Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I

Chapter 20

"Good morning passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to Isla de Desastre Hermoso..."

We are taking the elevator that will bring us to the departure area. I am going to an island with my fiance and his friends without my Mother's permission. How brave of me to say yes to Franco last night.

I'm 22. I guess I am old enough to decide on my own.

"Akala ko binyag ang pupuntahan natin do'n, sa inuman ata matutuloy," si Ace matapos sulyapan ang kaibigan na si Adrien. He brought alcohol with him like his family has a liquor business. It was just one of the conclusions I created inside my head.

"This is for you, Alas. Balita ko kasi hindi na kayo nakaalis sa talking stage," Adrien said.

"Dude, do a fact check. Hindi naman sila umabot ng talking stage. It was just Ace and his imagination," Ross supported Adrien's tease.

"Blah, blah, blah. Tapos na kami sa talking stage, no." Ace hit his chest, feeling proud of it.

"Oo pala," Adrien uttered. "Hindi na kayo nag-uusap," dagdag niya.

"Hashtag ghosted," sabay na sabi ni Ross at Adrien. They even laughed together, causing chaos on Ace's face.

"Mga gago kayo, huwag niyo inaaway ang baby ko. Palibhasa kasi hindi kayo marunong manligaw," si Moren sa kaibigan at asawa.

"Dude, pinariringgan ka."

"Really, Zamora?" Ross pulled Moren closer to him. Sinakal siya ng babae, tila nanggigigil.

"Oo. Nagpropose ka sa 'kin sa tabi ng bangin. Sabi mo kapag hindi ako sumagot ng oo, ihuhulog mo 'ko," anang babae na siyang ikinatawa ko.

The four of them are walking ahead of us and pulling their trolleys while Franco and I can watch them from behind. They are loud and funny. How come they are my man's friends? Bakit hindi nila nahawaan si Franco?

Nawala ang atensiyon ko sa kanila nang pisilin ni Franco ang kamay ko. "Are you comfortable around them?"

He asked me that after proudly saying that we made love last night in front of his friends. He didn't say it directly, pero iyon na rin 'yon.

God knew how I badly wanted to disappear when he called me earlier. Anyway, I'm moved on. It seems like it's not a big deal to them so might as well forget it.

"Yup, your friends are cool." I was genuine when I said that.

"Ako lang ang hot."

I halted from walking to sneer because the air of confidence filled the gap between us.

"You don't agree? Kaya pala you were crying my name--" I jumped to reach his neck and covered his mouth before he could finish his sentence.

"I hate you. Hindi ka na makakaulit." I hit his arm, that's all I can do. He was busy laughing loudly while I was busy glaring at him that we didn't realize his friends are watching.

Nabawi ko ang kamay na humahampas sa kaniya at nginitian ang apat. Franco didn't stop teasing me. Ang saya niyang pinipisil ang pisngi ko.

"May pating ba do'n sa isla, Moren?" si Ace. "Magpapakain na lang ako."

Nauna nang maglakad si Ace samantalang iiling-iling na natatawa ang dalawang kaibigang lalaki. Moren stopped walking and waited for us. Nang maabutan namin siya ay tumingin siya sa magkahawak naming kamay ni Franco.

"Go to your husband," si Franco.

She smiled before taking my hand out of Franco's and holding it as if she is my girlfriend.