Downfall of Arabella

Kabanata 5: Can't Pin Me Down

Kabanata 5

Foolish I may seem,

But only to those who deem

Okay, I admit.

Since I've met him, no, scratch that, it was since I found out that I am arranged to marry Alejandro and heard through Lola Anggay and my parents that he is a young respectable fine man. Indeed he is when he suddenly showed up. I find him interesting, brooding but a gorgeous one, then he puts effort by sending me gifts, and then lo and behold my young heart hope that maybe this is not a bad idea after all. But that's the thing about hope, you hope for a good result, then blinds you in the fact that it can also be a bad result. When its bad, what follows is pain. So you should be prepared for the outcome of either of the two. Good, it's a win for you then. Bad, at least the impact wouldn't be that hard.

Silver lining, benefit of the doubt, calculative moves and a guarded heart – that's what keeps me safe from downfall.

My family arranged this marriage but they come to terms of giving me the free reign of having the final say.

Now that I knew he's just scam, there's no way I will marry him but a little bit of toture wouldn't hurt though.

It's your mistake for taken me for a fool, Alejandro, theres no way I, Hera Arabella Villaviejo will be treated like one, never have been and never will be.

So I get back to my party with a head held high and feeling his presence right just behind me tinungo ko agad ang lamesa kung nasaan ang aking mga magulang, Lola Anggay and some of my family members at sakto andoon rin si Doña Ava, ang pinakamamahal niyang Lola.

Ilang hakbang na lang mula sa lamesa ay huminto ako para hintayin si Alejandro na panigurado na doon din ang tungo. Nagtatakang tumingin siya sa akin ng bigla kong ikanawit ang braso ko sa kanya pagkalapit niya sa akin at sabay simpleng akay siyang tinungo ang lamesa nila Lola Anggay.

"Oh, here they are" Rinig kong sabi ni Mama na napatingin sa nakakawit kong bras okay Alejandro. Ngumiti muna ako sa mga nasa lamesa, only Chiara and Seb sa mga pinsan ko at ang magulang nila ang kasama sa lamesa na iyon bago ko ituon ang atensyon ko kanila Lola Anggay at Doña Ava.

"Kanina pa namin kayo hinahanap, we're talking about how you two should start getting to know each other" ani ni Lola Anggay

"Eh mukhang nagsimula na nga sila Lola eh" Biro ni Seb na ikinatuwa naman ng mga andun. Pinandilitan ko muna siya bago ibalik ang atensyon ko kay Lola.

"Oh then perfect timing kami pala topic 'cause you know what Lola Anggay and Doña Ava, Alejandro here is trying to convince me awhile ago" I said it in a not so subtle high pitch voice just like what a rich spoiled brat should sound like.

On my peripheral vision nakita ko muntik pang masamid si Seb sa iniinum niya at pagtaas ng kilay ni Chiara. Napansin man ng ibang nakakatanda ang pagbabago ng boses ko but they remained mum about it maybe because to them it sounded like I'm about to say something either excitedly or they just plainly curious.

But the man beside me felt otherwise, ramdam ko ang biglang pag tensyon na katawan nya and his green eyes are now glaring at me, penetrating down to my very core. Trying to ignore the effect as he whispered "Don't make a mistake" Anu takot kang isumbong kita na kinukumbinsi mo akong umatras?

Nginitian ko siya ng matamis sabay haplos sa mukha niya sabay sabi "I already did" and that's because I let my heart hope for something I shouldn't be. Nakita ko ang pag panggap na pag-ubo ni Seb at ang munting paghampas ni Chiara sa liko neto. This two. Tsk.

"What is it Hija?" Curious na tanung ni Doña Ava.

Tumawa ako sabay hampas ng pabiro sa balikat ni Alejandro "Eto kasi si Alejandro po kinukumbinsi akong doon daw po siya magbabakasyon sa hacienda para makilala ako ng lubusan. Since taon taon naman po ako nauwi for acemic break pagkakataon daw po yun para sa kanya at ang sabi pa nga niya willing siya icancel mga commitment niya for that. Isn't it sweet?"