Free From The Cage

Chapter 4

Weeks passed and I didn't notice even a single trace of Rav. Maybe because we don't share the same course. He's taking up BS Architecture that really amazed me.

I don't want to ask Syre about Rav's whereabouts, I want to ask her about his course kaso wag na lang, issue pa yung babaeng yun eh.

I was on my way home to our house, pinatawag kasi ako ni mommy. I don't know what is her reason for this unexpected meeting right now.

As I open our door, mom excitingly approached me.

" Ice! Good thing you're here. Come, I want you too meet someone." Then, I follow her to the dining table.

" Giselle and Edwin, I want you to meet my daughter, Kei Celine."

"Ice, meet your tita Giselle and tito Edwin. They're my and your father's closest friends." Then I offer a handshake with the both of them.

"It's nice to meet you, tito and tita. Just call me Ice."

" What a beautiful lady. Manang mana ka talaga sa mommy mo. " Tito complemented me.

" Thank you po tito"

"Sayang wala yung anak ko ngayon."

"Sige lang Selle, maybe it's not the time that they should meet."

"Sabagay, Ice is too young for that." I actually don't understand what they are talking about that's why I interrupt them.

"What do you mean?"

" Oh you still haven't told your daughter about that, Kiera?" My mom nodded at her.

"I'm sorry Keira." then my mom just assured her that it's okay.

"What are you talking about tita , mom?"

"Your father promise your tita that you will marry her son. Your tita is your father's bestfriend way back when we were in highschool and they agreed with that before. I promise your dad before he died that I'll make it happen."

"I can't believe this mom! " I think I can follow my mother with other things, but this one is a different thing. But why? Is this really what my father wants? Because I don't know what to do, I excused myself and walked out immediately.

I went to park far away from our house. It's actually the park near to my condo unit. I think this will be my favorite hide out for now.

I sit on one of the swings here and think of what happened a while ago.

'Dad? Di you really want me to marry someone I don't know? But why?'

"Ice? Ikaw nga! What are you doing here?"

It was Rav. I didn't expect him to be here, of all places, why he should be the one who see me in this state?

I actually don't know what to say. I'm not used with other people to see me like this, I think not anymore. The stranger I saw in the park before accidentally popped up in to my mind. Yes, that stranger is an exception.

"I'm sorry." That was the first thing that comes out from my mouth. Then, he handed me a handkerchief and I gladly accept it.

"It's okay. I may not know you're reason why you cry, but I just want you to know that everything will be okay, maybe not now, but soon." I smiled with that thought. But when?

"Thanks. May I ask why you're here?"

"I always come here." he paused. "It's your first time here? I haven't saw you before."

"Yeah. I accidentally saw this place and it reminds me of the park where my dad and I used to play."

"You loved him so much, do you?"

"Yes. So much. How I wish he's still here."

"I'm sorry."

"I have to go. Thanks"

Months had passed and mom didn't brought the topic about the marriage between I and tita Giselle's son. Maybe she really did realized that it's not a good idea. Yeah , lokohin mo pa ang sarili mo Ice. I know that my mom will never change her mind once she planned something and what I need to do right now is to pray na may isang malaking himalang mangyayari.

"Hey Ice, kanina pa kita tinatawag. Ang lalim naman ng iniisip mo to think na hindi mo ko narinig." Rav told me na may kunyaring pagtatampo.

"I'm sorry Rav" I apologetically said. " Bakit nga pala nandito ka?"

"Just wanted to buy and drink coffee. How about you? Can i seat here if you don't mind?"

"Sure no problem. I'm going to meet my friends today."

"I'm sorry I think I shouldn't be here. I'll just transfer to another table." Tatayo na sana siya pero natatawang pinigilan ko siya.

"It's actually okay. I think they would also not mind about you."

"Thanks. Kaya pala hindi kita nakitang kasama nina Syre kanina. So, what are you thinking a while ago. "

" Wala naman." I said praying that he will not open up the topic again.

"You can tell me. "

"Wala talaga Rav."

"Common Ice, tell me malay mo may maitulong ako "
He smiled na may pagtaas pa ng mga kilay. Knowing Rav, hindi niya ko titigilan hanggang hindi ko nasasabi, though I can say that i'm still thankful for having him by my side especially whenever I need someone to listen to me. Pagkatapos kasi nung gabing nakita niya ko, kinukulit na niya ko na pwede daw ko mag open up sa kanya. Para na tuloy syang second Jeff sa buhay ko.

" Okay, alam ko namang hindi mo ko titigilan."

"You know me Ice. "

"Yeah," sabay irap sa kanya na ikinatawa naman niya. Kaya mas lalo akong umirap.

"Tatawa ka na lang ba dyan?"

"Okay, I'm sorry, sige tell me na Ice."

" Actually, I was just thinking if Mom will still continue the marriage thingy. Kasi ilang buwan na rin kasi niyang hindi inooopen up yung topic na yan. Knowing my mom, she's really persistent on what she wants. Pipilitin at pipilitin ako hanggang sa mapapayag niya ko. "

"So, would you let her make you agree to her?"

"Of course not! Sino namang gustong magpakasal sa taong hindi mo kilala. "

"Sabagay, why not marry me instead?" Which made me shock, as in. Rav laughed out hard upon seeing my reaction.

"You should have seen your face Ice! " Patuloy pa din sa pagtawa and I started to hit his shoulders.

"Kainis ka! Wag mo nga kong pinagloloko ng ganyan."

"Sorry na, can't help it masyado ka kasing seryoso."

"Tsk, kung hindi lang kita kaibigan, aakalain kong baliw ka. " Sabay irap sa kanya na lalong ikinatawa niya ng malakas. I know that Rav only made the atmosphere light and it somehow made me smile.

"You're smiling ha. So inlove ka na niyan sakin?"

"Baliw!"

"Anyway, don't over think too much, malay mo naman hindi na itutuloy ng mommy mo kaya hindi niya sinasabi."

"I hope so."