A talk with Tanya

Nasa isang tanyag na coffee shop sa Ortigas si Geli nang dumating ang bestfriend niyang si Tanya Ortiz. Isa itong top rate model at kabi kabila ang gigs. Ga’yonpaman, gaano man ka hectic ng schedule ay may time pa rin sa kanyang best friend since grade school.

“Hi Geli!” Tumindig si Geli at hinalikan sa magkabilang pisngi ang best friend.

“Ilang weeks din tayong hindi nagkita. Kumusta naman ang Italy?” Tuwang tuwa si Geli ng makita ang best friend. Isa ito sa mga taong hinihingahan niya ng sama ng loob.

“Italy is great as usual though hindi ako masyadong nakakapasyal. Alam mo naman work, work, work agad. The rest of my time, I spent just sleeping. Oh, kamusta na? You sent me a message nung nasa Italy pako. You sound like you’re in trouble.”

“Here’s your coffee.” Binigay ni Geli kay Tanya ang kape.

“Oh, thanks.” Sagot ni Tanya.

“Kasi Tanya si daddy. He wanted me to marry someone I barely knew.” Sagot ni Geli.

“Oh? Who’s this guy? Did you already meet him?” Tanong ni Tanya.

“You know him, I mean everybody knows him. Si Adriel Montefalcon, III” Sagot ni Geli.

“What? The Adriel Costas Montefalcon, III? Oh, my God. He’s every women’s dream. You’re so maswerte naman. Teka, no offense pero as I have known Adriel is not the marrying type of guy. He likes to fool and flirt around. Pero basing sa information na nasagap ko, he’s never serious with any relationship.” Kilalang kilala ni Tanya si Adriel because madami na itong naka date na models – including her. He’s really good in bed and he will treat you like a queen. Pag nagsawa siya sayo, he will trash you.

“‘Yon nga Tanya. We know this guy. We know his reputation kaya hindi ako thrilled sa ganitong idea. Besides, I only met him twice.”

“You mean you already met him, Geli?”

“Yes, I already met him twice, Tanya. Sa bahay ng parents ko and the next time na we met, we had dinner in a restaurant. Just the two of us but we didn’t talk anything about love or intimacy or such. We talked about business, boring politics, and his travels. Oh, yeah we also talked about his and Dad’s plans about opening another business. I even agreed that time kasi it sounds great. Iniisip ko if maging affiliate namin ang company nya, mas better para umunlad lalo.” Sagot ni Geli while sipping her macchiato coffee.

“But why do you have to marry him? You can be just mere business partners.” Tanong uli ni Tanya.

“‘Yon na nga, Tanya. Hindi ko makuha ang logic. Why on earth do I have to marry this guy? I mean, first things first I don’t have a super model look like you or artistahin look. I’m just plain, simple me. Sa business naman hindi nanan kami naghihirap and ganun din sila. Our companies are well established and gaining profit so why do I have to marry him? Besides, I don’t like men with that reputation.” Hindi mapigilan ni Geli ang magalit. Feeling niya tinatanggalan siya ng karapatan para mag decide for herself.

“‘Yon lang, Geli. Nobody can guarantee that he will be faithful once he marries you. Besides, did he already agree?”

“I haven’t asked dad about it. Sabi nya daddy ni Adriel ang kausap nya and not Adriel himself. If he’s not going to agree to this marriage then my problems are solved.” Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Geli. Saglit na nabuhayan siya ng loob.

“See, there you are. Both of you are adults already and you decide your fate. How old is he na nga? 30? 35?” Tanong uli ni Tanya.

“I think he’s 30 years old. You’ve already gone to bed with him na, di ba?” Kantiyaw ni Geli sa kaibigan.

“Well, I wasn’t interested in his age, or business at that time. You know what I mean.” Pilyang sagot nito.

“My naughty friend, haha. So, how is he? In bed, I mean.”  Na curious bigla si Geli.

“‘Yong totoo? He’s sooo damn good. I can’t stop screaming and creaming, haha!” Iniisip pa lang niya ‘yong moment na ‘yon ay gusto niyang ulit ulitin. She never had such wonderful love making except ‘yong time na he was with the Adriel Montefalcon, III.

“Haha! Kadiri ka girl! I can feel our heat!” Malamig ang aircon sa loob ng café pero nararamdaman niyang umiinit ang friend. May pagkahilig kasi ito sa sex and she doesn’t care minsan sino sinasamahan niya as long as makaraos siya. Naalala niya tuloy ‘yong nag Boracay silang dalawa. Tanya ended up hooking with a bartender and kinunan siya ng picture. Those were her darkest moments because she ended up paying 500,000 pesos para hindi i post ang naked pictures niya.

“Kasi naman ibang klase siya sa bed. Kaya nga medyo naiinggit ako sayo kasi you will marry him.” Nakangiti itong nakatingin kay Geli while sipping her cold caramel macchiato coffee.

“But I’m not interested in his body, fame or money. Marami na akong nakitang mas guwapo pa sa kanya, mas tanyag pa sa kanya and I’m also rich. So technically, I don’t love him.” Pangangatwiran ni Geli.

“Kasi napaka old fashioned mo. I know you, girl. You always wanted true love, haha!” Pangangantiyaw ng kaibigan.

“Yeah, I am old fashioned and yes, I believe in true love. Ang isang relasyon ay pondasyon ng dalawang taong nagmamahalan at sabay silang bubuo ng family. Yan kasi ang nakamulatan namin ni Gelo.” Sagot nito sa kaibigan.

“Then why is your dad insisting that you marry a stranger? You barely know him. Ako kasi mga naka bed ko na men, hanggang bed lang sila and I don’t care who they are and what they do. No strings attached.” Sagot ni Tanya.

“Hay, yan nga Tanya ang hindi ko matanggap, eh. I don’t like this idea and it’s against my principles. Besides, he’s the man of the world while I, I have my standards and he is not included on my list.” Umiinit na ulo ni Geli at nakakaramdam siya ng frustration.

“I understand you, Geli. I suggest talking to your dad about it. Your mom as well.  As for Adriel, you talk to him about it. He might have a different opinion about this situation. Malay mo, matulungan ka niya. We don’t know he might not like this setup either. After all, he’s a Casanova and most men with their reputation are not thrilled in marriage.” Sagot ni Tanya na ikinaliwanag muli ng mukha ng kaibigan.

“You know what, you are right. Why haven’t I thought of that I will talk to Dad about it first and then I will set a date with Adriel. We’ll talk about this matter.” Nakangiting sagot ni Geli.

“See, you’re smiling already. I’ll get up muna and order a sandwich. I’m famished. What do you want?” Tanong nito uli ke Geli.

“Kahit ano lang. Ikaw na bahala.” Sagot ni Geli.

“Okay.” Tumindig na si Tanya at pumunta sa counter para umorder ng foods nila.

Nakaupo lang si Geli at nag iisip kung ano ang kanyang magiging move para ma convince niya daddy niya.