Love, Take it Off

THREE

Hindi pa pumatak ang alas tres ay nakahanda na agad ang gagamitin namin ni Zereid. I did the preparation. I need to kung hindi ay sasabog ang ulo ko sa kakaisip kung anong sasabihin ko mamaya kay Yesenia.

It's time for our last meeting before we get back to the Philippines. Napagpasyahan nilang bumisita sa amin. They currently reside in Milan and suggested that a change of scenery could be refreshing. My parents agreed right away. It was a perfect opportunity for them—a win-win situation. They could showcase the expansive business we have in the countryside at hindi na kami babyahe pa.

Ang hindi ko inasang request ng mga bisita ay ang horseback riding.

"Hooo! Looks like the lover boy is all set!" Zereid burst into my room, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I remember noong maliit ka pa at palaging umiiyak, wearing your knee-high boots and polo for equestrian events!"

I rolled my eyes, wishing I had remembered to lock the door.

"Nag-text na ba?" Zereid leaned casually against the doorframe, a playful grin on his face. "Do you want me to use my connections?"

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Zereid had been a great support since day one, but I wasn't ready for him to see my vulnerabilities. He had witnessed me cry countless times when I reached my breaking point; I didn't want him to see anything more than that. Baka hindi nalang pag-iyak ang masaksihan niya.

"I asked our parents, and they said her real name is Lisbeth Noreen, Reus." He settled into the seat next to the window. "Kahit na hindi na siya interesado sa iyo, baka gusto mo pa ring malaman. I know you're still interested in her."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Bigla akong kinabahan.

"Sinong nagsabing hindi na siya interesado? Did our parents ask Yesenia to stay at their house?"

"Chill, Reus!" he laughed, shaking his head. "Yesenia is definitely coming. She's one of the stars of the arranged marriage. Bakit hindi sana siya sisipot?"

"Because she said she would break the engagement," I replied, my heart sinking a little.

Napahalukipkip siya. "Really?! Alright, Reus. Listen. Kung hindi sana matutuloy, last week pa sana nila sinabi. Kung hindi matutuloy, walang magaganap na meeting ngayon."

I sighed, looking out at the busy maids below. "We're leaving Italy the day after tomorrow," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if they tell us today that it's not going to happen?"

"Reus . . . If Yesenia doesn't want to go through with the wedding, we can always set up another arranged marriage," Zereid suggested casually, though I could sense a bit of concern in his tone.

But I want her.

If not Yesenia, what's the point of another arranged marriage? It feels far better to seek true love than to bind myself to another woman who might be just as unwilling again.

"I want to give her the option," I replied slowly. "But at the same time, I just want her to accept her fate." I paused, searching for the right words. "Zereid, she keeps appearing in my dreams. The image of her face before we parted lingers in my mind and a fucking a needle is piercing my heart. Hindi mo pa ba 'to nararanasan, ha?"

Zereid's eyes widened, his expression shifting. "Don't ask me about that, because one day isn't enough to explain the woman I long for."

Napatayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. "Hindi ka nagkwento! Ang unfair mo, Zereid."

"Ano? Para asarin mo rin ako?" he shot back with a grin.

"Hindi ako kagaya mo. I know you have your reasons, but I want to be part of your life too," I insisted.