CHAPTER 41

                                    

                                          
CHAPTER 41
                          
"YOU KNOW THE RULE, BLAKEY," sabi ng ina ni Blake habang sinusuklay ang buhok ni Lucky. "Out. Dapat hindi kayo magkita bago ang kasal n'yo bukas. It's bad luck." 
                          
Kanina pa nito pinapaalis si Blake na matigas ang ulo at ayaw makinig. 
                          
Nalukot ang mukha ng kasintahan. "Come on, Mom, you actually don't believe that crap—"
                          
"Out," may diing sabi ng ginang. "And take Blaze and Bailey with you."
                          
Agad na umangal si Blaze. "Mom—"
                          
Mommy glared at Blaze. "Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan na inutusan mo si Blake na magsinungaling sa 'kin."
                          
Agad na tumikom ang bibig ni Blaze. 
                          
"Pati ako? Kasama?" tanong ni Bailey na inaayos ang pagkakasuot ng bull cap na bigay rito ni Blaze. "Ayokong sumama sa kanila."
                          
"Now, now, buddy." Blaze tsked. "You're a man. Dapat sa bachelor's party ka, hindi sa bachelorette."
                          
Bailey pouted. "I'm not a man, I'm still a boy!"
                          
"Same difference, kiddo." Blaze grunted before scooping Bailey into his arms. "Now off we go before Mom kick our asses."
                          
But Blake didn't move a muscle. He was just staring at her, stubbornly. 
                          
"This is a girl's night," sabi ng ina ng kambal. "Since Lucky's grandma can't make it because of her arthritis, it's just me and Lucky. So, go. Have fun before your wedding tomorrow."
                          
Lalong sumama ang mukha ni Blake na tumingin sa kanya. "You're not agreeing to this, are you? I mean, hindi mo ako mami-miss?"
                          
Napangiti si Lucky, saka nagkibit-balikat. "Mom said it's bad luck. Can't take any chances."
                          
Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Blake. "You're ganging up on me again. You're always siding Mom. I'm getting jealous here."
                          
Napailing na lang si Lucky at nakagat ang pang-ibabang labi bago nagpaliwanag kay Blake. "Kasi 'di ba, bachelor's party mo ngayon? Dapat mag-enjoy ka bago ang kasal natin bukas. That's the tradition. So, go. I'll stay with Mom—"
                          
"I don't need a bachelor's party," sabi ni Blake na halatang iritado at hindi payag sa sinabi niya. "What I want is to be with you! Tonight! Before our wedding. Gusto kitang makasama."
                          
Umiling siya. "No. Have fun tonight with your friends. Please?"
                          
"No!" Blake was so thickheaded. "What if someone tries to harm you or anything—"
                          
"We're in a hotel, Blakey," sabi ng in ani Blake, saka malakas na bumuntong-hininga. "Walang mangyayaring masama sa amin. I swear. Tomorrow morning, I'll make sure to accompany Lucky to the church. Now, go."
                          
Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Blake. "May magagawa pa ba ako? You two are ganging up on me." Napapailing na lumapit ito sa kanya, saka masuyo siyang hinalikan sa mga labi. "Call if something happens—"
                          
"How about if I miss you? Can I call?" Lucky asked softly, with this smile on her lips. 
                          
And his irritation just vanished. "Okay." Napangiti na rin siya. "Of course."
                          
"Pussy whipped," Blaze murmured. 
                          
Blake looked at his mom. "Mom, Blaze just say bad words."
                          
Tiningnan nang masama ni Mommy si Blaze. "Do you want me to whip your ass?"
                          
"Nope, not really." Agad na tumalikod si Blaze habang karga si Bailey at lumabas ng hotel room. 
                          
Si Blake naman ay napipilitang humakbang paatras habang nakatitig sa kanya. "I love you. Remember that," sabi nito.