Noong mag umaga ay pagkatapos kong mag ligpit ay dumaan muna ako sa cafe. I just bought breakfast and went straight to my company. I work my papers not minding other's business. I still need to meet Fon later and that thought makes my body lost its energy.
After working for hours, I finally stand on my swivel chair and my massage my neck because it's hurting a little. I also stretch my hands until my body back to feel a little better.
After doing my thing, I went straight on our meeting place which is one of the most expensive hotel in the city. I don't get Fon for spending money here for just a meeting. Isn't money really valuable in them? Riches can really make people spend over nothing. Ganito ba kaimportante ang meeting na 'to para pagkagastusan?
Pumasok na ako sa loob at hinanap sila sa restaurant doon since 'yon ang nakalagay sa email. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil bumungad agad ang mag amang nag-uusap ng tila sobrang seryusong usapin.
"Was I late?"tanong ko at umupo agad dahil nangangawit na ang paa ko dahil sa pumps.
"Not really. It's still enough for us to talk about this matter, or so called business?"saad ni Fon at nginisihan kami. Kung hindi ko lang nakakalimutang matanda na siya ay palagi ko talaga siyang masasapak.
Nag order muna si Fon ng pagkain at kumakain kami habang nag-uusap. Seryuso lang si Javier habang ako ay parang uuwi na.
"You can talk about this matter later. Much better if you'll talk about it after this."saad ni Fon kaya nagkatinginan kami ni Javier.
"Is it necessary?"tanong ko kaya tumaas ang kilay nito.
"Tomorrow is the day for meeting up the shareholders. What if they will ask you about the weeding? Are you sure to answer that properly?"tanong niya rin kaya natawa ako ng mapakla.
"But this won't be complicated if you're not forcing us to marry, right Dad?"napatingin kami kay Javier noong magsalita ito.
"You're my only ace, Javier. And I guess it is safe for you to marry her since you're the type of man that won't like the idea of liking her."sabi ni Fon kaya masama ko siyang tinignan.
"Bakit iba ang dating no'n? Are you saying that mag papakasal lang kami para magamit niya ako?"tanong ko at dinuro so Javier.
"Nope. You'll be married because you will use each other. Hindi ba ay gano'n naman talaga sa mundo natin? Let's be practical. Wala nang kagaya natin ang nagpapakasal dahil nagmamahal."sabi pa nito kaya napahugot ako ng hininga at sumandal nalang sa upuan ko.
"I should have just rest. Hindi naman importante ang meeting na 'to."saad ko at tumayo na.
"Stop being a hypocrite. If you'll continue being like this, possibleng may madamay ka talaga."sabi niya at makahulugan akong tinignan.
Nagpatuloy ang pagsasalita niya habang ako ay bored lang na nakikinig dito. Hindi naman ako interesado kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit pa ako pumunta rito.
"I still have work, Dad. Pwede naba nating tapusin 'to?"saad ni Javier kaya tumango naman si Fon.
"Yeah sure. Talk about it later. I don't want our names to be humiliated, and you both should cooperate if you really wanted to help your parents and yourselves."saad pa nito bago tuluyang umalis.
Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Javier na nakaupo habang ako ay badtrip na badtrip kay Fon. Pangarap ko talaga siyang masapak sa future.
"Why are you still here? Akala ko ba may trabaho ka?"tanong ko sa kaharap ko.
"Are you really slow? It's just an alibi because I'm tired of hearing his words. Aren't you like what I did?"supladong tanong niya.
"Yeah right. But I still have work, so I will go."saad ko at tumayo na.
Lumabas na ako at naramdaman ko rin naman ang pag sunod niya. Sabay pa kaming pumasok sa parking area at magkatabi pa talaga ang kotse namin.
"Rels."tawag niya kaya agad ko siyang nilingon.
"What?"tanong ko rito.
"Let's meet after work. I know we both don't like this idea, but we still need to follow what my Dad is saying. I am not just doing this for my gain, I am doing this for my family."saad niya at pumasok na sa sasakyan.
Nagulat ako noong biglang umandar ang sasakyan niya kaya hinarang ko ito. Paano kami magkikita kung hindi naman namin alam ang number ng isa't isa. Nagpalit na kaya ako ng numero at alam kong gano'n din siya.
"Damn woman! Are you planning to die!"sikmat niya at bumaba ng sasakyan. "are you insane?"saad niya at tinignan kung natamaan ba ako.
"I'm fine. Pero pano tayo magkikita mamaya? I don't know how to contact you."sabi ko kaya umirap siya.
"My number are still the same. But yes you're right, give me your phone."saad niya na tila alam na na nagpalit ako ng numero.
Hindi na ako nakipagtalo at binigay nalang sakanya 'yon. Nag tipa siya doon sa cellphone niya bago ibalik sakin ang phone ko.
"I'll call you later. Let's meet after your work."saad niya at bumalik na sa kotse.
"Wait!"saad ko kaya napatigil siya at tumingin sakin. "wala kabang trabaho?"tanong ko rito.
"I have a meeting later, pero wala akong trabaho ngayon."simpleng sagot niya at sumakay na ulit.
Umalis na siya habang ako ay pumunta narin sa sarili kong sasakyan. Bumalik na ako sa kompanya dahil may mga kailangan pa akong tapusing papeles.
I work 'till night just to finish what I had to finished for that fucking meeting tomorrow. My back is already hurting when I finished those pile of papers in my table.
"Are you going home, Ma'am?"tanong ng secretary ko.
"You should go home first. I still have an appointment after this."saad ko kaya nag-aalala niya akong tinignan. "stop worrying about me. Sanay na ako at mas malala panga ang nararamdaman ko dati."pangungumbensi ko rito. Baka kasi sabihin niya kay Dad na lagi akong overtime at uwian nanaman ako ng matandang 'yon.
"Mag ingat po kayo pauwi."saad niya at tipid ko lang siyang nginitian.
Humiga muna ako sa sofa sa loob ng opisina ko at noong medyo okay na ang pakiramdam ko ay tumayo na ako at tinignan ang phone ko. Javier's not calling yet kaya ako nalang ang nag decide na tawagan siya.
"Are we still meeting?"tanong ko noong sagutin niya ang tawag.
"I'll fetch you. I'm sorry for not calling kakatapos lang ng trabaho ko."saad niya kaya napatingin ako sa orasan. Pasado alas nuwebe narin ng gabi.
"Don't worry kakatapos ko lang din. Just send me your address at ako nalang ang pupunta diyan."saad ko at pinatay ang tawag.
Pagkaraan ng ilang segundo ay nag text na ang number niya kaya agad akong lumabas ng opisina ko para pumunta doon. Nagpaalam ako sa mga security guard noong paalis na ako.
Hindi naman matagal ang byahe ko dahil medyo malapit lang naman ang location na sinend niya sa kompanya ko. Ang ikinagulat ko lang talaga ay hotel pala itong pagkikitaan namin.
Tinext ko lang siyang nandito na ako sa labas at nag hintay dahil hindi pa siya nagrereply. Ilang minuto rin akong nag hintay noong makita ko siyang papalabas na.
"I'm sorry for waiting. Should we get inside?"tanong niya na ikinatango ko.
Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob at doon muna kami pumasok sa restaurant ng hotel. We both ordered steak since hindi pa kami kumakain dalawa. Nag order din kami ng wine para hindi naman boring ang pagkain namin.
"So how are we going to make up the story for tomorrow?"tanong ko noong mai-serve ang pagkain at wine na order namin.
"Let's just say na sinet-up tayo ng parents natin for a date, then we clicked and decided to accept the marriage since it is also our gain if it's really happening."sabi niya kaya napatango ako.
"Okay let's say that. I can't believe this is really happening to me."saad ko at uminom ng wine.
"I can say the same thing. But we need to be civil. We need to do this wether we like it or not."saad niya pa.
Kumain nalang ako at biglang may pumasok na tanong sa utak ko kaya hindi ko mapigilang itanong ito sakanya.
"But be honest with me, do you dislike this marriage right?"tanong ko kaya napatigil siya sa pagkain at seryusong tumingin sakin.
"Why? Do you like this idea?"balik na tanong niya sakin.
"I was asking you first, why would you ask me in return?"tanong ko kaya napairap siya.
"Does what happened before didn't answer your question. I don't like this idea Relcy. I wanted to be married in a way of loving someone. I wanted to get married by my own will and not forced."saad niya kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin. "ikaw? Gusto mo bang maikasal ng kagaya nito?"tanong niya sakin.
"I don't. I don't wanna get married because it's scary. Marriage is always scary for someone like me."saad ko at muling uminom ng wine.
"Then why accept this?"tanong niya.
"Because it's the only way to save my family. You won't get it because it's hard to explain."saad ko at sumubo ng steak.
Patuloy kaming kumain at naging tahimik na ulit ang mesa namin. Naubos naming dalawa ang isang wine at umiikot na agad ang paningin ko. Mahina parin talaga ang alcohol tolerance ko dahil minsanan lang din naman ako uminom ngayon.
"You drunk already?"tanong niya kaya napatingin ako sakanya.
"I can still manage."saad ko at tumayo na. Muntik na akong mabuwal noong may malaking braso ang lumapat sa likod ko kaya hindi ako tuluyang natumba.
"I'll drive you home."saad niya kaya hindi na ako nakipaglaban at tumango nalang.
Inalalayan niya akong lumabas at isinakay ng sasakyan niya noong makalabas kami. Agad siyang nag drive noong sabihin ko ang address niya. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang nangyayari dahil bumibigat na ang talukap ng mata ko.
Noong magising ako ay maliwanag sa at nakahiga na ako sa kama ko. Naghilamos muna ako bago lumabas ng kwarto at nagulat ako noong may maamoy na mabango sa kusina.
Madali akong bumaba ng hagdan at tinungo ang kusina. Noong makapasok ay agad kong nakita ang malapad na likod ni Javier habang may ginagawa doon sa stove.
"Why are you in my house?"tanong ko kaya napaharap siya sakin.
"I'm sorry. Umulan kagabi kaya hindi ako nakauwi. Sorry for not telling, you look tired yesterday so I didn't wake you up."saad niya kaya napatango ako.
"You carried me in my room?"tanong ko rito. Muli niya akong hinarap at tumango.
"That's not a big deal right?"tanong niya na muli kong ikinatango.
Sabay kaming kumain dahil nagluto siya. Bigla tuloy akong nahiya dahil masyado naman yatang marami ang ginawa niya na pabor sakin.
"Thank you."saad ko habang kumakain kami.
"For?"tanong niya pero ang tingin ay nasa pagkain.
"For driving me home, and cooking for me."saad ko kaya mahina siyang natawa.
"You doesn't sound like your usual self."sabi nito kaya napasimangot ako. Siya nanga ang pinasasalamatan, siya pa tumatawa.
Kumain nalang ako at hindi na siya pinansin. Minsan lang ako mag thank you, tinatawanan pa, litse!
Noong matapos kami ay hinugasan niya rin ang mga ginamit kaya hindi ko na siya pinigilan dahil alam ko naman hindi siya magpapapigil. Hinatid ko rin siya sa labas noong matapos na siya sa ginagawa niya. Hindi naman kasi masyadong nakakahiya kapag pinalakad ko siya mag-isa pauwi.
"Ihahatid ng driver namin mamaya ang kotse mo. I intentionally left it yesterday para magamit ko ang sasakyan ko pauwi but unfortunately it rained so I don't have choice but to stay."sabi niya pa. Tumango lang ako dahil may iba pa naman akong sasakyan na pwedeng gamitin.
"So what time is the meeting later? Nakakahiya naman kasi kapag nalate ako."sabi ko rito.
"I'll fetch you later because it's not a good idea to go with separate car later. I suggest that we should go together."sabi niya na ikinatango ko. Tango nalang talaga ang nagagawa ko dahil wala naman akong planong maiaambag sa sitwasyon namin.
"Okay. Thanks again."saad ko rito. Sumakay na siya ng sasakyan at pinaandar ito. Pumasok lang ako ng bahay noong hindi ko na makita ang sasakyan niya.
I just took a bath and prepare myself for the meeting later. I wore my formal dress and black pumps. I also applied a light make-up on my face to make me look presentable. I'll just bring my small pouch with me para hindi hassle mag bit-bit. I also curled my hair na umabot na sa likod ko.
I finished fixing myself for one and a half hours and it's already ten in the morning. Nag take ako ng cab para pumunta ng office ko at may chineck lang na papeles doon.
I texted Javier na nasa kompanya ako and thank god he knew kung saan ito located so dito ko nalang siya hinintay.
Pasado alas onse noong kumatok ang secretary ko sa office at may bisita raw.
"Someone is finding you madam. The son of Mr. Fon is downstairs."saad niya kaya mabilis akong tumayo at pumunta at bumaba na.
Nakita kong nakatayo si Javier malapit sa reception area kaya lumapit ako sa pwesto nito.
"Aalis na tayo?"tanong ko kaya napatingin siya sa pwesto ko at tumango.
Sabay kaming lumabas at sumakay ng sasakyan niya. Ilang minuto ang binyahe namin bago makarating sa mataas na building. Noong makalabas kami ay awtomatikong dumulas ang kamay niya sa bewang ko kaya napatingin ako doon.
"Is it uncomfy?"tanong niya noong mapansin ang reaksiyon ko.
"Nope. Let's go."saad ko kaya naglakad na kaming dalawa sa loob.
We went to a reception and asked where was the meeting held. Nasa 15th floor daw ito kaya sumakay muna kami sa elevator.
Agad na bumitaw si Javier sa pag hawak sa bewang ko kaya napatingin ako sakanya at lumipat din ang tingin niya sakin.
"Stop looking at me like that. We need to act, but not in the situation we were both left."sabi niya kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin. Wala naman akong sinasabi, bakit ba ang defensive niya?
Noong bumukas ang elevator ay muli niyang hinawakan ang bewang ko at sabay kaming pumasok sa kwarto kung nasaan ang meeting. I was shocked when the people inside get doubled since the last time we've met.
"I'm glad that the both of you doesn't ditch us."saad ni Fon at sinenyasan kaming umupo.
Ang mga mata nito ay nasa amin ni Javier kaya ingat na ingat kami sa mga kilos namin para hindi kami mahuling nagpapapanggap lang.
"It was nice seeing you that close. Are you sure that you both aren't just pretending?"tanong ng isang matandang babae.
"There's no reason to pretend liking someone like Javier. Who wouldn't fall on his charisma?"tanong ko at nginitian ng plastik iyong babae.
Napatingin ako kay Javier noong bahagya niyang pisilin ang bewang ko. Nakataas ang isa niyang kilay kaya gusto ko siyang irapan. Alam kong wala sa script 'yon pero ayaw ko lang na mahuli kami kaya nasabi ko 'yon.
"Yeah, you have point. I am also thinking of arranging my daughter on him at mabuti nalang ay naunahan mo."tumaas ang kilay ko dahil basi sa pagkakasabi niya ang parang kasalanan ko 'yon.
"That's life, Madam. Richer hits the jackpot first."saad ko kaya nawala ang ngiti nito.
Nagpatuloy na ang meeting at tahimik lang kami ni Javier na nakikinig. Ang una ay pinag-usapan nila ang bagay tungkol sa merging at sunod ay ang kasal namin.
"So are you both together?"tanong ng isang lalaki doon.
"Yeah."malamig na sagot ni Javier.
"Really? The last time we checked you both are acting strange. Did the tables turn?"tanong pa no'ng isa.
"I am not the type of person who take chances slow. Once I got interested in someone, I immediately do what I can do to get them."patuloy na saad nito.
Iyong mga pinag-usapan namin kahapon ay tinanong talaga nila kaya't mabuti nalang ay prepared na kami. May mga tanong lang na nadagdag at nalulusutan naman namin lahat ng 'yon.
"Have you both talked about the next generation of heirs?"tanong ng isa kaya agad na napantig ang tenga ko.
Anong heirs pinagsasabi nila? Akala ko ba ay kailangan lang ang kasal na 'to para sa merging? I thought bearing a child is not included?
"Having a child is really necessary in our field. We wanted to continue this legacy 'till the day we get buried. So why are you acting so surprised when in fact having a kid is always part of negotiation."saad pa noong lalaki.
"We will have a kid if we wanted too. You shouldn't meddle our own decision since the both of us are the one who's going to marry and not you."saad ko kaya tumaas ang kilay nito.
"I think you haven't explain them the whole concept, Fon."saad nito kaya napatingin samin si Fon.
"You need to have a child after getting married. It's part of our legacy that every heir needs to carry and bring a heir too."saad nito kaya napanganga ako.
"Are you all being serious? Aren't you being decisive? I can't believe this."saad ko at stress na kinagat ang ibabang labi ko.
Naramdaman ko ang pag hawak ni Javier sa kamay ko na nakapatong sa hita ko. He gently squeezed it like he's calming me.
"We will going to talk about that matter so there's no need for pushing it for now. You all have minds and I know you're all smart. I hope you can understand the reason of us for reacting like this. Hindi naman siguro lingid sa kaalaman niyo ang mga edad namin. We still need to learn about things so in the future we can be a good parents in our kids."kalmadong saad ni Javier.
"Yes, he had a point. They're still in their early twenties and it's better to have a kid if they already experienced life. Mas matuturuan nila ng mabuti ang anak nila kapag marami na silang alam sa buhay."sabat noong isa pang ginang kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag.
The meeting ended while me being stressed. We're currently standing here in the conference room while facing Fon since the other people already went home.
"Is having a kid was really necessary, Dad? You didn't tell us about it."sabi ni Javier kay Fon.
"You had to do it since that's part of our legacy."saad nito kaya natawa.
"Damn that legacy of yours. I am not even doing this wholeheartedly. Damn this force marriage."saad ko at napamasahe sa sentido ko.
"Well you don't have the choice and just do it. You two sort everything because I need to go."sabi nito at lumabas na ng kwartong 'yon.
Agad akong napatingin kay Javier at tinaasan ito ng kilay. Tutal matalino naman siya ay baka may naiisip siyang plano.
"We need to stick on their plan for now."saad niya kaya napanganga ako.
"What? You think that's a good idea?"sarkastikong saad ko.
"I'm not saying it's a good idea. Let's just do it by performing surrogacy because I don't also like engaging in intercourse and I know it's a disrespect for the both of us since we don't like this."sabi niya kaya tuluyan na akong nawalan ng pag-asa.
"Wala naba talagang ibang paraan? Javier I am afraid of this. Alam mo kung gaano ko kaayaw na magkaroon ng anak!"saad ko kaya napatingin siya sakin.
"And you think this is easy for me? I know that this fucked-up weeding will not last longer. I don't want my kid to experienced an incomplete family and that was make it hard."saad pa nito.
"But this plan is really happening. If you don't want the kid, I can take care of her or him. You don't need to be bothered for being a mother."sabi niya kaya napatingin ako sakanya. Hindi naman masakit ang sinabi niya 'no.
"Gano'n ba ako kasama sa paningin mo? Anong akala mo sakin? Yes, I don't want a kid, but I am not going to abandon my own kid. I know how it feels being abandoned, I am not that heartless."sabi ko kaya natawa rin siya ng sarkastiko.
"Not that heartless? Do you even remember those heartless act you'd done before? What do you call that one, a free trial?"tanong niya kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin.
"Why are you suddenly bringing that up? We were okay earlier, why bring that up now?"tanong ko rito.
"I am just being casual because this is still work, Relcy. But in reality, I am still loathing you."