When The Right One Comes Along

Chapter 5

Pasado alas-nueve na ng gabi nang dumating si Carlos. And as if him being late wasn't enough, the man got the nerve to bring his girlfriend along with him.

Lumamig na ang pagkain at pinagtulungan na lang nina Stella at Suzy na initin ulit mga 'yon.

Pero si Ara, hindi malamig ang ulo. Kung kanina, kaunting insulto lang nararamdaman niya, ngayon, sobrang naiinsulto na siya.

What was Carlos thinking? Did he think it's cool to bring his girlfriend when the reason why he was there with his family was to ask for her hand in marriage?

Given that he was against their marriage. So was she! Pero mas pinangibabaw niya ang respeto para sa kanilang mga nakatatanda na nakaisip ng kasunduang kasal. Even just for respect's sake, he should've come alone.

But him bringing his beautiful and sexy girlfriend to an occasion like that wasn't just an insult to her but to both of their families. He clearly had no regard to whatever his own family might feel.

'What a shameless, self-centered man,' Ara thought angrily.

As much as she wanted to cut the couple into pieces, she calmed herself down. Kahit sa loob-loob niya, nagpupuyos na siya sa galit. But then again, she kept her face blank. Bibiguin niya itong makita sa mukha niya na nagtagumpay itong ipamukha sa kanya na hindi siya nito gusto.

"What is the meaning of this, Carlos?" Lolo Carlito asked in a raised voice. Parang nais nitong hampasin ng baston nito ang sariling apo.

"Angie isn't just my girlfriend, Lolo. She is also my assistant. We came straight from a client meeting. I supposed it's not so much of a bother to bring her here," Carlos answered, shooting Ara a cold glare.

"Carlos, need I remind you why all of you are here?" Galit na wika ni Anton. Imposible na hindi ma-offend ang kanyang ama sa ginawa ng mamanugangin.

"Uncle Anton, kung ano man po ang mapag-uusapan natin ngayon ay karapatan ding malaman ni Angie," giit ng binata. "She's my girlfriend and this marriage also concerns her." Mahigpit nitong hawak ang kamay ng kasintahang kasing kapal ng makapal na make up nito ang mukha.

"Carlos, please, ihatid mo muna si Angie tapos bumalik ka rito," mababa ang tinig pero galit na sabi naman ni Damien sa anak.

"Uncle Damien," namagitan na siya. Kapag hindi pa rin siya kikibo ay baka isipin na ng dalawang makapal ang mukha na talo na siya. "They're already here. Let them be. Besides," she walked towards the proud and disrespectful couple. "It's a good thing to meet my future fiance and his woman. At least I would know how to handle my feelings, right, Carlos?" She asked him with a smile. The most genuine looking that she could muster.

"Right," Carlos agreed but he was frowning a little. Nabawasan ang mayabang na ngiti nito kanina lang.

"Welcome to our home, Ms. Angie," she even extended her hand to the lady for a handshake.

Halata sa magandang mukha nito ang bahagyang pagkagulat. Pero nang makabawi ay ngumiti rin naman at tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay niya.

"Nice to meet you," Ara added bago binitawan ang kamay nito.

"Shall we proceed with the dinner then?" Baling niya sa dalawang pamilyang nakatulala sa inasal niya.

"Of course. Let's go," nakabawing sabi ng kanyang ama.

Pero nang sa pag-upo ay hindi payagang magtabi ang dalawa ay wala ng nagawa pa si Ara. She just hoped that they understood why the Lagdameos were there in the first place.

"This thing that you did concerns me a lot, Carlos," sabi ni Lolo Carlito bago bumaling kay Lolo Alberto. "Kumpadre, what do you think of moving the engagement in two weeks' time?"

"Two weeks?!" Agad na protesta ni Carlos bago pa makasagot ang kinakausap na si Lolo Alberto. "Lolo, why are you rushing this d*mn marriage so much?"

"Watch your words when you're talking to your grandfather, Carlos," mariing saway ni Damien.

"Kumpadre, I will leave the decision to you. Ang pamilya ko ang may tinatanaw na utang na loob sa'yo. Our girl, Arabella, will oblige to your wishes," bahagya siyang tinapunan ng tingin ng kanyang Lolo.

Ara offered Lolo Alberto a nod. She had to agree, right?

"You're impossible!" Sa kanya nakatingin si Carlos. "Come on, Arabella! Don't you have a mind of your own? Papadikta ka talaga?"

Nasa tinig ng binata ang matinding disappointment sa kanya. He was right. Why wouldn't she express her disapproval? Why wouldn't she voice her opinion?

But would he understand if she would tell him that she only wanted to obey her elders without having so much consideration what a h*ll probably her life would be if she would marry him?

Hindi katulad ni Carlos, hindi siya makasarili. Iniisip niya ang nararamdaman ng kanyang lolo na buhay ang utang na loob sa lolo ni Carlos na siyang humihingi ng kasal na iyon. Ayaw niya itong mapahiya. Ayaw niyang maging mabigat ang loob nito dahil hindi ito makabayad sa kaibigang nagligtas ng buhay nito noon.

"I agree to this marriage. That's my only take, Carlos," saad niya.

"It is set then," natutuwang sabi ni Lolo Carlito. "In two weeks' time, we will announce your marriage to our families and friends--"

Natigil ang masayang sinasabi ni Lolo Carlito nang biglang tumayo si Angie. Luhaan itong tumalikod at umalis na hindi nagagalaw ang pagkain sa harapan nito.

"D*mn it." Syempre, to the rescue si Carlos. Walang paalam itong tumayo rin at sinundan ang kasintahan.

"Carlos!" Halos sabay-sabay na sabi ng pamilya ng binata. Nakatayo na lahat ang mga ito.

Ara wanted to laugh at herself. This pamamanhikan was nothing but a joke.

"I'll see them off," sabi niya saka tumayo rin.

"Ara," saway ng kanyang ama.

"Don't worry, Dad. You know me, I know how to handle things," she smiled reassuringly. "Continue with the dinner, babalik po ako."

Alam niyang hindi pa nakaaalis ang dalawa dahil wala pa siyang naririnig na ugong ng papaalis na sasakyan.

Mula sa garden sa likod kung saan naka-set ang dinner, sa garden sa harap niya naabutan ang magkasintahan.

Hindi niya alam kung bakit sumunod pa siya. She somehow felt pity for Angie. But she knew what the dinner was about. Sana hindi na ito sumama kahit pa gaano kakapal ang mukha nito.

Gayunpaman ay babae rin si Ara. She would like to think na naiintindihan niya ang nararamdaman ni Angie. But what would she say to make her feel better?

"Umalis na tayo, babe. Please? This is already too much," iyak ni Angie habang nakakapit sa mga braso ni Carlos.

"I'm sorry. Hindi na dapat kita sinama pa," tugon ng binata.

"I can't believe na pinipilit ka nilang pakasalan si Ara. Babe, nakita mo, hindi siya maganda, right?"

Muntik nang mapasingit sa usapan si Ara kung hindi niya napigilan ang sarili niya. Kagyat na nag-evaporate ang concern na nararamdaman niya para sa babaeng feeling ikinaganda ang make up nito.

Carlos chuckled. "Of course, hindi siya maganda. Stop crying. Aalis na tayo."

Lalong umusok ang ilong ni Ara that she found herself wishing na malasin ang mga ito sa daan nang umalis na ang mga ito.

'Hindi pala maganda, ha?' For some reason, nanggigigil siya.