CHAPTER 5

Sa kabilang banda, Kael’s dad keeps pressuring him on getting married, on building a family. Sa kadahilanang, he will be the next leader of their families businesses.

“Son, you need to be married as soon as possible.” lintanya ng kanyang ama habang hawak ang dyaryo sa isang kamay nito.

“Hon, don't pressure our son that much, he needs to decide whether he wants to get married or not.”

Kael's mom stated.

“You know that we need to continue our hierarchy hon, our son needs to have a family before he can handle our businesses. Alam mo yun, it needs to be passed on to someone who already has a family. You witnessed what happened back then. I was almost a victim of fixed marriage if I didn't fight for us.” may bahid na pait nitong pagkasabi sa kanya. Habang nagbabalik tanaw sa nangyari sa kanilang buhay nuon sa panahong na buhay pa ang Lolo at lola ni Kael.

“Yes, I know hon and I understand that, but he needs to think carefully first and find the suitable woman for him.” pag-aalo pa nito sa asawa. “ I know Kael will not decide indecisively. I know our son, he will think long enough before deciding to get married. Let's just wait a little longer. Let's make him decide for his sake.” pagpapatuloy nito sa pagsasalita.

While Kael is just listening to his both parents arguing when or will he get married. He is just sitting there comfortably, waiting for his turn to talk.

When his parents both stop talking, umayos siya ng upo and looks at them intently. From his face you can't easily tell his emotion. He's totally emotionless but when he smiles you will surely fall from it.

“Mom, dad, I'll introduce someone soon, just let me take my time.” he said in a low yet baritone voice, his physical appearance never changed while uttering those words.

“Yes son, make sure to introduce her to us, especially to me, I need to make sure she's suitable for you. Just let us know, okay?” his mom said.

If you will just see Kael’s mom, you will not think that she is a prying person. That she will not question your whole existence but it's the opposite. She will make sure to know every bit of you.

But if she doesn't like you in just one look. Hindi talaga kayo magkakasundo except if you will obey what she wants. That's Kael’s mother, despite her angelic face and soothing voice. There's a side of her that you definitely don't know.

“Yes mom, I'll get going, I'll still have something to do.” tumango lang ang kanyang ama at lumabas namn siya agad.

While walking out, his phone rings and it was his secretary calling.

“There's a new list of women who are interested in blind dates. I'll send you the list and its background. Just notify me after you check it.” salita nito sa kabilang linya.

“What about the other list?”

“Wag na yun wala ka namang nagustuhan dun. Itong bago nalang, I'm sure may matitipuhan ka.”

“Okay, send me the file.” He cut the call and his phone got notification.

His secretary already sent it to him. Agad niya itong binuksan and scan every part of it. It has 100 candidates, what a long list to scroll up and down.

Naghanap lang siya ng unique na pangalan at yun lang ang kanyang tinatap. Until one name caught his attention, napatitig siya dito, to make sure what he sees.

He taps the name and sees her background and picture. Nang makita ang pamilyar na mukha ay bigla na lamang siyang napangiti.

He smirks while looking at the picture of Khloe Eleanor Echavez. One of the list of going on a blind date with him.

Naguluhan man ay tinawagan niya pa rin ang kanyang sekretarya. He immediately tells him to set a date, para sa meeting nila ni Khloe Eleanor.

Even if he is confused why Khloe is going on a blind date after graduating. He wants to feed his curiosity. And gave it a shot to go on a blind date with her.

Dumaan ang dalawang araw bago ang kanilang pagkikita. Khloe Eleanor is getting ready on meeting Kael on their blind date.

Agad niyang nalaman na siya napili because she got notified on her phone that she was selected and the date of their meeting is indicated in it.

Pinuntahan niya agad si Celine to pamper up. She wants to look simple yet elegant in front of his eyes. She wants to captivate him with her charms.

Because it is the only way for their blind date to work out. She wants to impress him, kahit na wala ito sa vocabulary niya.

Ellie is now determined to work her plans out. She now doesn't want to waste time.

Pagkatapos siyang samahan ni Celine sa mall. Nagpahinga na rin siya agad, dahil tomorrow is their meetup day.

_________

The day!

Maagang nagising si Ellie, not because of excitement but because of morning sickness. Her Ate got worried but after an hour naging okay na din naman agad ang pakiramdam niya.

She doesn't want to jinx their first meet up. Kaya nag handa na sya agad, and asks her Ate to do a light makeup on her.

"Why is that you want me to do your make up? Anong okasyon? Saan ka pupunta?" sunod sunod na tanong nito sa kanya.

She immediately thought of an answer to her ate's questions.

"Wala naman ate, I just want to look presentable today noh. Kasi manunuod kami nila Via ng movie na nakakaiyak, ayokong maging haggard pag labas." which is a lie.

Tumango nalang ang kanyang ate sa kanyang sinabi. Ayaw niyang sabihin sa ate niya ang pupuntahan dahil uusisain lang siya nito o di kaya ay sasamahan siya. If she finds out that she's meeting someone.

Her Ate knows what happened to her in her past relationships kaya medjo higpit na ang mga kapatid niya when it comes to her relationship.

When she's finally done. She hurriedly drove to the location that was given to her. She doesn't want to be late on their first day.

Pagkarating ay agad naman niyang chineck ang kanyang repleksyon sa salamin.

“What the, why am I conscious?” tanong nito sa sarili.

“Oh nevermind, I need to impress him.” inayos niya lang ang kanyang buhok saka bumaba ng sasakyan.

Pumasok siya sa isang cafe at agad na hinanap ang lalaki at dahil pamilyar na siya sa postura nito, nakita din niya agad kung saan ito nakaupo.

She walks towards him while he is busy tapping something on his phone. She can't look straight at him, because of the consciousness that she felt of what might she look in front of him. She plastered her normal yet elegant face. Dahan dahan namang itinaas ng lalaki ang kanyang tingin, dahil naramdaman niyang may nakatitig sa kanya.

When she mostly reaches the table. A girl in red and above the knee dress suddenly sat in the vacant seat in front of Kael. She was surprised but she didn't show it, because she knew that Kael was still looking at her.

Agad siyang naghanap ng bakanting upuan, upang hindi siya mapahiya sa nangyari. Khloe thought that she was his date.

“I'm sorry I was late…Something just happened....”

she heard the girl talking to Kael.

Ellie got so confused about what was happening. She clearly heard that she was the one who will have Kael's blind date for today. But it seems like the information that was given to her by Celine is wrong.

But how come if she was even notified? Tinawagan niya si Celine.

“How is it going? Napaaga ata tawag mo?” bungad nito sa kanya.

“What the heck Celine! May ibang ka date si Kael! tama ba yung binigay na info mo sakin?!” panulong niyang sigaw sa kabilang linya.

“What?! How come? Eh tama naman yung binigay kong information sayo.”

“Then, bakit may biglang babaeng sumulpot dito. I was too close to him earlier, nagkatitigan pa kami kanina, but then a woman suddenly sat in front of him. That was embarrassing, Celine! Puntahan mo ako dito, para akong tanga dito naghihintay sa wala.” she frustratedly said.

“Teka, I'm checking the list. I've seen it, kita kong ikaw ang napili. How come a girl showed up there.?” Pati si Celine ay naguguluhan sa nangyayari.

“Oh my god ley! It changed! Binago a mins ago! Someone manipulated the list and change it. You will be partnered today to someone name Bernard Sanchez!” gulat na salita ni Celine sa kabilang linya.

“Shockks! What a ruined day! Wag ka nalang pumunta dito, aalis- She was cut off by someone in front of her asking if she is Khloe Eleanor Echavez.

Nakita niyang napalingon si Kael sa direksyon nila, alam ni Khloe that Kael heard the man’s question. Napatingin din si Khloe sa kanya which caused them to make an eye contact. Pinutol ni Khloe ang titigan nilang dalawa at sinagot ang lalaki.

“Yes.” maikli niyang sagot nito at pinatay ang tawag nila ni Celine.

“Hi! I'm Bernard Sanchez, your blind date.”

Gulat man ay hindi ito pinahalata ni Khloe sa kaharap niya.

Her first blind date was a mess.