Marian’s POV
Ganito na lang ba palagi? Me sitting in front of the tv, watching whatever was on while I eat alone. And then later on, I would sleep in my bed alone. And after some years I would die alone.
I sighed, feeling the heaviness in my chest. I sure hope not. I felt restless, It was as if I was standing still and life was just passing me by. Nakita kong nainlove ang mga kaibigan ko, nakita ko silang nagkaboyfriend, kinasal, nagkaanak, bumuo ng pamilya. I even witnessed Betsy gave birth to her second child (not a pretty sight) dahil nagkataon na ako ang kasama niya when her water broke and her husband was away. Was I just meant to see all those things but never experience it?
May mga nanligaw naman sa akin noon, may sakit si mama ng mga panahong iyon. Mas pinili kong alagaan siya dahil naisip kong marami pa naman panahon para doon at hindi pa ako handa, maraming lalaki sa mundo pero iisa lang ang mama ko. I never regretted turning those men down. I took care of my mother until her last breath. After her death, nag focus ako sa ng naiwan na flower shop business ni mama. Hindi pa rin ako handa ng mga panahon na iyon dahil ang dahilan ko kamamatay lang ng mama ko. Years went by and now that I was ready, it was already too late. Men want younger women. Nobody wants a 28-year-old old maid! Parang kotse lang yan, syempre mas pipiliin ng mga lalaki ang mga bagong model. To men I was probably the outdated car they wouldn’t be caught dead driving.
Biglang tumunog ang phone ko. I reached for it and averted my eyes from the tv to the phone screen. May nagchat sa akin sa fb.
Alvin Pascual: Hi, Marian. Do you still remember me?
Kumunot ang noo ko. Alvin Pascual? The name instantly rang a bell. Oh right, Betsy’s husband’s cousin. Nagkakilala kami sa birthday party ng asawa ni Betsy. He was cute, nice and charming but he had a girlfriend.
Marian Faith Perez: Of course. Ikaw yung pinsan ni Jeff. We met at his party.
Alvin Pascual: Right. Pwede ba kitang ayain lumabas? Maglunch tayo bukas.
Marian Faith Perez: Bakit?
Alvin Pascual: Wala lang. I just want to talk to you and get to know you more. You seem like an interesting woman.
Marian Faith Perez: Ha? Hindi ba may girlfriend ka?
Alvin Pascual: We broke up a couple of months ago.
I chewed on my bottom lip, not knowing what to reply.
Alvin Pascual: Marian?
Hindi kaya may kinalaman dito si Betsy? But who cares? It wouldn’t hurt to give it a shot!
Marian Faith Perez: Sige.
Alvin Pascual: Great! I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 3.
Oh my god! May date ako bukas! Someone finally asked me out! I got up from my seat and went to my room. Hinalughog ko ang closet ko at naghanap ng masusuot para bukas. I tried on a red body hugging strapless dress. Nah, too revealing for a first date. Then I tried a golden glittery dress. Where’s the party? Overdressed naman masyado! And finally, a white, flowy halter dress that ends just a little above the knee. Nagpaikot-ikot ako sa salamin. Perfect!
Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali. I kept cheking my hair, my face, my dress. Pasilip-silip ako sa bintana, tinitignan kung nandoon na si Alvin. At 3:03pm a black car pulled up in front of my car. I checked mysef on the compact powder mirror and took a deep breath. THIS IS IT!
