17-Drake

Inayos ko ang aking kwelyo sa harapan ng salamin. I was sporting a dark blue velvet double breasted tuxedo and not to sound bragging, but I looked like a noble man.

Dammit, Drake! You're about to give Angel a heart attack!

"You are a man now, Drake." My Father hugged me with a pat on my back.

I wanted to have the best prom ever with Angel. We would take pictures and dance until were bouncing bare feet. I wanted to make it the best memory we could ever have!

"You look so damn good, brother. Gone all the air of impulsiveness..." Russel complimented me.

They were sitting in the couch. Russel sitting cross legged and Drexter spread out. He nudged Drexter as if they were obligated to compliment me.

"Choi na choi ang dakog ulo, ah." puri niya. "Ngayon ko lang talaga napagtanto na gwapo ka pala, brother, kapag nakasuot ng tuxedo,"

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko. "Kapag hindi ako nakasuot ng tuxedo, anong tingin mo sa akin?"

"Unggoy na walang may-ari." patutsada niya.

Their shoulders trembled in a mocking laughter.

"That's not a flattering remark, bro." Russel said to him.

I wouldn't let Drexter ruin my mood. I lifted my middle finger at him.

Tumahimik sila nang sumama ang tingin ni Papa sa kanila.

"Si Drexter lang Papa. Hindi ako nagsabi no'n."

***

I was greeted by her mother when I arrived at their home to pick her up. When she moseyed down the stairs, I was ecstatic together with all the astonishing adjectives — because God heavens, Angel looked like a freaking fairy and Angel combine. I knew at that very moment that the night has just started for us.

"You make that tuxedo look amazing, Drake." Inunahan niya ako.

"Your angelic beauty and modesty make me forget who I really am and all I have to do is stare at you to remember."

She blushed profusely.

She resembled like a Princess that was soon to be a Queen ruling her own castle. She broke into a pretty smile as pretty that she has been.

We wore the same spectrum of color. She was wearing a dusty blue off shoulder prom dress with a slit on her left leg. Her hair was prettily perm that always been my weakness.

"Shall we?" I gestured my arm before sappiness would take over me.

She hooked her arm to me and we both smiled to each other.

Her sister snapped pictures of us boldly showing her poker face that depicted her strong dislike to me. Tita Anne was smiling humbly and proudly to us.

***

"Invitation card?" Tanong ng isang senior high student na naka-assign sa pagkuha ng invitation card.

Binigay namin ang aming invitation cards. I peeked inside the venue.

There was a large chandelier in the middle. It was just jaw-dropping.

Nang humakbang na kami papasok ay hinarangan kami ni Fritz.

"What now?"

I wondered why she was always tailing us around! Hindi naman sila kasali sa Prom night namin! Dahil mayroon silang sariling Prom!

"May bilin si Ma'am Mina para sa inyo mga HUMSS 11. Iyong mga wala daw sa rehearsal ay hindi na kasali." pagbigay-alam niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Nag-usap na kami ni Ma'am Mina tungkol dito–"

"She just said it to me with conviction na ang hindi present sa rehearsal ay hindi na kasali. Baka masira lang ang cotillion dance." she interrupted me.

Ma'am Mina and Fritz were relatives. She was using her bloody connection to hinder our best night. Either she was lying.

"I have to talk to her if that's true."

I held Angel's slender hand. Medyo nanlalamig siya. I would beg if I had to in front of our subject teacher para lang papasukin kami.

"No need. Hindi niyo na kailangang istorbohin si Tita. I have a proof."

Fritz took out her phone and played a recorded audio boastfully. There was it. We were not bound to be part of the event.

Subalit hindi kami umuwi.

We had an idyllically great atmosphere in the Plaza playground, eating some granola bars, popcorn, and drinking soda while we were sitting in the swing.

"I'm so sorry, Anghel. This night should be the best night of our lives but here we are...stargazing." I munched the granola bar, hard and fast.

It was going to be the first time and the last time that our Prom night would be remembered like this. Not dancing or taking pictures with friends, classmates, and batchmates. We were going to be alone in the remaining late hours of this occasion.

"Hindi mo kasalanan, Drake. I think I like this more. This is cool. We can still call this the best night, right?"

Normal girls would be complaining noisily but she still sees it in a positive way.

"Yeah..." I threw some pop corns to my mouth.

The denial was ebbing away from me. Yeah, this was way better...

The Program started inside the Municipal Gymnasium. I felt a silent dismay in my gut again. Except for the cool fact that it was still wonderful since I'm with Angel. The cotillion dance began. I gestured my hand to her, and she beamed at me.

Sumabay kami sa musika. We followed what we had practiced. We happily danced in the Plaza playground, under the stars and the moon.

It was the moment to be able to remember. Angel radiated like a sunshine even in the darkest place.

Matapos ang cotillion dance ay umupo lang kami sa swing. We continued eating and stargazing.

"Drake, I have a question."

She was tapping her heels.

Naninimbang ang kanyang mga mata. Hinanda ko ang sarili. Alam kong seryoso ang kanyang itatanong.

Her Prom dress was showing enough skin. It was cold outside. I unbuttoned my coat and handed it to her.

Alam kong nilalamig na siya. Kinuha niya ito at sinuot.

"Go on."

Inayos ko ang pagkakabutones ng aking coat sa kanya upang mabigyan siya ng tamang tumbas ng init.

"A-a-re you really courting me? Or you're ju-ust jo-oking?" she stuttered.

Joke?

I swallowed the remaining popcorn in my mouth. I signaled her to wait.

Uminom ako ng soda para itulak lahat ng pagkabahala at kaba sa aking lalamunan.

"What do you think, Angel?" I questioned her.

I wanted to grill her mind to reflect all my past actions.

"I hope this will not ruin our friendship."

Pinagdikit niya ang kanyang mga kamay at nilaro-laro ang hinlalaki. "Jethro and I have been friends since elementary. He never treated me like you do. It's always just about friendship. Somobra ka lang ata sa pagiging kaibigan."

Her eyes were so different. It was softer and musing. I returned it bravely by staring at her with my unbridled and breathless adoration.

Kinuha ko ang aking phone sa bulsa. I scrolled down my video list.

"I don't really see you base on your past. But why not give it a try, Drake?" I played the clip from my Music Video project that Jethro had taken.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

Huminga ako ng malalim. "I've been keeping this for quite some time. Can I court you formally?" I scraped the nape of my neck. "I know that given by our age gap, people would think that I'm not serious and taking advantage of you which seemed to be far from what's really inside this." I pointed where my heart was racing rapidly and crazily. "They give instant violent criticism of what their eyes see, but they don't really see what's real and genuine."

Taimtim ko siyang tinignan sa mga mata. "Angel, mas magandang pahintulotan mo ako bago ako humarap sa Kuya Soren mo. You know, I can't go on a race without a signal."

"I already have an answer, Drake."

Tumayo siya. I stood up too. Humarap siya sa akin na may multong ngiti.

Parang may gagawin siyang magkaka-pagsambulat ng mga mata ko.

Dumadagundong pa lalo ang aking dibdib nang ngumiti na siya ng napakalawak. She tiptoed in order to level with me. In a slow motion of the wind, she planted a kiss on my right cheek.

I was profoundly strangled by a snare of jumbled words in my mind for about seconds.

Medyo natulala pa ako. Pinoproseso pa ang malakas na epekto ng halik na iyon. But I recovered, "What do you mean by that? What's the meaning of this, huh? Tayo na ba? Is that a yes, right?"

She nodded her head. "More than a yes. And yes, our friendship will always stay, Drake." She circled her arms around my neck.

I'm now her boyfriend!

That made me want to dance and pump my fists in the air! She met my gaze with humor lightning up her.

She kissed the end of my chilly nose this time to wake me up from total shock.

I embraced her like she was made of a lightweight Angel. I kissed her forehead to signify my utmost respect and adoration.

We were taken back when blinding flashlight and camera flashes directed to us.

"Mr. Mathildo and Miss Soledad. What are you two doing here? Dapat nasa loob na kayo kaninang alas seis pa."

Nakaabang ang mga kaibigan ko at mga kaibigan ni Anghel. Maliban kay Jethro. Baka nasa loob ng Venue.

Bonita and Kirsteen were dumbfounded, completely opposite to what my friends' reactions. They were just proud as grandpas to their grandchildren.

"Ma'am, sabi niyo hindi kami pwede pumasok kasi hindi kami nakasali sa rehearsal?"

Bumitaw na si Angel sa aming yakapan. She might be feeling awkward now that we're under their gazes especially Bonita who's raising her right eyebrow.

"Who said that to you?" Ma'am Mina put a hand on her hip.

"Pamangkin niyo po." I admitted.

Pinapasok na kami sa Municipal Gymnasium ng bukal sa loob. Humingi ng masidhing paumanhin si Ma'am Mina sa hindi katanggap-tanggap na abalang ginawa ng kanyang pamangkin. Kinausap niya ito sa entrance ng Gymnasium at pinauwi sa kanilang bahay.

They played another song for those who want to dance with random partners. I didn't miss the chance. Hindi kami nakasali sa cotilion dance kanina.

"Will you grab my arm, so I can tell my friends I've been touched by an Angel?" I droned in her left ear.

"It will be a pleasure, my knight with a shining helmet." she looped her arm in me.

We swayed. I twirled her around. I found myself couldn't stop staring at her. I was communicating with her without actually uttering a word. Taylor Swift's song titled lover was perfect for the moment.

Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You're my, my, my, my

Lover

Being with my girlfriend throughout the prom was so amazing. I couldn't stop smiling as wide as a mile. Who wouldn't be?

Sa hindi inaasahan ay umupo sina Bonita at Kirsteen sa aming table. Ako lang ang naiwang mag-isa dahil ang apat kong mga kaibigan ay nasa dance floor kasama ang mga partners nila.

"If you cheat and hurt her, I'll be the one to punch you." Bonita threatened me. She elbowed Kirsteen for their further warning, "It's your time Kirsteen."

"If you want to commit deception to her," she gulped, looked around and back to me, "Ako na ang bahala sa holy prayer ng burol mo." Kalmado ngunit may halong peligro ang pagkakasabi niya.

Hindi kami makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Church girl.

We never thought that she had such thoughts like that. She treasured their friendship like a vow. Hindi ko rin mapagkakailang nasabi niya lang iyon dahil sa past relationship ni Angel.

I leaned back in my seat.

Their serious warnings were making my neck constrict.

"I won't promise anything. But I'll give my everything. Do everything to prevent that from happening."

"Blah. Blah. Blah." Bonita babbled and walked out of our table.

I think that was her alternative way of agreeing to me. Binigyan ako ni Kirsteen ng napakalamig na tingin ng pagbabanta bago sinundan si Bonita sa table kung saan nakikipaghalubilo si Angel sa mga babae kong kaklase.

Si Jethro nalang ang hindi ko nasabihan sa mga kaibigan niya. Medyo busy pa siya sa pagkuha ng litrato at pakikipagsalamuha.

The exciting part of our prom night was the jamming dance off. Hindi iyon kasali sa program. Ngunit nasiyahan si Ma'am Mina sa ideya.

We cleared a big circle in the dance floor. Partner by partners took turns showing their best tricks while the remaining partners cheer the jammers on. The energy and mood were spot on when it's our cue. We did a hundred times of taking pictures to put all of it to our photo albums and for our family to see.

We were just dancing and bouncing the night away. It was such a magical night with Angel that I would love to relive any day because everything just immensely perfect.

***

"Kayo na?" Jethro asked when I requested for the real copies of our prom pictures.

"Sinabi na ni Angel sayo?"

Ginupit ko ang mga litrato.

"Halata na kayo masyado, Drake. Wala na kayong maloloko." he sank in his swivel chair.

I bit my lower lip while gingerly cut the pictures.

"Alam kong may pagdududa ka pa rin sa akin, bro. Hindi kita masisi. Alam ko namang marami akong ginawang kalokohan. Pero ngayon lampas langit ang nararamdaman ko kay Anghel. I hope you get it. This is what I truly feel for her. Walang atrasan. Walang kabalastugan." I fortified against him. Baka mag-iba nalang siya ng anyo.

He gave me a deadpan face instead, and he blinked several times, maybe his way of accepting my reasons.

"Make sure to be a good boyfriend, Drake. Angel is my friend. She had been with a toxic guy before and-"

"I know, bro." I cut him off. I know that she was being treated wrongly.

I treated her rightly and sincerely than that particular guy I punched. I had a few red flag traits. I couldn't deny that. Everyone has red flag traits.

I realized I wasn't good enough for my ex-girlfriends before. Mabuti nalang hindi rin sila nagtagal sa akin. I couldn't afford the thought of treating them with the bare minimum in a long period of time.

My mind was all about fun before. Everything changes with Angel; my ass wouldn't like the idea of treating her with the bare minimum.

"Build a healthy relationship with her." He advised with earnest intent.

"Hindi ka tutol? You will not punch me? Crack my bones?" pagtataka ko.

"I think it's her decision and choice, Drake. Kaibigan at parang kapatid lang ang papel ko sa buhay ni Angel. Wala ng iba. If you ever cheat and cross things that shouldn't be made just yet. I'll be the one to punch or crack your bones!"

That was a hard nail pinned to me. My brother thinks like a thirty-year-old guy. Angel was surrounded with good people. I felt at ease. I felt glad.

•••

"Kami na ni Anghel!" I announced proudly while we were eating our breakfast. Dahil kailangan nilang malaman.

"Sa panaginip mo?" pangbabara ni Russel.

"Kayo na ni Angel? Talagang girlfriend mo na siya?" Drexter clarified.

"Oo! Imbitado tayo lahat sa kanyang kaarawan!"

kinagatan ko ang saging na binalatan ni Jethro.

Nabilaukan si Papa sa pagkabigla. Inabutan siya ng tubig ni Khalid.

Binaba ni Papa ang baso matapos sumimsim. "Anak, are you really serious with her? Baka ay gusto mo lang siya dahil maganda ang dalagang iyon. Hindi ganoon umaandar ang isang relasyon–"

"Yes, Pa. Seryoso ako kany Angel. If climbing Mt. Everest will make everyone believe me, I'll do it." I interpolated.

Ngumiwi sina Jethro, Russel, at Drexter.

"Hayaan nalang natin, Pa." saad ni Kuya Ranger. "Pero kailangan mong kausapin si Soren ng harap harapan–"

"No worries, Kuya Ranger. I'll handle everything..." I winked at them.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Drake..."

Kuya Gunner crackled his knuckles as a form of warning me to not do anything stupid.

***

Four days after that euphoric night, she gave me eight invitation cards for her 18th birthday.

I'd have been browsing on Facebook in the hopes of finding a retailer for Taylor Swift's Albums.

If I order from an online retailer, it wouldn't be delivered right away.

Dapat maibigay ko sa kanya sa mismong kaarawan niya.

After countless scrolling up and down, luckily, I found one. School mate ko lang din ang retailer. Hindi brand new. Second hand lang ang album.

She would accept it wholeheartedly. Binili ko ang Album bago ang kaarawan niya.

Her special day went rather smoothly. I couldn't wait to give her my gift and her precious reaction.

Nagkamustahan sila Papa at Tita Anne. The program was tremendous. Angel had a great time when my brothers danced her and had a little chit-chat. Her brother said something to her that made her head reeled to me. When it was my time to dance her. There were many eyes on me. I only focused my eyes on her. My heart began to clench. Her hair was in updo. They were pearls on her hair.

She was now a fine woman. Angel really liked the concept of simplicity. She wasn't wearing a heavy ball gown like debutants normally do.

There was something rare about her wearing silk specially when its white. It naturally brings out her Angelic features.

"Is there a racing car or is it my heart racing? Damn, Angel, you take my breath away." malambing kong bulong sa kanya habang marahan kaming umiindayog sa musika.

I was a lucky moron to be her last dance.

"I wish I could take pictures with my eyes. You're glowing."

"Drake..." Nangiyak-iyak niyang tugon.

I cupped her face and caressed her cheeks. "You're so perfect, pretty. I feel like I don't deserve you..."

I felt my eyes moist when she smiled lovingly at me.

Sa totoo lang nakakaiyak ang kagandahan niya. Mayumi, kalmado, at parang walang bahid ng saligutgot.

"Si Kuya Drake gusto ng umiyak. Sino pong may dalang tissue?" Khalid joked.

"Hoy! Drake! Hindi mo birthday!" asik ni Drexter.

"Stop the drama, brother, you're not Shakespeare!" pakli ni Russel.

"Sana hindi na talaga magrebelde." rinig kong puna ni Kuya Ranger na mahinahong nakasandal sa kanyang upuan habang nakatingin sa amin.

Hindi na talaga magrerebelde.

"Ang cute niyo, lovebirds." Jethro cheered up who was taking pictures and videos of us. He moved to the other side. "Padaplin please."

Desenteng nag-usap sila Kuya Ranger, Kuya Soren, Tita Anne, at si Papa pagkatapos ng 18th dance ni Angel. Hindi ko alam kung anong topic nila. Pero batay sa tingin nila sa akin at kay Angel. Alam kong kami ang pinag-uusapan nila.

The dinner was tasty. But not the taste of brandy I was sipping and the approaching eldest of Soledad family.

"Drake, mag-usap tayo..."

Kinawit niya ang kanyang braso sa aking balikat at nagsimula kaming lumakad sa isang table.

"Sir, Tita Anne and Angel invited me and my brothers in case you're wondering why I'm here and my Family..."

"Alam ko. I agreed with my mother about inviting you and your Family. But we need to have a man to man talk." He sat down with a grunt.

"Sit down, man." He beckoned me to sit on the mono block chair across him.

Umupo ako na nangangatog ang mga binti.

"Yes, Sir. Kahit papasukin niyo pa ako sa army." I suggested out of desperation.

"I'm not inviting you to enter the military." He shook his head and stared at me with a bleak look, "Both of you - are now on the legal age. She's 18 and you're 21. Still, you need guidance from us..." he pointed out directly.

"Yes, Sir. This is a rare chance. I wouldn't dare ruin this one." I stated with strong confirmation.

"I didn't know that she's been seeing you. At hindi sinabi ni Mama sa akin na pinayagan ka niyang ipasyal si Angel."

"I have only pure feelings for her, Sir. She was still seventeen when she said yes to me. Noong prom night namin." paliwanag ko.

"I think it's about time for her to get into a good relationship - if only you will be good for her. But I'm still watching you, Drake." He warned me. He took a sip of his brandy. "Dalaga na si Angel. Ayoko naman maging mahigpit sa kanya. At ikaw huwag kang bumalik sa pagkagago. Hindi magandang tignan na wagas na gago ang lalaki sa isang relasyon. We have our eyes on you, Mathildo. Tatlo kaming hahabol sayo na may dala-dalang machete. If you take this as a threat, I don't care. I'm guiding my sister as well as your ass on this relationship. If this will make her happy, I have to guide both of you." he admonished in a fatherly-like tone.

"Yes, Sir!" I saluted.

He tilted his head to Angel's direction who was talking and laughing with her friends.

"Go, talk to her."

That was the right time to give my gift. I walked to them. I laced my arm around her waist. "Can I borrow Angel for a minute?"

"Okay," Bonita rolled her eyes.

"Drake, treat her right. That's all I want. That's all what we want." Sonya's short words implied deep meaning.

"Of course, Sonya." I smiled at her.

Angel tickled in pink. She was glad that her sister finally accepted me. She leaned closer to me, and we traversed to their wooden octagon small gazebo to give us some privacy. Maraming bulaklak ang gazebo nila. Para lang nasa garden of Eden kami.

"I have a gift for you."

"Your presence is enough, Drake–"

When her eyes landed on my hand where Taylor Swift's Album entitled 'Lover', her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.

"Oh. My. God. A Lover Album?" She was grinning while raising her arms holding the Album in her hands.

"It's not brand-new."

"No." Lumitaw ang guhit sa kanyang noo tila hindi siya sang-ayon sa sinabi ko. "It's still brand-new for me, Drake. You really know how much I love Taylor Swift!"

She was bouncing now. Then she hugged me when she couldn't take contain her happiness. The feeling of being wrapped with Angel's arms was like a silk blanket on a rainy day. She snuggled in my chest. It was like lightning bolt that jolts my heart. A river bubbling through my veins that flushed my face.

I embraced her and prolong a kiss on her forehead. "Your value is like a diamond and gold combine, Angel. You deserve that Album."

You deserve the world, Angel. I added in my afterthought.

PERIEDOT