Before Anything Else (Absinthe Series 2)

Special Chapter

Special Chapter: Before Anything Else

Suminghot ako habang pinapahid ang luha sa mga mata. My tears can't stop flowing and my eyes were already swollen. Hindi ko lang mapigilang umiyak kasi kanina pa sumasakit ang dibdib ko.

"I didn't know you easily cry on movies like this," I felt Eion poked my wet cheek. Kauupo niya lang sa tabi ko at may dala na namang box ng tissue. I was glaring at him when I got the tissue from his hand. Hindi ko siya pinansin at hinila na lamang yung tissue.

I blew hard on the piece of paper. Agad na itinapon ko sa katabi naming maliit na trashbin. Eion was chuckling while he was watching me clean up. Sa background ay naririnig ko ang panibagong musika na nanggagaling sa tv.

"That movie was great. I was moved alright!" Pagalit kong anas sa kaniya, sumisinghot-singhot pa. Inangat niya ang dalawang braso. His playful eyes were darted at my face. Ngumuso ako nang bahagya bago siya inirapan.

"It's your birthday. You shouldn't be crying like that." He teased and wrapped his arms around me.

Oo nga pala. It's my birthday today and I didn't plan anything. Ang sabi ko ay balak ko lang na mag-stay sa condo niya dahil wala naman akong balak gawin. We decided to just watch movies and eat some ordered food. Maghapon ng ganito ang set up namin kasi hindi ko naman siya pinapayagang lumabas. He doesn't want to go somewhere either. Parang buntot ko na si Eion, na kung nasaan ako ay nandoon din siya. Except for those times where he and the band would go out of the country. Hindi naman kasi palaging nakakasama ako sa kaniya sa mga concert o ano pa.

I am now working as a Legal Secretary at Tito Fred's law firm. Since I didn't go back to teaching, Tito Fred offered me a job that I couldn't refuse. Kahit nga si Snow ay inaalok din ako na magtrabaho sa kanilang kompanya. I was more confident on accepting Tito Fred's offer because I have somehow a background on political sciences and cases.

I decided that I won't try to enter law school anymore. Bukod sa marami na akong sinayang na taon, pakiramdam ko naman ay wala na rin akong panahon doon. Soon, I'll be married to Eion. And even though he suports me on going back to school again, it was already my decision not to. Come to think of it, being a legal secretary is like being a lawyer too. Nakakasama ako sa mga hearings ni Tito Fred at parang nandoon na lang din naman ako sa korte.

"Wala ka bang sorpresa sa akin?" Bigla kong hinarap si Eion para magtanong. Knowing this guy, I know he has some tricks just hiding under his sleeves. Kanina pa nga siya tanong nang tanong kung ganoon lang ba talaga ang plano namin.

Paulit-ulit ko namang sinasabing oo kasi nga tamad akong lumabas. My birthday's not that special. Knowing the truth, it's not like I could celebrate it more enthusiastically.

Eion raised a brow. "Nothing. I've got no money left. I'll be spending it all on our wedding."

"Yabang."

He chuckled and pulled me to him. Lumipat ang braso niya sa aking kaliwang braso. He caressed my skin a bit as he kissed my hair.

"But we can't stay here all day. I can't eat junk foods all day, baby."

Umikot ang aking mata. Nagsumiksik na lang ako sa kaniya.

"We can go to a bar or something." aniya pa.

Umiling-iling ako. "I don't want to. Baka pikutin mo ako kapag nalasing ako."

He barked a laughter. "Napikot na kita. We're getting married in a few weeks."

"I know."

And it was stressful. Looking back these past months, talagang pagod na pagod kaming dalawa. The first day of our wedding preparation was a hassle. Pareho kaming hindi marunong na dalawa at naii-stress si Snow kasi wala talaga kaming ideya kung ano ang gagawin. It was funny. I even had to call Avi and the others to help me plan out. Clearly, I am not into super cheesy and super romantic settings.