The Words

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

The Engagement

  

Days passed. Margarita was still constantly receiving white roses from Carlos along with notes. 

On the other hand, Don Alvaro was having a dilemma. 

Atty. Robert Miranda, the lawyer of the new owner of Olymvas Commercial Bank, summoned all the creditors of the bank. 

One of them was Don Alvaro Gonzalo. He had accumulated an unpaid loan and interest amounting to fifty million pesos. He had just a month to pay everything. 

All creditors were informed of the new ownership. They were also informed that should there be any problem regarding their loans, the new owner was willing to give them a compromise agreement. 

Don Alvaro told his wife and his daughter about the possibility of losing Gonzalo Orchard if he wouldn’t be able to pay for the loan and interest. It was after dinner. 

Don Alvaro confessed, “For the past five years, I had been hooked to gambling. I had a lot of debts. And so I had placed the orchard as collateral in the bank in exchange of the amount I needed in paying for my debts.  I only have a month left to pay for the loan. The income from the orchard wouldn’t be enough.” 

“What are we going to do now, Alvaro?” Doña Eleanor had asked her husband.” 

Don Alvaro informed them, “I think I just have to let go of the orchard. Well, the new owner of the bank is willing to agree on a compromise if ever there’ll be problems with payment.” 

Margarita asked her father. “Then talk to the owner, Dad. I think there’s still a way. How much do you owe the bank, Dad?” 

Don Alvaro answered, “I already have fifteen million. I have to pay fifty million, the interest is already included.” 

Margarita said, “Well, if there’s no other way I can sold everything I inherited from Mommy and my grandparents.”

Don Alvaro disagreed, “No way, hija. They had to stay. Everything you had from your mother’s family should remain with you.” 

Margarita insisted, “But I want to help, Dad.” 

“I know but I don’t want you to sell anything. I can borrow money from Carlos. Whatever! Let’s just hope that the new owner of the bank gives me much longer time to pay.” 

May 21, 2010. Friday. Don Alvaro had to go to the bank again to meet the new owner. 

He was surprised upon seeing the new owner. “Carlos?!” 

“Yes, Ninong,” Carlos told his godfather. “I just found out about your debt last night. We could have talked about it much sooner. What really happened, ninong?” 

“I had been hooked to gambling. I had mismanaged the orchard and so the loan had accumulated until it reached fifty million.” 

Carlos asked politely, “Tell me honestly, ninong. Can you pay for it in time?” 

Don Alvaro answered honestly, “I’m thirty-five million short, Carlos. I can’t produce such amount within the remaining three weeks. I think I just have to let it go.” 

Carlos had decided, “And you think I will allow it. The orchard has been the life of so many generations of Gonzalo. I already made a decision even before you came here, ninong. I’m giving you the orchard back. You don’t have to pay for the money anymore. I will take care of such.”