I Meant It When I Said 'I do' - Chapter 1

(Calla)



“WORKING hard?

Napatingala si Earl. Totoo’y kanina pa niya gustong i-angat ang ulo, he just allowed five more minutes dahil tambak ang trabaho sa mesa niya. But he hated being interrupted. Kunot na kunot ang noong tinitigan niya ang bagong dating.

“Where’s Lorrie?” aniyang tinutukoy ang secretary.

“Nasa canteen, pinakape ko muna. She looked awful.”

“I thought I made it clear that I’m not seeing anyone,” mahinang sabi niya ngunit di iyon nakalampas sa pandinig ng kaharap.

“Oh, c’mon kuya, give yourself a break,” napabuga ito ng hangin sabay lapit sa kinaroroonan niya. “I’ve not seen you for days. My God, and we just live in the same house, don’t we?”

She gave him a kiss. And he gave her a quick hug. He was hoping to see her out the door. Elaiza has always been like that. And she shows up most of the time he is so damn busy.

“I’m busy, Elaiza.”

“Yeah, yeah…looks like it,” anitong nakatingin sa papeles na nasa harapan niya. “But look at you, Kuya. You’ve aged… You look ten years older than yourself. And it’s just because of these papers?”

“Please Elaiza, the least thing I need now is a nagging sister.”

“I’m not nagging,” anitong pinaikot ang eyeballs. “I’m just trying to show you what you’re missing, kuya. Your life isn’t engaged with these papers. You don’t need to work 24 hours a day, my goodness! Unless you’re trying to forget something.”

“I’m busy, Elaiza, I don’t have time for baby talks. Now, go and grow up.”

“You’re not busy. You’re just doing the work of ten people. You want to be so stressed para makalimutan mong –“

“Stop it.”

“If you consider yourself grown up, then I want to be a baby forever. Can’t you take a look at yourself? Kuya, there’s more to life than this company! And you know that. Ilang beses ko ba dapat ipaalala–”

“Elaiza-”

“Kuya, ikakasal ka na!”

Natigilan si Earl.

“Whew! Nasabi ko rin,” anitong ngumiti at umupo sa mesa. “Why are you avoiding this topic, kuya? And why are you avoiding your fiancée?”

Napahilamos si Earl sa mukha. That’s the last thing he would want to talk about.

“Just leave, Elaiza. And I mean, now!,” buong-diing sabi niya.

“I know you would say that. But kuya, if you can’t do yourself a favor, then do this for Veronica. She doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.”

“Just leave,” aniyang di tiningnan ang kapatid.

Tumayo ito. “She had no choice but to marry you. Why are you making things so hard for both of you? This marriage might be for convenience but still its marriage. Taking vows doesn’t make you single; I just hope you know that, kuya. And Veronica, she’s human, not a cyborg like you.”

Hindi umimik si Earl.

“You had to make it up for her. The wedding is two weeks from now. And yet you never showed up even once for her. You screwed up every date you had because of your work. Can’t you just give her a couple of minutes? This whole thing isn’t easy for her. Can’t you make her load a little light by being gentle on her?”

Napatiim-bagang ang binata. You had no idea, Elaiza…

“Fine, I’m leaving!” anang dalaga nang di man lang kumibo ang kapatid. At kahit di siya tiningnan ng kapatid, nginitian niya ito. “Anyway, I set up a date for you two. She’ll be coming in a couple of minutes. And don’t you ever put her off again.”

Napatingin bigla si Earl sa kapatid.

“She had to see you before you two get married. Oh c’mon kuya, can you even say ‘I do’ with someone you met for the first time?”

“Elaiza-” mangani-nganing bulyawan niya ang kapatid.

“Gotta go! Enjoy the rest of the evening, kuya!” She blew him a kiss and left.

Napayuko si Earl. Nakatuon ang paningin niya sa papeles sa mesa ngunit walang kahit anong pumapasok sa utak niya. He couldn’t even think! Binasa niya ulit ang mga iyon, pilit na itinuon ang buong konsentrasyon sa trabaho ngunit pilit pumapasok sa utak niya ang sinabi ng kapatid.

Veronica…

Biglang bumangon ang sakit na matagal nang nakahimlay sa dibdib niya. Galit na inihagis niya ang fountain pen na hawak sabay pagbagsak ng ulo sa nakatambak na papeles sa mesa.

“What?!” angil niya nang may narinig siyang napasinghap. Hindi niya sinasadyang magtaas ng boses. Nakikinita niya ang pagkagulat ng sekretarya niya pero hindi na siya nag-abalang mag-angat ng ulo. Ni minsan hindi niya hinayaang maapektuhan ang negosyo ng personal na problema niya. Ngunit ano ang nangyayari sa kanya ngayon?

Napabuga siya ng hininga. Pilit pinakalma ang sarili.“It’s nothing, Lorrie. I’m just tired. If anyone comes, tell them I’m so damn busy and I’m working late tonight.”

Ngunit walang anumang tugon mula sa kausap.

And he heard uncertain steps. It’s a wonder how he could hear stilettos. Wait. Stilletos?

Nakarinig siya ng paghugot ng hininga bago may nagsalita.

“I guess th-this isn’t the right time.”

Natigilan siya. That voice. May kung anong tumusok sa dibdib. Ini-angat niya ang ulo at nahigit niya ang sariling hininga.

It’s Veronica.

Nakatayo ito ng tuwid na tuwid sa may pintuan. “H-Hi.” alanganing bati nito.

Matagal bago siya nakapagsalita.

Ilang ulit na napakurap bago natagpuan ang sariling boses.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

Ngumiti ito ng mapait. “I… I was expecting that. I mean, I see you’re busy.”

Hindi siya umimik. Pilit niyang itinuon ang pansin sa mga papeles. What he wanted that is for her to leave- right away.

“But since I am here, can we talk for a few minutes?” business-like ang tono nito.

No! Sigaw ng utak niya.

Hinagod niya ito ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Napansin niya ang panginginig ng mga daliri nito. Gusto niya pilipitin ang sariling leeg ng mga sandaling iyon.

“Make it quick,” malamig na sabi niya saka tila tinatamad na isinandal ang ulo sa likod ng kanyang black swivel chair bago ipinatong ang naka-de-kwatrong paa sa mesa.

Lumapit ito, a few inches from his table. Ngunit hindi ito umupo.

“Galit ang Papa…” malumanay na panimula nito. “You never showed up during the wedding preparations. And it’s already happening in two weeks.”

Hindi siya umimik. Nahihimigan niya ang inis at desperasyon sa tinig nito.

Damn, he’s not prepared for this. He’s not prepared for Veronica!

“Earl..” sambit nito. Nakita niyang natigilan ito, napatingin sa kanya at napalunok.

“I know how busy you are but you need to take part. This wedding is not by my father’s will alone but your father’s too. Dahil sa kasunduan nila kaya naririrto tayo ngayon. And whether you like it or not, we’re in this together.” may diing sabi nito.

Tinitigan niya ng matiim ang dalaga. How can she possibly talk to him like that?

“So you are just here for that?” aniyang di napigilan ang sarkasmo sa tinig.

Ibinagsak ng dalaga ang dalawang kamay sa mesa niya. “No.” Mariing sabi nito. “We need to talk. You and I are getting married for goodness sake!”

“Miss Sandoval-”

“Veronica!” singhal ng dalaga. “For Christ’s sake can’t you even-”

“Fine! Veronica na kung Veronica. I don’t have time for petty talks. If you need one, you can talk to my secretary. Not me! because I’m so damn busy!” balik singhal niya.

“Huh?” ani Veronica. Nagpanting ang tenga niya sa sinabi nito. Petty? Their wedding is just a petty thing? Alam ba nito kung gaano kahirap mag-organize ng kasalan ng mag-isa? And much more, alam ba nito kung gaano kahirap sa kanya ang harapin ito? Kinailangan niyang mag-ipon ng lakas para lang manatiling nakatayo sa harapan nito tapos sasabihan siyang makipag-usap na lang sa sekretarya nito?

“Listen, Earl, you start playing your part now coz I’ve been playing mine for a long time,” dagdag niyang nagtitimping ilabas ang hinanakit sa loob.

Kita niya ang pagtaas-baba ng dibdib nito. He’s angry and she knew it. At hindi na siya takot na harapin ang galit nito.

“Let me tell you something Veronica.” anitong tumayo at hinarap siya. “You do not decide what I have to do. I’ll do whatever I want to at wala akong obligasyon sa’yo. We know what kind this marriage is. It’s not what you think it is. So stop acting and stop playing your part, it will save you more energy. And in case you don’t know, our company is going to struggle once we start the merging with yours. That’s why I need to work hard.”

“Then let me tell you something too,” nanginginig ang labing sabi niya’t inilapit ang mukha sa kaharap at mataman itong tinitigan. Gusto niyang sampalin ito ngunit nakuyom lang niya ng mariin ang kamay. She knew she’d cry in a moment. Ngunit hindi sa harapan nito! “This marriage isn’t also what you think it is. I am marrying you because of my Dad and your Dad’s request. Don’t think of yourself as our last resort because clearly, it’s not…”

“…Yes, our company isn’t stable as for the moment but you should remember, it is not your company alone that wants to save us. There’re a lot more out there. We are still assets, Earl.” Mapait siyang ngumiti. “It’s your choice. If you can’t play your part, then tell them you can’t marry me. I am in here not because I have no choice but because I chose to choose what I think is best. Even if you have to be in the package.” Napabuntong-hininga siya. “I hope it’s clear enough. It’s all up to you now.”

“If I had any choice at all, we wouldn’t be in this.” Matiim siyang tinitigan nito. “You knew how I hated you… You knew that you will be the last person I would want to marry. In fact, I never want to see you again. But here you are… and here we are. I don’t have much choice, do I?”

Tila hindi makapaniwalang napatitig si Veronica sa binata. Pinigilan niya ang pagbalong ng luha. Ngunit nangingilid na iyon sa mga mata niya. Ngumiti siya ng mapakla. Tumingala siya upang hindi mahulog ang kanina pang nagbabantang luha.

She’s expecting this, doesn’t she? She even thought of the worst things Earl might say. Pero bakit ganito na lang ang sakit na nararamdaman niya?

“You can back out…” aniya bago pa pumiyok ang boses.

“Yeah, of course I can. And live on the streets,” nakapamulsang sabi nito. “My Dad is actually wiser than I thought. He just revised his will. Wala akong makukuha kahit na katiting na mana unless I marry you. So don’t put the heavy load on me. Because I’m a bit loaded than you think.”

Matagal bago may nagsalita sa kanila. Veronica felt as if she’s bleeding. She knew she’d die any moment.

“Then let’s have a deal,” biglang nasabi niya. Pinigilan niya ang pagpatak ng luha at tiningnan ang binata. She gasped for breath. She’ll cry later. She can cry later. “Let’s get this marriage done and remain married until you get your inheritance.”

Tiningnan siya nito na para bang nababaliw siya.

“You can actually back out, can’t you? You can save us both if you do.”

Bahagya siyang natigilan. “I wish I can…”

“Don’t tell me you had the same threat as mine,” sarkastikong sabi ng binata.

“I wish it is as easy as that,” mariin niyang sagot.

“My Dad’s…” napalunok siya. “My Dad’s dying.” Kinagat niya ang sariling labi para pigilin ang emosyon na nakadarang sa dibdib. “And I’m doing him a favor. If this is the last thing I can do for him, I will. I don’t really mind being in hell, Earl. I just want to see Dad happy. And you need to do your part in case you are into this marriage or shall I say deal.”

Hindi nakapagsalita ang kaharap.

“It’s just a yes or a no, Earl,”

Napasuklay ito sa sariling buhok. “So our marriage expires the day I had my inheritance and the day your father dies?”

Parang may tumarak sa dibdib ni Veronica. How can he say it so bluntly?

“You can put it that way.” walang kangiti-ngiting sagot niya.

“What if-”

“You get your inheritance but my Dad’s still alive?”

Matiim silang nagkatitigan. “That’s the consequence you have to face. Because we’ll remain happily married until his very last breath.” Mariing dugtong niya.

Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi ng binata. “What a deal…” anitong tila gustong mapamura.

“Yes or no?”

“Stop asking as if I have any choice,” galit na sagot nito.

Biglang tumunog ang intercom. “Sir, your Dad is here.”

“Whew, perfect,” ani Veronica at tinawid ang distansiya sa pagitan nila.

“You don’t have to do this, do you?” iritadong sabi niya, akmang itutulak ang dalaga ngunit nangunyapit ito sa leeg niya. Naalarma siya nang maramdaman ang malambot nitong katawan.

“The deal starts now,” anitong nakatitig sa kanya. Her perfume starts to get into his head, making him dizzy. “Kiss me.”

Napalunok si Earl. Napatingin sa mukha ng kaharap. “The deal starts when-”

Ngunit pumikit ito at biglang inabot ng dalaga ang mga labi niya. And Earl instantly lost his mind. This is what he’s been dreading to do the moment she stepped into his office.

Her lips… her smell… her body… She’s driving him crazy.

Hinapit niya papalapit ang katawan ng dalaga. Hinagod ang kurba ng katawan nito. He heard her gasped. He kissed her full in the mouth and she’s kissing him with the same intensity as he had. They didn’t even care to breath. The kiss is too good to end.

Biglang may tumikhim. Tila nakalimutan ng dalaga ang dahilan kung bakit niya hinalikan si Earl. The kiss just felt so good that she didn’t want to let go.

May tumikhim ulit, mas malakas sa una. Kapwa sila napalingon at mabilis na iniayos ang mga sarili.

“You should find a better place for this son.” ani Don Eleazar na nakangiti sa anak.

“I’m surprised to see you here, hija.” baling nito kay Veronica na namumula. The plan in her mind is for Tito Eli see them kissing. A smack is enough, not a torrid one. Parang may lumilipad na paru-paro sa tiyan niya habang nakatayo sa harap ng mag-ama.

Lumapit siya at hinalikan ang Don sa pisngi. “We were just discussing about the wedding, Tito. And… and got a little carried away.”

“Tito? You should call me Daddy now.”

Napangiti ang dalaga saka napatango. “Yes, D-Dad.”

“I really hated interrupting but I just need to talk to Simon for a moment.”

“It’s alright, D-Dad. I’m about to leave, actually.” Napatingin siya kay Earl. Matiim siyang tiningnan nito. Nginitian niya ito. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” she tiptoed to kiss his cheeks. Ngunit sinalubong ni Earl ang labi at hinapit ang bewang niya. He gently bit her lips. She almost lost her balance nang bitawan siya nito.

“Take care. I’ll call you.”

Kung ilang segundong napatitig siya rito, hindi niya alam. Saka lang niya naramdamang nag-iinit ang pisngi. Napatango lang siya at namumulang napabaling kay Don Eleazar. “Bye, Tito. I mean, Dad,” aniya at tumalikod na. Kailangan niyang magdahan-dahan dahil pakiramdam niya’y matutumba siya. Parang di siya makapaniwala sa bilis ng pangyayari.

She was smiling all the way to her car. She was smiling until there’s no one around. Nang maisara niya ang pinto ng sasakyan bumigay ang sariling emosyon. Nag-uunahang pumatak ang luha. Kinuyumos niya ang sariling dibdib para baka-sakaling mabura ang sakit.

God… she’s so happy to see him again… Ngunit parang hiniwa ang puso niya sa sinabi nito.

‘You knew how I hated you, Veronica’. Nag-eecho iyon sa pandinig niya. ‘You knew that you will be the last girl I would want to marry. In fact, I never want to see you again. But here you are… and here we are. I don’t have much choice, do I?’

Gusto niyang sumigaw para mawala ang sakit sa dibdib. Impit siyang napahagulhol. Parang mawawalan siya ng bait. After a long long time, she finally saw him… held him… felt him… All that she dreamt to happen. Ngunit parang punyal na nakatarak sa dibdib niya ang galit sa mata nito. Earl hates her. She knew that… She thought she’s prepared enough. Hindi niya akalaing ganito kasakit. Kinagat niya ang labi para mapigil ang sarili sa pag-iyak.

She had to calm down. Huminga siya ng malalim. Napaiyak ulit. Napatingin siya sa salamin. She looked pathetic. Hinayaan niyang kumawala ang luha. She’s been crying all her life… How long will she cry?

Napabuntong-hininga siya at napatitig sa sarili sa salamin.

At least, you got yourself to kiss him, aniya sa sarili. Saka napailing-iling. Nababaliw na siya. Kinalma niya ang sarili at pinaandar ang sasakyan.