Just Love

Chapter 9: Ang Arte

I am accepting his offer of marriage, to seal the deal he putted up in exchange of saving my mother.

Actually, there wasn't even a deal at all, or, what should I call it? He helped my family already, my mother. He helped us without forcing me to do so. Oo, nagpaparamdam siya or minsan, isinisingit niya sa usapan sa pabirong paraan. That's what he really wants. Me, simply me being tied up with him. Let's say, I am just trying to return the favor. He's not that bad, is he? He's thoughtful, nice. Hindi naman sa napipilitan ako, pero 'yun nga, okay naman siya — bastos lang talaga. Isa pa, may pinagsamahan naman na kami. Tsk, I remember the things he have done and has been doing to me. Am I fine with it? Other men don't deserve me no more. I have nothing to give, but to him, he got all that he wanted.

“You don't...,” mahinang sabi niya bago unti-unting napayuyuko, “You don't have to do that.”

“But that is what you want, isn't it?”

“That is not the issue, Franchezca,” he said with his piercing eyes. “You told me that you don't wanna be in a relationship where there weren't love at all, that is it. You don't have to marry me, that is not what you want—”

“I want to!” I proclaimed, and witnessed how the looks on his face changed upon hearing it. “I won't bother telling you and won't feel bothered at all if I don't mean it.”

“Chezca....”

“Why are you even disagreeing right now? Parang kanina lang, ipinagmamalaki mo pa kay Jac na fiancée mo ako ah!” I scowled as I hit his arm.

“You don't understand. It should be....” Hindi niya tinapos ang sasabihin niya.

Mabilis siyang umalis sa kama at saka lumabas. I watch him shut the door and waited for like a second if he'll be back, but he didn't. We were talking, layasan ba naman ako? Ang drama talaga ng lalaking iyon, napaka! Nakaiinis!

“Argh!” I grunted.

Without knowing what is happening to him, I followed in confusion.

“What is your problem, Zayn?” inis na tanong ko nang maabutan ko siyang nakatalikod sa akin habang nakatayo sa gitna ng living room.

Hindi ko naman kasi talaga kailangang gawin iyon tulad ng sabi niya. Gusto ko lang naman talagang makabawi sa kaniya, sa pagtulong niya. Mas mahalaga ang buhay na naisalba niya kaysa sa sarili ko. Ano bang masama roon? Iyon ang gusto niya, hindi ba? Bakit ngayon, may pa-you don't understand-you don't understand pa siyang nalalaman?

“Zayn, ano bang....”

Para bang natigil ang lahat sa akin nang humarap ito at lumuhod sa harapan ko.

He smiles, opening a red, tiny box in front of me, “Franchezca Soriano Hamilton....”

“A–Ano bang ginagawa mo?” I asked him breathlessly.

Oh, I know what he is doing, I just can't help asking that shit. Shoot! My heart, it's like it is about to... you know? Ugh, I can't explain it. I think, I am losing oxygen at the moment.

“Will you wear this ring to show the world that somebody owns you already and be mine?” he asked with a dazzling look on his face, so gorgeous.

Napatingin ako sa singsing na may makinang na bato bago muling ibinalik ang tingin sa mga mata niya, overwhelmed, “Zayn.”

“Officially? Forever?” he added.

“You don't have to—”

“Ahhh! That's my line, baby. Now, what I want to hear is a sweet yes from your appetizing lips, though, I know that it would be a yes,” he chuckled. “Just wanna do it the old way too, for you might have a change of heart and say an awful no which is—”