Agreement

"How are you feeling now?"

I turned to Gab standing beside me. He was looking peacefully at the sunset from afar. Mataas ang lugar na dinalhan niya sa akin kaya naman masasaksihan ang paglubog ng araw. It felt like I could touch the heaven from where we stood. Sumasabog ng kahel na kulay ang kalangitan.

Matapos ang nangyari acting-an namin sa school nang nakaraan ay tahimik niya akong inuwi sa bahay. Ngayon, heto't magkasama kamit ulit dahil nadatnan ko ulit siyang naghihintay sa labas ng office kahit wala naman kaming pinag-usapan na magkikita kami ulit. Ilang araw din niya akong sinusundo at hinahatid pauwi.

He's persistent kahit hindi ko naman siya kinikibo. Sumasama nalang ako dahil wala naman akong kotse. Hanggang ngayon ay pinapaayos pa rin.

I let out a small smile. "I'm feeling alright. Thank you."

"I can act." He turned his gaze to me. "Where's my talent fee?" he joked.

He did act well as my boyfriend. Pero ngayon lang ito ulit nagbuhat ng sariling bangko matapos ang mga nangyari.

Pinukol ko siya ng masamang tingin.

"No need for that. You need to pay me anyway for always spoiling my mood," sabi ko sabay angat ng isang kilay ko.

He sighed and pushed his hands on the railing, never leaving his eyes on me. "You're grumpy again."

I crossed my arms and showed him a wide smile. "Happy?"

He laughed. "No. You look creepy rather."

Nalaglag ang balikat ko. I pushed my hands on the railing, too, and looked up at the sky.

"Ganoon na ba talaga ako kapangit?"

"I was referring to your smile. It wasn't genuine," he said. Tuluyan na siyang humarap sa akin. "But you are beautiful, Tiffany," banayad niyang sabi.

I smiled bitterly. It wasn't my first time getting praise from someone. I often heard from people that I am a big catch...beauty and brain. But hearing a compliment from Gab felt different.

"Bolero. Ang sabihin mo may kailangan ka sa akin kaya ka nandoon palagi sa school. Parang inaraw-araw mo na ah."

Ang ibang mga taong nakakakita sa amin ay nag-aakalang nililigawan niya ako. Ang iba naman napasobra dahil iniisip nila na boyfriend ko na si Gab.

Napakamot siya sa kanyang ulo. "Actually, yes."

"Sabi na nga, eh," I muttered as my eyes marveled at the beautiful red and orange hues of the sunset.

He shook his head a little. "Forget it. It's not a good time to talk about this. The last time, you walked out of the cafe, leaving me alone" nakangiwing sabi niya. "I just raised that topic again because you wanted to buy the hacienda. Hindi ko mabebenta iyon kapag hindi ako nakasal bago ang kaarawan ko."

"Is the buyer you talked with last time still interested in buying it?"

Umiling ito. "He's not buying it anymore. His wife doesn't think it's the best area for her housing project. I'm slowly accepting the idea that it would fall into the hands of charity. But since you really wanted to buy it then maybe you can help me find a wife?" Bumuntong-hininga ito. "But it's just too stupid, I know. Just forget I ever said it," bawi nito. Para siyang nakikipagtalo sa sarili niya.

"Let's get married then," mariing sambit ko.

I bit my lower lip and looked straight into his eyes. He's my answer, right? I believe he is.

"What the-," bulalas niya.

"Yes," I cut him off. "Let's get married before your birthday."

He narrowed his eyes as if to see whether I was just talking nonsense or not.

Kung ang suhestiyon niya ang susundin, wala akong maiirekomendang kakilala na magpapakasal sa kanya.

And he's running out of time! I can't afford to see the hacienda falling into the hands of other people.

I want it all for myself! If marrying him means I can have it, then I'll give it a go.

"Don't make any decision if your emotions are at peak," he said like my suggestion did not matter.

Spur of the moment?

No. I've thought about these many times. I believe I did.

"I am capable of making decisions, Gab. My emotions have nothing to do with this. It is my mind speaking to you. After all, this is just a marriage of convenience, right? We'll have our marriage annulled after that like you said," I stated, casually. I took a step closer to him so he could see the sincerity in my eyes. "Then, let's get married."

Mariin siyang pumikit at bumuga ng hangin.

"O-okay. Let's take this slowly," he said then glanced at his watch. "Can we talk about this over dinner?"

"Good idea," I replied. "I'll tell Mom I'll be coming home late because we're together," I simply said.

I called Mommy when we returned to his car. Natuwa pa siya na gagabihin ako sa pag-uwi.

"Have fun, hija. Be home late," Mom said, laughing.

"Mom!" I exclaimed. I heard her laugh even more on the other line. I glanced at Gab who was sitting beside me. He gave me a half-shrug.

"I'll hang up now, Mom. Bye," paalam ko.

"Okay. Take care two of you."

Soon after, Gab began driving out of town. I didn't bother to ask where he's taking me because I was too occupied with tons of thoughts. Unexpectedly, the idea of getting married to him wasn't freaking me anymore. It felt like I made a good decision. But of course, it's too early to say that.

It was already dark outside. I leaned my head against the window and continued entertaining my train of thoughts. Napapangiti nalang ako sa kahangalang gagawin ko. Sino na may matinong pag-iisip ang papayag magpakasal at ipapa-annul din pagkatapos ng isang taon unless they're on desperate situations?

We both are.

Throughout the trip, we stayed silent. We stopped at a fancy restaurant in the city.

Iginiya kami ng isang staff ng nasabing restaurant sa naka-reserve na table sa second floor. May isang pares na sa tingin ko ay magkasintahan ang nakaokupa sa isang table na may kalayuan sa amin kaya nakadama ako ng kaginhawaan sa aming pag-uusapan ni Gab. When our orders were taken, I roamed my eyes around the place. The restaurant exudes intimate ambiance but we're not here for that.

Mahina akong tumikhim.

"Since we're getting married then we need conditions para matiwasay ang ating pagsasama at maging successful ang setup na ito," I suggested, looking straight to his eyes.

Umigting ang kanyang panga.

"Of course. I already have that in mind," he said, tapping the fingers of his right hand on the table while his other hand was slowly rubbing his chin.

"Let me hear your conditions," I demanded.

"We'll live under the same roof for one year, but in separate rooms."

"I have no problem with that. Ayoko rin namang magpapakialamanan tayo ng buhay ng isa't isa."

I wouldn't mind him doing his own things while we're in this and I am expecting him to do the same thing to me.

"Mommy will visit us for sure so let's have your own room as our main room for that scenario," I added.

Tumango siya na tila sang-ayon din sa sinabi ko. He licked his lower lip before speaking.

"We can still live our lives like we used to pero may mga pagkakataong kakailanganin natin ang tulong ng isa't isa. In the eyes of the public, we're husband and wife so we should maintain that image. Of course, I expect you to be mindful of that."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Not a problem. What else?"

"There'll be events that I need to attend with you. Naka-indefinite leave ako ngayon para maasikaso lahat ng ito. I will return to work a month after our wedding and I need you to come with me to Manila," sabi niya na tila naninimbang ng magiging reaksyon ko. "Will that be alright?"

"It's all right." I smiled, tilting my head to the side. "I have already decided to work in our company there so staying in Manila will be a good option."

Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya. "Nice. We'll stay in my house in Makati. But how about your job here?"

"It's just temporary. You know... just to kill time. Anyway, we're going to have our vacation soon," I reasoned.

We stopped talking when our orders arrived. For a moment, we fell silent as we ate our food.

"I think I'm good with those conditions for now," he said, breaking the silence. "How about yours?"

Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Gab.

Napatuwid ako ng upo nang makitang titig na titig siya sa aking mukha. May dumi ba ang pisngi ko? I turned to my side. Bahagya akong yumuko para abutin ang pisngi. There was nothing.

I turned to face him again only to see his stern look. I smirked.

"I'll get this straight once for all, Gab. I want the hacienda. But it's too much to ask from you to just give it to me as payback for this one-year marriage," simpleng sagot ko. I sipped on my orange juice.

He relaxed a bit.

"Then what do you want?"

"Sell it to me for half its price after you have it appraised."

"Okay."

My face beamed. I have many plans for the two haciendas. Ngayon pa lang, naglalakbay na ang isip ko.

"I won't ask for any allowance from you. I can provide for myself. I want a secret wedding. Tayo lang dalawa."

"Tiff, I don't think I can agree to that. I have high respect for your mother and your father and brother who I haven't seen."

"Then a simple wedding will do, with only a few members of both families. I can simply choose a gown from a boutique that is ready to wear. Oh. I can wear sneakers and just a white coat if I really wanted. But I know my mother wouldn't allow that."

"Personally, I'd prefer that. But can we make it a normal wedding at least?"

I shrugged. Whatever! "Sa engagement tayo babawi. I want it to be memorable. I mean, for my family. I want them to witness it. We need to act like we're really in love."

"Will it come out real? You see, we seem to have a few weeks already to do that."

"Oo naman. Basta't mag-cooperate lang ang bawat isa," sabi ko.

Gab continued eating. I was not sure if I still thought the same way as I did when we first met. Napaka-presko ng dating niya sa akin noon but with few encounters with him made me realize that he's not at all like that.

I wonder how he has been living his life. Perhaps, I could get to know him when we're married. One year is no joke. It wouldn't hurt to know each other better without barging into each personal space.

Kikilalanin ang isa't isa nang hindi nagpapakialamanan. I stifled a smile as I processed that thought.

After all, we're going to be strangers again after one year. Or, maybe, friends?

Looking ahead, I'd become a divorced woman as one year ends. While most people would think of it as an issue, I would not care about it. I've known few divorced women who became more successful after dealing with a toxic marriage. They reached greater heights, something they would not have achieved when they were still married to abusive partners.

In my case, hindi naman siguro magiging abusadong asawa si Gab kung sakali mang mag-asawa na kami. We'd have a clean break-up then and besides wala namang attachment na magaganap.

Everything would go civil as it should.

Like what Mom and Dad are doing, only with arguments when we gather.

I have the Hacienda Ramirez. Soon enough, magiging malawak na ang gagalawan kong teritoryo. What else could I ask for?

I stopped eating and rested my hands on the table.

"I have two other conditions," sambit ko.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Spill it."

I leaned forward and drew my face closer to him.

"Be Faithful and No Sex," mariing sabi ko.

He tilted his head, biting his lower lip as if thinking. Napatuwid ako ng upo.

Nagkibit balikat ito. "Infidelity is not grounds for annulment. Failure to consummate the marriage is." Tumango ito. "Yes. We have to be faithful as long as we're married. Otherwise, we'll tarnish each other's name," aniya at sumimsim ng juice at bahagyang tumikhim. "And... no sex, of course. "

He nodded like he was convincing himself rather than me.

"Don't jeer on me if I suddenly do household chores. I want to learn it this time. I'll cook for us," paglilihis ko ng usapan. I laughed. I saw Gab smiling at me showing his teeth. He pursed his lips, but his evident smile still showed.

This would be a great time to learn things I needed to learn, and cooking would be on the top of my list.

"I asked you to be my wife, not a cook," he offered.

"I'll learn how to cook so I can feed myself," habol ko.

"We can hire someone to cook for us and do the cleaning"

"H'wag na. Madali lang naman ang trabaho sa loob ng bahay," pangungumbinsi ko. "Kung dito tayo sa probinsya, walang problema dahil may gagawa para sa atin no'n. But it will be just the two of us in the city. I think I can do household chores myself." I winked at him.

"Fine. But tell me when you're having a hard time doing it because we'll be both busy with our work soon. Nobody's obliging you to do it," he seriously said. "Here's another perk for you."

My lips formed an O. "What is it?"

I waited for his answer. Pumungay ang kanyang mga mata. He leaned forward while resting his both hands on the table.

"You can let everyone know that I caused the downfall of this marriage and it was you breaking up with me."

My mouth dropped open in surprise. Pabor iyon sa akin.

And, so far, it's the best perk of this marriage.

"Did we miss something?" I asked, staring at the scene outside the restaurant. May isang bandang tumutugtog doon. Napahalumbaba ako habang nakikinig sa lamyos ng musika. They're playing old songs which I like. "Or any reminder?" dugtong ko.

"Let's not form emotional attachments. That's the last thing I want to happen, Tiffany."

My mouth fell open, unable to utter words.

He looked at me wearing that blank expression.

I burst out laughing as I darted my eyes at him.

"Seryoso ka?" tanong ko na natatawa. "Aren't you thinking that I might fall in love with you, are you?"

Hindi ito nakasagot.

"That's the last thing you need to worry about. I couldn't see it coming in this lifetime!"

"That's good, then," sambit niya at sumenyas na sa waiter para sa bill.

"I'm not so bothered about it. You just better brace yourself," deklara ko habang pinupukol siya ng matalim na tingin.

He just clenched his jaw at inubos ang laman ng baso na hawak niya.