Her Unveiled Love

One Proposal

[Via's POV]

Napailing ako at mapaklang napatawa. Krae have said before that he likes me, but those three extreme words is a different thing.

I looked at him in disbelief as I slowly moved distance from him. Nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata na natataranta siya.

"Via," he called me, pleading.

"Stay away from me... for awhile, please." I said before I rushed towards the main house.

.

Madilim na at isang oras na akong nakatulala sa malapad na hardin ng main house.

My hands are shaking and Krae's confession keeps flashing back inside my head. Those words sounded so surreal. I've been liked by so many guys before, more than I could even count but loved by one? By Krae, most especially?

That's the reason why he's so desperate to marry me... he loves me. His confession made things worse. I'm starting to doubt my decision kung magpapakasal ba talaga ako sa kanya.

Heck, I never thought of getting married. Kung magpapakasal man ako, for convenience lang. Mahal niya ako at kung papayag ako, may posibilidad na mahulog din ako... bagay na iniiwasan ko.

Falling in love is a hindrance. Hihilahin lang ako pababa ng emosyon ko. Love is not a joke, it's a big thing and... dangerous!

"Yūshoku no junbi ga dekimashitanode,-chū ni haitte kudasai." Dinner is ready, so please come inside.

"Gesuto wa dōdesu ka?" What about the guests?

"Karera wa-chū ni imasu." They are inside.

One of the widows escorted me to the formal dining area. There are two dining areas; the casual and the formal. Kapag walang special occasion, we use the casual dining, the common chairs and table. The latter one is more on traditional, we use the japanese dining.

I slid the wooden door open and I wasn't surprised to see my entire family sitting on the floor around the long table. On one end, there's a guy in his late fifty's with onyx black hair and cobalt blue eyes. The other end is occupied by Tita Mavis who is looking up at me with a wide smile.

"Please have a sit, Quennelle."

I removed my stilettoes and the cold floor was pressed against my bare foot. I started walking and saw that the only vacant space is beside Krae. I glanced at him and he stared at me with eyes, sparkling in amusement.

Agad kong iniwas ang aking tingin at nakayukong umupo katabi niya. It feels weird to see him looking at me with so much adoration, especially now that he confessed.

I raised my head and I was surprised to see an elegant woman sitting across me. She has Krae's hair and her beautiful hazel brown eyes are hard to ignore.

"My Mother," Krae whispered when he noticed my amusement towards his Mother. Hindi ko siya pinansin at ngumiti na lang sa kanyang ina nang ngitian ako nito.

She's beautiful, almost a Goddess. I've met world-famous celebrities but her beauty... s**t. I can't believe she's a Mother of a 20 year-old. Parang magkaedad lang kami.

"Itadakimasu!" We all said in unison, even the Thomases. I bet they learned the japanese etiquette before coming here. Hmm, an impression.

Habang kumakain ay ramdam ko ang titig ni Krae pero dinededma ko lang. Sumulyap ako sa pinggan niya at napagtantong hindi niya pa nagagalaw ang kanyang pagkain.

"In japanese dining, it's disrespectful to have your food wait for you." I said in a low voice, keeping the conversation for the two of us as Tita Mavis and Krae's Father continue to discuss something.

"I can't, you're ignoring me."

"Okay," kibit-balikat ko. Edi magutom ka.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangisi nang tumagal ay napabuntong-hininga siya at nagsimula nang kumain.

"Let's talk about the date now." The moment I finished with my food, Tita Mavis opened the topic about the wedding.

"We can set it at the end of the school year." Krae's Dad suggested but Tita Mavis's eyes averted towards me, asking my opinion.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "I think I have to think about the marriage once again." Napasinghap silang lahat at ang katabi ko naman ay napatigil sa pagsubo ng kanyang pagkain.

"I'd like to propose something to Krae before anything else." I glanced at Krae and his brows furrowed in confusion. Taas-noo kong tinitigan ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya ko at puno ng antisipasyon ang kanilang mga mukha.

"Go on, dear." Agad akong napatingin sa harapan ko nang marinig ang mahinhin na boses ni Mrs. Thomas.

"Krae have mentioned that me and Althea Chang were the potential brides and I'd like Krae to assess his decision once and for all. He needs to go and see Althea, get to know her for a month... and after that, we'll let him decide again who he wants to marry."

"Via, that's bullshit!–"

"Manners!" Agad kong putol sa kanya nang hinampas niya ang mesa at napatayo. I glared at him and he quickly sighed before sitting back.

"I'll only agree if he agrees to my proposal." Tumingin ako kay Mr. Thomas at hindi ko maipagkakaila ang gulat na naramdaman nang mapagtantong kanina pa siya nakatitig sa akin. He was staring at me with interest and the corner of his lips is rising a bit.

"I agree," he said and still staring at me.

Bumaling ako kay Krae na ngayon ay nakayuko at pinaglalaruan ang sariling mga daliri.

"Krae?" His mom called him.

"I don't understand. I want Via. I love Via, Mom." Palihim kong kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko dahil sa prangkang anunsyo niya. I remained a straight face even after I noticed my cousins' reaction, nakaawang ang mga labi at namimilog ang mga mata.

"Then prove it, son."

"I just don't understand," his voice starts to become a whisper. "Do I need to go to the same school with Althea Chang?"

"I'm afraid you have to, son."

Halos kurutin ko ang sarili para lang pigilan ang pagngisi dahil sa pagkampi sa akin ni Mrs. Thomas.

Hindi na umimik muli si Krae. Nananatili lang itong nakayuko at parang pasan niya ang buong mundo. Minutes passed and Krae's parents excused themselves dahil maaga pa raw sila bukas para sa isang business meeting sa Tagaytay.

Napuno ng katahimikan ang dining kaya tumawag si Tita Mavis ng bagong batch ng dessert. Panay din ang sulyap niya kay Krae na parang nag-aalala ito sa kalagayan niya.