The Billionaire's Case

11-Plan B

Sandra

I can't believe I let him kiss me. I was dazed and confused after that mindblowing kiss. My knees felt weak when I felt that he really loves me. Just like how he described in his letters and love notes.

Everyday since he became my professor, I looked forward to going home to find another letter, note or card from him, usually with a set of gift, my favorite food, random things that he thought could make me smile and remember our good times together and of course the flowers. He sends me different types of flowers daily. My house looked like a flower shop, almost every corner had a vase to accommodate his supply.

I almost said yes to him. I still love him and deep inside I know that I want to be with him. But how am I supposed to agree to that second chance if I know in my mind that I have to marry someone else in the future? I cannot do that to him. I cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. I cannot love him then leave him in the end. But what should I do now that he owns my heart and I am sure that I own his? How long could I resist?

My obligation as a daughter turned out to be the greatest hurdle in being truly happy. The tears that I was avoiding earlier were now freely falling down my cheeks. I shouldn't have let my guard down. Now he will be relentless in trying to keep me with him.

***

Days passed and I still went to class. Still answered his questions but always avoided his gaze. He tried to talk to me a couple of times but I ignored him. It was better if we just go back to the way things were.

His letters were still about me, about us. If only I can make myself not accept them I will, but those are my only remembrance of him, his daily thoughts and how he feels towards me. I cannot let that go.

Sandy,

I am sorry. I cannot do what you want me to do.

I can never let you go. I tried but I can't and I won't.

I apologize for I am now more determined to disobey you.

Your Rome

Sandy,

Loving you keeps me sane.

Do you know that I am keeping three important roles now?

I am a lawyer, CEO but most especially your Man even if you have not accepted me YET.

Please talk to me.

Your Rome.

Sandy,

You pierce my heart by not looking at me.

I feel like I have a contagious disease. But even so, I will not give up.

I love you! I am still looking for the reason why you refuse to be with me.

Once I find out, you won't have a choice but to accept me.

I miss you so much.

Your Rome.

Sandy,

My heart is dying a thousand deaths just seeing you but not meeting your gaze. Please don't let me die. I love you.

Your Rome

Sandy,

When you read this note, open your door front door. I will be waiting outside.

Your Rome

Sandy,

It pained me that you ignored me today and yesterday. I came back again. I will wait for an hour until you agree to meet me.

Please? I miss you so much.

Your Rome

*** 

Rome

Masakit pala ang feeling ng umasa at nabigo. Karma ko ba ito sa pag-iwan ko sa kanya dati? Parang sobra naman yatang pahirap na hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi na niya ulit ako pinapansin. Wala akong mahanap na dahilan para iwasan niya akong muli.

Isang buwan na lang matatapos na ang semester at kailangan ko na naman gumawa ng bagong paraan para mapalapit sa kanya. Kung hindi ko siya nakuha sa panunuyo at pagmamakaawa, kailangan kong subukan ang Plan B.

"Choose someone that will represent your class and will work with me on an important case. That representative will accompany me on Judicial Hearings and will share to the class what were discussed. You will have to make your own conclusions on the topics that she or he will share with you. That Paper will be 10% of your final grade. Am I clear?"

"Yes Sir."

"Let's proceed. Ms. Delfin, what is Article 45 of the Family Code of the Philippines?"

"Article 45 states the 6 grounds by which the court can annul a marriage."

"Enumerate them for the class."

Naging productive ang klase simula nang araw-araw kong pinapatayo ang mga hindi nakakasagot. Nagsikap silang mag-aral mabuti. Masasabi kong kahit papaano ay nakatulong din ako sa ibang tao kahit hindi naman iyon ang pakay ko.

"The grounds of annulment of marriage are: Absence of Parental consent, Mental Illness, Fraud, That the consent of either party was obtained by force, intimidation or undue influence. One or the other party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage and such incapacity remains to be incurable. Either party was at the time of marriage afflicted with sexually transmitted disease found to be serious and remain to be incurable."

Madalas kong tinitingnan ang expression ng mukha ni Sandy tuwing may discussion sa klase at napansin kong mas interesado ito kapag annulment at mga may kinalaman sa marriage at separation of marriages ang discussion. Gusto na ba niya magpakasal? Pero bakit parang mas interesado sya sa paghihiwalay?

"Good. Ms. Ramos, for the last four grounds, how or when should the petition for annulment be filed?"

Dahil magaling akong magmulti tasking, nakatingin ako kay Sandy habang nakikinig sa nagsasalita niyang kaklase. Seryoso ang mukha nito. Parang nag-iisip. Iniisip ba niya ang mga naenumerate na grounds for annulment

"The injured party must file within five years from the point of finding out the facts of fraud, five years from the point in time of force, intimidation or undue influence disappeared or came to an end. For physically incapable of consumating the marriage and for transmitting STD at the time of marriage, five years after the marriage."

"Good." Lumakad lakad ako sa classroom bago ako muling nagsalita.

"10% of your final grade will be based on the Paper I mentioned earlier. Have you decided on the representative? Choose wisely." Kapag nagkamali sila ng pagpili ay masisira ang mga plano ko.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ng pagbubulungan nagbigay na sila ng pangalan.

"Our representative will be Ms. Sandra Wright, Sir." Gaya ng ineexpect ko. Siya nga ang napili nila. Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag.

Tumayo si Sandy nang hindi tumitingin sa akin. Lagi lang siya nakadiretso sa white board nakatingin. O kung siya ang nagsasalita sa klase at kaharap ako ay sa polo shirt ko at hindi sa aking mukha lalo na sa mga mata.

"Ms. Wright. Here is my card. Meet me tomorrow at 11 am." Sinadya kong lumapit at hawakan ang kamay niya nang iniabot ko ang calling card. I felt her slightly shiver when my hand touched hers. Tumango lamang siya at muling naupo. Ang mga kasama naman niya ay tahimik lang na nakatingin sa amin.

Ngayon, kailangan ko na lang paghandaan ang mga susunod na araw. Siguradong wala na siyang ibang magagawa kundi ang pansinin ako.