Night

He sounded sincere. I can't hide my smile. It was plastered on my face. Obvious 'yon sa mukha ko at iyon ang problema ko dahil napakatransparent kong tao.

"You're handsome, too," I honestly said. "And a great actor as well."

He smirked. "What made you say that?"

"Ang galing mo kayang umarteng boyfriend, fiancé at husband. Paniwalang-paniwala kaya ang mga tao."

"It turned out great because of your cooperation."

"Kunsabagay. Because of you, I discovered one talent of mine. Siguro subukan ko na din mag-artista, ano?" I giggled.

We're heading to his grandparents' house. Nandoon na ang iilang gamit ko, hinatid ng mga tauhan. Hindi dinamihan ang mga damit dahil hindi daw naman kailangan 'yon sa honeymoon. Napapailing nalang talaga ako sa mga inaasahan ng mga tao.

"Pwede, pwede. Why not? I'll be your number 1 fan," seryosong sabi niya.

I frowned. "It was just a joke, okay?"

He smiled. "I'm here to support whatever you want to do."

I gazed at him. What was he thinking?

"Titingnan natin. By the way, our countdown starts. 364 days to go," I cheered.

Nagmamadali akong bumaba ng kotse pagkarating ng bahay. Gusto ko nang ihiga ang pagod kong katawan. Ramdam ko ang pangangalay ng panga ko sa kakangiti. Ganoon ba naman kabusisi ang mga photographers. Buong katawan ko parang tinakasan ng lakas.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Gab checked on me when we both stepped inside the house. It looked like there was no one here beside us.

"Okay lang ako. Medyo masakit lang ang katawan ko pero keri lang naman," sabi ko at naglakad patungo sa kusina, bitbit ang laylayan ng damit. "Umakyat kana doon sa kwarto mo. Kukuha lang ako ng tubig."

Hindi ito umalis bagkus ay sinundan niya ako sa kusina. "Nauuhaw ka rin ba?" tanong ko nang hindi pa rin ito umaalis. Binuksan ko ang ref at kinuha ang pitsel. I poured water on the glass and drank it all out. Ang sarap, sobra! Parang manamis-namis ang tubig.

He took the pitcher and poured water on the glass where I drank. Inisang lagok niya ang laman ng baso. Uhaw na uhaw din siguro ito sa buong araw na acting-an.

For a while, no one spoke. We just kept staring at each other like we're trying to read each other's minds. One thing is for sure, I can't read his thoughts.

He started walking towards me. I took a few steps back, but he also kept taking few steps closer. One step back and my back slammed against the wall. He was few inches away. Halos magkalapit din ang aming mga mukha.

"G-Gab," I asked, my voice shaking. I pressed my hands against his chest. "Don't t-tell me..."

I couldn't finish my sentence. I only managed to scream and paddled my feet so he could put me down as he carried me in his arms.

"Hey! Put me down!" I shouted at him. Hindi ito nagsasalita kaya naman nakaramdam ako ng kaba sa maaari niyang gawin.

He climbed the stairs slowly. I couldn't do anything else but to wrap my arms around his neck, or else I'd fall getting away from him.

"Anong b-binabalak mo?" kandautal ko. I looked at his blank face. I can't see any indication that he's making fun of me or if he's about to do something unthinkable.

I stopped making any attempt to let go from him. I relaxed a bit and shifted my thoughts to the door in front of us. Ang alam ko ay ito ang magiging kwarto ko at ang kasunod na kwarto ay sa kaniya.

The door creaked when he slowly opened it. Fragrant smell of flowers and expensive perfumes filled my nostrils. Napansin ko din ang mga petals na nakakalat sa sahig at sa kama. Napaka-romantic ng set-up, kulang nalang ng dalawang taong in love na ready na maglampungan.

"Okay. Whose idea is this?" I asked. Imposibleng kay Gab 'to.

"Your mom and aunt set this up," he simply answered like it's nothing to think about.

I raised my brow. "Sila din ba nagturo sa'yo na ipangko ako patungo dito?"

He chuckled. "No. It was my idea to carry you like this."

He moved his arms a little that made my heart go wild. I thought he was going to put me down harshly. When I felt like he was trying to relax his muscles, I calmed a bit. He was breathing heavily. Sobrang bigat ko ba?

He walked slowly towards the bed.

"Were you surprised?" he asked, putting me gently on the bed. I sat up and composed myself.

"A big time!" I exclaimed. "Hindi ka man lang nagsasalita kaya kinabahan talaga ako. You just carried me without telling me what's going on! How do you expect me to react?" I snapped and rolled my eyes at him.

"You said your body is aching all over, so I carried you like that para hindi kana mapagod kakaakyat sa hagdan," sabi niya at umupo sa tabi ko. Napapitlag ako dahil sa sobrang lapit niya. Nararamdaman ko pa ang braso niyang bahagyang nadikit sa braso ko. "Nagustuhan mo ba ang hinanda nila?" Nilibot niya ang paningin at binalik sa akin.

I cocked my head to the side and slowly nodded. Maganda naman talaga kaso ay hindi rin naman mai-enjoy ito.

"Okay lang," nasabi ko.

He let out a chuckle. "You don't sound like you really like it."

"Bakit? Ikaw ba nagustuhan mo ang hinanda nila?"

Tinukod niya ang dalawang palad sa kama at bahagyang lumiyad. "Okay lang," gaya niya sa reaksyon ko.

I sneered at him. "You just copied my answer!" I sighed. "Sometimes, I don't really understand you, Attorney. I can't seem to read your mind," I said with a half-smile.

He licked his lower lip before turning his gaze to me. He was smiling wide that later turned into a smirk.

"What part do you not understand?"

"I invoke my right against self-incrimination," mahinang sabi ko pero may diin.

He laughed deliciously. I can't keep a serious face while watching him laugh. In time, I joined him. Hindi ko alam kung nakuha ba talaga niya ang ibig kong sabihin. He kept sending signals that I couldn't interpret so I always misunderstand some of his actions.

"Okay. I won't ask anymore," pagsuko nito. "Do you want to eat something?"

I shook my head. "I'm not hungry. Gusto ko nalang matulog."

Hinubad ko ang sandals at inisa-isang kinuha sa buhok ko ang mga pins. Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Gab na tumutulong din sa pagtanggal ng mga pins sa bandang likod na hindi ko abot at inayos ang pagkakabuhol ng buhok nang lumaon.

"Will you be fine here?" tanong niya pa habang iniipit sa tenga ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok. Ito na talaga. Sure na nga dito ako matutulog.

"Oo naman," sagot ko. "Pero saan na kaya ang mga gamit ko?" I roamed my eyes around the room to see if my things are here.

"They didn't actually send any of your clothes," sabi ni Gab.

"W-Why?"

He pouted his lips while thinking. "They told me the purpose of clothes is to be taken off on the wedding night..." he grinned. "So, why would bother to send one?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. I covered my ears, not wanting to hear more. Polluted na masyado ang utak ng madlang people. Ayoko nang madamay pa.

He held my hands and put them down, laughing. "I'm done talking."

"What will I wear tonight?" mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ko. Bukas ko pa siguro matatawagan si Mommy para maghatid ng gamit ko. Ang akala ko talaga ay nandito na. Mas inuna pa talaga ng magaling kong ina at tiyahin na mag-set up ng kwarto kaysa sa mga gamit na gagamitin ko habang nakatira dito.

"Hey. Don't worry. I'll let you borrow some of my clothes," banayad niyang sabi.

Salamat naman kung ganoon. I can't keep wearing this gown until next day. Pakiramdam ko ang dungis ko at ang baho. Kailangan ko munang maligo bago matulog

Iniwan niya akong mag-isa sa kwarto at mayamaya dumating na rin ang damit para sa akin. Isang oversized blue shirt at black shorts.

Naligo muna ako ng mga isang oras lang naman bago humiga sa kama na para sana sa aming dalawa ni Gab. Tahimik ang buong kabahayan at ang ingay ng aircon ang tanging naririnig ko.

Oh my God. I'm married. Can anyone believe it? I touched the ring on my finger. Who would have thought I'll get married to a man I barely know? I didn't have any doubt that the plan will get busted up this time. Walang anumang alinlangan na matutuloy nga.

What would Aldrin feel after seeing me today? Magiging masaya ba siya para sa akin? Ang malas lang dahil hindi siya nakadalo. Gusto ko pa sanang ipaglandakan sa harap nilang dalawa ni Fatima na kinakasal ako.

Ano kayang iniisip ng asawa ko sa kabilang kwarto? Napahagikgik ako. Siguro ay nagsasaya na ito ngayon dahil nagtagumpay ang plano nito.

I got up from bed and looked for the pair of slippers Gab had given me. Nang makita ay sinuot ko agad iyon at tumayo. I tiptoed walking out the room, being careful not to create any noise. Kahit na alam kong napakalaki nitong bahay at imposibleng marinig ako ni Gab sa kabilang kwarto ay mainam pa rin na mag-ingat ako sa pagkilos.

I was able to take steps properly when I was going down the stairs. The living room was dark but not the kitchen area. I wonder if he was purposely leaving the lights on there at night. Kukuha lang naman ako ng tubig dahil nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko. Hindi rin ako makatulog kahit pakiramdam ko naman ay pagod ako.

I saw Gab slowly sipping his coffee. He was sitting on the high chair facing the kitchen entrance that made him look directly at me when I popped up.

"Hey," he greeted.

He looked surprised seeing me. I didn't mind him and just opened the refrigerator. I took out the pitcher and went near him. I grabbed a glass and poured water into it. Umupo na rin ako sa highchair katulad ng pwesto namin kagabi.

"Hi," sabi ko sa mababang boses. "Can't sleep?"

He shook his head. "I told you I've become nocturnal, so I am usually working at this hour. But I can't seem to work tonight."

Muntik na akong nasamid sa iniinom. What did he mean by that? He can still work if he wanted to.

"I couldn't get used to the idea that somebody is staying here tonight apart from myself."

"You really sound weird and creepy," I told him and tittered.

He let out a smile. "Mag-isa lang akong nakatira dito simula noong binisita ko ang bahay na ito. But tonight, it just feels different."

Napangiwi ako.

"Bakit? Hindi ka ba sanay na may kasama?" I asked.

Napatiim bagang siya at huminga nang malalim. "Since my mother died, I started working things out myself. Sanay akong nag-iisa sa buhay, Tiffany. Nights like this isn't ordinary."

Tumikhim ako. "Nandito naman ako kagabi. So, it wasn't ordinary too?"

"Pero hindi ka dito natulog."

"Anong pinagkaiba?" I asked. "I see, you are not alone. I saw your friends and how you treat them. May kasama ka sa journey mo sa buhay. Hindi ka naman talaga nag-iisa. Maliban siguro sa pagtulog, ganoon."

He laughed out loud. "Basically, I'm not alone during the day but I am at night."

"I'm pretty sure you just spend the night working what you do in the daytime. How are your day and night different then? They look the same to me." I laughed a little. I heard him laugh, too. "The next day comes and you're not alone again."

He laughed again. "That's how my days go apparently."

"It'll be just a little different now. Oh, no. For a year to be exact," I said, smiling.

"My nights won't be as cold as before," he seriously said, looking away.

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

I didn't understand what he said. I let my mind process and I didn't like what I was thinking. I was not sure if he's thinking the same and I didn't want him thinking that I sort of knew what he meant. I quickly ignored it. I remember we talked over this. And, getting physical is out of this ordeal.

"Kailangan na kitang basbasan ng holy water."

He cleared his throat then buried his jaw in his palm. Ang siko nito ay tinukod sa counter. "What's the holy water for?"

He smiled innocently like he didn't mean what I thought he meant. I let out a deep breath, getting rid of the negative energy.

"Nothing," I replied.

Inubos ko ang tubig sa baso. Tinawanan lamang niya ang sinabi ko.

"Be faithful while we're at it and no sex," I reminded him.

"Okay, babe," nakangising sabi niya.

"I think we found an endearment," hagikgik ko. I sounded like a child. "Babe."

The side of his lips rose. "All right. But do we really need that?" seryosong tanong niya.

"Oo naman! How do you expect people to believe us kung wala naman tayong ka-sweetan sa katawan? Kailangan natin yan lalo na at bagong kasal tayo."

May tawagan nga ang mga walang label, kaming pa kayang mag-asawa? I mean, wala naman talaga kaming label pero mag-asawa pa rin kami sa papel.

"Hindi raw tatagal ang magkarelasyon kung babe ang tawagan," he said, half smiling. "Maghihiwalay daw agad."

"Saan mo ba napulot 'yan?" tawa ko.

Bakit ang hilig nito sa mga kwentong kalye, pamahiin at kung anung-ano walang basehan? "If it's true, then it's not something to worry about. Doon naman talaga tayo papunta."

His lips formed a line. Biglang sumeryoso ang mukha. May nakakainis ba sa sinabi ko?

Tila alinlangan itong tumango. "Inaantok kana ba?"

I shifted awkwardly in my chair. "Medyo."

"Let's go back to our rooms. Shall we?" aya niya sa akin.

Hinugasan ko muna ang mga tasang ginamit namin. Pagkatapos no'n, sabay kaming umakyat sa hagdan.

"No bridal carry this time?" I joked. I took one step up and faced him. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin.

He smiled a bit. "Are you asking for it?" balik tanong niya.

I shook my head. "Parang hindi na ganoon ka-thrilling dahil may permission na." I continued taking steps without looking back.

I stopped for a moment and saw Gab quickly taking steps up until he got near me. We reached the second floor and stood side by side without taking our eyes off each other. Dahan-dahan kaming lumakad papalapit sa kwarto at tumigil pansamantala sa labas.

"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" he asked.

I shook my head. Wala akong balak gawin buong araw bukas kundi ang matulog at kumain hanggang sa tamarin. Doon na ako makakaisip ng mas magandang gagawin. Hindi rin pwedeng bumalik sa hacienda sa kabila dahil baka isipin ni Mommy na may problema kaming dalawa ng asawa ko.

"Birthday mo pala bukas. Anong magandang gawin? Anong gusto mong kainin?" sunud-sunod na tanong ko.

Siguradong dalawa lang kami ni Gab dito sa buong lingo dahil sinabihan yata ni Mommy ang mga tauhan na huwag kaming isturbuhin. Ibig sabihin, walang magluluto para sa amin. Pero ang nakakagulat ay may lamang groceries kanina sa ref nang binuksan ko. Hindi ko natanong si Gab kung saan galing ang mga iyon. Si Mommy din ba ang gumawa no'n?

"You will cook for me?" tanong nito na tila nang-aarok. He leaned his side on the wall.

"It's not like I really need to cook to make salad, right?" I let out a chuckle.

Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi para pigilan ang tawa.

"You almost got me here," he uttered. "Don't worry about the cooking. I'll do it. Just watch me work," he said, messing up my hair.

Inayos ko ang ginulong buhok. "Nakakahiya naman na ikaw pa ang magluluto sa araw pa ng birthday mo."

He gave me a serious look. "I told you don't have to worry about that."

I sighed. "B-but..."

He cut me off. "Today was already more than enough you could do for me," sabi niya at lumapit sa akin. He was reaching for my face, but he stepped back before he could do it. "And I thank you for that."

I gulped and waited for him to speak more while he kept staring at me. I plastered a smile.

"Okay. Sabi mo eh. Baka kasi malason ka pa kapag kinain mo ang anumang lulutuin ko," I joked.

He let out a chuckle. "You'll learn that skill in no time. No need to rush."

"Sabi ko nga," I muttered.

He chuckled even more.

He drew closer to me. "Good night, babe," he huskily whispered that made me gulp for no reason.

He entered his room first. Napasandal ako sa dingding at natulala ng ilang segundo bago pumasok sa sarili kong kwarto.

This wedding night is ridiculous!