1: CAEL'S PARENTS

I grew up without my parents; I was five years old when I took care of my younger brother, who was three years old at the time. It was difficult for me as a child to raise a child, and then one lady adopted us and let us sleep in a house where there are other children without parents. We are all orphans, but we are fortunate because grandfather chose us, making our lives easier.

When Grandpa called for me downstairs, he said there was someone he needed to introduce to me. When I got to the living room, I heard people laughing and talking, so I looked around and saw a married couple with their son standing behind them, leaning against the wall. He is very tall, has brown eyes, messy long hair that is not that long, perhaps just an average length for a boy, and he has white skin.

As he sees me he suddenly stared at my eyes made me look away. His eyes are like swords and I can’t even make eye contact with him. Kung makatitig ba naman kasi akala mo papatayin ka nang walang rason. I slowly walk to show my appearance to them and grandpa looks at me smiling. I smiled at him too and nag-mano.

“Grandpa, what is this?” I ask and sit beside him.

“You know Hazel, I already said to you a week ago that you will be getting married, am I right?” I nodded as he ask me. “Their son will be your husband and we already set a date for your marriage,” he added.

I look at the man standing there, who is still staring at me without showing any emotion. He’s very serious, and I’m not sure if he agrees with the arranged marriage that my grandfather and his parents planned a year before we graduated.

“I hope you and my son will get along, iha,” his mother said and smiled at me. I smiled at her back. I couldn’t say a word to them, I don’t want this marriage because I don’t fully know their son yet. Yes, we’ve been schoolmates in college but I only see him far away with her girlfriend Cassy. Is his girlfriend also know about this thing?

“Let us all have dinner together tonight,” grandpa said and claps his hand. Grandpa called for manang Saya to prepare some food to eat. His parents and grandpa leave us alone here in the living room.

Tumayo na ako para sumunod sa kanila grandpa but he suddenly called for my name. Lumingon ako sa kanya at kunot noong tumingin sa kanya. “Why?” I ask.

“Don’t take this marriage seriously, don’t worry I know you don’t like this kaya naman gagawa ako ng paraan para makapag divorce tayong dalawa,” he said and leave me alone in the living room.

What did he mean? Is he planning on something so we could have a divorce? That’s beneficial for the both of us pero nag-aalala ako kay grandpa kung sakaling masira ang marriage na ito. I just deeply sighs and started to walk.

Nasa dining area na kami at sabay-sabay nang kumakain. Both grandpa and that man’s parents were now talking about the marriage, if I am not mistaken that man’s name was Cael.

They’re all talking about the wedding, while I’m eating quietly without even looking at Cael. I feel so awkward here in the dining room that after I finish my meal, I ask Grandpa to leave. Upon seeing me leave, my brother also did leave the table and walks alongside me.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this, ate?” he ask me. I sigh and speak.

“Actually Xyen, hindi ko gusto. Sino bang babae ang magpapakasal sa lalaking hindi niya ganoon kakilala and alam mo ‘yon? Never pa akong nakatanggap ng ligaw sa kahit sinong lalaki. I want my relationship and marriage to be memorable,” I said and sit at the chair outside. This is the garden we used to play in when we were kids with grandpa.

“Then, bakit hindi mo sabihin kay grandpa na huwag nang ituloy? He asks you right? But, tinanggap mo agad. Laking tanga mo rin ate e,” sagot niya. Aba, maka tanga itong batang ito ah.

“I can’t refuse, you know grandpa has been our parent since we were young and I want to replace what he has done to us. Kung hindi niya tayo inampon or kung hindi dahil sa company niya, wala tayong mararating,” sagot ko rin sa kanya. Narinig ko rin naman siyang napabuntong hininga na lang din.

Both of us look to our left when we heard someone is coming. It was Cael walking towards us, Xyen looks at him but I hold his hand. For sure makikipag-away na naman ang batang ito. Since bata palang kami ay hilig niyang makipag-away lalo na kung may mangbubully man sa akin. I am the oldest yet he is the one who always protects me whenever I need him.

“What are you doing here, Cael?” I ask him.

“Your grandpa said we should talk before I leave,” sagot niya naman sa akin. Tinignan ko muna si Xyen at sumenyas na iwan niya muna kaming dalawa rito.

Tumango naman siya at saka umalis. Nang hindi ko na siya matanaw ng aking mga mata ay agad akong tumingin kay Cael. Umupo siya sa mesa na nasa harap ko at saka tumingin sa akin.

“What should we talk about?” tanong niya. I raise my eyebrows when he asks me that. Aba malay ko kung ano ang pag-uusapan natin, p’wede ka namang tumambay nalang saglit para kunwari nag-uusap tayo rito.

“Hindi ko alam,” sabi ko at saka inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. I placed my palm on my chin while looking at the stars and moon in the sky. Naalala ko pa rati na sa ganitong oras ay nagkukulitan pa kami ng kapatid ko sa kalsada at nangunguha ng pagkain sa basurahan para lang may makain.

He just spends his time for a couple of minutes sitting on a chair in front of me without talking and just typing on his phone until he stands up. But, before he leaves he speak to me first.

“But, seriously you’re gorgeous…take this as a compliment. I may be a lucky man if I will marry you but you know, I also have a lover. She’s the only one I want,” he said while looking into my eyes.

Para saan naman kung nag-sabi siya ng ganyan? I mean, for what reason? Pinapagaan niya lang ba ang loob ko para sabihing maganda ako? Tumayo na rin ako at saka naglakad. Sinundan ko siya kung saan siya pupunta because for sure andoon din si grandpa.

Nang makita namin ang parents niya at saka si grandpa na nag-uusap ay agad kaming nagpakita sa kanila. Tinignan lang nila kami habang naglalakad palapit sa kanila, I smiled at them para naman kunwari ay nagkasundo kami kahit papaano ni Cael.

“So, did you say goodbye to her already?” Cael’s mom asks while looking at him.

“Yes,” tanging sagot niya lang. Nag-simula nang magpaalam sila Cael at sumakay sa kanilang kotse hanggang sa hindi na rin namin sila matanaw.

I startled when grandpa suddenly taps my shoulder and speaks. “Thank you for accepting this, Hazel,” he said while smiling. I just smiled at him back and he slowly takes his leave.

Para kay grandpa, mahalaga ang arranged marriage na ito for the company. Hindi man alam ng iba ay palugi na rin ito at kailangan ng financial needs. Hindi katulad sa kanila Cael ay ganoon pa rin ang estado ng kompanya nila. Nakakadismaya na malaman kung ano ang kondisyon ng kompanya namin.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa kuwarto at saka nag half bath. Pagkatapos ay binuksan ang phone ko para I check ang aking social media account at doon ko nakita ang pictures ni Cael at ni Cassy. It was posted yesterday but both of them had a lot of fun, kitang-kita naman sa mga ngiti nila. Most of the comments are telling them to keep their relationship strong. I bit my lower lip while scrolling Cael’s post about him and Cassy.

“Mukhang ako pa ata ang sisira sa relasyon nilang dalawa,” I mumbled to myself while staring at their pics.