A Flower for Alice

12

DARIO

When the clock strikes 5 o'clock, nagsimula na kaming maghanda ni Alice. Because she wants to be there earlier than the what they have talk.

"Move your ass fast, you brute. Bakit ba sinasadya mo magbagal? Nakakahiya kay Mommy kapag late tayo." pagmamadali niya.

I snorted. "Baby, it is just 5 o'clock. Tinatamad pa ako kumilos, I want to cuddle with you."

Pinandilatan niya lang ako. "Mamaya na, kumilos ka na o hahampasin kita ng mop."

I lazily start to prepare for that goddamn dinner. "Fine, maliligo na ako. Or you want us to take a bath together?"

"Tumigil ka nga, sa banyo ka na sa baba maligo, dito ako sa banyo sa kuwarto." Hinampas niya pa ako.

"Alright, I love you." sabi ko at kumilos na dahil baka magalit lalo si Hitler.

Naligo na ako at nagbihis na rin para hindi na ako masigawan ng mahal ko.

"Dario, tapos ka na ba?" sigaw niya galing sa kuwarto namin. Umakyat na ako para makita niya ang kaguwapuhan ko.

Sumadal ako sa pinto ng kuwarto namin. "I'm more handsome now, right?"

She is sitting on her large makeup mirror as she laugh loudly.

"Napakahangin mo talaga. Ayusin mo ang sarili mo hindi yung daldal ka ng daldal." she said.

Pumasok na ako. "That hurts. By the way my love, you don't need to wear excessive make up, you are beautiful enough for me." Pero ang mahal ko, binato lang ako ng suklay, buti na lang nasalo ko.

"I know I am. Stop talking now and let me finish para we will leave na." she suggested. Nag-ayos na kami para makaalis na kami.

"We don't need gifts right?" nag-aalala niyang tanong habang nasa sasakyan kami.

I chuckle because her nervousness is showing in her voice.

I patted her head. "I said don't worry to much, they will love you kahit hindi ka pa nagsasalita." Tiningnan niya lang ako ng masama at nanahimik na siya.

I wonder what is the relationship of Alice to my cousin on the past?

I parked my car outside of our house and a man said he will take care of it. I hold Alice's waist.

"You look tense, my love. Smile, you are more beautiful when you do that." I assured her. Ngumiti lang siya at naglakad na kami papasok.

Pagkapasok namin ay sinalubong kami ng ilang kasambahay namin at sinabihan si Mommy na nandito na kami.

"Alice, Dario, welcome my babies. You are too early pero nandito na naman ang mga tita mo so let's go to the dining room." she said as she kissed our cheeks.

"They are here already? Akala ko maghihintay pa kami." sagot ko habang naglalakad kami patungo doon.

"Well, I suggested that they should stay here kaya nandito agad sila." my Mom answered.

Pagkarating namin sa dining room ay nakita namin na nag-uusap si Daddy, Tita Lita at Tito Andrius. Nang nakita kami ni Daddy ay tumayo siya kaya napalingon sila Tito sa amin.

"At last, nandito na kayo. I thought we are going to wait for an hour." sabi ni Daddy. I looked at the guy that is my closest cousin na nakaupo pa rin at pinupunasan ang bibig niya at tumayo din at humarap sa amin.

Nilapitan ako ni Tita Lita. "Dario, darling, you looked grown up now. And this beautiful girl is your wife, right?" salita ni Tita. But my mind is not focus on that because I hear that Alice gasped and when I looked at her, I saw that she is shock while looking at my cousin.

"My love, are you okay?" seryoso kong tanong sa kaniya habang nakatingin ako sa pinsan ko na bakas din sa mata ang gulat. It took a minute for Alice to answer.

"I am okay, don't worry." she said but I can say that she is fighting the urge to cry. Hindi ko namalayan na nakalapit na sa amin si Tita.

"You must be Tita Lita po?" tanong ni Alice ng nakangit, but I know that her smile is fake.

"Yes, I am her. Napakaganda mo pala kagaya ng kwento nitong si Ate Rosa. Bagay kayo ni Dario." she squeal excitedly then she hug Alice. Niyakap siya nito pabalik.

"Hi Tita, Tito, how is your life?" masaya kong tanong para mawala ang iniisip ko.

"We're always okay. Let's eat now." my Mom suggested kaya naupo na kami. I get Alice's chair beside mine for her to sit comfortably. She smiled at me.

"So, how's marriage life, Dario?" tanong ni Tito.

"It's okay Tito. Alice is a wonderful wife, so my life is more awesome than when we're not married." sagot ko. I glance at Alice and I saw her hands trembling, so I hold it tightly. I glance at Kervin too and I saw that he is looking intently to my wife.

"Are you okay, my love?" bulong ko. She just nodded and look at our hands.

"Do you know that Kervin wants to settle down too ng malaman niya na kasal na siya? Kaya umuwi kami para makita at mabisita kayo." nakangiting kwento ni Tita.

"He should Tita. Tumatanda na siya." pabiro kong sabi pero ang mata ko ay hindi umaalis kay Alice.

Tumikhim ito. "Oo nga, naiingit ako sayo. Gusto ko din na may kasing ganda akong asawa tulad ng sayo. She's really a beauty, huh?" sagot ni Dario. Nairita ako sa sagot niya but I forgot about it when I saw that Alice is crying.

"My love, what's wrong?" nag-aalala kong tanong. May narinig akong tumawa at ng tingnan ko, si Kervin ito.

"Maybe because I compliment her? Iba talaga ang dating ko." natatawa nitong saad.

I glared at him angrily. "Shut the fuck up."

"What's wrong Alice? Do you need anything?" nagpapanic na tanong ni Mommy.

"I am just joking Dario, don't take it to seriously." bawi nito. Nanghingi ako ng tissue para kay Alice.

Tumayo na ako dahil sa galit. "I said shut the fuck up."

"Darius!" seryosong sabi ni Daddy habang si Mommy ay lumapit na sa akin.

"Woah, that anger is vivid. I just want us to laugh." anito.

Hindi ko na ito pinansin at inintindi na lang si Alice.

"My love, are you okay now?" mahinahon kong tanong pero umiling lang ito.

"Alice, sorry for my rude attitude. Mabait naman ako." singit ni Kervin pero biglang tumayo si Alice na ikinagulat ko.

"I don't want to hear your voice, so shut that fucking mouth of yours!" sigaw niya. "You are the reason for it, I forgot about you. But why are you here? I don't want to see you anymore, but why did I saw that fucking face of yours? I hope you'll experience something that will tear you apart, like how you destroy me." galit niyang sigaw at naglakad palabas sa dining room namin.