Song: Someday- Nina

Honest

"We want you to marry each other for business. Arranged marriage, Benjamin, to be exact."

My mouth parted with what Tita Barbara just said. They want us to what? Marry each other? Nababaliw na ba sila? Why would they force us to do such thing? At bakit pumayag sila Mommy at Daddy sa ganitong plano? I don't understand.

Benjamin laughed because he thinks Tita Barbara is joking. But based on her facial expression, I know that she's dead serious. There's no humor on her face and neither my parents and Tito Francisco.

"You can't let us do that," aniya nang medyo natatawa-tawa pa. Sinulyapan niya ako ng saglit bago ipinagpatuloy ang sinasabi. "I will never do that." He said emphasizing the 'I'.

My jaw clenched. Hindi na naman niya kailangan pang ipamukha sa akin na ayaw niya nito. Kahit ako rin naman. Sino ba ang gugustohin ang ganitong arrangement? Why do they think that this needs to be done in order for them to merge our companies? I mean, pupwede namang mag-merge ng walang ganito hindi ba?

"The decision is final, Benj. You can't do anything about it." Ani Tito Francisco.

Benjamin shakes his head. Minsan idinadaan nalang niya sa tawa ang inis pero ramdam ko na ayaw niya talaga nito. I wanted to say something pero parang naputulan ata ako ng dila kaya hindi ko magawang mag-salita.

"Oh, come on... is that why you forced me to come here? To talk about this shit?" ani Benjamin na medyo iritado na ngayon.

"Benjamin!" Tita Barbara warned.

Wala akong magawa kung hindi ang pasadahan ng tingin ang buong hapag. Tito Francisco and Tita Barbara looks really problematic about making Benjamin agree to this. Habang ang mga magulang ko naman ay nanatiling tahimik at pinapakinggan lamang ang pagrereklamo ni Benjamin.

Nang tumama ang tingin ko kay Benjamin ay tsaka siya nag-salita.

"What? Aren't you gonna say something?" his voice sounded so hard that it pained me a little.

So, he's back on being mad at me huh?

Naramdaman ko ang paglingon sa akin ni Mommy. Nanatili lang akong nakatingin kay Benjamin. He's looking at me with so much anger in his eyes. I opened my mouth to say something pero ni-isang salita ay walang lumabas.

Benjamin laughed mockingly. He shakes his head.

"Don't tell me you're going to agree to this?"

Hindi ako nag-salita. I saw that he clenched his jaw. Mariin niya akong tinitigan. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang mag-iwas ng tingin.

My Mom held my trembling hands under the table. Gusto kong umiyak dahil hindi ko makayanan ang tingin na ibinibigay sa akin ni Benjamin. He's looking at me like he'll be disgusted at me if I agreed to our parents' plan. Na para bang hindi niya ako mapapatawad kung sakaling papayag ako.

At masakit na makita ang tingin na iyon sa taong gustong-gusto mo...

I like him. I like him so much. Na sa tingin ko kapag lumago pa ang pag-tingin kong ito sakanya papayag ako sa gusto nilang mangyari. I will marry him. But not because of business, but because I love him.

But that's not the case. Paano kung pumayag ako dahil mahal ko siya pero siya naman ay hindi? Paano kung ikasal nga kami pero ayaw niya naman akong makasama?

Ngayon palang nasasaktan na ako... paano kaya kung nangyari na?

"Benjamin, this is for the sake of our company. Mas gaganda ang takbo ng kompanya natin kung isasama natin ito sakanila Bernard. We'll become a great team-"

"I don't think this will work. Paano ko pakikisamahan ang taong hindi ko naman gusto?"

I froze. Eto na nga ba ang sinasabi ko. Gusto kong sumabog sa galit. Pero para saan naman ang galit na ipapakita ko? Galit dahil hindi niya ako gusto? Galit dahil hindi kami parehas ng nararamdaman? Galit dahil mas gusto niyang makasama ang ibang tao kaysa sa akin? Ganoon ba?

"Benjamin, watch your words!" Tita Barbara warned again.

"Bakit? Masama na bang magsabi ng totoo?" aniya at tsaka ako sinulyapan.

Malamig ko siyang tinitigan ng pabalik. Hindi pala gusto... but why is he showing me the opposite? Mag-mukha nang umaasa pero... sino ba naman ang taong hahalik nalang bigla sa taong hindi niya naman pala gusto?

Bakit niya ako hahayaang manatili sa condo unit niya kanina gayong alam niya naman palang may nangyari sa amin? He should've just kicked me out! Ganoon naman 'yon! If you have nothing to deal with the person you had a one night stand, why would you let her stay?

At bakit niya ako inasikaso nung lasing ako? Sana hinayaan niya nalang ako. Hindi niya naman pala ako gusto, e.

Bakit niya ako hihilahin palayo sa mga lalaking gustong lumapit sa akin noong sumasayaw ako gayong hindi niya naman pala ako gusto?

Why would he wake up early just to see me before he left Barcelona? Bakit niya ako sasamahang pumunta sa iba't ibang lugar kung pwede niya naman akong hayaang maglibot ng mag-isa? Why would he ask me to be his date and introduce me as his girlfriend kung hindi niya pala ako gusto?

Diba... pag hindi mo gusto iyong tao... gagawin mo ang lahat para lang hindi mo siya makasama o makahalubilo man lang? Pero bakit siya? Iba ang ginagawa niya?

Dadagdagan pa sana ni Benjamin ang sinabi niya nang bigla akong tumayo. I won't let his words hurt me anymore. I won't let his words make me think less of myself.

Marami pa namang lalaki dyan di ba? There are still guys who are ready to choose me. I won't let myself settle with a man who will only make me think that I'm worthless.

I don't even love him. So what's the sense of marrying him?

"I'm sorry..." I whispered. 'Yun lang ang natatangi kong sinabi bago ako tuluyang umalis sa harap ng hapag.

Tinawag pa ako ni Mommy pero hindi na ako lumingon pa. I went to my room at tsaka nag-kulong doon. Nang hindi makayanan ay hindi ko na pinigilan ang luha ko na lumandas sa mukha ko. I want to cry the pain away.

I don't deserve to hurt like this. This is just an infatuation, right? This is nothing. Kaya bakit ako masasaktan ng ganito? This is bullshit!

I felt so stupid to think that maybe he also feels the same. Kasi bakit niya naman gagawin ang lahat ng iyon kung hindi niya naman pala ako gusto? Why would he make me feel that way kung wala naman pala siyang balak suklian ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko para sakanya?

Kumakatok sila Mommy sa kwarto ko pero hindi ko sila pinagbuksan. I cried all night. Feeling ko hindi pa sapat ang lahat ng iniyak ko.

Natigil ako sandali sa paghikbi nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Kinuha ko iyon at nakita ang isang mensahe na galing kay Benjamin.

Benjamin:

Don't you fucking agree to that arrangement, Kelsey. Don't you dare.

I sighed.

Why would my parents agree to that plan? Didn't they want the best for me? Sa tingin ba nila sasaya ako kapag pumayag ako sa gusto nila?

I know I will do anything for them. I will do anything they asked me to. Pero bakit ang hirap magdesisyon ngayon? Is it because I know that my heart is at risk kaya hindi ako basta pumayag?

I have my own choices, too. So if I choose not to marry Benjamin... I just hope that they'll agree.

"You can't do that, Kelsey!" my father exclaimed when I told them about my decision the next morning. Natigilan ako.

"But it's my choice, Dad! If I don't want to marry him then so be it! I respected your decision about wanting me to marry Benjamin but please... please respect my decision, too."

"I thought you wanted the best for our company?" So, he's now using this against me huh? "This is the best that you wanted, Kelsey. Inaabot na sa'yo ng kusa. Bakit mo pa sasayangin?"

"We can work on our own without asking them-"

"Matagal nang planado 'to. Wag mong sirain." He said with finality. I clenched my jaw.

Mali palang umasa na papayag sila sa kung ano mang magiging desisyon ko. Kahit ano palang gawin ko, sila parin ang masusunod. Para bang ang buong buhay ko ay napagdesisyonan at napagplanuhan na nila. They even decided that the person I should be spending the rest of my life with is Benjamin.

"So, I can't make my own decision now huh?"

"Kelsey..." my mother called.

"If you really want the best for me, you will not let me settle for something that will only hurt me in the end."

"Sino ba ang may sabing sasaktan ka ni Benjamin?"

Tumingala ako para pigilan ang luha na nagbabadyang lumabas sa mata ko. I ran my fingers through my hair. My father don't understand it. Palibhasa... napakasalan niya kasi 'yung taong gusto siyang makasama habang buhay, e.

"But that's the reality, Dad! Hindi niya naman ako gusto kaya ano sa tingin mo ang mangyayari sa pag-sasama namin? Do you expect that he'll stay with me? No! I'm sure he will look for someone he wants to be with. At hindi ako iyon,"

My father raised his gaze at me. Wala siyang emosyong ipinapakita sa akin. Habang si Mommy naman ay nag-iwas lang ng tingin.

"Hahanap siya ng iba at iiwan niya ako. Ganoon 'yon, Daddy! Iiwan niya ako dahil hindi niya ako gusto. At ayokong mangyari 'yon! I don't want to be left alone! I deserve better!" I screamed the last sentence.

"You said that the person I will be spending the rest of my life with needs a thorough examination from you, right?" bumaling ako kay Mommy. She raised her gaze softly at me. May halong awa ang tingin na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

"Nacheck mo ba kung... gusto niya ba ako? O hindi kaya ay... kung gusto niya ba akong makasama habang buhay? Kasi kung hindi... bakit mo hahayaang mangyari 'to? Why would you... let me... settle... with that man?"

"Kelsey," she called. She tried to reach for my hand pero agad kong inilayo iyon. Umiling ako.

"No, Mom... hindi mo tinupad ang sinabi mong 'yon... if I will get my heart broken because of this marriage... then... this is all your fault."

"Kelsey!" si Daddy. "Bawiin mo 'yang sinabi mo!"

Sinulyapan ko siya ng isang beses at tsaka umalis na sa harap nila. Umalis ako ng bahay at hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. I called Troy and he immediately sensed my sadness. He told me to wait for him at susunduin niya raw ako.

Troy arrived not long after I called him. Nasa labas na ako ng subdivision namin nang makita niya ako.

"Hey... what happened?" he turns to me when I sat on the front seat. Nilingon ko siya at tsaka doon lang tumulo ang lahat ng luha na kanina pa nagbabadyang lumabas. He gently wiped those tears away.

"Where do you want to go?" he said softly. He caressed my cheek at tsaka hinawakan ang manibela.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know..."

He sighed heavily. He nodded his head at tsaka pinaandar na ang kanyang sasakyan. I don't care where he's taking me. I just want to get away from home.

Tahimik ang naging byahe. Ramdam siguro ni Troy na wala akong ganang makipag-usap kaya nanahimik nalang rin siya. When the car stopped, Troy turns to me.

"Let's go?" nilingon ko siya at tsaka tiningnan ang paligid.

He brought me to a mall. I smirked. "A mall?"

"Yeah. You know... arcades and good food."

Ngumiti ako sakanya. I'm glad that I have him. I feel bad for not telling everything to him. Simula nung nakasama ko si Benjamin, I rarely share everything to him since then. It's like every time I'm with Benjamin, it's hindering me from talking so much with Troy.

Tumango ako at tsaka sumunod na sakanya papasok ng mall. There are only few people roaming around. Siguro kasi hindi pa weekend kaya kakaunti palang ang namamasyal ngayon.

"Where do you want to go first?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. It depends on you."

A small smile curved on his lips. He nods his head at tsaka lumapit sa akin. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Okay, then... let me make my best friend happy."

Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti nang dahil doon. I'm glad that he isn't asking anything yet. It's like he's waiting for me to say something about it. He's been respectful enough to wait. I'm glad that he's that kind of person. I am so thankful to have him.

We went to the Timezone at siya na mismo ang nagvolunteer na sumagot ng lahat. Of course I tried initiating at first. But still, I didn't win. I will never win against Troy in terms of this. If he says that he's paying, you can't do anything but to follow.

We played a lot of games. Nang dahil rin doon ay nakalimutan ko ang pag-aaway namin ng mga magulang ko kanina. I suddenly forgot the problems that I'm going to face once this day is over.

Sana lagi nalang ganito... sana hindi nalang humantong sa ganoon... If I could only turn back time...

I jumped with joy when I won one game. Napasigaw pa ako sa tuwa dahil nalagpasan ko iyong last high score sa larong 'yon. Troy joined my celebration. Napayakap pa ako sakanya nang dahil sa tuwa. Troy chuckled lightly.

"I told you... you can do it." Aniya.

I was having doubts a while ago before playing this. But since he encouraged me to do it, eto ngayon ang naging kapalit! Maliit na bagay pero sobrang nakakatuwa.

Nginisian ko siya. "Thanks for believing in me."

"Always." He winked at me. Natawa naman ako doon.

Pagkatapos noon ay inaya niya akong kumain sa restaurant na madalas naming pagkainan nila Jeya. We were about to enter when we saw a group of guys exit the restaurant. Natigilan ako nang makita ko si Benjamin. His friends are having fun by laughing about something habang siya naman ay nasa likuran lang nila at mukhang seryoso.

My mouth parted. Ang kasiyahang naramdaman ko kanina ay nawala nalang ng parang bula. All the problems that I need to face sooner or later crashed down on me when I saw him. Sign na ba 'to na puro problema nalang ang dadating sa amin once na mag-sama kami?

Troy stopped, too. But I figured that he hasn't seen Benjamin yet dahil tinanong niya pa ako kung bakit ako tumigil.

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa mga magkakaibigan. Troy turned to them, too. I heard him sighed. Humarap siyang muli sa akin.

"Don't mind him, Kels," he tried to smile. "Let's go?"

Dahan-dahan akong tumango at tsaka inalis na ang tingin sakanya. Troy placed his hand on the small of my back at tsaka ako iginiya papasok. I kept my gaze on the floor. Inangat ko lang nang malapit na kaming pumasok.

Ngunit kasabay naman ng pag-angat ko ng tingin ay ang paghagip ko sa tingin ni Benjamin. He coldly stared at me when we passed by them. Pagkatapos noon ay pinasadahan niya si Troy ng tingin. Troy looks unaffected by that dahil pinagpatuloy niya lang ang pag-giya sa akin.

I saw Benjamin snobbishly tore his eyes away from Troy at tsaka sumunod na sa mga kaibigan. I didn't dare look back at him because that would mean I'm curious if he's still going to look back or not. Dahil sa oras na hindi na siya tumingin pabalik, alam kong masasaktan ako kaya hindi ko na tinangka pang gawin iyon.

Everything that happened last night is still fresh inside my mind. The way that he's been too honest about his feelings for me can't seem to get out of my head. Paulit-ulit lang iyon sa isip ko na para bang ipinamumukha sa akin na ang tanga ko para magkagusto sa taong ayaw naman sa akin.

Troy and I immediately sat on the available seat. Kinuha ko agad ang menu and I scanned my eyes through it. It's unnecessary to do this, actually. Dahil alam ko na naman ang oorderin ko kaya bakit pa ako titingin dito diba?

Troy must've noticed it, too, pero nanahimik nalang siya.

He raised his hand at the waiter to give him our order. Pagkatapos noon ay bumaling siya ng tingin sa akin.

He smiled, showing me that he's willing to listen to everything that I have to say. He's showing me that everything that I say right now matters.

Tears immediately pooled my eyes. Yumuko ako para hindi niya makita ang mga luhang nagbabadyang lumabas.

Kung kaya ko lang talaga na maramdaman kay Troy ang nararamdaman ko para kay Benjamin ay ginawa ko na. Troy is the kind of guy who would make you feel that you are worthy to love. That... you are never worthless... that you are important... that you matter.

Sinubukan ko siyang gustohin noon, pero hindi ko magawa. As much as I want to feel something more for him, hanggang kaibigan lang talaga ang tingin ko sakanya. I don't want to lose our friendship just because of the most stupid thing called love.

Siya iyong klase ng lalaki na wala kang maibibigay na reklamo dahil masyado na siyang perpekto, e. 'Yung tipong wala ka nang hahanapin pang iba. Dahil alam mong... sasaya ka sa piling niya... na hindi ka niya iiwan...

Kasi feeling ko hindi ko magagawa iyon kapag kasama ko si Benjamin... lalo na't inamin niya na hindi naman niya ako gusto. He has nothing to do with me. I am nothing to him.

"Hey..." Troy called. Sinubukan niya akong aluhin pero nanatili akong nakayuko habang hinahayaang tumulo ang luha ko.

"You can tell me, Kels... you know that, right?"

Tumango ako. I know, Troy... and I feel bad for not telling you everything...

Pinalis ko ang aking mga luha at tsaka huminga ng malalim. I put on a strong façade when I raise my gaze at him. Sinubukan kong magmukhang hindi kakagaling sa iyak. Troy smiled a little when he noticed what I tried to do.

"So strong and brave, Kels..." he said softly. My heart flattered at that. He really knows what to say.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga bago ko tuluyang ipaalam sakanya ang nangyari.

"My parents wanted me to... marry Benjamin for business."

Bahagya siyang nagulat ng dahil doon. His mouth parted a little at tsaka ako tiningnan na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa naririnig.

"They what?"

"They are planning for an arranged marriage between Benjamin and I."

"Are you... going to... agree?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. I tried talking to them out of it."
"How did it go?"

"It wasn't good. That's why I called you because... I couldn't handle it anymore. The people who I thought wants the best for me... is now forcing me to do something out of my will."

"B-Bakit daw k-kailangan ng ganoon?" Troy stuttered. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang medyo nanginginig ngayon.

I reached for it at tsaka hinawakan iyon. Kumalma naman siya kahit papano.

"For business..." I said simply. "They want to merge our companies and they think an arranged marriage between me and Benjamin is the best solution to that. Kasi... syempre, may panghahawakan sila. Titibay pa lalo ang samahan nila... mas magagawa nila ang plano nila..."

"Wala na bang ibang paraan para hindi matuloy ang planong 'yon?"

"I don't think there's still a way. Kung ipagpipilitan ko pang umayaw, mas lalo lang kaming mag-aaway nila Mommy. At ayoko namang mangyari 'yon nang dahil lang dito."

"Gusto mo ba?" tanong niya. Natigilan naman ako nang dahil doon.

"How could you even ask that?"

"Do you love him?" napasandal ako sa upuan ko. My mouth parted.

"No." I said, it probably sound unconvincing kaya tinanong ulit iyon ni Troy.

"Do you love him, Kels?" he repeated. But this time, with so much emphasis.
"I don't know..."

'Yun naman ang totoo. Hindi ko alam... ang alam ko lang gusto ko si Benjamin. Pero hindi ko alam kung mahal ko ba siya...

"He doesn't... want me. And he made that clear last night when our parents broke the news to us. So why would I pursue with the marriage? Magmumukha lang akong tanga para ipagpilitan ang sarili ko sa taong hindi naman ako gusto."

"Ang tanga ko para hindi magawang ipagtabuyan ang nararamdaman ko para sakanya matapos niyang ipamukha sa akin iyon kagabi. It hurts. And I felt so stupid to feel it towards him..." dagdag ko.

Troy pursed his lips. "So... you're bound to get married to someone who doesn't want you..."

"I think so. And I think, we don't always get what we want."

"I know..." he whispered while staring intensely at me.

A week after that, I was told by my parents that we're going over to the Donovan's flat for dinner. Iyon nalang muli ang oras na nag-usap kami. I was distancing myself from them. Hoping that it will make them stop from pursuing that ridiculous plan.

Dumating kami nang sila Tita Barbara at Tito Francisco palang ang tao doon. Benjamin and Brittany are nowhere to be found since Tita Barbara told us that Benjamin went to fetch Brittany at the military headquarters. Ngayon pala kasi iyong uwi niya galing sa Marawi.

I remained silent. Magsasalita lang ako sa tuwing may itatanong sa akin. Pagkatapos noon ay mananahimik nalang ulit ako.

Tita Barbara smiled at me when I took a seat at the dining table. Pinilit ko ang sarili na ngumiti pabalik sakanya. She must've noticed the dismay smile that I gave her that's why she pursed her lips after that.

When we heard someone opened the main door, I knew it was Benjamin and Brittany who arrived. Dahil hindi pa nakakapasok sa dining area ay naririnig ko na ang boses ni Brittany.

"Yuck, Benjamin. So childish! Nakakahiya sa asawa mo!"

"She is not my wife!" he said. Mariin ang pagkakasabi niyang iyon at sa tingin ko, kung masasabi niya iyon kapag mag-asawa na kami ay tatagos iyon ng sobra sa puso ko.

Brittany was the first one to enter. Pagkapasok niya palang ang yumuko na ako. I don't want to see Benjamin's reaction when he sees me. I know he isn't happy at ayoko nang sisihin pa ang sarili ko para lang sa itsurang mayroon siya ngayon.

"Hi, Mommy... Daddy!" Brittany exclaimed happily at tsaka lumapit sakanila upang humalik rito.

"Tito... Tita... Hi, Kelsey! I'm happy to see you again." Doon lang ako nag-angat muli ng tingin sakanya. Tipid akong ngumiti sakanya at hindi na tinangka pang tingnan ang kapatid niya.

I heard him greeting my parents at hindi na ako umasa pang babatiin niya ako. Bakit niya gagawin iyon? E, ayaw niya nga sa akin diba?

Totoo ang inasahan ko. Wala siyang anumang sinabi para bigyan ng pansin ang prisensya ko. I continued to stare at the glass of water in front of me. Buti nalang rin at si Brittany ang katapat ko at hindi siya. Her smiles to me kind of helped to take my worries away.

I glanced at Benjamin for a second to see the irritated look on his face. Even when the dinner is already served, his expression didn't change. He did not even dare to touch his food because I can sense that he is really dedicated on showing us how annoyed he was with this arrangement.

I saw Brittany whispered something on his ear which causes him to give his remark about what his sister whispered to him. Iniwas ko nalang ang tingin sakanila. Hindi na dapat ako tumitingin pa sa gawi niya.

"Since we are already complete... I guess it's time for us to talk about our plans for our daughter and your son, Francisco." My father started.

I pursed my lips. Wala sa sarili akong napabaling muli ng tingin kay Benjamin. Damn it! Kakasabi ko lang na hindi na ako titingin sakanya di ba?!

Naabutan ko siyang nakahalukipkip at galit na nakatingin sa kanyang pagkain. Nahagip naman ng tingin ko si Brittany. She smiled at me and I returned the gesture. Saglit kong sinulyapan muli si Benjamin na hindi parin nagbabago ang ekspresyon ngayon.

"Oh, you don't need to remind me with that, Bernard. Itong desisyon nalang naman ng anak ko ang hinihintay ko so we can seal the deal."

Hindi na ako nag-angat pa ng tingin lalo na noong nagsalita na si Benjamin.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to marry her?" seryoso niyang sinabi.

Ouch... masakit 'yun ah?

I smirked to show them that I'm unaffected with that kahit na nasaktan ako doon. Kailangan niya talagang ipamukha ano?

Tiningnan ko si Benjamin na seryoso lang na nakatingin kay Tito Francisco. I raised a brow. Tama lang na inasahan ko na ang ganitong tagpo. Benjamin isn't afraid to speak what's on his mind. Wala siyang pakialam kung may masasaktan ba siya o wala.

What matters to him is that he is able to say something that he wants kahit ba marami ang nakakarinig noon.

"Benjamin, I already explained this to you..." alu ni Tita Barbara. Her expression softened when she turned to me.

"And I already told you my answer."

Sumandal ako at hindi na nagpaapekto doon. Sana may lakas rin ako ng loob na sabihin iyan ng harap-harapan sakanya. Para ramdam niya naman kung gaano kasakit na marinig iyan galing sakanya.

Tito Francisco was about to say something when Brittany spoke. Buti nalang at natigil ang usapan nang dahil doon.

"Would you guys like some dessert?"

"Yes, please." I heard my father said. Medyo seryoso pa ang tono.

Brittany stood up to get the dessert for us. Nang bumalik ay tsaka nagpatuloy ang diskusyon. This time, Benjamin was a bit calm. Maybe his mother made him realize how harsh he was a while ago. Buti naman at hindi siya insensitive.

Tito Francisco explained everything about their plan. We will merge our company and they will be our main supplier of construction materials every time there's a project that we're going to make. Maliit man o malaki ang proyekto, sila parin ang lagi naming kasama.

And because of that... I have to work with my soon-to-be husband. How nice is that huh?

"Agreeing to this marriage would only mean a strong union between our companies. I'm sure both of you wants a strong ally, right?" tanong ni Daddy. Hindi ako sumagot. Ganoon rin si Benjamin.

"We are not forcing you to love each other dahil lang magpapakasal kayo. Again, everything is only for business..." Tito Francisco explained.

That's easy. Madali nalang rin naman isantabi ang pagtingin ko sakanya gayong sigurado akong mawawala rin 'to kung ipagpapatuloy niya ang pagtrato sa akin ng ganito. Alam kong mag-sasawa ako at susuko at walang magagawa ang magulang ko doon.

If that happens, then our marriage is over. And I'm sure Benjamin wants that.

Matagal pa ang naging diskusyon hanggang sa marinig ko na ang sagot na hindi ko inaasahan kay Benjamin.

"Fine," he answered. "I will marry her for business."

Saglit siyang sumulyap sa akin at malamig ko naman siyang tinitigan pabalik. Isasantabi ko ang nararamdaman ko sakanya ngayon at iisipin nalang ang gusto ng mga magulang ko para sa akin.

If he will marry me because of business, then I will marry him not because I love him, but because I am only doing this for our company and for my parents.

"Kelsey?" bumaling sa akin si Daddy.

Inalis ko ang tingin kay Benjamin at tsaka tiningnan si Daddy. I sighed. Pagtapos noon ay taas noo kong tiningnan si Daddy sa mata.

I will show him that I will not back out on this one. Hihintayin kong mag-sawa ako para mawalan na ng saysay ang kasal na 'to. I will wait until they realize that this decision won't work.

Benjamin and I... won't work... ever.

"He already agreed. Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi pa diba?" I answered coldy. Pagkatapos noon ay inihilig ko ang sarili sa upuan.

"It's good that we made ourselves clear," ngumiti sa akin si Tito Francisco.

"Of course," I smiled at him. "This will be a good opportunity for both our companies."

Ramdam kong napabaling ng tingin sa akin si Benjamin. I saw his mouth parted. Ano? Akala niya siya lang ang may karapatang maging totoo sa sinasabi nila?

If he can be that awfully honest, then I can be, too.

Tita Barbara nods her head pleasingly. Ganoon rin si Mommy.

"I'm glad to hear that, Kels." Si Mommy. Tipid akong ngumiti.

"Hindi naman po mahirap magpakasal diba? Especially when you're only doing it for business."

Mataray kong binalingan ng tingin si Benjamin. I smirked at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Right, Benjamin?" I said. He clenched his jaw. Kinuyom niya rin ang kanyang kamao at mukhang nagpipigil ng galit.

Hindi siya nakasagot dahil nagsalita na si Tito Francisco.

"Very well, then. We will set the wedding next year. We want to prepare for this as soon as possible."

Dahan-dahan akong ngumisi. This is not the best time to crack, Kelsey. You're doing great in showing him that you're also doing this for business. You're doing great at being honest.

"Congratulations in advance to the both of you," bati ni Brittany.

And that was the moment... where my life changed completely.