Chapter 2

"It depends. Are you here for it?" He asked back.

I squinted my eyes. That's a bit rude, answering my question with another question. Napangiti naLang ako at yumuko saglit. I'm not sure if he's hitting on me or just beating the bush. 

"Bakit, Mr. Laurier? Are you interested in me?" I asked before meeting his eyes.

He chuckled. "I'm not the type who falls in love at first sight."

"That's a rude way of saying I'm unattractive," Taas-kilay kong sabi sa kanya.

"I didn't say that!" He defended himself. "Ikaw? Unattractive? Hindi mo ba nakita ang mga lalakeng nakapila sa'yo?"

Nilingon niya yung mga lalaki sa party. Sinundan ko yung tingin niya at doon ko nakita na sa akin pala nakatingin ang karamahiman. May it be men or the women, I'm not really sure if they are looking at me or Lev. Basta nasa amin yung mga mata nila.

"I would say the same to you. Looks like every girl is interested in asking you for a dance," Turo ko sa mga babae.

"Girls wouldn't ask me. That would look improper and unlady- like," Iling niya. 

"You can't say that. It's 2023. Girls can make the first move. And besides," I paused. "It looks like any minute from now, they're going to steal you from me."

"You wouldn't mind?" He asked. "I mean. Okay lang ba sayo yun?"

I look at him in disbelief. "Of course! Why would I hold on to you? It's not like you're that attractive."

Akala niya naman na gusto kong sa akin lang ang atensyon niya.  I wouldn't hold him for any longer though. I still need to find a match that would want to pair with me with the same goal. Gaya ng sabi ko kanina. I need a business partner. 

"Wow ha. Ngayon ako na naman ang unattractive?" He asked in disbelief.

"Hindi ko sinabing unattractive ka. I said it was not TOO attractive," I replied. "You're handsome, not gonna lie. But it's just, not my style."

"I respect your opinion," Iling niya. 

We continued dancing and who knows I'm doing it wrong or what. Hindi naman nagsalita si Lev which I am grateful. Maya-maya lang ay may isang babae na nagmamalakas ng loob na lumapit sa amin. 

"Hi. Umm. Mr. Laurier, can I have this dance?" The girl asked.

Napahinto kaming dalawa at nagtitigan. "I told you so," I said.

Kumalas kaming dalawa bago hinarap yung babae. 

"Would you mind?" The woman asked politely.

"No. Not at all," Iling ko. "Enjoy the night."

The woman thanked me so I bid farewell to the both of them. Nangmakalayo na sa kanila ay saka na lumapit ang mga lalaki sa akin but I politely decline their offer to dance with me. I told them that I would want to be alone for awhile. Buti naman they respect me at hindi na nila ako nilapitan. Ang totoo niyan ay nagugutom na talaga ako. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman na nakita ko yung buffet table. 

Bago pa man ako makalapit sa buffet table ay nilapitan ako ng Auntie.

"I see that you are behaving well. Well done," Sabi niya sa akin.

"You really did expect the worst of me," I replied. "Don't worry, I won't humiliate you. Humiliating you would mean humiliating myself."

"I'm impressed how you cater to men," She complimented.

"I am raised by a demure woman such as yourself. I thought you would know me by now," I rolled my eyes.

"It seems like I raised you well," Sabi niya bago ako iniwan.

Wow. Taking all the credits by herself. I shouldn't be surprised. Noon pa lang alam ko na kahit wala siyang kinalaman at kukunin pa rin niya yung credits. That's who she is. She's suffocating and that made me want to be away from her. Sure she provides me with everything I need and everything that I want pero the judgment? Hindi ako makakatakas. She judges her own niece as if I wasn't her own. Lahat nalang may pinupuna.

Nawala tuloy yung gana ko. I headed outside and sat on one of the benches. Tumingala ako sa kalangitan at agad binungad ng mga bituin. Dad should be watching me now from there. 

"Dad, is this the life you want for me?" I whispered. "If it is, I'm sorry if I would want to rebel from it. Ayokong maging sunud-sunuran."

I exhaled deeply. If Dad were here, ano kaya ang buhay ko? Will I do things that I want? Or will he do the same thing that his sister did. Gusto niya din ba ako ikasal sa mayayamang pamilya para mas lalong umangat pangalan namin? The Dorchner holds a reputation. Bakit kailangan pa akong ipakasal sa ibang mayayamang pamilya?

I could build my name without a man.

"I didn't expect you to be here," Biglang may nagsalita.

Napatingala ako at nakita ko si Lev. He's looking down at me and all I could do was to smile.

"Is this seat available?" Turo niya sa tabi ko.

"Please. Help yourself," Turo ko sa upuan.

"Thank you," Sabi niya bago umupo sa tabi ko. "Why are you here, anyway? I'm expecting you to be talking to every gentleman inside."

"Same as you. Inaasahan ko din na nakikisayaw ka pa din sa mga kababaihan," I replied.

"I was going to but it felt suffocating inside. Kaya lumabas muna ako para magpahangin," He said.

"Same. Akala ko ako lang."

"Wait," He paused. "Are we on the same boat?"

"What boat?"

"Tell me honestly, are you really here for love?" He asked.

Napakurap ako. I asked him that question earlier. Posible bang napilitan lang din sita kagaya ko?

"You're not really interested, are you?" I asked.

He nodded and them looked up to the sky. "Yup. Wala lang talaga akong choice."

I nodded. "I feel you."

"I mean, what is this marriage season anyway? Aren't we free to choose when and who we are going to marry?" He lashed out.

"Marriage season is like competing with big names for each other. Ang sabi nila kapag may nahanap ka dawng partner this season it would deem successful. They even mentioned having benefits from it." I replied.

"How did you know all of these?"

"I listened before the party starts. Hindi mo alam?" I asked in disbelief. "Grabe. Kayo ang host tapos hindi mo alam."

"Gaya ng sabi mo, hindi ako interesado. Why would I want to know all of that?" Iling niya.

"Well, now you know."

Kumunot lang yung noo niya habang nakayuko. I sighed and leaned on the bench. Both of us are so against this and we both don't have a choice. His reason? Hindi ko din alam at wala akong balak magtanong. I don't want to be crossing the line with the person I just met. That would be inappropriate.

"We should go back. Baka hanapin na nila tayo," Aya niya sa akin.

I smiled and nodded. "Mauna ka na. Mamaya pa ako babalik sa loob."

"Why?"

"Dito muna ako. Maybe for a good ten minutes?" I replied.

"Hindi ka ba natatakot sa Auntie mo? She seemed strict," Nag-aalala niyang tanong.

Umiling lang ako. "To be honest, takot ako sa kanya. But if I'll show her that I am, she will take advantage of it. Sabihin nalang natin na nagrerebelde pa rin ako kahit matanda na," Natatawa kong sabi.

"Why?" He asked. "I mean, okay lang kahit hindi mo sabihin. I understand."

"It's just that, she wants to control my life. Pati yung pag-aasawa ay gusto niyang siya ang masusunod," I rolled my eyes thinking how she said those words about me getting married this season.

"Let me guess. She wants you to marry this season?" He asked.

I nodded. "Bingo!"

"Wow. We really are in the same boat," He chuckled.

"Why? What's your story?"

Okay naman sigurong magtanong sa kanya tungkol dito. Tinanong niya ako una so I assume I could ask back.

"Unlike you, I am not forced by someone to marry. Desisyon ko ang makasal," He said.

"Then magkaiba pala tayo," Iling ko. "Desisyon mo naman pala so why are you saying that this marriage season is nonsense?"

"I forced myself. Nangako kasi ako sa Mommy ko that she will witness me getting married before she passed away. Now that her health is getting worse day by day, nag-aalala ako na baka hindi na niya maabutan ang araw na iyon. That's why I decided to host a party," He explained.

"I thought your Mom made the party idea," Iling ko. "Ang lalim ng pinanghugotan mo. My reason sounds selfish now."

"It wasn't selfish," Tumawa siya nang mahina. "Ayaw mong makasal. Period. Huwag mong i-invalidate feelings mo. Your feelings are valid and it wasn't selfish."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Talagang pinalaki siya nang maayos. He do have a great mother and no wonder why he still thinks of her. Nag-iisang lalaki pa nga siya at bunso pa. Which makes him the sweetest man I've ever met.

"Thank you," Tanging sabi ko.

"You're welcome," Ngiti niya.

It's good din pala na may kausap ka. Nakakagaan nga sa loob, especially when that someone you are talking to understands you completely. Bakit ngayon pa siya dumating sa buhay ko? May instant counselor tuloy ako.

"Wala pang ten minutes pero mukhang kailangan ko nang bumalik," Sabi niya. "Una muna ako sa'yo."

"Sasama nalang ako sa'yo papasok," I said.

"I thought that you'll wait for ten minutes?" He asked.

"I would want to pero magsasayang lang ako ng oras dito. I should continue talking to men and find my match para matapos na din ito."

He smiled. "Kapag nahanap mo na partner mo, will you invite me to your wedding?"

"Of course! Kahit ikaw pa ang best man," I giggled.

"Cool." He chuckled. "And if I'll get married, ikaw din ang magiging bridesmaid."

"Dapat lang!"

We both laughed as he helped me stand up. Bumalik na kami sa loob at gaya ng inaasahan, nasa amin ulit yung tingin ng karamihan. Hindi siguro sila sanay na laging magkasama ang isang babae at isang lalaki. Why? Is that illegal?

"Why are they staring at us?" He whispered to my ear.

"Who knows? Hindi ko rin alam."

"I thought you know things?" Tanong niya.

"Well, first time kong gumawa ng public appearance sa gitna ng marriage season. How should I know how their brains work?" I replied, in the matter of fact.

"Lev!" Someone called from the crowd.

Isang babae na magkasingtulad ng mukha ni Lev ang lumapit sa amin. If I am not mistaken, isa siya sa mga kapatid ni Lev. I can see there resemblance.

"Ate," Bati niya babae. "Ano pong nangyayari?"

"Where have you been? And were you alone with her?" Turo nito sa akin.

"Yes.  Lumabas ako at nagpapahangin. Hindi ko alam na lumabas din pala siya," He replied.

"So you were alone with her!" She said in panic.

"Why? Is it wrong?" He asked.

Napahilot na lang yung ate niya sa sentido. Ngayon ko na sasabihin na parang bawal ngang magkasama ang isang babae at isang lalaki na silang dalawa lang. Basang-basa ko sa mukha ng kapatid niya.

"Hindi dapat kayo magkasama na kayong dalawa lang, not unless if you announce that you two are a match and would get married," She sighed. "But I understand the both of you. It's your first time so I'll let it slip. Ewan ko nalang kung ganun din ang iisipin ng iba."

"A rookie mistake," Biglang sabi ng isang babae. Mommy ni Lev.

"Mom," Tawag niya dito.

"It's okay, honey. Huwag mo nang isipin ang iisipin ng iba, hmm?" She said and Lev only nodded. Lumingon siya sa akin kaya hinanda ko na yung sarili ko sa anumang sasabihin niya. "Same goes for you, hija. Huwag kang mag-alala. Okay?"

I nodded. "Okay po."

Ngumiti yung Mommy ni Lev sa akin bago hinarap ang lahat. "It's okay everyone. They were not alone together. They just happen to enter the ballroom at the same time."

Tumango ang mga tao at bumalik na din yung musika. Napahinga ako nang maluwag. I thought everyone's gonna kill me kapag nalaman nila na we broke a rule.

Bumalik ang lahat sa kanilang ginawa. They continued dancing, laughing, and talking. May mga couple na na namumuo. Wow. Ang bilis naman. Ilang minuto nga lang akong lumabas. Baka maubusan na ako ng partner nito.

"Excuse me! Coming through!" My biglang tumakbo papunta sa direksyon namin na tila nagmamadali.

 Huli na nang makailag ako kasi sobrang bilis niya. I was ready to hit the ground so I closed my eyes, pero hindi yung nangyari. May kamay na pumulupot sa bewang ko at hinapit ako sa katawan niya. With my eyes closed, I felt something soft brushing my lips. Bigla na lang tumibok nang sobrang bilis ang puso ko. I heard gasps. When I opened my eyes, mga mata ni Lev ang bumungad sa akin at sobrang lapit pa. That's when I realized that we kissed.