ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Chapter 21

YEONWOO'S POV

"Are you serious?" halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko. "Ang playgirl na Architect ay magpapakasal na?"

"I'm a good girl, now." Tipid na sagot ni Lisa

"I can see that. But still can't believe." patotoo kong sabi. Lisa and her company have been our business partner since I took over LGC. She's been thankful for the partnership but I am more thankful for having her in my wings. She's dedicated, hardworking and very patient in her line of work and in dealing with our clients. One flaw, if you call it a flaw, is her being a womaniser. Without our company policy marami na siguro siyang niligawan sa company namin.

"I guess I really found the one." she simply said.

"Well, the truth is Jennie found you." I said and she just smiled back at me as if remembering the time they first met. She nod her head in agreement.

"Yeah you're right."

"Handa ka na ba?"

"Yeah I think I have enough savings to begin with. Especially now that we got this big project. Thank you for trusting this to me."

"I trust you since day one, Lisa." I truthfully said. "I just don't trust your lustful looks." biro ko at tumawa siya.

"Akala ko hindi mo pansin." ngiti niyang sagot.

"Hindi ko lang talaga pinapansin. I don't want to lose a very creative, intelligent and dedicated business partner."

"And I'm thankful you've been honest to me. Kahit ilang supalpal pang gawin mo sa akin asa pa rin ako."

"I'd rather have a perfect business partner than a lousy lifetime partner." sabi ko.

"Ouch! Sakit naman niyan Yeonwoo..." kunwaring nasaktan niyang sabi. Nagtawanan lang kami habang nag iinuman. We decided to drop by at the hotel's bar to take some drinks after our meeting and closing a contract with a VIP. A project of luxury resorts in Asia with Lisa and her company in partnership with us for the said projects. This VIP just stayed in one of our hotels and came to visit us here in Manila for possible partnership. And after months of negotiations we finally closed the deal. It's a multi-million dollar projects and Lisa couldn't believed that I trusted her with this one. I told her she deserved it, besides this VIP client stayed in one of Lisa's genius creation resorts.

"But it's the truth. I felt nothing for you."

"Mula noon?"

"Mula noon..."

"Hanggang ngayon?"

"Hanggang ngayon." at tiningnan niya ako at sabay kami nagtawanan.

"Cheers to that!" sagot niya habang taas taas ang shot glass. I raised my shot glass too.

"Cheers and congratulations!" sabi ko patungol sa kanyang nalalapit na proposal.

"Dba dpat good luck muna?"

"Why? Do you think Jennie wouldn't say yes, alam naman nating mahal na mahal ka non."

"She's still afraid I am not that serious."

"She's afraid she might gonna lose you because of your womanizing." nakangiti kong sabi.

"Minsan natatakot ako kasi parang hindi na siya nagseselos."

"Siguro napagod na, maybe she learned to accept na ganyan ka na at minahal ka niya bilang babaero."

"Hindi ko na siya kayang mawala sa buhay ko."

"Kaya nga pakakasalan mo na di ba?" sambit ko sabay hawak sa kamay niya. "I'm sure she'll say yes. Basta siya na lang hahalikan mo habangbuhay at wala ng iba pa."

"Of course." sabi niya sabay tawa. "Hirit muna ako ng halik sa'yo bago ako mag asawa." sunod niyang sabi.

"Baliw!" sagot ko sabay hampas sa kanya. We're both sitting in the bar counter at magkaharap.

"Takot ka lang sa asawa mo eh."

"Mas takot ka kaya sa mapapangasawa mo." balik ko sa kanya. I felt a bit tipsy with the 3 shots of tequila.

"Yeah, sabihin mo pareho tayong takusa!" mataas na boses niyang sabi at muling nagtawanan. Inakbayan niya ako and we're so close with each other. Saglit kaming nagkatitigan. Ngayon lang kami naging ganito kalapit, but I don't mind dahil parang kapatid na ang turing ko sa kanya. "Thank you for believing me, for accepting me to be your business partner. For trusting me even when I failed you so many times." sabi niya I think she's a bit tipsy too, nakailang shots na rin siya.

"You failed on those moments because you stopped believing in yourself, Lisa." sagot ko at pag alala sa mga panahong mas hinusgahan ang pagkatao niya kesa sa kakayahan niya.

"You're the only one who believes in me."

"You're a genius Lisa and a good person." sabi ko.

"Thank you, Yeonwoo." she whispered and looking straight into my eyes. "You've been like a bestfriend and sister to me."

"Your welcome, Lisa." I saw her almost teary-eyes looking at me. Ngayon ko lang ulit siya nakitang ganito kaemotional.

"Would you be my best woman in my wedding?" alok niyang nakangiti.

"Sure, glad to be on your side on your special day." pabulong kong sagot. Slowly I felt her arms around my shoulder and tapping while caressing my back and I felt her forehed against mine.

"Salamat. Thank you dahil hindi mo pinatulan ang kahibangan ko noon sa'yo." pikit mata niyang bulong.

"Hindi ako pumapatol sa minor." biro ko at bigla siyang nahinto at kunwang tinulak ako.

"Minor ka diyan" pabiro niyang sabi. "Yeonwoo, ilang taon lang agwat mo sa akin noh."

"Yeah, pero batang isip ka." balik ko at nagtawanan na kaming muli.

And like an instinct we found ourselves hugging each other. Few more drinks and we decided to go home. I stopped at 3 shots while Lisa drunk more, I just let her because she really seems so happy and excited at the same time. I decided to take her home, we have no drivers dahil hindi ko rin inaasahan ang pagyaya niya sa bar. Excited lang atang ibalita ang proposal niya kay Jennie

"Honey?"

"Hello, hon. Pauwi na kami pero ihahatid ko muna si Lisa, mukhang tinamaan eh." tawag ko kay Nancy, nagsabi na ako na malalate ako ng uwi at kasama ko si Lisa but didn't expect na magkakayayaan ng inuman.

"Are you alright? You're not drunk?" may pagaalala sa boses niya.

"Hindi, hon. I'm good."

"Ok, safe drive. See you later. I love you." paalam na niya.

"Love you, too."

-

"What happened?" bungad ni Jennie pagbukas niya ng pinto. Akay akay ko si Lisa na ngayon ay pikit matang nakatayo, buti at nakakalakad pa. Napansin kong kanina pa may message si Lisa sa phone niya pero nakatulog ito sa biyahe. "I'm not worried because I know she's with you, Yeonwoo. But she's not answering my messages." Alalang dugtong nito.

"Sorry Jennie, Lisa is just so happy. We closed the deal and she's in charge. Nang libre lang ng tequila. Kuripot noh?" pabiro kong sabi sa nagaalalang mukha ni Jennie

Just then I felt Lisa moved to straighten up, mukhang nagising na at mas lalong nagulat ng makita ang nasa harapan niya.

"B-babe!" Biglang tayo nito at alis ng kamay niyang nakasampay sa balikat ko.

"Are you drunk?" Tanong ni Jennie 

"N-no! I mean a bit tipsy but not totally drunk, Babe." Tarantang sabi ni Lisa. Takusa nga ngiti kong isip.

"This is the first time for how long..."

"I'm just so happy with the result of our meeting..." mahinang sagot ni Lisa. Tumango lang si Jennie

"I don't mind, Lisa. As long as you're with Yeonwoo. I trust her more than I trust your reasons." balik ni Jennie at nagkamot lang ng ulo si Lisa 

"Yan ang mahirap sa playgirl, hindi na mapagkatiwalaan." biro ko at nangiti lang si Jennie.

"Thank you, Yeonwoo. Naabala ka pa, look here Ms. Manoban hindi ka na nahiya, boss mo pa ang umakay at nag drive sa'yo pauwi." sermon niya habang naglakad na si Lisa at yumakap sa kanya.

"She's my sister and friend now, Babe kaya hindi ako nahihiya." sabi nitong parang bata. Jennie just rolled her eyes and gave me a thank you look while gently caressing Lisa's back.

"I need to go baka masermonan na ako ni Kumander." biro kong paalam.

"Thank you, Yeonwoo. Say hi to Nancy for me."

"I will. Tulog ka na Lisa." Tapik ko sa likod ni Lisa na mukhang nakadikit na at ayaw ng kumawala kay Jennie. Saglit lang siyang nagtaas ng ulo at bumaling sa akin.

"Thanks again, Yeonwoo. Bye and goodnight."

-

"Sorry, I know it's very late." halik ko kay Nancy

"Tequila? and you're driving?" Naamoy niya ang ininom ko.

"Just 3 shots, hon."

"Why didn't you call Mang Julio to drive for you." sabi niya sabay talikod.

"Didn't expect na magyayaya si Lisa." habol ko at niyakap siyang nakatalikod. "Kaya nga tatlong shots lang ako, hon." lambing ko.

"Are you hungry?" tanong niya.

"Nope, I'm full...Full of love." sabi ko sabay halik sa leeg niya.

"Hay naku lasing ka nga, Yeonwoo." sabi sabay bitaw sa yakap ko at naglakad na paakyat.

"Hindi ah!" sagot ko. "Tingnan mo oh deretso pa kong maglakad." pagyayabang ko habang kasunod niya.

"Deretso yang mga paa mong maglakad pero ang utak mo hindi."

"Matino kaya utak ko, hon."

"Hindi ka nga makasagot ng maayos eh."

"Sinagot naman kita ng maayos kaya."

"Sagot ba yon? Full of love?" sabi niya malapit na kami sa second floor.

"Totoo naman, hon. I'm full of love from you." pigil ko sa kanya nang nasa second floor na kami sabay halik sa mga labi nito.

"Salitang lasing yan." sabi niya matapos ang halik.

"Salitang matino po yon." balik ko. Papasok na siya sa kwarto namin ng pinigilan ko siya. She gave me a questioning look at malapad na ngiti ang sinagot ko.

"Why?" taas kilay niyang tanong.

"Sa attic tayo matulog, hon." The kids we're no longer sleeping near our bedroom but there are times when they suddenly knocked at the door. Sometimes wrong timing pa talaga. So we sometimes go to the attic.

"Matutulog lang pala eh bakit sa attic pa?" mataray niyang tanong.

"Hon naman, alam mo ng ibig kong sabihin." kamot batok kong sagot.

"Diba full of love ka na? Kaya dmo na kailangang mag make love pa..." sabi nito at sabay talikod at pasok ng kwarto namin.

NANCY'S POV

Halata ang bad mood ni Yeonwoo ng sumunod sa akin sa kwarto namin. Wala siyang imik ng dumeretso sa walk-in closet at nagpalit ng robe tsaka tuloy tuloy sa bathroom. Parang bata talaga ito pag hindi napag bigyan, but thinking about it the only things that changed her moods are when I'm talking to my former friends in the modelling agencies, minsan kahit babae, sabi niya hindi daw yon straight kaya natatawa na lang ako. Pag ang kiss niya ay hindi humigit sa 5 sa isang araw. Upon we wake up, before she leave, when she arrive , when we're in bed and before we sleep. But in between she likes to be kissed and kiss still. Random and quick, sweet and tender, a peck or sometimes she'll just call my name and when I turn around nakahalik na siya. Parang kasama na sa daily activities niya especially kung wala siyang work at kasama namin siya sa bahay. I waited for her to come out from the bathroom while I was reading a book in the couch. 30 mins.past and she's still not out of the bathroom. I put down my book, slowly walked near the door, tahimik naman. There was no sound of dripping waters from the shower. Baka nakatulog na siya sa loob, I held the knob and when I felt that it's not locked I slowly opened the door. I walked in and saw Yeonwoo lying in the tub. She didn't notice me or tried to ignore me because she didn't open her eyes.

"Are you sleeping there?" Tanong ko.

"Hindi, nag aalis lang ng init ng katawan." sagot nitong hindi nagmumulat ng mata. Natawa naman ako sa sagot niya.

"Ok..." tipid kong sagot. I stood there in seconds but still she kept her eyes shut. Suplada.

"Do you want me to join you?" tanong ko trying to seduce her.

"Huwag na baka sipunin ka pa." sagot niyang hindi pa rin nagmumulat ng mata. Aba suplada talaga.

"Are you sure?" Kalma kong tanong.

"Yeah, I'm sure..." sagot niya.

"Ok, I will just take a shower then." sagot ko at humakbang na ako sa sa tub sabay hawak sa shower knob.

"Wha--" nagulat siya when she saw me standing infront of her. She was speechless and stared at my whole body.

"What?" tuloy ko sa itatanong niya. "Don't stand up, I will just take a quick shower then I'll go. I'll just drain the water in your tub so you can have a fresh one." sabi ko pero tulala pa rin siya.

"Y-you can seat here if you want, ho ." utal niyang alok.

"You don't want me to join you dba?" taas kilay kong tanong na nakapa meywang pa. "Sabi mo nga baka sipunin pa ako."

"Ah...eh...o-ok." sagot niya sabay ayos ng upo at saka may kinapa sa tub. Next thing I know the water is slowly going down. "M-mag sho-shower na din ako kasi baka lamigin na rin ako, kanina pa ako nakababad eh." dahilan niya at natawa lang ako sa loob loob ko.

"I will only have a quick shower, Yeonwoo."

"Yes, hon. We'll only have quick shower." ulit niya. I twisted the shower knob and I felt the cold water touched my body but I could still feel the heat inside me. The longing I have with my Yeonwoo. I am trying to seduce her but I was a victim of my own trick because the moment I saw my wife lying in the tub, I wanted to make love with her right at that moment.

"Let me..." bulong ni Yeonwoo when she started lathering my body. I can't take this anymore, I turned around and kissed her deeply and she responded with so much hunger. We're kissing under the shower and the cold water is not enough to cool down the burning desires inside us.

"Y-yeonwoo." I whispered when we separated to breath some air. She looked at me full of love while I felt the slow drifting of water from the shower.

"That's enough...you don't have to seduce me, hon." bulong niya while assisting me to step out of the tub. She took a towel and slowly dried my body then up to my head. "I have my eyes all over you, you always have my attention." she said smiling while tenderly drying my hair with the towel. "I miss everything about you, Nancy. Your voice, your laughter, your irritations. Your every mood. I love everything about you. So every time I see you, I wanted to kiss you." she said then quickly dried herself with the towel she's holding. She dropped the towel and held me closed to her. I can feel her heat just as I know she feels my body tensed at what she did.

"Y-yeonwoo."

"I love how you call my name eveytime we're this close. Every time we make love. Everytime you fall asleep and when you wake up." she said and closed the gap between us again. We're kissing while she guided me out of the bathroom and into our bed. She laid me down gently and made me feel loved over and over again.

-

"Hey honey, aren't we going for a jog tonight." gising ko kay Yeonwoo. She opened her one eye lifted her head and kissed me then dropped her head in bed again and closed her eye.

"Nope." sabi niyang naka pikit. she moved and extended her hand to my side.

"Why?" I asked. Ngayon lang siya tumangi. "Aren't you feeling well?" sabi ko sabay hawak sa pisngi niya.

"You can jog at Lolo's place. Naka leave ako kaya punta tayo ngayon doon."

"Ok, pero mamya pa naman yon eh. I will go jogging early and besides baka hinihintay ako ni Daisy."

"I already called her yesterday, sabi ko hindi tuloy ang jogging niyo ngayon..."

"What? Why?" takang tanong ko.

"Kasi nga pupunta tayo kay Lolo." she said eyes closed half of her face is buried in the pillow. "And next time we'll go to other places." dugtong niya.

"Why?" tanong ko ulit.

"For a change..."

"Are you kidding me, honey. Matagal na tayo sa lugar na yon." punto ko.

"Precisely, para change environment naman." sagot niya.

"Are you avoiding someone?" bigla kong tanong. Hindi siya umimik.

"Yeonwoo." tawag ko.

"I need to sleep a little more." sagot niya lang.

"That's not an answer." paalala ko sa kanya.

"Hon, sleepy pa ako." reklamo niya.

"Sagutin mo muna ang tanong ko." sabi ko na sabay lapit sa kanya my face is now inches away from her face. She didn't say a word and pretended to be sleeping.

"Yeonwoo Lee sinong babae ang iniiwasan mo sa park?" bulong ko at bigla siyang nagmulat ng mata at napalayo.

"Anong babae? Hon naman...Babae nanaman." halos gising na gising na niyang sabi at natatawa ako dahil nanlalaki ang mga mata niya.

"Then sino nga bakit kasi ayaw mong sagutin?" kulit ko ulit sa kanya. Napakamot siya ng kilay.

"Hindi babae. Lalaki..." she said.

"What, sinong lalaki ang humahabol sa'yo?" takang tanong ko. She raised an eyebrow and started shaking her head.

"Sa akin?" sagot niya ang rolled her eyes.

"Sino kaya ang laging may kausap na lalaki na ilang beses nang nagkakataon." she said with quote and quote gesture to the word nagkakataon. I stopped then I remembered an old friend. Sehun. We bumped into each other for a couple of times now.

"Ah ok...I see. Akala ko kung sino na si Sehun..."

"...The menace." putol niya sa sasabihin kong pangalan saka binagsak ulit ang katawan sa kama.

"So you're jealous?"

"Manhid ka lang." sagot niya.

"Why aren't you answering me?"

"Eh kasi obvious naman ang sagot. You just pretend not to know." maktol niyang parang bata. I moved closer to her and hugged her from behind, I felt her body tensed with the touched our bodies

"I like you being jealous, honey." I whispered. "You make me feel wanted." As I felt her held my arms around her.

"You're always wanted and needed, Nancy." bulong niya pabalik. Nagulat na lang ako ng bigla siyang pumaibabaw sa akin. "And since you're not going for a jog, let's have some exercise." ngiti niyang sabi at wala na akong nagawa dahil nakulong na ako sa mga bisig niya.

YEONWOO'S POV

We're still at Lolo's house and having our breakfast when my phone rang.

"No cellphone during meals." paalala ni Lolo at tiningnan ko ang mga bata na nakatingin sa akin.

"Yes, Lo." sagot ko lang.

"Naka leave ka di ba?"

"Yes, Lo. Pero sabi ko kung may importanteng kailangan sabihin tawagan lang ako." Nag ring ulit ang phone ko.

"Siguro nga importante yan. Sige na sagutin mo na." utos ni Lolo and I excused myself to take the call.

"Hello Hyebin..."

"Sorry brad but you need to know na nagpatawag ang board ng emergency meeting tonight at 3pm."

"Ano? Bakit?"

"Hindi ko alam eh. Pero sabi nila you should be there and Lisa..."

"What? And why should Lisa be there?"nalilito ko ng tanong.

"I don't know Yeonwoo. But I think it's kind of serious matter."

"Ok, I will call Dada. Baka may alam siya."

"Ok, brad. Bye."

I was about to call Dada when another call came in. Lisa.

"Hello Lisa..."

"Someone took a picture of us, Yeonwoo...In an almost intimate shot..." halos nanginginig na boses ni Lisa. "They sent a copy to me and asked me to withdraw my latest project or exposed the picture... I...I'm...sorry Yeonwoo...I'm afraid to lose Jennie...she's everything to me..." pagal ng boses niya na ilang saglit lang ay hahagulgol na at hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil narinig ko na siyang umiyak. Tiimbagang akong nanahimik saglit at naalala ang tagpong yon sa bar.

"This is bull., Lisa. You're not giving up the project and you're not losing Jennie. We'll get who's behind this. Attend the meeting and we'll see."