CARMEN

Every third Saturday of the month ang scheduled visit ni Edward kay Zac so I invited Michelle if she would like to come with me sa Quezon City.

She readily agreed.

On a cool November morning, the two of us braved the midday traffic.

      "Anong meron sa QC?" Inalis niya ang tingin sa kalsada.

      "It's a surprise." Sinulyapan ko siya.

      She looked so lovely in a striped black and gold haltertop, black fitting jeans, silver hoop earrings and rose colored lipstick.

"Is it a nice surprise?" Kumikinang ang mga mata niya.

      "I hope so."

      Matagal ko na siyang gustong yayain but I know she was busy with Zac's basketball practice and shopping for the upcoming holiday season so hindi ko muna siya kinulit.

      I finally found an opportunity when she mentioned she had nothing to do and asked if I would like to come over to her place.

When we reached BF Homes, it was almost noon.

Kahit mataas ang sikat ng araw, malamig naman ang simoy ng hangin kaya hindi maalinsangan.

Pinarada ko ang sasakyan sa tapat ng isang bakanteng lote at pinatay ang makina.

      "We're here." Nakangiting sabi ko kay Michelle bago binuksan ang pinto para bumaba.

      Sumunod siya sa akin at tumayo sa tabi ko.

      "Anong ginagawa natin dito?" Tiningnan niya ang lote.

      "You are looking at the site of our future home." I spread my arms at the vast expanse of land.

      "Our future home?"

      "That is only if you want to."

      "Hindi ko maintindihan. Tagalugin mo kaya?"

      "Nag-usap na kami ni Mama na it would be better kung titira kami malapit kina Christine at Charles."
      "Lilipat kayo sa QC?"

      "Yes."

      "Eh papaano ang bahay ninyo sa Cavite?"

      "We are going to sell it."

      "Eh di ba dun kayo lumaki?" Napansin ko ang panghihinayang sa tono niya.     

      "Oo." Inakbayan ko siya.

      "But Mama made a good point when she said na mas magiging madali sa kanya ang pumunta sa mga appointments niya sa Santos Gen kung dito kami titira. Isa pa, gusto niya ding makasama ang mga apo niya. Bihira niya lang makita ang mga ito lalo na kung busy sila sa school."

      Hinawakan ko siya sa braso at hinarap sa akin.

      "If I live here, mapapalapit ako sa'yo. Ayaw mo ba nun?"

      "Siyempre gusto ko."

      "Yun naman pala eh. When you're ready, gusto ko sana na magsama na tayo."

      Kumunot ang noo niya.

      "Teka. Tama ba ang narinig ko?"
      "I only mentioned it twice."

      Napaisip siya.

      "You don't have to think about it now." Pinisil ko ang kamay niya.

      "It will probably take a year bago maitayo ang bahay. You have plenty of time to decide." Tumigil ako saglit sa pagsasalita. "That is if you still feel the same way for me. Kung hindi naman, I'd probably ask my new girlfriend to move in with me."

      Sumimangot siya tapos bigla na lang akong hinataw sa braso.

      "New girlfriend pala ha?" Di pa siya nakuntento sa paghataw, kinurot pa ako ng pinong-pino sa tagiliran.

      "Aray naman." Iniwas ko ang katawan ko pero hindi siya bumitaw.

      "I'm just kidding." Hinuli ko ang kamay niya at hinawakan siya ng mahigpit para hindi niya na ako kurutin.

      "Michelle, I'm serious about you. I want to build a life with you and Zac. Gusto kong makasama ka not just during the weekend or kung kelan tayo pwedeng magkita. I want stability. If you will let me, I want you and Zac to live with me."

      Umamo ang itsura ng mukha niya.

      Bigla niya na lang akong niyakap ng mahigpit at ng bitawan niya ako, nangingilid ang luha niya.

      "I feel like you're proposing to me." Pinahid niya ang luha ng daliri niya.

      "It's the closest I could do to proposing." Hinawi ko ang buhok na tumakip sa pisngi niya.

      "Kung gusto mo lang naman. I know you have a lot to think about and I don't want to pressure you. I'm not going anywhere anyway."

      "Kung alam mo lang na iyon din ang gusto ko."

      "Really?"

      "Oo naman. Gusto kitang alagaan and I only get to do that when you spend time with me tuwing Friday. It's not enough pero I need timing. Isa pa, I have to talk to Zac. Alam mo naman yun di ba?"

      "Of course I do. Kaya nga gusto kong pag-isipan mo ang sinabi ko. I know he's your priority and gusto kong maging happy din siya sa decision mo. His welfare is important. I don't want to stressed him out lalo na if we'll be living together. Gusto kong maging comfortable siya sa presence ko."

      Hinawakan ni Michelle ang pisngi ko.

      "How did I get to be so lucky?"

      Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at hinalikan siya sa palad.

      "I feel the same way."

      After QC, pumunta kami sa BGC where we had lunch sa Cocina Peruvia.

      We both wanted to try something new and when we saw the restaurant, hinila ko siya papasok.

      We ordered Enchalada Con Quinoa, Mixto Patacones, Lomo Saltado, deep fried ribs, watermelon and mango shake.

      While waiting for our order, I asked if there was something she needed.

      "Time."

      "What?"

      "Sana there are more than 24 hours in a day para magawa ko ang mga bagay na dapat kong gawin."

      Her hand was on the table so I took it in mine.

      "You work too hard. When was the last time you went on vacation?"

      "Vacation? Ano iyon?"

      "Why don't we go on a trip one time? Tayong dalawa lang."

      "As if naman pwedeng mangyari iyon."

      "Babe, it's possible if you want to."

      "What if hanapin ako ni Zac?"      

      "Of course he will. But we can arrange something. We'll be gone for the weekend lang naman. Balik na din tayo ng Sunday if you want."

      "You really want me to go on a trip ano?"

      "I want you to take a break kahit saglit lang. You worked too hard and it will do you good kung magrelax ka once in a while."

      "Saan mo naman ako balak dalhin?"
      "Sa biglang liko."     

      Hinampas niya ang kamay ko.

      "Ouch! Joke lang." Hinimas ko ang kamay ko.

      "I'm thinking we can go to Batangas. There's a resort there with a spa. We can get a massage, swim, meditate and..." Nilingon ko ang paligid bago binulong ang gusto kong sabihin.

      "Ikaw talaga."

      "Don't you want to? It will just be the two of us. Walang iistorbo sa atin."

      Kinagat niya ang labi at pinigil na tumawa.

      "I like that you have these all planned out."  

      "I want to make you happy."

      "I know you do at yun din naman ang gusto ko. Tingnan ko muna ang budget ko."

      "You don't have to worry about that. I'll take care of everything."

      Umiling siya.

      "If we are going to live together, I want to things right. Gusto ko na fair and square ang lahat."

      "Is that even possible?"

      "It's doable. Zac is my responsibility and it's only right na I take care of his needs."

      "Michelle, I think you are forgetting something very important."

      "Ano iyon?"
      "There will be two of us. That means we share the responsibilities. You're not going to be alone anymore."

      "I'm sorry. It's just that I've been doing this by myself for a long time."

      "Kaya nga. Don't exclude me out. I want to take care of you and Zac too. Ibig sabihin, we make decisions together. If you want to add Edward to the equation and he wants to be involved, I'm fine with that. Siya ang tatay ni Zac and nothing will change that."
      "Carmen, lalo akong nai-inlove sa'yo." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

      "I hope you stay in love with me forever."

      After lunch, the two of us walked around the area.

      We got to see the artworks and ate ice cream in the park.

      Umupo kaming dalawa while watching other people walking by.

      It was the first proper date we had together and I enjoyed every minute I was with her.

      She told me how excited she was about our plans.

      "Sana walang kumontra." She popped the tip of the ice cream cone in her mouth.

      "Let's pray that the universe is on our side."

      "With the way things our going, feeling ko nakikiayon naman ang tadhana." She took my hand and interlaced our fingers.

      "I've been very happy with you, Carmen. I don't want any of this to end."
      "Sana nga."

      We left the park at around five in the afternoon.

      I was tired but my heart overflowed with happiness.

      Sharing my long-term plans with her took the weight off my chest because the truth was, I was scared she wouldn't agree.

      Knowing she wanted the same things made everything easy.

      Pinarada ko ang sasakyan sa gilid ng apartment nila and the two of us got out.

      Nakangiti si Michelle habang kinukuha ang susi sa purse niya but when she touched the doorknob, she looked at me with a confused look on her face.

      "What's wrong?"

      "Di nakalock ang pinto." Nag-aalalang sabi niya.

      "Maybe someone's home?"
      "Ewan ko. Di pa naman uuwi sina Yaya hanggang bukas."

      Katatapos niya lang magsalita ng biglang bumukas ang pinto.