And They Seal It with A Deal

Three

THREE

"I need to hire a husband. ASAP."

Hindi ko maintindihan pero matapos kong sabihin kay Allison ang plano ko ay bigla na lang siyang naestatwa at napanganga habang nakatingin sa akin na akala mo isa akong alien na nasa harapan niya. Nagulat na lang ako nang maya-maya ay biglang...

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" anong ginawa niya? Sinigawan lang naman niya ako sa mismong pagmumukha ko. Ugh!

"Anong what ka diyan?" Naiinis na tanong ko. Ano bang masama sa naisip ko? As far as I'm concerned that's the best idea I've ever think for my twenty-two years of existence. Sinong mag-aakala na maiisip ko yun? I'm so great, I know.

"Are you out of your mind?! You're going to hired a guy just to pose as your husband? That's ridiculous!" She's almost hysterical while talking to me as if I'm a gradeschool pupil who can't understand what's the difference of push to pull.

"Uh-oh! You've got it right!" I answered excitedly.

"You're really that desperate huh? You're willing to go in that extent just not to marry your unknown groom? Oh, Saddie. I thought that you're just a little bit crazy. I didn't realize that you're already insane." Kung hindi lang siguro seryoso si Allison sa pakikipag-usap sa akin, marahil tumawa na ako ng tumawa sa reaksyon niya ngayon. I didn't actually expected that she'll freak out like what she had done earlier to the point that she'll become ballistic.

"Call me silly , crazy, insane or whatsoever, I didn't care. In my situation right now, I am really desperate. Big time. So I better hire a fake husband than to be tied to a marriage I'm not favor of." I said firmly.

"But, Saddie... Can't you see the possible consequences you'll have once you do that? Sa panahon ngayon mahirap nang magtiwala sa mga tao, what more sa lalaking ni hindi mo kilala ka magpapakasal?"Nanlalaki ang matang tanong niya sa akin na parang gusto niya na akong hampasin ng hawak niyang remote control para tumino yung pag-iisip ko.

"I'll think about that when I get there. I'm willing to take the risk than to marry a guy that will be my real husband."

"I can't argue with you anymore. You're really stubborn."She seems very exasperated after what I've told her.

"I know that, thank you."Nangingiting sabi ko sa kanya. That's what I loved most about Allison. She may be crazy and frank sometimes, but after her interrogation she'll still support me all the way.

"What's your plan now?"She asked me to shift our topic.

"Speaking of plan. I will need your help to accomplish that."I know well na hinding-hindi niya ako kayang tanggihan.

"May choice pa ba ako?"She hissed at me.

"That's a good question. Actually, wala nga."At hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtawa ko.

"So, what now?"

"I'm thinking.."I said. At habang nag-iisip ako nagmamadali siyang tumakbo sa kwarto niya and when she's back, she already carrying her laptop. Inopen niya 'to. Natatawa ako sa mga pinag-gagagawa namin. Akala mo napakadali ng pinaplano namin.

"Hey, Allison. I need to have a serious kind of husband and he must be not a model."I told her while I'm holding my chin.

"Bakit naman?"She looks curious.

"Para namang hindi mo kilala si grandma? Kapag model ang lalaki, iba ang tingin niya sa kanila."Naaasar na sabi ko dahil yun ang totoo. Nabawasan tuloy ako ng mga kakilalang lalaki na pwede kong ihire.

"Okay, I get it. What else?"

"Dapat pasensyoso.."

"Requirement din ba yan ni grandma? Kaloka ha! Baka naman ideal man niya yung pinapahanap niya sayo."Nakataas na ang kilay niya. There's a trace of humor in her eyes.

"It's not really necessary. Kaya nga lang, naisip ko kasi na dapat mahaba ang pasensya niya lalo na kapag kausap niya si grandma. Saka makakasama ko siya sa iisang bubong kaya dapat lang na pasensyoso siya."I said with my lopsided smile. Pasensyoso means hindi niya ako pagagalitan kapag maingay ako, pagtitiyagaan niya ang pagiging makalat ko sa bahay, at hindi siya magagalit kung sa kalaliman ng pagtulog niya ng mahimbing sa gabi ay magdodoorbell ako ng magdodoorbell dahil naiwan ko ang spare keys ko.

"Saang lupalop naman natin hahanapin iyan?"Puzzled na tanong niya.

"Halughugin mo lahat ng resources mo. Ganun din yung gagawin ko and after that ipabackground check na lang natin sila."Sabi ko na parang naghahanap lang kami ng employee.

"And then?"

"We will choose top 10 and yung sampu na yun ang idedate ko para mapili ko kung sino yung compatible sa role na gaganapan niya."Confident na sabi ko.

"When's the deadline of our search?"

"Two weeks from now before my engagement party."Naiisip ko pa lang yung engagement party ko parang gusto ko na lang agad manghila ng kahit sinong lalaki at ipakilala bilang asawa ko sa kanila. But I know that it's not the smart thing to do.

"You know what? I didn't expect that what we are doing will be actually quiet exciting."Natatawang sabi sa akin ni Allison.

"I agree!"

Who would have thought na ang pagpapakasal ko ang magsasalba sa akin sa isa ring kasal? Alam kong may iba pang paraan pero base sa sinabi sa akin ni grandma, presenting her my husband is the best way to do in order for her to back off.