EPISODE 1
2072 Words
I REALLY really can't believe that two months from now I'm getting married with this man sitting in front of me while we're here taking our first ever dinner date together as a fiancee. In just a blink of an eye, I'm going to be a wife na! Eto ba ang karma ko dahil sa paniniwala kong walang love? Walang ligaw-ligaw at ni hindi ko man lang naranasan ang magka-boyfriend... asawa kaagad!
And as of now, we're here in his condo unit in Bonifacio Global City or BGC in Taguig. And that's because this is one of Dad's and his parents decision for us to get to know each other—we will stay in a one roof together!
Sounds crazy right? Hush!!!
Even I refused, I have no other choice but to grant my Dad's decision. Or else, he will cut all my bank accounts and he said that I am no longer one of his heiress if I don't marry this man in front of me! Gosh!
Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin kaming kibuan ni Zymon habang kumakain at mula pa kanina pagkatapos ng naging usapan. Ngunit nakikita ko siyang mayroong nakaguhit na ngiti sa mga labi. I don't know what it means. Pero, panay lang naman ang tinginan namin sa isa't-isa. Marahil, pareho pa kaming hindi sanay sa ganitong sitwasyon. Nakakalula naman talaga ang naging desisyon nila Dad at Parents niya. For me, hindi ko pa rin ma-digest sa sistema ko na iilang buwan na lamang ay may asawa na ako! Tapos pagkatapos ng kasal... Oh my God!
Natutop kong bigla ang bibig ko at natulala na ako. Muling pumasok sa isipan ko ang huling naging usapan namin kanina.
~FLASHBACK~
AFTER hearing Dad that I'm into a fix marriage, Of course I was shocked! Yeah, literally! And so, I refused! Syempre! Hindi dahil sa hindi ko gusto si Zymon, kundi dahil alam kong may iba itong gusto at alam ko ding sila na. Someone told me about that!
I stared at Zymon and so he does too. Why he's not refusing? Coz instead of doing it, he's just comfortably sitting in the corner, staring at me with no emotion. He's just like—Duh! Hindi ba dapat ay nagpo-protesta din siya dahil may sabit siya? So by the use of my own two eyes, I commanded him to speak up! But—hush! He's so slow! He didn't get it! Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na parang wala lang! And so, I turned my back to him while murmuring! Tsk!
"Cassandra.."
Humarap akong muli kay Daddy, with my questioning reaction. In my mind, I really want to walk out and go somewhere else. I'm planning to scape and my body was begin to move. But, I was about to step out of Dad's office when suddenly I've heard him cough three times.. Oh my! That was a signal by him. That's a warning for pete's sake! You cannot turn your back to him when he's talking or when he's calling your name out! That was a mortal sin in the family rules. I know that but I really want to walk out! I can't marry him Zymon!
"Stay here, Cassandra!" his voice is full of authority. "Where do you think you're going?"
I shook my head. "Seriously, Dad? Two months from now I'm getting married?? I'm too young to get into a marriage and I'm not ready for it! You know that, right? And then, why did you get me into this arrangement? Akala ko against ka rito? Why, Dad? What happened now?" mangiyak-ngiyak kong tanong sa Daddy ko na hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang beses na ba itong huminga ng malalim.
"Just listen to me, Cassandra. This is all for your own good," he calmly replied.
"I can't believe you can do this to me, Dad!" I shook my head again and again..
Napabuga ako sabay hawak sa dibdib kong biglang nanikip at saka ko ibinaling ang paningin sa gawing kanan kung saan naroon ang magulang ni Zymon na pawang mga nakatikom ang bibig at mataman lang na nakatingin sa amin. So now I know why they're here.. at ito ay dahil sa ngayon na paguusapan ang tungkol sa bagay na 'to.
"I am sorry, hija.. But this is my decision."
"Dad, honestly.. I was really surprised! I can't believe this... Please, stop this arrangement. Your just kidding me, right? Your just pranking me.. I know."
Umiling-iling si Daddy dahilan para manlumo ako. He's serious! "Cassandra, look, I'm sick and old enough to handle all our properties. So, I need a trusted person who can replace my position," Daddy said in a low and sounds weak voice. "I want you to get married soon and I've chose Mr. Zymon Gabriel as your future husband. He's a good man. Believe me. If he's not, I will not going to make an arrangement of your wedding with him."
"Dad, I'm sorry but.. I will not marry him," I frankly said. I vow my head.
Alam kong bastos ang tanggihan ang isang Sandoval pero.. kailangan. I know Zymon has a rumored girlfriend and I hate trouble!
"Your getting married with him, Cassandra. My decision is final and you have no choice. Or else, I will cut all your bank accounts and will no longer be one of my heiress! Choose!"
"Dad! Oh my gosh.." I was... shocked. Really-really-really shocked! "Don't know what to say, Dad.. How could you do this? I didn't know that you had a plan like this on me.."
Napaupo ako sa upuang nasa tapat ko dahil pakiramdam ko ay nanghihina ako. Nasapo ko ang ulo ko at hindi na nakapagsalita. Ni hindi ko rin binabalingan ng tingin sina Zymon at parents nito. Ni hindi ko na inalam kung ano ba ang naging reaksyon nila sa mga naging actions ko. Hindi ko rin malaman kung bakit biglang nagsitahimik ang mga ito. Are they really want me as Zymon's wife too? But—hush! I am Cassandra Del Rious for pete's sake!
Hindi ko na rin narinig ang iba pa nilang pinagusapan dahil halos nabingi na ako sa animo'y bombang sumabog mismo sa tenga ko. I really can't believe this! Isa lang ang tanging naintindihan ko sa sumunod nilang napagdesisyunan, ang magsama na raw kami ni Zymon sa iisang bubong! Hindi ko malaman kung bakit pumayag si Daddy doon sa suggestion ng parents ni Zymon!
~END OF FLASHBACK!~
"Your not eating your food, Sandie? Finish your food so we can talk about what's bothering in you after," Zymon said while sipping the last drop of his red wine.
I rolled my eyes. "You're just like Dad!"
"Huh?" Bahagya itong natawa. "Why?"
His laugh.. Ang gwapo naman niyang tumawa? Bakit gano'n?
Iniiwas ko ang tingin sa kanya at ibinaling ko na lang sa pagkain. "L-Lagi niya kasi akong minamadali sa pagkain ko! Tsh!" singhal ko. "Don't do that again.. Iinit lang ang ulo ko!"
"Hmm.. Okay.. And? What else?"
Tumaas ang kilay ko saka biglang nangunot ang noo ko. "What else?" ulit ko sa tanong nito.
"I mean.. Bakit mo naman nasabing para akong si Dad?"
Dad? Hoy! Hindi pa tayo kasal!
Inirapan ko siya. "Tsh! The way you talk and.. basta! May similarity kayo!"
Muli itong natawa. "Sabi niya nga, eh. Kaya ipinagkatiwala ka na niya agad sa akin." anya at mataman itong tumingin sa akin saka ngumiti.
Ngumiwi ako. "Tsh! I don't know why he trusted you so easily. Why? Did he really know you well?" I sarcastically asked him.
He smirked and then furrowed his left eyebrow. "Malilit pa tayo, magkakilala na ang mga parents natin. And, your Dad knew me very well. Ikaw lang naman ang hindi nakakakilala sa akin, eh." pilyo siyang ngumisi.
"I know you! We're batch mate in college!" bahagyang lumakas ang boses ko.
"Oh, yeah.. Right.. I remember!" napapatango-tango pa siya kapagkuwan. "But, do you remember our childhood memories?"
"No," I simply said. "Honestly, I don't remember anything from the past. Naoperahan ako sa ulo when I was nine years old. So, naapektuhan din ang memory ko after surgery," seryoso kong sabi at napabuntong hininga ako.
"Oh? I-I'm sorry to hear that.." lumamlam ang mga mata nito.
"It's okay," tugon ko na hindi ko man lang sinusulyapan ito. Ngunit biglang may bumulabog sa isip ko. "By the way, why did you let your parents decide for your self? I mean, why did you let them decide to get you into marriage? Bukal ba 'to sa puso mo.. or ano?"
"I never let them decide for my self, my beautiful fiancee.. I'd say yes to this arrangement because of my own reason. Soon, you'll know it.."
Pakiramdam ko ay biglang namula ang mga pisngi ko dahil sa mga endearment na ginamit niya sa akin. Pero, agad ko iyong winala sa isip ko. "Bakit di mo pa sabihin sa akin ngayon?"
"I can't tell it now..but, soon.. I promise."
"Tsh! Fine!" natawa ito ng umikot ang mata ko sa ere. Hindi ko na lang pinansin. Minadali ko na ang pagkain ko at ng makatulog na ako! Inaantok na ako dahil pasado na alas onse ng gabi. Hindi na rin siya umimik.
Matapos kong kumain ay agad na akong tumayo para kumuha ng maiinom sa ref ngunit di ko malaman kung nasaan iyon.
"Where's your ref? I want a cold water!" nakapameywang kong tanong dito.
Nakangiti naman itong tumayo at saka pumunta sa may mga cabinet at binuksan ang isa doon. Napataplak ako sa noo ng makitang naroon ang ref niya. Kinuha niya roon ang tubig na nakalagay sa glass pitcher saka sumalin sa baso at ibinigay sa akin.
"Thanks," sabi ko saka nilagok ang isang baso ng tubig. Pagkatapos ay inilapag ko lang sa mesa ang baso saka muling iginala ang paningin sa kabuuan ng dining area. "You had a nice condo. Who else staying in here?"
"No one else. Magisa lang ako rito.. dati. Ngayon, may kasama na ako," anya at biglang sumilay ang pilyong ngiti sa mga labi nito.
Tumaas ang isang kilay ko tsaka umismid. "Oh, yeah. I'm here already! But, are you sure no one's sleeping in here? Friends, workmates.. girlfriends..?" ipinanghuli ko talaga 'yong salitang 'girlfriend' para kumpirmahin kung nagdadala siya dito ng mga babae.
"Yeah. Meron naman.. Pero bibihira naman 'yon. Kapag birthday ko lang at kapag nakapagsolve ako ng investigations, simple party.. gano'n."
"Oh.. okay." Napatango-tango ako. "So, I have to say goodnight to you. I am really tired and sleepy!"
"Hmm.. okay."
Tatalikod na sana ako nang maalala ko na hindi ko alam kung saan ang magiging kwarto ko. "Where's my room, Zymon?"
"Wait me up. Ililigpit ko lang itong pinagkainan natin. Wala tayong maid dito kaya tayo ang gagawa ng mga gawain dito," anya habang inililigpit ang mga plato papunta sa lababo.
Natigilan ako. Bigla naman akong nahiya na hindi ito tulungan sa ginagawa. Kaya naman, habang sinisimulan na niyang hugasan ang mga pinagkainan ay kumuha naman ako ng malinis na basahan para punasan ang mesa. And then after that, kinuha ko 'yong walis tambo na nasa likod ng pinto para walisan ang marmol na sahig. Nang matapos ako sa ginagawa ay napasulyap ako kay Zymon. Kumunot ang noo ko.
"What?" nakataas na kilay na tanong ko.
"I thought you didn't know how to do those household chores, Sandie?" he's just staring at me while written a silly smile on his lips.
"Of course I know it. I know a lot!" pagmamalaki ko habang sinusundan ko siya patungo sa kwarto na tutulugan ko. "By the way, how did you know my nickname, huh?"
"Really, huh.." nakangiwi niyang tugon. "Well, I told you.. I know you."
I rolled my eyes. "Tsh! Fine! Where's my room? Inaantok na ako!"
"This way," iginiya niya ako sa pasilyo patungo sa bedroom. "There.." turo niya sa isang pintuan at saka agad niya itong binuksan pagkalapit namin. Sumunod ako sa kanya papasok kaya tumabad sa akin ang napakalaking kwarto. Iginala ko ang paningin ko sa buong sulok at napansin kong puro mga mamahalin ang gamit na naroon at panlalaki ang disenyo.
"Hmm.. Okay nice bedroom." sabi ko nang makuntento sa ginagawang pagsuri ng kuwarto. "So.. you may leave now, Zymon. I really want to sleep na!"
He shook his head and smile so widely. "We will stay in one room together, baby.."
"W-Whaatt??"
- Writer
