We Could Happen

Chapter 2 - Marry You?

CHESKA

  

I have a big problem. I only have a tourist VISA. Tapos, 6 months,  one time entry lang. Hindi pa nga multiple entry eh.

Okay, the original plan was for me to look for a job, hoping to get a working VISA pero 3 months na and wala pa ring nangyayari. It was not as easy as what we have planned. I'm too old to be petitioned --- so that's not really one of the options. I can't go back to the Philippines! Ayoko din namang mag TNT, noh!?

Andito kami ngayon sa kitchen ni Ate --- nakatunganga sa may kitchen counter. My Mom, Ate, Ako and my highschool best girl friend, Joan. Thinking ... thinking of what to do ...

 "How about marrying a US citizen? I have a co-worker. Filipino. Mabait ... still unmarried at 37. You can divorce after maging okay ang citizenship status mo dito. It's the best option --- you know!?" biglang sinabi ni Ate Florence.

 "ATE ... He is ... ummm ... like ... 13 years older than me ... mas matanda pa sa'yo ... nakakatakot naman yata yung option na yan ... babalik nalang ako sa Pilipinas ..." sagot ko.

 "No, mabait yun. We can just pay him. For citizenship purposes lang naman. You should consider this. This is the best option. I can immediately call him if you agree ..." pilit ni Ate.

  

"Think about it, Francheska. I don't want you to go back to the Philippines and live there alone. " segunda ni Mommy.

 Ako? NAnatiling nakatulala. Marrying a person 13 years my senior and a person I don't know, no way!

 "Hold it ... Don't call that guy, Ate Florence. I have a better idea. No, I have a better person in mind... I'm sure he'll be willing to help Cheska. I'll just make a call. Excuse me." Biglang sabi ni Joan. Dali dali syang umalis sa kitchen.

  

Ako? Tulala pa rin. Ano kaya ang balak ni Joan at sino naman kaya ang tinatawagan nun?

  

"CHESKA! Change your clothes... We're going to LA. We're meeting your future husband!" sigaw ni Joan habang pabalik ng kitchen.

 "Hey, hindi pa ako pumapayag sa option na yan ah. Sino ba yung tinawagan mo?" nabigla kong sagot.

 "Surprise ... You'll meet him later. When I told him about your problem --- your situation, pumayag syang sya nalang ang pakasalan mo. I know papayag ka din agad pag na meet mo sya." sabi ni Joan.

Aba! Masyado syang sure ah!

  

"Go! Bihis na!" biglang sabi ni Ate Florence. Aba pati sya excited.

  

Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakabihis. Minadali pa ako ni Ate at ni Mommy. Grabe! Bakit sila excited na ipakasal ako? Ni hindi nga nila alam kung sino itong sinasabi ni Joan eh. They trust her so much?

  

We're now on the road. Bigla akong kinabahan. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas bintana ng kotse.

 "Relax, Cheska. Trust me. When we were in highschool, you always helped me and you always looked after me. It's time for me to help you. I won't let you marry some old random guy, noh. This person I know is way better! TRUST ME!" sabi ni Joan while she's driving.