CORDIVILLA: Breathless

Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Lahat tayo ay may lihim na pangarap na ayaw nating ibahagi dahil ang pangarap na iyon ay imposibleng maabot at ayaw nating mahusgahan ng kung sino man dahil sa pangarap nating iyon.

We dream for it silently. Deep down in our cores we ache to have it someday even though it seems impossible. Nakakapagod ang mangarap ng isang bagay na parang suntok sa buwan. Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito... ilang taon pa ba ang bibilangin para maabot natin ito?

I glanced at Stanford who's sitting with my father in a corner. He was serious as he speaks with my father who's trying very hard to talk kahit na sinabihan naming magpahinga na. My heart sighed serenely while watching him. I raised my hand and watch the ring as it sparkles against the lights.

This is my silent dream for years. Ang laman ng mga panalangin ko pero hindi ako umasang mangyayari dahil para sa akin napa-imposible ito. I have scarred his heart and he left because I pushed him away. And now, we're back at each other's league.

"Kailan niyo paplanuhin ang kasal, kung gano'n?" Nakangiting tanong ni Mommy na nasa harapan ko na pala.

Umayos ako ng upo nang makitang nakasunod sa kaniya sina Tita. Tapos na ang dinner at nasabi na namin ni Stan ang dapat sabihin. My father asked Stan to talk to him privately and they're currently at it.

"We still have to meet his family, of course." Dugtong ni Mommy.

"Hindi pa po namin napag-uusapan, My. Pagkatapos na siguro ng kaso para wala ng problema. Hindi po ba mauuna sina Amanda?" I asked.

Tumabi sa akin si Tita Eliza at hinaplos ang kamay ko. She watched the ring with pleased eyes.

"It's beautiful." She smiled.

"Thank you po, Tita."

"Wala pang balak sina Amanda. Hindi pa nila pinag-uusapan iyan pero sa tingin ko'y mas mahuhuli sila sa inyo."

I nodded at what my Tita said. Sabagay, mas matanda nga ako kay Amanda. Pero hindi ko maisip na mas mauuna pa kaming ikasal ni Stan kaysa sa kanila na halos isang taon nang engaged pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa pinag-uusapan ang kasal. What's with them?

"I will be international for three months, Mommy." I said.

Nagulat sila sa sinabi ko.

"Why? You're going to States? With Stanford?" Kunot noong tanong niya.

Umiling ako. "Hindi po. We are offered for an exclusive seminar and venture in Dubai. Kasama ko ang team kong pupunta ro'n next month."

"That will be next week? Napag-usapan niyo na ba ito ni Stanford?"

"Hindi pa po. Sasabihin ko pa lamang." Mahina kong tugon.

"Veil, you just got engaged with him! Magkakahiwalay kayo agad?" Nang-aakusa ang kaniyang tono.

Bumuntong hininga ako at umiling. Alam ko kung anong inaalala niya.

"Mom, it doesn't mean the marriage won't push through if we parted for a while. I need to have more experiences too for my career. Kung mag-aasawa ako then the more I need to level up my work so I can provide for our needs." I clarified.

"Veil, your fiancé will inherit one of the notable corporate in USA! You can stay where you are right now for he can provide for the both of you!" Dumiin ang boses ni Mommy.

I nibbled my lower lip and shook my head. She's at it again. Sumulyap ako sa kinaroroonan nina Stanford. He glanced a bit at us because of Mom's raising voice.

"Mom, if I can work then I will. Mom, kakausapin ko si Stan. If he can provide for us then I can provide too. Hindi po ba ay gano'n naman dapat ang mag-asawa? Nagtutulungan?"