Chapter 31: The Proposal
LARA’s POV
Kanina pa akong nakaharap sa malaking salamin dito sa suite ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. Panay rin ang tingin ko sa screen ng phone ko kung saan makikita ko ang picture namin ni Tristan na nagkayakap.
“You’re strong Lara. Proposal lang naman yun, fake proposal kaya it’s no big deal.” pagkakausap ko sa sarili.
Tonight, Kevin will be proposing. Iniisip kong kaya ko ‘to pero parang hindi na eh. Surprise proposal ang kadalasang nangyayari diba? Umiiyak ang babae dahil hindi niya akalaing papakasalan siya ng taong mahal niya. Pero ako, paano maging surprise eh alam ko na? I may be a playgirl pero hindi umabot sa proposal ang mga laro ko. In short, this will be my first time at ayaw kong siya ang first.
“Eunice, okay ka lang?” tanong ni Ian nang pumasok siya sa kwarto.
“Yes kuya, I’m fine.”
“Fine? You mean, Freaking out, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional?”
Tumawa naman ako. We both used to watch the movie Italian Job at doon niya yun kinuha ang acronym ng FINE. I can’t deny the fact that… I’m emotional right now.
Nagpaalam si Ian dahil tatawag pa daw siya kay Dana. He walked out the door but before closing it, he said, “Sometimes, you don’t have to pretend that it’s not hurting.”
Ian was right. When he left, I closed my eyes and felt every beat of my heart, every breath I take, and every tear that fell down my cheeks. It’s okay Lara. It’s okay to cry.
As I opened my eyes, I saw the real me. I saw the weak side of myself. Just because I always look at the bright side of things doesn’t mean I never noticed other side. Yes, nahihirapan ako sa sitwasyon ngayon. I can feel myself under pressure by the happenings. Pagod na ako. Why can’t I live a normal life?
I wiped my tear and coughed two times. I inhaled and exhaled. I’m not a bipolar; I just don’t want to see myself being weak.
“Who told that you’re weak?”pagkakausap ko sa salamin.
Okay! I looked like crazy! I should better prepare for my fake arranged proposal. Sheeze! I can’t believe I just cried and talked to myself!
…
Mr. Terez and his guests are drinking champagne when Kevin and I entered the hall. This party is a celebration for all their business partners and soon-to-be partners. I saw Ian talking to another businessman with his hands on his pockets. Ano kaya ang possible topics nila no? Investments? Current market shares?
Pinaupo ako ni Kevin and he went directly sa stage at kinuha ang microphone sa lectern.
“Good evening…” he greeted. He caught people’s attention kaya napahinto ang iba sa pagchichismis, ang iba naman umupo at nakinig.
“Thank you for coming. This event is my dad’s event but I have something important to say to the public.”
Although kabado ako, I managed to raise my eyebrow and acted sophisticated with my chin up. Kevin hasn’t talked to me about the proposal. The last time we talked was after the deal when he told me na ayaw niyang mag propose. I don’t know if he would or not.
“I had practiced a lot on how to do this but I still felt that my hands are shaking.” He said. The crowd looked puzzled. Ba’t ba kasi pathrilling pa?
“This is an abrupt decision and I should have done this privately but I want you all to witness, so here I am. Okay. It’s now or never.”
The hall suddenly became dark and I can only see the flickering lights from outside. A spotlight then appeared and I saw Kevin walking towards me. He knelt in front of me and took a velvet box from his pocket.
“Lara Eunice Aneracion, will you marry me?” he said while we both shared the spotlight.
I can’t see everyone’s face dahil ang dilim. I don’t know where Ian or Mr. Terez is. I felt like it’s just me and him. I looked at the little velvet box he is holding and inside it is our engagement ring.
My tears were about to fall as I thought of Tristan. Maaayos ko rin ‘tong gulong pinasukan ko babe. Maaayos ko rin ‘to. I’m sorry babe, I have to do this.
I’m sorry babe…
I’m sorry babe…
I’m sorry babe… I have to do this.
“Yes..” mahina kong sabi.
The next thing I know is niyayakap na ako ni Kevin at nagpalakpakan na ang mga tao.
After some beso-beso with the wives of the businessmen at pagcongratulate, narinig kong nagsalita si Mr. Terez at pinakilala niya ako. He bragged that his son is marrying the daughter of one of the most prominent businessmen. He also announced the next year’s plans concerning his joint venture with my dad.
After an hour, nagpaalam si Kevin kay Mr. Terez dahil sumakit daw ang ulo niya. Kailangan daw sasama ako para hindi mahalatang walang spark sa aming dalawa. So, I decided to leave kahit gusto ko pa sanang uminom. I badly need wine right now.
“Bukas ka nalang lilipat sa kwarto ko, may kasama pa akong babae eh.” Kevin said.
“Sure!” masaya kong sabi. I really thought ngayon ako lilipat. Atleast I have time to call Tristan, my love.
“Nagbibiro lang ho! Anong akala mo sakin? Mangbababae na agad na kakapropose ko lang sayo?” galit na sabi niya.
I was disappointed. “So what are you saying? Ngayon na? I haven’t fixed my things yet.”
“Gusto mo pang lumaki ang gulo? Let’s just stick to the deal. Kung ikaw, masaya na dahil napermahan ang proposal ng daddy mo, ako namomroblema.” matamlay na sabi niya.
“Why?” tanong ko.
“Ang credit cards, dalawang sasakyan, at driver’s license ko ang mawawala kapag hindi ka dun matutulog. Hindi naman kita pipilitin eh. Pinapakonsensya lang.”
“Okay.” I replied and rolled my eyes as I entered my room. Nakakainis!
“Anong ibig sabihin nun? Hahayaan mo nalang bang wala akong pera at hindi makakapagmaneho? Alam kong inis ka pero sana…”
“Drama much? Sige na! Sasama na nga ako! Nageffort ka naman sa pagpropose kanina eh!”
“Yes! Sabi ko na ngabang maaawa ka rin sakin! Sweet ang pagpropose ko no?” bumalik ang pagkamayabang niya.
“Sweet? Maybe the right term to be used is CORNY.”
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