CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

HAVING THE thought of asking Gab for marriage and actually doing it are definitely two different things.

Charles has been staring at the computer for hours now, trying to find articles and videos about wedding proposals. He wanted to ask Anurak but the guy is busy with his family. Si Wynter naman ay kasalukuyang kasama ang nobyo nito na nasa Pilipinas.

Biglang pumasok si Narae sa kwarto niya. "You know, if you wanna propose, just propose as simple as you want. Yung mismong tanong na Will you be my partner for the rest of my life? lang naman ang pinakamahalaga."

Charles sighed before closing the tabs connected to his proposal. He then turned his chair to face Narae. "How's your plan for the sixth anniversary?"

Pabagsak na humiga ang dalaga sa kama niya. "Wala pa akong maisip na theme. We already did our common red and black last year. White and black for our third anniv. Black and gold for the second. And plain black for our first." Nilingon siya nito. "Oppa, help." She even pouted, making Charles sigh.

"The designs and themes are your forte, Narae. You could've asked Wyn or An."

Narae gave him a duh look. "And you think I didn't try that?" Charles just shrugged, also trying to think of options. Bigla naman siyang napaigta nang marinig na tumili si Narae. He was going to ask her what was wrong when she spoke, "I know! I know! I know!"

Charles raised an eyebrow as he listens to his friend's idea. Saka lang siya naliwanagan sa gusto nitong iparating.

ANGELO WENT inside his sister's office after her secretary told him to. Nakita niyang nasa swivel chair ang dalaga at nakaharap sa bintana. She turned around and signaled him to sit on the visitor's chair.

"How are you, Hermano?"

He smiled at her. "Muy bien, Emy. How about you?"

"Doing great. Kumusta kayo ni Dom?"

His face fell at the mention of his name. Naalala na naman niya ang isang taong walang kibo mula kay Charles. Pagkatapos ng nangyari sa kanila ay hindi na muli siya nitong pinansin. He didn't want to look desperate so he did the same. Hindi niya pinakelaman ang buhay nito, at hindi rin siya nito pinakelaman.

"So you two haven't really made it easier for each other, hmm?" Napailing na lang ang kapatid niya. "And I'm guessing that he hasn't told you the truth about the wedding that almost happened between us." Napakunot naman ang noo niya sa sinabi ng kapatid. "I did not tell you about that simply because I thought he'll be doing it but as I watch you stuck in that kind of situation, it worries me."

"What are you talking about?"

Wynter took a deep breath before she began talking. "The wedding... It was really supposed to end up like that. There was no union whatsoever. The priest wasn't really a priest but was an agent acting like one. I messed with Narae and Anurak's flights for them to miss the ceremony. Everyone in that church, except for Dom, knows that it was a mission, not a wedding."

Nakatulala lang siya habang nakikinig sa sinasabi ng kapatid. He was trying to take in the information given to him.

"In short, it was all planned. I didn't wanna marry my best friend and most of all, I never wanted to hurt my brother. Wala na akong pakealam noon kung magalit kayo sa akin, ang mahalaga ay magawa ko yung sa tingin ko ay tama para maprotektahan ko kayo. Para maprotektahan ko ang kaligayahan niyong dalawa."

Ilang minuto silang nanatiling tahimik hanggang sa makuha na niya lahat ng ibig sabihin ng kapatid. "Wait, so you mean to say... you never really wanted to be with him? You don't love him—"

"I do. As my best friend—"

"What I mean is—"

Mahinang natawa ang kapatid niya na ikinatigil niya. "I'm kidding, Hermano. I knew what you meant. I was just messing with you." Napangiti na lamang si Wynter saka tumingin sa kanya. "Now that you understand what happened, are you still not gonna talk to him? After all, he was really a mess back when you left him."

Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kapatid. "You made us believe that you were really gonna marry him."

Napakamot naman ng batok ang kapatid. "My bad. It was all part of the plan, Hermano. Please forgive me."

Napabuga na lang ng hangin si Angelo saka nakangiting naiiling. "Past is past, Hermanita. Ang mahalaga ay okay na kayong lahat and that you don't love him romantically."

Mahinang natawa ang babae. "So what's your plan now?"

Angelo shrugged. "I have no idea."

Wynter was going to say something when her phone suddenly rang. "Excuse me, Hermano." Tinanguan lang naman niya ang kapatid at hinayaang sagutin ang tawag. "What's up?—Hmm?—And?—Sure, it's fine with me—Tell him to man up or else I'll kick his ass." Biglang natawa ang kapatid niya. "Whatever. We'll be there at the end of the week—Duh, I'm one of the owners, little miss." Wynter rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Adios." Nang matapos ang tawag ay tiningnan siya nito. "LUST DAWN's sixth anniversary is coming by so soon. And just like last year, Narae wanted you to handle the drinks. How about experimenting with new ones? Pandagdag attraction sa customers."

Angelo smiled as he nodded. "You won't be disappointed. I'm almost done perfecting my third drink."

His sister gave him a smile. "That's good to hear. We'll travel to Thailand at exactly three o'clock in the afternoon this coming Saturday. Aayusin ko lang muna ang schedule ko."

"Sure. Is there anything else you want to say to me?"

Wynter's face lit up as if she remembered something. "Ah yes. Remember when Dad sent you to the US and told you that you needed training because you'll be entering our world?"

"Yeah. It helped me a lot. My training continued last year after coming back here. What about it?"

"I asked him to send you there and train you well."

"Oh. So should I thank you?"

Wynter signaled him to remain quiet. "I'm still not finished, Hermano. As I was saying, I was the one responsible for that suggestion. Wanna know why?" Tumango na lamang siya. "Because the Vazquez-Williams union is still a must."

Napatulala siya sa narinig. "A-Am I thinking it correctly? A-Are my assumptions right?"

Wynter nodded. "I do think that we're thinking of the same thing."

Slowly, he nodded his head. "A-Anything else you wanna... tell me?"

Umiling naman ang babae. "I've told you everything. You may now leave and do whatever you want."

Ilang saglit ang dumaan saka siya ngumiti na lang bago tumayo. "Well then, see you later. Autumn's cooking dinner."

"I'll be there."

Akmang lalabas na siya ng opisina nito nang may maalala siya. "How about you bring your boyfriend with you?"

Wynter rolled her eyes. "Get out, Hermano."

Natatawang lumabas ng kwarto si Angelo. He picked up his phone and called Narae. "Hey, are you busy? Remember when you planned for the LD's anniversary last year? Can I ask you a favor?"

TIME REALLY is fast. It's finally the sixth anniversary of LUST DAWN, and nobody's coming in.

Angelo frowned at what he's seeing in front of him. Naka-set up naman ang lahat. Their theme is black and blue. May nakalagay na welcome sign sa malaking screen ng club, nakaayos ang mga tablecloth, and tugtog nila ay maayos na rin. Ang alam niya ay customers na lang ang kulang sa loob para makapagsimula na ang event pero ni isa ay walang pumapasok.

"Are you sure that you gave the invitations?" tanong ni Anurak kay Narae. Mukhang kahit ito ay naguguluhan sa nangyayari.

"Duh! Of course, I did. Humigit kumulang isang daan ang inimbitahan kong members," nakasimangot na saad ng dalaga.

"Maybe the date was wrong? Or the time?" Wynter pointed out.

"Baka naman nakalimutan ni Narae na ilagay mismong yung date at oras. Hindi lang mali, kundi wala talaga roon," salita naman ni Charles.

Narae glared at those two. "I've been doing this event for the last five years, thanks for asking."

"Edi anong mali?" pagod na tanong no Anurak saka yumupyop sa isa sa mga lamesa.

Everyone sighed, including him. Baka naman ang totoo ay may kakompitensya na ang club ng mga kaibigan niya. Muling napabuntong hininga si Angelo. "I'll just go to the comfort room."

Bigla namang nagtaas ng kamay si Anurak. "Imma go too. Pakiramdam ko andami kong ilalabas pagkatapos kong laklakin yung isang pitsel ng tubig kahihintay eh."

Mahina na lang siyang natawa saka naglakad kasabay ang lalake. "So, how's married life?"

Anurak instantly smiled. "Great. It's actually life-changing. Tough but as long as we can handle each other's attitude and respect each other's decisions, we can easily overcome the challenges." Tumingin naman ito sa sa kanya. "How about you? When are you getting married? When would you wanna have kids?"

"Once I get enough courage to ask him." He let out a small smile.

Anurak softly patted his shoulder. "Good luck then. Though decide fast at baka maunahan pa kayo ni Wynter," natatawang sabi nito.

He also chuckled. "I can't believe she finally wanted to settle down."

"No one can predict anyone's future. Kahit naman ako, hindi ko naisip na gugustuhin kong magpakasal."

Naiiling na lang na nakangiti si Angelo saka tumuloy sa loob ng CR, kasunod naman niya si Anurak. At nang matapos sila ay sabay rin silang bumalik sa event only to see the place in a very different set-up.

As if on cue, someone stood up on the stage and strum the guitar. "Hey, Hermano. This song is for you," nakangiting sabi ni Wynter habang nasa tapat ng mic.

Mukhang wala nang magawa ang tatlo kaya ito ang napagdiskitahan. Angelo stood there while smilingly watching his little sing and play the guitar.

Can I call you baby?

Can you be my friend?

Can you be my lover up until the very end?

Let me show you love, oh, I don't pretend

Stick by my side even when the world is givin' in, yeah

Sumunod naman niyang nakitang umakyat ng stage sina Narae at Anurak habang may hawak ding mic. Saka lang niya napansing wala na pala sa tabi niya ang kaninang kausap niya lang.

Oh, oh, oh, don't

Don't you worry

I'll be there, whenever you want me

But what shocked him was the voice of the next singer. It was his Nick.

I need somebody who can love me at my worst

No, I'm not perfect, but I hope you see my worth

'Cause it's only you, nobody new, I put you first

And for you, boy, I swear I'll do the worst

He was staring at him as he continued singing the song. The spotlights were on him and Charles. He didn't know but the message of the song hit him directly to his heart. It was as if Charles was really saying those words to him.

Dahan-dahan itong naglakad papalapit sa kanya. Wynter continued playing the guitar and still did when Charles stopped in front of him.

He was no longer singing but was still holding the mic close to his lips. "Mr. Angelo Gabrielle Cortez, I'm really not that huge fan of speeches and preparations, that would be Wynter and Narae. I am also not that sweet and romantic when it comes to these things, that would be Anurak. But lately, I've realized... it's not them that got your attention during your college days. It wasn't them that you pursued all these years. You love them but not romantically speaking. In short, they're not me." Mahinang natawa si Angelo sa pinagsasasabi nito. "All I wanted to say is that—" Charles knelt down on one knee and raised his one arm towards him. An arm whose hand was holding a ring. "—I want to be with you, and I promise to love you more than you could ever love me. I don't want more fear of losing you again. So, Angelo Gabrielle Cortez, would you give me the honor of marrying you?"

Naiiyak na napangiti si Angelo. He never expected this to happen so fast. He was planning his own proposal for Pete's sake. Sadyang naunahan lang siya ng lalakeng nakaluhod ngayon sa harapan niya. "I'm supposed to be the one to ask you that, Nick. Mas patay na patay ako sayo, diba?" natatawang saad niya.

Hindi naman naiwasan ni Charles na mahinang matawa rin. "Just say yes first, and do your own proposal next time."

With tears flowing on his cheek, Angelo nodded. "Yes. I'm saying yes, so stand up and kiss the hell out of me—"

Angelo's words were cut off with Charles' lips on his. He could hear his friends cheering and clapping for them but didn't heed any attention. He was just in glee as he kissed the man of his dreams.