THE ADVENTURE OF AUGUST BACK TO EARTH

83. Memorable Dinner

"It's a big deal to me. You said this grandson of mine is just like me. I couldn't agree more." Saad pa nito at bumaling naman ito kay Cayden. "I'm proud of you grandson. You grow up into a fine man."

That's the first time I saw King Yuan was soft. His personality is quite famous by being cold. Now, he's showing this side that only his family members knows.

"Thank you Grandpa." Sagot naman nito na ngayon ay parang bato na naman sa tigas ng anyo nito.

"Let's eat." Biglang saad naman ni King Yuan at lumapit ito ay Queem Snow at inalalayan ito. His expression is now covered with coldness and void.

I am too amazed on how can he able to switch from the warm one into a cold one in just a snap. Or maybe he's really used to it that's why it looks easy for him.

"Let's eat love." Bulong naman niyo ngayon sa akin kaya tumayo na ako.

Agad naman itong pinalibot ang braso nito sa bewang ko. We are walking down the hall to the dining room. When we reach the dining room, I already saw the food that made my mouth water.

Dahil sa pagkain, pansamantalang nawala sa isipan ko ang nangyari kay Augusta. The food looks scrumptious. Agad naman kaming umupo lahat and the chambermaids helped us on taking our food.

Nagsimula na din kaming kumain and I was not talking nor looking to others. I have my full concentration with what I am eating. The food taste so good and I cannot afford to think anything other than food.

"So Cayden and August, when are you gonna get married?" Biglang tanong ni King Skylar at napatakip na lang ako bigla sa aking bibig dahil muntik ko ng mailuwa yun. Shit, I did not see that coming!

"Drink water love.." saad ni Cayden na katabi ko at hinihimas niya ang likod ko. "Father, can we talk about that some other time? You'll choke her to death by surprise." Dinig kong reklamo ni Cayden sa ama nito.

"Your marriage has been delayed for years Cayden. What's taken it so long? I need my grand children." Sagot naman ni King Skylar.

Parang ako naman ngayon ang di makahinga sa pinagsasabi nila. Hindi ba nila napapansin na ilang na ilang ako sa pinag-uusapan nila? For pete's sake parang gusto ko ng lumubog dito sa kinauupuan ko at maglaho sa Pandora.

"Father, we will get there. She's not ready yet....." sagot ni Cayden at hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang tunog ng lungkot sa kanyang boses.

If I remember correctly, he asked me to marry him but I rejected it, that hurt him. His face is blank but I know he is just trying to mask his feeling. I know Cayden too well for me to say that. Dahil kung hindi ko siya kilala, I will think that he's okay at wala lang sa kanya yun.

"Not ready? August?" Biglang nabaling naman ngayon ang tingin nila sa akin.

Parang hindi ko na magawang kumain dahil sa mga tingin nila ngayon na nagtatanong. Bakit ganoon sila? Wala ba akong karapatan na hindi maging ready? Tsaka that was a long time ago for freaking sake! Kung alam na nila na nagbago na ang takbo ng kapalaran nila, Cayden must know that I already agreed about the marriage but since it was changed basically that was changed as well.

"Ahm..." hindi ko alam kung paano ko ba sasabihin. Sino ba ang aayaw kay Cayden? He all has it. Sobrang gwapo, matalino, mayaman, masama ang ugali sa ibang babae kaya mahirap pagselosan ang ganitong lalaki. Kahit marami pa ang aaligid dito ay mahihirapan kang magaselos dahil sa ugali nito.

"What?" Takang tanong ni Queen Snow.

I glanced at Cayden na ngayon ay naaaliw na nakatingin na sa akin. Fuck, he's smiling there at tuwang tuwa ito dahil nacorner ako ng pamilya niya while here I am almost sweating bullets dahil sa ilang at kaba.

Goddamn you Cayden! Gusto ko yung isigaw sa mukha niya pero hindi ko naman magawa.

"I-I.......was thinking that.......we should finish studying first.......before we get married—"

"—you're accepting now my proposal?" Biglang sabat naman ng hinayupak na Cayden.

Halos samaan ko naman ito ng tingin. I was trying so hard not to look so negative in front of his family pero itong lalaking ito sasagarin na ata ako. "........Y-yes."

He grinned widely and suddenly he kissed me pero mabilis lang yun. "Finally, you agreed. I was already planning to impregnate you if you will still say no—"

"—Cayden!" Halos namula naman ako sa sinabi nito. Nakakahiya! Buntisin ba naman daw ako? At sinabi pa talaga niya yun sa mismong harap ng mga magulang niya! Wala ba siyang kahihiyan sa katawan?

"What? I did not said something bad." Insosenting sagot pa nito and he faced his plate and continued eating like nothing happened like he did not said anything.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at tumungo na lang din ako sa pagkain. Bakit ba kasi sumama pa ako rito? Pakiramdam ko pinagkaisahan ako nilang lahat. I feel like I am being bullied here.

"That would be three years from now. Oh time flies so we should prepare for their wedding." Natutuwang saad ni Queen Ruth and everybody is laughing aside from King Yuan and Cayden. Mga taong bato talaga ang dalawang ito.

Ni hindi na ako sumali sa usapan dahil nag-uusap na sila sa detalye ng kasal. For pete's sake, that's three years from now! Kung makapag-usap sila akala mo within this year na ang kasal namin! Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagkain. Kakain talaga ako ng marami pambayad man lang sa lahat ng sinapit ko ngayon araw.

To be continued...