PROLOGUE AND CHAPTER 1 RAIN'S BRIDE SEARCH PARTY

PROLOGUE

Rain is trying to hold his tears as he runs out to the garden. His back is to the rough wall of the gardener's hut made smooth by his constant leaning on it whenever he talks with Ami. Today, he felt numb and so heartbroken. His beloved dad just passed away leaving him in-charge of their company. He couldn't believe it, after happily celebrating his 11th birthday two weeks before.

Suddenly, he felt a comforting arm draped over his shoulders. He knew who it was before he turned his head. Ami just gave him her sweetest, most comforting smile. Ami in her usual tattered jeans and worn, mud-splattered shirt. She is their neighborhood's famous hoyden and his best friend.

"Sir Rainier is now in a safer, pain-free world," she said while squeezing his shoulders. Rain is so thankful that she never mentioned the tears silently running down his cheeks. That is when he knew his feelings for her run deeper than that of a friend.

"If you need someone to talk to budz, I am always here," Ami said. Rain nodded his head and just hugged her tight. "Oww, watch it Budz! You sure can crack a rib with your bear hug, " exclaimed Ami. "Come on Ami," replied Rain. "I don't wanna be a chatterbox, I need a comfy pillow." "A comfy pillow you say? Well, you're in luck, Betsy is just around here somewhere," Ami retorted, grabbing a chubby piglet and shoving it towards Rain's head. "Oi, you hoyden!" exclaimed Rain pushing the piglet away which started struggling and managing to topple them all on the muddy ground. They both started laughing so hard that Rain forgot why he was in the garden in the first place. Without realizing it, they grabbed each other's hand and started walking back to the grand house, hands interlocked like lovers.

CHAPTER 1 Rain’s Bride Search Party

Thou shall not kill! Bah, why not if it is for the best. Finally, my dim-wit of a competition is gone although my darling seems to be quite protective of that bastard son of his. Couldn’t she see, that boy she calls son will run her aground. Ahhh, I wonder how it feels to crush that boy, it will be splendid indeed, splendid!

"Are you sure about this outfit?"Mabel asked Ami. 

"What is wrong with it, it's a dress for pete's sake!"

"Since when did you start wearing dresses?"

"Ahhhmm, this morning when I woke up", said Ami, smiling mischievously.

 "Correct me if I'm wrong, but for as long as I can remember, you never wore dresses or skirts for that matter. Hello! Are you sure you are my cousin Ami?Ami, Ami, where are you!?" "Shush! You will alert the whole neighborhood with your hollering. Rain's mom is hosting a party and she wants him to find a wife. I want to surprise Rain and inspect the candidates his mom has chosen for him. Now, will you help me dress up and look pretty like you, my dear beauty pageant veteran cousin?" 

Mabel couldn't believe her ears, her hoyden cousin in a dress, all made up? That sure is something. Far be it for her to deny her, Mabel proceeded to help Ami out of her usual garb. 

"Do tell me you showered first, Ami," she reminded her cousin.

"Duh, seriously! What do you take me for, a guttersnipe? Of course I always shower. I may be a hoyden but I do not forget what my mom used to tell me, observe cleanliness all the time. My clothes might look old and tattered, but have you ever noticed me smelling putridly? I think not!" Ami stated strongly. 

"Alright, alright!" cried Mabel. "Turn around so I can zip you up. Wow! How did I not notice it before? ", She asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Noticed what?", asked Ami in an alarmed tone. "Does it not fit me, do I look horrible, ugly?"

Mabel smiled knowingly. 

"You look gorgeous, yours is a body shape most girls will die for, a petite hourglass body. Thank goodness you are always covered properly, otherwise I will have no chance at beauty pageants.With your pretty face and gorgeous body, you sure will give those girls a run for their money."

 "Pish posh," cried Ami, ``I am too short, how can I be gorgeous?" 

"That my dear," said Mabel “is easily remedied. I hope you don't plan on wearing sneakers to the party." 

"Of course not. That reminds me, you have to guide me on how to walk these ridiculous heels. " 

"Put them on and show me. “

“I never thought wearing heels is a skill," complained Ami. 

“Hey you ladies, we’ll be late for the party!” hollered Ami’s uncle from the kitchen. “We won’t!” Ami hollered back. “Just give us a few minutes uncle. You and Ridger can go ahead, we’ll follow” chimed in Mabel.

 “Okay girls, don’t be late, I will be standing with Mrs. Gonzales and his son in the receiving line, you know how important it is that your uncle, me, the best physician there is in this town is there with her. She is my dear friend, you know.” he hollered pompously. 

“Right you are!” chorused the girls. 

“Sheesh Ami, your uncle sure is full of himself.” declared Mabel. “Kalaslastog!”

“Shhh Cuz, he might hear you, “ cautioned Ami. “Anyway, let us practice, shall we?”

"Don't walk like a gorilla nor a duck, try getting the feel of it and glide," advised Mabel.

After a few falls, Ami managed to walk comfortably and confidently. Mabel gave a sigh of relief but was short lived when she saw Ami inhaling and exhaling quite noisily. "What's wrong Ami," she enquired with a puzzled look. "It's the party, it will start soon and you have not made me up yet, " cried Ami. Mabel looked at her cousin's smooth and glowing face and said, "You do not need a lot of makeup. You only need some powder on your face, some tweaking of your eyebrows and a dash of lipstick and then you are done. I say, ``Am I invited too?"

"Of course you are, you silly goose!" Ami blurted. Why do you think there is an extra dress on my bed?" Come on let us hurry, I do not want to be late. Am so nervous, I hope I won't make a mess."

After almost an hour of primping, the two ladies were ready. As they were ascending Gonzales' grand manor, most of the people were guessing who the beautiful woman was beside Mabel Abelanco, the previous year’s city muse; the cousins share the same Benguet complexion; fair that turns rosy when touched with the warmth of sunshine.  Indeed with her sparkling mini black dress, Ami was a sight to behold. She has a pair of what people call Tsinita hazel eyes, eyes that turn to slits when she laughs. She was walking with elegance and grace, not a trace of her slouchy demeanor in her usual rags she calls clothes.

Inside, although Rain was jittery, he still looked marvelous in his suit. Although his mom is fair-skinned, he took after his father’s lowland relatives’ light ebony complexion. He also tends to favor outdoor activities thus tanning him further. His facial features can rival those of television and movie hunks. Although he attracts a lot of ladies’ attention, he only has eyes for his best friend. He doesn't know if Ami will be coming as his mom said, she invited all eligible ladies. Ami counts as a lady, does she not? Lady or gentleman? "I sure hope she finds a dress to wear, doesn't matter if it is branded or not. What matters is that she comes." Beside him his mom raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Were you saying something, son?", she asked. Ronnie, Ami’s uncle, was already there assisting the Gonzales’ in welcoming guests. “I think my gorgeous nieces caught your son’s attention, my dear, '' he replied to Mrs. Gonzales’ question.

Rain was about to answer when something, or someone got his attention. He didn't even hear his mom exclaim, "Well, I'll be damned!" Ronnie masked his surprised laughter at the swearing with a loud cough. 

The cousins moved about the big hall that served as a ballroom for the party. It looked like a float of cut flowers from the municipality nearby, La Trinidad.The balustrades were all aglitter with all the led lights used as decorations,add to that the rarely used gigantic crystal rain chandelier switched on in all its glory; no wonder everyone can see everyone clearly. It just gives the hall a fairytale look without a wicked witch and a Cinderella. The hallway cum ballroom is also decorated with Rain and Ami’s paintings from when they were in high school. Mrs. Gonzales had them framed and displayed in their massive hallway. She also preferred local artists thus she has a solar drawing of her family by Jordan Mang-osan. As Ami was having a great time conversing with acquaintances who didn’t recognize her. Rain couldn’t take his eyes off her. “What a transformation!”, he thought out loud. Mrs. Gonzales heard him and she smiled to herself. Her plan seems to be working. It is now up to Rain and Ami how things will go from there. She knew there was chemistry  or was it physics between the two as soon as she saw them nineteen years ago. She is not a manipulative mom unlike most of her peers. She does need to do some shoving so the two children she adored through the years will realize they are meant to be. It was then she noticed her son scowling and not so quietly swearing.

“Is something the matter, my boy?”, she asked. “Your stares can burn through peoples’ heads, you know.”

”Oh, hi mom”, Rain responded. 

“It is just that a silly woman or man or whatever over there is attracting a lot of attention”, he complained.

”Careful, boy, that is my niece you are referring to,” cautioned Ronnie. Then Mrs. Gonzales seconded with “And that bothers you, because? It is not like you and she are couples or should I say, more than friends.” 

“That’s just it, mom. She is my best friend and I do not like her parading herself in that barely there dress! I should go and talk some sense into her.”, he exclaimed. 

“Someone’s jealous.”, his mom teased.

”Very, very jealous.” rejoined Ronnie. 

“Am not!”At the pairs’ raised eyebrows, he admitted “Oh very well, I am!” 

“So why don’t you tell her your feelings?”, Mrs. Gonzales asked. “Maybe tonight, I might.If you would just excuse me, mom, uncle?” Rain rushed to say. 

“Go ahead, son. But remember, she is our gardener’s daughter, not a rich girl.” Mrs. Gonzales mischievously told him, the wheels in her head turning.

“I know, I know”, Rain said unhappily all the while trying to work out how to tell his best friend his true feelings. He was stopped midway by two guys who asked him to introduce them to Ami.

“As she seems to be a special guest of yours, why don’t you introduce us?” they implored. Rain looked at them askance.

” Like hell I would”, he snapped. Before they can ask him again, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the object of their attention move towards the back door of the manor. Without even saying bye to the annoying men, he hurriedly went after Ami. 

Ami felt so tired because of her heels. If only she can dash home and change into her usual garb,

“This isn’t a very good idea”, she muttered aloud. She was  busy pondering how to continue with her farce of a lady.

“This dress is so short and clingy, these heels are too uncomfortable!”, she uttered vehemently. “I couldn’t agree more”, piped in Rain. Ami was startled, when she whirled around, she cried, “Oh it’s you! Bloody hell Budz, what were you thinking about stalking me like that!”

“Tsk, tsk Ami, watch your language. It does not suit your appearance tonight. Can we move somewhere more private?”Rain intoned.

“Is this not private enough?”asked Ami, raising her brows.

“This is the back door entrance, Ami. Let us go to our treehouse HQ and talk. There will only be me and you”, requested Rain.

“You are acting strangely, Rain. This is just me, Ami, your best friend, remember?Hello Rain, are you there?” she said, poking him on the chest.

Rain responded by capturing her hand and pulling her towards the treehouse.

“Wait !” Ami exclaimed. “What’s wrong?”

”I will tell you as soon as we reach our HQ”

“Hold on, “ Ami cried, taking off her heels and running barefoot towards the treehouse.

Rain suddenly stopped and scooped her up like a little girl.

“What the hell!” spluttered Ami. “Put me down, I can walk.

“You’re too slow,” said Rain, not putting her down. “What I want to say can’t wait.”

Ami wriggled in his arms so he was forced to put her down not so gently. Ami stumbled and landed awkwardly on her bum.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Ami”, apologized Rain. “What in the world is wrong with you?”, she asked. “First, your mom sent me this ridiculous dress and now here you are acting like a dimwit.Have you chosen your bride, is that it?”

Rain shook his head and was about to blurt out his feelings when they heard his mom calling.

“Mom, really?” Shouted Rain. 

“Rainaldo Lyssander Gonzales!” exclaimed Ami.”Is that the proper way of talking to your elders, your mother much less?

Rain got irritated because firstly, he was not able to say what he wanted to say, secondly, his mom knew why he was with Ami.

“Oh forget it! Just wanted to say how beautiful you are tonight but I do not approve of that dress.”

“Oh at least we agree on that!” Ami voiced out in equal intensity.

Rain slapped his forehead in dismay. He felt so trapped in this bride search that he can’t even profess his love to his best friend. Deflated, he just grabbed Ami by the shoulders and kissed her passionately on the lips before he let her go and said, “Yes, I found my bride!” You will get to meet her tomorrow. “

Ami was so stunned by his actions that what she heard was “Yes, I found my bride and I will announce it to be you tomorrow.” Either that or she just imbibed a lot of tapey( Igorot rice wine ) coupled with some of her favorite fermented cassava or more popularly known as binubudan in the vernacular. Either way instead of being upset at being so passionately kissed by her playboy best friend, she felt like she was on cloud 9. For sure, she’ll come prepared tomorrow morning and try to be as pretty as she was tonight.

My darling is planning something, I just can feel it. When she and that bonehead got married, I got the same feeling. She did not learn anything at all, now that dratted girl is proving to be as dimwitted as her parents were. Enjoyed the kiss, did she? This is proving to be more fun than I expected. Wait till tomorrow, you silly girl.