The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 25

"So, Ate... What are you getting Kuya?"

It's the start of their Christmas break from volleyball, while Kiefer's season is ongoing. Dani dropped by Alyssa's house, and pulled her Ate Alyssa for some last minute shopping. Alyssa scanned the shelf, and shrugged, "Sa totoo lang, Dans, wala akong balak bumili na ng regalo sa Kuya mo. Gawan ko na lang siya ng cookies, tapos ibalot ko na lang."

"Why naman, Ate?" Dani asked, running her hands on the material of the jacket. "Dapat you should be buying him something," she said, "I mean, I know na it's all make believe and stuff between you. But then, you've been living together which makes up for more than most married people." She put down the jacket and addressed her, "I'm not trying to link you both romantically, so I hope hindi awkward for you." She then snaked her arm and clung on Alyssa's arms, "What I'm trying to point out, Ate, is that even for the sake of pakikisama and pakikitungo niyo lang sa bahay."

Alyssa patted Dani's hands on her arms for assurance, "Don't worry, Dans. Siguro, nasanay na rin ako sa platonic relationship namin ng kuya mo. So don't go all defensive or go great lengths para lang mag-explain. Naiintindihan naman kita."

"Good to hear that," Dani pretended relief, "that's an assurance that I am receiving something from you this Christmas."

Alyssa laughed, "Sige, pag-iisipan ko." Dani looked at Alyssa curiously, "Ang totoo, Ate? Doesn't Manong give you an allowance or something?"

Somehow, the issue of money is now scraping her feelings raw. As if it is tangible enough to strangle her. "Ah eh, may trabaho naman ako...," she gave Dani a careful glance. But Dani insisted, "So ano po yun? Pinilit pilit ka niya na maging asawa niya, then wala-"

"Dans," Alyssa reached for Dani's arm, "Okay lang. Okay lang 'yun. Walang pumipilit sa akin." Dani stopped to give her full attention to Alyssa. "OMG, Ate. Hindi ganyan 'yung iniisip ko! Please," she hugged Alyssa from the side, "Alam ko naman na hindi pera habol mo sa amin e."

"Huh?" Alyssa could feel herself getting faint by the minute with their conversation, "ang ano yun, Dans?"

"Ate," Dani explained, "Kung habol mo lang pera sa amin, dapat noon pa, nagpabuntis ka na kay Manong. Sure security palagi ang anak. Grandpa is looking for a grandchild, in case nakalimutan mo, of which malabo, kase araw-araw na lang ang pangungulit niya sa inyo."

Dani chuckled, while Alyssa tried to smile.

Thoughts of Sarah suddenly cropped up. Does this have anything to do why Sarah left? That Sarah is supposed to provide a child in this agreement and she chickened out?

"What if... What if hindi kayang ibigay ni Sarah 'yun? What if ayaw ni Sarah?" Alyssa thought out loud, cutting into Dani's merry mood. "Ate?" Dani asked, confused.

"What if 'yun ang reason bakit last minute umayaw si Sarah?" Alyssa pointed out, "Let's put it this way: pumayag na siya na maging asawa ni Kiefer, pero what if, last minute, sinabi sa kanya na-"

"Parang malabo 'yun, Ate," Dani said, pensive, "Lolo was clear that he wanted a grandchild from Manong, that's why he wanted Manong to get married in the first place."

"But what if hindi nabanggit ni Kiefer 'yun? What if ang alam lang ni Sarah is magpapakasal lang?" Alyssa mused. "Di ko alam if she was trying to revive ang career niya sa pagmo-model though, para umayaw na magkaanak."

They were both silent, trying to think the possibilities of Sarah's disappearance, when someone caught Alyssa's eye. "Si... Si Kiefer 'yun a. Si Manong mo yun a...," Alyssa muttered, and Dani looked towards where she was looking. "Oo nga, looks like Manong," Dani agreed, looking at Kiefer smile and laugh at a girl. "Kala ko ba may practice siya?" Dani asked Alyssa, and grabbed her arm, "Tara! Sundan natin!"