ARRANGED MARRIAGE 

Chapter 35

NANCY'S POV

"Tell me Hyebin, did Yeonwoo made reservations in this restaurant?" Galit kong bungad kay Hyebin sa phone. Ang tagal niya bago sumagot pero hindi ko siya tinigilang tawagan.

"N-nancy kasi..."

"Just yes or no..."

"Y-yes..." Sagot niya at napahawak ako sa noo ko. Gosh Yeonwoo bulong ko sa isip ko.

"So sinong kakain dito? You made reservations without going here ganon ba?" Tanong ko pero hindi siya sumagot at mahina kong naririnig na nakikipagtalo si Hyebin sa katabi niya at alam kong si Yeonwoo yon na ayaw sagutin ang tawag ko. "Where are you?" Hindi siya sumasagot pero naririnig ko siyang bumubulong na parang sinasabi na lumabas na sila. "Are you guys inside a car?" Muli kong tanong at muli ay walang sagot. From the sound of it I know they're inside a car somewhere. "Hyebin don't make me knock off the windows of all the cars parked in this area dahil gagawin ko talaga yon makita ko lang kayo and don't even try to leave or you'll gonna regret it." Banta ko at para makasigurado na rin na nasa paligid lang sila.

"N-nancy?" Sunod ko ng narinig ang boses ni Yeonwoo

"Why are you not answering your phone?"

"K-kasi galit ka..." Parang bata ng sabi ni Yeonwoo

"Sinong hindi magagalit sa ginawa mo Yeonwoo?"

"Are you mad because I ruined your date?"

"What date? Friendly date. Yes! Bakit anong date ang iniisip mo?" Pero hindi siya sumagot. "Kung nagdududa ka sa amin ni Subin, you should have come with us hindi yong kung ano ano pa ang ginawa mo. You seriously reserved this restaurant just so you can spy on us?" Galit ko ng ulit. "Now tell me who's gonna eat here?" Buntonghininga lang ang narinig ko. "Yeonwoo." Tawag ko sa kanya.

"I'll send Hyebin and Taeha's staff ..." Mahina niyang sagot.

"Gosh, Yeonwoo, what are doing? You're wasting..."

"Bakit ka nagagalit? It's my money anyway? I'm not wasting any cent from the company or from anyone." Dahilan na niya sa mataas na boses.

"Kahit na. Hindi ka nanghihinayang sa mga ginagawa mo? Napakadali para sa'yo ang gawin ang lahat ng magustuhan mo?" Halos pareho na kaming nakasigaw. "Where are you? I don't want to argue with you over the phone? Nasaan kayo?"

"It doesn't matter...Bumalik ka na sa kadate mo..." Sagot niya at gusto ko ng magwala but I kept calm.

"It does matter to me and don't think dirty dahil wala kaming ginagawang masama ni Subin. He's my friend. Period."

"Now you're being defensive."

"I am not being defensive, Yeonwoo. Can you just be open minded for once. Kahit ngayon lang, please?" Inis ko ng sabi, naghalo halo na ang mga nalaman ko at kung paano pa makipag usap sa akin si Yeonwoo

"So I guess it's true that I'm giving you a hard time, been pain in the , brat and all." Sabi na niyang parang naiiyak. "So you're fed up with me? You'll gonna leave me anytime soon? Right?"

"What are you saying Yeonwoo? Dam.n it tell me where you are right now or I'll gonna smash every windshield of these cars parked around here. I'm serious Yeonwoo."

"Y-you're really mad at me..." Nanginginig na niyang boses.

"I'm not mad at you, Yeonwoo but I will sure do kung hindi mo pa sasabihin kung nasaan ka." Sabi ko at palinga linga ako sa paligid. I looked around to see any hard material that I can use but I found none.Mas lalo akong nainis na lumapit sa isang kotse at sinilip ko yon. Walang tao, next I walked towards another car. "You want to see me like this, Yeonwoo? Walking fron one car to another? You think I'll give up, huh?" Hamon ko na sa kanya. Ilang segundong walang nagsalita.Tuloy pa rin akong palipat lipat sa mga sasakyan.

"Stop doing that, Nancy. We're coming out..." Pigil niya sa ginagawa ko. I took a deep breath and calm myself. I now confirmed na nasa paligid lang sila at nakikita ako.

"Ok, I'm waiting..." Sagot ko saka ko binaba and phone.

"Love problem?" Rinig kong boses sa likod ko.

"Subin..." Tawag ko paglingon ko.

"Yeonwoo's here."

"Siya ba ang hinahanap hanap mo sa mga sasakyan?" Natatawa niyang tanong "Is she sneaking on you?"

"She's so impossible..."

"But you love her..." Sagot niya.

"I just need to dance with her moods and whims because she's pregnant." Halos may inis kong sabi.

"Because you love her. Period." he chuckled but I just rolled my eyes on him at lalo siyang natawa.

"What took her so long? She said she's getting out from the car..." I said after a few minutes.

"Maybe she had second thoughts when she saw me..."

"Gosh, Yeonwoo..."

"If she only knew..." Natatawang sagot niya. "I guess you better tell her or she'll go bersek the whole day."

"A-are you sure. I promised you..."

"It's ok, Nancy. I trust you and I know I can trust your wife. Ngayon pa." Sabay kindat niya sa akin. I know Yeonwoo's dying of jealousy seeing us talking like this, but if she only knew. I dialled my phone again.

"Hello?" Matamlay na sagot ni Yeonwoo

"Why aren't you coming out of your car yet?" Tanong ko.

"I might be disturbing your sweet moments with your friend..." Sagot niya. I knew it.

"Yeonwoo, can you please show yourself first so we can talk properly?" Pinipigilan kong mainis.

"We'll just wait for you at the..."

"Fv.ck it. Yeonwoo. Don't you dare run away from me. What's wrong with you? Hindi lahat ng nakikita mo ay yon na."

"Bakit ka nagagalit? Why are you so mad at me, galit ka kasi sinundan kita?"

"Galit ako dahil walang basehan yang iniisip mo and I hate what you're thinking that I'm being unfair to you. How can you even think that I'm cheating on you?"

"I. I never said that, Nancy. I never wanted to think that you'll ever cheat on me...because it scares me..." Halos bulong na niyang sabi.

"Then why are you acting this way, Yeonwoo?" Tanong ko pero hindi siya sumagot. I paused to compose myself and glance at Subin who just gave me a nod. "Yeonwoo there's nothing to be jealous. Subin is just my friend and he won't like me or any other woman because...because he's gay." Paliwanag ko na. Ilang segundong walang sagot. "Yeonwoo?"

"That might be her..." Rinig kong sabi ni Subin at paglingon ko ay nakatayo na si Yeonwoo sa tabi ng isang red tinted small car at palabas na rin si Hyebin sa driver's seat. "You could've said the magic word much earlier for her to come out right away." Biro niyang sabi. "Let's go, Nancy time to meet the one who bended you." He giggled as he gestured me to walk to Yeonwoo. As we approached the two, Yeonwoo looks like a naughty Dane who's caught and could not get away with it, with hands clasped together, teary eyes that looks like an abandoned little kitty. Hay Yeonwoo kund di ka lang buntis. "She's adorably cute..." Bulong ni Subin sa akin. "As much as I want her to get jealous of me I don't want to be the reason when she prematurely gives birth..." Dugtong niya.

"Stop it, Subin." Balik ko sa kanya. Paglapit namin ay halos hindi makagalaw si Yeonwoo. I slowly walked towards her while she's staring down and avoid looking at me.

"Aren't you going to look at me?" Tanong ko pero nagulat na lang ako ng mahina na siya umiyak. "Yeonwoo..." nataranta na ako at niyakap siya agad "Hey."

"S-sorry." was all she said.

"Hush now...Yeonwoo, nagaalala na ako sa mga kinikilos mo. Why are you acting like this?"

"I'm scared..."

"Scared of?" Tanong ko pero hindi siya sumagot. "Compose yourself, ok? There is nothing to be scared of." Sabi ko sabay yakap ng mahigpit sa kanya.

"That's true. Nancy's already bended and she'll never be straight again." Tawa tawang sagot ni Subin. "Hi, sorry to interrupt but I'm really excited to meet you, Yeonwoo Lee , in flesh. Never thought that the person I knew only in magazines and business prints and tv would be standing right in front of me. But most of all the news that she's the love of Nancy's life really hit me bigtime. So when I arrived from the States yesterday the first in my agenda is to be reunited with my bestfriend in high school." Walang prenong sabi ni Subin as he extended his hand towards Yeonwoo

"Hi." Tanging nasagot ni Yeonwoo habang inaabot niya ang kamay ni Subin. "S-sorry for acting like an ..."

"Oh, no apologies. Foolish heart that's so in love does foolish things sometimes." Kindat niya. "I'm really happy to meet you, Yeonwoo. I wish to find someone like you too. I mean a guy like you..." habol niya at nagtawanan na kami saka ko napansin si Hyebin

"Oh, I'm sorry. Subin I'd like you to meet Hyebin, Yeonwko's bestfriend." Pakilala ko at lumapit sa kanya si Subin

"Hi, Hyebin. Nice meeting you."

"Hello, Subin. same here." Ngiting balik ni Hyebin. "Akala ko sobrang liit ko na para d niyo mapansin."

NANCY'S POV

We're on our way home from Lolo Pablo's house, kaming dalawa lang ni Yeonwoo, the kids stayed with Mama. She said she just want to spend time with me on the road. She's being so clingy now that she's nearing her due. Actually I refused to go traveling dahil anytime soon ay manganak na siya pero tulad ng dati ang gusto niya ang masusunod. She said that malapit lang naman daw kina Lolo Pablo niya. And as usual wala akong nagawa. Good thing Mang Julio's with us so anytime we can go back even at this hour, it's almost midnight at mas gusto daw niyang umuwi ng ganitong oras dahil hindi matraffic.

"Hon how's Subin?" Biglang tanong ni Yeonwoo

"He's good. I hope someday he'll find the courage to come out."

"I understand him. The only boy in the family..."

"I know that's why hanggang ngayon hindi niya magawang mag come out. He loves his parents so much to hurt them." Sang ayon ko at napatango lang siya.

"But he deserves to be happy, too." Bulong ni Yeonwoo

"I know..." Ngiti kong balik sa kanya.

"Nga pala hindi pa tayo nakabili ng regalo para sa first birthday ng baby nila Lisa at Jennie..." Biglang nasabi ni Yeonwoo

"Oo nga pala, honey...Bukas ng birthday niya." Paalala ko."We can buy early tomorrow."

"May kalaro na si Baby natin, hon." Ngiting sabi ni Yeknwoo at napantango ako. Pinaguuspan namin ang tungkol sa regalo ng biglang nahinto si Yeonwoo

"Why?" Tanong ko sabay hawak sa kamay niyan pumisil sa binti ko.

"I think I need to pee..." Sabi niya lang. Paglinga ko sa paligid ay malayo pa kami at hindi pa nakakarating sa highway.

"I don't see gasoline stations around, I'm afraid it's still far from here. Pwede ka na sa tabi honey, madilim naman." Biro ko sa kanya at napasimangot siya.

"Dito na lang kaya sa kotse..." Balik niya.

"Yeonwoo!" At nagtawanan kami. Pero biglang nagbago muli ang mukha niya. "Honey, are you ok?" Alala ko ng tanong.

"I felt a sudden pain..." Sabi na niya.

"Where?"

"Everywhere... I mean it just so sudden. But I can manage."

"Oh No. Baka naglalabor ka na Honey..."

"Ha?" takang tanong niya "Am not due until next week?"

"Sa sobrang galawgaw mo mukhang mapapaaga yata." Wala sa loob kung sabi. "Bilisan niyo Mang Julio." Baling ko kay Mang Julio.

"Huwag Mang Julio, hon hindi kailangan magmadali. I'll be fine dati ko ng nararamdaman to. Medyo napapadalas lang ngayon."

"That's because you're nearing your due..." Halos may panic na sa boses ko.

"Don't panic, I'll be fine." Kalma niya sa akin.

"How can I be. We're in the middle of nowhere and here you are..."

"Oh sh.it...." Rinig kong sambit ni Yeonwoo na lalong nagpakaba sa akin.

"What?" Tanong ko.

"Mang Julio pull over." Utos niya.

"Bakit, honey? What is it?"

"I think you need to call Doc Lei..."

"Why?" I asked nervously and sounding in panic.

"Hon, mukha ngang manganganak na ako..."

"What?!" Taranta na ako. "You're wet, I think your water broke. Bilisan niyo Mang Julio we need to go to the nearest hospital." Pansin ko na.

"M-malayo pa tayo sa bayan..." si Mang Julio

"Itabi niyo, Mang Julio."

"Yeonwoo, nasa liblib na lugar tayo..."

"Just pull over please..." Pakiusap niya

"We can't, we have to go to the nearest hospital."

"I need to relax, hon. Kailangan nating umabot kay Doc Lei. Siya ang gusto kong magpaanak sa akin." Sabi niya.

"Then we don't have to stop." Sabi ko at napatango na lang siya.

"Ok." sagot na lang niya. Pero hindi siya mapakali ng upo. Baling dito baling doon, lalo akong kinakabahan. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas.

"Oh, gosh..." Rinig ko muling sabi ni Yeonwoo. "I think she's coming..."

"Who?" Takang tanong ko.

"The baby..."

"What? Yeonwoo huwag kang magbiro ng ganyan. Not funny..." ilang beses na rin akong binibiro ni Yeonwoo na kunwari ay manganganak na siya.

"I'm not joking, hon. Pakiramdam ko manganganak na ako."

"Ano? Ni hindi ka nga naglabor..." Kontra ko na lang para malaman kung nagbibiro siya pero sa loob loob ko alam ko ang totoo.

"I did since the other day I'm in pain kaya nga ayaw mo ng lumabas tayo di ba?" Balik niya.

"See? Now you're telling me manganganak ka na? In this remote place, in the middle of the night, inside a car? Seriously Yeonwlo?!" Halos panic ko ng boses. "Tapos hindi mo ako sinusunod?"

"Ahhh..." Tanging sagot niya.

"Yeonwoo!?"

"Itabi niyo Mang Julio..."

"Kailangan kang madala sa hospital..." Pigil ko.

"Call Doc Lei...."

"Yeonwoo..."

"Pull over and call Doc Lei..." Utos niya at wala kaming nagawa ni Mang Julio kundi tawagan si Doc Lei.

"Pigilan mo..." Sabi ko habang dinadial ang number ni Doc Lei.

"I can't, hon. Bakit ko siya pipigilan kung gusto na niyang lumabas..."Kontra na niya sa akin. Nagtatalo na kami. Matagal bago sumagot si Doc Lei.

"Hello, Nancy?"

"Doc, si Yeonwoo manganganak na."

"Are you at the hospital?"

"Far from your hospital, Doc..."

"What?" Halos di makapaniwala si Doc ng nasabi ko kung saan kami.

"She's asking for you."

"Ok, I'm on my way with the ambulance. Just keep calm and keep the line open." Utos niya kaya hinayaan kong naka loudspeaker ang phone. "We'll meet halfway."

"We can't go farther..." Singit ni Yeonwoo. "I need to be steady. I think she's coming out anytime..." Sagot nito kaya mas lalo akong nataranta.

"Ok Nancy, listen carefully..." Umpisa ni Doc Lei sa pagbibigay ng instructions sa akin.

"I'm afraid to do it Doc...."

"You can do it, Nancy. Just be sure to let your baby come out safely and everything will be fine."

"How can I do that?" Nong sinabi niya ang mga dapat kong gawin.

"Just do it step by step and tell me everything that you see and observe ok?"

"Oh, God. I can't do this..." Halos nanginginig ko ng sabi.

"Just be ready, Nancy in case we can't make it in time when the baby comes out." Paliwanag niya at kita sa mga mata namin ni Mang Julio ang pagkabalisa.

"Ikaw kasi, Yeonwoo sabi ng huwag na tayong umalis eh." Bigla kong sisi sa asawa ko.

"Hon, huwag ka na magalit. Andiyan na yan eh. Ayan na nga manganganak na ako. Kaya mo yan..." Sabi niya na halos mapapikit na sa sakit.Dali daling lumabas si Mang Julio at may kinuha sa compartment at pagbalik ay dala na ang isang bag ng mga kailangan sa panganganak. Good thing we're prepared for the things Yeonwoo needs just in case.

"Dito lang ako sa labas..." Paalam ni Mang Julio. "Kung anuman kailangan niyo tawagin mo lang ako Nancy."

"Please call Mama..." Nasabi ko lamg at tumango siya.

"Hihiga na ako hon mukhang lalabas na tlaga siya." Sabi na ni Yeonwoo

"Let her lie down comfortably, Nancy." Boses ni Doc Lei. "Prepare towels and sanitize your hands, try to send Mang Julio and ask for basin of warm clean water if he can. Keep calm ok?"

"How can I keep calm in a situation like this...I'm not a doctor..." Reklamo ko sabay tawag kay Mang Julio at nagbilin.

"You can do it, Nancy. Just keep calm. Breath in and breath out Yeonwoo."

"Yes Doc..." Kalmang sagot ni Yeonwol

"Aren't you nervous?" Tanong ko.

"Not when you're beside me, hon." Sagot niya habang naka posisyon na siya para manganak.

"Yeonwoo, I'm scared..."

"You can do it hon. I'm supposed to be the one who's scared kasi ako ang mangnganak." Sagot niya while she's now panting.

"This is your fault..." Halos naiiyak ko ng sabi dahil natatakot ako sa maaring mangyari.

"Hon, tama na...." Sabi niya at muling napapikit sa sakit.

"Yeonwoo...."

"Doc she's coming!" Sigaw na ni Yeonwoo

"Ok Yeonwoo if you have the urge to push, do it and Nancy carefully watch out for the baby." Rinig naming sabi ni Doc at ganon nga ang ginawa ni Yeonwoo in between her panting she made one heavy push and I was surpised and shouted.

"I can see the baby's head !!!" Halos tili kong sabi.

"Ok Nancy stay calm...Yeonwoo you have to give another big push, Ok?" Hindi ko na narinig pa si Yeonwoo kundi ay isang malakas na pag iri ang ibinigay niya at unti unti kong nakita ang ulo ng batang lumalabas na mula sa kanya

"The baby's coming! The baby's coming! " Sunod sunod kong tili.

"Stay calm Nancy hold the baby but don't pull her until she's totally out. Just hold her gently."

"Ok...ok.." Sabi ko at naramdaman ko na lang ang buong katawan ng bata sa mga palad ko.

"She's out...I'm holding the baby...Doc..." Sabi kong naluluha.

"Ok carefully bring her to Yeonwoo's chest so she'll be warm and wrap her with clean towel. Wipe and nose so she can breath..." Andon ang takot ko dahil wala pa akong naririnig na iyak ng bata pero matapos kong gawin ang iba pang sinabi ni Doc Lei ay narinig ko na ang matinis na iyak ng anak namin. "Congratulations Nancy, you did a good job." Rinig ko ng sabi ni Doc Lei saka ako tuluyang napaiyak. Kita ko ang hirap sa mukha ni Yeonwoo pero nakuha ko pa rin niya akong tingnan habang masuyong hawak ang baby sa dibdib niya. "Stay with them until we get there and be careful with the umbilical cord, Nancy. We'll do the rest when we get there in a few minutes..." Paalam na ni Doc Lei.

"You did it hon..." Bulong ni Yeonwoo sa nanghihinang boses.

"I can't believe I did it." I truthfully said while gently caressing our baby.

"Thank you, hon..." Bulong niya and I reached down and kissed her then our baby.

"Akala ko sa paglilihi mo lang ako pahihirapan, honey. Hanggang sa panganganak mo pala." Natatawa ko ng sabi at pareho kaming natawa. Nakaramdam na ako ng ginhawa ng marinig ko na ang papalapit na sirena ng ambulansiya. "Doc's here" I whispered to Yeonwoo, who's eyes are half closed and looks tired and weary but fulfilled. She just nod and whispered I love you and I leaned forward to kissed her again. "And I love you so much too." I whispered back. Then I looked down to our baby.

"Welcome to the world, A." I said and Yeonwoo raised an eyebrow.

"A?"

"Yup..."

"Isn't she Ackiera Chaile?"

"Yes?"

"Then her nickname's A..."

"Hon, bakit A lang?"

"Like what the kids call each other..."

"Hon naman..."

"Basta A and don't argue with me, honey. Remember you're not pregnant anymore." Banta ko na sa kanya.

"What the..." Nasabi na lang niya pero hindi natuloy dahil hinalikan ko na siya.