ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Chapter 24

YEONWOO'S POV

"Are you really serious about this, Yeonwoo?" sunod na tanong ni Lisa

"I'm desperate, Lisa." sagot ko lang ng muli kong tinawagan si Lisa. Nang unang sinabi ko ay binabaan niya ako ng phone at sinabing matulog muna ako at mag isip mabuti pero ngayon na wala akong tulog at magdamag na nag isip ay tinawagan ko muli siya. "You can propose to Jennie pag nasolo mo na siya..."

"Are you kidding me? Yeonwoo, sabihin mo nga would Jennie say yes pag nagpropose ako sa kanya? FYI, kikidnapin natin siya tapos magpropose ako. She would definitely slap me with a big NO...." halos inis niyang sagot.

"I don't think so..."

"I don't want to gamble in this way, Yeonwoo."

"Mahal ka niya, she will say yes."

"Don't be so sure."

"I'm very sure..."

"She loves me, yes. But this isn't the right time to propose."

"Don't you miss her?" tanong ko.

"Of course I do."

"Then let's do something..."

"There are many ways aside from what you want to do, Yeonwoo..."

"Like?" tanong ko at matagal na hindi siya sumagot.

"Basta...we will think..." sagot niya.

"Hindi na ako makapag isip ng ibang paraan, Lisa." putol ko sa kanya. "With or without you I'm doing this." pagtatapos ko ng usapan.

-

"Mama'z mad at you Mowmi?Why?" si Dane

"Because Mommy has been bad..." tangi ko lang sagot. I visited them at Dada's house pero hindi ako hinarap ni Nancy

"Wath did you do tath made Mama mad?" si Jackson. Pero nanatili akong tahimik. "Adulth thoks again, Mohmi?" sunod niyang tanong at nangiti lang ako at nagkamot lang siya ng batok.

"You want us to help you Mowmi?" tanong muli ni Dane. Umiling ako.

"It's my fault that's why I have to do this on my own. I only want to ask permission from you kids..." mahina kong sabi

"Why?" si Jackson

"I would like to take your Mama to a place where we can talk. Just the two of us, so I can say sorry and make up for my mistakes." umpisa kong paalam sa kanila.

"Where? we can't come?" kunot noong tanong ni Dane. Kinakausap ko sila sa may garden at malayo sa pandinig ni Nancy. Makita man niya kami ay alam kong hindi siya mag iisip o magdududa sa plano ko. Nakausap ko na si Dada at si Mama Myeongju bago ko kausapin ang mga bata. Sa una ay tumanggi si Mama Myeongju pero kalaunan ay pumayag na rin, si Dada na naiiling at natatawa lang sa desisyon ko ay tinulungan akong kumbinsihin si Mama Myeongju. "Mowmi?" tawag ni Dane

"Not yet, Baby but promise if Mama accepts my apology and we're ok then you and Jackson can come..." ngiti kong sabi at kita ang tuwa sa mga mata nila.

"Promish Mohmi?" paninigurado ni Jackson at tumango ako.

"Promise, Baby..."

"Then we'll help." si Dane. "Anything becoz we want you and Mama to be okey, Mowmi. We mizz you." sabi niya sabay yakap at yumakap na din si Jackson

"I miss you too, my babies, so terribly." habang mahigpit ko silang yakap. It's been three days since they left our house and I feel so desperate to have my family back to me.

-

"At sa tingin mo papayag ako?!" mataas na boses ni Lolo.

"Lo, naman."

"Imbes na suyuin mo ang asawa mo kikidnapin mo?"

"Ayaw niya nga pong pasuyo eh. Ni ayaw niya nga akong kausapin. Tatlong araw nang parang hangin lang po ako sa kanya." katwiran ko.

"Tatlong araw lang nagkakaganyan ka na? Sa negosyo mo kahit abutin ng isang taon ang desisyon nagagawa mong maghintay..."

"Hindi po negosyo si Nancy, Lo. Asawa ko siya."

"Kulang pa ang panunuyo mo...Magtiyaga ka. Aba hindi mo na nga siya niligawan tapos ngayon gagawa ka ng kalokohan hindi ka marunong manuyo."

"Wala po akong ginawang kalokohan, Lo. Malisyo lang nagpahamak sa amin ni Lisa."

"Pareho na rin yon. Kung hindi kayo gumawa ng eksena walang malisya."

"Lo, I just came here to inform you about my plan...and to borrow one of your yachts."

"Ano? Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo bata ka. Isasama mo pa ako sa kalokohan mo. Bakit kailangan mo ang yate ko hindi ba may sarili kang yate?" halos manlaki na ang mga mata ni Lolo.

"I need it for Lisa." maikling sagot ko.

"Lin.tek na bata to. May kakutsaba ka pa. Sinama mo pa sa kalokohan mo si Lisa..." halos hindi na niya alam saan maglalakad. "At saan kayo pupunta aber?" pamaywang na niya.

"In your private resort, Lo..."

"Ano?!" halos luwa ng mga mata ni Lolo Pablo, he has a private island resort he bought for Lola. It is their little paradise, and I used to go there when I feel like running away but could not stay long away from work. Matagal na akong hindi nakakabalik doon mula ng kinasal kami ni Nancy

"Lo, gusto ko lang po masolo at makausap ang asawa ko. Si Lisa naman po ay sa kabilang side ng island." sabi ko pero nakatingin lang siya sa akin.

"At sa resort pa talaga ng Lola mo dadalhin ang kikidnapin mo."

"Lo, asawa ko naman po ang kikidnapin ko...tulad ng ginawa niyo kay Lola." wala sa loob kong nasabi at natigilan si Lolo Pablo. Huli na para mabawi ko ang sinabi ko.

"Anong sinabi mo, Yeonwoo?"seryoso niyang tanong "Sinong nagsabi sa'yo niyan? Kaya ba ganyan ang gagawin mo dahil nalaman mo ng ginawa ko?" sunod sunod na niyang tanong.

"No. Hindi po Lo..." saglit akong natigil at humugot ng malalim na hininga. "I told Yaya Caring about my plan and she got mad at me. Sabi niya matigas daw talaga ang ulo ko tulad niyo. Maiksi ang pasensiya at gagawin ang gusto. Then she told me about what you did when you and Lola had a misunderstanding..." sabi ko patungkol sa ginawa ni Lolo kay Lola ng hindi ito kinakausap ay dinala niya sa isang maliit na isla na kalaunan ay binili niya.

"Hindi ko kinidnap ang Lola mo..." tanggol ni Lolo sa sarili. "I asked her nicely."

"That's because she talks to you, Lo. Nancy's ignoring me." rason ko. Natahimik si Lolo muling naglakad ng ilang hakbang, pabalik balik na umiling. Saka muling tumingin sa akin. "Nakausap mo na bang mga tao don?" tanong niya. Yes! gusto kong tumalon sa tuwa.

"K-kausapin ko pa lang po, Lo." halos taranta ko ng sagot.

"Kung hindi lang kita mahal, apo. Ako mismo magapapakidnap sa'yo." kamot niya sa batok. "Pwede mo namang dalhin si Nancy sa ibang lugar bakit sa resort pa?" balik niyang tanong.

"That place is special for me, Lo. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in that island and wished to spend it with the one I love. She came. I want her to see the place and I want to know if she'll fall in love with the place because I did."

"How would she fall in love in a place where she's been held by a kidnapper?" bato ni Lolo

"Lo naman seryoso ako..."

"And you think I'm not serious?" bato niya ulit. Hay naku Lo ang ganda na ng moment ko, sinira pa talaga.

"I just want us to be together. Alone. In an island."

"May mga tao doon, may I remind you young lady..."

"They're far from your resort, Lo. At kakausapin ko ang mga caretakers niyo." Umiling na lang si Lolo.

"Have it your way. Tutal hindi naman kita mapipigilan." pagsuko na niya.

NANCY'S POV

"Hello Bestie?"

"Hello Best, how are you?"

"I'm good..." sagot ko sa tanong ni Daisy

"You sure?"

"Yeah, of course..."

"Nasa kwarto ka ba?" takang tanong niya sunod.

"Why?"

"Baka kasi naging ermitanya ka na..."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Hello...hindi mo ba nanapansin tahimik ka na ng ilang araw. Kahit naman busy ka you never failed to message me. We talked yesterday but it seems you're lost and your wandering far from our conversation...What's wrong?" tanong na ni Daisy

"Nothing..." I plainly said.

"That's the worst answer anyone can get when they're asking the right question..."

"What?" Trying to understand what she's saying.

"Magkukulong ka lang lagi diyan sa kwarto mo?"

she asked and I was surprised. How did she know that I'm in my room? "Kanina pa ako dito sala talking to Tita Myeongju and playing with my inaanaks pero ikaw andiyan ka lang sa kwarto." she said and immediately I got up from my bed and went out of my room.

"Kanina ka pa dito?" tanong ko kay Daisy when I saw her in the living room, watching and playing with the kids.

"Hi Bestie, yes dito na nga ako nag late lunch and all. Nag nap na rin kami ng mga bata at heto naglalaro na pero andiyan ka pa rin sa kwarto mo."

"Mama'sh not feeling well Ninang..." sagot ni Jackson. Yon ang sabi ko sa kanila kaya hindi nila ako kinukulit o iniistorbo sa kwarto.

"I see, can ask you kids if I can borrow your Mama for a while? I think she just needs some fresh air..." sabi ni Daisy sa mga bata.

"Frezh air?" taas isang kilay na tanong ni Dane

"I mean, I will treat your Mama for a walk and we will talk about anything. You know..." kindat naman ni Daisy

"Adulth talk agen Ninang?" si Jackson at tumango lang di Daisy

"Yep, something like that." at nagbulungan ang magkapatid.

"Yesh, we better noth come." Rinig kong sagot ni Jackson

"I'm ok Bestie..."

"You can go Mahma..." si Dane "Lowla Myeongju here with us. We'll just wait." sagot na ng panganay ko.

"No, sweetheart..."

"It'sh ok Mama..." ngiting sabi ni Jackson saka lumapit sa akin. "I talk to buddy Julio to go with you. I'm noth there to watch Mama buth my buddy Julio will look afther you..."

"Buddy Julio?" taas kilang kong tanong at natawa siya.

"Yesh Mama, Lolo Julio ish my besth buddy..." thumbs up niyang sagot. Lumingon ako kay Mama at tumango lang siya. I guess I really need to breath some fresh air. Namimiss ko ng asawa ko, and I want to take back what I just did. Teaching her a lesson is teaching myself a lesson too. I miss my Yeonwoo so much.

-

"I promised my wife I won't drink without her..."

"I promised your wife I will look after you habang wala ka sa poder niya...is that ok?" depensa ni Daisy habang nasa bar kami ng isang hotel overlooking the bay. After a long walk along the baywalk, she invited me over for a dinner and now for a drink.

"My kids..."

"Nagpaalam ako sa kanila, remember?" paalala ni Daisy. Wala na akong nagawa.

"Why here?" I asked referring to the place.

"Mas masarap ang hangin dito para mas lumiwanag yang utak mo..." she said while giving me a straight face.

"What?" tanong ko.

"Aren't you telling me anything?" she started. "Kanina pa tayo naglalakad and we already had our dinner but you never said a worth about your stay in your Mom's house."

"I told you Bestie, we're there because the kids want to stay with their Lolo and Lola..."

"Without Yeonwoo?" she asked next. I'm speechless.

"C'me on Bestie, kahit dmo sabihin I know there's something wrong. Sa tono pa lang ng boses mo when we're talking over the phone these past days, alam ko may mali na..." she said looking straight at me. "I can see how you're missing your wife already." ngiti niyang sabi.

"Ano?!" halos pasigaw kong sabi sabay hampas sa kanya at natawa siya.

"See? napaka defensive mo. Hay naku Bestie ano bang nangyari at nilayasan mong asawa mo?" she asked. I guess I was now cornered and started to tell her the whole story, I didn't noticed that I was taking so much drink.

-

I can't remember anything anymore. I can't even remember what I said. Gosh nasobrahan nanaman ako ng nainom kagabi. Pag nalaman ito ni Yeonwoo magagalit yon. What? Bakit ko iniisip ang galit niya hindi ba ako ang galit sa kanya?Depensa ng isip ko. My head aches a bit as I roam around my roam, nagulat ako at kinabahan. Pero nakalma ako nang naging familiar sa akin ang lugar. Nasa loob ako ng yate sa kwarto namin ni Yeonwoo. Looking at the corner kung saan andon ang picture naming pamilya. Bihira naming gamitin ang yate, minsan lang pag nagyaya ang mga bata na mag fishing daw pero bihira dahil ayaw lumayo ni Yeonwoo, lalo na at natataon na laging tag ulan noon. Napansin ko na nakapantulog na rin ako.  Bakit dito ako dinala ni Daisy? I mean hindi man lang sa hotel kami tumuloy or iniuwi man lang ako. Then suddenly I stopped. Andito si Yeonwoo? Tanong ng isip ko. Dali dali akong bumaba ng kama at lumabas. I climbed up the deck and true enough. Yeonwoo was standing at the rear side of the yacht and must be in deep thought that she didn't notice my presence. Matagal akong nakatayo at pinagmasdan ang asawa ko. Muntik ko ng makalimutan na galit ako sa kanya. I really missed her, her presence makes me want to run to her. To kiss her, this is really killing me. Ako ang may gusto pero ako ang nahihirapan sa ginagawa ko. I saw a familiar face at the cockpit, siya ang trusted ni Yeonwoo na binibiro niyang captain Tom. He's handsome and responsible gentleman who refused to work far from his family. Going back to my wife who stand gorgeously in her long black leather pants and white shirt. I assumed malayo na kami dahil sa lawak na ng dagat na nakikita ko. Napansin ko nang gumalaw si Yeonwoo at lumingon sa gawi ko. I have to hold myself against running to her, how beautiful my wife is even when her eyes is covered.

"N-nancy..." utal niyang tawag sa akin sabay alis ng sunglasses niya. Be still my heart. Pigil ko sa sarili ko, remember you have to teach her a lesson paalala ko sa sarili.

"Why am I here?" tanong ko sa seryosong boses. Hindi agad siya nakaimik. She's about to walk towards me but I held up my hand. "I'm asking you Yeonwoo, bakit ako nandito? Si Daisy may alam ba siya dito? Kakutsaba mo ba siya?" sunod sunod kong tanong. "Where are you taking me?!" pasigaw ko ng tanong.

"N-nancy...I just want us to talk..." pakiusap niya.

"Turn this boat around, Yeonwoo. Ibalik mo ako sa atin."

"Nancy."

"I'm serious, Yeonwoo! Turn this boat around or tatalon ako." banta ko na sa kanya. Saglit niya akong tinitigan.

"You don't have to do that, Nancy."

"Then turn this dam.n boat back to where we came from!" sigaw ko sa kanya.

"I'm sorry. I can't." sagot niya.

"What?!" tanong ko at yon lang then everything went fast. "Yeonwoo!" sigaw ko when I saw her jump off the boat. ! What will I do now. Sumigaw ako sa cockpit pero mukhang hindi ako pinapansin ni Tom. Napansin kong papalayo na kami kay Yeonwoo na ngayon ay palutang lutang na sa dagat. Dam.n.

"Tom!Tom!" sigaw ko pero hindi talaga ako pinapansin. So I ran towards him while shouting at his name, malapit na ako pero parang hindi pa rin ako pinapansin. So ayaw ko man ay hinampas ko siya ng malakas "Hey! hindi mo ba ako naririnig?!" sigaw ko na sa kanya. Saka siya bumaling sa akin hawak ang balikat niya.

"S-sorry Nancy." tanging nasabi niya lang.

"Turn this boat around!" utos ko.

"S-sorry Nancy. Sabi ni Yeon---"

"Yeonwoo's over there! In the water, you have to go back and get her!" sigaw ko at nataranta siya ng nilingon niya si Yeonwoo na malayo na sa amin kaya agad niyang pinaikot pabalik ang yate. When the boat came near Yeonwoo, Tom threw the lifebouy to her, but Yeonwoo refused to hold onto it. Irrirated I shouted at her.

"Grab that thing and climb up here or I'll jump over there and drown you myself!" banta ko na sa kanya at agad niyang hinawakan ang lifebouy at agad namang hinila ni Tom. Pero sa loob loob ko natakot ako sa ginawa ni Yeonwoo, paano pag may pating? Sa sobrang pag alala ko ay hindi ko napansin si Yeonwoo na nasa harapan ko na. Bugso ng damdamin ay agad ko siyang niyakap pero mabilis kong binawi at hinampas ko siya. "Why did you do that?!"

"If I didn't jump, you would, wouldn't you?" mahinang balik niya sa akin. Hay naku Yeonwoo

"You're crazy!" sagot ko na sabay talikod at pumasok sa loob. How can she be so stupid, me jumping off the boat? Takot nga ako eh. Sabi ko sa isip ko. Matagal kong inikot ng tingin ang paligid ko. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang isang malaking travel bag malapit sa closet ng kwarto namin. Alam ko mga damit namin ang laman non. Anong plano ng babaeng ito?dalhin ako sa isang isla at magtatagal kami? Then I saw a glass of water at the side counter table. I noticed a piece of paper beside it, I moved to look at it. Then I saw a sticky note with Yeonwoo's handwritten: "hon, take this for your headache. Love you, Yeonwoo." Then I remember I don't feel like having a hangover from last night, a bit I guess. Pero sumakit ang ulo ko ngayon sa ginawa ni Yeonwoo so I immediately took the pill and downed it with water. I stood there for a while when I remember my wife, why she isn't coming inside? Isn't she all wet and cold? Inis man ay tinungo ko ang closet at kumuha ako ng towel saka ako lumabas at gusto kong maawa sa aking asawa ng makita ko siya na nakatayo lang sa kanyang pwesto at halatang nanginginig na sa lamig. I wanted to run and hug her pero napigilan ko pa rin ang sarili ko.

"Aren't you gonna change?" sabi kong pagalit habang palapit ako sa kanya at sabay bato ng tuwalya na tumama sa mukha niya. Nagulat man ako ay hindi ko pinakita. Napalakas naman ata ang ginawa ko at mukhang nagulat din siya. She didn't say a word and slowly walked past through me. I felt guilty for what I did but I held myself from touching her when we're just inches away.

The whole remaining trip is all silent. Maingay lang ang makina na ng yate at ang hampas ng tubig. Yeonwoo's at the other side of the boat while she makes sure I will not be out of her sight. Few more hours and I think we're near our destination. I saw a small paradise. It was a breathtaking sight that immediately captured my eyes and probably my heart because I felt excited as we come near the island.

YEONWOO'S POV

Nandito na kami sa isla, muntik ko nang ibalik sa Manila ang yate matapos ang insidente kanina dahil nakita ko ang galit ni Nancy nang tumalon ako sa dagat. Hindi ko rin alam bakit ko nagawa yon. Siguro kahit sa ganong paraan mapansin niya ako. Kita ko ang paghanga ni Nancy sa isla, masaya akong makita yon sa kanya kahit pinipilit niyang itago ang paghanga sa isla. Ngunit hindi pa siya dumeretso sa bahay, nagpaiwan siya sa dalampasigan habang tinutulungan ako ni Tom na ibaba ang gamit. Mukhang pati kay Tom ay nagalit si Nancy, kinausap ko si Tom na kahit anong sabihin ni Nancy ay huwag na huwag niya itong susundin o pakikinggan.

Naglabas ako ng beach mat at kinuha ang ginawang salad ni Mama Myeongju dahil alam niyang hindi ako agad makakapagluto. Paglabas ko ng bahay ay tanaw ko parin si Nancy na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa tabing dagat. Kanina ko lang ulit nahawakan ang kamay ng asawa ko nang hindi ito tumanggi nang inalalayan ko siya pagbaba ng yate. Bitbit ko ang beach mat at basket ng salad, juice at tubig lumabas ako ng bahay at lakas ng loob na nilapitan ang asawa ko.

"Where is he going?" rinig kong tanong ni Nancy habang nakatanaw siya sa yate na ngayon ay papalayo na.

"He just need to check some things but don't worry he'll come back." Pinakiramdaman ko kung magagalit siya o ano pero nanatili lang siyang tahimik. "You haven't had breakfast and lunch, Nancy. Eat something." alok ko habang nilapag ko sa tabi niya ang basket ng pagkain. "You can stay here, if you want." sabi ko pagkatapos kong ilatag ang beach mat. "I forgot the umbrella, I'll be back." paalam ko nang maalala kong hindi ko dala ang beach umbrella.

"No need. The sun's about to set anyway..." sagot niyang hindi tumitingin sa akin. Nagbuntong hininga lang ako saka ko naisip na gumawa ng bonfire baka magdecide na magpagabi sa dalampasigan si Nancy

"I'll just get some woods, then." mahina kong sagot. Hindi naman ako nahirapan dahil may mga naipon ng kahoy malapit sa bahay.I took some of it and went straight to Nancy. Tahimik pa rin siya habang inaayos ko ang gagawin kong bonfire. Naghukay ako sa buhanginan upang doon ilagay ang kahoy bago sindihan.

I was right Nancy remained in the place until the sun starts to set. I sat near hear because I want to watch the sunset with her, but not too near, I am sitting outside the beach mat. But it's enough for me that I can feel her presence. It was a beautiful and silent moment of witnessing the end of another day with my wife. As the whole place is slowly getting dark I started working on the fire.

NANCY'S POV

I'm discreetly watching Yeonwoo's every move and now she's working to make some fire because it now getting dark. After eating the salad she served which I knew Mama prepared, I felt energized and wanted to stay a little longer in my place. Slowly the fire started to devour the blackness in our midst and I felt the heat coming out of the fire.

"I will just stay here, if you don't mind." I heard Yeonwoo said when she sat near me outside the mat.

"Then come here and don't sit in the sand." I ordered and I saw her moved her closer and sat beside me. We just stayed there silently watching the fire in front of us.

"I saw a movie about this young man hearing advice from his soon to be father-in-law..." she started breaking the silence. "The old guy said that he cheated on her wife and that's when he realised how much he loves his wife." She paused. "Then the young man asked the old guy does he need to cheat to know how much he loves her daughter...then then old guy said forget it and it was just a stupid advice..." I felt she turned her gaze towards me. "It's a stupid advice and a stupid excuse. I don't need to cheat to know how much I love you, Nancy. Cheating happens when you fall out of love, cheating is when you believe that you don't belong to each other. Cheating is when you're not sure of what you feel anymore. Everything I felt with you since the day you came to my life is a total opposite of everything you're doubting about me, Nancy." she said without taking her eyes off me. "I am falling in love with you every day. I always believe that we belong to each other and  I am always sure of what I feel for you now and every day.." I froze but felt my body shaking of wanting to take her right here, right now. For the words she uttered melts my heart and warmth my soul. "I'm sorry if I took you here, I'm so desperate to just feel your presence. I just want you to hear me out. I'm sorry for hurting you...If you still don't want to talk to me, I understand and I will ask Tom to come back here tomorrow morning to pick you up. I just want to say sorry for making all these mess." she said and moved her gaze towards the flickering light. I'm totally melted. Sh.it Yeonwoo one more word and I will give in. Totally. bulong ko sa isip ko. "I just miss you, Nancy. Terribly." Bulong niya at napapapikit na ako. I can't hold on anymore. "I'll just get some more woods." sabi niya at akma na siyang tatayo nang mabilis kong hinawakan ang kamay niya. Our eyes met and I saw the longing in the teary-eyes of Yeonwoo. "N-nancy." Mahina niyang tawag.

"I-i believe you Yeonwoo...and...and I miss you too...Terribly." and with that I felt her lips crushed against mine. We both missed each other and we felt and tasted our tears while we're kissing hungrily and passionately. I don't remember how long we've been kissing but when we opened our eyes we saw darkness around us. The stars and the little button-like moon has been giving us a glimpse of light but the image of Yeonwoo's face is visible in my eyes and I know she sees me the same because we're looking intently at each other while gasping some air

"I love you, Nancy." she whispered.

"I love you, too Yeonwoo." as she connected our lips again, this time slowly and sweet, her hand slowly moving down my body. "Y-yeonwoo."

"I miss you so much, hon. I need you. Please." she begged.

"And I want you, honey." I whispered back.

The moon and the stars are our witness of how our body became one and the burning desire inside us has been quenched at this very moment.