When The Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7)

11: Receiving Gifts

"Good morning, sugarplum!" Elimae greeted me with her sweet voice. She was holding a bouquet of roses and lavender.

My forehead creased. Where was the bouquet came from? I knew she had a lot of admirers but I was never expecting that someone—

"These flowers are for you," dagdag ni Elimae dahilan nang pagputol ng aking iniisip. "Binili ko 'to para sa 'yo kaya ngumiti ka na." She smiled a little.

I closed my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief. "That's a relief!" I chuckled.

She pinched my cheek. "Ikaw lang, Ren. Ikaw lang palagi," sabi niya saka niya inabot sa 'kin ang mga bulaklak. "Flowers will wither but not my love for you."

Tinanggap ko 'yon saka ngumiti sa kanya. "Thank you for the flowers, my Eli." I hugged her then invited her inside to eat some breakfast.

"Ate Lilac texted me," she uttered then she drank her water.

I smiled. "Lagi ka ba niyang tini-text?"

She nodded. "Oo. Actually, araw-araw akong kinukumusta ng mga kapatid mo tapos kinakausap din ako ng mga pinsan mo." She giggled.

"Anong sabi ni Lilac?"

"Kinumusta niya lang tayo tapos nasabi niya rin sa 'kin na may tree planting ang Fitzmael Foundation bukas. Gusto niyang sumama ako dahil nando'n kayo lahat," she said, her cheeks were red. She was blushing! I could feel her genuine happiness with our family.

"I was about to ask you today but Lilac surprised me," I replied, chuckling. "She's not fond of texting. Kung sakali mang magtitext 'yon, ang cold pa."

"It's an honor!" masigla niyang sabi. "Gusto kong sumama bukas."

"Of course, isasama kita."

***

"Do you have any plans for today?" she asked when we finished eating our breakfast. We were sitting at the living room, staring at each other while talking.

Hinding-hindi talaga ako magsasawa sa mukha niya.

"Wala naman. Bakit?"

"Magpapasama sana ako sa 'yo."

"Okay. Saan tayo pupunta?"

"Bibili akong brooch. Gusto ko siyang gamitin kapag sasali ako sa mga pageants. Saka alam mo ba? Iniimbitahan ako ng team ni Mayor Jamir Santiago na maging isa sa mga judge ng beauty pageant na gaganapin sa fiesta."

"Anong klaseng pageant?"

"Ms. San Roque. It's our town's tradition to have a beauty pageant every fiesta. Mayor told me na gusto niyang i-held sa campus ng Austin Academy dahil malaki ang space do'n  at makakaupo pa nang maayos ang manunuod dahil may mga bench naman."

"Hindi ka sasali?"

She shook her head. "Kapapanalo ko pa lang bilang Ms. San Tiago. 'Yan na 'yong pinakamalaking pageant sa buong syudad kaya ang unfair kung sasali pa ako." She smiled. "Also, I won last year."

"Oh!" I was stunned. "Halimaw ka naman pala bilang isang beauty queen!" I laughed. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, sugarplum," she softly said. "So?" Ngumuso siya. "Sasamahan mo ba akong bumili?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang may bigla akong maalala. "Maraming brooch si Catmint at Lilac na hindi pa nabubuksan," I muttered.

Her forehead creased. "Paano mo naman nalaman?"

"Madalas kung bumili ng mga accessories si Catmint at Elisha. Alam mo naman ang dalawang 'yon."

She nodded then smiled. She knew. "Pero nakakahiya naman."