Say Yes

15

Inigo

She has a boyfriend.

That should be enough for me to stop. That was almost a slap for a closure.

But seeing her tonight makes my perspective mixed up.

One point I wanted to take care of her, and then one point gusto kong iparamdam sa kanya yung sakit na ginawa niya sa akin. I was so confused a lot of times just how confused I am right now.

When I saw her standing in front of the cocktail table being watched by a lot of men who attended the party, I wanted to regret not bringing a coat, so that I could cover her. My initial urge is to drag her back to her room at ibalot siya sa blanket, but I pushed that thought at the back of my mind.

Because she is breathtaking. Perfectly stunning. She had always been beautiful, and tonight she's exceptional.

And deep within, she still had that same effect on me.

O hindi naman talaga nawala. Pinilit ko lang ibaon at kalimutan.

All those thoughts were shoved away by the fact na may boyfriend na siya, who is now standing in front of us.

But then that selfish part of me didn't want to back down. So I made one dumb suggestion.

Of her working for me in the farm. If Yiseo or Min is with me now, malakas na hampas sa ulo ang makukuha ko, maybe they will be shouting at me.

Masokista ka ba? Tanga ka ba? Nababaliw ka na ba? Gusto mo ba talaga na nasasaktan ka?

All of them were dumbfounded with my suggestion, not until his boyfriend spoke.

"It was a nice idea, makikita mo yung pangangailangan ng mga tao niya. I mean not looking at the business side but the welfare of the people inside. Kung anong aasahan nila sa inyo kung sakaling ibenta niya ang farm." Oh I wanted to give him a pat on the back. Yejin and Tito John agreed unanimously. But that did not last long though ng itinuloy niya ang sasabihin niya. Because reality kicks in.

"Take it Chiara, so you can wrap it up fast and go back to Korea the soonest."
That escalated quickly.

Of course, hindi man lang sumagi sa isip ko that she is not staying for good.

That everything is temporary.

That she will never meant to stay.

And it fucking hurts.

Our conversation was cut ng lumapit sa amin ang mayor ng Santa Isabel. The mayor cheerfully greeted us all.

But his greeting on me particularly made some emphasis.

"Kelan kaya magiging negosyante itong poging haciendero naten?" Makahulugan niyang tanong, a hint of when will I sell the farm to the Kims.

"Pag po ginalingan ni Chiara na manligaw." Pabirong tugon ko and I took another glance at her boyfriend na mukhang dedma lang, and Chiara, her entire face crumpled.

The mayor asked for a toast, and we all lifted our glasses.

"Para kay Jiselle Chiara."

I almost choke when it was the mayor who teased her about her "panliligaw."

Only for me to realize Jiselle Chiara doesn't pertain to Chichi.

The loud music stopped ng umakyat pabalik si Tito John sa stage, the mayor stayed on our cocktail table, and Yejin looked at him proudly. Nagsalita ito sa mikropono.

Thank you everyone for coming to my party tonight. Una sa lahat, gusto kong magpasalamat sa Diyos at umabot pa ako ng senior citizen year, I've never been so excited claiming that 20% discount.....