Symphonian Curse 1: Manticore's Sting

Chapter Twenty-Six- The Queen Is Coming

DURING lunch time ay nakipagkita sila ni Elisha sa wedding planner and while having lunch ay dini-discuss nila ang mga wedding detail na gusto nila. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Faye na ikakasal na siya sa lalaking matagal niyang pinangarap na makasama habang-buhay.
           “We want the wedding to be simple yet solemn,” ani Elisha sa wedding planner na si Wendy. Kanina, nang una nitong makita ang fiancé niya ay hindi nito naitago ang paghanga kay Elisha. Sigurado rin siyang kilala nito si Elisha by reputation.
           “Elisha likes white roses,” sabad niya. “Gusto ko na maraming white roses.”
           “My official florist will handle all the flower arrangements in your wedding and it will be very fantastic,” sinigurado iyon ni Wendy. “Ano nga pala ang napili niyong motif?”
           Nagkatinginan sila ni Elisha. “Hindi pa namin ‘yan napag-uusapan,” sagot niya.
           “And the wedding venue?”
           “A garden. We want a garden wedding,” sagot ni Elisha at tumango siya. Iyon ang matagal na nilang pangarap, isang garden wedding. Wendy took note about the stuff they wanted for their wedding. After some time ay nag-excuse muna si Elisha na pupunta sa restroom.
           “You’re so lucky,” nakangiting sabi ni Wendy sa kanya. “I can tell that he is so much in love with you.”
           “I’m not lucky. I’m blessed,” sabi niya. “Yes, he is very much in love with me at mahirap iyong tumabasan kahit ibigay ko pa buhay ko but I will love him for the rest of my mortal life,” aniya na may halong biro and Wendy laughed.
           “May designer ka na ba ng wedding gown mo?” tanong ni Wendy.
           “Yes. Manggagaling pa siya ng Paris kaya naman nahihiya ako but she is willing to help me with my bridal gown.”
           “Amazing. I will let you meet the florist para makapili ka rin ng magiging bouquet mo as well as makapili kayo ng flower arrangements na gusto ninyo.”
           “Close friend mo ang florist?”
           “Yup. She’s been in the business for eight years now and the flowers adore her. I can make an appointment for you,” excited na sabi ni Wendy. “Do you mind if I ask?”
           “Ano ‘yon?”
           “Bakit madalian ang wedding na ‘to?” nananantiya nitong tanong. “Are you...”
           “Pregnant?” panghuhula niya and Wendy nodded. She smiled. “No, I’m not. I wish I am.” Tila nakahinga nang maluwag si Wendy. “Bakit mo naitanong?”
           “Gusto ko lang i-confirm na tama ang sabi-sabi nila na gentleman si Elisha Dominguez.”
           “He is,” pagko-confirm niya. Magaan ang loob niya kay Wendy. Friendly kasi ito at hindi niya maramdamang maliit ang tingin nito sa kanya. Alam niya kasi na kapag nalaman ng iba na isang secretary lang ang pakakasalan ni Elisha ay magiging masama ang tingin ng mga tao at babansagan siyang gold digger. Thankfully, Wendy wasn’t one of those kinds of people.
           “Elisha is known to be silent but gentleman, kaiba sa kakambal niya kaya naman I expected him to be secretive also with his upcoming wedding,” Wendy commented. Ilang sandali pa ay bumalik na si Elisha at nagpatuloy sila sa discussion ng wedding preparations.
           Around two o ‘clock na silang nakaalis sa restaurant. Magkasama silang nagpunta ni Elisha sa mall dahil ibibili siya nito ng susuotin niya sa family dinner. Gaya ng inaasahan niya, nagkagulo ang mga saleslady sa boutique na pinasukan nila dahil sa kanyang fiancé.
           “The family dinner will be formal. Bihira ang ganoong gathering since sa iba’t-ibang bansa naka-base ang mga kapatid ko kaya naman it’s one of the best dressed occasions sa pamilya,” he explained as they checked some dresses and she could see worries in his eyes. “The last time we had a family dinner was the night I ran away with you.”
           “I remember.”
           “Ano naman kaya ngayon?” naitanong nito. Kinuha niya ang purple dress na hawak nito at tumingin ito sa kanya. “What if sa pag-uusap ninyo, hindi pa rin siya –”
           Hindi na naituloy ni Elisha ang mga sasabihin nang siilin niya ito ng halik. She could hear gasps from the people around them pero pareho nilang hindi iyon pinansin. Elisha kissed back intensely, as always.
           “With or without her consent, magpapakasal ako sa’yo. Gagawin ko ang lahat makuha lang ang permiso niya. Have faith,” bulong niya sa nobyo pagkatapos ng halik.
           “Do you?”
           “You taught me to and don’t ever forget it’s my name,” natatawa niyang sagot saka nagtungo na sa dressing room. She heard him laughed. Meron siyang pangambang nararamdaman sa muli nilang pagkikita ni Queen Diamond pero wala ng atrasan ito. Kailangan nilang harapin ang pinakamalakas at pinakamalupit na hadlang sa kanilang pag-iibigan.

 
“YOU HAVE a phone call from King of Aces.”
           Napatingin siya sa kanyang assistant pagkuway sa cordless phone na hawak nito.
           “Did you ask why he called?” tanong niya saka sumandal sa inuupuang couch. Ilang araw na siyang nasa Pilipinas at may inaasikaso. Nang makita niya si Faye Escueta sa TZP building, alam na niyang dadating ang pagkakataong makakaharap niya ang babaeng iyon ulit.
           “A certain Faith Escueta wants an appointment with you.”
           Kinuha niya ang phone at sinagot.
           “I know you haven’t forgotten her name,” anang caller, ang kakambal niya. “I’m inviting you for a family dinner. This is a rare chance for us to dine as a family.”
           “Family? Does ‘she’ belong to the family now?”
           “That’s for you to decide. Para sa iba nating mga kapatid ay ikakasal na sila. The couple wants your permission.”
           “Ikakasal? I don’t like her ever since.”
           “Care to tell her why? Honestly hermana, you don’t have to like her but you must agree. Siya lang ang makakapagpaligaya kay Elisha, wala ng iba pa. Sooner or later, mag-aasawa kaming lahat. At least, maging maligaya ka naman para sa amin,” kalmado nitong sabi.
           “What if I don’t?” kuyom ang mga kamay niyang tanong.
           “Then it’s five of our siblings against you,” may babala nitong sabi.
           “Five? How about you?”
           “I will remain neutral. I am loyal to the family, not to anyone.”
           “And Zee?”
           “He will always choose what’s right and he already promised protection for Elisha and Faye. Kapag may ginawa kang hindi maganda sa dalawa, Zee will not doubt of turning against you,” may himig na babalang sabi ng kanyang kakambal.
           “Should I be scared, Eleazar?” naghahamon niyang tanong.
           “No. You will never be scared, I know. All I ask is your presence in the dinner and consider welcoming Faye in the family. It will mean a lot to our younger siblings.” Ilang sandali
siyang natahimik sa kabilang linya. “Hermana? Still there?”
           “Expect me at the dinner.”