4 - His First Impression

RJ's POV

Akala ko marami pang diskusyon bukod sa revelation na grand wedding last night. And I agree with Charmaine, grand wedding is no longer necessary since this is only an arranged marriage. That kind of ceremony is for couples who are truly in love with each other and obviously, that does not apply to us.

At since mukhang nagmamadali ang Daddy at si Tito Teddy sa wedding na gusto nila, I have to act fast, as well. I should not waste my time waiting on how my Dad and Tito Teddy will orchestrate this set-up.

I shook my head upon recalling my first encounter with Charmaine. She is really the kind of girl who has a mind of her own. The more she is being dictated the more she will turn into a monster. I did not see the lesbian side in her, with her looks last night it does not show that she is into an extreme sports. I like that she is straightforward, I know where should I stand. Obviously hindi rin sya basta magpapalamang, therefore I have to think about how should I deal with her to get what I want.

But I witness how obedient of a daughter she is. Despite all her objections, she still chooses to abide by what her father have told her. She maybe fierce but has a soft heart when it comes to family matters. I bet she will be a good wife and a mother in the future. Not to mention that she is pretty, siguradong maganda ang mga magiging anak nito. I'm sure Lolo will be very glad to know that.

But why am I telling this to myself. I honestly don't care if she will be a good wife or not, or even maganda ba o hindi ang mga magiging anak nya. This marriage will be put into an end immediately so why would I bother if she'll be good at it or not.

"Kamusta ang meeting nyo kagabi?" Lolo asked me.

"Nothing much to expect Lolo, this Mendoza girl is fiercer than I thought. Hindi kaya lesbian yun Lolo?" I said.

"I'm sure she is not, hindi papayag si Teddy na magkaroon ng lesbian na anak." Lolo replied. "Is she still pretty? Between Nica and Charmaine, I find Charmaine's features more relaxing." He revealed

"You've met Charmaine before Lolo?" I asked

"Yes, but that was a long time ago. I was invited sa house blessings ng mga Mendoza sa Bulacan. You and RD are still studying in US that time." He said.

"She is a very silent young lady, mas friendly si Nica kesa sa kanya, but I can see that she will grow up to be a really smart girl." Lolo said.

"Indeed Lolo, she is very smart. Too clever to the point that she is very annoying." I said.

"You'll get use to that RJ, you'll also see the beauty of her heart kapag mag-asawa na kayo." Lolo said "Tell your Dad to meet me before he reports for work." he added before he asked his private nurse to bring him in his room.

Kinikilabutan ako sa mga sinasabi ng Lolo ko, mukhang naghahallucinate sa sobrang excitement na matupad ang promise nya sa Lolo ni Charmaine. I have to act fast bago ma-brainwash ng Lolo ko ang babaing ipinagkasundo nya sa akin.

"This is RJ Faulkerson, meet me at Mesa Greenbelt at lunch today. We need to talk and don't be late." says my text message I sent her.

Only after a few minutes I received a reply from her "I can't, I am going to San Mateo for my motocross practice."

This can't be real, hindi pwedeng mauna ang motocross practice sa mga dapat naming pag-usapan so immediately I called her.

"May problema ba ang telco at mukhang hindi agad nakarating sa yo ang reply ko?" was her sarcastic reply from the other line.

"Nakarating naman sa akin ang reply mo, kaya nga tumawag agad ako eh." I answered back.

"Bakit mahirap bang maintindihan ang message ko at kailangan pang tawagan mo ko? Hindi naman siguro ako wrong spelling." She said.

"Are you really this rude? I will not ask for a meeting with you if it is not important." I said.

"I don't read about you asking for a meeting with me. You are telling me to meet you at lunchtime. Magkaiba yun." She replied.

"Eh di ba that's how you wanted to be treated?" I said because she is beginning to annoy me.

"Who said that I wanted to be dictated? Kagabi pa lang I made it clear na ayokong pinakakialaman ako and that means, I don't want to be dictated, too." I heard her exclaimed therefore I sarcastically answered her back. "But you did not say it nicely, therefore I came to the impression na ok lang maging impolite when dealing with you Charmaine Mendoza."

"Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa nating mag-usap, may malabo ba sa usapan kagabi? We will be meeting that wedding coordinator tomorrow, hindi ba pwedeng bukas na lang yan?" This time she replied in an obviously calm tone.

"I want us to talk first before we meet the wedding coordinator, ayokong sa harap nya tayo magbangayan. I want to discuss and compromise. I would really appreciate if you spare a little of your time to talk about our future." I told her.

"Masyadong malayo para sa akin Greenbelt. I am still in Bulacan, let's meet half way, sa Capitol Commons na lang para hindi na out of my way to San Mateo. I'll just move yung schedule ng practice ko to accommodate this meeting." She suggested.

"Sobrang traffic naman kung papapuntahin mo pa ako sa Pasig, maaga pa naman, siguradong aabot ka by lunchtime kung aalis ka na ng Bulacan by this time." I complained.

"You may take it or leave it Faulkerson Jr., tutal inistorbo mo na rin lang ako, maybe it won't hurt if I choose where to meet you since ikaw naman ang nasunod on when you want to meet me." She insisted.

"I guess there is no point of arguing with you about this dahil hindi tayo matatapos. I'll ask my secretary to book a reservation for us. Where do you want to eat?" I asked her.

"Kahit saan, pwede ngang sa karinderya lang eh. Hassle pa yang pa-book ng reservation sa restaurant. No need to impress me Faulkerson Jr., this isn't a romantic date anyway. Just text me the place and time and you can count on me to be on time. Good day." She said and hangs up the phone without waiting for me to reply.

This is just the second day that we have known each other and yet grabe na kaming magbangayan, sana naman when we get to live under on roof, hindi kami magsaksak.

I immediately called my secretary to book a reservation anywhere in Capitol Commons, sayang ang pagpayag ni Maine na makipagmeeting sa akin, because I believe we need to compromise now and not later.