FORTY-THREE
"Seungwan cried like a bitch last night, I almost felt bad." Kwento ni Rosie sa mga kasama niyang kumain ng lunch.
Nagsitanguan sila Jennie, Lisa, at Joy.
"Grabi naman kasi yung trip mo teh." Sabi ni Joy.
"Gags alam mo namang iyakin bespren mo tapos ginu-good time mo, sira-ulo ka din eh." Sabi ni Jennie.
"In Rosie's defense.." Sabi ni Lisa. "Obvious naman na nasa kanya yung singsing. Di lang napapansin nung isa."
Pumitik si Rosie sa direction ni Lisa. Kinindatan. "Yun oh." Sabi niya.
"Don't let that get to your head." Sabi ni Jennie kay Rosie. "Ganyan lang yang si Lalisa kasi may crush sayo yan."
"Nominate ko na yung friend group niyo as that one friend group who's most likely to switch pairings among themselves." Deadpan na comment ni Joy.
"Sa tru lang." Sabi ni Rosie. "Ano bang type mo, Jennie?" Pabiro niyang tanong sa isa pang kaibigan.
Uminom si Jennie ng beer. "Si Jisoo sana kaso gagong tunay yun eh." Sagot nito.
"Cool kaya kausap si Soo." Sabi ni Joy.
"Bagay kayo actually." Sabi ni Lisa.
"Jowain mo nga. Baka ikaw lang kailangan nun." Biro ni Jennie.
"Bet. Watch me. Lalandiin ko." Sagot ni Joy.
"Ay tangina patola naman pala." Asar ni Rosie. Kibit-balikat. "Goodluck nalang I guess?"
Nag-hairflip si Joy. "Thanks gurl."
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"Yo. Good.." Tumingin si Wendy sa wall clock. Ala-una ng umaga. "Morning. Good morning." Pabirong bati sa bagong dating sa bahay at lasing na si Rosie.
Nag peace sign si Rosie. "Yo!" Nakangiting sagot.
"I made soup. For the incoming hangover."
"Yun oh. Was hoping you would. Gutom na din ako eh." Lumapit lang si Rosie kay Wendy tapos humalik.
"Pfft. Lasang soju ka. Eew?" Reklamo ni Wendy.
"Kahit?"
"Kumain ka na nga lang. Magtira ka para bukas, I assume you're going to be whining all day, buti nalang walang pasok."
"Love you, Theungwan. Aalagaan mo naman ako bukas diba?" Lambing ni Rosie. Lumingkis na sa natatawang si Wendy.
"Wankosayo mehn."
"Balik mooooooo!"
Tumawa lang lalo si Wendy. Sinumpal ng garlic bread si Rosie. "I love you too, Rothie..against all odds..I truly love you too." Comment niya sa nakakunot ang noo habang ngumunguya na girlfriend.
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"ARF!"
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Sigaw ni Wendy paglabas niya ng bedroom para magluto ng agahan.
May aso kasing nakaupo sa harapan niya. Kumakawag ang buntot, nakalabas ang dila.
"Where did you come from?" Tanong niya sa aso.
"ARF!"
"I don't know why I expected a proper answer." Umiiling na sabi ni Wendy. Dumiretso na sa kusina. Sinundan lang siya ng aso. Kumakawag padin ang buntot.
"What do you want mehn?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"ARF!"
"I can make you a toast?"
"ARF!"
"Okay..well..uhh..toast it is I guess."
Pinaghanda niya ng tinapay ang aso tapos pinanuod habang kumakain ito. "Mehn..seryoso. Saan ka galing?" Tanong niya ulit.
Masaya lang na nagpaikot-ikot sa paa ni Wendy ang aso. Kumakawag padin ang buntot. "ARF!"
"Does your tail know how to chill or?"
"ARF!"
"ACK!" Sigaw ni Rosie na kakalabas lang ng kwarto at sinugod ng asong kausap ni Wendy. "Hello!" Bati niya sa aso. Binuhat tapos inilapit kay Wendy na hinalikan niya sa pisngi tapos pina-amoy sa buhat.
"Rothie..what..did you do?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"I forgot to tell you this last night coz I was drunk as fuck but this is Hank!" Sagot ni Rosie. "Say hi to Wendy, Hank!" Kinaway ang isang paw ni Hank ni Wendy.
"What in the world.." Sabi ni Wendy.
Binaba lang ni Rosie ang aso na umupo sa harapan nila ni Wendy.
"Pinara kasi ni Joy yung grab last night coz she has to puke..tapos bumaba kami pareho..and then Hank was just there next to this tree looking all lost and lonely so I picked him up and brought him home. Neat right?"
"When did you even find time to name him?"
"Last night while he was cuddling up to me sa kotse. Named him after my favorite pizzeria in New York. Hank's. Kasi wala lang." Nakangiting sagot ni Rosie.
"ARF!"
Bumuntong-hininga si Wendy. "I assume you want to keep him?" Tanong niya.
"ARF!"
"Look at him, Theungwan! He's so happy." Sagot ni Rosie. "Look at his cute litol tail wagging around like that..gotta be the world's biggest asshole to not want to keep him."
"ARF!"
"Lord..dalawa na sila.." Bulong ni Wendy.
Binuhat lang ulit ni Rosie si Hank tapos hinila ng yakap si Wendy para naka-gitna ang aso sa kanilang dalawa. Hinarap silang tatlo sa reflection ng ref. "Look at us. Theungwan and Rothie, with their boi, Hank!"
"I haven't said yes to keeping him, Rosie." Deadpan na sagot ni Wendy.
Nag-pout na si Rosie.
Pumikit lang si Wendy para hindi ma-sway ng tactics nung jowa. "Are we even ready for that kind of responsibility?" Sabi niya.
"Won't know unless we try, Theungwan." Sabi ni Rosie.
Dinilaan ni Hank sa pisngi si Wendy. Napadilat siya. "I feel like he's also pouting at me, is he also pouting at me?" Tanong niya sa girlfriend na nagkibit-balikat.
"Idk. Probs mehn." Sagot ni Rosie. Pinagtabi ang mukha nila ni Hank, lalong nag-pout. "Come on, Theungwan. We both know you're going to fold."
"Dear god, this is so ridiculously unfair.." Comment ni Wendy.
"Psst. Hank, show Theungwan your happy tail. Bilis." Sabi ni Rosie sa aso.
Kumawag ang buntot ni Hank. "ARF!"
Tinapik-tapik ni Wendy ang kitchen counter. "You want pancakes for breakfast?" Tanong niya kay Rosie.
Hinalikan siya ni Rosie. "Yes please."
"Okay..with blueberries?"
"Mhmm."
"Coming right up then.."
"We're keeping him huh?" Sabi ni Rosie.
"May magagawa pa ba ako?" Sagot ni Wendy.
"Love you, Theungwan!"
Bumuntong-hininga nalang ulit si Wendy. Ngumiti. "Love you too, Rothie."
"Yay! Welcome to the family, Hank! Iz gon be greaaaaaaaaaaat!"
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"Hoy." Tawag ni Wendy sa gumugulong-gulong sa kama na si Rosie.
"Oh?" Muffled na sagot. Naka-smush ang mukha sa unan.
"It's that time of the month again."
"Arrgh! Is it?"
"Yeh mehn. Bumangon ka na diyan. I'll be at the living room, bring a calculator."
"Ayoko."
"We put it off last month, Rothie!" Reklamo ni Wendy.
"Turned out well didn't it?"
"Our budget was fucked!"
"Ang arte! Di naman tayo maghihirap."
"Kahit na. Gotta prepare for the future and shit right? This was your idea, wag kang ano. Also, we have your son Hank to worry about now."
"Potek naman. Didn't expect you'd be all for it."
"Ganun talaga. It's Math."
"Tsk. Fine. Kuha mo muna ako ng Gatorade..babangon na ako in a bit."
Tulog na ulit si Rosie pagbalik ni Wendy sa kwarto dala ang request na Gatorade. Ngumiti nalang siya tapos tinabihan ng higa. Ipinatong ang hawak sa bedside table tapos maingat na nilipat si Rosie papunta sa ibabaw niya.
Hinalikan sa noo ng maramdamang sumiksik ng yakap.
Tumahol lang si Hank mula sa pwesto nito ng higa sa paanan ng kama.
Di nila nagawa yung budget agenda. Nakatulog na maghapon pareho.
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"Come on, buddy. Sit." Sabi ni Rosie kay Hank.
Nasa park silang tatlo. Dinala ang bagong anak for a walk, dinala ang mga sarili para makatambay somewhere na hindi nila bahay.
Tinitigan lang ni Hank si Rosie. Hinabol ang sariling buntot.
Tumawa si Wendy. "Kamusta training agenda?" Biro niya kay Rosie.
"He's going to get there eventually. I've got a smart boi here. Just.."
"Easily distracted?" Sabi ni Wendy ng makita na tumakbo bigla si Hank para tahulan ang isang ibon na dumapo sa lupa.
"Yeh." Sagot ni Rosie. "Easily distracted."
Bumalik sa harapan nila si Hank. Umupo lang sa picnic mat sa tabi ni Wendy tapos gumulong-gulong bago natulog.
"Ngayon ko lang na-gets yung sinasabi nila na dogs are a reflection of their owners." Comment ni Wendy.
Humiga nadin si Rosie sa tabi ni Wendy. "Hmm?"
"Hank..is exactly like you."
"Elaborate."
"Easily distracted, perpetually happy, sleeps all the damn time. That's you, Rothie."
"Very funny, Theungwan."
"Hindi ba?"
"Wankosayo. Usog ka ng slight.." Humikab. "I gotta nap."
"You just proved my point!"
"Sure, whatever." Dumapa si Rosie sa ibabaw ni Wendy. "Goodnight."
Bumangon si Hank tapos dumagan sa likod ni Rosie.
"Para namang ewan eh!" Reklamo ni Wendy. "Pati ba naman yung pagtulog sa ibabaw ko magiging habit din ng anak mo?!"
"Matulog ka na din lang, does the extra weight even make a difference?"
Huminga ng malalim si Wendy. Pinanuod hanggang makatulog si Rosie. "God..I..I love you.." Bulong niya.
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"Saan ang punta natin?" Tanong ni Jisoo kay Wendy. Kinakalikot ang radyo ng kotse.
"Pag si Rosie ang gumagawa ng ganyan hindi nakakainis pero bakit pag ikaw nababadtrip ako? Patayin mo nalang kung wala kang mapiling station. Hayup to." Sagot ni Wendy.
Pinatay nga ni Jisoo ang radyo. Pinakyu si Wendy. "Sagutin mo tanong ko, erp. Saan ang punta natin?"
"Tutulungan mo akong bilhan ng bagong singsing si Rosie."
"Bakit?"
"Kelangan ko na magpropose. Sasabog na dibdib ko eh. Hindi ko na kayang hindi."
"Okay? Bakit ako sinama mo? Malay ko sa ganung shit."
"Daan nadin tayo sa resto pagkatapos, check natin progress ng construction."
"Sagot mo ba pagkain ko?"
"Bakit ang buraot mo? May pera ka naman."
Kibit-balikat si Jisoo. "Malaking pabor kelangan mo sakin eh. Kelangan may kapalit."
"Putanginang yan."
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"Afternoon po, tita!" Masayang bati ni Rosie sa nagbukas sa kanya ng pinto sa pinuntahang bahay.
Nginitian siya ni Tita Seohyun. Sumenyas na pumasok siya sa loob na sinunod naman niya.
"What brings you here, Rosie?" Tanong nito.
Kinawayan siya ng nadatnan sa dining table na si Tita Yoona. "We were just about to have lunch, sakto ka. Sabay na dali." Aya nito.
Nakiupo nadin si Rosie sa hapag. "Salamat po. Uhh..I'm here to talk to you about Seungwan." Paliwanag niya.
"What about our daughter?" Tanong ni Tita Seohyun. Inabutan ng bowl na may soup si Rosie.
"I'm here to ask permission.."
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"You make a cute couple." Sabi ng attendant sa isang fancy jewelry store na pinuntahan nila Wendy at Jisoo.
Nagtinginan sila. Sabay na dumuwal.
"Yak amputa." Sabi ni Jisoo.
"Eew. Over my dead and decomposing body." Sabi ni Wendy.
Nagulat ang attendant. "Oh?"
"I'm here to pick out a ring for my girlfriend. To propose with." Sagot ni Wendy. "Sabit lang tong kasama ko, ate."
Kinilabutan si Jisoo. "Kadiri talaga. Parang gusto ko biglang bumalik sa paninigarilyo dahil lang sa comment na yun." Nakakunot noong sabi.
Natawa lang ang attendant. Sumenyas na sa isang part ng display case na may mga singsing. "Sorry for that..anyway, here's our selection. Feel free to browse."
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"I'm going for it tonight." Sabi ni Rosie sa mga magulang ni Wendy. "With Hank around..gotta give him a complete family."
"Who?" Tanong ni Tita Yoona.
"Hank..uhh..our son?"
"WHAT?!" Sabi ni Tita Seohyun.
"Yeah. We adopted a dog."
Sabay na bumuntong-hininga ang parents ni Wendy.
"Sorz if it sounded like we suddenly had a kid..we haven't..yet? Idk..but a dog is a good start right?" Sabi ni Rosie.
"How does Seungwan feel about your Hank?" Tanong ni Tita Yoona.
"Pabebe lang yung si Wan I think..likes to act all indifferent pero I know for sure she loves him already."
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"Daan muna tayo dito saglit." Sabi ni Wendy. Pinarada ang kotse sa harap ng isang pet store/shelter.
"Anmeron?" Tanong ni Jisoo pagpasok nila sa loob.
"Hank's been demolishing a steady stock of food. Gotta get more supplies. Fit for the growing pup." Sagot ni Wendy.
"Who the fuck is Hank?"
"Yung inampon ni Rosie na aso."
"Nag-ampon si Roseanne?"
"Yeh mehn..got drunk last week and picked him up from the tree he was hanging out in."
"Dahell..okay..sounds like something Roseanne would do."
Kumuha si Wendy ng ilang mga dog toys tapos tumayo sa harap ng mga dog food para mamili ng pupwedeng bilhin para kay Hank.
"SHET!" Sigaw ni Jisoo mula sa kabilang side ng tindahan.
Lumapit si Wendy. Nakatayo si Jisoo sa harap ng isang kennel kung saan may mga ilang aso na naglalaro sa loob.
"Trip mo?" Tanong niya kay Jisoo.
Tinuro ni Jisoo ang isang aso na nakaupo sa isang sulok at naglalaro ng chew toy. "Mehn. Shet. Maghanap ka ng attendant. Kita mo yung aso na yun? Iuuwi ko."
"Dafuck are you and Rosie even on lately?" Tanong ni Wendy. "Dog fever much?"
"MEHN! MAGHANAP KA NG ATTENDANT DALI!"
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Nanunuod ng TV si Wendy pagkauwi ni Rosie galing sa walk niya kasama si Hank.
"Sup." Bati ni Wendy. "I bought your boi some supplies."
"Thanks, babe." Sabi ni Rosie. Tinanggal ang leash ng aso na tumakbo lang tapos kumandong kay Wendy sa sofa. Tumabi nadin siya.
"You got somewhere to be tomorrow night?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Wala naman. Why?"
"Overlook sana..what's your schedule looking like this week?"
"Seems chill so far..I'll let you know if anything changes. Kaw ba?"
"Restaurant's 50% done. Should be good to go next month as per Joy."
"Coolbeans."
"Gonna get busy while we try to get it going."
"Understandable. Ilan lang kayong staff for now eh."
"D'you want to go out with me for lunch everyday starting next week?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Don't I already do that?" Sagot ni Rosie.
Natawa si Wendy. "Oo nga naman..what I meant is..go out out. As in, I have to check out other places for food ideas and I think it would be amazing to take you with me."
Wala sa sarili na tinapik-tapik ni Rosie ang likod ni Hank. "Pweds naman. Sige game ako diyan." Sabi niya.
Hinalikan siya sa noo ni Wendy. "Thanks, love."
"No problem, Theungwan. Lipat mo channel. Shark week, erp. Scare the shit out of Hank."
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"Psst. Theungwan." Tawag ni Rosie. Binuhat ang natutulog sa gitna nila na si Hank tapos nilipat sa paanan ng kama.
"It's 1AM, Rothie..this better be good." Groggy na sagot ni Wendy, halatang naistorbo ang tulog.
"Didja find my engagement ring yet?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Humikab si Wendy. "Not yet, Rosie. But I bought you a new one. I'll propose tomorrow night."
"How out of it are you right now? Like..on a scale of one to ten?"
"Twenty, Rosie." Nakapikit na sagot ni Wendy.
"Cool." Natatawang sabi ni Rosie. "Coz I think you just spilled that you intend to propose tomorrow night. Unless I heard wrong."
"I don't even..what are we talking about?"
"Open your eyes, Wan."
"No. Go to sleep, Rothie Pothie."
"Dali na. It's a Friday."
"So?"
"Basta. Open your eyes. I've got a solution to your ring problem."
"I already solved it. Bought a new one remember?"
"Tsk." Tinapik ni Rosie si Hank na mabilis namang gumising tapos full attention na umupo. "Hank. Go and wake Wendy up for me please." Request niya.
"ARF!" Mabilis na tumakbo si Hank papunta sa mukha ni Wendy. Dinilaan sa pisngi, pinaliguan ng laway. Umikot-ikot sa tiyan ni Wendy, hinagip ng hinagip ng buntot ang mukha ng ginigising.
"Fine." Sabi ni Wendy. "I'm awake. Okay. Gising na. Knock it off, Hank. I get it." Bumangon tapos sumandal sa headboard, tinaasan ng kilay ang aso na bumalik lang sa paanan ng kama tapos natulog na ulit.
"Psst. Theungwan." Tawag ni Rosie. Nakangiti.
"What, Rothie?" Sagot ni Wendy. Nagkakamot ng mata.
"Solution time."
"Was there even a problem?"
"Yeh mehn. The problem is ang bagal mo kumilos 5ever."
"Eh?"
"I got tired of waiting."
"Eh?"
"Is your brain still sleeping?"
"Probs. I feel like I'm in a fugue state."
Bumuntong-hininga si Rosie. Tinitigan lang si Wendy na kumukurap-kurap sa effort na gisingin ang sarili para lang maituloy ang usapan na hinahanap niya.
"Psst. Theungwan."
"Mehn..spit it out." Sagot ni Wendy.
Sinampal ni Rosie si Wendy. Malakas. Nakakagising.
"WHAT THE HELL, ROTHIE?!" Reklamo ni Wendy. Hawak ang pisngi.
"Gising ka na?" Natatawang sabi ni Rosie.
"Fucking..nuts..what the fuck?"
"Theungwan.."
"ANO?!"
"Marry me."
Nahulog si Wendy sa kama. Patalikod. Nagising si Hank na tinahulan siya ng malala.
"Ha?!" Sabi ni Wendy mula sa lapag.
Sinilip lang siya ni Rosie. "Marry me kako." Ulit ni Rosie. Pinakita ang suot na singsing.
"Holyshit?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"You were taking too long. I had a whole plan for this that I ran through with JenLisa. Kaso ang tagal bago mo mapansin na I was already wearing the ring you were looking for."
"So you decided to tell me all this in the ass crack of dawn on a random Friday?"
Tumango si Rosie. "Yup. Kasi nga ang bagal mo."
"Are you for fucking real right now?!" Bumangon na si Wendy mula sa pagkakahiga sa lapag tapos tumabi kay Rosie ng upo sa kama.
"Yeh mehn. Why would I not be for real?" Sagot ni Rosie.
"Holyshit?"
"ARF!"
"Chill out, Hank." Sabi ni Rosie sa aso niya na nagwawala namaman ang buntot.
"Ohmygod?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"So ano, Wan?" Tanong ni Rosie. "Yes or yes on marrying me?"
"Holyshit.."
Nagtaas lang ng kilay si Rosie kay Wendy.
"I bought a new ring for you literally this afternoon.." Umiiling na kwento ni Wendy.
"See that's why your budget's all messed up. Sabi ko sayo maghanap ka lang for the other one eh. Who told you to buy a new one?" Biro ni Rosie.
"Ohmyfucking..god..Rothie.."
"So ano nga?"
"I was gonna propose tomorrow night!"
"I'll let you go ahead with your thing if that's what you're bothered about..I'm pretty good at acting surprised."
"It's the ass-crack of dawn..on a random Friday.."
"Which is usually when we manage to think up great solutions for our problems right?"
"Was there even a problem?"
"Bruh..I just said there was kanina." Sabi ni Rosie. "The problem was ang bagal mo and also di mo makita na nasakin lang yung singsing na hinahanap mo."
"Ohmygod."
"Tsaka ayun na nga..it's been two years since we got back together, isang buwan nalang thirty years na tayong magkakilala, this whole girlfriends thing has never been more stable.." Paliwanag ni Rosie. "Hank needs a solid set of parents which we're kinda fucking being amazing at..and..well..I love you..I can't NOT be married to you anymore sooooo…"
Bumuntong-hininga si Wendy. Humiga ulit. "I'm proposing tomorrow night." Sabi niya.
Dumagan si Rosie kay Wendy. "Yeh mehn. Go for it. I'll be all surprised and shit, watch me." Sabi niya.
"Better be."
"So ano nga?" Tanong ni Rosie.
"Ganto.."