Everything After ✅

27. Ethan

-at present- after so many years.

"Can you please do a little polish of this, Edna?" kalmadong tugon ko sa kanya.

"Sorry, Maam Faith. I will revise this again," mabilis na kilos niya.

Pinaikot ko lang din ang swivel chair at inabot ang cellphone ko na nasa kabilang banda. I finished the design and I just made it in time. Kanina pa ito hinintay ni Maya para sa kasal niya. After six years, she's getting married at the age of twenty seven. Ang mensahi niya agad ang nabasa ko.

Maya's message to me:

Oh my goodness! Ang ganda, Faith! The best ka talaga! I can't wait to see you on my wedding day, and please take care of my wedding dress. (Flying kiss emoticon niya.)

I reply with a big thumbs up and a heart shape emoticon. Then I looked at my calendar. I still have two weeks to go before her big day. Natapos ko na ang ibang detalye sa damit niya at konti na lang din ay matatapos na ito. I will take it with me, because I'll be attending her wedding too. Isa kasi ako sa mga bridesmaid niya, at ako rin lang naman ang exclusibong wedding gown designer niya.

"Ms Faith Mondragon!" ang boses ni Paloma.

Ang arteng kembot agad niya at pilantik ng daliri nito. Tumaas lang din ang kilay ko nang mapansin na may nakasunod sa kanya. Ang delivery boy ito, at may hawak pang dose-dosenang bulaklak.

"Good day, Ma'am. Delivery," he smiles.

Pinirmahan ko lang 'to at maingat niyang nilapag ito sa kabilang mesa. Umalis na din agad ang delivery man at naiwan kami ni Paloma.

"Oh, how thoughtful is he..." lawak na ngiti niyang nakatitig sa mga bulaklak.

Tumayo na ako at binasa lang din ang maliit na mensahi na meron dito.

Roses for my beautiful Faith.

I love you

Paul

I couldn't stop myself from smiling. Each day, every day, he always sent me flowers. Kung hindi man sa opisina ay sa bahay naman. He's out of town. He's in Greece for his business. He always makes me feel special in many ways. He's very thoughtful and very understanding. He loves me unconditionally and supports me in everything. He's one of the reasons why my life has changed so much.

"I have contacted Anna Lyse, Faith. Do you want me to book the same flight on the same day? She's on the aircraft as the steward," taas kilay ni Paloma.

"Oh, that would be nice! I'd love to catch up with her."

"Great! I'll get this all done, Ms Faith. And by the way, the school rang a few minutes ago... And, umm..."

I took a deep breath. Okay, I knew it...

"Is Ethan in trouble again?" seryosong titig ko.

Tumango lang din siya at hindi na nagsalita.

"I'll talk to the Principal, and I'll fetch him today, Paloma."

Tumayo na ako at kinuha lang din ang bag ko sa gilid. Ethan is growing up, a six-year-old boy with a character. Minsan hindi ko makuha kung bata pa ba siya dahil kakaiba siya magsalita. He's very clever and he thinks way too much with everything.

Pinirmahan ko lang ang iilang papelis na inabot ni Paloma sa akin at umalis na agad ako.

Nang maihinto ni Manong Ben ang sasakyan sa harap ng paaralan ay maingat akong lumabas dito. Nakangiti pa akong nakatingin sa malaking gate ng school. Dito rin kasi kami noon nag-aaral ni Hope. It bring backs memories during our younger years.