Love Like a Man

KABANATA I

My lips parted in shock. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko o irereact.

I see him just a few steps away from me, tall and striking in a sleek black dress coat. His face looks intense, and there's a kind of mystery in his eyes that catches my attention right away. He's busy loosening his tie, fingers working to tug it free, as if he's shaking off a long day. Inalalayan n'ya sa braso ang kaniyang lola gamit ang kaniyang kanang kamay. His hair is a bit messy, as if he's not too concerned with perfection but still has style. The other strands of his hair are pouring over his forehead.

"Hezel Grace, right?" Aniyang tanong matapos makaupo ang kaniyang lola. He doesn't sit first before asking me kaya napatingala ako sa kaniya. I know he's taller than me. Pero dahil nakaupo ako at nakatayo siya kinailangan ko pa talagang mag-angat ng ulo para lang makita ang kaniyang mukha.

Tumango ako. "What can I call you?" I asked. I'm a little bit nervous since our families are busy watching us like some sort of specimens.

"Love, babe, sweetheart, darling. You choose. It's up to you." Kita sa mata niya ang pagiging wala sa mood.

Though hindi naman siya naging bastos sa pagsagot ng tanong ko nararamdaman kong hindi talaga kami magkakasundo.

"Then, Bernard." I really don't want to sound sarcastic but I can't help it.

The side of his lips rose. I don't know if he's amused or something.

"I much prefer babe, though."

Napasinghap ako at nanlaki ang aking mata sa sinabi niya. Why did he even said that?

"Since we're getting married, anyway." He added. May lampong ang kaniyang mga mata when he said about the marriage. I guessed we're on the same page. Hindi bukal sa loob naming gawin 'to.

Someone cleared her throat. Napatigil kami sa pag-uusap at napatingin sa ginang na nagpeke ng ubo.

"Oh, I forgot. Silly me," said Mrs. Sucidor with a smiled plastered on her face while looking at me. "Hezel, this is my mother Ezperanza Sucidor. Mom, this is Hezel Grace, Bernard's fiancee." Pakilala niya sa 'kin sa bagong dating na ginang.

Umupo na si Bernard sa tabi ni Mrs. Sucidor habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa 'kin.

"I'm glad to see you again, hija." Sambit ng ginang habang nakangiti. She looks so old and pale.

I did not really expect that I could see her again like this, it feels like a coincidence or beyond that.

Matamis akong ngumiti sa kaniya kahit na nininerbiyos na ako sa ginagawang titig ng kaniyang apo na prenteng nakaupo sa tabi niya.

"Hindi ko expected na ikaw pala ang fiancee nitong apo ko. But I felt relieved." Makahulugan niyang usal.

Nakita ko ang tinginan at ngitian ni Mama at ni Mrs. Sucidor sa sinabi na iyon ng matanda.

Hindi ako umimik. I just keep my poker face. I don't really know what to reply.

"She's the one I'm telling you, Dahlia. The one who helped me." Ani Lola Ezperanza while looking at her daughter.

Napasinghap si Mrs. Sucidor tsaka hindi makapaniwalang napatitig sa akin.

"Oh my gosh! Really?"