My Destiny

8

"So when is your wedding going to take place?" Karlo asked.

They were having a family dinner with Francis and Alex. Kanina pa nagkukwento si Alex about her recent trip to New York. Close to perfection na raw ang wedding gown nito.

"No date yet, Papa." Si Francis ang sumagot.

"What are you saying?" Kunwa'y hindi mapakaniwala si Alex. "He's kidding, Papa... "

"So?" Naghihintay ang kanilang ama.

KC wished it wouldn't be very soon.

"By the end of the month-" Alex was unsure though na kumapit sa braso ng binata. "right, babe?"

Pilit na ngiti ang sagot ni Francis.

"That's too soon. Did you even start the preparation already?" Singit ni Cassey.

"She already had her gown made," sarcastic na sabi ni Katrina.

KC remained silent... Malapit nang hindi maging available si Francis. The hard part was she needed to be happy for her sister.

"Excuse us everyone, Alex and I needs to talk," magalang pero matigas na sabi ni Francis, grabbing his girlfriend's arm.

"Alex is so funny," ani Katrina nang makalayo ang dalawa. "She's so scared Francis might not play along."

"Katrina, stop that," saway ni Karlo.

"She's so assuming," Katrina pouted pero tumahimik na rin.

*****

"Alex!" Tawag niya sa kapatid, inabangan niya talagang matapos ang usapan nito at ni Francis.

"What?!" Had Alex been crying? Namumula mga mata nito, pati na ilong.

"I just want to tell you-" nilapitan niya ito kasi mukha namang hindi papalag si Alex. "that I'm happy that you're getting married."

"KC!" Bigla itong yumakap sa kanya. "Thank you."

"Are we okay now?" Mahigpit niya rin itong niyakap.

"But promise me one thing," tumango-tango ito.

"Anything, Alex."

"Please stay away from Francis until we're married." Kumalas ito sa kanya at ginagap ang dalawang kamay niya with pleading eyes.

"I promise." Bahala na, besides at that point, when all it takes is that promise to gain Alex back, she'd not think twice to give her word.

"Thank you, KC!" Alex hugged her again.

*****

"Charlize, may I talk to you please?"

KC and Ivan were already entering the lift when Francis came.

"Francis?" Atubili niya itong nilingon, ano ang sasabihin nito?

"Just a minute."

"We are in a hurry." Gusto niyang sabihing 'okay, let's talk' but she couldn't do that now after promising Alex na iiwasan niya si Francis. "Right Ivan?" Kumapit siya sa polo ng kasama.

"Yeah, but if it's really important-" sumang-ayon naman si Ivan pero dahil seryoso ang mukha ni Francis, he was willing to give way to the CEO.

"No, no - we'll come back after lunch. It's lunch break naman, 'di ba? I'm in your office at 1pm sharp. I promise." If it's work-related, perhaps it can wait til work resumes that afternoon.

"Okay then." He backed off.

KC sighed. She didn't want to be so obvious that she was avoiding Francis. But she just almost said it aloud just the same.