FDA 1: THE DOUBTER'S FORTUNE TELLER BRIDE

Kabanata 2

INILAPAG NI DONYA MARGARITA ang isang larawan ng nakangiting babae. Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Tor habang umiinom ng tubig mula sa hawak niyang baso. He was shocked to see his grandmother in his house. Sa linggo pa sana siya dadalaw rito gaya ng napag-usapan pero mukhang hindi na nakapaghintay ang lola niya.

Masyado siyang naging busy nitong mga nakaraang araw at noong isang linggo. Tor could only call his lola for a few minutes kapag may libre siyang oras.

Naupo si Tor sa sofa at inangat ang larawan ng isang babae na mukhang estudyante pa base na rin sa suot nitong uniform. Uniform 'yon ng isa sa mga university rito sa Cebu.

"Who is this, Lola?"

"Ang babaeng gusto ko para sa 'yo."

Inihit ng ubo si Tor at naibaba ang baso sa glass table. His eyes widened in disbelief. Tatawa pa sana siya kaso mukhang seryoso ang lola niya. The old woman was giving him the grim look.

"Seryoso ba kayo?"

Tumango ang lola niya habang sumisimsim ng tsaa nito sa tasa. "She's Aurea Feliz Feliciano," dagdag nito pagkatapos maibaba ang tasa na hawak. "Sinabi ko na sa 'yo na kapag tumuntong ka ng 31 at hindi ka pa rin nag-aasawa ay ako na mismo ang hahanap ng babae para sa 'yo."

Napamaang si Tor.

Damn, he totally forgot about that.

"But Lola—"

"We had a written agreement, Kale Thomas. We had it notarized by your Uncle Bong."

"I know. I mean, do you even know this kid?"

"She's not a kid. She's already 23. And besides, magtatapos na siya ng kolehiyo ngayong Oktubre."

Kumunot lalo ang noo ni Tor. "Does she know? Alam niya bang gusto mo siyang gawing asawa ko?"

"That's not your problem anymore. Ang gusto ko ay sundin mo ang kung anong napag-usapan natin."

Napabuga siya ng hangin at nahilot ang sintido. "Can I at least think about it? This is too sudden, Lola."

"No."

Tor knew his Lola Rita would say it.

His Lola Rita can be as manipulative as he was. He got most of his personality from her. He was just too heartless sometimes. Constancia Margarita Velez, on the other hand, was the soft-hearted one. She valued rules and not too lenient to those who break it—it depends on the circumstances though. May mga nagagawa naman talagang mali minsan ang mga tao. It's either because of hopelessness or they're just plain stupid and selfish.

Maagang namatay ang mga magulang ni Tor. Since then, ang Lola Rita na niya ang nag-alaga at nagpalaki sa kanya. Tor loved his grandmother, but he didn't think he can marry a stranger.

And definitely not younger than 28 years old. He didn't find it romantic. Para siyang mag-aalaga ng bata. 'Where's the fun?' And besides, he's fine with occasional flings and one-night stands. The kind of relationship that didn't need any emotional attachment.

Tor doubted that he will find genuine love like what his parents and grandparents have.

"Huwag mong sabihing hindi ka pa nakaka-move-on sa babaeng 'yon?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Tor. Inihilig niya ang likod sa backrest ng upuan at nag-dekwatro ng upo.

"Patricia, your almost bride."

"Matagal na 'yon, Lola. I've totally forgotten about her."

"Maaaring nawala na ang pagmamahal mo sa kanya pero ang piklat na ginawa niya sa 'yo ay nandiyan pa rin." Napatitig si Tor sa lola niya. "Nakakulong ka pa rin sa nakaraan, Tor. You still don't trust people."