Chapter 2
1034 Words
"Welcome back home honey!" masayang bati ni Leslie Smith, ina ni Emma.
Kararating lang ng dalaga mula sa Singapore galing sa ginanap na fashion show.
"How are you Mom?" masaya ring balik ni Emma sa kanyang ina.
"Mom, is there something wrong?"
"Bakit mukhang stress ka Mom?" sunod - sunod na tanong ni Emma sa ina.
"Nothing hija, maybe I am just tired," paliwanag naman ni Mrs. Smith.
"Mom if something is bothering you, just tell me ok."
"You know that I love you Mom, just tell me if there's something that I could do for you," saad ni Emma sabay yakap sa ina.
"Wala… wala naman hija," tugon ng ina ni Emma.
"Ang mabuti pa magpahinga ka na muna then we will have dinner later together with your dad."
"So better rest for a while my dear daughter," patuloy pa ni Mrs. Smith.
"Ok Mom, see you later, pagod nga po ako sa byahe."
"I think I need to rest for a while and refresh," sabi ni Emma at sabay halik sa pisngi ng ina at pumanhik na sa kanyang silid.
………….
"What? Papa," gulat na tanong ni Jayson Arriti sa kanyang ama.
"You heard me right, you're getting married to Emma Smith, daughter of my friend Ethan Smith." walang emosyong ulit ni Hector Arriti sa kanyang anak.
"No, I will not marry that woman!" kuyom ang kamao ni Jayson na pinipigilan ang galit habang sinasagot ang ama.
"Let her go to hell, I don't like her!" madiin pang wika ni Jayson.
"Well you can choose my son to marry Emma or you lost everything, including your position at the moment." mahinahon at kampanteng tugon ng ama ni Jayson.
"I'll give you a week to decide I am not forcing you but remember the consequence of your choice," mahinahon ngunit may banta sa tinig ni Hector.
"You can go now, I am expecting you to come back to my office after a week, bear in mind a week only," pinal na saad nito sa anak na si Jayson.
"Argh, why do I have to marry that woman?" halos ibato ni Jayson ang laptop sa kanyang harapan dahil sa galit.
Kilala niya si Emma Tan Smith, anak ito ng kaibigan ng kanyang magulang.
Mas matanda siya dito kaya naman halos din rin naman sila magkapanabayan na lumaki at malayo din ang loob niya dito. Hindi naman lumalapit sa kanya si Emma mas gusto pa nitong maglaro mag isa kaysa lumapit sa kanya.
Marahil nahihiya ito o dahil sa agwat ng kanilang edad o baka naman ayaw lang talaga nito sa kanya makipag - usap. Hanggang sa naging dalaga at binata na sila ay ganun pa rin.
Kaswal na batian lang ang nagaganap sa kanila. Wala naman siyang pakialam dahil hindi rin niya ito gusto. At isa pa ay mayroon siyang kasintahan na pinagkakaabalahan at mahal niya si Tatyana Montenegro.
"Hey, Love mukhang ang init ng ulo mo ngayon!" malambing na bati ni Tatyana kay Jayson pagkapasok sa opisina nito.
Wala namang sabi - sabi na siniil ng maalab na halik ni Jayson ang dumating na kasintahan.
"Hmmmn," mahinang ungol ni Tatyana.
"Babe, bakit parang wala ka sarili mo?" tanong olit ni Tatyana kay Jayson.
"Nothing sweetheart, marami lang akong inaayos na mga problema sa kumpanya sa ngayon," wala sa sariling sagot ni Jayson.
"Is that so? I'll give you a massage then," lambing ni Tatyana sa kasintahan.
"Maybe tonight sweetheart, I need it. I'll spend the night at your place today," sagot naman ni Jayson habang naglalakbay ang kamay kung saan saang banda ng katawan ni Tatyana.
"O sure Babe, it's always my pleasure to have you in my bed," sabay kindat kay Jayson ng makahulugan.
…………..
"Hi Dad!" masayang bati ni Emma sa ama na si Ethan Smith sabay yakap at halik sa pisngi.
"How are you my princess?" tanong nito sa anak na dalaga ngunit tila balisa ito.
"I'm fine Dad, everything seems to fall into pieces for my modeling stint," natutuwang pahayag niya sa ama.
"Well, good and you're becoming a more gorgeous fine woman," puri pa ni Ethan sa kanyang anak.
"Thanks Dad, you're always making me feel beautiful, Dad and I'm really flattered." nakangiting sagot ni Emma.
"Emma, Ethan, dito na tayo sa dining room, dinner is ready," tawag ni Leslie sa mag - ama.
"We're coming," halos magkasabay na sagot ng mag - ama.
Habang nasa hapag kainan ang mag - anak ay tila balisa si Mrs. Smith.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"What's bothering you?" halos magkasunod na tanong ni Emma sa ina.
Nagkatinginan ang mag - asawa. Tumikhim muna si Mr. Smith bago nagsalita.
"Emma, I have already told you before that our business is going down." mahinahong tugon ng ama bi Emma.
"Yes, Dad, I remember, what about it?"
"Anything that I can do to help you out?" tanong ni Emma sa mga magulang.
"Actually, you can help a lot, princess." tugon ni Mr. Smith.
"Hija, huwag sana sasama ang loob mo sa hihilingin namin sayo." saad ni Mrs. Smith ky Emma.
"You're the one that can save our business if you will agree," dugtong naman ni Mr. Smith.
"Mom, Dad can you please go straight to the point."
"I think I'm getting curious and nervous of what you're gonna tell me," naguguluhan na pahayag ng dalaga.
"Ok, let's get straight to the point." tugon ni Mr. Smith.
"Our business is going into drain, kailangan natin ng partnership para hindi ito tuluyang lumubog."
"It's either we make the move sooner or we just have to accept that we need to shut it down," salaysay ni Mr. Smith sa anak.
"I've talked to my friend and he is willing to take me into partnership with one condition at hand," patuloy na paliwanag ni Mr. Smith sa anak na dalaga na matamang nakikinig.
"What is the condition Dad?" Tanong ni Emma sa ama.
"Well, did you remember the Arriti?" balik tanong ni Mr. Smith kay Emma at hindi pa sinagot ang tanong ng anak.
"Yeah, I remember them, why Dad?" tanong naman ni Emma.
"They're the friend that I'm telling you who is willing into partnership as long as I agree to his condition," pahayag ng ama nin Emma.
- Writer
