In another lifetime

NINE

It's funny and amusing at the same time to found someone who you have exaclty the same thoughts, feels and ideas.

Diba, ang sarap lang na napag-uusapan n'yo lahat ng problema sa mundo because somehow you relate.

Yael's been a good, good friend and companion. Umuwi na ako sa amin, I'm trying to get back things to normal. Hindi pa ako nagdedecide if papayag ako sa fixed marriage proposal ni Lolo.

They want me to meet the man I will marry in a week, that means I have a whole week to think things through.

Hindi madali, but Yael's there for me. We developed this special bond of friendship.

"Have you thought about it?" He asked, nandito kami sa isang Cafe sa malapit sa campus. Walang masyadong klase ngayon good thing it's University week, maluwag ang schedules.

"Gusto kong bigyan ng chance yung lalaki" I said, honestly the more I think about it okay rin naman, ang tagal ko na ring single. But of course I'll ask for conditons kay Lolo and Mommy, "I wanted to know if we'll work, if not then I will tell Mommy and Lolo"

"Good deal I guess" he replied.

"What about you?"

"I'll go with your plan"

"What do you mean?"

"I'll give the girl a chance too"

"Paano si Ali?"

"I don't know if we can get things back to normal, it was a mutual decision to end things between us," he paused, "Hindi naman siguro masama na maghanap na rin ako ng iba?" he said unsure.

I nodded.

Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot sa mga sinabi n'ya, para akong nagseselos pero walang karapatan. Nakakainis kaya!

"Are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik"

"Hindi ko alam, parang sumama pakiramdam ko" I lied, hindi naman talaga masama pakiramdam ko pero sa totoo lang hindi ko alam kung bakit nalungkot ako.

Hinawakan nyo yung noo ko to check if may sakit ako, "Hindi ka naman mainit," hinawi ko na lamang iyong kamay nya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Pero pinigilan nya ako, "Hey if you're not feeling well ihahatid na kita sa inyo, wala namang classes today"

"No, I want to be alone" yung mood swing ko 360 degree turn talaga.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Wala"

"Kanina okay tayo, we were making decisions together bakit bigla kang," natigilan s'ya, "Wait are you mad kasi susubukan kong kalimutan yung kapatid mo?" I was dumbfounded, Am I really mad because of that or?

"I'm not mad"

"Then why are you acting like this"

"I don't know, ewan ko okay? Siguro ganito lang talaga kaming mga babae, moody lalo na yung lalaking gusto namin ay sa iba tumitingin diba?" Nanlaki yung mata ko sa mga sinabi ko.

Bigla s'yang tumawa, "Ang cute mo" pinisil n'ya yung pisngi ko.

"So you're jealous, not because of your sister but because I want to meet my supposed fiance" Lumalim yung hukay ng dimples n'ya, "You should've told me tho, I'm willing to oppose my parents"

"That's not what I meant, go meet that woman, I'll meet the man" Agad-agad akong tumakbo. Nakakahiya! Lately nagiging iba ang tingin ko kay Yael, and for an unknown reason ngumingiti ako ngayon. Nababaliw na ata ako.

D-day.

Good thing is, Lolo and Mommy agreed to my proposal. I'll meet the guy, if we can work things out I might marry him. If not, I'll be out of the picture to this arranged marriage thing. And I wanted to confirm my feelings too.

"Dan what should I wear?" I wanted to make a good impression. Buong pamilya rin yung kasama n'ya kaya gusto ko presentable ako.

"Ate, you can wear jeans and shirt and still pull this off"

"Hindi naman ako gagala lang kung saan, we're meeting his family, ayoko naman mapahiya sila Lolo"

After an hour or so I settled for a blue dress, light make up lang and a simple hair braid.

Sa isang pagmamay-ari nilang hotel ang napili nilang lugar.

"Good morning Mr. Perez, Mrs.Suazon and to you Ms. Amethy, the Madrid's are already inside waiting," pagbati ng isang magandang babae,"This way sir, ma'am"

"Ate Madrid daw?"

"So?"

"Diba Madrid si Yael?"

"Ang daming Madrid sa mundo even sa Spain may Madrid diba?" I joked.

"Whatever!" inirapan lang ako, ang sungit talaga nitong kapatid ko.

We proceeded sa VIP area ng Hotel.

To my surprise I saw Tita Elen, Yael's Mother? OMG, tama ata si Dan. I looked at her and there's this victorious smile on her face. OMG, tama nga s'ya. Does this mean...