Kabanata 8
I saw how everyone went from the inside towards the deck of the yacht. The corner of their lips curved into smile as they saw Dasher. Well, except for Vynz Devaughne who seems like his smile worth a million dollar deal. Para bang kay Mirae lang ito ngumingiti.
A shed of tear's peeking at the side of Astrid's eyes. Si Mirae naman ay bakas ang ngisi sa mga labi. Dumako ang aking tingin sa pamilyar na lalaking naroon, bakas din ang ngiti sa mga labi. I gently shut my eyes closed, trying to remember where did I saw him.
Napadilat ako nang maalala kung saan. He's Theo! The one at the mansion. Mirae's cousin if I'm not mistaken.
Isang lalaking may kaedaran ang naroon, na sa tingin ko ay ang magkakasal sa dalawa.
"Tito Dasher!"
My eyes went on the kid who's running towards us. Her dress played with the wind. Ang buhok nito ay maagap na sumasayaw kasabay ng hangin. Her resemblance looks familiar.
Mataman akong nakatitig sa batang babae habang palapit ito sa aming direksyon. I'm not sure if her features resembles Mirae or Lavinia.
Nang huminto ito sa harap namin ay agad siyang binuhat ni Archer upang maabot si Dash.
"I missed you, Kiddo." Marahang ginulo ni Dasher ang buhok nito gamit ang isang kamay.
She hugged Dasher with her small hands while in Archer's arms. Mabilis pa itong humalik sa pisngi ni Dasher.
"I missed you too, Tito Dash!"
I took a small step forward when Dasher looked at my direction. "Mauree, this is Crizzette, Creed and Lavinia's daughter."
My lips involuntarily parted as I blinked at the kid, smiling. If I'm not mistaken either she's six or seven years old. Now I understand why she looks like someone and that's Lavinia.
Matapos ay muling bumaling si Dasher sa bata. "Crizzy, this is Maureen. You can call her Tita Maureen."
"Really? Is she your girlfriend, Tito?"
Napamaang ako sa tanong niya at agad na pinamulahan ng mukha.
"No, Crizzy but--"
"I'm Crizzette, you can call me Crizzy. It's nice to meet you, Tita Maureen." The kid cutted Dasher's words. Nakangiti siyang bumaling sa akin habang buhat pa rin ni Archer.
I offer her a smile as I felt my cheeks lifted. "It's nice to meet you too, Crizzy."
Matapos iyon ay ang paglapit naman ni Astrid kay Dasher ang aking nasaksihan. Ganoon din si Mirae at parehas itong napayakap kay Dasher. Astrid's eyes were both wet with tears. That must be because of mixed emotions.
Mirae nodded at me when our eyes met. Habang si Astrid naman ay ako ang sunod na nilapitan matapos kumawala sa yakap kay Dasher.
"Maureen, how are you?" She asked as we settled. Si Dasher ay malayo na sa akin. I saw him talking to Mirae. At nang tumabi si Archer kasama si Crizzette ay nabaling doon ang atensyon nito.
"Im fine. Ikaw, you're not with..." Sinubukan kong bitinin ang mga salita.
She gave me a faint smile, tila alam na kung sino ang tinutukoy ko ngunit ayaw pag-usapan iyon.
"How's Dasher? Is he giving you a hard time?"
Isang iling ang agad kong isinagot doon. "No, hindi naman."
She stared at me, para bang alam kung ano ang tungo sa akin ni Dasher. "I know Dasher and--" Natigilan siya sa sasabihin at matamang napakurap sa akin. In the end, she didn't continue what she's supposed to say.
"There may be a misunderstanding... sometimes. But we're now fine," I assured when I saw hesitation etched in her face. Tila may gusto siyang sabihin ngunit ayaw ituloy.
"Is he treating you right?"
"Astrid, what's that?" We both turned to Dasher as he stopped at our back. Kapwa kami napalingon sa kanya.
"I was just asking if you're good to her," depensa ni Astrid. I caught their eyes met. Tila nagusap ang mga mata nila ng ilang segundo at parang agad na nagkaintindihan.
"I'm an asshole," he stated.
Astrid let out a chuckle. "Oh!" She lifted her shoulder for a shrug. "Well, at times you really are."
Nang mapag-isa ako ay noon ko mabuting nakita ang mga disenyo sa yate.
The combination of white, blush pink, and gold's screaming elegance. From the drapes down to the chairs neatly aligned the large table inside the yacht.
From the deck, my eyes quickly glanced at the inside. The three vases at the long table, tracing the blush pink with the touch of gold part of white table clothing, contains a mixture of blush pink and white flowers. While cutlery were amusingly arranged on the table.
Dumako ang aking tingin sa kalangitan na tila nakikiisa sa pakikipagbunyi. The sky's slowly turning into the color who resembles the yacht's decorations.
I went back on the railings, staring at the villa. Umihip ang malamig na hangin, reason why my dress swayed a bit.
My eyes narrowed when I saw an arch of flowers near our villa. May mga tao roon na sa tingin ko ay ikinakasal din? I didn't see that awhile ago. Parang hindi ko matandaan na may ikinakasal doon kanina?
Inalis ko roon ang mga mata at bumaling sa dalampasigan. I watched the waves as it kissed the shore, drenching the fine sand on it. The mellow sound coming from the waves everytime it'll meet the shore soothes my ears.
After a few while, I finally saw the two familiar figure nearing towards the floating dock.
That made me assumed Lavinia agreed on Creed's proposal. Isama pa ang magaang ekspresyon sa kanilang mga mukha. And when my eyes caught Creed's hand on Lavinia's waist, it confirmed my thoughts. Kusang umangat ang aking labi para sa isang ngiti.
Confusion is etched on Lavinia's face as they stepped in the yacht. But it immediately turned to amusement, maybe when everything sink in her mind.
The wedding didn't start immediately. It took Lavinia a few while to finally dress up. And I can't help but admire how her wedding gown cascaded down the deck.
"Let me introduce for the first time, the newly weds, Mr. and Mrs. Ferron."
We applaud as the officiant announced. Hindi mawala ang ngiti sa aking mga labi habang tinititigan ang dalawa.
I don't know, I may not be a close friend to them but isn't it amazing that they married each other?
I can't help but admire them. Given that Lavinia is an Amherst while Creed is a part of Cosmos. Their love must be tough for them to end up like this.
Sa huli ay nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako.
They turned to face each other as Creed leaned on Lavinis for a quick kiss. Ipinulupot nito ang braso sa asawa at bahagyang inilapit ang mukha. I caught him whispered something when his lips moved.
We're greeting them but seems like they can only see each other.
Ang ngiti sa labi ng dalawa at ang paraan ng pagtingin sa isa't isa ay tila nagsusumigaw ng pagmamahal.
I was smiling, watching the newly weds when my phone started ringing. Bahagya akong gumilid at sinilip kung sino ang tumatawag. And I immediately cancelled the call when I saw my sister's name on the caller.
I can't talk to her right now. Okupado man ang isip ng mga narito dahil sa nangyayari ay hindi ibig sabihin noon na hindi nila ako mapapansin at baka pa marinig ang sasabihin ni Ate.
Though, I have no idea too on why she's calling. Isang ulit pa siyang tumatawag ngunit agad ko rin iyong inignora.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin natapos ang ginawa and I immediately met Dasher's eyes. He's looking at my direction.
"You okay?" He mouthed.
I didn't get it at first but I nodded when he repeated.
The wedding ceremony ended at five in the afternoon. After almost one hour of greetings and talking we're now settled on the long table.
The newly weds are in the right side. Habang nasa gitna ng dalawa ang anak. While we're all seated at the left of the table. I'm seating in the middle of Astrid and Dasher. Sa kanan ni Dasher ay ang mag-asawang Devaughne. Habang si Archer naman ay nasa kaliwa ni Astrid.
Theo drove the officiant back to Manila. Parehong may mahalaga pang gagawin kaya't nauna na.
"How about the two of you. When are you both planning to settle down?"
Is was Lavinia who asked, pertaining to Dasher and Archer. Agad kong nakuha kung para kanino ang tanong niya dahil sa paglipat ng tingin niya sa dalawa.
"I have someone already, I'll marry her soon." Ngising sagot ni Archer.
"Auriese?" Mirae asked and I caught how Archer proudly nodded his head.
No one's asking for my opinion so I was just silently eating while listening to them.
"Si Dasher na lang wala. Why don't you come back with Aislinn?" Astrid suggested.
Dasher glanced at Astrid with a smirk in his lips. "How about you? Any plans on getting back with Hoax?"
"We're divorcing." She rolled her eyes.
"Any progress on the divorce?" She continued but I didn't dare look and she who is she talking to.
My lips parted as I heard her words but I didn't removed my eyes on the food.
"Still the same." It was Archer's voice.
After a few while of silence on the table, Mirae spoke. "Any plans on getting Aislinn back?"
Hindi na kailangan pang lumingon para malaman kung sino ang tinutukoy niya, agad na sumagot si Dasher sa aking tabi. "None."
I heard Mirae's sarcastic audible breath. "That's the most stupid thing you did so far."
"Letting the woman you love go just to make her safe? Sorry, I agreed on Mirae, Dasher."
Napaangat ako ng tingin kay Creed nang magsalita siya. An annoying smirk directly at Dasher is plastered in his face.
I licked my lower lip as I pressed it while slowly chewing the food in my mouth.
"Its for Aislinn's own good," Dasher nonchalantly muttered.
Marahan akong napalingon sa aking tabi.
He felt my stares, kaya naman agad na nag-angat ng tingin si Dasher patungo sa aking direksyon. He glanced at with his asking eyes.
I shook my head a bit before turning to the food.
"As if naman nawala 'yung mga death threats na natatanggap niya dahil sa ginawa mo. She's a lawyer, what can you expect?" It's still Mirae, proving her point.
"Also, Aislinn is a Zaldivar. Aside from you, her family can protect her." Astrid from beside me spoke, tila hindi na matiis na hindi magsalita.
"Kung kami nga, napoprotektahan mo paano pa 'yung mahal mo? Of course you can protect her too."
Tipid akong napangiti ngunit naramdaman ang bahagyang kirot sa aking dibdib. They all want Aislinn for Dasher. Hindi man nila sabihin, halata naman sa pagpupumilit nila kay Dasher na balikan ito. Aislinn must be something.
Ngayon ay bahagyang kunot na ang noo ni Dasher, tila hindi na nagugustuhan ang patutunguhan ng usapin. "I love you all too."
"But Aislinn is different. You love her different from how you love us. Surely you can protect her."
"Even if time goes back on we're still together, I won't think twice and let Aislinn go again for her safety." It was Dasher's firm voice.
"Then you don't love her enough to fight and stay."
I heard that cold voice from Vynz for the first time after settling on the table.
My eyes immediately landed at Dasher, trying to see his expression but he remained in his food. Hindi man lang apektado sa sinabi ni Vynz na hindi sapat ang pagmamahal niya.
"Baka naman kasi iba na ang gusto kaya ayaw makipagbalikan. Aislinn's trying to take him back since they broke up but Dasher..." Archer trailed off while shrugging his shoulders.
"There's someone new?"
"Meron?"
Magkasunod na tanong iyon mula kay Mirae at Lavinia.
Hindi pa nakakasagot si Dasher ay nagsalita na si Astrid. "We're all saying this and pushing you to Aislinn because we all know you love her. Hindi dahil si Aislinn ang gusto namin para sa'yo kundi dahil siya ang gusto mo," she paused and leaned forward to see Dasher clearly.
My lips parted a bit at what Astrid said and I heard them agreed on her, even Mirae.
"Pero kung iba pala ang gusto mo, let's stop talking about Aislinn, then. Tell us instead the name if there's someone already," she continued with a sly smile in her face like she's urging Dasher to tell a name.
Tila lahat ay tumigil at interesadong naghihintay sa isasagot ni Dasher, well except for Vynz again. He's still quietly eating but I know he's listening. Si Creed naman ay sumimsip sa kopita bago tuluyang hinarap si Dasher. Crizzy, on the other hand is busy eating her food.
"Wala akong ibang gusto," mariing sambit ni Dasher na agad sinundan ni Creed ng isang tanong.
"You still love Aislinn?"
I'm now staring at Dasher. Sinamantala ang mga pagkakataong nakatingin sa kanya ang lahat. I watched him licked his lower lip while I'm mentally counting every second that passed already while he's still not answering.
He took the glass of water as he sipped on it. "I don't know."
Thirty seconds. It took him half a minute to finally answer.
"It took you too long," Mirae murmured. "Hindi mo na sure?" She continued with a smirk in her lips.
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