Chapter Five

Chapter V

Mahigpit ang hawak ni Mandi sa kanyang mug. Ang init na mula roon ang nagpapakalma sa kanya habang ang mabangong aroma ng kape ang tumutulong sa kanyang paganahin ang utak niya. She could see half of Incheon City from her window, somehow the scene made her feel comfortable.

Her situation right now reminded of those times she had way back in college. Iyong tipong malapit mo nang matapos ang requirement sa course tapos nagbigay ulit ng panibagong requirement yung instructor mo. Parang ganun. Sana nga ganoon na lang kadali. Maraming gumigulo sa isipan niya ngayon. Ang pagkumbinsi niya kay Hoon umuwi para sa Ninang Amelia niya at ang pagppakasal niya rito para magawa iyon.

Will this plan even work at all?

Sinipsip niya ng dahan-dahan ang likido sa kanyang mug. Wala pa siyang konkretong plano kung paano kumbinsihn si Hoon. Well, she`ll figure it out herself kapag nandun na siya. Kailangan niya munang i-asses ang sitwasyon--- kung ano nga ba kalaking gulo ang napasukan niya bago gumawa ng hakbang. Hindi masisira ng kung ano mang kailangang gawin niya dun ang bakasyon ito. Mahigit apat na oras ang byahe mula Pinas. The moment she laid ger eyes outside, she can sense how beautiful this country is. The vast terrain and towering buildings of the city ---- for a moment she can`t believe she is actually right here --- sa kalupaan ng mga Oppa at ang katotohanang mapapangasawa niya ang isa sa mga. Her body felt stiff as the plane landed. After a few minutes, inanunsyo mula sa intercom na pwede na silang lumabas. Bibit ang isang travel brochure ay nakisabay siya sa dagsa ng mga pasaherong papalabas ng eroplano. Malaki at malawak ang Incheon Airport. Napakamodernisado ng structure nito.

The air smells different---- it was nice and fresh and a little pungent .Sandali siyang napapikit para samyuhin iyon. The faint scent of cheery blossoms assaulted her nose and calms her nerves down. How she loves the weather here. Hindi gaanong mainit at hindi rin gaanong malamig. It was June already and spring still lingers around as it slowly began to morph into summer.

It was a perfect timing for a vacation sadly--- this is not a vacation at all.

Napapiksi si Mandi ng may nakabunggo siya o mas tamang sabihing binunggo siya. The man was taller than her. His shoulders were broad. Balot na balot ito from his ripped jeans and black sweat shirt. Yumuko ito para humingi ng paumanhin, she just smiled at him and went away. Dumeretso siya sa laugage area at kinuha ang kaniyang maleta. Ang ganda at ang bilis ng services nila rito.

A man in his 60's caught her eyes in the middle of the waiting area at may hawak na board kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan niya. She strode over into his direction.

" Annyeonhaseyo!" (Hello) She greeted him and smiled. Nginitian siya nito pabalik. Mabuti na lang at medyo marunong at nakakaintindi siya ng Hangul. She studied it in a day in case of emergency. Para kapag naligaw siya kahit papaanoy alam niya kung anong sasabihin. Only the basics and essential phrases. Wala pa naman siyang sense of direction.

"Annyeonghaseyo! Oh,majda." (Hello!Oh right). Binunut nito ang isang litrato sa bulsa ng kanyang polo. "Ige dangsin-ingayo?" (Is this you? )

Tumango siya .Iniabot nito ang kamay sa kanya na tinanggap niya naman. When he pulled his hands away tinulungan siya nitong buhatin ang dala niya.

" Dangsin-eun gaeinjeog-eulo hwolssin deo yeppeuda, Amanda-shii, " kumento nito. (You`re much pretter in person, Amanda)

Her brain tried to process the words coming out from his mouth pero tanging yeppeuda lang ang naintindihan niya. Base on context, sinabihan siyang maganda nito. Lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi niya.

" Daedanhi gamsahabnida, Mr. Park. "

The words seem to slip in her tongue. Medyo wierd ang pagkakapronounce niya .

" It`s all right you don`t need to. I can speak English, Amanda-shii." Tila nabunutan siya ng tinik. "This way. Follow me. "

Iginiya siya nito palabas ng airport. Sa isang puting kotse sila sumakay. Hinayaan niya lang na nakabukas ang bintana. Marahang sinasampal ng hangin ang mukha. A few strands of hair were dancing in her face. Pero wala siyang pakialam. The mere feeling of being here is too good.

" Where are going, Mr. Park?" tanong niya rito.

" I'll take you to Young Hoon. He is in a shoot right now. So, I guess well have to wait for him."

Young Hoon. An image o a chubby kid that used to live next door flashed in her mind. Gwapo ito sa pictures will he be the same in personal? Will he still remember her ?

"We'll talk to him about the marriage."

Marriage. In just one word all the good things she felt earlier seems to fade away. Napangiwi siya. Is the marriage enough to convince him? She shrugged. Malalaman niya yan maya-maya lang.

" O-ok, Sir," she answered awkwardly.

" And don`t call me Mr.Park or Sir, Amanda-shii. Just abeonim or father-in-law. Soon enough you'll be marrying my beloved son."

Pilit siyang ngumiti. Parang gusto niyang bawiin ang lahat at bumalik na lang sa Pinas. Her life may seem monotonous but she felt assured ahout it. What lays ahead of this so-called

-marriage is a haywire. Mahigit thirty minutes rin silang bumyahe. Sa isang high end building tumigil ang sasakyan. Pinatay ni Mr .Park ang makina at binuksan ang pinto, she thsnked him and stpped out of the car. Madaming taong naguumpukan sa labas ng gusali. May mga camera rna hawak ang iba. Mukhang nasa kalagitnaan sila ng isang shoot.

"That`s Young Hoon," he sofly nudged her to the direction of the guy who stands not far away from them. May hawak ito na bungkis ng papel na sa palagay niya at script nito habang may nagmamaniobra ng buhok nito. Hindi masyadong malayo ang kinaroroonan nila, just enough to take a good look of him. Maganda ang indig ng lalaki. His body is well toned. Wala na ang matabang pisnging pinanggigilan niya noon. His handsome face look stiff and serious. His pictures online seems not to justify how fine he is.

`What the heck are you thinking, Mandi?! You didn`t come here to stare a him. Get a grip, girl!

Not a single ounce of the little kid she used to know can be seen in this man.

"Isn`t he handsome?" tukso pa sa kaniya ni Mr. Park. Muntik na siyang mapaubo.

"Yes. Most certainly he is."

Namulsa si Mr.Park at tumingin din sa direksyon ni Young hoon.

" He seems too serious but he is a nice guy, Amanda-shii-. Our divorce must have devastated him . It was no one`s fault--- not even his mother. It`s just something took away our love, Amelia and I. But he hated his mother more than anything else. I know our plan isnt so convining but I really hope we can take him to see his mother," his voice faltered. Maybe somehow he felt guilty sa inaasta ni Young Hoon. "And forgive her, for the last time." A shadow passed over his face. Love maybe the most wonderful feeling in the world but it has also the ability ti inflict pain. Kaya naman as much as possible, hindi niya option ang pag-ibig. It makes things so complicated and hard and most of all, it brings out the be worst in humans.

SA isang kalapit na restaurant sila tumuloy . The place was cozy with pastel colors all around.The lighting was also good which compliments to the ambiance and the best thing is this place wasn`t crowded. Manaka-naka lang ang mga taong kumakain dito.

" You must be hungry, Amanda-ssi."

Naupo sila sa pwestong malapit sa bintana. Here she can still take a good look at what`s happening outside. Nang ilibot niya ang paningin ay nahagip niya ang ibat ibang Korean foods na sini-serve dito. Mga pagkaing sa korean drama niya dati lang nakikita. May mga korean restaurant rin naman sa Pinas pero ni kahit isang beses hindi siya nakabisita sa mga ito. At dahil simula na ng summer, she wanted to eat something cold at saka masiyado pa namang maaga para sa heavy meal. She wanted something to compliment the weather. Chocolate flavored bimsu ang inorder niya. Her mouth waters on te sight of it. Para itong halo-halo pero may ice cream na nakaparong sa shaved ice. May mga maltese chocolate din na nakapatong s ataas nito. At first she hesitaed, lactose intolerant siya but the louscious sight of the food made her forget about that.

She was too engross with the food that she barely noticed Younghoon entered the restaurant. Muntik na siyang mapa-igik nang mahuli niyang nakatingin ito sa kanya. His sharp eyes were fix on her. She tucked a few strands of her hair in her ears suddenly becoming self-concious. Paniguradong mukha siyang bruha ngayon.Her curly hair are every where. He took his sit in front of her.

" Geunyeoneun nae yaghonjaibnikka?Geunyeoneun yeppeujido anhda."

(Is this my fiancee? She is not even that pretty)

Ano daw? Minumura ba siya nito? Base kasi sa tono at ekspresyon ng mukha nito, he seem not happy to see her. Did he even recognized her? Napatikhim si Mr. Park.

" Young Hoon! Mulyehaji ma."( Young Hoon,dont be rude)

" Eojjaessdeun geunyeoneun ihaehaji moshal geos-ibnida." (Whatever she wouldnt understand it anyway)

He is definitely--- most definitely don`t like her. Sa disgusto ba naman sa mga mata nito at sa pabalang na mga sinasabi niito, she can sense it all. Well same here. What an arrogant bastard he had grow!

Mr. Park apologetically look at her. "Amanda-ssi, I am really sorry about that. By the way, this is my son--- Young hoon." She tried to smile at Young Hoon but ended up faking it. She distated his attitude toward her.

"Hello," she said but he didn`t even bother to reply. Hindi lang arogante antipatiko pa. He is not the Younghoon she knew. He is so cold and distant .

"I guess you knew each other to well ,am I right?" Mr. Park can also sense the tension between them. His face became sullen at Youn Hoons cold reponses.

"We're childhood best friends right, Young Hoon-ssi? "she emphasized the word best friend to mock him.

"Which was almost 20 years ago," kontra naman ni Young Hoon. Nagsukatan sila ng tingin nito .His dark brownn eyes were intense--- hate. She couldn`t bear it --- hindi na ito ang Young Hoon na nakilala niya. The gentle soul she knew.

"Anyway, she will be temporarily staying with you , Younghoon while she`s here."

Mr. Park interrupted trying to break the ice. Young Hoon`s eyes grew big, as if he couldn`t believed his what he heard. She wanted to laugh out loud--- his face was hilarious pero it was both also a disadvantage for her too. She can`t even stand this guy.

"Jinsim-iya, Appa ?(Are you serious, Dad?) She can`t stay with me. The media will know that I am bethrothed to some Filipina girl. It would ruin my image!"

For about 0.00001 secondd, she agreed with him. The media here were crazy. Pati personal na buhay ng mga sikat ay inuungkat nito. At isa pa she couldn`t let that happened. It would definitely be a big issue. Siya si Amanda Loise Benetiz --- isang prominenteng abogado ay nagpakasal sa isang tulad nito. Siguradong pagpipiyestahan ng media. After Candy plastered her face in that damn magazine, creepy reporters were following her. Mabuti na lang at nandiyan palagi si Lemery. Bubug pagnagkataon ang aabutin ng mga ito. Pero wala dito si Lemery. Naiwan ito sa Pinas. She made sure the firm will be okay without her.

"He is right, Mr.Park--- I mean , Abeonim." Young Hoon shot her a sharp look she ignored him. "I couldn`t risk staying with him. Don`t worry my secretary had already book me in a hotel, so I have a place to stay while in here and of course, I can handle myself better than anyone else." Young Hoon soffed, tinaasan niya ito ng kilay.

Pero umiling lang si Mr. Park sa eksplenasyon niya. " No. I want you to stay with him so you can two spend time and get to know each other."

Oh, no need for that! She wanted to say. Arogante, antipatiko, mayabang--- in short , Young Hoon is everything she hated in a man.

" Appa, neomu manh-i saeng-gaghaji maseyo? First, your forcing me to marry this Filipina girl and now you your asking me to stay with he?" ( don`t you think its too much) Young Hoon said helplessly.

"This marriage is not just on paper. I want our family to be united by this marriage. Remember her father risk his life to save me."

So, yun pala ang ginawa nilang dahilan para mapaniwala si Young Hoon na wala silang ibang motibo. She wanted to give her mother a tight hug for that. It`s well, beliavable somehow.

" Is that because of that woman again?" he referred to his mother. Mandi`s jaw tightened, how can he disrespect his mother like that? How can he hate her that much? Mr.Park seemed too taken aback by wha he said.

She suddenly butt in the conversation.

"As if I want too," matray na sagot nya. Come on, she would rather stay in a hotel in peace and enjoy he rtime here imbes na makasama ang lalaking to! Inilabas ni Mr. Park ang isang envelope. He took out some sort of document from it.

"You just need to sign these papers. I will process them tomorrow for validation."

Walang engrandeng kasal. Ni walang kiss the bride at I do na magaganap. Isang pirma lang at siya na si Amanda Lois Benetiz-Park. Pooof! Her head was spinning with the thought of it. Sigurdong kantiyaw ang aabutin niya sa mga kaibigan niya. Ini-imagine pa lang niya ang magiging reaksyon ng mga ito eh, naninidig na ang mga balahibo niya sa katawan. Who would thought na siya ang unang mag-aasawa sakanila? She who values her freedom the most at walang pakialam sa existence ng mga lalaki. Hindi siya man-hate. She just don`t want to et involved with men especially romantically. They signe dthe documents without saying a word.

" Majda, majda! (right ,right). Where do you want to spend your honeymoon? Jeju is very beautiful place especially when its summer."

Her face turned sour. Honeymoon? She just sign up fo marriage hindi para sa honeymoon. Ew!The thought of it sent shivers to her spine. Wala namang naging ekspresyon ang gwapong mukha ni Younghoon. As if he is enjoying the thought of it.

What a pervert!

"But we still have choice whetger to stay married or not roght?" Panglilihis ng usapan nii Young Hoon. She wanted to thank him for that pero nagabago kaagad ang isip niya.

" Yes. You have the right but only after two years."

"T-two years?!" Mandi said with disbelief.

Two fucking years?! Ang tagal naman nun. She mentally pictured out those two years with Young Hoon at isang bagay lang naiisip niya--- no fuckingway!

"Don`t worry I won`t spend every single day with yoy for the that two years. You can go back to the Philippines and continue your work and I can too do my business here. As for the marriage, let`s just keep it withing ourselves until we divorced."

Kung ganun, what`s the point of marrying him if he just want to stay here?She does not expect him to settle down in the Philippines pero paano niya makukumbinsi itong sumama sa kanya sa Pinas? Kapag wala na talaga siyang choice ipapakidnap na lang niya ito at kakaladkarin pauwi. Syempre ilegal yun but thats only an option.

"That`s good to hear because I don`t even want to be with you anyway," madiin niyang sagot.

"Then we have a deal," tumayo ito at inayos ang suot. "If you don`t mind im going back to the set."