Dear Future Ex-Husband

Chapter Eleven

Before Marriage

From: Daena Jade A. Chua
To: Tyler John D.V. Fontanilla
Subject: What's up?

Thank you for the food, flowers and GCs for my staff pero may hihingin ka bang favor sa 'kin? Bakit more than usual naman yata ang mga binibigay mo?

Tell Me,
Daena Jade A. Chua
HR Director, Dela Vega Corporation

———

From: Tyler John D.V. Fontanilla
To: Daena Jade A. Chua
Subject: RE: What's up?

Can't I be just a generous boyfriend?

Nagkakamalisya Ka Na Ba,
Tyler Fontanilla
Head, Marketing Department
Dela Vega Corporation

———

From: Daena Jade A. Chua
To: Tyler John D.V. Fontanilla
Subject: RE: What's up?

Ha-ha. Akala tuloy nila nanliligaw ka na sa kin. Funny, right?

Parang Gustong Manakit Ng Kaibigan,
Daena Jade A. Chua
HR Director, Dela Vega Corporation

———

From: Tyler John D.V. Fontanilla
To: Daena Jade A. Chua
Subject: RE: What's up?

Pwede ba?

Nasasaktan Na,
Tyler Fontanilla
Head, Marketing Department
Dela Vega Corporation

———

From: Daena Jade A. Chua
To: Tyler John D.V. Fontanilla
Subject: RE: What's up?

Funny ka. Bye.

LOL,
Daena Jade A. Chua
HR Director, Dela Vega Corporation

———

"SO? Sino ang mas gusto mo sa kanilang dalawa? Tyler or Seymour?" agad na tanong kay Daena ni Jovelle pagkatawag niya dito. F-in-orward kasi niya dito ang emails na s-in-end sa kanya kanina ni Tyler. "Pero grabe taste mo sa lalaki, girl. Sana pwedeng both 'no? Sandwich ba."

"Bwisit ka! Sobrang naco-confuse na nga ako. Hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro lang ba si Tyler or hindi. Pero feeling ko nagbibiro lang siya kasi alam kong ayaw niyang magkaroon ng totoong relationship," paliwanag ni Daena kay Jovelle.

"Eh, paano kung totoo?" tanong ni Jovelle.

"Imposible," sagot naman niya rito.

"Paano nga kung totoo?" muling kastigo ni Jovelle.

She felt a wave of conflicting emotions. There was a ridiculous amount of disbelief, hesitation, confusion and pain but there was also that sure amount of security if ever it was real. Pero ayaw ni Daena na maging safety net niya habang-buhay si Tyler. Sooner or later, their scheme would end. It should. And they will go their separate ways.

Magiging unfair kay Tyler kung mata-trap ito habang-buhay sa "agreement" nilang dalawa. He should be free to choose whoever he wanted to be with. Ganoon din siya. Baka kasi nape-pressure lang si Tyler na gustuhin si Daena dahil kailangan nitong umakto na may gusto sa kanya para i-appease ang parents nila. At the back of her mind, ganoon lagi ang ginagawa ni Tyler tuwing nagpapadala ito sa kanya ng kung anu-ano o tuwing umaakto ito na para bang totoong boyfriend niya.

In truth, Daena likes Tyler. As a friend, as a wonderful partner. She could have liked him more, kung hindi niya palaging pinapaalalahanan ang sarili niya na hindi niya ito dapat gustuhin. Dahil alam niyang may wakas ang pinagkasunduan nilang relasyon. Dahil alam niyang hindi tama ang pagsisimula nilang dalawa. Dahil alam niyang hindi dapat sila ang maging para sa isa't isa.