Entangled

4

One cherry red fingernails tapped the edge of the page ina steady rhythm. Tumaas ang tingin ng babae sa kanya.

"You have a lists of requirements?" Tanong nito na para bang malaking kasalanan na meron siyang nilagay don na requirements.

Tumikhim siya, "konti lang naman. Just a few qualities I'd like my wife to have."

Tumaas ang kilay nito. "You want a hostess , an orphan, a robot rolled into one. Ang unfair naman ata."

"You're exaggerating. Gusto ko lang naman makapag-asawa ng babaeng may grace at business sense."

"Wow, gusto mo ng asawa without s*x. Haven't you learned about women since you were fourteen?"

"I learned plenty. Kaya nga pinipilit ako ni Tito Earl to enter an institution which favors woman."

Suminghap ito, "men get plenty out of marriage!"

"Like what?”

“Steady s*x and companionship.”

“After six months the headaches start and you bore each other to tears.”

“Someone to grow old with.”

“Men never want to grow old. That’s why they keep seeking out younger women.”

Her mouth dropped open. She closed it with one quick snap. “Children…a family…someone who will love you in sickness and health.”

“Someone who spends all your money and nags you every night and bitches about cleaning up your mess.”

“You’re sick.”

“You’re deluded."

She shook her head, causing her silky black curls to lift around her face, then slowly settle. The flush was back in her skin. “God, your parents really screwed you up,” she muttered.

“Thank you!”

“Pano kung wala sakin tong mga hinahanap mo?”

"Gagawan natin ng paraan. Simple.”

Naningkit ang mga mata nito at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi. Naalala niya tuloy nong una niya itong halikan, he was sixteen. How his mouth pressed against hers, how she trembled. Kung paana niya ito hinawakan sa balikat at hinapit. At ang ekspresyon niya pagkatapos, innocence, beauty, purity- waiting for the happy-ever-after part.

Then, ngumiti ito sa kanya at sinabing mahal siya nito- wanted to marry him. Dapat tinapik niya ito sa balikat, said something nice but no. The marriage remark had been sweet and tempting in a way that scared the crap out of him. Sa edad niya iyon alam na niya walang relasyon na nananatiling maganda.

Tinawan niya ito at tinawag na bata. Kumirot man ang puso niya nong makita ang sakit sa mga mata nito ngunit iniwan na parin ito. The earlier she learned, the better.

Arkel had made sure they learned tough lesson that day.

Pinilig niya ang ulo sa naalala at nag-concentrate sa kasalukuyan. "Bakit dimo sabihin saakin kung ano ang kailangan mo sa marriage na ito?"

"Seven million pesos. Cash. Kailangan ko nang makuha after ng kasal at hindi na lalagpas don."

He leaned in closer than her, intrigued. "That's a lot of money. Naadik kaba sa sugal?"

An invisible wall slammed between them. "No."

"Shopping spree?"

Makikita ang galit sa mga mata nito. "Wala ka ng pakialam don. Part ng deal natin na hindi ka magtatanong kung saan at paano ko gagamitin ang pera ."

"Hmm. Anything else?"

"Where do we live?"

"My home."

"Hindi ko bibitawan ang apartment ko."

Surprise shot through him. "As my wife, you'll need a proper wardrobe. You'll get an allowance and have access to my personal shopper."

"Bakit, may mali ba sa suot ko ngayon?"

"What! No, for formal events."

"Let me tell you this Mr. Huxley, I'll wear what I want when I want, and pay my own damn way."

He fought back a smile. He almost enjoyed the match of minds just like he had the old days. "You'll have to play hostess to my business associates. I have a huge deal on the line, so you have to make nice with the other wives."

"I can manage to keep my elbows off the table and laugh at their stupid jokes. Pero kailangan kong maging malaya sa pag manage ng aking negosyo and enjoy my social life."

"Of course, I expect you to carry on your individual life."

"As long as I don't embarrass you?"

"Exactly."

Tumango-tango ang babae. "Okay. Pero may problema parin ako about don sa lists."

"I'm a flexible person."

"Very close ako sa pamilya ko at kailangan nila ng magandang rason kung bakit bigla nalang akong ikakasal."

"Sabihin mo nalang na matagal na tayong nagkikita and decided to get married."

Deniah rolled her eyes. "Hindi nila pwedeng malaman ang arrangement, so kailangan nilang maniwala na inlove tayo. Kailangan mong umatend ng dinner para i announce na we're getting married. And it needs to be convincing."

Naalala niya na iniwan sila ng kanilang lasengerong ama. "Do you still speak with your father?"

"Yes."

"You use to hate him."

"He made amends. Pinili kong magpatawad. Anyway, yong kapatid ko at asawa niya, pamangkin at ang kambal ay nakatira kasama ang mga magulang ko.

They'll ask a million questions and you have to be convincing."

Napakunot siya ng noo. "I don't like complications."

"Tough luck, that's part of the deal."

Arkel figured he'd give her the small victory. "Fine. Anything else?"

"Yeah. I get a real wedding."

His eyes narrowed. "I was thinking of a simple wedding. We just need a Justice of the peace."

"I was thinking a white dress, outside, with my family and Alana as maid of honor."

"I don't like weddings."

"Alam ko. Pero hindi maniniwala ang pamilya ko na kaya kong mag-elope. We have to do this for them."

"I'm marrying you for business reasons, Deniah. Not for your family."

Her chin tilted up. He made a mental note of the gesture. Seems like a warning before she charge into battle. "Maniwala ka sakin, diko rin ito gusto. Pero kailangan nating magpanggap kung gusto nating maniwala ang mga tao sa paligid."

He features tightened but he manage a nod. "Fine." His voice dipped in sarcasm. "Anything else?"

She looked a bit nervous as she shot him a glance, then rose from the chair and began pacing the room. His focus switched to her perfect rear end, swinging back and forth, and his zipper strained in discomfort.

His last fleeting rational thought skipped past his vision. Cut your losses here and now and walk out the door. This woman is going to turn your life upside down, diagonal and sideways, and you’ve always hated the fun house.

Arkel fought the sudden surge of fear and waited for her answers.