Greed

7

Lia

"How are you engaged?" Papa asked.

Nasa office nila kami ngayon sa backyard. Nasa labas lang si Kyle, kasama mga relatives ko. They wanted to talk to me privately.

"Kyle proposed," I politely said.

"How? When? Gaano na ba kayo katagal at gusto niyong magpakasal? Why weren't we even aware of this boy's existence? Tapos, uuwi ka nalang na dala dala yang lalaki na yan, suddenly announcing your engagement? Anong kagagahan yon, Liandra?"

I heaved a sigh. Even if I was already an adult and old enough to get married without their consent, can't they be glad na nagsabi ako sa kanila?

"Pa, Ma, hindi naman po ako tanga para magpakasal sa lalaking masama ang balak sakin,"

"Lia," Mama warned but I ignored her and stared at Papa's eyes.

"Kyle and I have been together for years. You don't see what I see."

"Kahit naman ganoon na kayo katagal, hindi yun dahilan para magpakasal kayo,"

"Why are you so against of Kyle and I?" I spatted out. "Whether you like it or not, we're getting married. I'm old enough to make that big of a decision. Invited pa rin kayo sa kasal ko, kahit hindi kayo pumunta, wala na akong pakeelam."

I walked out of the office after saying that. My eyes were heating up from stopping the tears. Lagi naman kami nag aaway dati when I was a teenager, ngayon lang ulit kami nag away after 3 years. Hindi ko na nga sila masyadong nakikita, gusto pa ko awayin. Pano nalang kapag hindi na talaga ko umuuwi? Habang buhay nalang ba kaming ganito?

I heaved a sigh and went back to our house.

"Tara na, Kyle." I called him. Tumayo agad siya sa sofa at lumapit sakin.

He cupped my face, "Are you okay?"

I smiled, "Fine."

We bade goodbye to my relatives at bumiyahe na.

"What happened back there?" Kyle asked.

"It's..." I glanced at Kyle. He deserves to know. "They're against our marriage,"

"Was it a bad idea to propose so early?" Kyle laughed sarcastically. "Doon din naman tayo pupunta."

"Yeah, hindi ka nga nila kinausap eh."

"Do they hate me?"

"No, they just doesn't like us being together."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

I stared at Kyle's face. Kahit na hindi siya nakatingin sakin, I can still see the sadness written on his face.

"It's not. Hindi naman sila nagsalita ng masama tungkol sayo. Hindi lang nila gusto na engaged tayo, na ang tagal na natin and I didn't introduce you."

"Yeah, kausapin nalang natin sa susunod. I still want their approval." He said with a smile on his face.

Kilala ko naman sila Papa. They won't stay mad at me forever. Nabigla lang siguro sila kaya nila nasabi yon kanina. But I do hope they give us their blessing. It'll suck if they don't.

--

Ginising ako ni Kyle nang makarating kami sa bahay ng pamilya niya. Their home was located somewhere in Bicol. Sobrang haba ng biyahe, gabi na nang nakarating kami. Nag drive thru naman kami nung lunch pero pakiramdam ko maisusuka ko din.

"Hindi ba magagalit si Mark kapag nalaman niya na ang layo ng narating natin?" I asked as soon as I opened my eyes.

"Hindi naman, nagsabi ako sa kaniya na pupunta tayong Bicol."