The Fake Engagement (On-going)

Chapter 39

Birthday update. Enjoy!!

Chapter 39

"So, how are you?" I heard Manong Dino asked.

"I—I'm fine," I lied, and tried to smile. Good thing his eyes were fixed on the road that's why he was unable to see my fake smile.

"Sure, you are," I saw him smile. "Your parents told us that you're already engaged," he added.

Kaagad tuloy akong napahawak sa singsing na nasa aking daliri na hindi ko tinanggal.

Before I left my condo yesterday, I was really tempted to take off this ring and just throw it onto somewhere. But, before I could even do that, I realized that when I got here in Canada, I'm pretty sure that they're gonna ask about the ring, and of course, me being engaged.

That was why I decided not to take this ring off my finger for the mean time.

I know how my parents got so happy when they learned that their only child was already engaged and ready to get married soon.

For now, ay ayaw ko na munang ipaalam sa kanila na wala nang kasal na magaganap. I'm still not yet ready to tell them about what happened back in the Philippines.

"Yes, I am," I replied casually.

Iniangat ko ang aking kaliwang kamay upang ipakita sa kaniya ang singsing.

Saglit niya iyong tiningnan.

"Looked so expensive!" he laughed while I agreed quietly.

This ring cost a million. Page spent a million for a damn ring, thus, for a damn fake engagement. I wonder how much he could spend for a ring if ever na hindi lang pagpapanggap ang ginawa namin?

"So, where is he? Bakit hindi mo siya isinama?" muli nitong tanong.

I know it's just normal for him to ask a lot of questions to me because it really has been a long time since the last time we talked and seen each other. I can't blame him for being this curious and excited about my life in the Philippines for the past years.

"He's really busy, Manong. Super hectic ang schedule, and biglaan din naman itong pag-uwi ko rito," sagot ko habang nakatingin sa labas.

"Bakit, hindi mo ba sinabi sa kaniya nang maaga ang gagawin mong pagpunta rito?" aniya na bahagyang nagpatigil sa akin.

Napailing ako kalaunan. "I—I forgot about this. Please, don't tell Mom," nilingon ko si Manong Dino na natawa at napailing nang dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Kailan ba kita isinumbong sa Mommy mo?" tugon niya na nagpangiti sa akin nang malawak.

"I miss you, Manong."

"Well, I miss you, too," he says. "Pati na rin sina Sia, ay miss na miss ka na," tukoy niya sa kaniyang mga anak na mga naging kaibigan ko rin.

"How are they, anyway?" I said, feels relieved dahil sa wakas, ay natapos na kami sa usapang engaged na ako.

"They're fine. Sia's got a stable job now, while Dinn's still a pain in the ass." Manong Dino murmured the last word that made me laugh.

"Well, I'm here now. He's scared of me, right?"

"Sana lang ay takot pa ang isang 'yon sa 'yo," naiiling na saad niya ngunit natawa rin naman.

Panandalian kaming nabalot ng katahimikan pagkatapos no'n.

"You know..." Manong started after a while. "Your mansion here became a haunted when you left."

"Haunted?" nagtatakha kong tanong.

"Not literally haunted na nakakatakot or what," sagot niya. "I mean, it became so quiet and dull. Nawala na kasi iyong batang babae na palaging sumisigaw tuwing umaga upang gisingin ang lahat," naiiling siyang napangiti.