Jarred's Point Of View
Gwen and I shook our hands, and I swear, I felt electricity the moment our palms touched each other. I don't know why I felt that. Bago pa ko makabitaw sa kamay niya sa sobrang gulat, nauna na sya. I just smiled at her.
"Should we go now? It's 3 pm already." Aya ko sa kanya. We have the same class.
"Oh, yes. Let's go." She answered at kinuha na ang bag sa tabi niya. We headed to our classroom.
The professor asked us to look for our partner for our research. This is awkward, most of us here aren't of the same year. A weird class it is. And since magkatabi naman kami ni Gwen sa upuan, siya nalang ang aayain kong maging partner ko. Humarap ako sa kanya at ngumiti.
"Pwedeng tayo nalang?" I asked her. Napataas siya ng kilay. I chuckled.
"I mean, pwedeng tayo nalang ang maging partners for the research? I don't know anyone here besides you." I explained, tumawa sya.
"Same here, so yes. Let's be partners." After that, our professor gave us the remaining time of our class to plan for our research and told us that if we're done already, then we can go home. Good thing Gwen and I were able to come up with an idea what to do for our research. And we made a schedule kung kailan kami magmi-meet for our research. We want to do it earlier than the said deadline kasi.
Gwen's Point of View
Since our research will be submitted on the 6th week of school, magsstart na kaming gumawa sa weekends, and it's Thursday today. Bale sa Saturday, gagawa kami ng research sa "Coffee and books", magandang place kasi talaga sya to study kasi coffee shop yung ground floor then parang library yung second floor.
"Bye, Gwen! See you on Saturday!" Jarred waved at me. I smiled at him while walking towards my car in the parking lot.
"Bye! See you!"
I went home and was surprised to see my grandmother in our living room. I ran towards her.
"Lola! I miss you so much!" I hugged her tight, napatawa naman sya habang nakayakap din sa akin.
"I missed you, too, apo." I smiled at her bago umupo sa tabi nya. Sakto namang lumabas sila mom and dad from the kitchen.
"Oh, andito ka na pala, anak. Kumain na tayo. Let's go, Ma." Tumayo na kami ni lola at sinabayan ko sya lumakad papunta sa kitchen.
"Mom, where's kuya?" I asked mom nang makita kong nakahain na ang lahat ng pagkain pero wala pa si kuya.
"Pauwi na, anak." I nodded at ny mom's response. Ilang sandali pa at dumating na si kuya. Umupo sya sa tabi ko at nagsimula na kaming kumain.
"Bakit ka nga pala napadalaw bigla, lola?" I asked my grandmother while we're having our dessert. She smiled at me.
"I have an announcement to make." Napatango ako.
"What is it po?" I asked. She sighed ans started talking.
"Remember your grandfather's last wish? That one of his grandchildren should marry one of his best friend's grandchildren. And you, Gwen, is the chosen one to be married to his best friend's grandson." Napatulala ako sa sinabi ni lola. Alam kong yun ang hiling ni lolo bago sya mamatay pero hindi ko naman akalain na ako ang ipapakasal sa apo ng best friend nya.
"Lola, I'm still young for that. Mom, dad, kuya?" I answered at bumaling sa mga magulang ko at kay kuya. Bakit parang hindi sila nagulat? Alam na ba nila noon pa yung tungkol dito?
"Anak, we can't do anything about it. It's your lolo's wish, we have to do it. And besides, magandang pamilya ang panggagalingan ng mapapangasawa mo. They'll be a good business partner for us." Dad said. I smiled bitterly.
"Kaya ipamimigay nyo nalang ako ng ganon lang? Excuse me." Tumayo na kaagad ako kahit ayokong maging bastos at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. I locked it at hindi na napigilan ang luha na kanina pa gustong pumatak galing sa mga mata ko.
How can they do this to me? They'll decide for my life just like that? Ipakakasal ako sa lalaking hindi ko naman kilala?
May biglang kumatok sa pintuan ko, inintay ko munang magsalita kung sino.
"Gwen, baby, si kuya 'to." I wiped my tears and walked towards the door. Niyakap agad ako ni kuya pagkabukas ko ng pinto.
"Kuya, ayokong magpakasal sa lalaking hindi ko naman kilala. Please, help me convince them." I cried in his arms. Umupo kami sa kama ko habang yakap ako ni kuya.
"Okay, I understand you. I'll talk to them about it, okay? Just stop crying. May pasok ka bukas, you can't go to school with those eyes." Sabi nya, I nodded and smiled a hit at him.
"Thank you, kuya." He smiled at me and hugged me again.
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Hi, guys! During this pandemic, let's not forget to pray for everyone, especially for our frontliners and the positive COVID-19 patients. Stay safe!
