More Often Than Not

(Narration) Special Chapter 01

(date written: #111923)
happy 50k, motn! 🦢

• • •

Special Chapter
The One Before Marriage But
After Engagement

I didn't know Luca signed with a real estate agent before we got engaged. God, I didn't even know he already bought a house a month or so before the engagement! I don't know if I was too naive to realize it or if he was just too good at hiding, but it came out to be such a surprise.

The house isn't as huge as the Filipino ancestral house—that almost looks like a mansion—they had in Manila, where Dad and I stayed for almost a year before we got back together after a twelve-year breakup. It was very spacious, you could say, because it fit six huge bedrooms. At first, I was like—What? Seryoso? Ganoon ba karami ang magiging anak natin? But that guy laughed so hard at my question, only for me to realize that he allotted a room for Marylle, Dad, and Tito and Tita in case they wanted to spend a night or two in our house.

Which is what I want too, to be honest, and that warmed my heart a bit kasi hindi ko naman sinabi sa kan'ya na I would want extra rooms for our own families in case he didn't want to. After all, siya naman 'yung bumili ng bahay.

Today, I'm left all alone in the house. It's five in the afternoon, and it happened na half day lang kami sa branch kanina, so I figured it would be nice to spend the rest of the day here since busy naman si Luca sa ospital. It has been a taxing week with all the wedding preparations and everything. By Monday, we have to meet again with the wedding planner and finalize some things. I just need to take my mind off it tonight para hindi naman ako haggard when another week starts.

I have my nose in a magazine when my phone beside me on the bed beeps.

Luca
Serrine
Nasa bahay ka na?

I chuckle before picking up the phone.

Esmee
Yup :)
I'm just resting. I feel so sleepy todayyy

Luca
Okay uwi rin ako agad mamaya hahaha
May gusto kang uwi?

Esmee
Just takeout food siguro
Or kahit wag na if you're tired na rin
Come home safely na lang.

Luca
Uuwi ako food wag ka mag-alala hahaha
Love you

Luca
Uwing-uwi na ako hahaha gusto na kita mayakap bago matulog

Esmee
Hahaha I'm just here don't worry
Love you too :)
Take care at work

Luca only reacted with love to my message, so I put my phone away again as I resumed reading the magazine.

There were offers, especially from Ma'am Tet kasi matagal na siya nagpaparinig about it, of a promotion for me. I haven't talked to Luca about it kasi I know he's considering fellowship na rin in not too long from now. You know, it's not like I want to reject it but I'm also just taking into account the circumstances if ever pareho na kaming may toxic schedules ni Luca. I'm not unhappy with my position as an assistant manager in the bank—maluwag ang schedule ko at times and I don't have problems on quota about the number of deposits sa branch. Hindi rin ako naghahabol ng clients. But also, I'm not closing myself to the possibilities kasi it's an avenue for growth too.

Dad said I should take it. Of course, that old guy will want me to become the branch manager. Hindi naman siya nag-se-settle for less if the opportunity is there—palaging green light na kaagad ang nakikita niya. I have known him since I was a kid.