Under the Starlight

2

We have to stay in Manila for two days so I could prepare. Hindi ako nakapasok sa school because of it. 

"Why aren't you here?" I asked my Kuya Leon that night when she called me.

"I'm sorry, Liv. I have important things to do. But always remember na nakasuporta ako sa iyo. Kung pwede lang kitang itakas diyan, ginawa ko na," Kuya Leon said.

I heaved a sigh, "There's nothing we can do about it. It's already been made and settled. I will marry a stranger that I'll just met tonight. "

Kuya Leon fell silent on the other line. I know na ayaw niya rin ito but it's our family tradition. We just can't defy the tradition. 

"You look so lovely, anak. I'm sure na magugustuhan ka niya kapag nakita ka niya," Mom said when she saw me wearing the dress she bought for this occasion. 

"Thanks, mom," I replied.

Lumapit sa akin si Mommy at hinawakan ang balikat ko. "I'm sorry na ikaw ang gagawa nito. But please remember na sobrang thankful kami sa iyo." 

Tumango lang ako kay Mommy bago siya nag-aya na bumaba na kami sa restaurant ng hotel. Nasa restaurant na raw kasi yung family ng guy. I admit na kinakabahan ako but I think its natural since it's my life that we are going to talk about.

I love being independent and I hate the fact that sooner or later, I will be married to someone that I never love at all.

We went inside the fancy restaurant. The peaceful and serene music of the place echoed in my ears. We walked softly until we reach a certain private room. A waitress opened it and inside are three people waiting for us.

My eyes shifted to the man on the other side of the table. Wearing a formal blue coat with a black shirt inside. They all rose to greet us.  He isn't smiling pero I can't deny na he is handsome. His gentle eyes suit his pointed nose and reddish lips. The way his jaw clenched when our eyes met are different from his aura. 

"Grace! I'm so glad to see you again," Mom squealed when she saw the lady. She even kissed her on her cheek.

"How long it has been, Lena? I'm happy to see you." The lady looked at me. "Siya na ba si Olivia?" 

Lumapit ulit si Mommy sa akin at inakbayan ako. "Yes." Mom turned to me. "Liv, meet the Ramirez. That's Primo Ramirez..." She pointed the older man, I think husband no’ng Grace. 

"Grace Ramirez." She pointed the lady this time.  I smiled to them. "And their son, Sancho Ramirez." This time, Mom pointed the guy who keeps on looking at me.

"Good evening, I'm Olivia Vilaformosa. Nice to meet all of you,"  magalang kong sabi sa kanilang lahat. 

They all nodded at us. We had a peaceful dinner after, hindi naman kami nag-uusap nung Sancho kasi ang parents na namin ang nag-uusap para sa amin. We were just listening quietly to them. 

"I think we should plan kung kailan dapat ang kasal nilang dalawa?" Tita Grace said then she looked at me.  "What do you think, Olivia?" 

Marahang tumango na lang ako. My life is on their palm anyway. Imagine, I'm only on my third year in high school then here I' am planning about my wedding and marriage life. Can I still do what I want in life? I don't think so. 

"Mom, pwede po ba kaming mag-usap ni Olivia?" Sancho asked before looking at me.

All eyes turned to us. Tita Grace nodded and so my mom. "Thank you. I just want to know more about her." Sancho stood so I did the same thing. 

"Please excuse us," paalam ko sa kanila bago kami lumabas ng private room. 

Sinundan ko lang si Sancho hanggang makarating kami sa garden. That's when he faced me, kaya napaatras ako. 

"Ganoon lang iyon? Papayag ka sa kasal na iyon?" he asked suddenly.

My brows furrowed kasi halatang galit siya habang nakatingin sa akin. "What do you mean?" I asked back.

He smirked before placing both of his arms on his chest. Now seeing him standing made me realize na he is so tall.  He's looking down on me!

"You agreed to them. Papayag kang makasal tayong dalawa?" tanong niya ulit sa akin.

"No. I actually have no plan of marrying you at all. I have dreams that I want to achieve and being married to you will stop me from doing that," I told him. 

Matagal siyang nakatingin sa akin habang marahang tumatango. "Should we tell them na ayaw nating maikasal? Your parents will follow you--"

I raised my hand to stop him from speaking. "I did that but I failed. Family tradition, they say. And you know what...hindi naman dapat ako ang future wife mo. Your supposed to be wife, runaway with her boyfriend. So, I'm stuck with you," I stated.

"I see. Well, that's unfortunate then. Wala akong magagawa sa bagay na iyan. Ikaw na ang nandito para pakasalan ako," he said. "Kung ayaw mong maituloy ito dapat gumawa tayo ng paraan para ipakita sa kanila na hindi tayo compatible sa isa't isa. How old are you anyway?"

"15," maiksing sagot ko sa kanya.

"I'm 20. See, even our age isn't right," sagot pa nito. 

"Your same age with my Kuya," I whispered. I breathe out a sigh, "So what do you suggest, Mr.?"

"Let's show them that we aren't compatible to each other. We will go on dates just to show them that we are trying to know each other but that date is just an act and excuse. Para naman wala silang masabi sa ating dalawa. Then after months of dating, we will call it off dahil sa hindi tayo bagay sa isa't isa." he explained as if naplano na niya iyon mabuti bago sabihin sa akin.

"Okay.  I like your plan. When we will execute it?" I asked him. 

"As soon as possible," he said again. 

I offered my hand to him, "Deal."

Tinanggap naman niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan iyon. "Deal."