Love
Kausap nila Mama ang one of the most high-paid romantic event planner ngayon. They invited him or should I say, her for a scrumptious lunch.
"The most successful event is the one that achieves your goals and exceed your expectations." pormal niyang sabi pero hindi nawawala sa aking pandinig ang pilit na pagtatago niya ng panlalaking boses.
"Show us your best shot, Raye."
Napatingin ako sa baklang organizer. Like most of the women here sitting with us, this gay also looked high-maintenanced.
"I won't disappoint all of you but now let me hear the idea of our bride-to-be." maarteng sabi ni Raye sabay tingin sa akin.
Bumuntong-hininga ako. I want a marriage more beautiful than my wedding. That's what I want.
"I always find beauty in odd and imperfect. They are much more interesting in my eyes." I honestly said. Ginala ko ang paningin sa kanila at nakita ko ang ngiwi nilang lahat. Gusto kong matawa. Of course, hindi ako katulad niyo na high-maintenance.
Hindi na lang nila pinansin ang sinabi ko. Ilang sandali pa silang nag-uusap. And their primary topic were the convenience I'll get once I married Jin. Nawalan ako ng ganang kumain.
"I do not care about power and wealth, Mama Gizella. I want to marry for love," hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong magsalita. Agad akong napapikit.
"You want to marry for love?" Auntie Anastasia scoffed.
"Y-Yes, Auntie." napayuko ako.
"Traiva, my dear. Marrying for love is like adding extra chili sauce on your meal. It may seems like a good idea at the time, but your stomach will curse you for it with ulcers in the end." she explained. Her eyebrow lit up.
"And I feel sorry to marry a man I don't love."
"You will eventually learn to love Jin. Just like me to your Uncle Carson." I can hear irritation in her voice. Manahimik ka na lang kasi, Traiva!
"Love can blossom later and when it does, it only strengthen the marriage and make the spouses happier." sabi ng isang nilang kaibigan na kulang na lang ay korona dahil sa dami ng ginto sa katawan.
"Stop being hopeless romantic, Traiva. Marriage does not guarantee you will be together forever, it's only a paper. It takes respect, trust, understanding, friendship, faith in your relationship to make it last." parangal ni Auntie Anastasia. Tumango na lamang ako.
Pagkatapos ay isa-isa ng nagsalita ang mga kaibigan niya. Pinaparangalan ako.
"Marriage is not all about love. A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. And people stay married because they want to, not because the doors are locked."
"Parents choose objectively what kind of person would be best for their kids."
"And our parents are life's arranged marriage. We don't chose them right? But we learn to love them."
"Don't you trust your Mama Traiva?" tanong ni Auntie.
"I trust her with my life." sagot ko.
"See? Just do what she'd asked to." tumango tango pa sa akin ang isa nilang kaibigan.
"Believe me. Fixed marriage are exciting in more ways than the other one."
Bahaw lamang akong ngumiti sa kanila bago tumingin kay Mama Gizella na matamang nakatitig sa akin. Ngumiti ako ng maliit sa kanya.
"You're marrying Jin Yuan?" asked Damien. Nandito kami ngayon Cafe Latte dahil kakatapos lang ng klase. Hinihintay namin sila Kuya Trevor, Dylan at Kuya Travis.
