Obviously, This Is Not Love

5.1| Before Party

5.1| Before Party

The thing is... Arki lied to me all this time. Dapat nakita ko na iyon dati pa, knowing Arki and his little games. Apparently, manliligaw ko na pala si Arki nung bagong transfer siya sa school (that's what he's been telling to his family). Alam na pala ni Arki ang gusto sa kaniya ng lola niya ever since. I was the first person he met when he moved to Hanha Circle, so he chose me. The one and only 'Aris Leanne Martin' is the lucky girl. Now I get it, that's why he was so persistent in convincing me going with him to his grandmother's anniversary.

All the girls whom he dated before - Julien and her species -  was the real thing, but my name is what his parents know. Aris is the girl their son is pursuing. But it's not. Ngayon lang kami ni Arki nagkakausap. THIS is part of his plan. We're in a game of chess, I was the pawn and he's the king. If anything fails, ako daw ang sasalo sa kaniya, just because I owe him.

Pathetic.

It's morning. Ilang oras na lang ang titiisin ko bago ako makauwi. I can't even look at Arki right now. Magkatabi pa naman kami sa hapag-kainan, nakain kami pareho ng breakfast kasama family niya. They're all here - lola niya, his parents and some of his relatives.

They were all eyeing us.

"Parang ang tahimik niyong dalawa? Nag-away ba kayo?" Tanong ni tita Keira sa aming dalawa ni Arki. Unfortunately, sa akin siya nakatingin. "Please tell me you didn't. Was I too overwhelming? Did I come off too strong? Hindi lang kasi ako sanay. You are my son's first girl..."

At first, I don't know what to say. Nagkatinginan pa nga kaming dalawa ni Arki saglit. Parang nanigas dila ko. Should I tell them the truth?

"Ma... Ang totoo kasi niyan, Aris and I are---" I cut him off. Tapos hinawakan ko kaagad yung kamay ni Arki na nakapatong sa lamesa. I entangled my fingers with his. Alam kong ginulat ko si Arki sa ginawa ko, but I don't know. Ito ang sinasabi ng guts ko. They say, trust your guts... Or was it your instinct?

Why am I even doing this?

"Uh..." I stared at our hands. Then back to his family's impatient eyes. I took a deep breath. Hawak ko na ang kamay ni Arki. Wala nang atrasan ito. "Ang totoo po kasi niyan tita... Sinagot ko na po si Arki. Actually two... three months ago na po..."

Tita Keira's frown turned into a smile. Natuwa naman si lola Erin sa amin. "Naku, apo! Mabuti naman at ginawa mo yung ipinangako mo sa akin! Thank the Lord, mamamatay na akong nakita ko na ang magiging future wife ni Arki!"

Hinawakan ni tita Keira yung kamay ni lola Erin. "Nay, ano ba yang pinagsasasabi mo? Bata pa sila. Malayo pa yun. But it's not impossible! Oh my, Arki and Aris!" Humarap si tita kay Uncle Greg, sa asawa niya. "Aren't you happy for your son, Greg? Look at him!"

Tumawa si Arki, it was obvious that he was still in shock. Hinawakan niya ng mahigpit kamay ko tapos bumulong siya sa akin. "What are you doing?"

"Doing the end of my bargain. I owe you so I have to. Makisabay ka na lang bago ko pa ipamukha sa mama mo kung gaano ka nagsinungaling sa harapan nila." Then I flashed him a fake smile. "Right, love?" Sabi ko naman ng malakas para marinig nila tita Keira at lola Erin.

Arki finally smiled, as if he was so amused with everything. He leaned forward and kissed me at my forehead. "Right, love." He repeated.

Everyone at the table saw him kissed me. I can't even explain how happy they were. Like, they've been waiting for him to finally meet a girl. And this was the day that he did. It was a minor sacrifice I'd take just to make somebody else happy. Katulad na lang ngayon. Halos maluha-luha pa si tita Keira at lola Erin.