Stand-in Bride

Fair deal

Nanigas ako na para bang binuhusan ng quick-dry cement. Kilala niya ako! Paano? Sinabi ba ni Celeste ang tungkol sa pagkatao ko?

"Is it too much of a shock? Please don't take me for a fool. You already looked suspicious back there. I mean, you were so distracted and nervous. Celeste will just pout or glare, but you acted like you were about to run if I had sneezed. Then I saw your eyes, and I was right, it's you," kalmadong wika niya. His twinkling eyes told me that he is having fun.

"Hindi ka galit?" I can't believe he's making light of things.

Sumandal siya sa upuan na para bang pagod, tumingin muna sa malayo, he let out a sigh, bago nagsalita...

"Well, I'm already twenty-five but I want to tell you that I don't really believe in love. Everything in this world is about business. Marrying your friend included,"nilingon niya ako at tinitigan nang deretso.

Napasinghap ako. What is he saying? Na si Celeste ay parte lang ng isang business deal?

"So I don't really care about your friend. Actually I was kind of expecting she won't show up. At least, finding a substitute wife is better than being stood up on my wedding day," may pagkaarogante pang sabi niya.

"Kung gano'n, parang part lang ng business transaction ang pagpapakasal mo kay Celeste?"

"Yeah, between me and my father, that is," kibit-balikat na sagot niya. Muli siyang sumandal sa upuan at nagpatuloy, "Dad wants me to marry a Filipina and establish my career here in the Philippines. Only then will he let me run the business here and let me live my own life. That's why finding you under that veil is fine with me. I'm not really after your friend, I'm after my own freedom."

"Kung gano'n, tama lang palang hindi nagpakasal sa 'yo ang bestfriend ko. Gagamitin mo lang pala siya for your own selfish reason," nakalimutan ko na ang takot, inis na ang naghari sa damdamin ko.

Muli siyang bumaling sa akin at ngumiti na para bang naaaliw lang sa isang batang nagkukwento tungkol sa fairy na may magic wand. Lalo akong nainis.

"How about you? What's the reason behind your consent to this trick?" ikiniling pa niya ang ulo niya sa kanan habang tinitingnan ako.

Natahimik ako. My mind raced to find an answer that would satisfy him. Or at least, make him think. Ngunit kahit anong gawin ko, wala akong maisip. Bakit nga ba kasi ako pumayag?

"Okay, if that's hard to answer, then tell me what Mrs. Santiago told you back there. I can sense she was about to burn you alive," aniyang muling sumandal sa upuan.

Ipapakulong kita!!!

Muling umalingawngaw ang boses ng mommy ni Celeste . Unconsciously, isiniksik ko ang likod ko sa pagitan ng upuan at pinto ng kotse. Kung pwede lang na bumaon na lang ako ro'n upang makapagtago. Anong gagawin ko? Bakit kasi pumayag ako sa hiling ni Celeste? Bakit hindi na lang ang lalaking ito ang minahal niya? Bakit sa dinami-dami ng mga tao sa mundo, silang dalawa pa ang ipinagkasundo ng mga magulang? Bakit? Bakit? At marami pang bakit...

"I presume, Celeste's father is mad too," patuloy niya na lalong dumagdag sa sama ng pakiramdam ko.

Pakiwari ko'y para akong sinisilaban gayong malakas naman ang aircon ng kotse.

"Just imagine what will happen if my father knows," dagdag pa niya.

Ngayon ay para na akong kakabagan.

"You look pale. Would you like me to help you?"

"Paano?" napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Let's make a deal."