Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 2

Dahlia was in the middle of daydreaming about her first time with Miguel nang biglang nag-ring ang iPhone niya. She quickly grabbed it and saw Miguel calling.

"Hey, babe," bati ng kabilang linya.

"Hey, yourself. Dito ka pa talaga nagpadala ng regalong ganito sa opisina. What if may ibang nagbukas nito. Ano na lang iisipin nila?" medyo inis na tanong niya sa binata.

"Chill, Dahl. It's not as if your secretary would meddle in your personal life."

"What's with tonight? Why do you need to see me?"

"Should there be a reason for us to see each other? I just miss you. Masyado ka ng busy. Hindi ka na dumadaan sa condo."

"Well, I'm starting a new project," pagdadahilan niya. But in reality, she was really starting to think things through. It has been eight years pero kahit kailan ay hindi ito nagtanong kung gusto ba niyang gawin official ang relationship nila so that she could be his girlfriend finally. She has been in deep pain dahil halos lahat ng mga kaibigan niya ay ikinakasal na. Her best friend Margaux just married a few months ago while she's still.... single in the eyes of many. Even her parents are starting to get worried dahil hindi siya nagde-date.

"Come on, babe. I'll pick you up. Hindi magandang puro trabaho ka na lang."

"I'm really busy, Miguel. I'm sorry," malamig na tugon niya. How did she let this go on for eight years? Ganoon ba talaga siya katanga? O ganoon siya katakot na mawala ito sa buhay niya if she demanded for something more? After all, he's a man who never commits.

"I'll be there by six. See you, Dahl!" And he quickly dropped the call.

Fuck! She has to really start thinking about her future. Hindi naman siya nagmamadaling magpakasal. She's only twenty-six. Pero ayaw na niyang maging tanga para sa isang lalaking hindi naman siya sineseryoso.

She looked at her watch. 4PM. Still plenty of time para makatakas. She was about to fix her stuff already ng biglang pumasok sa office niya ang Mama niya.

Saritha Tantoco is the chairman of the Tantoco Foundation. Mayroon ding pinapamahalaan na architectural firm ang mama niya. She has always looked so young and fresh kahit na nasa forties na ito.

"Mama!" bati niya dito.

"Balita ko busy ka pa daw dito at hindi ka pa nagla-lunch," puna nito sa kanya.

Dahlia quickly stood up to give her mom a hug. "I'm finishing the press release for the housing phase two project."

"Mag-enjoy ka naman, hija Ano to? A gift? From whom?" biglang tanong nito looking curiously at black velvet box on her table.

Patay! "Wala 'yan, Ma!" Her voice sounded more high pitched than usual.

So her mom stared at her weirdly. "Is this from... Aspen? Kakauwi lang niya sa Pilipinas. But I didn't know he would make a move this quickly."

"Si Aspen po?" takang-takang tanong niya. Aspen was also another childhood friend. Sa US ito nag-aaral ng Master's degree nito for two years now at hindi niya alam na kakauwi lang pala nito finally.

"Yes, I think it's time you guys both know. And if this is from him then I guess, Aspen knows, too."

"Know what, Ma?"

"Bilang wala ka namang boyfriend at pakiramdam namin ng Papa mo ay wala kang balak maghanap ng boyfriend, we're planning to fix you up with Aspen," biglang anunsyo na lamang ng Mama niya na parang normal, everyday news lamang ang fixed marriage.

"What?" gulat na gulat na tanong niya.

"He's the perfect groom, hija. Comes from a good family, a sole heir, at isa pa, walang girlfriend. Well, as far as I know. Celine never mentioned Aspen having a girlfriend or introducing any girl. Much like you."