Once upon a Time

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE: Look at Me

Ramiel

We are all having breakfast. I glance at Yana who was standing at the corner of the dinning hall. Nakayuko lang sya. It was really fun last night playing a duet with her lahat ng worries ko napawi agad nya. I have to find a way to get put of this arranged marriage because...

Of her?

No! I am doing this for myself. I am certain but why am I even unsure of that certainty?

I sighed. Ang gulo ng sarili ko. I am contradicting myself.

"Doña Consuelo I can't help but to feel a little sad for my daughter." Madame Claire's voice disrupted my battling thoughts.

"And why is that?" tanong ni Lola.

"Lately she seems to be getting bored just staying inside the mansion."

"Is that right Yumi?" tanong ni Lola kay Yumi.

"Ahmm okay lang naman po sa akin dito sa bahay." mahinang sagot ni Yumi.

"But I think your mom is right. Dapat lumabas ka din paminsan minsan. Nandyan naman si Francois para ihatid ka kung saan mo gustong pumunta. We have a nearby mall na pwede mong puntahan." my dad said.

"Pwede ko po bang isama si Yana?" Yumi shyly said then everyone looks at Yana including me. Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata nya.

"Laylah's nanny?" Lola asks.

"But Yumi dear I think it would be best if si Ramiel ang sumama sayo." Madame Claire said to Yumi then she looks at Lola.

"Mas makabubuti sa dalawang bata if they would get to know one another much better since they are going to get married soon." Madame said to my dad and Lola. Muntik ko ng di malunok yung beef sa bibig ko.

"It sounds a great idea." Lola said then she looks at me. "Ramiel after school accompany Yumi to the mall, okay?" Lola said.

Me and her on a mall? Ano namang gagawin namin dun?

"Yes, la." I just said tapos tumayo na ako. Lumapit ako kay Yana and I grabbed her wrist.

"Oh anong ginagawa mo?" she whispered to me.

"Aalis na kami. We are running late for school." I said to everyone and then hinatak ko na papalabas ng dinning hall si Yana.

Inside the Limo...

Tinignan ko si Yana. Mula ng umalis kami ng mansyon nakatingin lang sya sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan.

"Bakit ka ba ganyan? Galit ka ba or something?"

"Hindi." matipid nyang sagot pero nakatingin pa rin sya sa labas at magkasalubong pa rin ang kilay.

"Then bakit ang tahimik mo at wala kang kibo dyan?"

"Porket tahimik lang at walang kibo galit na agad? Hindi ba pwedeng may iniisip lang?" she said without even bothering to look at me.

I put my face on my hand. Bakit ba ang mga babae ang hirap intindihin? Nakakainis.

"Ano bang iniisip mo?" I ask trying to be patient with her.

"Pamilya ko. I just want to go back to them already." she said still sounding irritated.

"May ilang buwan ka pa sa amin. Sobrang atat mo na ba talagang iwanan si Laylah?"

Iwanan kami? Iwan ako?

"Kung pwede ko lang isama si Laylah gagawin ko yun." she said.

Huminto ang sasakyan. Nakarating na pala kami ng campus.