Chapter 28: Lara’s Move
LARA’s POV
I got a chopstick to pull up my uncombed hair. I’m waiting for Dad’s call. While waiting, iniisip ko na kung anu-ano ang mga maaaring sabihin ni Dad at kung ano ang ilulusot ko.
Four minutes passed and my phone rang. This is it, Let the game begin.
He asked me things about studies and my car. When he ran out of things to say, I then asked him, “Is it true that I’m getting married?”
He gave me a sarcastic laugh and I can imagine him sitting in his swivel chair with feet on the table full of papers. “Who told you that?”
I explained to him the details so he wouldn’t blame Ian or Dana. I also bargained to let me handle the things by myself. I also assured him that before the year ends, I will have that proposal signed by Mr. Terez.
Instead of being angry, he congratulated me for being a good thinker. He told me that that is how a business-minded person should think. It’s always gain and not a loss, choose an option with a lesser expense.
“That’s a selfish plan young lady but I will grant your request. Don’t let me down.”
“You have me Dad, you did move your right chessmen but I have mine too.” I said before Dad ended the call.
Actually, that plan is not being selfish, it’s having a strategy. It’s calculating all the possibilities and looking at all angles. I tossed and turned last night just to plan things out and to save me from that stupid threat.
Did Dad choose me as bait because he knew I can get out of the trap? I just don’t like being bait for business purposes. What if I’m not witty enough to escape? I should have been mourning by now.
Days passed like seconds.
I’m done fixing my things for Cebu. I’ll be spending a week at a beach resort so I bought just a few formal and casual attires. All the rest are beach wears. I want my clothes to be neatly folded so I spent almost two hours to organize them inside my traveling bag. Tomorrow, Ian and I are leaving for Cebu and after that week, Mom and I are leaving for Greece.
I decided to take a shower so if Tristan arrives, I’m ready to go.
Just as I finished, I heard my phone rang. It must be him. I fixed my hair, wore my dark blue lace blouse and a white shorts. I hurriedly get down and I saw him seated at the couch of the dorm’s receiving area.
After a short talk with his block mate, he drove me to their place. The bar at the first floor is not as noisy as I usually hear when I visit here every week end. Then I realized that Trisha isn’t sleeping here anymore. She got back to her old self. I bet she’s in one of her bedmate’s house.
I turned off the light at humiga sa tabi ni Tristan.
“I love you babe up to the moon and back!” I whispered in his ear.
“I love you more babe.”
We started kissing and petting until he suddenly stopped nibbling my ears and stopped caressing my chest. Napatingin ako sa kanya like I’m asking if what’s the problem.
He then asked me what will I do if I’m getting married and this will be our last time together. I smiled and hugged him. Sa palagay ko, alam na niya ang tungkol sa arranged marriage. Dana might have told him.
It won’t happen, I told him. He hugged me tight and gave me little kisses.
I felt the coldness of the covers but his embrace gave me warmth. I felt his breaths behind me until I drifted to dreamland.
The next day…
Ian asked me when we boarded the plane kung bakit daw hindi ko niyakap si Tristan bago umalis. I told him that Tristan and I had enough of it last night at ngumiti ako ng patago.
While I’m reading a Cosmopilitan Magazine, biglang hinawakan ni Ian ang kamay ko. Sabi niya ngayon lang daw niya ako nakitang ganito ka saya at ayaw niyang mawla ang sayang yun. Ayaw daw niya ako makitang nasasaktan ulit at kung may taong gustong protektahan ako, siya iyon.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” tanong ko sa kanya.
He asked me if I knew a reason why we’re heading to Cebu other than the business meeting.
“You mean the arranged marriage thing?”
Nabigla siya nang marinig yun. He wasn’t expecting it. I wanted to get pissed at them dahil alam na nila at ni isa sa kanila, hindi man lang ako pinagsabihan. Nalaman ko pa sa ibang tao? What if I have no idea about this?
He asked me kung paano ko nalaman. Sheeze! Do I have to retell the story again?
Actually, the guy that I’m supposed to marry is my ex-playmate. He called me the other day to inform me about the deal. We both planned a way so hindi lang ako ang kontrabida dito.
“Now tell me what your plan is.” Ian blurted.
“It’s none of your business but I assured Dad that I’m gonna get that proposal signed without a wedding ring on my finger.”
A moment later, the stewardess in red suits drove a cart with souvenirs and snacks. I saw T-shirts, mugs and key chains.
“Sir, we have couple’s shirt for only 499 pesos.” Said the stewardess.
Ian seemed to be interested to buy the shirts. Nang kumuha siya ng wallet niya, kinuha ko na rin ang Pringles at sinabihan ko ang stewardess na si Ian lang ang babayad. He looked at me na para bang pinagsasabihan ako ng immature, opportunista at spoiled. I didn’t care.
When I opened my Pringles, the stewardess asked about the shirt, “Is this too big for you ma’am? May smaller sizes kami available pero hindi na ganito ang design.”
“That isn’t for me.” sagot ko. Nagsorry naman ang stewardess at si Ian nalang ang kanyang tinanong.
When the stewardess left, I offered Ian my snack and for the first time, I called him Kuya.
“Sorry, I think I really have to call you that.”
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