"Ayusin mo," sabi ng kakambal ko habang pinapanood ang ginagawa ko. He peered down on me. Kahit na may suot na akong three inches pumps ay pakiramdam ko, ang liit ko pa rin.
Akala ko noon magiging magising tangkad kami because we're twins. Nagulat na lang ako noong nag-grade eight kami na hanggang tenga niya na lang ako so I wore shoes with heels para maabot siya until we're in grade ten.
"Wait.." lito kong inangat ang necktie.
"Tsk. Di ganyan."
"Shh! Wag mo akong istorbohin." then I proceed knotting his necktie based on what I remember.
Nang matapos ay tinignan ko ito ng malayuan. Parang medyo tabingi.
"Isa pa!" sabi ko. Zian groaned pero wala na rin naman siyang magagawa. Kinalas ko iyon at inulit.
"Finally," wika niya nang makalabas kami sa kwarto niya. "It took you seven tries."
"Ang importante, nagawa ko." I feel slightly proud of myself. Ilang beses akong nagpractice kagabi kung paano magtali non, I even borrowed one of Daddy's neckties.
Sa baba ng hagdanan ay ang mga magulang namin na mukhang kanina pa naghihintay. Daddy is holding a purple box, iyon yata ang regalo ng pamilya namin para kay Fiona.
"Zia, Zian! Hurry! We don't want to be late," sabi ni Mommy sabay lakad papunta sa pintuan, inalalayan siya ni Daddy.
Zian helped me as I step down the staircase. Iisang kotse lang ang gagamitin namin papunta sa kasal. May pinasunod din si Daddy na bodyguards sa amin, he hired them once again just in case gambalain kami sa ceremony.
Isang oras lang ang byahe papunta sa simbahan. They chose the nearest in our subdivision para hindi na mahirapan pa, I heard that Fire's grandparents from his father's side are staying in their house.
I hooked my hand on Zian's arm habang naglalakad kami papasok sa simbahan. We both studied the place. The motif is pastel so the bridesmaids are wearing soft pink gowns. It's the opposite of my baby blue dress.
I can feel their eyes on me. May iba namang mabilis na naglabas ng cellphone at itinapat sa banda namin mabuti na lang at may staff na sumuway sa kanila.
Sa bandang kanan ng mga upuan ay naroon ang pamilya Salvador. I saw Ysabelle cradling her infant child at nakaalalay sa kanyang gilid si Alfred. There's also Hughes, Harley and her husband as well as their parents.
"Hi!" kaway ni Harley sa akin nang makita ako. I waved back.
"Dito po kayo banda," sabi ng isang staff sa amin as he lead us to our designated seat. The seventh row from the altar.
"Babatiin lang muna namin sina Jaine.." sabi ni Mommy. Kaya kami lang ni Zian ang naiwan sa puwesto namin. My brother is busy looking around and is frowning.
Sa harap namin ay ang pamilya nina Harley, she immediately turned around and opened a conversation.
"Totoo ba? Like true na kayo na ni Fire?" nangingiti niyang tanong.
"Yes.."
She let out an excited shriek but immediately covered her eyes. Lahat tuloy ng tao ay nanahimik saglit at napatingin sa banda namin. They all look intrigued.
"Harley," tawag ng kanyang asawa at may binulong.
"Sorry.." she said. "Sorry. Natuwa lang."
"It's okay," natawa na lang tuloy ako sa naging aksyon niya.
Because of her question, I looked around for Fire at nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa banda namin. His accusing eyes went to Harley then softened when he saw me.
