Celestaire's POV
NAKANGUSO AKONG NAKATINGIN KAY Ralph at Blaze na ngayon ay nagba-basketball. It's only four in the morning, but they woke up just for this. I yawned as I watch them play.
Kakauwi lang ni Ralph kagabi, pero 'eto siya naglalaro kaysa magpahinga. Nagising ako kanina dahil uminom ako ng tubig, but I saw them awake and talking about something.
Nang lumapit naman ako ay hinalikan lang ako ni Ralph at sinama na lang ako sa basketball court na ito. I really don't how basketball works. I watch, but don't really get how it is played.
Si Ate at Kuya talaga ang mahilig sa basketball. Ate literally knows every game. Dati ay pinapanood ko pa silang dalawa maglaro. Naiinggit pa ako noon dahil bawal ako mapagod, but when I got better it wasn't really my thing.
"Break muna, dude!" Ralph said.
Tumango si Blaze at shinoot muna ang bolang hawak niya. It went in the ring. Hindi na ako nagulat dahil magaling talaga si Blaze sa basketball. Siya nga raw ang captain noong highschool kaya hindi na ako nagtaka.
Lumapit si Ralph sa akin at inabutan ko siya ng towel. He smiles and wiped his sweat. He took off his jersey and placed it beside me. I gave him water and wiped his back.
Napangiwi naman si Blaze at tinali ang sariling buhok. I saw Ralph smirked and put the tumbler down. "Kapag inggit, pikit."
"Tss. Fuck you."
"Dati ikaw ang ganyan sakin." He said and gave him a annoying smile. "You are much a baby to Celestine before. You pout as she glare at you, while wiping your sweat after a game. Dude, we just roll our eyes as we watch you two. The love and hate couple." Sabi ni Ralph.
I hit his stomach. "Shut up."
"Aww, my lover wants the love and hate troupe too?" Pang-aasar niya.
I glared at him. Ralph just smiled and kissed my nose, which caught me off guard. I smiled sweetly and hugged me so tight.
"I'm sorry, I just missed you." Sabi niya.
"I missed you too, mahal." Sagot ko. "But no need to tease."
He chuckled and Blaze rolled his eyes. "I'm out of here."
"Bye." Pang-aasar ni Ralph. I pouted at him and he just gave me a smile.
"Tara na. The sun is rising and I'm kinda hungry, let's go back." Pag-aaya ko.
Tumango siya at kinuha ang bola na nasa tabi ng bench. I took some of the stuffs and he took the other stuffs, and we both left the court. Naabutan pa namin si Blaze sa paglalakad pabalik, dahil medyo wala siya sa sarili habang naglalakad.
When we got back, we saw Celine with some eco bags. Naalala ko na palengke day niya ngayon. Looks like she's alone, because Donna usually comes with her. Suddenly I came up with an idea.
I looked at Ralph. "Sama tayo kay Celine."
"Where?"
"Palengke!"
"Sure, sama ka Blaze?" Tanong niya kay Blaze. Blaze looked at me and looked at Celine who is closing the gate. Ralph tsked. "Sasama na yan."
Celine was walking at our way, when I ran to her. "Sama kami!"
Nagulat pa siya. "Sure kayo? Kaya ko naman.."
"No, I like going to the palengke with you." Ngiting sagot ko. I gave Ralph the things I am holding. "Pasok mo sa loob, intayin ka namin."
"Yes, ma'am." Saludo ni Ralph ay tumakbo na papasok sa bahay ni Celine.
Blaze sighed and just stayed silent. Without minutes ay umalis na din kami nang makabalik si Ralph. Pagkadating sa sakayan ay saktong may jeep na, kaya nakasakay na din agad kami.
"Iya, mauntog ka." Saway ni Celine nang mabilis ako pumasok sa loob ng jeep.
Naupo na kami. I'm beside Ralph, while Celine is in front of us, beside Blaze. Naglalabas na si Celine ng wallet niya pero nauna na si Ralph maglabas.
"Apat na palengke?" Tanong niya kay Celine. Napatango na lang si Celine. Ngumiti si Ralph at inabot ang bayad sa driver. "Apat na palengke po."
I looked at Celine who just shrugged and look at the window. Tumigil ang jeep at napasubsob pa si Celine sa dibdib ni Blaze. My mouth formed an 'o' when I saw Celine blush and her eyes widened.
Blaze looked not bothered and Celine muttered an apology to Blaze. In my peripheral vision I saw Ralph smirk. Napatingin ako dito at ngumiti lang siya sakin.
May mga kabataan na sumakay, at mukhang mga estudyante dahil mga nakauniform sila. They are high school students ata. I saw a the girl wearing glasses, bit her lips and whispered to the other girl.
Napatingin sila sa amin at kala Blaze. Nangunot noo ko at naghigikgikan silang apat. Hinampas ng isa ang katabi at ang isa naman ay pabirong sinabunutan ang katabi.
"Aray ah! Ikaw Cha, lagi kang ganyan kapag nakakakita ka ng igop!" Sabi ng isa.
Igop? What is that?
"Dalawa kasi!" Tumawa ang isa. "Hoy, Abigail umurong ka nga!"
"Ayoko nga, Cha! Ikaw kaya dito! Ingay niyo!" Sabi ng nakasalamin.
"Sureness!" Sagot nito at lumipat ng pwesto.
Napailing na lang ang isa nilang kasama. Napailing na lang din ako at tumingin kay Ralph. I saw him smiled at me, and the four girls squealed. Teenagers..
"Ang iingay naman." Sabi ng isang babae.
Natawa ako ng mahina at bumulong sa katabi ko. "Those girls finds you attractive."
Napatingin siya sa mga ito at natawa. He looked at me and kissed my forehead. "You're the only beautiful in my eyes. Oh wait, hindi lang pala ikaw."
Nangunot noo ko. "What?"
"Our future daughters and you, will be the most beautiful in my eyes."
I chuckled. "Hindi mo sinama si Rhian."
Tumawa siya. "Wala naman dito, tsaka inaaway na ako non."
Pabiro ko siyang kinurot at tumawa lang kami. Blaze scoffed and Celine rolled her eyes. Nagulat ako na ganoon reaksyon ni Celine. She looked at the window with her brows furrowed.
"Look at Celine and Blaze. Mga naiinggit sa atin." Bulong ni Ralph.
Napatingin ako sa kanya, pero bago ko man siya masagot ay sumabat si Celine. "More like disgusted."
We ended up laughing a bit. I saw Blaze smiled a little and rolled his eyes. Nang makarating sa palengke ay nakasunod lang kami kay Celine na namimili.
Si Blaze ang nagbayad ng tatlong kilong manok at baboy. Hindi naman pumalag si Celine at hinayaan lang sila. Nasa fish section na kami at namimili na si Celine ng bangus, tilapia at alimango.
Bago pa man maglabas ng pera si Celine ay si Ralph na nagbayad. Celine just smirked and walked away with me, while the two men just carry all we bought.
"Good thing sumama ang dalawang iyan. Nakalibre pa." Tumawa siya.
Natawa din ako. Tumigil ako saglit dahil inayos ko ang tali ko sa buhok, nang biglang madulas si Celine. I was about to ran to her, when Blaze caught her before she fall.
Nagkatitigan pa ang dalawa bago pa man, humiwalay sa isa't isa. "T-thank you." Celine said and walked away.
"Be careful." Paalala ni Blaze.
Napadaan kami sa mga bilihan ng laruan. Celine stopped and pick up a toy gun. Binili niya ito para daw kay Sorrel, dahil tumulong daw ito nakaraan sa bakery sa pag-abot ng mga ingredients.
Final stop ay ang bigasan. Celine bought a one sack of rice. Napabuntong hininga ang dalawang kasama namin na akala ay bubuhatin nila ito.
"Mag-tricycle na tayo." Sabi ni Celine.
"Ayun! Kuya! Tricycle po!" Sabi ko.
Nang makasakay na sa tricycle ay sinampa na ang mga pinamili. Naupo kami ni Celine sa loob at sa labas sila Ralph at Blaze.
When we got home, ako na nagbayad sa tricycle na sinakyan namin. Paolo was outside with Sorrel and Shadow, who are playing. When the two saw Celine they ran to her. Tumalon si Sorrel at humalik sa mamita niya habang si Shadow ay naupo lang at tumahol.
Celine chuckled and kissed Sorrel and brushed Shadow's fur. Celine gave Sorrel the toy she bought. Tumulong na si Paolo sa pag-pasok ng mga binili sa bahay ni Celine. Bago pa man makapasok ay lumabas si Daphne.
"Taray, daming stocks. Mukhang busog nanaman ako." Sabi niya.
Napairap si Celine. "Get out of the way."
"Bakit may baril?" Tanong ni Daphne sa hawak ni Sorrel.
"My reward po, tita."
"Saan? Hindi ka naman tumulong, kumain ka lang naman." Sabi ni Daphne.
"No po! Tumulong ako, right mamita?" Tanong bata kay Celine.
"Daphne, huwag mong paiyakin anak ko." Sabi ni Donna, nakakarating lang.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Sus, ako nga pinapaiyak mo din noon. Bumabawi lang."
Natawa na lang ako at pumasok na sa bahay. Celine started putting the food she bought in her refrigerator. I wanted to help, but she didn't let me. I just watched her do her stuffs.
Nagsimula na siyang magluto at katulong si Donna at Hetta. I pouted, kapag sila pwede tumulong. Samantalang ako, willing na ayaw pa.
Naiwan magluto sila Donna at Hetta dahil kinakailangan pumunta ni Celine sa bakery dahil may naghahanap daw dito.
"Uhm.. Can I help? Celine is not here now." Sabi ko.
Napailing ang dalawa. "Fine." They both said.
I got excited and started helping to peel the carrots. Patuloy lang ako sa pagbabalat ng mga sangkap, habang si Donna ay naghihiwa at si Hetta ay nagluluto na.
I am really amazed how Donna slice the veggies. She's really good. Same sizes and she's doing it so fast. Kung ako ay sobrang tagal at hindi pa pantay pantay. She and Celine are really good. They cook good too.
An hour had passed and we finished two meals, the last is still cooking. Hinahalo ni Donna ito habang ako ay nanonood lang. Hetta is with the girls preparing the table.
"Smells good."
Napatingin ako sa dumating. "Celine!"
"Hi, food is ready? Gutom na ako." Sabi niya.
Donna looked at her. "So, who called you?"
"Old friend, it is his daughter's birthday and he asked if I could make the cake." Sabi niya.
"And you won't say no. Anong date ba?" Tanong ni Donna.
"February 5."
"Hindi ba may catering tayo sa five?" Tanong ni Donna
She shrugged. "I'll multitask and ask Daphne and the staffs to help me with the cake."
"5 foot tall cake, huh? That's big and heavy."
"Medyo mahirap din ang design, kaso wala tayong magagawa kundi tuparin ang gusto nila." Sabi ni Celine at bumuntong-hininga. "By the way, you have the menu of the event?"
"I gave them the menu, pero mukhang wala pa silang napipili." Sagot ni Donna.
"Maaarte ba naman." Dagdag ni Celine.
They kept on talking about the events plan for this week and February. Hindi ko naiintindihan, kasi wala akong alam sa ganiyan na business.
After a few minutes, the food was ready and we started eating lunch. The food was magnificent. I really love it. Hindi ka talaga magugutom sa kanila, they prepare divine meals.
After lunch, we all decided to chill at the garden. Nag-uusap ang iba, tungkol sa kung ano ano. The guys started talking about business, which Paolo and Emman joined in. The girls just talk about other stuffs, like random topics.
Nakikitawa at ngiti lang ako. My attention wasn't at them, it's on Shadow, Celine and Sorrel. Naglalaro ang tatlo. Celine and Sorrel take turns to throw the ball, while Shadow chases and catches it.
"Minsan napagkakamalan na si Celine ang nanay ni Sorrel." Sabi ni Donna.
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Bakit?" I asked.
"Just look. Mas malapit sila sa isa't isa. Noong sanggol pa lang si Sorrel, mas gusto niyang nakikita si Celine kaysa sa amin ng daddy niya." She chuckled and watch the two.
"Saan niya nabili si Shadow? Siberian Husky iyan diba?" Tanong ni Gavi.
Napatingin si Celine sa amin. "I've just found him."
"Weh? Swerte mo may lahi pa." Hetty.
"Yeah and not wild." Donna added. "Noon unang dinala sa bahay si Shadow, hindi naman siya nangangagat o tumatahol. Tahimik na parang nahihiya pa."
"Naks, mabuti pa aso may hiya. Si Gavi wala." Hetty said.
"Ay true ka diyan." Alysha said.
Gavi rolled her eyes. "Gago ka?"
Tumawa lang si Hetty. Natawa si Valerie. "At least Sorrel has a play mate."
"Yeah, mabuti na din." Donna said.
"Hindi humihingi ng kapatid?" Hetta asked.
Nanlaki mata ni Donna, kadahilanan ay tumawa si Daphne. "Narinig ko nakaraan si Sorrel, gusto ng baby. Hindi ba, kuya?" Tanong niya kay Paolo
"It's not the right time!" Sagot ni Donna.
Paolo laughed and shook his head. "When Donna is ready again. I'm ready anytime."
"Shut up." Sagot ng asawa.
"Aso lang naman usapan, bakit magiging kapatid ni Sorrel na ang topic?" Tanong ni Gavi.
"Well, Blaze has a puppy too." Sabat ko.
Napatingin si Paolo sa amin at tumingin kay Blaze. "Really?"
"What?" Blaze asked.
"You have a pet dog?"
Tumango si Blaze. "Yeah."
"Takot 'yan sa aso." Ralph said and smirked. "He freaks out everytime a dog comes near him."
"And now?" Paolo.
"Best friend slash anak niya." Isaiah.
"Ayaw pa kasi mag-anak eh." Isaac.
"Walang jowa eh, kaya aso na lang daw." Jasper added.
Paolo chuckled. "The good thing is he faced his fears."
"Mas takot siya sa may-ari talaga ng alaga niyang aso." Sabi ni Jasper.
Hinampas naman ni Hetta si Jasper, kadahilanan na umaray ito at tumahimik. Napailing na lang kami kay Jasper. Blaze might walk away kapag nadamay na ang pangalan ni Ate Celestine sa usapan.
"Why is he named Shadow?" Tanong ko.
"Si Sorrel tanungin mo diyan." Sagot ni Daphne.
"Mabuti nga si Sorrel maayos pangalan sa aso, aba itong si--"
"Shut up, Emmanuel." Si Paolo.
"Oh bakit? Bakit kasi Pampu pinapangalan mo sa aso mo noon? Ano 'yan kapag nabwisit ka pampulutan gagawin sa kanya?" Pang-aasar ni Emman.
"I changed it to Del, remember?" Sagot ni Paolo.
"Short for Del Monte?" Tanong ni Emman.
"Pineapple juice." Sagot ng kambal at tumawa silang tatlo.
"Shut up."
"Mabuti si Donna nagpangalan sa anak niyo. Baka mamaya Potpot lang ipangalan mo." Natawa kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Emman.
Paolo raised his middle finger and putbit down quickly, before Sorrel sees him. Napailing na lang si Celine habang tumatawa.
Habang nag-aasaran ang dalawa ay hindi ko maiwasan maisip kung paano sila nagkakilala lahat. I mean Donna and Daphne are siblings, just like Paolo and Celine then Emman is their what before they became friends?
"Paano kayo nagkakilala?" Tanong ko.
Napatingin si Emman sakin at ngumisi. "Ganito kasi 'yon, Iya. Ehem.. May isang gwapong lalaki-- ako 'yon. Tapos nakilala ang isang magandang dilag sa isang klase niya. Tapos nalaman ng lalaki na patay na patay sa kanya ang dilag kaya niya ito niligawan."
"Kaso binasted." Sabat ni Paolo.
He glared at Paolo. "Tapos nakilala ng lalaki ang kapatid ng dilag at may inampon pala silang palamunin sa bahay nila. Tapos nakilala ng lalaki ang isang mataray na babae na akala mo problemado noong pinanganak, tapos ayun after years sinagot ng lalaki ang babaeng may gusto sa kanya at--"
"Walang kwentang kwento. Mali-mali naman." Sabi ni Daphne.
"Oh bakit? Willing ka nga ligawan mo ako, diba?" Sagot ni Emman.
"Correction, kapangalan mo lang crush ko noon, kaya akala mo ikaw ang gusto ko. Kaya nga kita binasted, diba?" Sagot ni Daphne.
Emmanuel pouted and Paolo, Donna and Celine all laughed. Natawa din kami dahil sa sinabi ni Daphne kay Emman. Napairap si Emman at sumandal sa upuan niya.
"At least sa akin ka bumagsak." Sabi ni Emman.
"Hindi mo sure." Daphne smirked.
Emman glared at Daphne. "Subukan mo at buntis ka bukas."
Daphne raised her middle finger, but Emman replied with a smirk. Napailing na lang si Donna at tinampal ang kamay ng kapatid dahil papalapit na si Sorrel.
"Anyways, how's the wedding preparations?" Tanong ni Donna.
Napatingin ako dito. "Well, sa February kami magsisimula."
Dahan dahan napatango si Celine. "That's good."
"You are all invited." Sabi ko.
Tumawa si Emman. "Of course, kami magluluto at magbe-bake eh."
"Kami? Hindi ka kasali." Daphne.
Paolo laughed. "Driver ka lang."
Patuloy lang sila sa asaran. I chuckled, then my phone rang. I picked it up and answer the call without looking at the caller ID. I put the phone on my ear.
"Hello?"
["Ate Iya! Guess what where I am."] It was Blaine.
Napangiti ako. "France? With your boyfie?"
She chuckled. ["Nope, I'm in Batangas!"]
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ashbellezza