Perfect Harmony, Unheard Melody

CHAPTER 2 (Mini Date)

SEIJI



"In exchange for your freedom, what will you do for me? It should be a fair deal, isn't it?" She asked.

"A quarter of the company's earnings. Will that satisfy?" I asked.

"No, Hindi ko yan kailangan. Marami na kami income na nakukuha in our business ALONE. Hindi ko na kailangan ang pera ng kompanya mo". She answered straight forward.

"Well, what would satisfy you then?" I asked, Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak ng babaeng to. It's better if sakanya ko na mismo marinig ang sagot.

"Nothing, I have everything. But on a second thought, maybe that money would be useful too". Sagot niya.

"I'll use it as a budget for charity donations". She smiled satisfied.

"Children, women, elderly and persons with disability deserves to be given that much privilege. I think it's good to make programs charitable for them. Use that money for them not just for the business". She spoke but door suddenly burst open. Mom, it was her. Hinihingal pa siya at mukhang Hindi makapaniwala siya narinig niya.

"What do you mean by a quarter's earnings will be used for charity program?" She smiled; it's a fake one. Alam Kong nagpipigil siya ng inis, well it's a given gusto niya kunin ang quarter earnings para sa kabit niya. Tsk. Pinapatulan ang mas bata pa sakanya, to make it worst ka-edad ko pa talaga. I wasn't surprised ng bigla nalang namatay si Dad.

"It's what I said, I want the quarterly earnings of this company to be used on charitable programs, surely you won't hinder that plan as much as you wasted my time the other day right?" Celestaire replied to her coldly.

"But I think it should be used to expand the business instead, it's kind of unfair to our side". Mother spoke back, nakakuyom na ang kaniyang mga palad. I can tell that she will soon erupt like a volcano.

"Ha! Unfair? Bakit nung nag alok ka ba ng kasal did I question you? To be honest mas unfair yun sakin. I will be entangled in mess with your company. And don't forget I'm doing this because I pity you, lulubog ang kompanya ninyo at kahit si Dad ay naawa na rin". She spoke with a stern voice. All my mom could do was look down, she couldn't bring herself to face her. Celestaire looked at me signaling for me to speak up.

"Mom, I agree with her. The business will expand once we proceed with the marriage. There won't be much of use of the quarter earnings. Also, I'm sure the board will agree to it too". For the first time I was able to speak up, even if I'm still nervous. Mother looked at me as if she wants to strike me but held it in. I guess I'll deal with it at home.

"If you won't agree then, I guess the wedding is annulled?" Celestaire threatened her.

"No, I a-agree". Mom answered nanginginig sa galit.

"Also, can he stay at our house? I want Dad to meet him at least bago ganapin yung kasal". She said not requesting, more like a command.

"No, I don't mind it". Mom spoke reluctanly.

"Let's go Mr. Santiago. Oh, ano itatawag ko sayo? fiance na kita" She spoke and grabbed my hand. Sinagi niya ng unti ang braso ni Mom bago niya siya nilagpasan at hinila ako palabas.

"Just call me Sei". I answered.

"Okay Sei, call me Ces medyo mahaba kasi bigkasin ang Celestaire. Nga pala, hindi lang charity programs ang paglalaanan mo ng pera, job employment should be included too. Maraming Pilipino ang nahihirapang mag hanap ng trabaho, mababa pa naman pasahod dito sa Pilipinas". She spoke with a concerned look.

"I will, that is what I could that much. Thanks, pala kanina, kung hindi baka nasampal na naman niya ako, I know na dapat ako magalit sayo for disrespecting her but her selfish and greediness reminded me that she deserves it". I spoke; I want to show her my gratitude.

"If you are thankful then, ilibre mo ako. Hindi pa kasi ako kumakain, your mom didn't bother to think of it. HAHAHAHA let's go napaka sersoyo ng mukha mo". She spoke and grabbed my hand, we ran to the parking lot. She walked towards a bike.

"Here, sa mall tayo kakain". She spoke and put her helmet on. I put mine on and sat first on the bike, but she stopped me.

"Ako ang magd-drive, tabi jan". She urged me to move aside. She ignited the engine and ambilis ng pagpapatakbo niya.

"Hey, bagalan mo naman! Muntik na ako mahulog". Sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Kanino? Sakin?" Sagot niya, Wow ang kapal ha. Nanahimik nalang ako buong byahe.

Dumating kami sa mall at sa totoo lang ayoko ko ng kumain. Nadaanan namin ang mga mamahaling resto pero dito kami kakain sa napili niya 'JOLLIBEE '. Ang cheap ng mga pagkain pero madami ang serving. Masasabi mong sulit ang bayad mo dito.

"Pili ka na ng gusto mo kainin,iihi lang ako". Seriously ang vulgar niya naman. Tumayo ako entrance pero hindi ko alam kung pano mag order sa ganitong lugar. Likely sa pinupuntahan kong kainan may pumupuntang staff sa harapan para i-assign kami ng table bago ibigay ang menu. But this is different hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko dito.

"Hoy! Kanina ka pa jan nakatayo. Hanggang ngayon wala ka pa ring order? Nakatapos na akong umihi hindi ka pa rin umaalis dito sa entrance." Nagulat ako ng sumulpot na ulit si Ces.

"I don't know how, hindi pa ako kumakain sa gantong fastfood chain". I replied, looking away.

"Kawawa ka naman ang yaman-yaman mo tapos hindi ka pa nakaka-kain dito? Hayysss, tara na nga." Sagot niya nagkakamot sa batok. Hinila niya ako papasok at tumayo kami sa may counter.

"I want C5 yung two-pieces chicken with rice and drink tapos isang palabok, regular fries at sundae. Ano gusto mo?" She told the cashier and asked me.

"Pasta" Sagot ko naman.

"Naknang, spaghetti at palabok lang meron dito. Hayyss, pumili ka ng kanin sa menu, hahatian nalang kita ng palabok". Sabi niya at ngumiti, ang saya siguro ng buhay nito.

"I'll have two-pieces of burger steak with rice and iced tea". I spoke.

"That'll be xx-xxx in total, I received xxxx. Your order will be served, pick niyo nalang po dito sa counter once matawag na po number niyo". The cashier spoke politely.

"Tara upo tayo dun" Ces pointed on a table at the corner. We sat down for a while when I heard our serving number I stood up and went to the counter with her. We returned at masasabi ko lang andami ng order niya.

"Andami ng order mo, mauubos mo ba yan?" I asked.

"Yep, pero hahatian kita. Gusto mix-and-match nalang tayo? para malasahan mo parehas" Alok niya, I nodded and gave her one steak, and she gave me the other fried chicken.

"Dig in!" She happily uttered. Nagsimula na kaming kumain nakita ko siyang nilagyan ng gravy yung kanin, KANIN yung nilagyan niya hindi yung chicken. At ano yun isinasawsaw niya yung fries sa sundae?

"Gusto mo? Masarap to i-combine". Alok niya sakin pero inilayo niya bigla ang fries. Nagpunas siya ng kamay at kumuha ng tatlong piraso ng fries, idinutdot niya ito at itinutok sa akin.

"Try mo, promise masarap siya" I hesitantly opened my mouth and ate it. My eyes widen; I was surprised masarap nga talaga siya kapag idinutdot sa sundae.

"Hmm, can I try that one now?" Turo ko sa tinatawag niyang palabok, tumango naman siya.

"Haluin mo muna, para lang siyang kanton pero mas malasa". She instructed me.

"After this punta muna tayo sa bahay, gusto ka i-meet ni Dad. Since were fiancés I guess we can conclude this as a mini date". She smiled while dipping the fries on the sundae.