ng tingin. Nagsimula naman akong magmaneho na pauwi sa mga bata na naiwan sa condo ko. And Valerie also said that she misses the boys already.