Love and Chaos

LaC 017

Chloe’s POV:

“Chloe, are you listening?”

“Po?” Nabalik ako sa ulirat nang pumitik sa harapan ko si mom. Napatingin ako sakaniya nang may pagtataka. Isinenyas niya si tita Nicole na nasa harapan ko. I also looked at her with confusion. Until I remembered she was explaining things to me.

“Are you okay?” Tito Kiel asked, father of Niki. I nodded and smiled.

“Yes. I’m—I’m sorry my mind’s elsewhere. What is it?” I asked.

“Are you sure? We can talk about it later. You just came back from your school.” Tita Nicole said and smiled at me. I immediately shook my head and smiled.

“I promise, tita. I’m fine. We can discuss it now.” I said. She sighed and nodded.

“As I was saying, the wedding starts at 1:30, but the guests are needed to be there at 1:00 p.m. so, if you’re going to invite your friends or your teachers, which is up to you and Niki, tell them they need to be at the church at the given time.” She explained. I gave my full attention at what she’s saying.

But still, the MathGen competition! It ends at 1:00 p.m.! Oh my gosh!

“Oh, and at that day, the groom cannot see his bride.” She added. My brows furrowed, so as Niki’s.

“Ha? Bakit?” bago pa man ako makapagtanong ay nauna nang magsalita si Niki.

“Kasabihan ‘yun, anak. Baka kasi malasin or ma-jinx.” Ani tita Nicole.

“Tch. Sayang. Di kita maaasar.” Bulong ni Niki. Ngumiti si tita Nicole kaya ngumiti din ako sakaniya. Pasimple kong kinurot ng pinong-pino si Niki sa braso. Hindi naman siya maka-react dahil kaharap namin ang parents niya. Pero nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao niya kaya napangisi ako.

“Masakit?” bulong ko. Tiningnan niya ako ng masama bago ngumiti ng matamis. Hindi ko gusto ang ngiting ‘to.

“Excited na ako sa kasal natin, mahal.” Halos lumuwa ang mata ko at mapatalon ako nang bonggang-bongga. Dahil bukod sa tinawag niya akong mahal, inakbyan pa ako ng loko at nilapit sakaniya.

“Hmm, ako hindi.” Sagot ko at pinitik siya.

“Anak…” Ngumiwi ako dahil anrinig ko nanaman ang warning voice ni dad.

“Eto naman binibiro ka lang eh. Oo na sige na hindi na.” Bawi ni Niki at inirapan din ako. I saw how tita Nicole glared at his son. “Hala lagot ka alam na nila.” Pananakot saakin ni Niki.

“Alam ang ano?” Tanong nilang lahat. Nagkatinginan kami ni Niki.

“Bakit kasi…” Agad niyang itinaas ang dalawang kamay niya.

“Ikaw mag-explain. Magaling ka naman dun eh.” Napanganga ako dahil sa tinuran niyang iyon.

“Excuse me, Rook?!” Singhal ko sakaniya. At dito na po magsisimula ang pagiging aso’t pusa namin.

“Oh bakit, Valencia? Totoo naman ah.” Aniya at nagkibit balikat.

“Uhm…may dapat ba kaming malaman?” Tanong nina Tita Nicole.

“Ganito po kasi ‘yun tita—” Halos mabatukan ko si Niki nang mag-interfere siya sa sasabihin ko.

“Hindi po talaga kami magkasundo ng anak niyo. Napaka sungit po kasi.”

“Ano kamo?!”

“Itanggi mo sige ipapa-survey ko ‘yan sa buong campus.” Pananakot niya.

“Tch. As if takot ako.” Sabi ko at inirapan siya. For a second nakalimutan kong nasa harapan nga pala kami ng parents namin. Nakakahiya!

“Oh, that’s it?” Ani dad. Nagkatinginan ulit kami ni Niki at dahan-dahang tumango.

“We already know about that.” Sabi naman ni tito Kiel at tumawa.

“Of course. Through tita Cecile.” Niki said. I mentally slapped myself for forgetting that we behaved like what we truly are at each other in front of Mrs. Gutierrez.

“Pero you know what they say.” Mom said and looked at her bestfriend, tita Nicole.

“The more you hate, the more you love!” Tita Nicole continued and giggled, together with mom. Napangiwi ako at tumingin kay Niki.

“Eww.” Magkapanabay na sagot namin.

“So, we’re clear naman na, right?” Dad asked. They all nodded, including us.

“Well then, we’re going.” We bid our goodbyes with them and continued our unfinished businesses.

I immediately went up in my room, opened my laptop and faced time Veli.

“Oh ano? Nasabi mo na?” Tanong niya agad pagka-sagot niya ng tawag.

“Hindi pa ‘din bess. Hindi ako makahanap ng tamang timing!” Naii-stress na sagot ko. “Paano na ‘to? Hay jusmiyo naman.”

“Ako nalang magsasabi? Explain ko nalang keta tita mommy yung situation. Anong oras daw ba yung kasal?” Tanong niya.

“1:30 mag-start. Pero dapat 1:00 p.m. andun na sa church.” Namilog ang mga mata niya matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.

“Ano?! Beh! 1:00 ang tapos nung competition! B-byahe pa tayo! What if ma-late ka?!” Napatakip na lang ako sa buong mukha ko.

“Wah! Veli! Anong gagawin ko?!” Para akong maiiyak na ewan.

“Sige. Ganito nalang…”

---

This is it. The way of the wedding.

I looked at my reflection. Maaga kaming nagpunta sa hotel na malapit sa church kung saan gaganapin ang kasal. Mag-isa lang ako ngayon sa kwarto. Kakaalis lang ni mom. Naayusan na din ako. The make-up, the hair, everything’s set. Gown nalang.

“Anak. Ayos ka na ba?” Tanong ni mom at sumilip. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makitang naka-slacks at naka-shirt pa din ako. “Why are you still not dressed? Do you need help?”

“Mom, I have to tell you something. I know I should’ve told you this earlier.” Panimula ko.

“What?” Kinakabahang tanong niya.

“Mom may kailangan akong puntahan. The MathGen, it’s today. My group needs me. I have to go.” I said. “I promise, I’ll be back as soon as I can. The competition ends at exact 1:00 p.m.” I added. I also explained why I wasn’t able to tell her, that it was all unexpected.

After a few seconds she sighed.

“Be back before 1:30. Dumiretso na kayo sa simbahan. I’ll keep them busy.” Seryosong sagot niya. I smiled and hugged her tightly.

“I promise mom. Thank you!” I thanked her and immediately went out of my room.

“Niki!” Napaigtad siya nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto niya at pumasok ako. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang makitang puno ng lalaki ang kwarto niya. “Hi.” Alanganing bati ko at kumaway sakanila.

“What are you doing here? We’re not supposed to see each other—”

“I need your help.” Putol ko sakaniya at ipinakita ang bag ko.

“What?” Naguguluhang tanong niya. “I’m confused and showing me your bag didn’t help. At all.” He added.

“The MathGen. It’s today. And I need to get there like right now.” I explained and walked towards him. Inayos ko ang necktie niya dahil ako ang nab-bother doon. “Dala mo yung motor mo?” Tanong ko.

“How did you—”

“You like to show off your new things, Rook. So don’t be surprised if I knew your parents gave you an island.” I said and rolled my eyes at him.

“Tch. Bakit kasi hindi ka nalang nagpatalo. Edi sana ako lang ang namomroblema.” Aniya at kinamot ang ulo niya.

“Ako? Magpapatalo sayo? Niki Rook? Nope. Not gonna happen.” I said.

“Bahala ka diyan.” Pang-aasar niya.

“Dali na! Pahiram nalang kung ayaw mo.” Sabi ko at nilahad ang palad ko.

“Ayoko. Sa tingin mo ipagkakatiwala ko sayo ang baby ko? Nope. Not gonna happen.” Mabilis na sagot niya. Ngumisi ako at pinag-krus ang braso ko.

“You choose. Ihahatid mo ako, or Ipapahiram mo saakin yung motor?” I said while smirking.

“None of the above.” Sarkastikong sagot niya.

“Niki…” I said in a warning tone.

“Tch. What’s in it for me?” Aniya at pinagkrus din ang braso niya. I rolled my eyes before answering.

“I’ll do anything you want. For 1 week only.” Sagot ko. Ngumisi siya at inakbayan ako.

“Let’s go, hon.”