Just a Chance (Aces Band Series #1)

Chapter 22

"What?!" Napatayo ako bigla.

Kahit ang mga waiter at waitress ay napatingin sa akin.

Tiningnan ko si Ian pero kalmado lang siya. Hindi man lang ba siya aangal? Para bang ineexpect na niya kaagad ito at wala man lang siyang pakialam.

I know I like him... No, I love him more than myself and anyone. Pero hindi naman ako ganoon katanga at kaobsessed sa kaniya para lang sa ganito.

I don't want something arranged, fake or whatever that is not real. I want to have him, to marry him, and to spend my whole life with him for real and not just because we were arranged to marry each other.

"Tita I'm so sorry but I don't think I will do this. This is all nonsense." Napailing ako at tiningnan sila na puno ng sakit ang mga mata.

Dahil sa ginawa nila mas lalo lang akong nasaktan. Nasasaktan ako dahil ganoon na lang ba ang tingin nilang lahat sa akin? Na hanggang dito na lang ba lahat at pinapamukha nila na kahit kailan hindi ko maaabot si Ian?

I laughed sarcastically. "Tita I don't want a fake one, I want a real one. Hanggang dito lang ba talaga? Then ayaw ko, ayaw ko ng ganito."

My eyes became pool of tears.

Ian looked at me but I cannot see him clearly because of my blurry vision that's why I don't know what emotions is he showing right now.

"Hija please, just this one." Tita looked at me full of sympathy.

"This is also for you Ela, I know you love Ian. This is already planned and just what your Tita said this will not be cancelled. All is planned and it will happen next month." Mom said seriously.

Napaupo na lang ako dahil sa panghihina. Hindi ko sila kayang tingnan. Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Ina ang kamay ko. She gently squeezed it.

I looked at her and she smiled at me. "Everything will be fine," she whispered.

"The weeding will not be cancelled, but you two can decide kung ano ang gusto niyo sa araw na iyon. If you want something grand or intimate only." Sabi ni Mom.

"I want this to be private only. Mangyayari ang kasal, wala na rin naman aking magagawa kaya hindi na ako aangal. Pero dapat walang makakaalam kung 'di tayo-tayo lang, even our friends. Ela will still use Velasquez and not Hermosa on her every transactions." Ian finally talked but he's just looking at everyone blankly.

Mapait akong ngumiti. Hindi rin niya ito gusto. Ganoon niya ako kung ayawan. He wants something private, kahit kaibigan namin ayaw niyang may makaalam nito.

"Ela is that fine with you?" Tita asked carefully.

Tumango na lang ako. Wala na rin naman akong magagawa. May punto rin naman si Ian na dapat walang makakaalam nito lalo na at parehas naman kaming hindi ito gusto.

"What's with this plan ba Mom? Hindi naman related sa business o kung ano man, pero bakit naplano ito?" Medyo kumalma na ako nang tinanong 'yon.

"Well, while me and Iza were still pregnant with the both of you, we have planned this things. This can also be good for our business when you're already married. Akala ko nga hindi na matutupad, pero mukhang tadhana na ang nagsasabi." Mom shrugged.

"Tadhana?" I scoffed. "I'm sorry but I don't believe with those stuff anymore. It's always the reason why a person ended up crying because of so much pain. Fate? How will you know if it's fate? Pinapaasa lang tayo niyan na akala talaga natin tadhana na, sila na ang para sa atin, pero hindi naman pala talaga." Mapakla akong ngumiti.

"Why so bitter Ela?" Ngumiwi si Ina.

"Oh, I didn't mean to sound like that. I'm just stating my opinion based on experience." I laughed.