3 Chapter Three

My lips parted shock. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko o irereact. My fiancee is wearing a dress coat pair with black pants and shoes. Inaalalayan n'ya sa braso ang kaniyang lola gamit ang kaniyang kanang kamay while his other hand are busy loosening his tie. Magulo ang kaniyang buhok but he looks so cool at it.



"Hezel Grace, right?" Aniyang tanong matapos makaupo ng kaniyang lola. He doesn't sit first before asking me kaya napatingala ko sa kaniya. I know he's taller than me. Pero dahil nakaupo ako at nakatayo siya kinailangan ko pa talagang mag-angat ng ulo para lang makita ang kaniyang mukha.

Tumango ako. "What can I call you?" I asked. I'm a little bit nervous since our families are busy watching us.

"Love, babe, sweetheart, darling. I don't know." Nagkibit-balikat pa siya. Kita sa mata niya ang pagiging wala sa mood. Ang bastos kausap ng lalaking 'to. I guess, hindi talaga kami magkakasundo.

"Then, Bernard." I really don't want to sounds sarcastic but I can't help it.

The side of his lips rose. I don't know if he's amused or something.

"I much prefer babe, though."

Napasinghap ako at nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Why did he even said that?

"Since we're getting married, anyway." He added. May lampong ang kaniyang mga mata when he said about the marriage. I guessed we're on the same page. Hindi bukas sa loob naming gawin 'to.

Someone cleared her throat. Napatigil kami sa pag-uusap at napatingin sa ginang na nagpeke ng ubo.

"Oh, I forgot. Silly me," said Mrs. Sucidor with a smiled plastered on her face while looking at me. "Hezel, this is my mother Beatrix Sucidor. Mom, this is Hezel Grace, Bernard's fiancee." Pakilala niya sa 'kin sa bagong dating na ginang.

Umupo na si Bernard sa tabi ni Mrs. Sucidor habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa 'kin.

"I'm glad to see you again, hija." Sambit ng ginang habang nakangiti. She looks so old and pale.

I did not really expect that I could see her again like this, it feels like a coincidence or beyond than that.

Matamis akong ngumiti sa kaniya kahit na nininerbiyos na ako sa ginagawang titig ng kaniyang apo na prenteng nakaupo sa tabi niya.

"Hindi ko expected na ikaw pala ang fiancee nitong apo ko. But I felt relieved." Makahulugan niyang usal.

Nakita ko ang tinginan at ngitian ni Mommy at ni Mrs. Sucidor sa sinabi na iyon ng matanda.

Hindi ako umimik. I just keep my poker face. I don't really know what to reply.

"She's the one I telling you, Dahlia. The one who help me." Ani Lola Beatrix while looking at her daughter.

Napasinghap si Mrs. Sucidor tsaka hindi makapaniwalang napatitig sa akin.

"Oh my gosh! Really?"

Mom brows furrowed. Mukhang hindi na makarelate sa kung anong sinasabi ng kabilang pamilya.

"It's about my dress earlier and how I came home wearing my dirty uniforms." I whispered to my mom.

She nodded and smiled at me.

"Pinangsanggalang mo 'yung sarili mo sa maruming tubig na sana ay tatama kay mama?" tanong ni Mrs. Sucidor.

"Yes po," pagkukumpirma ko.

"I think its not a coincidence after all. What do you think, Mom?" Asked Mrs. Sucidor.

I can sense the amusement in Mrs. Sucidor's voice and I don't like it.

"They're destined," Lola Beatrix chuckled at her answer.

Wala sa sarili kong naiabot ang wine na nasa harapan ko tsaka iyon ininom. I'm trying not to feel awkward but I can't.

Can someone help me to get out of this freaking situations? I want to get some fresh air.

I looked at Bernard just to get surprised since he already look at me.

I immediately avoid his eyes and look at my glass of wine instead.

"I want to talk to Hezel in private. Could you excuse us, please?" I looked again at Bernard who said those words. He's still looking on my eyes.

"Oh, sure! Yes, go ahead, hijo." Mom answered excitedly.

Hindi ko alam kung ipagpapasalamat ko ba 'yon sa kaniya since I wanted to get out of here and take a some fresh air.

Tumayo siya at umikot papunta sa inuupuan ko.

Nagpunas ako ng table napkin sa aking bibig tsaka tumayo. Inalalayan ako ni Bernard sa aking braso.

As I felt his hands on my skin if feels like it so hot. Mabilis kong hinawi 'yung kamay niya nang makatayo na ako. Nanlaki pa 'yung mata ko nang hindi ko matinag ang kamay niya sa braso ko. I glared at him.

"They are watching us," he whispered in a voice that can only heard by me and him.

Napatingin ako sa table namin at nakita ang buong atensiyon ng tatlong babae sa aming dalawa. I don't know what to say that's why I just smiled at them.

Naramdaman kong pinagsalikop ni Bernard ang aming kamay. Napalingon ako sa kaniya binigyan siya ng warning look but he just smiled at me. He looks at me with tender in his eyes. He held my chin up at inayos niya ang aking buhok na nakatabon ng kaunti sa mukha kow para ilagay iyon sa gilid ng aking tainga.

"Lets go," aniya bago ako hinila papunta ng elevator.

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