23 - Bind

Charm's POV

I messed up several years ago and that includes my betrayal to my bestfriend. I would not allow those happenings in the past ruins whatever I have today. I have suffered enough and I was able to stand up by my own. Messing up again is out of the picture since then. What important to me now is Celestine, and I will do everything in my capacity to protect her from those mistakes in the past.

Several times RJ attempted to talk to me about our encounter in Batangas but for me there is nothing to talk about anymore. It has been five years and the fact we went on our own separate lives after that night connotes that talking about it is no longer necessary.

I believe I should not be bothered about it in the first place because it was he who left me alone and just left with no traces of any proof that he wanted to see me again. Everthing about Tisoy and I started that night and everything also ended a few hours after that. It is too late to show some concerns now.

Two days before the fulfillment of my Lolo's promise to his friend, both families are dinning in our house, talking about the last minutes preparation of the most awaited wedding for them. They don't even know what is on my mind as well RJ's. None of them knew that these two individuals that they forced to marry each other have met and stayed with each other in one whole night five years ago.

To our surprise, Lolo Danny asked for a talk with RJ and I in a more private set-up. When RJ and I went inside the library, the folks are there waiting for us. Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang usapang ito, at hindi ko rin maipaliwanag ang matinding kaba sa dibdib ko.

"I guess everything is all set for the wedding." Lolo Danny said.

"Chloe and her husband did a great job. We are all set Dad. I hope walang maging aberya sa araw mismo ng kasal." Tito Ricky replied.

"Ang hindi pag-sipot ng sino man kay RJ at Charm, yan lang ang aberyang dapat nating iwasan." Lolo Danny said and I got a bit offended, pakiramdam ko para kaming preso na dapat pang bantayan para masigurong matutuloy ang kasal sa makalawa.

"Darating ako Lolo, as promised. Hindi ako sisirain sa pangako ko, kung hindi man matutuloy ang kasal na ito sigurado akong hindi ako ang dahilan." RJ coldly said. He speaks as if utang na loob ko pa kapag sumipot sya sa kasal namin.

"I will not waste my precious time and give-up one of my competition just to mess up on this wedding Lolo Danny. Darating po ako sa kasal namin ni RJ." I replied firmly.

"Maraming salamat, from the bottom of my heart, thank you RJ and Charm for fulfilling this promise of mine. There is only one thing left to do, to complete this promise." Lolo Danny said and both RJ and I got surprise, anong ibig sabihin ni Lolo sa one thing left? Meron pa bang iba dapat gawin maliban sa pagpapakasal?

"What do you mean with 'only one thing left to do' Lolo? Di ba yung kasal lang ang pangako mo sa Lolo ni Charm?" RJ calmly asked.

"Yes, but of course we expect to see our grandchildren too." Lolo Danny replied.

"Grandchildren?" I exclaimed. "To consummate the marriage is not part of the deal Lolo Danny" I said.

"Of course it is, the marriage will be meaningless if it is not consummated." Lolo Daddy said and I could feel an imaginary lump in my throat as I could not say anything because I honestly don't know what to say.

"We know about your plan to annul the marriage." Tito Ricky said and this time I could no longer react. We are busted. How did they know about that plan? Nag squeal ba sila Hannah at Camila? O baka naman yung lawyer friend ni RJ? Sino ang nagsabi sa kanila about the annulment plan? And why is this Faulkerson, Jr. remains silent as if tinanggap na lang nya kung anuman ang sabihin ng Lolo nya.

"Don't you think you are asking too much?" I commented

"Maybe for the two of you we are asking too much, but don't you think we are just asking for what is right. This marriage is not about business but it is about binding the two families. After your wedding then eventually get the annulment that you planned of having, don't you realized that it defeats the purpose of this arrangement? The grandchildren, that is the bind that we are talking about." Lolo Danny said. "I will only allow the filing of annulment to push through after the birth of your first child. And don't you dare trick on me RJ because you know how wide my connections are."

"Why are you doing this to me? Tay, bakit pumayag ka sa ganito? Kasal lang ang usapan natin di ba? I know I was not a perfect daughter, I have my own share of disappoinments to you and Nanay pero wag naman sana ganito ang punishment. You are asking for too much, you are asking for my life." I said crying.

"I'm sorry if you feel that way Meng, but believe me anak we only want what's best for you." Nanay said.

"How can you say that when you know I will not be happy?" I exclaimed and everyone in the that room choose not to say anything for a while.

"Siguro nga sumobra na kami to the point na sinaklawan na namin pati mga damdamin nyo. Hindi nga siguro tama na pilitin pa namin kayo na magka-anak. I'm sorry RJ, I'm sorry Charm." Tito Ricky apologized and I could not understand myself bakit sobra naman akong na-guilty sa sinabi nya. "Dad can we be a little considerate on this arrangement and let the children live the life they wanted?" he asked Lolo Danny.

"One year RJ and Charm, I am giving you one year to have the grandchild I am asking. After one year at wala pa kayong anak and you were able to look straight to my eyes while saying that you can live without each other, I will be the one to help you file your annulment. It does not have to be the two of, isa man sa inyo ang makagawang sabihin sa akin yun, I assure you, I will do everything I can to have your annulment." Lolo Danny said.

One year? Ibig sabihin isang taon kong makakasama ang anak araw na 'to sa iisangbubong, I am only expecting nine months the most. Pero kaya ko naman siguro basta tuparin lang nya lahat ng kasunduan namin para wala kaming pag-aawayan at mabubuhay kami sa loob ng isang taon nang matiwasay.

As all of us went out from the library, after that serious talk. RJ gently pulls me shortly. "Are you alright?" He asked.

I gave him a fierce stare as I was not able to feel his presence while I am defending my side to the folks. Hindi ko lang future ang at stake dito, future namin dalawa, future namin individually. Nakakainis na in the entire duration of our talk he just remained mum and choose not to express his thoughts.

"Oy nandyan ka pala, kanina ka pa ba dyan?" I sarcastically asked.

"Nakikipag-usap ako sa yo ng matino." He replied.

"Ako rin, nakipag-usap ako ng matino at ipinaglaban ko rin ang alam kong tama." I said.

"I know and I totally agree with your argument. If you feel like backing-out because of that additional condition, I want you to know I will understand if you choose not to show up on our wedding day. I promise I will not take it against you." He said.

"Aping-api ka RJ at katulad ng dati ako pa rin ang lalabas na masama kapag nag-back-out ako. Galing mo rin eh, nakakairita yang pabida ka pa." I said.

"I just want to point out that you still have time to save yourself from this mess." He said.

"If I do that, hanggang kelan bubulabugin ng mga Lolo at Tatay natin ang buhay ng mga kapatid o ng mga magiging anak natin? This has to end RJ and I am putting an end to this craziness. Wala naman akong nakitang mahirap sa condition ni Lolo Danny eh, except that fact that I need to endure living with you for a year. Telling him that I can live without you while looking straight to his eyes is just a piece of cake. I expect you to do the same." I said straight to his face almost an inch closer.

"Daddy, Mommy." Celestine called from the door and quickly runs to RJ. "I am finish with my drawing Daddy, come I want you to see it." She said while pulling RJ's hand towards the door.

"Can I see it too baby?" I asked her.

"No Mommy, this is for Daddy only." She replied and forcely pulls RJ outside the library.

I am confident I can easily do Lolo Danny's condition but I am not certain how my little Celestine would accept, that living with her Daddy RJ is only temporary.

If this attachment between RJ and Celestine will continue, my daughter will be devastated kapag naghiwalay na kami ni RJ. And I have to protect her from hurting too much. I need to detached her from RJ, hindi sila pwedeng maging close.