Steal My Heart (Published)

Chapter 16

Maru was anxious since the event started. Formal engagement party nila ni Benjamin. His family hosted the event. Ayaw na sana niya nang ganito pero tradisyonal ang pamilya ng lalaki. Traditional Filipino-Chinese family, but not really strictly conservative. Wala naming sinusunod na 'Ang Chinese ay para lamang sa Chinese' na paniniwala ang mga ito. In fact, his family warmly accepted her when she introduced her to them. His parents were accommodating. At ang dalawa nitong kapatid na babae ay napaka-friendly at achi kaagad ang tawag sa kanya.

She didn't feel unwelcome. Every member of his family was celebrating with the good news that at last, Benjamin was getting married. He was already thirty-two and Mr. and Mrs. Lam were anxious to have grandchildren. But there was something about his mother that worried her. Napapansin na niya ang panakaw na tingin nito sa kanya. Sa kabila nang mabini nitong ngiti ay tila siya pinag-aralan. Wala siyang kaalam-alam sa mga patakaran at seremonyas na sinusunod sa isang Chinese engagement party. Ginagawa lang niya kung ano ang pinapagawa sa kanya. Inaalalayan naman siya ni Benjamin. His family asked for her family members to attend, but she told them that she was already an orphan. At wala rin siyang masyadong close na kamag-anak at kaibigan na gugustuhin niyang dumalo sa kanyang engagement party. Her distant relatives were from a far away province. Kaya ang nangyari tuloy ay puro kaibigan at kapamilya lamang ng groom ang dumalo sa selebrayong iyon.

She finally meet all of Benjamin's equally goodlooking friends. Kasama ni Tristan ang asawa nitong si Naya na isang napakagandang modelo. Sabay na dumating sina Kiehl, Xavier at Nikolas. Kung kaguwapuhan ang pag-uusapan ay halos walang itulak-kabigin sa limang magkakaibigan. They were a bunch of tall, rich, goodlooking chinito men and certified womanizers. Well, except for Tristan na nagbabagong-buhay na. looking at her fiance's friends, totoo nga pala talaga ang kasabihang 'Birds of the same feathers are the same brids.' Hehehe...

Tapos na ang kung anu-anong seremonyas at nasa reception na sila. People wearing red and orange clothes filled the reception hall of a luxurious hotel. Pampasuwerte raw kasi ang mga kulay na iyon. Colourful Chinese lanterns, texts and decorations were scattered around. And she wore a lovely, red, silky gown. Nasa tabi naman niya si Benjamin na napakaguwapo sa suot nitong itim na tuxedo. He looked gorgeous and radiated an air of control and authority, but he was smiling to everyone as if he was very happy. Hinapit siya nito nang lumapit si Nikolas at batiin sila. She kinda liked his possessiveness. It made her feel treasured.

"Congrats again, Benj, Maru..." si Nik na malapad ang ngiti sa mga labi.

Niyakap at tinapik nito sa balikat ang kaibigan. Nakipag- beso naman ito sa kanya. Sandaling nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Benjamin.

"You two look wonderful together," puri nito. Malapad na rin ang ngisi na tila nananadya.

"Thanks, Nik!" Noon lamang bumalik ang ngiti sa mga labi ng kasintahan. Obviously, natuwa ito sa sinabi ni Nikolas.

Buti na lamang at mataas ang heels na suot niya. Napapagitnaan siya ng dalawang matatangkad na lalaki. And she didn't feel so small.

Lumapit din sa kanila sila Kiehl, Tristan at Xavier. Tuwang-tuwa si Kiehl sa kanya. "So glad to finally meet you, Maru," wika nito nang matapos ilang batiin ni Benjamin. "Look at you," he surveyed her small frame, "you're so small yet you tame a big man like Benj. Kudos to you, young lady."

Napangiti na lamang siya. She was surrounded by tall, big men, but she wasn't really intimidated. Papaano naman kasi ay napakagiliw ng mag ito sa kanya.

"Small but terrible iyang si Maru, Kiehl," singit ni Xavier. "Imagine, she broke Benj's curse here. Forever the groom's man no more. How's that for a change?"