Engagement Ring

Chapter 7

"We're here," sabi ni Yohan. Pareho kaming bumaba ng sasakyan niya at nasa harap namin ang isang napakagandang beach.

Alam ko na rin ang dahilan niya sa pagpapanggap namin. It's a win-win situation. Ako, nakatakas ako sa arranged marriage. Siya? Ewan. Nakatakas sa kahihiyan?

Tanga na sa tanga dahil tinanggap ko ang plano niya. We'll just have to pretend that we're sweet until he has gotten his revenge. Ang cliche' di ba? 

Pero ang sabi ko, as soon as matapos ito, ititigil na namin 'to. I don't know what got into me pero parang bumalik ang senses ko, na ayaw ko ng patagalin pa ang pag-deepen ng nararamdaman ko kay Yohan na matagal na sanang namatay.

Pinaiwan na namin sa valet parking ang sasakyan niya at dumiretso kami sa beach wedding preparation ng college friend namin na si Kara.

FLASHBACK

Pagkatapos kong malaman ang plano no Yohan, umuwi na rin siya pagkatapos mag-dinner. Napaisip naman ako bigla at over the phone ko na lang sinabi ang negotiations ko. Remember may contact number ako sa kanya sa shop?

Kinaumagahan, I read his text message. "I'll drop by at Martina's later so you'll get used to my presence." What the pak?

Maaga kong binuksan ang shop dahil trip ko lang. Excited ba ako? Ewan. Kinikilig? Err!

*ching*

I looked at the door of the shop and saw Yohan walking towards me.

"Good morning." he said.

"'Morning," sagot ko din.

"I don't know how your dad knew my office number, but he said mamanmanan niya tayo one of these days. Whew."

"Whut?! He said that? Haay si papa talaga."

"I guess we have no choice but to take this pretending seriously. Mostly on your part. Terorrista tatay mo."

*ching*

Tumunog ulit ang main entrance and I saw a familiar face.

"JANELLE!?"

"KARA?!"

"Waaaah!" I came running towards the beautiful girl who entered my shop. "Girl, kamusta ka na?! Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Gaga, ako ang may ari ng shop na ito!"

"Really?! That's great! Grabe ang tagal naing di nagkita. Nawalan na kami ng contact sa iyo after graduation."

Si Kara nga pala ay college friend ko. We're not the best buds but she belongs to Yohan and I's circle of friends.

She glanced at the person behind me and her eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh, kayo na ulit??" 

"Ahh-- uhmm, n-", hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko at pasimple akong tumitingin kay Yohan para humingi ng tulong.

"Ah, yes. We got back together just recently." Yohan said with a grin. "You, how's life Kara. Pakilala mo naman siya samin." Yohan was referring tot the guy beside Kara.

"Ay oo nga pala, Hon, this is Janelle and Yohan, my college friends. Yohan and Janelle, this is Rob, my fiance."

"IKAKASAL KA NA?!" sabay kaming napasigaw ni Yohan at nanlaki ang mata.

"Wow, look how time flies.", I said.

"And that's why we're here to check on new rings. Nag-back out kasi yung in-order-an namin sa states. And the wedding is 2 days from now. Good thing we found your shop! Hoy girl, dapat may discount ah!"

"Maaasahan mo 'yan!"

And I guided them to the counter and helped them choose their wedding rings.

End of Flashback

The staff guided us to our rooms at tumigil kami ni Yohan sa tapat ng room 487. Bukas pa naman talaga ang wedding pero ngayong hapon na kami pinag-check in.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa na-realize ko at nilingon ko ang staff. "Sir, are you sure ito lang ang room na ni-reserve ni Ms. Kara Rodriguez?" 

NO. I CAN'T BE SHARING THE ROOM WITH YOHAN, PLEASE.

Tumingin naman siya sa checklist niya at tumango. "Yes ma'am. One room for Mr. Yohan Lee and Ms. Janelle Chua lang po talaga."

"W-wait, we can't be sharing a room. Umm, ganito na lang, I'll just check-in in another room. My expenses. Pwede naman yun diba?"

"Yes pwede ma'am. But the hotel is full already. Wala na pong vacant rooms. Para na po sa ibang guests yung unoccupied rooms ngayon."

I looked at Yohan with a questioning look.

"Hey, di ako papayag na matulog sa sofa.." sabi niya. 

"Uggh!"

"Ganun talaga Jen. We came here as a couple. Panindigan na lang natin."

And with that he opened our room and grabbed my hand to get inside.