Melt the Melted

"Auntie, I finally realized why Archer didn't want to go inside my apartment the other night!"

"Do I need to ask why—"

"Dahil sa panty ko, Auntie!" I bawled. "And bras! I mean, bakit? 'Di ba niya gusto 'yung kulay—"

"Snooki!"

"—e makikita niya rin naman—"

"Henilza!"

Humagalpak ako ng tawa. "'Di ka na nasanay sa 'kin, Antonette!"

Napahawak si Auntie sa dibdib niya at sumimangot nang nakapikit. Umiling siya 'tsaka nagpatuloy sa ginagawa niyang flower arrangement.

Narito kami sa labas ng shed at nakapalibot sa mahabang lamesa kasama sina Mrs. Boyers at Harper. Nag-aayos sila ng bulaklak. Ako rin naman, pero 'di nila ako pinagagawa ng tulad ng sa kanila. Pakiramdam ko nga, binigyan lang ako ng maliliit na bulaklak para may mapaglaruan ako rito sa isang tabi at manahimik. Pero ayos lang naman, it reminded me of Snooki Magic.

"Auntie, do you know where your boyfriend is?" I gave her a soft nudge. I wanna add something about my boyfriend, too, pero kasi, 'di pa rin ako sure kung meron nga!

"Who?"

"Uncle Benj, of course! Grabe, Auntie, 'di ka talaga nagmana sa akin. Dapat gagaya ka sa 'kin, para mabaliw ang mga men!"

Nangisi si Auntie at napailing. Iyong hitsura niya ay parang may naisip na panlalait sa 'kin. I knew it! With that face, I was so sure of it! Kaya pinisil ko ang bibil niya.

"Snooks!" Tinampal niya ang kamay ko. "Hindi ko alam nasan ang tiyuhin mo! O, bakit ikaw hindi mo alam kung nasaan si Archer?"

I gritted my teeth. Aba, aba! At binabalikan ako? Ang masakit pa, 'di ko naman boyfriend si Archer!

Nilingon ko ang gawi kung saan nanggaling ang nagkukwentuhang lalaki. Naka-plaid polo si Uncle at may suot na cowboy hat. 'Di pa siya nakikita ni Auntie, pero malamang manghihina itong si Tonette paglapit nila. Ang guwapo ni Uncle, e!

Si Archer ay nakaitim na shirt naman ngayon. Maayos na ang buhok niya, na parang nilagyan ng pomade pagkaligo. Nakatingin siya sa dinadaanan habang nakikinig sa sinasabi ni Uncle. At bago pa niya ako makitang pinanonood sila, tinutukan ko na ulit 'tong kaharap kong mga bulaklak.

Nang hindi ko kinaya ang emosyon ay sinandal ko ang baba ko sa balikat ni Auntie. Ngumiwi ako at saka bumulong sa kanya, "Tonette, kinukuha ni Archer ang lakas ko! Please, pagalitan mo po siya."

Tonette wiggled her shoulders to shake me off. Like she didn't already know I clung good and better than Cornelia.

"How were you able to lie-low at work?" Uncle asked Archer. His voice was distant, so it was pretty low.

"Grazie."

"Ah," reacted Uncle, implying he already understood the meaning behind that one mention of a woman's name. Who's Grazie?

Shet. Ito na ba ang first fight namin? Ready na ba akong magselos?

"She's Archer's ex-lover and a colleague," mahinang sagot ni Auntie. Bumilis tibok ng puso ko dahil nasabi ko pala 'yon nang malakas! "Siya pa lang ang naging nobya niyang Archer mo."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Imbes na magselos ay patago akong kinilig sa sinabi ni Auntie. It was as if she didn't want me to get bothered, but she also wanted to tell facts for me to know as early as now.

"But that woman, Grazie, really is that one word that rhymes with her name. She's crazy," dagdag pa ni Auntie. "That's why she's never for Archer."

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Gusto ko pa sanang magtanong kaso nandito na sina Uncle. Paniguradong maririnig na ni Archer lahat ng sasabihin ko.

Tinapik ni Uncle ang balikat ni Auntie. "Antonette, kagagaling lang namin mula sa greenhouse. Gusto mo bang pumunta? Naro'n pa si Elias."

I shrieked a little because I want to see it as well. "I wanna go, too—"

My voice and excitement slowly faded as I saw Archer pursing his amused lips and subtly shaking his head as if to imply something.

"Ah, psh, later na lang pala ako!" dagdag ko tuloy.

Tumango naman si Archer na parang sinasabing, good choice. At agree naman ako, dahil 'di ba nga, pinili ko siya. Kekeke.

Sumama si Auntie kay Uncle pabalik sa greenhouse. Archer stayed here with me. He picked a sunflower on the table and spun it through its stem. I wasn't sure why, but there was hesitation on his face.

"Snooki, do you wanna follow them now?" he asked unsurely.

I gave him a weird look and answered him rather unsurely as well, "Yeah, sure."

Nagpaalam kami kay Mrs. Boyers na susunod kami papunta sa greenhouse. Ihahatid pa sana kami ni Harper pero alam naman na ni Archer ang daan.

When the sun rays hit my face, there I realized what was about to happen. Scenes of realization entered my laggy brain as my pupils slowly dilated.

"Oh my gosh! Magpo-propose na si Uncle, 'no?!"

Natatawang binasa ni Archer ang labi niya at saka iyon kinagat. Tumango naman siya.

"Inaayos kahapon 'yong greenhouse kaya hindi natin napuntahan. We were there with Elias a while ago to double check the place."

Papalapit na kami sa lugar at unti-unti ko nang natanaw ang glass structure noong lugar. I now realized why Uncle chose to propose in there. The glasshouse takes the shape of a dome, and contained inside was a vast garden. And as we walked nearer, I could see a fountain in the middle of the place right where Antonette and Benjamin both were.

Kinapa ko ang bulsa ng suot ko pa rin na apron. I panicked when I found out it's empty. "Shoot! I left my phone in my cabin."

"Do you have an emergency? I'll go run for it," mabilis na alok ni Archer. May bahid ng pag-aalala sa tono niya kaya umiling ako agad.

"Pero emergency iyong walang magpi-picture kina Auntie!" Ngumuso ako. I badly want to capture their moment!

He amusingly shook his head and pulled out his phone from his pocket. "Use mine."

His phone case was sleek matte black. I could already tell that its quality was some sort of a Cadillac for a phone case. Anything for work, huh?

Tinubuan tuloy ako ng hiya. I was used to expensive stuff like that, but I wasn't used to the feeling of being giddy and having a crush! So there's that.

Inaalok pa rin ng kamay niya iyong phone pero ayoko pa ring kunin, bakapuso niya ang mahablot ko e. Hngg~

"Uhm, ikaw na lang kaya? Marunong ka naman 'di ba?" I bit my lip because I really felt shy. "Besides, it's your phone."

"Hindi ka ba gumagamit ng phone ng mga kaibigan mo?" Humalakhak siya. "Why won't you use mine?"

"Aha!" Naningkit ang mata ko saka ko siya tinuro. "Sabi ko na, e. Friends lang tayo!"

Sobra siyang namula pero tumawa pa rin. Napapikit pa nga eh! At dahil friends nga raw kami, nagtatampo kong hinablot ang phone niya at saka ko binilisan ang lakad ko.

Friends lang pala, ha? Akala mo! Sus. Akala mo talaga, Marsden!

Unti-unting nagbago ang mood ko nang matanaw kong lumuhod si Uncle sa isang tuhod. Natigilan ako sa paglakad. Nanghina ang tuhod at kamay ko noong nagtakip ng bibig si Auntie at tila hindi makapaniwala.

Uncle Benj showed the box to Auntie Tonette, who needed both of her hands to cover her lips while in a state of reverie. The butterflies came in when Uncle opened the box, as if they perfectly knew of the grand occasion that I was supposed to record on cam but now couldn't.

My heart turned mellow watching them fulfill their love story. And my eyes twinkled with happy tears when Auntie said her answer—a long-awaited yes.

Ako naman ang napatakip ng bibig dahil sa saya habang pinapanood si Uncle isuot ang singsing kay Auntie. As the ring slipped into its rightful place, the fountain behind them lit up in golden hue. And suddenly, there were even more butterflies inside the greenhouse.

Tinaas ko ang kamay ko para kuhanan na sila ng picture, pero nabitiwan ko pala ang phone ni Archer!

Oh, wait, no?

"Where's the phone—"

Tinaas ni Archer ang phone niyang nakatapat sa akin at narinig kong tumunog ang camera. "Right here, Snooks."

Tumawa siya nang samaan ko siya ng tingin. "Take their pic! Para mag pruweba tayong pumayag si Auntie sa kasal."

"Is that what the ring already is for?"

"Yeah, but she might take it off 'pag nagtatampo! You know Antonette."

Nagtataka pa rin siya pero sumunod na lang din. Binalik ko ang tingin kina Auntie. Tinitingnan niya ang kamay niya habang suot ang singsing, habang si Uncle naman ay sa kanya nakatitig.

Napanguso ako, and I baby-talked, "Mum, I want what they have."

Nilingon ko si Archer, busy pa rin sa pagpi-picture. "Don't you want that?"

Nangiti siya. "Yeah, I do, too."

I nodded in approval of his answer representing his sole individuality and preference. What Uncle and Auntie had right now was beautiful. They might've come from a rough patch but the road have already smoothened and steadied. At long last, they were certainly on the way to forever and a lifetime.

When Auntie saw me and Archer from where we were, she called us and we took photos altogether. I even wished Jerry was here, but Uncle Benj chuckled and said that Jerry's had enough of him and Auntie. But I wasn't convinced it was true because I was sure Jerry would've loved to witness it.

Also, I gained bragging rights over him for completing his failed mission! I mean, I know must've pitched in some help to Uncle that led to his successful proposal, right?

Pagkabalik namin sa cottage house ay bumati kaagad sina Mr. and Mrs. Boyers. Alam na pala nila ang binabalak ni Uncle bago pa man kami makarating kahapon dito sa farm. Mabilis lang ang oras dahil babalik din kami sa city ngayong tanghali.

It's nice that we'll leave this place with full hearts, and that we'll always leave behind a memory to look back when Auntie Tonette turned full-on maldita to Uncle Benj!

"Archer?" tawag ni Harper sa kanya. Napatingin ako sa dalawa. Tumango lang si Archer at nagpaalam sa amin bago sumunod kay Harper.

Kunwari akong nakikinig sa usapan nina Auntie pero ang mata ko ay nakasunod kay Archer. Hindi niya ako nilingon hanggang sa mawala sila ni Harper sa paningin ko.

"I hope it was a nice stay for you, as well, Snooki." Ngumiti si Mrs. Boyers.

Napailing akong kaunti at bumalik sa sarili tapos ngumiti na. "I loved the place, Mrs. Boyers. I'll visit again for sure."

"I'll expect that." Tumagos ang ngiti niya sa likuran ko. "Maybe Archer might also propose to you here."

Sumilip ako at pabalik na nga siya. Hindi ako sumagot. I couldn't control an unknown emotion right now, so I had to stay quiet.

"I am sure you and Archer will make beautiful babies." Humalakhak si Mrs. Boyers. Archer was just right beside me!

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at naramdaman kong tumaas dugo ko sa pisngi. Alanganin akong tumawa at bahagyang umiling. Gusto kong tumanggi dahil hindi naman kami, but that was so much more of an Auntie's move than mine.

Nagpaalam na kami sa kanila pagkatapos ng tanghalian. We're gonna travel long hours and Archer has work tomorrow Monday. Plus, Auntie and Uncle needed to rest.

At ako? Kayang-kaya ko na sarili ko, ano! Nagpanggap na naman akong tulog sa sasakyan. Dahil ngayon ay si Uncle Benj na ang nagmamaneho at si Auntie ang nasa passenger's seat. Ito tuloy, si Archer ang katabi ko.

I said to myself that I was gonna watch the sunset during our drive home, but I was pretending sleep again. How could I do that?!

My balled hoodie was my makeshift neck pillow. Nakasandal ang ulo ko sa bintana kasi sumisiksik talaga ako palayo rito sa gwapo kong katabi!

Naramdaman kong lumapit si Archer. Mukhang sinilip niya rin ako kung tulog ba talaga. Medyo 'di ko napigilan ang sarili ko na silipin siya kaya nahuli niya tuloy ako at tumawa.

"Snooki..."

"Tulog ako."

Humalakhak na naman siya. Lumapit siya sa akin at nangingiting bumulong, "Are you mad?"

"Oo. Galit ako sa mga tinutukso sa 'kin na hindi ko naman boyfriend!" bulong ko pabalik. Ramdam ko sa gilid ng pisnge ko ang hininga niya.

Nagmulat na ako para mairapan siya. Nangiti lang siya lalo!

"It was Beth, not me."

Mas lalo lang uminit ang pisngi ko. "O, e 'di dapat tinanggihan mo 'yong mga sinabi niya kanina!"

Medyo napalakas yata ang boses ko kaya napatingin sandali si Auntie sa amin. Umubo tuloy ako at napaayos ng upo.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko. Instead, he pulled out a necklace and dangled it in front of me. The chain was made of gold, and the pendant was a resined pressed petal of a purple lilac with a little golden flakes and glitters.

"I want to say that I made this all by myself for gwapo points, but I'd be lying." Mahina siyang humalakhak. "I had help. I want it to turn out good because it's for you."

Nilagay niya sa palad ko iyong kwintas, giving me my turn to raise my hand and see it myself. I raised it closer to the window for natural light. As I looked at the pendant, I had the sunset of pastel pink and orange in the background. Two of the things I now loved.

"Uhm... Thanks," I said awkwardly. Lumikot ang mata ko dahil nahihiya ako. Because the silly feeling I felt a while ago was indeed silly.

"It's beautiful. Thank you," sabi ko ulit.

Pumikit ako para makapag-focus at maisuot ko sa sarili iyong necklace.

"Let me do it, Snooki. Hirap na hirap ka," biro niya pa.

E 'di nanggigil na naman ako! Saktong naisuot ko naman na kaya hinawi ko ang kamay niya.

"Kaya ko sarili ko, 'no! Ano ba naman 'yong training ko ng pagiging single for more than twenty years!" I rolled my eyes.

Nilapit na naman niya ang mukha niya sa pisngi ko habang nagpipigil ng ngiti. "Miss Henilza, galit ka pa rin? Bakit?"

Nilayo ko ang mukha ko kasi 'di ko na kaya! Isang-isa na lang talaga, dadambahan ko na 'to. My heart sobbed from restrain!

Tuwing iniiwas ko naman ang mukha ko, mas nilalapit lang niya ang kanya. I mean, gusto ko naman! Hello? Ang guwapo kaya niya, sobra, nakakapanghina!

But I was shy. First time  ko e, 'tsaka may ibang tao. Kekeke!

"Hindi ko tinanggihan si Mrs. Boyers, because I agreed with her about it."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Kunwari ay chill and cool, but all butterflies that lived in my chest woke up alive again.

"Which bit?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa tanong ko pero bigla siyang umayos ng upo at lumayo nang bahagya.

"The part where she said that," huminto siya para magtago ng mukha bago bumulong, "We'd make beautiful babies."

Naubo ako! It felt like all my blood hiked up to my cheeks. Nakita ko pa ang ngiti ni Uncle Benj sa salamin at medyo napapailing.

"That is my nephew."

Pumikit ako para magpanggap ulit na tulog. Acting, the one where I found that I was good at during this trip!

Pero agree naman talaga ako roon. Kaya dapat mga four. Kaya ko 'yon! Kekeke!