CHAPTER 2

"Cancel all of my appointments this morning Thea, Please and thank you," I told my secretary while driving myself to the place where I wanted to let out my sigh of frustrations in life.

"Yes, Sir!" She responded from the other line. After that, I end up the call took the ear pods from my ears, and drove silently until I reach my destination.

The bible says in Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Napa-isip ako, di ba parang ang unfair naman iyon? Paano pag mali iyong pinapagawa sa iyo? Paano nalang? Pero sabi rin nila na alam ng mga magulang kung anu ang makabubuti sa kanilang mga anak, pero bakit sa sitwasyon ko ang hirap at hindi ko makita iyon.

Naputol ang aking pag-iisip when I entered the gate of this wide private memorial garden that our family built since my great grandfather was still alive and it's located at the high hills of the city. I drove my car directly into one of the most special people in my life, my Father. I stop the car in his great Museleo the walls are built with black and white marbles with a handcrafted artisanal door

handmade inlays details high-end which was personalized and ordered in Europe.

I get out of the car, close the door, and lock it, then I went straight ahead into my Father's Museleo. While standing in front of this majestic door of my Father's Museleo, everything that was happened before he died flashback. 

"I know it's all my fault, Dad, and I will forever regret the day that I disobeyed you..." I muttered between my regrets and anger within myself. I push the button at the right corner side of the door which just reachable so that the system would recognize my thumb fingerprint as the door is designed modernized with a fingerprint lock, only my mom and my thumb fingerprint are the keys for this door. 

I waited for the door to unlock and then it's censored as well so it opens automatically. As I enter myself within the premises of my Dad's Museleo, I let out a deep heavy sigh of remorse then remembered the call that I have with my mom earlier.

"Yes Mom Good afternoon, How are you?"

"Hi Hijo, I'm okay and siya nga pala naistorbo ba kita? " She asks but before I could answer she continued talking "Pasensya ka na, I just want to remind you na bukas may pupuntahan tayo kaya ipa-cancel mo muna kung anu man ang my schedule ka bukas na meeting okay?" sabi ni Mom over the phone.

"Okay Mom, hindi ko po nakakalimutan, I assure you, uuwi ako nang bahay bukas." sabi ko sabay buntung hininga. 

Actually, I moved out in our house nang na takeover ko na ang pag ma-manage sa hotels namin. I got myself a condo unit malapit lang sa opisina.

"Alright then Hijo, basta ha wag mo akong bibiguin, magtatampo ako sa iyo... I'll wait for you tomorrow morning." paninigurado ni Mom.

"Yes, Mom I promised!"

"I love you Hijo, take care bye." pagpapaalam ni Mom

" I love you too Mom, mag-iingat din po kayo bye." sabi ko.

I am  Garrison Raphael Tan, a half Chinese/half Filipino business man  I'm a hardworking guy, serious, workaholic, at palaging busy sa business ng pamilya namin which is in the hospitality industry which focuses on building up facilities that accommodate and gives provisions of overnight accommodation for people in traveling like hotels. We are one of the owners of the finest and first-class hotels in the country at ako ang namamahala right after my father died. 

Unfortunately, he got a heart attack for the second time which end up his life. I clenched my jaw in that thought because I know in myself the great remorse I have within me all this time. 

I was the only son of my Chinese father and my Filipino mother, that's why they love me so much and devoted their lives to raise me as a good and responsible person which I am right now. I really hate lazy, those people who love lurking inside bars, going night outs but don't get me wrong, I am not against those vices, I'm just not the type who wants those things. Kaya nga, I always pray na ang babae na ipapakasal sa akin nang mga magulang ko ay kagaya nang description ko sa type kung girl. You may actually think kung anu ang ibig kung sabihin but well you read it right to be straight to the point,  I am a victim of an arranged marriage.

My Mom already told me this and my Dad too. I clearly remember before my dad was got a heart attack last two years ago and the sad reality is, I was the reason why my Dad got his second heart attack because when he told me about this arranged marriage I was so shocked and very disappointed na pinangunahan na nila ang pag-desisyon sa buhay ko sa hinaharap, especially sa babaeng gusto kong makasama habang buhay.

And because I was against the idea of my parents my Dad gets angry and unfortunately got a heart attack and He did not make it.  I was so sorry for what happened, so I made a promise to my Mom and into my Dad's grave that I would follow what they want even if it's against my will because I was so guilty of what I did. Kaya nga nabansagan akong good boy nang mga kaklase ko noong college.

"I'm sorry Dad if I was, here again, I just don't know what to feel right now when Mom told me that I will be meeting, finally the person that you want me to get married with," I said it out loud while looking into the marble grave that was built for Dad. 

I pressed my lips with exasperation and look at the grave intently, I know in myself that I am not yet ready, but not because it's not my priority but it's because it's always been against my will and the fear to be bind with someone forever that you don't even meet, know and love.

After a while ay natapos ko narin ang mga importanteng files at ang mga dapat pirmahan na mga papers and it's already 10pm in the evening. Nandidito pa ako sa office doing an overtime dahil bukas absent ako dahil nga my pupuntahan kami ni mom at napaka importante daw, hindi ko naman mahindian as you can see, magtatampo iyon. That's why I have to finish my work right now at tinapos ko nalang ang mga dapat tapusin para hindi ako matambakan nang maraming papeles sa susunod na araw.

I really hate delays...

Palabas na ako nang office at dumiritso na sa elevator papuntang basement nandoon kasi ang sasakyan ko. Nang makarating ako sa sasakyan ko agad na akong pumasok at pinaandar na ito palabas nang building nang office namin.

Habang nasa daan nakita kung matraffic masyado sa kailangan kung daanan so I have to return back para maghanap nang shortcut and luckily I found one. Doon ako dumaan at habang focus ako sa pagmamaneho nabigla ako nang my babaeng lumitaw mismo sa aking harapan, mabuti nalang nakapreno ako agad.

What the heck is that?