Chapter II
May malaki akong problema – isang napakalaking problema. Tourist Visa lamang ang gamit ko para makapunta dito sa US. Tapos, 6 months, one time entry lang. Hindi pa multiple entry.
The original plan was for me to look for a job, hoping to get a Working VISA pero three months na and wala pa ring nangyayari. It was not as easy as we have planned. I am too old to be petitioned -- so that's not really one of the options. There was nothing left in the Philippines for me to go back to.
Nasa kitchen kami ngayon. Ako, si ate Florence, si mommy at ang aking highschool bestfriend na si Joan ay nakatulala at nag-iisip ng gagawin para manatili ako rito.
"How about marrying a US citizen? I have a co-worker. Filipino. Mabait ... still unmarried at 37. You can divorce after your citizenship status here is okay. It's the best option --- you know!?" biglang sinabi ni ate Florence.
"Ate ... He is ... like ... 13 years older than me ... mas matanda pa sa'yo ... nakakatakot naman yata ang option na ‘yan ... babalik nalang ako sa Pilipinas ..." sagot ko.
"No, mabait ‘yun. We can just pay him. For citizenship purposes lang naman. You should consider this. This is the best option. I can immediately call him if you agree ..." pilit ni ate.
"Think about it, Francheska. I don't want you to go back to the Philippines and live there alone," segunda ni Mommy. Natahimik ako. Parang hindi ko naman kaya na maikasal sa isang taong hindi ko kilala.
"Hold it! Don't call that guy, ate Florence. I have a better idea. No, I have a better person in mind. I'm sure he'll be willing to help Cheska. I'll just make a call. Excuse me." Biglang sabi ni Joan. Dali-dali itong umalis sa kitchen. Mas lalo akong nanahimik at kinabahan.
"Cheska! Change your clothes. We're going to LA. We're meeting your future husband!" sigaw ni Joan habang pabalik ng kitchen.
"Hey, hindi pa ako pumapayag sa option na ‘yan ah. Sino ba ‘yung tinawagan mo?" nabiglang sagot ko.
"Surprise! You'll meet him later. When I told him about your problem - your situation, pumayag s’yang s’ya nalang ang pakasalan mo. I know papayag ka rin agad ‘pag na meet mo s’ya." sabi ni Joan.
"Go! Bihis na!" biglang sabi ni ate. Nagulat ako sa excitement niya. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakabihis. Minadali pa ako ni mommy.
Sa daan, hindi ko mapigilang hindi kabahan. "Relax, Cheska. Trust me. When we were in highschool, you always helped me and you always looked after me. It's time for me to help you. I won't let you marry some old random guy. This person I know is way better! Trust me!" sabi ni Joan habang nagmamaneho.
"Okay, I trust you!" sagot ko na lamang sabay buntonghininga.
After more than two hours, nasa isang restaurant na kami sa LA. Habang papasok, napansin ko ang isang pamilyar na lalake. "Oh my God! James?" medyo napalakas kong sabi.
He smiled, "Hello, Chekay..." Napangiti rin siya. Na-miss ko ang pagtawag sa akin ng Chekay. I can't say anything. I was still in shock. Hindi ko ma-imagine na wiling itong pakasalan ako for Visa purposes.
"Oh, no reaction? Hey, Chekay! Snap out of it. It's just me - James. I know, I'm more handsome than the last time we saw each other, but I'm still the same old James - your phone pal slash shock absorber slash adviser slash serenader slash friend!" dirediretsyong sabi ni James.
"You're willing to marry me? Why?" ‘yun lang ang nasabi ko.
"And why not!?" ganting sagot n’ya.
