Agad akong humiga sa kama ko nang matanggal ko ang sapatos at mailapag ang bag. Napapikit ako ng mariin nang maalala yung ginawa ni Lucas kanina! Ghad!

Nagpagulong gulong ako sa higaan at binalot balot pa yung sarili sa comforter sabay nagpakawala ng impit na tili. Napabalikwas lang ako nang tumunog yung phone ko. Inabot ko ang bag na nasa bedside table tsaka hinalughog ang loob para makuha yung maingay kong phone.

Ailey’s calling me so I answered it immediately

“Yes sis?”

“Where are you? We’re here at the hospital. Eloah’s about to give birth” What?!

“Wait! I’ll go there now. Omg! I’m excited” She chuckled with my reaction

“Okay, ingat sa pagpunta” After that call I wear my bag and shoes again tsaka nagmamadaling lumabas at bumaba sa hagdan

“Where are you going, Alessia?” napalingon naman ako sa narinig kong boses nang makarating akong second floor. Pabalik siya sa loob galing sa veranda, siguro ay katatapos lang niyang makausap yung mga kailangan niyang makausap

“Uhm…. Ano sa Hospital niyo” kumunot ng bahagya ang noo niya

“Why?”

“Eloah’s about to give birth, so….”

“Oh, I’ll drive you then”

“No need. Just get some rest, Lucas”

“Nah, I rather go with you” sabi niya sabay hawak sa palapulsuhan ko para magpunta ng parking lot

“Uy ang clingy mo naman” asar ko sa kanya, tinusok tusok ko pa yung tagiliran niya

“Yeah? You better get used to it. I’m gonna cling myself to my wife” I swallowed hard right after he said those words. How those words just came out from his mouth so naturally?

I opened my mouth to say something but just decided to close it when I can’t think of anything to say.

When we get to the hospital, hinanap kaagad namin ang delivery area at nakita ko naman yung dalawa na nasa labas at nag aantay. Agad ko silang nilapitan at binigyan nila ako ng mapang asar na tingin

“Haaaay, baka sa susunod na mga buwan mayroon na ulit tayong on the way na baby” sabi ni Ailey kay Averill

“Kaya nga! Lucas, galingan mo ah. Gusto namin baby girl” Pinanlakihan ko sila ng mata tsaka pinagkukurot

“Ang kapal niyo ah! So demanding”

“Sus! Kailan at saan ang kasal?” tumingin sila kay Lucas kaya napatingin rin ako

“The wedding would be on May 28 and it will be held in Italy” pabiro akong sinampal at sinabunutan nung dalawa kaya naman napapameywang na lang ako tsaka marahas na bumuga ng hangin

“Oh no! Wala si Eloah ‘non” sabat ko nang maalala yung sitwasyon nung isa

“Yeah right, hindi pa nga pala siya pwede non” sabi ni Ailey tsaka tingin sa delivery room

“Its fine, may video calls naman. She can still watch you getting married. Yieeee” I just gave her a face then sumandal sa pader para makaharap sa delivery room tsaka  nag crossed arms.

May nararamdaman akong nakatingin sa bandang kaliwa ko at alam kong si Lucas lang ang nasa kaliwa ko kaya tinignan ko siya ng nakataas ang kilay. He smiled at me tsaka umiling. Ano trip niya? Ibinalik ko na lang ang tingin ulit sa harapan nang sakto naman na lumabas si ate Laureen.

“Hi! Eloah and her baby are both fine. Kailangan lang munang malipat ni Eloah sa normal room while the baby needs to be brought at the NICU first. So, I gotta go now. Congrats to all of you; new tita’s” tumingin naman siya kay Lucas at sumunod sa kin tsaka kami binigyan ng malokong ngiti

“Thank you po” sabay sabay naming sabi bago sinundan yung mag hahatid kay Eloah sa room niya. We took a quick glanced to her baby and I could say hindi siya nagmana kay Enzo! He’s really cute.

Kanina pa talaga hindi mawala wala yung mga ngiti sa mukha namin pagkatapos makita yung baby ni Eloah and now she’s already awake.

It’s already late, alam kong pagod na si Lucas but I really want to see the baby kaya wait muna siya.

After some couple of minutes inihatid na dito sa room si baby Eron. We asked Eloah about the name she gave to him and she said na Eron Aedan daw ang ipinangalan niya. He’s really handsome huh.

Nag uunahan pa kaming tatlo kung sino ang mauunang kumarga kay Eron pagkatapos magpa breastfeed ni Eloah

“Ako muna! Uuwi na kami, may pasok pa ‘to oh” sabay turo ko kay Lucas. Natawa naman siya nang mapansin na ginagamit ko lang siya na alibi

“Sige na si Klerah na. total mag pa-practice na rin yan maging mommy” I rolled my eyes at them pero nangingiti pa rin.

‘Di rin nagtagal ay natapos na siyang magpa breastfeed kaya naman tinulak tulak naman ako nila Averill palapit. Medyo kabado pa ako ‘cause he’s so fragile!

Buti na lang at medyo may idea ako sa pagbitbit ng babies dahil may pinsan din naman ako na may baby na. I held him in my arms and smiled widely lalo na nung mapansin ko na comfortable siya sa pagkakakarga ko

I looked at them na may pagmamayabang kaya naman tinarayan lang nila ako ng pabiro. Napadpad ang tingin ko kay Lucas sa gilid ko na kanina pa ngiting ngiti at pini-picturan pala ako ng walanghiya!

Lumapit pa siya sa akin at inilagay ang isang braso sa baywang ko, kasabay non ay ang impit na tili galling sa mga magagaling kong kaibigan.

“Sanay ka naman pala Klerah e. Akalain mo nga naman, matagal na palang handa”

“Eloah tigil tigilan mo ‘ko. May pamangkin na rin naman ako no. Ilang months lang palilipasin ko, paiiyakin ko na ‘to”

“Hoy Klerah! Tutuktukan talaga kita” tinawanan ko lang siya sabay abot sa kanya ng baby niya at humarap kay Lucas

“Tara na”

“You sure?” masuyo niyang tanong

“Yup, bibisita na lang ako ulit pag may time” tumango naman siya tsaka humarap sa mga kaibigan ko para magpa alam. I bid my goodbye to them and went out of the hospital.

“You’re good at it” Nilingon ko siya na naka ngiti habang nag da-drive

“At what?”

“With babies. You’re really fond of them” tumango tango ako tsaka itinuon ulit ang tingin sa harap

“Well, yeah. They’re really cute and adorable”

“I could agree with that. I found you cute and adorable as well since you’re my baby”
My lips parted as I looked at him

“Shit ka Lucas! Saan mo nalalaman yung mga bagay na yan?”

“No cursing baby”

“I can curse whenever and whatever I want besides, that’s just a slight curse”

“Tsk, slight curse huh? You’ll be punish next time I hear you curse”

“Okay, If you say so. I’m not scared naman” he just laughed with what I said. Pumikit na lang ako at medyo pinakalma ang sarili. Nang masiguradong kalmado na ay dumilat na ako at tinuon na lang ang mga tingin sa kalsada hanggang sa maka uwi kami.

Sabay kaming lumabas ng sasakyan at pumasok sa loob ng bahay niya. Nang nasa elevator na kami ay naisipan kong mag thank you

“Thanks for today Lucas Ryder” He looked at me like there’s something wrong with me.

“Wow! Am I having hearing problems here?” I pouted at tsaka humarap sa kanya ng nakakunot ang noo

“Oo magkakaroon ka talaga ng hea–” hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin dahil sa biglang pagsakop ng mga labi niya sa labi ko.

WHAT THE HECK? DID HE JUST KISS ME?!

Kahit pa naramdaman ko na humiwalay na siya ay hindi ko alam kung bakit nananatili akong nakatunganga. Narinig ko ang pagtawa niya at hinayaan siyang hilain ako palabas ng elevator

I immediately get my hand from him tsaka siya sinuntok ng malakas sa braso nang makabalik sa wisyo. How could he do that? That’s my first kiss!

“Hey! What are you? A man?” Mas nanggigil ako kaya sinuntok suntok ko ulit siya

“That’s my first kiss you snatcher! How dare you kissed me?!” A bark of laughter came out from him sabay huli sa dalawang palapulsuhan ko. I tried to get it back but he won’t let me

“It’s good to know that I am your first kiss, baby. But, what’s wrong with kissing you? We’ll kiss when we get married anyway.”
I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath

“Besides, I told you to stop pouting, right?” dagdag pa niya. Gosh! That’s not enough reason for him to kiss me. I gave him a dagger look

“Still, you shouldn’t have done that!” He pulled both of my arms that made me faced his chest and I felt his arms enveloped me to a tight hug

“I’m sorry, baby” I felt a crazy beating from my heart as soon as I heard those words and his sincere note. What now, self? I cannot think of any words to say, ni hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot ko para barahin yung sinabi niya. Ugh! Why am I being like this?!

“Come on, take a rest. You’ll have a busy day  when you wake up” I looked up at him nang maalala ko na mamimili nga pala ako ng magiging dress ko. Tumango na lang ako at sinubukang makawala sa yakap niya pero mas hinigpitan niya lang ang yakap

“How could I get a rest kung hindi mo ako bibitawan Lucas? Ano? Sasama ka sa’kin sa kwarto?”

“Well, we can sleep together inside my room, Alessia” Automatic na nalaglag ang panga ko tsaka siya sinubukang itulak

“No way! Never!” talaga ba self? Baka lamunin mo lahat ng sinasabi mo ah

He looked at me adorably and then lowered his head just to kiss my forehead. I stilled but when I felt that he already freed me dali-dali akong dumiretso sa kwarto.

Napamura na lang ako ng malutong nang maalala ang mga nangyari. I went to the bathroom para makapag ayos at makatulog na dahil mahaba habang araw nanaman ang mangyayari bukas.

It’s such a really long and tiring day for me

I woke up when I heard my phone’s ringtone so I reached and answered it without opening my eyes

“Hello”

“Get up now sleepyhead” I automatically opened my eyes as I heard his voice talking. I looked at the clock and it’s already two in the afternoon, shocks! I forgot to set an alarm.

“Yeah, sorry I overslept. I’ll just fix myself”

“Okay. I’m in the office right now but don’t hesitate to call me if you need to”

“I won’t call you, Lucas”

“Yeah? Okay then. Don’t tire yourself too much today”

“Just by thinking of it makes me tired already. Anyway, focus on work Mr. Bellandi. Bye”

“Bye Mrs. Bellandi” I harshly hit the end button right after he said those words.

Omygosh, that man! Why everything comes out from him sounds so natural?! That seems so unfair!

Hindi naman na ako nagsayang ng oras at sinimulan nang mag ayos ng sarili. Gosh! I can’t feel any excitement in choosing my wedding dress today. I guess it’s because I know our soon to be wedding is not because of love. He has reasons, reasons that I don’t know. While me, I have to pay him. Ugh!

I go down right after I fixed myself and there, I saw his mom with my mom talking and laughing on the living area. What is my mom doing here?

“Klerah! Buti naman at gising ka na” sabi ng papalapit na si tita Laura kasama si mama

“Good afternoon po. Sorry, hindi po kasi ako nakapag alarm pagkauwi namain galing ng hospital”

“It’s okay hija! Lucas told us about it already” bumeso siya sa akin pagkalapit. Tango at ngiti na lang ang isinagot ko sa sinabi niya tsaka hinarap si mama

“Ma, ba’t hindi ka nagsabi sa akin na pupunta ka dito tsaka wala kang pasok ngayon?” Isa kasing bank manager si mama habang si papa naman ay chef sa isang five star hotel

“Ayoko talagang sabihin sa’yo kaya si Lucas ang sinabihan ko at umabsent muna ako ngayon, syempre gusto kong kasama mo ako mamimili ng maisususot mo”

“Thanks ma!” Niyakap ko si mama dahil ganito ako sakanya palagi kapag naglalambing. Dumako ang mata ko sa mama ni Lucas na nakangiting nakatingin sa amin ni mama

“Anak simulan mo nang mag sukat” turo ni mama sa mga dress na nakahilera. Akala ko ay papipiliin lang nila ako sa mga brochure or what. I didn’t know that the dresses would be really here pati ang designers and organizers ay nandito rin na hindi ko napansin kanina.

“Good afternoon po” bati ko sakanila

“Good afternoon po ma’am” bati nila ng may malalapad na ngiti sa akin.

“Hi, I’m Val” Inilahad niya ang kamay sa akin na tinanggap ko naman tsaka nagpakilala rin

“I’m a designer of these dresses so if you want to add or change some details you can just inform me and we’ll work for it.”

“Okay, thank you” pumunta ako sa mga nakahilerang dresses tsaka kinilatis ng maigi ang bawat isa. Nararamdaman ko naman ang pagsunod nila mama sa likod ko at tumitingin din ng ng mga dress.

Nakakailang suot at hubad na ako ng mga dress pero tulad nila mama hindi ko pa nakikita yung dress na talagang gusto ko. Tinignan ko yung mga kailangan kong sukatin pero isa na lang ang nandon

“I think that last dress will suit you better Klerah” tukoy ni tita sa isang deep V-neck, lace A-line Tulle ballgown with a chapel train. It has illusion inset up to the fitted waist. Lace appliques are detailed embroidered perfectly around its skirt and when I looked at its back, it’s an open back with a crisscross straps.

“I think so too tita” Kinuha iyon ng tumutulong sa akin magsuot ng mga dress at nagsimulang isukat ang huling dress

I could say that out of all the dresses I tried today, ito ang pinaka nagustuhan ko. Hindi siya mahirap isuot at hindi rin mahirap dalhin. Nabanggit sa akin ng designer na it has a pocket on both sides and it’s skirt is also detachable. When they removed the skirt tanging naiwan na lang ay ang knee-level short skirt.

This dress also fits so naturally to me kaya naman pagkatapos kong maipakita kanila mama ang dress ay pare-parehas kami ng desisyon na ito na ang kukuning dress.

Next naman na pinakausap sa akin ay ang organizer. I was shocked that everything’s really set already. They just wanted to confirm some details lalo na sa mga magiging set up. They said that it was tita Laura’s ideas and decisions.

I also learned that our wedding will be held in Villa del Balbianello that is an overlooking place to the beautiful Lake Como. Which I think is also expensive. Tita also told me that the only invited are our relatives, their closest business partners and our friends.

What the heck! I should ask Lucas later about the expenses. Wala naman na akong pinabago at mas lalong dinagdag dahil naisip ko bigla ang gagastusin nila para sa marriage na divorce din naman ang patutunguhan.

Nagluto naman kanina si mama at tita ng magiging dinner namin and it’s already eight pm. I am lying down on the sofa while watching a movie at balot na balot ng kumot. Naisipan kong hinaan ang aircon kanina pero I forgot at tinatamad naman akong tumayo this time.

I was busy watching the action movie I chose when I heard a voice

“Hi baby, how’s your day” I looked at him walking towards me

“Fine” I get back my attention on the movie I am watching when I felt him laid himself on the sofa as well. Nakakunot noo ko siyang tinignan pero iniyakap niya lang ang mga braso sa baywang ko tsaka mas isniksik ang mukha sa balikat ko.

What – the – heck?!

Ibinalik ko na lang ang atensyon sa pinapanood at hindi na pinansin ang ginawa niya

“What your dress look like?” He looked at me as he asked

“It’s a pretty dress. That’s all I could say” ibinalik niyang muli ang ulo sa balikat ko at mas hinigpitan ang yakap.

“Hope it’s not too revealing” Oh hahah sorry Lucas, but that dress will surely make your brows furrowed deeply

“Well….”

“Baby! I should’ve been the one who chose your dress” agad na itinuktok ko sakanya yung remote

“Ikaw magsusuot?! Tsaka bakit ba napaka ano mo pagdating sa mga sinusuot ko?”

“Dapat sa’yo binabalot. I don’t want other man drooling over you, Alessia”

“Tsk. Lucas act like that if this relationship were real”

Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata dahil sa mga nasabi. Klerah and your big mouth! But what I said is true tho!

“Have you eaten already?” he asked me and this time nakaupo na siya sa gilid ko

“Uhm…. Yeah, sinabayan ko sila mama kanina. Have you?”

“Not yet. I was planning to eat dinner with you” tumayo na siya at magsisimula na sanang maglakad nang pigilan ko siya. Umangkla ako sa likod niya para magpa buhat dahil tinatamad ako maglakad

“I’ll eat with you. Tampo ka naman masyado” I heard him chuckled tsaka inayos ang pagkaka karga sa akin sa likod niya.

Klerah! Isa kang maharhar na nilalang! How could you do this thing?!

Tumulong naman ako sakanya na mag handa ng pagkain nang makarating kami sa kitchen and when we’re eating already I remember to ask him about the expenses.

“Lucas, uhm… magkano yung ano… lahat ng magagastos mo sa wedding?”

“Why?” He asked not minding my question

“Well, nabanggit kanina ng mama mo yung venue plus the possible number of invited tapos I talked to the organizers and I learned that all of it costs a lot”

“You don’t have to worry about it Alessia”

“Nakakahinayang lang naman na gagastos ka ng ganon kalaki” This time he looked at me directly

“Why’d you think so?”

“Duh! Syempre, you’ll spend millions and then eventually we’ll get divorced.”

“It’s my mom’s idea Alessia. I just let her” I sighed as a sign of defeat. Talagang hindi ko na siya mapipilit na bawasan yung magagastos dahil next month na rin ang wedding. Ibang klase talaga ang yaman ng pamilya nila.

After we eat I decided to continue watching while him, he take a bath first and then get back to me at ginawa ulit ang pagkakahiga niya kanina.