THE PERFECT HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #1)

Chapter 4. Engagement Party

✧FAITH ZEICAN LEE✧

ISANG buwan na kaming nasa dating stage ni Chloe. Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataong 'yon para kilalanin siya, and so far, I'm starting to like her. Why not? She's a sweet girl. Kung noong una ay kinakabahan pa ako kapag nakakaharap siya, ngayon ay naging panatag na ako dahil hindi siya mahirap pakisamahan. Magaan siyang kasama at marunong siyang bumuhat ng usapan kapag napapansin niyang natatahimik ako dahil may pagkamahiyain ako minsan.

Bulok ang source ni Tito Betlog na napag-alaman kong 'yong assistant niya, dahil may kaibigan daw ito na nagtatrabaho sa Herald company kaya nito iyon nasabi. Pero taliwas ang nasagap nilang balita sa nakita ko kay Chloe. She's kind and sweet.

Mayroong pagkakataon na may nadaanan kami sa lansangan, isang matandang namamalimos. Usually, kapag may nakikita akong pulubi, humihinto talaga ako para magbigay. Pero no'ng time na 'yon, tiniis kong hindi muna huminto dahil naalangan ako na baka hindi maging komportable si Chloe, given na sobrang sophisticated niya, habang 'yong matanda ay madungis at hindi maikakailang may kakaibang amoy. Pero nagulat ako nang kusa siyang huminto at nag-abot ng cash doon sa pulubi. That awe-struck me, really.

At sa isang buwan naming pag-da-date, wala pa akong nakita sa kaniya na nakaka-turned off. Buti na lang pinakinggan ko si daddy na bigyang pagkakataon si Chloe para kilalanin. Siguro kung ora-mismo akong umatras, baka ako pa ang magsisi na hindi ko siya nakilala.

Actually, last week ko pa sinabi kay Mom at Dad na payag na ako sa arranged marriage. Nang malaman 'yon ni Mommyla, nakipag-usap agad siya sa family ni Chloe para i-arrange na ang engagement namin. Kaya heto na kami ngayon, dito mismo sa bahay ng mga Herald. Hindi malaking party ang ini-arrange para sa amin. For family and close friends lang.

Now I stood by the large bay window, looking out at the beautifully manicured garden where lanterns hung from trees and fairy lights twinkled in the gathering dusk. The soft hum of conversation and laughter drifted in from the backyard, where our friends and family mingled, glasses of champagne in hand. The scent of roses and freshly cut grass wafted through the open French doors, blending with the tantalizing aroma of the catered hors d'oeuvres.

"You looked f*****g nervous, Faith." Lumingon ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Love. Palapit siya sa 'kin, kabuntot niya si Hope at may bitbit din silang champagne glass.

"Bakit lonely is the night ka rito?" tanong ni Hope bago niya dalhin sa bibig ang hawak niyang champagne glass. Kani-kanina pa kasi ako rito. Matapos kong makipagkuwentuhan saglit sa parents ni Chloe, at matapos akong ipakilala ni Chloe sa ilang friends niya, nagdesisyon akong magsolo muna.

"Nangangawit na 'yong panga ko sa kasasalita para i-entertain ang mga bisita," pabirong sagot ko kay Hope. "Ikaw? Hindi ba nangangawit 'yang panga mo? Lahat na yata ng tao rito nagawa mong lapitan. Ano'ng tsismis ang nasagap mo ngayon?"

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko dahil totoo naman. Kanina nang dumating kami rito, bigla na lang siyang nawala sa tabi namin. Nang hanapin namin siya, natanaw namin siyang nakikipag-kamay na sa bawat bisitang nilalapitan niya, na akala mo ay politikong nangangandidato. Habang si Love naman ay nakabuntot lang kay Mom at Dad, at si Summer ay kasama si Tita Baby.

By the way, narito rin si Tito Betlog at Tita Wynter, maging ang mga anak nila; ang kambal niyang si Meng at Moy na sixteen years old na ngayon, at ang bunso nilang si Sunny, thirteen naman. Kahit gaano pa ka-busy si Tito Betlog, nakahanap pa rin siya ng time para sa engagement party ko. Pero sila-sila nila Mom at Dad ang magkakasama ngayon.

"Mamaya ko pa sana 'to sasabihin pag-uwi natin sa bahay, pero sige." Humakbang si Hope palapit sa 'kin at pati si Love ay inakbayan niya para kabigin palapit, tipong nag-iingat na walang makarinig sa sasabihin niya. "Narinig ko kanina ro'n sa isang madam na nilapitan ko, na mayro'n pa raw pa lang isang anak si Lucio at Jody Herald."

"What?" Love asked with a furrowed brow, mirroring my own puzzled expression as we both stared at Hope. We were both confused, especially me. During my month of dating Chloe, she never mentioned having a sibling. I never thought to ask, because as far as we knew from the news, Chloe was the only known heiress of the Herald family.

"Yes mga parekoy. May anak pa raw na isa, babae rin. Ang narinig kong bulungan ng iba kanina, nasa ibang bansa raw 'yong nakababatang kapatid ni Chloe na 'yon. Pero may iba namang nagsasabi na narito lang daw sa bansa."

I turned to look at Chloe, who was across the room chatting with her best friends. She wore a pale blue dress that complemented her eyes, and she was laughing with them. Bakit hindi n'ya binanggit sa 'kin na may kapatid s'ya?

As if sensing my gaze, Chloe glanced over and caught my eye. She smiled kaya ginantihan ko rin siya ng ngiti. Excusing herself from her friends, she made her way through the crowd towards me, her movements graceful and effortless.

"Having fun?" I asked as she slipped her arm around my waist noong tuluyan siyang makalapit sa 'kin. It's only been a month since we started dating pero komportable na siyang hawakan ako. Minsan ay kumakapit siya sa braso ko, minsan naman ay sa kamay, at ngayon, nakaikot ang braso niya sa baywang ko mula sa likuran. And that's fine with me, lalo na at fiancé ko na siya ngayon.

"I'm having the time of my life," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "Everything is perfect. Thank you for coming into my life, Faith."

"Chloe, it's you who has made everything perfect." I gave her a forced smile, feeling embarrassed by my two silent twins. I knew they were secretly laughing at me, especially Love, who has never been a fan of sweet nothings.

Chloe giggled and stood on tiptoe to whisper in my ear. "I still can't believe we're getting married."

"Baka mamaya ako ang pinagbubulungan n'yo, ha?" natatawang sabi ni Hope.

Pati si Chloe ay natawa rin. "Maybe?" she teased.

Simula nang mag-date kami ni Chloe, kanina lamang niya na-meet si Love at Hope nang dumating kami rito sa bahay nila. Gayon pa man, mukhang okay naman din sila sa isa't-isa. Pero mas kasundo ni Hope si Chloe, dahil si Love ay tahimik lang at ang sabi ni Chloe ay parang masungit daw ito at snob kaya mas magaan ang loob niya kay Hope.

Habang nag-aasaran si Chloe at Hope, we were interrupted by the sound of a spoon tapping against a glass. Chloe's father, Lucio Herald, stood at the head of the makeshift stage, a broad smile on his face.

"May I have everyone's attention, please?" he called out. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned towards him. "I just want to say a few words about my daughter and her handsome fiancée."

Chloe's cheeks flushed as her father began to speak about her childhood, her accomplishments, and the joy he felt in seeing her find someone as wonderful as me.

As Mr. Herald finished his speech, the crowd erupted into applause. Maging si Hope at Love ay pumapalakpak na rin sa tabi namin. Nasa direksyon namin ang tingin ng karamihan at nagulat ako sa sumunod na aksyon ni Chloe. She pulled me in for a quick kiss before turning to face our guests, who were raising their glasses in a toast.

"To Faith and Chloe!" everyone cheered. But I remained stunned, as did Love. Only Hope was grinning mischievously at me dahil nahuli niya ang ginawang paghalik sa 'kin ni Chloe na hindi ko talaga inaasahan.

"To us," Chloe whispered softly, clinking her glass against mine, and the sound snapping me back to reality.

☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

I stood alone near the corner of the room. Mag-isa na lang ulit ako dahil nagpaalam si Chloe na babalikan ang mga kaibigan niya, habang si Love at Hope naman ay nasa table nila Tito Betlog. Kahit malayo ako, halatang binubuwisit na naman ni Hope si Meng dahil nakabusangot na naman ang mukha nito habang tila nakikipagtalo sa kaniya.

The sounds of laughter and conversation surrounding me yet somehow feeling distant. The warm glow of the chandeliers cast soft shadows across the elegant decor, and the enticing aroma of the buffet table beckoned me. Nang lumingon ako sa buffet table, may naaninag akong anino na gumagalaw sa gilid, tila palapit sa direksyon ng buffet table.

Intrigued, I took a step closer, trying to get a better look. The shadow moved cautiously, as if hesitating to approach. When I peeked around the wall she was hiding behind, I saw a woman who looked to be around the same age as my cousins Meng and Moy. Nakasuot ito ng simple at lumang damit na pambahay lang. Maluwang na T-shirt in pink color paired with a black leggings and old slippers. Nakatali ang buhok niya paitaas, halatang hindi sinuklay. She glanced around nervously, her eyes darting between the buffet table and the mingling guests. It was clear she was trying to muster the courage to approach the buffet table, but something was holding her back.

Nagugutom ba s'ya?

I watched her for a moment, captivated by her hesitant grace. She took a tentative step forward, then paused, seemingly reconsidering her decision. Her uncertainty was palpable, and I felt a sudden urge to help her feel more at ease.

Summoning my own courage, I stepped out from behind the corner and approached her. "Hi," I said softly, not wanting to startle her.

She then turned to look at me, her eyes wide with surprise. Napalunok siya nang ilang beses at bakas sa mukha niya ang nerbyos. Nang medyo makabawi, nagbaba siya ng tingin sa sahig at pinaglaruan ang laylayan ng T-shirt niya. Ilang segundo siyang nanatiling nakayuko bago niya ako talikuran.

"Wait," I called out to her kaya napahinto siya at dahan-dahan ulit akong nilingon. "I'm Faith Zeican," I said, offering her a friendly smile. "Are you looking for something specific at the buffet, or just deciding what to try first?"

She furrowed her brow, her expression questioning. She seemed clueless. I couldn't tell if she didn't understand what I said or if she was unsure whether to engage with me.

"Kukuha ka ba sana ng pagkain?" I asked again, and she seemed to relax a little at my friendly tone.

"O-Oo." Kasunod ang pag-atras ng paa niya sa akin, na parang gusto na niyang umalis.

"Wait." Ako na mismo ang lumapit sa buffet table at kumuha ng plato para lagyan 'yon ng iba't-ibang putahe. 'Tsaka ko siya binalikan para iabot 'yon sa kaniya. Now that I could see her face up close, I noticed her apparent innocence. It was evident in her features.

"S-Salamat," bulong niya. The tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

"Ano'ng pangalan mo?" I asked her noong nakakadalawang hakbang na siya palayo sa akin.

Napahinto siya, pero nanatili siyang nakatalikod nang sagutin niya ako.

"Poppy."

To be continued . . .