Chapter III
I heard my phone ringing. It was James. What the hell was wrong with this guy. It was too early and I was still so sleepy. "Hello?" I had to make my voice sound irritated.
"Sorry to wake you up, Chekay. But there’s a change in our plans," sabi ni James.
"Change of plans? Nagbago isip mo? Agad-agad? Hindi mo na ako pakakasalan? Ipapaubaya mo na ako kay Mr. 37 years old?" Biglang nagising ang diwa ko.
He laughed, "Don't worry. I'm still going to marry you, but not in some courthouse. Ayaw ni Mommy."
"Why?" I mean, why do we have to change plans? Okay na 'di ba?
"Well, I called my mom yesterday. I told her about the wedding. And she knows we are in a hurry because of your VISA but ..." he could not continue what he wanted to say.
"But what?” Now my voice was louder.
"Oh ... well ... umm ... Chekay ..." he was stuttering.
"What?" I shouted.
"My mom thinks you're my real girlfriend. And she doesn't want me to marry my girlfriend in 'just a courthouse'. Those were her exact words." He said.
"What?" Ang gulo. "Why would you tell your mom that I'm your girlfriend? Mahirap bang i-explain na this is just marriage for convenience."
"You don't know my mom. She's been forcing me to get married for a few months now. And when I told her about this wedding. She kinda assumed."
This is unbelievable. "Why is she forcing you to get married?"
"Long story. She had this cyst and she thought she would have cancer. Fortunately, the cyst was benign but after that she became paranoid. She said I should be married soon so that she can still see her grandchildren before she dies. When I was telling her about our wedding, she was so happy and excited. She even has a hotel in mind. I did not have a chance to correct her. You're meeting her and my dad next weekend. Can you act like this is real? I'll call your ate and your mom. I'll explain everything."
I was flabbergasted.Marrying him to get a VISA is something but marrying him and acting like this is a real marriage is another. "Why can't we just tell her the truth?" hirit ko.
"Please Cheska. And ... oh, after the wedding, you'll have to live with me here in LA. My mom regularly visits my house." He quickly said. This was getting crazy. Ang usapan kasi namin was that we'll just get married but I'll still stay with my sis and mom. Our marriage will only be in papers. This is getting complicated.
"Do I still have a choice?" I asked.
"Well, it's either me or that 37 year old guy." He snickered.
“Sige na nga. I wasn't part of the drama club for nothing." I shrugged.
"Okay, see you next weekend. Ako na ang bahala mag-explain kay Mommy mo at kay Ate Florence. Oh ... and please act like you're really in love with me ... My mom knows you as the-girl-who-talks-to-James-a-lot-on-the-phone when we were in highschool."
"What!?" I shouted again.
He laughed, "She's really excited to see you. I might call you again later."
Siguro mga 30 minutes akong tulala after our phone conversation. When I went out of my room, mommy and ate already knew our drama. And strangely, they're very cool about it. Naaliw pa nga sila. Sabi pa ni Ate na baka mas okay nga if I stay in LA 'coz there are more jobs there. They did everything para makarating ako dito tapos ngayon reading-ready na silang ipamigay ako sa isang taong kahapon lang nila nakilala. Unbelievable!
The next weekend, busy si ate and mommy cooking Filipino dishes. Pati si kuya Uly and the kids are helping. Excited silang lahat. Parang totoong pamanhikan ito. Then the doorbell rang.
"Francheska, ikaw na magbukas ng door," sigaw ni mommy.When I opened the door, James was there with his dad and mom. He had a very beautiful mom.
"Hi, honey," James said then he kissed me on the lips. It was just a smack but I was taken aback. I was not expecting that.
"Hi! Tuloy po kayo. Come in," utal-utal kong sabi.
"Honey, this my mom and dad. Folks, here she is - my future wife!" pakilala nya. Aba, tuwang-tuwa siya sa pagtawag sa akin ng honey!
"Hello po, tito, tita." It was so awkward but I had to pay my respects to them.
Bumeso ang momy niya sa akin. "Anong tita? Mommy - call me Mommy Lara and this is your Daddy Joseph. Finally, I get to see the face of the-girl-who-talks-to-James-a-lot-on-the-phone. And you have a very pretty face, Francheska. I'm sure I'm going to have beautiful grandchildren. Asan ang magiging balae ko?"
OMG. I could die now. Grandchildren? Is she serious? Teka muna!
Si James at ang buong pamilya ko ay kampanteng-kampante. Parang totoo ang lahat. In-eenjoy nila ang buong kalokohang ito. Magkasundo na agad ang mga mommies namin. James' dad was also a sports enthusiast so magkasundo rin sila ni kuya Uly. One big happy family.
Sila na naman ang nagplano sa lahat. The new plan is that the wedding would be in some hotel in Long Beach, California - Renaissance Hotel daw. Apparently, they know the manager and they could reserve one function hall even in a short notice. Bahala na raw si tita - este - si Mommy Lara sa lahat. Sila na! Sila na talaga ang excited. In about six weeks, I'll get married - good luck to me!
Finally, I got some opportunity to talk to James alone out in the backyard. "This is getting crazy," I exclaimed.
"No, this is actually, getting exciting," sabi ni James with all smiles.
"Hay naku, after my citizenship is okay and we divorce, nakakahiya naman sa mommy mo."
"We'll cross the bridge when we're there, Chekay." Parang nawala ang ngiti nya.
"Let me at least pay for the whole wedding, James. Besides, ako naman talaga ang makikinabang sa kasal na ito. It's the least I can do." I said.
"No! I'll take care of it. Keep your money." He said firmly. I know his family is rich at barya lang itong wedding na ito pero ayoko namang iasa sa kanya lahat.
"Pero ..." I whispered.
"No buts, HONEY! I'm the guy. I'll pay for everything. Don't be so stubborn." He said firmly. "Oh please wear this. Buti masyadong excited si mommy at hindi nya napansin ang detail na ito. But she'll look for this soon." It was an engagement ring. A simple white gold solitaire ring. It was pretty. He placed it on my finger. I just looked at him. Confused. Overwhelmed. This acting thing was too much for me to handle.
"Just relax, Chekay. Masyado kang tensed. Trust me. Go with the flow. This will be fun okay. How bad would it be marrying me?" He placed his hands on my shoulders. It was his way of assuring me that everything will be fine.
Oo nga naman. We were bestfriends in the past. And I'm marrying my best friend. How bad could it be?
