Play Pretend

Chapter 26

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 26
Dancer

Hariette scheduled my bachelorette party at the same time with Xaiver's party. Magkalayo rin ang bar na napili nila. Sinadya niya 'yon para hindi makigulo sa amin si Xaiver. She and Knoa made sure of that. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naging plano nilang magpinsan at hindi ko sigurado kung magtatagumpay ba sila.

Maybe Hariette can still try to make Xaiver submit to her wishes, but Knoa will ultimately fail. Himala na lang kung makinig sa kanya si Xaiver.

"Surprise!" Hariette popped the party popper as we entered the VIP room she rented. Kakagaling lang namin sa go-to spa salon niya to get pampered. We also ate dinner at a very expensive restaurant. Siya lahat ang nagbayad at wala kaming ginastos.

The VIP room was well-decorated according to the theme. I didn't doubt her skills since she could plan and organize big events like her charity ball. I could tell that she went all out.

May mga nakakalat na maliliit na lobo sa lapag. Sa gitna ay nandoon ang lamesa kung saan nakalagay ang cake, mga snacks at inumin. Sa pader sa taas ng malaki at mahabang sofa ay may mga nakasabit na letrang binubuo ang mga salitang "Congratulations, Mrs. Dela Vega!"

"Bongga..." pabulong na komento ni Joseph sa likod ko.

"Do you like it?" Hariette's eyes sparkled as she asked and held my arm.

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you. Ang ganda ng pagkakaayos mo."

Hariette smiled wider. Lumapit siya sa lamesa at itinuro ang two-tier cake. "I baked and decorated the cake!" she proudly said. "Kuya Xavi likes my cakes. Sana magustuhan mo rin."

"Nagba-bake ka pala?" tanong ko.

"It's a hobby," she replied. "I'm not an expert, though. Tuwing may free time lang."

"Thank you ulit... I really appreciate it."

I'm sure Hariette doesn't have a lot of spare time in her hands, pero nagawa niya pa rin isingit ang pagpaplano ng simple bachelorette party ko. She told me it wasn't a hassle dahil tatlo lang naman kami. She just wanted us to have a good time while eating and drinking. Naisip niya raw kasi na baka gusto kong chill lang, and she guessed it right.

"No worries. We're family!" Hariette's smile reached her eyes. "Anyway, you should wear this first!"

Kinuha niya ang customized headband na may nakalagay na "bride to be" sa taas at isinuot sa akin. Mayroon din siyang hinandang sash at ganoon din ang nakalagay. She also clipped a wedding veil on my hair. Tinulungan siya ni Joseph sa paggawa no'n.

We took pictures after they dolled me up. Mas nagtagal si Hariette sa pagpi-picture namin bago siya nagtawag ng staff sa lanas upang kuhanin din kaming tatlo ng litrato.

Pagkatapos ng photo time ay naupo na kami sa sofa. Hariette served a slice of her cake to us. Masarap iyon at tamang-tama lamang ang tamis. Hindi rin dry ang tinapay sa loob.

"Grabe! I can't believe ikakasal na talaga si Kuya Xavi! Three days na lang," Hariette said as she sipped on a cocktail. "Are you ready? Mas una ang lipad ninyo papuntang Amanpulo, 'di ba?"

Tumango ako. "Bukas ng gabi ang punta ko kasama si Mama."

"What about Kuya Xavi? Hindi siya sabay sa 'yo?"

"May tatapusin pa sila ni Joseph. They will come a day before the wedding."

"I can't believe Kuya's still going to work when he's getting married. You should've talked to him and adjusted his schedule, Joseph!" sabay sisi ni Hariette kay Joseph na tahimik lamang habang umiinom.