CHAPTER 8
JANELLE
Urgh! This is annoying. My dad and Orion's parents set an Engagement party for us! I don't understand them kung bakit nila ginagawa 'to. Pumayag na nga ako sa kasal na 'to pero bakit ganyan? Bakit gusto pa nila ng official Engagement? As if namang gusto talaga namin pakasalan ang isa't isa! Bakit ba kasi ako pumayag in the first place? Sabagay no choice naman kasi talaga. Dad called me earlier and he wanted me to go in his office. Now, I'm on my way at mukhang late na naman ako sa usapan. Traffic forever sa Pinas! 2PM ang usapan nami, it's already 1:50. Guess what? I'm stuck in a heavy traffic. Malayo pa ang office ni dad, lagot talaga ako. Usad pagong talaga, 'di ko napansin ang oras 2PM na at nasa gitna pa rin ako ng traffic!
Narinig ko ang pagtunog ng phone ko kaya kinuha ko naman agad sa bag ko.
Unknown number is calling...
Sana hindi si dad 'to. "Hello?" Sagot ko.
"Janella, where are you?!" Napapikit ako sa lakas ng boses ni dad, obvious na galit na naman kasi late ako.
"D-dad, eh kasi sobrang traffic." I bit my lip, kinakabahan ako sa tono ng boses ni daddy.
"Janella, kailan ka ba magiging professional? Ayokong pinaghihintay ako." I know, sa tono ng boses ni daddy na galit na galit na siya.
Darn it! Bakit ba kasi sobrang traffic sa Pinas?! "Sorry dad. Promise dadating ako diyan."
"Faster!" He hung up.
After few minutes ay umandar na rin ang sasakyan. May banggaan pala kaya sobrang traffic, pero shoot lang dahil quarter to 3 na! Patay na talaga ako.
Pagdating ko sa building parang naulit lang ang nangyari noong unang pag-uwi ko dito sa Pilipinas. Takbo agad ako papuntang elevator. Pagdating ng 10th floor tinakbo ko ulit hanggang sa office ng dad ko, wearing my 4-inch heels. I opened the door of his office kahit hingal na hingal pa 'ko. I saw my dad na nakatayo... and obviously hinihintay ako. Halata sa itsura at aura niya na galit na talaga siya.
"Finally you're here!" Inis na sabi niya sa'kin.
"Sorry dad. Like what I've told you there's--"
"Umupo ka na doon!" 'Di ko na natuloy ang sinasabi ko dahil pinaupo niya na ako. He pointed the vacant chair beside Orion. Nandoon din ang mom and dad niya sa loob ng room.
I approached Mrs. Tantoco-- I mean Tita. "Sorry po." I apologized, nakakahiya sa kanya.
"It's okay Janelle." She smiled, ang ganda niya talaga.
"So what is this all about?" I heard Orion asked. So wala rin siyang idea? Well obvious naman.
Tumayo si Mr. Tantoco tapos tumabi kay dad. "Well we just want to tell you guys na tomorrow night na ang engagement party niyo." Mr. Tantoco said.
"WHAT?!" Orion and I said in unison! Napatayo pa nga si Orion sa upuan. Over acting lang, pwede na manalo ng Best Actor sa Oscars.
What the hell? Bukas agad-agad?
"What do you mean by that?" Napatingin naman ako kay Orion nung sinabi niya 'yon, halata rin kasi sa tono ng boses niya ang pagka-irita sa nangyayari.
"We need to rush everything, hijo your wedding will be 3 weeks from now." Nanlaki naman mata ko sa sinabi ni dad.
Three weeks from now?!
*
We're already here in a 5-Star Hotel. Ang hotel na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni jerk. I just found out na nasa hotel industry pala ang pamilya niya at nagmamay-ari ng mga 5-Star hotels not just here in the Philippines but also in other countries. At isa nga itong hotel na 'to sa pagmamay-ari nila. 'Pag nagkataon, siya pala ang magmamana ng lahat ng ito. Hindi na rin pala ako lugi, infairness.
By the way, nandito kami dahil dito magaganap ang Engagement tonight. Nandito ako sa isang kwarto. I'm actually nervous about the engagement, I don't know why! Dumadating na rin kasi ang mga guests, kinakabahan talaga ako. Well this is crazy! Now we have to act and pretend in front of the media. As if namang in love kami sa isa't isa eh this is only for our family's company. Napapaisip na tuloy ako kung bakit naisip ni dad 'to. Wala naman kasi akong alam kung ano nangyayari sa company niya. I hope 'di pa naman bumabagsak ang company niya kaya niya ako ipapakasal sa jerk na 'to. Sana lang talaga!
I looked at the mirror to check how I look. Ilang minuto na lang kasi magsisimula na.
"Janella!" Naririnig ko na ang tawag at pagkatok ni daddy sa pinto.
"I'll be there in a minute dad!"
"Make it fast okay?"
I sighed. "Yes dad!" Lumabas na 'ko ng kwarto, wala na rin si daddy.
Where is he? I'm not looking for my dad, I'm looking for that jerk, hindi ko pa rin kasi siya nakikita. Baka nagbago isip? Maybe he ran away with his girlfriend? Pero teka, may girlfriend ba siya? Wala naman siguro, dahil kung meron man, hindi naman siguro siya papayag sa kalokohan ng mga magulang namin, hindi ba? Naglakad lakad na muna ako pero habang naglalakad ako nakasalubong ko si Mrs. Tantoco, I mean tita nga pala. As expected, ang ganda niya talaga. Lalo na ngayon she looks really elegant with her cream colored dress. She was wearing jewelries, which I think diamonds pa nga yata. Ang buhok niya nakacurl, ang make up niya very simple lang pero napaka-ganda niya.
Nakangiti siya habang palapit sa'kin. "You look stunning tonight hija."
Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Thank you po." Gusto ko sana tanungin kung nasaan si Orion pero parang nabasa niya yata ang iniisip ko. "Hinahanap mo si Orion 'no? Don't worry he'll be here in a few minutes."
I just nodded. "Sige, mauna na ako huh. Chineck ko lang kung ano itsura mo ngayon. The party will start in a few minutes. Relax lang, ok?" She's really nice to me. Para na 'kong may mommy ngayon. Nung makaalis na si tita, ewan ko ba kung bakit bigla ko naisip si David, ang first love ko.
What if we're still together? What if I didn't go to France? And what if our relationship didn't end up that way? Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit hanggang ngayon, mahal ko pa rin siya. Pagkatapos ng ginawa niya siya pa rin ang nasa puso ko. Hindi ko pa rin siya makalimutan. He promised me he'll be by my side forever. Anyareeh sa forever?
"Hey!" Nasira bigla ang pag-eemote ko nang may tumawag sa'kin. Si Orion pala. He's wearing a formal suit, bagay na bagay naman sa kanya. Lalo siyang nagmukhang gwapo at ka-resperespeto sa paningin ko, kahit na nakakabwisit naman talaga siya minsan.
"They are waiting for us." He said. Lumakad ako palapit sa kanya, ang tangkad niya talaga, naka 5-inch heels na ko pero parang wala pa rin nagbago, mas matangkad pa rin siya sa'kin. Kapre eh! Pagdating namin sobrang dami ng tao. 'Yung media and probably ang mga Shareholders, Directors ng company nandoon din. Nakakasilaw ang flash ng mga camera. Feeling ko mamaya bulag na ako dahil sumasakit na ang mga mata ko. Pagdating namin sa gitna, I was suprised nung bigla na lang lumuhod 'tong si Orion at kung anu-ano pinagsasabi.
"I know it's only been 5 months since we met each other..."
5 months ka diyan? Baka 5 days!
"...but I know in my heart, you're the one for me."
Huh? Ano daw? Naka-inom ba 'to or naka-drugs? Bigla siya naglabas ng ring, and shoot! It's a Diamond ring! I know it's a real diamond.
"Arianna Janella Mendoza, will you marry me?" He asked. Naririnig ko ang sigawan ng mga tao sa piligid. As if naman na maka-hindi ako. Ngayon alam ko na, na may talent din pala talaga sa acting 'tong kapreng 'to.
"Yes. Of course." I answered. I forced myself to smile, feeling ko hindi kapani-paniwala ang acting ko eh. Narinig ko ang hiyawan at palakpakan ng mga tao. They are all happy for us. Pero kami, hindi naman masaya sa isa't-isa.
After that fake proposal nawala naman bigla si Orion. Hinahanap na siya ng mga guests. I can't find him anywhere kaya lumabas ako. I saw him at the parking area... with a girl! May kausap siya na babae pero hindi ko makita ang mukha dahil nakaharang siya dito. "Orion!" I called him, bigla naman siyang nagulat at napatingin sa direksyon ko.
Lumapit siya sa'kin at iniwan ang babae. "What are you doing here?" Tanong niya nang nasa harapan ko na siya.
Tumingin ako doon sa babae, she was trying to hide her face, pero medyo nakita ko rin naman. Maputi siya and I think chinita. "They're looking for you." I said. "Who's that?" Tanong ko kay Orion pero hindi niya pinansin ang tanong ko.
"Let's go inside." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside the hotel.
Who is she?
*
ORION
I was kind of hesitant at first if I should go to the Engagement Party. My parents were already there. I told them I'm just going to fix something for my business but will follow after, but honestly I kept thinking about it. Should I go? Should I do it? My mind keeps asking. But how about Jess? Now that she confessed that she loves me too? How can I push through this engagement if I know that girl I love, loves me back? I received a voice message from Jessica
"Oreo, don't mind me. Just go to your engagement party. I swear, I'm just fine. Don't ruin everything just because of what I have told you few days ago. And do not forget to smile in front of the camera. Show them how handsome you are...Je'taime."
After listening to her message I immediately went to the venue. They were waiting for us already. I saw Janelle at the lobby, probably looking for me. I proposed to her in front of everyone, I don't know where I got those words. Those lies. I could probably get an award for that. After the proposal I received a text message from Jessica
From: Jessica
Meet me outside. Parking lot.
So I did. I ran as fast as I could and saw her at the parking area of the hotel. "What are you doing here?" I asked. She shouldn't be here.
She smiled, I know it's only the fake one. "Well, Mr. Orion Tantoco, tita Diane invited me to go here." Mom invited her? I didn't know that. Well, mum and Jess are really close to each other.
"I did it because you told me." I wouldn't do it if she would tell me not to, but she did not. Instead, she pushed me to this right?
She smiled. "Don't mind me Oreo."
"Sorry Jess... Sorry for everything."
She shook her head. "It's not your fault. It is because I made a stupid decision few months ago. Now I'm regretting it. I do regret everything."
"I love you." I uttered.
"I--" But before she could say something, she was interrupted by the brat.
"Orion!" Janelle called my name.
I walked to her direction. "What are you doing here?"
"They're looking for you." She glanced at Jessica's direction.
I grabbed her arm. "Let's go inside." and pulled her inside the hotel. She shouldn't know anything about Jessica.
When we reached the lobby, I let go of her arm. I kept walking, Janelle's behind me, I'm sure that she's following me because of the sounds of her footsteps creating by her heels.
"So who was that?" She started to ask. She's still behind me and following me.
"Huh?" That's the only words I said, avoiding her questions. I didn't look at her, diretso lang ako sa paglakad.
"That girl!" She uttered.
"None of your business."
"Your girlfriend?" She said that made me stop from walking.
"Guilty." She said in her playful tone. Seriously Janelle? Just because I stopped does it mean I'm guilty?
"No." I said, still not facing her.
"Then what? Gosh, you're having an affair--"
"SHUT UP!"
The huge door in front of us, opened. The press saw us. "They're here!" One of them called their fellow reporters. I grabbed Janelle's hand and dragged her away from the lobby. "Can we interview the both of you?" One of the reporters said. "Sorry, we can't. Thanks." Those were the only words came out from my mouth. It's getting crowded. There were many cameras surrounding us. The flashes were blinding me. Damn it! But massive thanks to the help of the securities, they helped us to get out from the hotel. That was close!
*
"Sweet escape." Janelle said out of the blue after stepping out from my car. Yes, we escaped from the press. I'm pretty sure they would ask a lot of questions that we both do not want to answer. I don't know where exactly we are now but I'm sure that we're at the park far away from the media.
"So can you tell me now, who was that girl?"
What? Stop asking, brat. "Why are you so interested?" I raised my brows, interrogated her this time.
"Why don't you just tell me?"
"Are you jealous of her?" I said teasingly to annoy her.
"As if!" She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"Why don't we just settle about the contract here?" She suggested it before so I made my own version of it. "I've made 4 rules."
"I have 6!" She said as proudly and as brat as ever.
So basically, I handed her a piece of paper with my handwritten of my OWN set of rules. She stared at it for a moment then started reading it. "Number 1: You will follow everything I say?"
Her reaction was priceless. Her eyes widened in surprise. I don't want to do it but I have to. I need to change her, remember? "Number 2: Be good to my family and friends." She continues. "Number 3: Whatever I need, YOU will be the one to provide it with a smile." Basically, I put an emphasis to the word YOU to annoy her.
"Hey! What do you think of me? A MAID?" She protested and I just ignored her as if I didn't hear anything. She continues reading it. "Rule number 4: We need to act sweet like we're so into this marriage when anyone is around especially our parents?" I saw her eyebrows furrowed. She looked at me "Ha.Ha.Ha very funny!" She laughed sarcastically.
"I'm serious." I said with my I'm-so-serious-here-look. She stopped laughing sarcastically and her face was priceless again. Feels like she would cry any moment.
"Whatever!" She muttered. Here comes her signature glare again.
"Now sign the paper." I commanded and handed her a black pen.
"Why would I?" Reklamo niya ulit.
"Of course, you have to. Or else I wouldn't sign at your OWN version of rules. Don't worry. I'll sign here as well." I received another glare from her before she finally signed it. And as a promise, I also signed the paper.
"Here's mine. So listen, okay?" She used the back of the paper and writes her own rules. "Number 1: Don't make me, Janelle repeat herself." She paused "Number 2: Do not interrupt me while I'm talking or explain--"
"Wait--"
"Rule number 2!" She yelled.
Woah! Chill! "Relax." I chuckled. I was just going to say that she could continue doing that inside the car because it's becoming chilly outside. She glared at me again then she continued. Sungit talaga.
"Number 3: You won't call me anything other than Janelle or Janella or Arianna, my name and not baby or any endearments." "Number 4: You could do whatever as I could but not anything to harm both our families' reputation. Number 5: After a year of living together we will be automatically divorced with or without each other's consent."
She paused. "And last, number 6. The most important rule in this marriage: Neither of us can fall in love with each other and if that happens... we need to immediately divorce. Now, any comments? If none, you can sign here." She handed me the pen. I signed the paper.
"But just make sure you wouldn't fall in love with me." I teased her again. Oh how I love to annoy this woman. She gave me another glare, AGAIN.
"Limit of skinship will be determined by me." I added at the paper, under the part where I wrote my rules.
"NO WAY!"
I ignored her and continued. "A limit minimum of 1 hour should be spent together on malls etc. to show on public." I smirked and added it again.
"What?" She reacted.
"Oops, but you already signed here. No turning back." I smirked and winked at her. I saw her flushed, maybe out of frustration, eh?
"Well then, you will bring all the items that I will buy." She said, raising her brows.
So what do you think of me? Your assistant? "So, is it a deal?" I asked.
"Deal."
*******
Author's Note:
There's no divorce in the Philippines. But since this is a Fictional story, let's just pretend okay? I repeat, FICTIONAL naman 'to kaya wag na mag magaling ang iba diyan ok? Pinaliwanag ko na haha!