Chapter 3
1051 Words
CLAIRE | MANSION DE CASTRILLON, Davao City
It's been two months since I came home from New York City. Business is good. Our pearl farm is getting a lot of visitors. Bukod doon, ang pineapple plantation ay maayos rin. Tunay na matamis ang mga pinya namin at sa Pilipinas pa lang ay malaki na ang kita. But when we exported it to other countries, mas lalong naging maganda ang negosyo. Papa was afraid of venturing out. He was content with what we have in the Philippines. S'ya kasi ang biggest supplier dito sa bansa.
Whereas I -- I want to take it to different heights. That's why I was in New York a couple months ago. Naimbitahan akong maging guest ng isa sa mga big clients namin. She wanted me to join the conference at magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga young entrepreneurs.
"Pa," sinagot ko ang cellphone ko. Kanina pa ito nagriring pero madami akong sinasagot na email at nasa opisina ako ngayon. I have always been a multitasker. Inilagay ko sa speaker ang tawag n'ya para makapagtype ako sa keyboard.
"Hey sweetheart, I know you're busy so I will make this short. I hope you didn't forget that we have someone coming for dinner tonight."
Napakunot ang noo ko. I hope it's not another matchmaking dinner. Since I came back, every Sunday we had someone over and they are all bachelors. Ganoon na lang ang takot ng mga magulang ko na tumanda akong mag-isa. No one returned from those men. We have nothing in common and I wasn't interested in any of them.
I can sense my parents' frustration but what can I do? Mahirap ipilit ang isang bagay na labag sa kalooban ko.
"Pa, if this is one of those men again --"
Narinig ko ang pagtawa n'ya. "No, a good friend of mine with his family is visiting me from the United States. I haven't seen him from a long time. In fact, he is your godfather."
I snorted. "If he is my godfather, then how come I've never met him?"
"He came for your baptism but he lost his wife while giving birth to their second child. Raising two boys on his own is not an easy job. Pablo has to run his business on top of it, can you imagine? Poor guy."
"What's his name again?"
"Juan Pablo Sobreviela. I went to business school with him in New York." My father sounded very happy to hear from his friend. I feel bad for Ninong though, maaga palang pumanaw ang asawa n'ya. Raising a boy is already a challenge, paano pa kung dalawa?
I sighed. "Okay, then I'll be home just in time for dinner."
"Six o'clock sharp, sweetheart. Don't be late," paalala n'ya ulit.
When the call ended, nagfocus ako sa trabaho at pinilit tapusin lahat. It's Friday and usually I don't work on weekends. It's my time to go swimming or join the workers in the pearl farm. I like designing jewelries during my spare time. Pinag-iisipan ko ito ngayon kung paano ila-launch ang collection. I have the money to do it.
Of course, I need someone who can bring my designs to life at purong ginto ang kailangan ko. Malaki ang capital na kailangan kaya kailangan kong pag-isipan ng mabuti. My bestfriend, Angela Gajero-Ornilla is willing to invest on it. Ayaw ko lang mapahiya sa kanya. Isa pa, kakakasal pa lang n'ya last month and I don't want to stress her out. She and her husband are trying to have a baby. Medyo maselan kasi dahil high risk na ang edad namin.
By the time I left the office, it's five in the afternoon. It takes about half an hour to drive home. Ayaw pumayag ni Papa na magmaneho akong mag-isa kaya palagi akong may driver. I know how to drive though at nakipag-compromise ako sa kanya na kapag pupunta lang ako sa opisina may driver. If it is not office related, I drive on my own.
"Hi, Ma. Hi, Pa," bati ko sa kanila. Humalik ako sa pisngi nila at saka nagpaalam na maliligo muna. Everyone is busy and the smell of food from the kitchen is making me hungry. Nakaligtaan ko palang kumain ng lunch kanina. Lately, I don't have the appetite to eat. Ewan ko ba.
After I showered, I chose a three quarter sleeve v-neck holiday, white boho dress. Pearl earrings lang ang alahas na sinuot ko. I didn't care about anything else. Besides, it's just my Ninong and his family. I dried my hair and put it on a messy bun. My next stop was the closet to get my sandals. It has very few thin straps. Actually, there's barely anything except for the ankle and around my toes. It's flat too.
By the time I came down, there's ten minutes left. I heard chattering already and I am guessing the tall guy in his fifties is my godfather.
"Here she is. Sweetheart, this is your Ninong Pablo," pakilala ni Papa sa aming dalawa.
I was debating if I should take his hand para magmano, but maybe it isn't what they are used to in New York. So I opt for a kiss on the cheek. It's the modern days after all.
"Hi, Ninong, masayang bati ko sa kanya.
"Wow! You're all grown up. The last time I saw you, you're about a few months old."
"Time flies, Ninong. I'm thirty now."
"And single, I heard," tumikhim ang mga magulang ko.
"Yup! And no plans to get married," nagtawanan silang lahat sa sinabi ko.
"Really? Well, you might change your mind when you meet my son. He's one of the most sought-after bachelors in New York. He's single too and only thirty-five," he chuckled. "In fact, your father and I arranged your marriage not too long ago. Usapan na namin noong mga binata pa kami na ipagkakasundo ang mga anak namin. It's perfect because he has you for a daughter and I have my son."
I didn't know how to answer that. Arranged marriage? What the hell? I didn't know such thing still exists?! Do I reject him now or later? Maybe after dinner. Before I could answer, a tall, familiar guy came in view.
"Here he is. Clarissa, this is my son -- Juan Paolo."
JP Smith, my ass!
- Writer
