Business Marriage

Chapter 8

RISHAN's PoV

My God, how could I define my outfit for today? Anika chose this pink off-shoulder dress above the knee. I curled my shoulder-length black hair and I didn't wear make up. Face powder and light liptint are enough.

I'm nervous. Naglalakad kami ngayon ni Dion patungo sa restaurant kung saan kami magkikita-kita ng pamilya ko.

"We should act as a sweet couple.", pagpapaalala ni Dion sa akin. Kanina pa niya sinasabi 'yan. As if I have a choice.

"Yeah, kanina mo pa sinasabi 'yan.", mahina kong sambit sa sarili ko and took a deep breath.

Nang malapit na kami sa pintuan ng restaurant ay agad linapit sa akin ni Dion ang braso niya at alam ko na ang ibig niyang sabihin kaya inangkla ko na rin ang braso ko. Pakitang tao ang pagiging gentleman ng lalaking 'to. Hayyy.

Nang makita ko sina daddy,mommy,at Ate Diane,bigla kong iniyuko ang ulo ko at bumagsak ang buhok ko dahilan upang hindi gaanong makita ang mukha ko.

Nang makalapit kami, "Good morning,Mr. Villarino. What is this meeting all about--". Hindi na natapos ni daddy ang sinasabi niya nang bigla kong iharap ang mukha ko. I'm looking direcly to them.

I manage to stand up in front of them with chin-high. No emotions to trace in my face.

Napatingin din sa gulat sina mommy, palipat-lipat ng tingin sa aming dalawa ni Dion.

"If you don't mind,Mr. Faustino, may we take a seat?",tanong ni Dion sa aking ama. Agad namang tumango ito sa kasama ko. Pinaghila ako ni Dion ng upuan. Napatingin akong muli sa aking mga magulang bago umupo.

"I'm glad to see you again, Mr. Villarino. Is this meeting all about the partnership we have?", tanong ni daddy, without bothering himself na nasa harap na niya ako, ang itinuturing nilang blacksheep ng pamilya.

The waiter came into our table and served us our teas.

"This is all about your daughter and I,Mr. Faustino.", direktang kumpronta ni Dion. I felt his hand hold mine below the table and there is something he inserting in my ring finger kaya tinulungan ko siyang ilagay ang singsing sa daliri ko habang pilit na ngumingiti sa harap ng mga magulang ko at kay Ate Diane.

"Uhm... h-hi, dad, mum...a-ate..."

Napataas ang kilay ni mommy samantalang pasimpleng umirap sa akin ang kapatid ko.

"Sa tagal ng paghahanap namin sa kapatid ko, nasa 'yo lang pala, Mr. Villarino.", saad ni Ate Diane ng may galang ngunit napansin ko ang pagkainis sa boses niya.

What? Hindi naman yata pwedeng sisihin nila si Dion kasi ako naman ang may gustong lumayas dahil din mismo sa kanila!

"Ate, walang kasalanan si Dion sa paglayas ko sa bahay. It was my choice so don't blame anyone. You wanna know who to blame?", tinaasan ko ng kilay si ate. Mabuti na lang dahil VIP ang room na ito ng restaurant kaya kami lang ang magkakaharap.

Nagpalitan lang kaming lahat ng tingin.

These people in front of me, they are the reason why I became like this. Sa pagkakataong 'to, hindi pwedeng sila lang ang nasusunod sa buhay ko. I have my own life for Pete's sake!

Agad akong pinigilan ni Dion nang akma akong tatayo para sana mag-walk out. Napansin kong nakatitig sila sa kamay ko na nakapatong na sa mesa dahil tatayo na talaga sana ako. At first, I don't know what is up then I realize,they are looking to the ring I'm wearing.

I was about to say something when Dion spoke first. He suddenly held my hand--no he grabbed it and showed the ring I'm wearing. "Actually,Mr and Mrs. Faustino, and Mrs. Riego, I gathered you here to ask an apology for not asking permission from you for being us in a relationship—actually, we're engaged and if you don't mind... —", pinutol ako ang sinasabi ni Dion.

"Magpapakasal po kami at gusto ko ring sabihin sa inyo na hindi na ako babalik sa bahay.", coldness in my voice. Hindi ko sila tinapunan ng tingin dahil ayaw kong makita kung paano nila ako tingnan na katulad ng dati. Hanggang ngayon pa rin naman,e. Sino ba ako sa kanila? Hindi naman ako kawalan sa pamilyang 'to. I heard their  sighs when Ate Diane has the chance to speak.

"See that lil' brat girl?! Wala siyang respeto satin.",pagdidiin sa akin ni ate Diane kila mommy at daddy. Pinanliitan ko ng mata si ate. If it's not because of them, I won't treat them like this!

Bumuntong hininga ang mga magulang ko at saka ngumiti kay Dion. "Walang magiging problema,iho. Walang kaso sa amin 'yon. Actually, we're glad that finally, Faustino and Villarino families will be as one. And what is more exciting? Our campanies will be more attached to its partnership." Masayang sabi ni mommy. As if I know, she just want the money and does not care about Dion and I, our personal relationship—kung mayroon man.

Nasapo ko na lang ang ulo ko sa inis. Hinayaan ko na lang na sila ang magusap-usap. Wala akong naiintindihan sa mga pinag uusapan nila dahil kada sabi si Dion, puro singit naman ng business topic sina mommy at daddy na kesyo matutuwa raw ang mga amiga ng parents ko, makakapag invest pa raw sila ng ibang companies and such things related to business. Akala ko ba kasal namin ang usapan dito?

Hayst. Bakit ba ako napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon? Paano na? Wala ng kawala 'to.

*****

"Sorry about what happened lately. Hindi ko naman gustong maging bastos sa harap niyong lahat pero kasi--"

Hindi ko pa natatapos ang sinasabi ko when he spoke. " I understand. Let's talk that matter later, fo now we need to visit lola Amalia.". Nauna na siyang naglakad papasok sa elevator. Hinabol ko siya bago pa magsara ang pinto at bumaba kami patungo sa  basement nitong hotel and restaurant na pinuntahan namin.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa sa byahe nang mag-ring ang phone niya so he answered it and wore his airpods nang ma-start na niya ang engine ng sasakyan.

"Yes,Meredith?...No, I have no time. I'm heading to the hospital...I can't... What?!...Okay, I'll take the appointment the next day... Yes, all the appointments and meetings I cancelled within three days, re-schedule it on Monday and Tuesday... Bye.". He ended the call and removed his airpods.

I am watching him speaking. He's still good looking even in a serious expression. I looked away and make my self busy until the call was ended.

"Your secretary?", I asked out of the blue. I'm just bored, I'm tired of counting trees outside the window we passing by.

"Not your business.", tipid niyang sagot kaya napairap ako. Kahit kailan talaga 'tong lalaking 'to.

"You are very successful. People and other investors of your company owes you a lot including my parents without knowing the real Dion behind those authoritative and businessman aura.", sabi ko sa kanya habang nakatingin ng diretso sa kalsada. Malapit na kami sa hospital kaya lang traffic na naman.

"In business world, sometimes good characters of the person isn't important but how good and successful the money and the business itself.",he replied. I was about to ask again but,"And would you please shut your mouth.", he added.

Hindi na lang ako nagsalita sa buong byahe namin hanggang sa makarating kami sa loob ng hospital.

Life is complicated but business world is more complicated. My life is the most complicated! Argh! Ang buhay nga naman oh.