Hi At Us

PROLOGUE

HI AT US: HIATUS

January 20, 1945 this was the day where I was able to meet her, it was a blind date set up by our family and I don't know why I fall in love at first sight. Na para bang kinuha na niya ang mundo ko. It was that moment na gusting-gusto ko pa siyang kilalanin ng mabuti at pakasalan.

"I don't want to wake up in this fantasy dream of mine, gusto kong sa panaginip nalang tumira kasi palaging nandon ang mahal ko. I can't wait to be with her again in my next life." bulong sa isipan ng matandang lalaki sa nursing house service.

Siya si Giovanni Martin Felicidad o mas kilalang lolo Gio. Isa siyang matandang binata na 20 years na sa nursing house. Napaka misteryoso niyang tao sapagkat kinaka-usap niya ang kanyang sarili ngunit wala naman itong sakit sa pag-iisip. His 98 years old, at hindi parin kumukupas ang angking kagwapohan nito, sapagkat kitang-kitang parin ito sa wangis ng kanyang mukha.

"Ele-Ele."

Bulong ng matanda sa na nasa harden ng mga bulaklak, tila bay binubulong nito ang pangalan ng isang babaeng kanyang kilala.

BACK FROM 80 YEARS AGO

Labing-walong gulang palang si Gio ay gusto na itong ipakasal ng kanyang mga magulang. Sa paniniwala kasi ng kaniyang pamilya ay bago paman tumungtong sa dalawamput taong gulang ang lalaki ay dapat na itong ikasal dahil may posibilidad na hindi na ito makakahanap ng ma-iibig.

Tutol si Gio sa gagawin ng kanyang mga magulang kaya't wala siyang magawa kundi sundin nalang ito.

_Sa Dining Area ng Hotel_

He was patiently waiting for a girl that was set by his parents. The door slums slowly as the girl was approaching towards his table. Her smile is like a sun dazzled in a paradise, his eyes can't blink because he was attracted to the woman who he wants to know. The woman ask him.

" Are you Mr. Giovanni Martin Felicidad?" she asked him calmly with her smooth angelic voice.

"Yes ma'am, and are you Stacy Ambani Hidalgo?" he responded and ask.

"Yes sir I'm her." She replied.

Unang kita nalang dalawa sa location that was set by their parents. Hindi maalis sa mga mat ani Gio ang magandang binibini na nasa kanyang harapan. Tinanong niya ito.

"So binibining Stacy kumusta, how's your day?"

"It was good and I really didn't expect this moment, akala ko kasi hindi ka sisipot sa mga ganitong set up. Iba kasi yung mga mga boys kasi kung ayaw nila sa babaeng hindi nila tipo hahanap sila ng gusto nila. And I don't like boys who only want fvck, like the heck do they of women." She replied without hesitating.

"Woahh, Binibining Stacy I wasn't expecting that, I though your kinda look like a Maria Clara type of woman pero ang angas mo.'' He said and shock.

"Iba na ang mga babae ngayon, hindi niyo dapat kami minamaliit dahil kaya rin naming gawin ang mga gawain ng mga lalaki. I'm a feminist kaya I fight for the rights of the women." She talked like Giovanni was a merciless man.

"I would like to formally introduced myself binibining Stacy, my name is Giovanni Martin Felicidad, the only son of Don. Rodrigo Felicidad." Ipinakilala niya ang sarili sa harapan ng binibini.

" I already know you are Mr. Felicidad, and allow me to intoduce myself, my name is Stacy Ambani Hidalgo, the only daughter of the Hidalgo's, kilala mo yung mga asset ng family ko and I don't need to introduced our business kasi alam kong alam muna." Ipinikilala niya rin ang kanyang sarili.

Stacy Ambani Hidaldo was a woman who knows how to fight her side. She was the only daughter of the Hidalgo's. Hindi siya papa-api sa mga kaaway because she's a strong independent woman.

Nag-usap ang dalawa tungkol sa mga Negosyo ng kanilang pamilya.

"Alain mo sabi ni mom na tayo daw ang tulay upang lumago ang Negosyo ng dalawang pamilya." Wika ni Stacy kay Gio.

"Totoo naman siguro na lalago kasi we built an industry where we help people to find job. If the two big companies collaborate pwedeng mabigyan ng mga trabaho ang mga tao. It's not just for the sake of the company but for the sake of the people who needs job." He said.

"So we will get married for the benefits of all even though we don't have feelings for each other. Ayokong ganyan ginoo, I want to make a choice and if pumayag ako sa kasalang hindi ko gusto I cant undo that since we will be signing a contract." She replied and try to calm her feelings.

"Stacy I truly understand your feeling but can't we just work on this together. Sobukan nating mahalin ang isat-isa. Naniniwala akong magkaka-developan pa tayo. Just like this day I know that this is the first time that we've meet but to tell you honestly my heart is pounding when you walked in that door. I think I'm in love Stacy." He said it sincerely.

"Wow. I can't believed that you Giovanni Felicidad mag-iinlove sa babaeng ngayon palang niya nakita. Don't be fooled by how I look ginoo, hindi mo pa alam ang tunay kong pagkata-o." Ani nito na para bang tinatakot ang lalaki.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sakin Stacy but this I can assure you that I wasn't lying about what I feel non guna palang kitang makita.'' He said it honestly.

Matagal natapos ang kanilang pag-uusap at si Stacy unti-unting nahuhulong sa mga birit ni ginoong Giovanni sa kanya. Hanggang sa natapos ang araw at natapos din ang kanilang usapan.

"Until I meet you again binibining Hidalgo, for sure sa kasalan na, I promise to make you fall in love.'' Wika niya habang nagpapa-alam sa babae.

"Okay ginoo, but I can't be sure na magugustohan kita." She replied at sabay pasok sa sasakyan.

Nagpa-alam ang dalawa sa isat-isa. Habang sakay sa sasakyan ay hindi mawari sa isip ni Gio ang kagandahan ni Stacy. It was the first time na tumibok ng ganon ang puso niya sa isang iglap man lang, at hindi niya pa alam kung ano ang totoong pagkatao ni Stacy Ambani Hidalgo.