ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Chapter 25

NANCY'S POV

I missed the feeling of being closed to her and waking up beside her. I've been awake for a while but I didn't move, afraid to wake her up. Our faces are just inches away, I can see her face clearly from the light coming outside our room. Hindi ako magsasawang pag masdan siya, the only face I would want to see every morning when I wake up. The only person I want to look at when I'm happy, sad, hurting and angry. In all my emotions the only person I want to share with is this girl with me. I smiled of the thought. I slowly traced my finger on her forehead down her pointed nose. "Tangos." bulong ko, i moved closer to give her a peck on her nose. She didn't react. In deep sleep ha, bulong ko sa sarili. Then i moved my fingers down her lips, if I kissed her I won't be able to control myself I will surely wake her up and then she'll kissed me back, then we will make love again. I giggled. Hay naku Nancy para kang nasa honeymoon. But I felt I am, making love with Yeonwoo is like we're always in our honeymoon. She never let me feel less important, I'm always precious in her eyes. Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong halikan siya, gusto ko lang siyang titigan habang nilalaro ng mga daliri ko ang makinis niyang balat. My fingers moved to her bare shoulder then to her arms, moving towards her . I pressed my palm on her back feeling the warmth of her body while gently caressed her, my hands up and down. I missed her, I missed her so much. I am feeling the moment when I remember something. Oh sh.it. I stopped and slowly moved to get out of bed but I felt Yeonwoo's arm tighten around my waist.

"Where are you going?" nakapikit niyang tanong. "Why did you stop?" tanong niya.

"Gising ka na?" gulat kong tanong at tumango lang siya.

"Why did you stop what you're doing?" tanong niya muli na hindi pa rin nagmumulat ng mga mata.

"I thought you're still in deep sleep?"

"Don't stop please, hon. I love what you're doing." parang bata niyang lambing.

"Later, honey. I will just get our clothes..." sabi at akma ng baba ng kama pero niyakap na ako ni Yeonwoo at dinaganan. Ramdam ko ang init ng katawan niya sa aking likod. "Y-yeonwoo...I'll be quick. Our clothes are scattered in the sand baka may makakita don." I pleaded.

"No one's going in this area, hon." bulong niya saka ako hinalikan sa balikat. Oh no, this is not good. Nagising na siya.

"How can you be so sure? I'll just be quick..."

"I'm sure because I know this place. We can even make love again in that place in broad daylight." pilya niyang sabi sabay yakap at hinalikan ako sa leeg. Not good. Not good.

"Yeonwoo!" saway ko sa kanya. "Seriously making love in the beach?"

"Yeah, we did it last night remember?" Paalala niya while her hands are now making slow movements. I tried to move away but she's just strong enough and I'm trapped in her arms.

"Y-yeonwoo, that was last night. Remember gabi yon, no lights and all." paalala ko but she seems not listening and continue showering me with kisses. "yeonwoo?" tawag ko na.

"After this" she said while she moved me to face her and she slowly straddled over me.

"Y-yeonwoo?"

"Hmmm?" she answeres while she started kissing me in my ears down to my neck.

"H-honey?"

"Yes, hon?" balik niyang tanong habang nakakatitig na sa akin. Hindi ako sumagot.

"Dati when I'm tired of work and everything I would ran here and stay for days. That's the only memory I have in this place." she said while I felt the back of her hand in my cheek. "But now it was filled with your presence. The way we make love in the water, in the sand, in this house, in my bed."

"Yeonwoo...yon lang ba ginawa natin kagabi?" taray kong tanong. Her eyes looked up as if thinking.

"Yep..." ngiti niyang sagot pagababa ng tingin sa akin.

"That was all you can remember?" tanong ko muli.

"We made love in the sand, didn't we?"

"Yeah, but after that we went down into the water to wash ourselves because we're covered with sands, di ba?" paalala ko sa kanya.

"Yes, then we made love under the water, d ba?" balik niya and I felt the heat in my cheeks.

"Okay, then we decided to shower dahil maalat na tayo dba?" I said again.

"Oo nga then we made love in the shower, didn't we?"

"Y-yeonwoo!?" saway ko na sa kanya but she didn't move she stayed there over me while grinning.

"After the shower we went to our room to get changed pero bago pa tayo..."

"Stop!" pigil ko na sa kanya.

"What? we're just reacalling what we did last night, aren't we?"

"Yes but I'm not saying that you have to recall every detail of...hay naku..."

"But I want to...and besides you started it."

"I know, but...ok, ok I remember everything na..." pagsuko ko na

"Really?" taas babang kilay niyang tanong sa akin.

"Yes, unlike you. Iisa lang naaalala mo." taray kong sagot.

"Hon naman. Siyempre I remembered everything..." still grinning. "O sige after we made love...we fell asleep, dba?"

"And?"

"Nagising ka and we went to the kitchen..."

"And?"

"We made love...."

"Tama na, Yeonwoo..." takip ko na sa bibig niya dahil naalala ko hindi ko pa natatapos ang pagluto ko ng pancake ay naka isang round pa kami.Grabe si Yeonwoo ayaw akong tigilan.

"Hmmmp?" panlalaki niya ng mata na nagtatanong habang nasa bibig pa rin niya ang kamay ko.

"After that I cooked and brought the pancakes here and we ate, right?" ako na lang nagtuloy at tumango siya. "Ok..." I said calmly and slowly removed my hand covering .

"Then...we have no desert so I made you---hmmmp." pigil ko muli sasasabihin niya.

"Stop it Yeonwoo, baka may makarinig sa'yo." inis ko ng sabi.

She removed my hand and started to laugh. "Hon walang makakarinig sa atin dito. Ngayon mo pa talaga naisip yan? Nahihiya ka? Eh kagabi nga dka nahihiya nong---hmmmmp..."

"Stop it, Yeonwoo... Gosh! Hindi ka titigil?" grabe sobrang hiya na ako sa sarili ko, nanlalaki na ang mga mata ko para matakot siya. And I guess that worked because she held her hands up. I'm blushing at Yeonwoo's words pero para sa kanya balewala lang pag usapan ang tungkol sa lovemaking namin at natutuwa pa siya.

"Ok I'll stop na hon." she said while giving me a tight hug. Then I felt her deep kiss in my neck.

"And stop doing that too." I reminded her because I felt I'm going to give in again.

"What? Just giving you morning kisses, masama ba yon?" she reasoned.

"You had so many kisses this morning, honey. That's enough for tonight." Sagot ko sabay unti unting tulak sa kanya. "Take a shower para malamigan ka."

"Ang aga pa para mag shower, hon. Malamig ang tubig dito muna ako, papainit. Kasi mainit katawan mo." balik yakap niya sa akin. Abat paraparaan din tong babaeng to eh.

"May hot shower, kaya mainit din ang tubig pag naligo ka." sabi ko at ramdam ko na rin ang init ng katawan ng asawa ko na parang sawang nakapulupot sa akin. "Go now!" taboy ko sa kanya pero pero kapit tuko siya sa akin. "Hey!" sabi ko at para na kaming nag re-wrestling sa kama.

"Ehh, ang aga pa hon. Gusto mo sama ka na lang." balik niya sa akin na ngayon ay subsob ng mukha sa dibdib ko. O gosh, stop Yeonwoo I silently beg inside my head. Pilit kong inaangat ang ulo niya pero lalo niyang dinidiin sa dibdib ko.

"Yeonwoo, ano ba!" sigaw ko pero parang unan lang niya ang dibdib ko kung isubsob niya ang mukha niya. Nakikiliti na ako sa gingawa niya. Nasa ganon kaming pagtatalo ng may marinig akong tawag sa cellphone. And from the tone of it. It's Yeonwoo's. We both stopped and looked at each other. "Who will that be calling very early?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"No idea..." sabi niya.

"Might be the kids..." nasabi ko at dali dali akong bumangon para hanapin ang phone niya. "Where did you put your phone?" tanong ko.

"It's in my backpack, side pocket." she said and I immediately searched for her bag. I felt her phone at the side pocket but was surprised when I saw the caller's name. I looked straight at her.

"Bakit?Sinong tumatawag?" takang tanong niya

"You're not expecting her call?"

"Who?"

"Lisa..." I said with a suspicious look to my wife. She froze and with her wide eyes now very visible I know the call was really unexpected.

"I...I--I don't know, hon."

"Are you sure you don't know?" paninigurado ko at nagkamot na siya ng batok.

"I-ah-I don't know. All I know is she's ok." kibit balikat niyang sagot. The call stopped and I looked at Yeonwoo na parang namumulang kamatis na ngayon. I called back the number.

"Hello Yeonwoo? Kamusta na kayo ni Nancy? Sorry maaga akong tumawag nagaalala na kasi ako kay Jennie hindi pa siya tumitigil ng kakaiyak mula pa kagabi. Anong gagawin ko? Pabalikin ko na kaya yong yate at uwi na lang kami?" sunod sunod na sabi ni Lisa, ramdam ang pagaalala sa boses.

"Why Lisa, what did you do to Jennie?" tanong ko.

"N-nancy?" halatang gulat na boses ni Lisa

"Yes and again what did you do to Jennie?"

"N-nothing Nancy..."

"Bakit siya iiyak kung wala?"

"I-i don't know?"

"Where are you guys?" tanong ko na pero may idea na ako kung nasaan sila dahil sa rinig kong sabi ni Lisa na yate. Hindi kaya nasa iisang isla lang kami? Wala akong narinig na sagot "Lisa?!" kunwaring mataas na boses kong tawag.

"S-sorry Nancy..."

"Where is Jennie?" pag iba ko na lang ng tanong "Give her the phone I want to talk to her..."

"P-pero..."

"Now..." putol ko sa sasabihin pa niya. Ilang segundong katahimikan. "Hello Lisa?" tawag ko na ulit.

"Nancy?"

"Jennie?" tawag ko sa ibang boses na kausap ko. "Is this Jennie?" pagaalinlangan ko dahil boses malat ang nasa kabilang linya.

"Y-yes, Nancy. This is Jennie."

"Did you cry all night?" pero hindi siya sumagot. "Jennie, are you hurt?"

"No. No. Nancy. I'm okay. I'm fine...I'm just overwhelmed. Actually I'm never been happy."

"Then why are you crying?"

"Happiness?"

"What do you mean?"

"She proposed last night...and I can't believe what I heard, Nancy. Alam mo yong you didn't expect for someone like Lisa...like she doesn't believe in commitment, how much more in marriage...but last night..."

"So those are tears of joy?"

"Sort of..."

"What do you mean?"

"Would you believe, Nancy. If she's even serious why would she has to kidnap me and brought me in this island only to propose. Parang pag hindi ako sumagot ikukulong niya ako dito sa isla."

"Maybe she's afraid you'd say no because of the issue about her and Yeonwoo..."

"Kahit na, bakit kailangan niya akong dalhin dito?"

"Sa tingin ko may kinalaman ang asawa ko and I believe we're in the same island." sagot ko na dahil sa expression ng mukha ng asawa ko parang nahuli ko siya.

"What do you mean, Nancy?" tanong niya.

"I will tell you later, Jennie. Anyways, I'll call you back, I need to confirm something, ok?"

"Ok, Nancy. Thank you."

"It's alright, Den. We'll see each other later and congratulations on your engagement." paalam ko na.

"We're not yet engaged..."

"What? But I thought Lisa already proposed?" taka kong tanong.

"Yes she did but I didn't say anything...I just cried and cried..."

"Now that's why she really got worried." natatawa ko ng sabi. "Is she there beside you?"

"Nope she's outside, I'm here inside the room."

"Ok I will call you back." paalam ko na saka ako tumingin kay Yeonwoo na ngayon ay namumutla na.

"How's Jennie?" alalang tanong ni Yeonwoo pagbaba ko ng phone.

"She's been crying all night..." seryoso kong sabi na lalong nagpaiba ng mukha ni Yeonwoo

"Do you have anything to do with them, Yeonwoo?" sabi ko ng nakapameywang.

"Uhm...ano...kasi...kasi...ano..." halos walang mahagilap niyang sagot.

"Anong ano? Anong kasi? So alam mong kinidnap ni Lisa si Jennie?"

"Uhm...hindi naman kidnap yon, Hon. K-kasi ano lang naman...nakatulog lang siya ng mahimbing...kaya ano...yon."

"So you're the mastermind?"

"No! Hindi! I mean nag suggest lang ako!" depensa na niya.

"You suggest to kidnap Jennie?" nanlalaki ng mga mata kong papalapit sa kanya. napansin kong napalunok si Yeonwoo, hindi ko alam kung sa takot or dahil sa hubad kong katawan na palapit sa kanya. "You're impossible, Yeonwoo!" ngayon ay nakatayo na ako sa harapan niya sa tabi ng kama.

"She wanted to propose before that scandal happened that's why I suggested why not take Jennie here and propose..." nadulas na siya.

"What a lousy suggestion, Yeonwoo."Iling ko ng sabi." So they're here, too?" tanong ko at tumango lang siya. "Where?"

"It's in the other side, Hon." suko na niya.

"We'll go there..."

"Pero, hon?"

"Walang pero pero...this is your plan and FYI it didnt work kaya ayon lalo silang nagkagulo."

"But it worked for us..." depensa niya sabay ngiti at lapit sa akin at naramdaman ko ang mainit niyang mga palad sa magkabilang beywang ko.

"Yeah but don't push it, Yeonwoo. I'm warning you." taas kilay kong sabi at agad nawala ang mga kamay niya sa bewang ko. "Take a shower and we're going there." sabi ko na at parang batang sumunod si Yeonwoo.

-

"Nancy!" sigaw ni Jennie nang makita niya kami malayo pa lang. May tinawagan si Yeonwoo at may dumating na bangka na nagdala sa amin sa kabilang side ng maliit na isla na ito. May nadaanan kaming mga bangka at isang maliit na community. Sa di kalayuan ay may iilang mga bahay bago kami nakakita ng isang maliit na resthouse sa bandang dulo. Malayong malaki ang tinutuluyan namin ni Yeonwoo. Sabi niya yong lugar kung saan kami nag stay ay doon daw siya madalas mamalagi, yon daw ang resthouse na itinayo ni Lolo Pablo para kay Lola Minerva. Ang tinutuluyan nila Jennie ay rest house din na pinagawa ni Lolo noon para sa sarili niya. Nabalik ang isip ko ng maramdaman ko ang yakap ni Jennie

"How are you?" tanong ko at kita ang mugto niyang mga mata.

"H-happy..." ngiti niyang sabi.

"Swollen eyes yet happy, huh..." biro ko at nagyakap kami muli. Napansin ko ang papalapit na si Lisa at kita ang pagaalala sa kanyang mukha. Nakita ko siyang nagpalit ng tingin at alam kong nagtama ang mata nila ni Yeonwoo na nasa likod ko rin. Saka ako bumitaw at hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga kamay. "Are you sure you're alright?" paninigurado ko.

"Yes...Sorry I made you worry, Nancy." ngiti niyang sabi.

"It's ok, Jennie. Look what they have done when we don't talk to them. Never thought that they end up abducting us." ngiti kong sabi.

"And I'm sorry Jennie but I guess all of this is Yeonwoo's idea." hinging paumanhin ko. Then I look behind me and felt Yeonwo's presence. "Yeonwoo, do you have anything to say?" baling ko kay Yeonwoo at nagkamot siya ng batok.

"Uhm, I'm sorry Jennie...I mean no harm when I advised Lisa..."

"It's ok Yeonwoo...but...did you know? I mean about...."

"Yes, Jennie. That was our topic the night that photo was taken. We're both happy and in the mood for celebration. I'm so happy for Lisa. She's like a sister to me. Alam mo yan." Yeonwoo honestly said. Jennie in tears immediately hugged Yeonwoo. "I'm sorry that everything was ruined just because of that stupid photo."

"It's ok, Yeonwoo. It doesn't matter anymore." sagot niya at dahan dahan humiwalay kay Yeonwoo and held her hands. "Alam mo ba mula nang naging kami ni Lisa andon ang takot ko na ako na ba ang huli or isa lang sa mga present niya?"

"J-jennie?" rinig naming tawag ni Lisa at lumingon kaming tatlo kay Lisa

"Did we ever talk about our future, Lisa? Did you ever mention about your future plans with me? Did you ever include me in your dreams?" tingin niya kay Lisa at nagumpisa na siyang lumuha.

"Jennie, B-babe?"

"When we see kids playing in the park. You would say they're cute but would say later it's hard to have kids. When we see beautiful houses you would say you'd rather stay in a condo dahil doon ka na nasanay. When we go shopping you refused to pass by at the jewelries, sabi ko tingin tayo ng singsing pero you asked bakit? what for? That's why when you proposed I couldn't believe what I heard, kung seryoso ka ba talaga." hindi ko na napansin kung paano pero magkaharap na silang dalawa ngayon.

"I'm afraid, Jennie...Too afraid that you won't believe me. Too afraid that when we talk about our future you wouldn't take my words seriously, when I see you with kids I thought did it ever occur to you that you want to have kids with me? Hindi ko alam kung naniniwala kang seryoso ako dahil ang laging sagot mo 'may meeting kayo ng mga babae mo' or tumawag ang mistress mo' or 'maganda ang bahay na ginawa mo sa mga chicks mo' when we see jewelry shops I paused and wanted to enter but you would say how many girls have I given jewelries? It hurts Jennie that you always have doubts in me. But I stick and hold on because I love you that much. I took everything because it's my fault, It's who I am before I met you...But I've changed and I'm willing to wait no matter how long it takes for you to believe me..." LISA confessed and I saw Jennie now crying like a child. Then Lisa slowly got down on her one knee while holding Jennje's hand. "Now from what I heard I am convince that I have to do this again...I won't let go of you Jennie. Never. So here I am with Yeonwoo and Nancy as my witness. Jennie, Babe...would you marry me?" She finally said and with that Jennie cried the more while nodding her head.

"Y-yes...of course Lisa..." she answered and immediately Lisa took out something from her pocket and pushed a ring into Jennie's finger while she's now standing and facing Jennie. They hugged and held each other so tight that both of them are now crying. I'm teary-eyed too and when I looked at Yeonwoo, tears flow like water from her eyes, smiling at what we are witnessing.

-

"Bakit sobra ata ang iyak mo kanina, honey?" tanong ko kay Yeonwoo nang maiwan kaming dalawa sa table habang nagpprepare ng brunch sila Lisa at Jennie. After ng proposal ay nagyaya ang dalawa for brunch at ayaw magpatulong, we'll just wait for them na lang daw at the table. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko at hinalikan.

"Naisip ko kasi hindi ko nagawang magpropose sa'yo dahil hindi maganda ang simula ng pagsasama natin. I mean kasal na agad."

"It's ok honey...hindi man maganda ang simula natin but look at us now. We may not have gone through the usual stages that couples do before they get married but we kept our relationship strong until now. What's important is what we have gone through all this years and what we overcome together, honey. With or without proposal I won't regret marrying you." I honestly said.

"It's every girl's dream...it's your dream also, hindi ba?"tanong niya.

"True..." I said holding back her hands. "But it's my great dream too to find someone who loves me more than her schedules, who treats me more than a wife, who sees me more than a partner, who respects my individualism and who will cherish me in every age. Someone who keeps her vow from day one until her last breath." I honestly said and she smiled at me lovingly. "Kaya ba, Yeonwoo?"

"Hindi mo ba ramdam, Nancy?" tanong niya pabalik. For more than five years lahat ng yon ay naramdaman ko kay Yeonwoo

"Then I'll rephrase my question...kakayanin mo pa ba, Yeonwoo?" tanong ko.

"Kakayanin ko, Nancy. Kasi mahal na mahal kita."

"Ngayon ko lang nakita ang cheezy side mo, Yeonwoo." sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita.

"Panira ka naman ng moment Babe." sabi naman ni Jennie na katabi niya. pareho silang nakatayo at nakatingin sa amin habang may dala dalang pagkain.

"Kanina pa kayo?" tanong ko

"Yup! and I fell inlove with you both. Para akong nanonood ng telenovela. KJ naman itong si Lisa tinatawanan si Yeonwoo at panay na ang kalabit gutom na daw siya." natatawa ng sabi ni Jennie habang lumapit na sila at inihain na ang brunch namin.

"Babe wala pa akong kain mula kagabi kasi nagaalala ako sa'yo. Buti nga itong si Yeonwoo mukhang busog na busog eh." kantiyaw niya kay Yeonwoo na bigla namang namula. "O ano, Yeonwoo, busog na busog ka na sa pagmamahal ni Nancy ano? Hindi lang sa pagkain siyempre, biro mo yon ilang araw na ---- hmmmmp."

"Babe, you talk too much!" biglang takip ni Jennie sa bibig ni Lisa

"Hay naku Jennie, magkaibigan nga sila. Iisa ang nasa utak." komento ko at sinalubong kaming dalawa ni Jennie ng may tanong na mga tingin galing kay Yeonwoo at Lisa

"Mismo!" pag sangayon ni Jennie at nagkatinginan silang dalawa muli.

"Anong sinasabi nila?" takang tanong ni Lisa kay Yeonwoo

"Ewan ko sa kanila Lisa, mukhang iisa rin ang nasa utak nila." sagot ni Yeonwoo at nagtawanan na lang kaming apat.