Once, I Fell In Love With A Stranger

Tension

Ignited..

Why is she here? What is she doing here? I thought she's in the province?

What the hell am I going to do?

Chloe's here. My dad's here. Mr. Salazar is here and Precious? Her best friend? What the hell?

What am I going to do? What kind of shit have I got in to?

I just kept on staring at her as she continue to walk towards us.

I need to do something. I can't be just silent here. Argh! No. No. I have to be silent. No one should know that she's my girlfriend. Oh please God help me here. Please.

Then I turned. I can't afford to see her face closely. It's not that I'm afraid to her but I'm afraid she'll know Chloe. And worse, get mad at Chloe.

I don't want that to happen.

This is the very first time I saw her personally and she's even more perfect. More beautiful than I've ever thought she is.

We've been in a relationship for 6 months now and this is the very first time I saw her personally. Aside from the guilt that I'm feeling right now, I'm happy.  Happy because finally, she's here. With me.

Oh baby you don't know how much I want to hug and kiss you..

●●●

"James?" I whispered

James is here?!

No. No. No. Maybe he looks just like James. Yes! Maybe he just looks like him.

"Kaecy! Sit here." Precious said

So I walked towards her.

I sat beside her.

Then I lift my head to look who's in front of me.

"James.." I whispered

"So this is Kaecy. My best friend." Precious said

James.. I want to stand up and run to you to hug you.. but.. I better not..

"Pwede na bang kumain? Gutom na ako eh. Gusto ko na ring lumayas dito. Tanghaling tapat puro bad news agad bumungad sakin." I heard someone say

"Chloe. Please." A man said who's sitting near Precious

"Let's eat." A man whose age is between 40s to 50s.

Then they started eating.

"Bakit Kaecy? Ayaw mo kumain?" Precious

"Huh? Ahh.. no. Sorry. May naisip lang." I smiled

I can't help myself but to stare at the man in front of me.

The man whom I love is front of me.. This is the very first time we saw each other personally. 

I don't know what to say.. I'm not mad, I'm just scared. Scared of what? Argh. I don't know. I can feel there's a tension building up between all of us here.

"So we've decided that the date of the wedding  will be on the 19th day of March, year 2017." A man said

"Wow. May date na talaga ah? Ni hindi man lang ako tinanong kung gusto ko ba. Kunsabagay, wala naman yatang halaga mga desisyon ko sa bahay na 'to." Said the girl whom they call Chloe

So.. sya pala ang mapapakasalan ni James.. Haha. Fuck. Bring me out of here.

"Chloe, this is just for business. Then after two or three years you can both divorce if you want."

"Business. Ha-ha. Palagi nalang business! Pati ako dinadamay mo d'yan! Aalis ka para sa business tapos babalik ka business na naman! At dinamay mo pa 'ko ha. Wow, dad. Ikaw na." Chloe said

"Chloe, please understand." The man said who happens to be the father of Chloe

"Understand? Fuck dad. Ayoko. If you want, bakit hindi nalang sya!" Sabay turo kay Precious

What the hell? Precious? My best friend? Will be marrying my boyfriend? Tangina.

"Precious? But.." her dad

"Me?" Precious

"But ano? Kapag ako go ka lang? Tapos s'yang sister ko kamong hilaw may but, but ka pang nalalaman?" Chloe

"Excuse me. I need to go the comfort room." James

Then he walked out.

"Chloe please.. Do this for me." Her dad said

'Wag kang magkakamaling mag-yes, Chloe. Mapapatay kita.

"Argh! Shit! Oo na! Bwisit!" She shouted

Fuck.

"Excuse me. I need to use the comfort room." I said. I need to get the hell out of here. Ayoko ng marinig pa yung mga pinaguusapan nila. Para akong unti-unting pinapatay sa mga naririnig ko. Fuck this life.

"Bwisit." Bulong ko

Then because I was walking too fast, I didn't notice na may kasalubong pala ako..

"Aww.." he said

I know it's him.. it's James..

"Sorry." Then I walked past to him

"Baby.. Baby let's talk. Please." He said

"Don't call me that. Mamaya marinig ka ng future wife mo." I said sarcastically

Then he hugged me.

"But you are my future wife." He whispered

"Don't hug me. They might see us." I said

"I don't care. I love you. Baby, I miss you."

"James.. please. Let me go.."

"No. Never." He said

Sana nga James.. Sana nga..