Prologue: December 24, 2007

All I ask

A novel written by xxakanexx

Sometime in the future...

"Is Alejandros back?"

It was Pan who asked me about our brother Alejandros. I don't know if he is back already. It's been a week since I last talked to him. I am actually waiting for him too because I am going to use the plane because Ada wants to go to Disneyland. Gusto ko naman siyang dalhin, silang dalawa ni Danielle para bago magsimula sa school ang panganay ko ay makapasyal pa kaming apat.

"I don't know. I haven't talk to him yet. Do you need anything? Anything that I can help you with?" Tanong ko kay Pan. She looked at me. Naupo siya sa chair ni Alejandros. I was grinning at my sister. Ngumuso siya.

"Hindi mo naman maiintindihan itong designs ko. Bakit ba kasi you're so business minded? You always think about the pros and cons. You always think about assets and liabilities, Kairos, why don't you just use your imagination and your heart?"

I use my imagination. I used it by thinking about my future. A family and now I have two beautiful kids and a lovely wife. My life is complete. Of course, I use my heart, I love my children, I love my wife – I mean I have to love her because if I don't hat will be wrong.

Before I married Mariake, I weighed her pros and cons in my life. Mas maraming pros si Mariake for me so I married her. She's good enough for myself, my family and my reputation. She's a former Binibining Pilipinas. Ours was not a love at first sight – in my point of view – but I married her so that means something.

I smiled at my sister. "That's not my forte." Sabi ko sa kanya. "I am the business minded one here. Ang dami kong gagawin. Alejandros is gay for a matter." Biro ko pa. She rolled her eyes.

"Speaking of, I miss Alba. It's been too long. I had always wondered what she looks like now. Si Lisha naman kasi, nag-deactivate siya ng lahat ng social media niya. Even si Ate Cachi, I can't find her! Kahit na sino sa kanila! I mean, don't you miss Ate Cachi? She's your best friend."

I just smiled at her.

"Cachi chose a different path. Iyong buhay na hindi ako kasali so why would I miss her?"

Ngumuso si Pan sa akin.

"Kainis ka. I miss Alejandros." Sabi niya pa. "He's really my favorite brother." Umismid na naman siya. Hindi ko na siya sinagot. Maya-maya ay pumasok ang secretary ko.

"Sir, nandito po si Mr. Benitez. He wants to talk to you po."

"Yes, please, let him in."

"Aalis na ako kuya. Just call me if Alele comes back."

"Alright, ingat Pan. Drive safely."

Paglabas ni Pan ay pumasok si Mr. Benitez. He is one of my right hand. Pinapunta ko siya dito para pag-usapan ang renewing of vows namin ni Mariake. Ate Amal said that it should be two years from now, para ika-tenth year naming but she's turning thirty next month and I want that to be her gift. Isa pa, makakabuti iyon sa airlines dahil sa same month na iyon ang 85th founding anniversary nito. It's like hitting two birds with one stone.

"Is everything ready? My staged proposal? The wedding? May problema ba?" I asked nang mapansin kong tahimik siya.

"Yes, Sir. Kasi nga pinaayos ninyo sa akin ang muling kasal ninyo kaya nagpunta ako sa city hall para tingnan ang registration ng wedding ninyo. Nakuha ko naman po ang marriage certificate ninyo, Mr. Vejar, but is seems like there's a mistake."

What mistake?

Napatuwid ako ng tayo.

"May dalawang marriage certificate registered under your name, Mr. Vejar. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ito napansin noon but it's disturbing. One with Mariake's name on it." Ipinakita niya ang certificate ng kasal ko with Iake. The date says March 17, 2008. It has my signature on it.

"So what seems to be the problem?" I asked again.

"The other one has your name and Catherin Fe Albarda - Cinco's name and signature."

Napabalikwas ako ng tayo. Hinatak ko ang certificate sa kanya. It had Cachi's name and signature. May pangalan ko rin iyon ay may pirma!

But the date – the date!

"Fuck!"

December 24, 2007.

That's the date in the marriage certificate with Cachi's name.

"Fuck! What the actual fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"So, Mr. Vejar, your marriage with your wife is null and void because you have this existing marriage with Miss Cinco – the real Mrs. Vejar."

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

How the hell did that happen?!