CHAPTER 14: SURPRISE SURPRISE
They had brunch in silence.
Ang daming gustong sabihin ni Kate, pero rinespeto na nito ang gusto ng fiancé.
Kung gusto niya ng silence eh di pagbigyan. Isip ni Kate.
Parang mababaliw si Kate sa katahimikan.
Naligo si Red pagkatapos nilang kumain habang nanood na lang ng CNN si Kate. Pagkatapos ay nagbihis na si Red, pero napansin ni Kate na hindi ito ang suot niyang suit kagabi. Hindi man lang pinansin ni Red si Kate kaya’t nagulat siya nang papasok na si Kate sa banyo ay tinawag ito.
“I got you some clothes. It’s in the wardrobe cabinet. You can take it all home. Just consider it as my engagement present. Don’t…” natigilan ito. “Don’t leave anything I give you here. You know how I will feel. I’ll go ahead. I’ll just call you.” And with that Red left the suite.
Tinungo ni Kate ang cabinet. Namangha si Kate. Isang dress for formal events. Isang business suite at isang sundress. May tatlong pares din na sapatos to go with the clothes at ang pinaka nakakagulat sa lahat ay ang mga alahas at accessories na nasa lapag. Three sets din. Isang pearl set. Isang ruby set to go with the red business suit at isang silver set to go with the sundress.
Lalong nagulat si Kate pagpasok sa banyo. Kumpleto ang toiletries nito at make-up. Even the brands are correct. Parang nasa bahay lang siya. Lahat bago kaya hindi naman pwedeng sabihin na galling ito sa bahay niiya.
That man! Ear to ear ang ngiti ni Kate habang naliligo.
**
Nagbeso si Nigel kay Kate nang magkita sa Starbucks.
“I brought the car.” Inabot ni Nigel kay Kate ang susi ng CRV.
“Thanks.”
Hindi alam ni Kate kung paano magsisimula. Tinitigan lang nito si Nigel.
“I’ll start.” Si Nigel na ang nagsalita. “I actually went back home because I saw the news on the internet that you are engaged with a hotshot architect. When were you planning to tell me about this?”
Surprisingly, mahinahon si Nigel.
“I was going to tell you immediately after I made the decision, but I got busy.”
“You got busy? Mahal kita Kate. We’re engaged. What happened?” This time parang nagpipilit nang maging kalmado si Nigel.
Well, his personality was always on an even keel. Kaya nga niya ito nagustuhan dahil complementary ito sa hot temper at pagiging emotional niya. Kaya nga tamang-tama ang napili nitong career sa diplomacy and consulate affairs.
“Gramps is sick.”
“So…” parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Kate.
Anong so…? Lolo ko yun… may sakit… malapit nang mamatay… So?
Nasaktan si Kate sa insensitivity ni Nigel. Alam niyang wala na itong ibang pamilya kundi ang lolo niya and her entire life has been dedicated to pleasing her lolo, kahit pa napaka-controlling nito sa buhay niya.
Kate nevertheless decided to ignore the comment and kept what she felt to herself. She was learning things about Nigel that she never saw before.
“He asked me to do this for him. I already told you the story of Gramps’ promise so I don’t have to tell you again.” Sinabi na lang ni Kate.
“Bullshit! That’s so medieval! At this day and age Kate! Open your eyes. Your grandfather is selling you off like cattle. It’s a business deal plain and simple.” this time Nigel is starting to lose his cool.
“Nigel, it’s not like that.”
“Bakit ba insistent ang lolo mo na makasal kayo? Di ba may dinedevelop kayong property, yung Pinnacle Hotel and Convention Center sa Sta. Rosa? He needs the Garcias to ensure that it happens. Just imagine the largest conglomerate partnering with the biggest construction firm in the country to build a 100 hectare lot. That’s huge. It’s worth even the married life of his only granddaughter.”
Na-shock si Kate sa narinig. Alam niyang controlling ang lolo niya, even bordering on dictatorial at times. He is cunning in business but she is sure this could not be the reason for marrying her off this soon.
“That’s not true. How could you judge my grandfather like that? You don’t know him.”
“From your words, it seems…”
“I already made my decision Nigel. I’m sorry.” Kinuha ni Kate ang bag niya at may dinukot. “I’m giving this back to you.” Inabot ni Kate ang sing-sing. Hindi ito kinuha ng lalaki. Napansin ni Nigel ang bagong sing-sing sa daliri ni Kate.
“So, it’s a done deal?” komento ng lalaki, nakatingin sa mabrillong sing-sing ng dalaga. Tiningnan din ni Kate ang sing-sing. Ang kinang nito tila nagpapaalala sa nangyari kagabi.
“Yes.” Direct answer ni Kate.
“No, it’s not over until he finally signs the marriage certificate.” Buong lakas ng loob na sinaad ni Nigel. “Keep it.” Saad ng lalaki. Binukas ang kanang kamay ni Kate, nilagay ang sing-sing niya at tiniklop ito. Malungkot ang mga mata ni Nigel.
“Just one more thing… do you love him?” may lungkot sa tanong ni Nigel.
Kate searched in her heart of hearts, but she is not certain of her answer. Not yet, at least.
“I don’t know Nigs.” The most honest answer she could muster.
“How about me? Mahal mo pa ba ako?”
“I’m so confused right now I really don’t know what to say.” Sagot ni Kate.
Parang nabuhayan si Nigel.
“Kate…” nangilid ang luha ni Nigs. “Keep the ring. Nothing changes. I am still your best friend. I will still be here for you.”
“Thanks Nigs.” With that tumayo na si Nigel at naglakad na papalayo, iniwan ang dating nobya.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Reluctant Bride (Completed)
General FictionKate had her life cut-out for her. After her parent's death, she was raised by her controlling grandfather. She tried her best to be obedient which lead to early successes in her life. But the latest of his grandfather's wishes really makes her wa...
