Chapter 3

MF90D ||

Solstice

Grimaldi

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko rin alam kung papaanong napunta ako sa sitwasyong 'to. Am I really that gullible para agad na um-oo sa pingsasabi ng binatang nasa harapan ko?

Instead of a few weeks preparation, mas minadali nila ang gaganaping kasal dahil baka raw magbago pa ang isip ko. As if mababawi ko pa ang oo ko.

Alistair would probably kill me if I do. Kung hindi man ay malamang hindi ako tatantanan ng binata hanggang sa malagutan ako ng hininga. That's how persistent he is.

Hindi naman talaga ako papayag sa kasal kung hindi lang dahil sa pangungulit ng binata.

Since the day I first saw him ay ni hindi na ako nilubayan ng binata. I rejected his offer for a few times pero lahat nalang ata ng panggugulo ay nagawa na ng binata sa akin.

Even in my work, hindi ako tinantanan.

"I'm glad you accepted the marriage offer, Solstice." Malaki ang ngiting utas ni Lolo nang sunduin ko mula sa hospital.

He insisted to rest in the mansion instead of being confine in the hospital at ako mismo ang ni-request niya na magsundo sa kanya and of course with Alistair. Alam ko namang gustong-gusto talaga ako ni Lolo na idikit sa nag-iisang apo ng malapit niyang kaibigan.

"I was bribe," ismid ko. "Since I already agreed sa kasal, you should live long."

Nangibabaw ang halakhak ng matanda sa pasilyo.

"I'll live long. Hihintayin ko pa ang magiging apo ko sa tuhod."

I wanted to slap my forehead with what I said but I'll probably look crazy if I do kaya pinagsusuntok ko nalang sa sarili sa loob-loob ko.

Oh now I don't want him to live long. Madadagdagan pa ang responsibilidad ko.

Agad nagbago ang timpla ng mukha ko nang makita ang bulto ni Alistair na papalapit sa kinaroroonan namin ng matanda. He's even wearing a fake smile na halos ikasuka ko. He really knows how to act well in front of people huh? What an actor!

"Alistair, apo!" my Lolo enthusiastically greeted.

Alistair reach for my Lolo's hand and squeezed it lightly bago dumiretso sa akin at ngumisi bago b****o. I just remained pursing my lips habang tinatago ang pagkalukot ng mukha sa isang maliit na ngiti.

"Don't touch me," pabulong kong singhal nang ipulupot ng lalaki ang braso sa baywang ko.

I faked a smile when Lolo cocked his head to check on us. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nakikisakay ako sa pagpapanggap nang lalaking 'to!

"What? This is on our agreement right? Physical affection when in front of other people," kibit-balikat na sagot niya.

My forehead knitted at that, "Anong pinagsasasabi mo lalaki?"

"I thought we had an agreement since you agreed to my three months offer?"

I sighed in frustration as I acted like hitting his head. Isang halakhak lang ang nakuha ko sa kanya na mas lalong nagpa-init ng ulo ko.

"You really do know how to get on my nerves ano?" I hissed.

"What? I am not doing anything?"

He gave me an innocent gaze and smiled mischievously. I bit my lips and rolled my eyes. His smile, despite being playful really suit her face. He looks much better wearing it pero hindi ko kailanman aaminin sa kanya 'yon!

"Ikaw lang ang may alam ng agreement na sinasabi mo!"

"Then let's make it official after the wedding. For now let's focus on the preparation."

Hindi na ako sumagot roon at nag-ikot nalang ng mata.

The next days was chaotic and stressful for me. Bukod sa halos buong araw akong nakakatanggap ng tawag mula kay Marcos ay halos hindi rin nawawala sa tabi ko si Alistair.

Our parents, especially Lolo are very ecstatic about the upcoming wedding. Kung puwede lang na panoorin nila kami maghapon magdamag ay malamang nagawa na nila.

I was busy working while helping on the preparation habang si Alistair naman ay parati lang na nakabuntot sa akin. I guess he's not as busy as me! Good for him!

"Today is finally your wedding!" tuwang-tuwang saad ng matanda nang makita akong suot na ang mamahaling gown na pinamadali pang ipatahi ni Mama sa isang kilalang designer.

They do not want the wedding to be simple, they want it grand. Hindi ko alam kung papaanong nagawa nila iyon sa maiksing panahon.

My gown was beyond my expectation. It was long and ruffly on the end. My fair lean shoulder are showing with my veil slightly hiding my face. Puno ng mga simpleng palamuti ang damit at masasabi mo talagang mamahalin dahil kulang nalang ay kumintab ang suot ko sa sobrang puti noon.

I do stand out wearing it though and I honestly love it.

Bahagyang nagbuntong-hininga ang matanda dahilan ng paglingon ko sa kinauupuan niya.

"I hope Juanito is here to watch your wedding."

I bit my lower lip and sighed, "He's probably watching us from above."

"This is his dream. Seeing both of our grandchild marrying each other, securing the connection within the two families."

But probably not my dream. I thought to myself.

I still don't undertand why the elders are so into this pairing thing. Kung bakit ang hilig hilig nilang gumawa ng pangako tungkol sa buhay ng dalawang tao na wala man lang kahit anong pasabi o paalam man lang kung ayos ba 'yon sa gagawa ng kasunduan nila.

They are the one who made the promises but we are the one acting it out.

Isang katok sa pintuan ang nagpahinto sa usapan namin ng Lolo. I stopped my eyes from rolling nang makita ang binata na sumilip mula roon.

"Oh hijo! Hindi mo na ba mahintay sa simbahan ang apo ko?" pang-aasar ng matanda na ikinalukot ng mukha ko.

Alistair gave the older a chortle and nodded, "I just want to check on her. Baka mamaya ay takbuhan ako."

My face twitched at his remark. Alam kong kahit pabiro ang tono ng pananalita niya ay seryoso siya sa sinabi. He probably thought that I'll run away in the last minute but no. I won't waste everyone's effort para lang mag-inarte.

Isa pa, may isa akong salita. It's not like we'll be married for years. This is only valid for three months, after that... we're done.

"How sweet of you to worry about me," puno ng sarkasmong utas ko.

I saw how his brow raised as his stare lingered on my wholeness. Hindi ko alam kung namamangha ba o nanghuhusga but I'll bet on the latter dahil doon naman siya magaling.

The side of his lips rose up, "You look beautiful, white suits you a lot."

Nangunot ang noo ko sa biglaang papuri niya. This is probably the first time I heard a touch of genuiness on his voice kaya hindi ko mapigilang magulat roon at bahagyang matigilan. I felt my chest fluttering a bit. I didn't know getting a compliment from him is now an achievement too.

Lolo's chuckled boomed on the four corners of the room. Napakurap-kurap ako bago nag-iwas ng tingin sa dalawa.

I bit my tongue lightly and started scolding myself on the inside. Did I just let myself get fluttered by his words? Unbelievable!

The ceremony started and ended briefly. Since we're done signing the contract even before the actual ceremony, the only thing that we need to think about is this. The vows and such which everyone will look forward too.

I never imagined myself facing the altar with a different man beside me. If only that guy didn't messed up. He would've been the man I marrying right now. But I guess life really just don't go on your way all the time. Things like this always happen. Unexpected events always occurs, you might avoid it or face it and it's up to you.

Ganyan tayo paglaruan ng tadhana. One day you're in love the next day you're being cheated on.

"Nangangalay na ako," Alistair complained as he slightly leaned on my side.

Napangisi ako sa narinig, "What do you want me to do then? Kuhanan ka ng upuan?"

"May upuan tayo!"

Umikot ang mata ko, "Then sit."

"Father is not done talking."

"Alam mo naman pala. Ba't ka pa nagrereklamo?"

He shrugged, "I'm a little bored."

"Ask father to entertain you."

His lips curled in frustration, "You never let me win!"

Hindi na ako nagsalita noon at mas nakinig na lang sa sinasabi ng matanda sa harapan. Honestly, kahit pa pilitin kong makinig ay wala namang pumapasok sa utak ko.

My mind is somewhere else like will Marcos suddenly show up here and stopped the wedding like what I see in the movies? I know that's absurd but what's wrong with hoping? I don't want him back but I want to run away from this place that's why even with a little hope, I am counting at him.

The exchange of vows happened so fast na halos hindi ko na nga narinig kung anong pinagsasabi ni Alistair and I am not even the one who wrote my vow. Kinuha ko lang sa internet dahil wala akong balak na mag-isip sa kung anong dapat kong sabihin sa harap niya rito.

"You may now kiss the bride!" Father announced that earn enthusiastic claps from the visitors.

I bit the inside of my cheeks and tried so hard to stop my face from twisting.

Right! I forgot about this part! We haven't planned about this one! Fuck!

Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan nang itaas niya ang belong nakatakip sa mukha ko. Nanlalaki ang matang umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya.

I saw how his eyes dropped on my lips making me unconsciously copy what he did. I repeatedly blinked my eyes as I stared at his plumped lips. Parang gustong-gusto magpadapo ng halik.

I dragged my eyes back on his gaze and for the first time... I saw different emotions on it. It was overwhelming.

The next thing I know... his lips was devouring mine already and I fucking enjoyed it.