The Eye of the Varsity

CHAPTER 3

Many years had passed pero bakit bigla nalang siyang susulpot sa harap ko ngayon?

Paano niya nalaman na nandito ako at kung saan ako nag aaral ngayon? We even don't communicate.

"I missed you, Clairey," he smiled, hugging me.

I never heard that so-called nickname for the past years. Ngayon ko nalang ulit narinig 'yan sa kaniya.

Nag angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya, "How did you know that I'm here?"

Napansin kong sobrang lapit pala namin sa isa't isa kaya umatras ako nang kaunti.

He smiled, looking down at me, "If you're wondering, Tita told me about all these things."

Tumikhim ako, "Pero...nasaan si Kuya?"

He pinched my cheeks, "Kuya Caius told me na ako na lang susundo sa 'yo dahil may inaasikaso pa siya."

"I didn't know all along, Gray...kaya nagulat ako sa biglang pagdating mo ngayon. We lost communication for about 4 years and now you're here in front of me. I can't process...wait lang." Napahawak ako sa aking sentido, gulong gulo pa rin.

Narinig ko naman ang kaniyang tawa.

I glared at him, "What now? It's your fault."

He pinched my cheeks, again, "You're so cute. Now let's go, baka hanapin ka pa ni Tita sa akin."

"Is this yours?" Tanong ko habang napahangang tumingin sa kotse.

"Yeah, it's a gift," he smiled, sitting in the drivers' seat.

Bubuksan ko na sana 'yung pinto ng back seat but pero bigla siyang nagsalita.

He looked back at me, "What are you doing there? Sit with me. Dito ka umupo sa front seat."

Woah, wait lang ha?

Nataranta naman ako, "Huh? Sorry."

Hindi ko talaga alam kung anong sasabihin ko. I'm lost of words.

Umupo na ako sa front seat habang tinititigan niya lang ako.

He grabbed my hand, "You're so pretty, Claire. That's why I fell."

He whispered the last four words kaya hindi ko ito narinig.

"Ano?" I asked, confusedly.

Ngumiti lang siya at nagsimula nang magmaneho. I've been so quiet in my seat.

Saktong pagkarating naming, sinalubong agad ako ni Kuya sa gate at tinaasan ako ng kilay.

"Why are you both late? Anong oras na, huh? Gray?" he asked, remaining his arms at his sides.

Nilingon ko si Gray na kabababa lang sa kaniyang sasakyan.

"We just talked, Kuya Caius. Besides, I missed her kaya natagalan kami," he said as he walked beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Kuya sa kamay ni Gray, "Let's go inside, naghihintay na sila sa loob."

Sabay kaming pumasok ni Gray sa loob ng bahay at nabigla ako dahil nandito rin 'yung mga magulang niya.

What's happening?

"Oh, here they are." Maligayang sabi ni Mommy nang dumating kami.

I smiled at them, "Sorry po natagalan kami. Hello po Mommy, Daddy, Tito, at Tita."

"Hello Claire, dalagang dalaga ka na at ang ganda mong bata," she smiled, complementing me.

"Claire, nice to see you again. Gray, making your move, huh?" he laughed slightly when he saw Gray's arms are still on my waist.

I smiled at them as I seat on the couch, "How are you na po? It's been a long time na rin."

"Napag usapan namin na magkakaroon kayo ng arrangement." Seryosong sabi ni Mommy habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Para saan pong arrangement?" I asked, nervously.

"We're going to arrange marriage you and Gray for our business, my dear. I know it's too complicated to explain, but that's the only way." Mahinahon niyang sabi sa akin.

This is why I'm nervous. Nangyari na nga ang kinatatakutan at iniiwasan ko.

I let out a harsh breath, "What? Bakit ngayon niyo lang sinabi? Dad..."

It's too hard for me.

Tumabi sa akin si Gray at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "Clairey, it will be okay."

Nang sinabi niya 'yun, napalingon agad ako sa kaniya.

What is he saying? Akala niya na papayag ako?

Napailing ako, "Sorry, but I disagree with that decision. May sarili akong puso't utak, ayokong maging sunod sunuran...I don't like this arrangement. I'm sorry but I'm turning this down."

Lahat sila ay nagulat sa reaksiyon ko.

"No, Claire. Wait –"

Hindi ko na sila pinatapos magsalita. Tumayo kaagad ako at tumakbo paakyat sa aking kwarto

Bakit naman ganito 'yung kailangan mangyari? I thought the business is doing fine...or are they lying to me all the time? Bakit arranged marriage pa sa kaniya?

May sarili akong puso at alam kong wala nang espasyo rito si Gray. I'm sure about it. 

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