Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Oppose

A toast, for our unity." Abuela led us by lifting the goblet filled with a decent amount of champagne. "And of course, let us not forget. Let's hope for more partnerships to come."

We all lift our own goblets and cheered in unison. "Cheers!"

I sipped a bit. It's fine, it's pure champagne made of grapes. Jang sat in front of me. I noticed how Jang avoided the liquid inside the glass.

Abuela and the others talked more about the family and the company.

Kinakabahan ako sa dinner na 'to. Pakiramdam ko parang ipagkakanulo ako ng pamilya ko sa mga Segovia. Nakakahiya para sa akin na sinabi pa iyon ni Abuela kanina. Jang laughed at that when he saw how flushed I was. Hindi ko napigilang samaan siya ng tingin kanina. He probably thinks I'm rude now.

Hindi ko po sinasadya.

The more I stare at him, para lang siyang si Deo. A nostalgia too.

"Ang tahimik mo naman ata?" my sister nudged my shoulder. I saw the malicious grin plastered on her face as she looked between me and Jang back and forth. Her question made the whole table filled with deafening silence. Ang lakas ng loob mang-asar.

Maging si Rahim ay tumikhim. "Don't make her flush in front of her childhood crush, Ate."

Now I suddenly want evaporate into the thin air.

Pinagtanggol ako ni Intsik na nasa harap ko. "Wag niyo namang asarin," he chuckled. "Dati pa iyon."

"Kumpare," Jang's father, Director Segovia caught my Dad's attention. "Papayag ka ba kung sakaling manligaw ang binata ko sa dalaga mo?"

"Depende kung mapapayag niya..." My father challenged him. As if he was completely putting his trust on me. Dad then winked at me. "Hindi nga ata naalala ng anak ko ang binata mo e."

The whole table was filled with laughter.

"Ay sus, If the affection is pure, the mind may forget but the heart will remember," Abuela said.

"Eh paano kung hindi pure, Ma?" tanong ni Papa.

"Napakahigpit mo sa anak mo, Adelt," she said. "Don't stand in the way already. "

Wow, si Papa pa talaga ang mahigpit. I sighed for the ninth time. Si Abuela ay halatang nakahanap na ng papaboran.

I looked at the chinky guy in front me and he was just smiling at the two. I wonder what he's thinking? Nahuli niya akong nakatingin sa kanya kaya nagmadali akong umiwas.

"Baka naman kase pinapangunahan natin ang mga bagay bagay, Mamá?" Mom also intervened. "Why don't we ask them both if they are interested to what we are talking about?"

"Well?" hintay ni Abuela sa sagot namin. "Jang?"

Ibinuka ni Jang ang bibig at parang nagdadalawang-isip sa isasagot. He looked at me nervously and looked back my parents.

"I-im not in a rush, Señora. Only time and God will tell," he said in a safe way.

"Sa bagay maaga pa... Ikaw Noella? "

"Ayoko po," sagot ko rin. "I don't think it will work."

Natahimik silang lahat sa sinabi ko. I'm blunt and straightforward. Wala itong pinagkaiba sa mga alok ng mga naging manliligaw ko. If I want to, I would. Kung ayaw ko ay walang makakapilit.

"I don't think that the affection of the five year old me is enough foundation for a pairing to happen. It's not strong enough and worst, it is unreasonable."