Fateful Incident: Destiny [On Hold]

Act III: Bullied

ACT III

I was about to exit the coffee shop when my nose hit a hard object, a man’s broad chest. “OW!” he was able to catch me before I stumble and fall— all would be thanks to my Prada heels, if he hadn’t done so.

                “How dare you!” I blurted through gritted teeth. I looked up and came face to face with a man covered in hairs. His eyes were even masked by the dark sun glasses he’s wearing. He tightened his grip on my right arm. “Ouch!” I grunted when I felt the pain sipping through.

                “Lady, you’re the one who bumped into me,” he bent forward and whispered lightly in my ears. He has a husky voice and I would have found myself flirting with him if it hasn’t been for the fact that he had embarrassed me in front of dozen pair of eyes. “Next time look we’re you’re going…” I tried hard not to give him a slap after he released my now bruised arm.

                “And next time at least be a gentleman and say sorry!” I uttered still annoyed at his air of arrogance.

                “Touché!”

                Grrr… this man is getting on my nerve! I ignored his last remark and started to walk away from him. But before I can even manage to take a full three step away from him he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a light kiss. What the—

                I was still in shock when he let go of my hand. “My way of sorry…” he said in a voice only enough for me to hear. This is too much! Being embarrassed the second time in front of the same crowd. So, instead of confronting him I immediately run towards the door leaving behind a smirking bully.

                That sudden kiss added insult in my bruised pride.

“OKAY ka na ate?” David asked when I was seated inside the car. I didn’t answer him, instead handed him the promised shortcake. I peer at my handy vanity mirror and screamed in rage when I saw my flustered cheeks.

                That darn Bastard!

FOR the next hour or so we traveled silently. I busied myself with delightedly drinking my latte. Even in a bad mood I cannot resist the ecstasy of caffeine in my body.

                When we stop at the ancestral house’ drive way I texted Jackson to send me the address of my fiancé, my next visit. He better back off the wedding.

                “David, mamasyal ka muna sa garden while waiting for me.” He gave me a light smile before nodding.

                Nanay Cora happily greeted me at the main doorway. “Naku, ang laki-laki mo ng bata ka,” she hugged me tightly and I hugged her back. I truthfully missed this loving Mayordoma.

                “Where’s Abuela?” she reluctantly guided me inside after the first words I had uttered upon arrival.

                “Nasa taas… nagpapahinga…” she stuttered. She appears not to be comfortable talking about my grandmother.

                “Tell her I’m here, Nanay.” I let my back relaxed at the settee trying to forget the stress of the days event even for a moment.

                “Naku! Your abuela is very sick. Hindi iyon makakapanaog, ang mabuti pa’y ikaw na lamang ang tumungo sa kwarto niya,” I hesitantly nodded.

I gingerly knock three times before letting myself in the master’s bedroom.

                “Mon Amour, what brings you here?” I watched her frail body struggled to sit down. I did not move from where I’m standing not even to help her into a comfortable position.

                “Abuela, I didn’t know you’re sick…” which I honestly don’t.

                “Ah, enough of that… tell your Abuela what you really need. You even abandoned your work and hurried here,” she is still the woman I had known to be sharp way back the days she used to disciplined me.

                “Indeed. I am not here for pleasantries, ma Abuela. Tell me, what made you think I want to be married with just a chef?” she runs her pale thin fingers over her grayish colored hair.

                “Ah, hush mon amour! Why don’t you sit down and tell me what bothers you about this arranged marriage.” She gestured at the black woolen single sofa next to her bed.

                I didn’t want to obey her order but standing in my 4 inches Prada heels made my stubbornness hard to put into action. Thus, I allowed myself to be seated.

                “I am not a bit worried, Abuela,” I need to be calm. “I am just wondering what the sudden fuss is?” I asked through pursed lips.

                “Mon amour, as you can see your Abuela is pretty sick. I want to see my grandchild walk down the aisle before Death comes and ask for my life,” a shiver runs from my toes up to my spine at what she whispered.

                “But I am still young to be wed—“ I started  to argue.

“Ah, mon amour, would you please be a darling and fulfill this old soul’s dying wish?” I silently cussed. I didn’t even see that coming. That one sentence made me staggered in my mind… a direct blow!