Love, Take it Off

TWO

"Ano? How did your first conversation with your future wife go?" Zereid asked while he's playing on his phone.

"She's nice," I replied, a soft smile creeping across my face as I recalled her warm laughter and the way her eyes lit up when she spoke.

Agad na pinatay ni Zereid ang cellphone niya at ibinaba ito.

"Gusto mo ba siyang kilalanin nang husto?" Zereid pressed, leaning in closer, clearly eager for more details.

Intrigued by Zereid's passion, I closed my book and set it aside, my thoughts drifting back to her from three days ago.

I couldn't stop thinking about the moments we shared—her playful teasing, the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

But despite the connection we felt, hindi ako nakatanggap ng message sa kanya kaya hindi ko alam kung paano ko ulit siya kakausapin.

Unless there's a family dinner again.

"What are you up to?" I asked.

He winked. "Let's pay her a visit," Zereid suggested. "But we'll do it secretly."

"Are you serious?" Pikon kong isinagot.

Out of all the ideas running through his mind, ito ang hindi ko inaasahan. Zereid's a businessman.

He's . . . Collected.

"Ano? Gusto mo o hndi? Your next meeting with her is next week. Can you really hold your thirst?" Zereid teased, leaning back in his chair with a playful smirk.

"I mean, yeah, but isn't that a bit stalker-ish?" I replied, crossing my arms defensively.

"It is not," Zereid declared, rising from his seat. "It's just gathering information about your future wife." He stretched his arms above his head.

I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "But what about Mumma and Papa? They'll be expecting our presence soon."

Zereid waved his hand dismissively. "They're busy with their business. You know how it is. They won't even notice we're gone."

"Until now?" I countered, glancing at the clock on the wall.

It was already afternoon, they had been at it since eight in the morning, their focus was unwavering.

"Anong bago? Hindi ka pa ba sanay? They're like machines, incapable of feeling. You know that," Zereid said.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. His words echoed in my mind, but I couldn't shake the memory of my father's silhouette in the restaurant three days ago. As I stared at the book I was reading, I recalled his shoulders slumped, and the weariness evident in his features.

"Maybe," I murmured, tapping my fingers on the table, "but . . ."

I hesitated, the images flashing before me.

Father's eyes, usually so vibrant, had looked tired.

Zereid leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. "What's with that look? Nagbago ang tingin mo sa kanila dahil nagsama na ulit sila? Dahil ba sa dinner, nagbago ang pangingin mo sa kanila and you think they actually feel something for each other again?"

I shook my head, torn between wanting to defend my parents and acknowledging the truth in Zereid's words.

"I don't know. It's just . . . That night, I felt like I saw a glimpse of the real him."

Zereid rolled his eyes but softened slightly. "Look Reus, nadadala ka lang ngayon dahil sa tagal ng hindi nila pagsasama. They're clinging on a thread, ready to snap at any moment. Kailangan nilang mag-usap nang matino kung gusto nilang isalba ang kasal nila and it's about how they communicate. If they're stuck in their ways, maybe it's time for you to accept the situation."