How do we

Arranged

"No!"

Why the hell would they marry me to someone I don't even know? Hindi ako pumunta rito para sa kasal.

"Hynx!"

"Papa! No! I told you that already!"

Hinawakan ni Mama ang braso ko dahil sa pagtaas ng boses ko. I can't believe them! Sinunod ko lahat ng gusto nila just for me to prove them that I can manage on my own pero anong nangyayari?

"Hija, hindi ka naman namin ipapaubaya sa taong hindi namin kilala. We've known them for long and we know that their son can take good care of you."

"Ma! You know them but not their son! I'm out here. I'm sorry."

Dali-dali akong lumabas ng restaurant nang hindi alam kung saan pupunta. I just want to calm my mind. Ayoko talagang sinasakal ako. I worked hard for my parents to the point na hindi ko na naiisip ang sarili ko. Things are getting out of my hand. Kung ikakasal ako, dapat sa taong mahal ko.

Tinawagan ko ang office ko at ipinaalam na hindi ako papasok bukas. I need to get out from this place for now. I need to breathe.

Hindi ako nakatanggap ng tawag at texts galing kina Mama at Papa. I wonder why? Pumayag kaya silang i-cancel ang kasal?

Naghanap muna ako ng hotel na mapagstay-han pansamantala. Bukas luluwas ako ng Bohol.

"Ma'am, hinahanap po kayo ni Senyor at Senyorita." tawag ni Rachelle sa akin galing sa office.

"Tell them not to worry. I'm fine wherever I am."

Nang makacheck-in, I saw a familiar figure by my side pero ipinagikibit-balikat ko nalang dahil na rin sa pagod ko. My flight tomorrow is early kaya hindi pwedeng magpuyat.

"Hello there bunny!"

"Saan kwarto kong ipinareserve mo?"

"I didn't know this is how you show your gratitude to your dear cousin, Hynx."

I rolled my eyes on him. Such a softie!

"I'm sorry but I really need to take a break from all these things happening to me."

Lance smirked. Hindi ko alam kung natutuwa siyang naghihirap ako ngayon o alam na kayang-kaya ko rin namang lagpasan ito.

"Why don't you just try it?"

"Try what? The marriage? Hell no! That's for lifetime, Lance."

Nababaliw na ba siya? This is marriage not just some freaking relationship.

"No. Try a new one. Tell him to take it slowly."

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?"

"Hynx, everyone knows how devastated you were after your first and last relationship. Why don't you try afresh now?"

Natutop ko ang labi ko sa narinig mula kay Lance. He's right pero ayoko pa talaga. Naguguluhan pa ako. They say that if someone is doubting then never ever make a decision.

Lance accompanied me from my cabin to the restaurants to the pools and to the seashore. Si Lance ang namamahala sa resort na ito and some food chains in the city kaya swerte na nakita ko siya rito.

"Ano bang plano mo ngayon? Magliwaliw? You know you have company to handle."

"The company is fine. It can stand for now habang wala ako."

"Do you know the guy you were arranged to?"

Umiling ako. Hindi ko nga masyadong maalala ang mukha niya dahil na rin sa galit sa araw na iyon. I just knew his name.

"Kahit man lang pangalan hindi mo alam?"

"Reagan Magnus Calme."

Tumango si Lance at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"I'll excuse myself for awhile. I'll entertain my long-time friend."

Tumango lang ako at hinayaan siyang umalis. I planned ahead my itinerary for today. Gusto kong pumunta sa isla kung saan ginawa kong secret place bata pa ako that's why I chose Bohol to stay for awhile.

I asked Lance to get me a small boat papunta sa pupuntahan ko. He did took care of it for years. Nang magisnan ko ulit ang lugar, I felt nostalgic. Naligaw ako sa lugar na ito nang magrebelde ako kina Mama at Papa because of choosing my own course to take and yet I still chose to take that course for them.

Lance knew all about me. Kaya sa lahat nang araw na gusto kong magliwaliw siya ang nilalapitan ko and he never fails me. Back then, when I had my first painful heartbreak he was there to accmpany me. I shutdown myself from people that time. This is why I'm having a hard time.

I went to my tree house and made some time alone. Nakatulugan ko nalang ang pagmuni-muni. I woke up night already. I can't sleep here. Mapapagalitan ako ni Lance.

The next day sinunod ko na aag itinerary na hinanda ko. I went scuba diving, snorkeling and kayak. When evenint strikes, I held a short meeting dahil na rin sa absence ko sa office.

"Ma'am, there are a lot of projects that needs your signature."

"I'll be back next week, Rae."

May dapat pa akong gawin bago bumalik sa trabaho. I need to talk to that man. Kung pumayag siya sa araw na iyon na magpakasal sa akin thus, I need to convince him not to marry me. I will do whatever it takes for him to turn it down.

Sa mga sumunod na araw, inabala ko ang sarili ko sa pagbabakasyon. Kahit kailan hindi ako nakatanggap ng notice na naghahanap sila Mama at Papa sa akin. It's been 5 days and still no sign from them and its also been 5 days pero wala pa akong nagagawa.

Napagdesisyunan kong pumunta sa tree house. Nang makadaong, may nakita akong ibang pump boats. May ipinaparenovate na isang building. I didn't know that Lance needs to renovate the house. Pinuntahan ko ang renovation at nakitang hindi naman ganoon karami ang mga taong nagrerenovate.

Binati ako nang ilan sa mga workers. I was going to help a worker sa isang pile ng tiles nang may humablot sa braso ko.

"What the-"

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa nakita. Why is he here?

"Why-"

"Ano bang ginagawa mo? You're trying to hurt yourself!"

Kinunot ko ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Hurt myself? Tumutulong lang ako. I got away from his grip and glared at him. Ayoko nang away.

Sumunod siya sa akin nang walang kibo. I want us to talk. Hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta dahil sa daming kalat kaya siya na mismo ang humila sa akin papuntang labas na hindi ko alam kung saan.

He lead me to a private room na hindi kalayuan sa tree house ko. Is he staying here? Iginala ko ang mga mata ko dahil sa rami ng mga magagarang gamit. He has this kind of chandelier that gives off a dim light na pwede ring i switch to a brighter one. The floor, the decorations, the furnitures, the color combination, I love them all. Habang naglalakad ako, namataan kong nakatingin lang siya sa akin.

Damn it! Hindi ito ang ipinunta mo rito, Hynx!

He doesn't talk much. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin habang papalapit ako.

"Let's call off the wedding."

Wala siyang reaksyon sa sinabi ko.

"Wala ka bang sasabihin? I said let's call off the wedding!"

"Why?"

"What? Why? You're asking me why? Hindi kita kilala!"

Lumapit siya sa akin na siyang ikinaatras ko.

"You don't need to shout, baby."

"Wag mo akong matawag-tawag na baby!"

Tumango lang siya at tumungo sa kitchen. Sinundan ko siya at tila nauubos na ang pasensya dahil sa katuturan niya. I need him to say yes!

"I won't call off the wedding."

"Ano?! You will, Magnus!"

Napatigil siya sa pagsigaw ko.

"What did you just call me?"

Natutop ko ang labi ko sa tanong niya. Feeling close ka Hynx!

Nilapitan niya ako at atras ako nang atras nang mapunta ulit kami sa living room. I sighed and thought that we are just fooling around here.

"Look, I just need you to call off the wedding."

"I said I won't."

"Pero Magnus we need to. Hindi kita kilala and marriage is not just a paper to sign. It's a responsibility. Oo, may divorce pero ayoko nang ganoon."

Hindi siya sumagot sa sinabi ko bagkus ay tinitigan lamang ako.

"I will do whatever it takes for you to call it off."

He pinched his nose bridge and closed his eyes.

"Whatever you want, Magnus."

Napatingin siya sa akin. This time his eyes are like lavishing my insides. He's not giving off a pleasing aura instead it's disappointment at iyon ang pinakakinakatakutan kong mangyari na siyang nangyari na ngayon.

"Whatever I want, then."

Tumango ako. I know what he wants.

"Go back to your cabin for now."

Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at napagtantong hindi niya naman alam paano ako iko-contact!

I only have 2 days left in my vacation at sa dalawang araw na iyon wala akong natanggap galing kay Magnus. Nang makabalik sa opisina, Mama and Papa contacted me. I guess the news of me and Magnus met days ago didn't reached them. They only asked me if I was fine.

"Ma'am, Sir Lance is here."

"Papasukin mo, Rae."

I was expecting Magnus to come here but still days of my offer, wala pa rin siyang paramdam sa akin.

"Are you disappointed, bunny?"

I glared at him.

"What do you want, Lance?"

"I just came to visit you. How are you doing?"

Napag-usapan namin ni Lance ang ginawa ko sa resort for the remaining days except the fact that Magnus and I met within those days.

"Whatever your decision about the marriage, I'll support you."

Tumango lang ako. I really need to finish this one. Ang dami ko pang kailangang asikasuhin. Hindi naman sa ayaw kong magkapamilya, hindi pa talaga ako handa na sumabak ulit sa relasyon. It took me years ago to get myself up again.

Pinuno ko ang utak ko sa mga trabaho. I kept myself busy and busy. 6 pm I decided to wrap things up nang may tumawag. It was an unknown number kaya hindi ko sinagot. Many times it called pero hindi ko sinagot kaya napasya itong magtext.

Unknown number:

This is Magnus.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nabasang mensahe.

Nang tumawag ulit dali-dali kong sinagot ito natataranta sa kung anong dapat sabihin.

"Where are you, Hynx?"

"Uhm, office."

"Going home?"

"Yeah" tumango-tango pa ako na parang nakikita ng kausap ko.

"Go to my condo, Calme Suites. Room 518."

Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya. This is sudden! I immediately went to my place bago pumunta sa condo niya. Okay, this is what I asked and I need to do this.

Nagluto muna ako bago nagpasyang magbihis ng lingerie. Yes, I know he wants s*x. If this is the only thing that would get me off of this I will do this.

Habang nagbibihis may narinig akong kaluskos sa cabinet. It sounds like someone is in the cabinet. Hindi ko alam kung tatakbo ako palabas o pumunta sa kama para magtago sa ilalim ng kumot. Nang makita ko ang phone ko, I immediately dialed Magnus' number. Nanginginig pa ako habang ginagawa iyon.

"Yes, baby."

"Ma-Mag-nus"

"Hmmm?"

"Some-something is i-in the c-ca-cabinet. Where are you?"

He chuckled. Anong nakakatawa? I'm here scared of what's something inside that cabinet and he's just laughing? The hell!

Mas naging agresibo ang kaluskos at mas naging kaawa akong pakinggan sa pagtawag kay Magnus.

"Can you come home now?"

Wala akong narinig galing kay Magnus nang masabi iyon sa kanya.

"I'm on my way."

Nang mas naging agresibo pa ang kaluskos biglang natulak ang pintuan ng cabinet. Imbes na tumakbo ako naestatwa ako sa kinatatayuan ko. The hell! It was just a kitten!

Dali-dali kong pinulot ang pusa. Tiningnan kong may galos ba o naghihingalo sa hangin. It was in there for minutes!

Binuhat ko ito at pinainom ng tubig. God! Ano bang kinatakutan ko? Pusa? Really, Hynx?

Minutes after it drank some water, lumapit ito sa akin at natulog sa lap ko. Where is he?

Nakatulog ako sa sofa at nakaramdam na may bumuhat sa akin kaya napamulat ako. Nagulat din si Magnus sa reaksyon ko.

"Yung miming, nasaan?"

Mas lalong nagulat si Magnus sa itinanong ko.

"He's fine. Now, sleep."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Sleep? We still need to do it.

"No."

Magnus sighed.

"You will sleep, Hynx and nothing else."

"Magnus! Akala ko ba you want this? This is what you want right?"

Hindi siya sumagot sa sinabi ko bagkus ay dinala ako sa kitchen habang buhat-buhat. Uminom siya ng tubig.

"You didn't eat?"

Umiling siya.

"Why? Hindi ka man lang nagpa-order sa secretary mo? Ang yaman mo hindi ka man lang makakain!"

He looked at me and licked his lips.

"Feed me, then."

Tumango ako at nagpasyang bumaba sa pagbuhat niya sa akin. Ayaw niya pa akong bitawan noong una pero kalaunan nalaman rin kung anong gusto kong gawin.

I reheated the foods and prepared it for him. Ang laswa ko tingnan! Naka lingerie na naghahanda ng pagkain, damn it!

"Eat."

Tiningnan niya lang ako na parang hindi alam ang gusto kong gawin niya.

"Magnus, eat. Kahit ayaw kong magpakasal sa'yo hindi naman a-"

He lifted me up and put the plate in my lap. Nagsimula siyang kumain na parang walang narinig mula sa akin kanina. I just sat there and watch him.

"Your kitten"

Bumaling siya sa akin.

"What's his name?"

"Hynx."

"Ano?"

"Yes, he has the same name as yours. Now, let me eat."

Ano bang nangyayari sa lalaking ito? Is he crazy over me?

Pagkatapos kumain niya, hinugasan niya ang plato ordering me not to go down and walk on my own. The things he wants to do me.

"Magnus, I'll go first."

This time tumango siya dahil may tumawag. I immediately checked on Hynx and petted him. He's such a cutie!

When Magnus entered the room, doon ko lang naramdaman ang kaba. Really, Hynx?

I saw him changing his clothes and even taking off his pants. Nakatayo lang ako sa kinaroroonan ko nakatalikod sa kanya. Pinalabas ni Magnus si Hynx (kitten) at nang maisarado niya ang pintuan umupo ako sa kama. I took off my robe wearing only my lingerie. He stared at me with lustful eyes.

Lumapit siya sa akin and the next thing he did shocked me.

He kissed me on my forehead and cheeks.

"Sleep now. Stop this. I won't call off the wedding."

"Magnus."

"I'm tired, baby. Let's sleep."

He kissed me on my lips. A very sweet one.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa o hindi.