– sfw; narrations only.
– written in taglish; please excuse my grammar, no beta read.
– 2k+ words

Dashiel made sure he was right on time, or maybe he was too punctual to arrive at his booked restaurant at Raffles, Makati, 15 minutes early. Well, maybe it’s the businessman in him acting up.

On the other hand, Joie made sure he’d arrive early, too.

Gaya nga ng sabi niya sa text, ayaw niya sa mga taong late.

“Stop normalizing Filipino time”, ika nga ng magiting na Jorien Ivar Aransazu.

Kaya andiyan na siya, nasa baba na siya ng Raffles, Makati. Hindi niya kasama ang sekretaryang si Arcel, dahil bilin nga ng mga magulang nila na dapat sila lang ang magkita at susunod na lang ang mga ito paglipas ng ilang oras.

Joie chose a simple yet neat look.

Suot ay puting turtle neck na medyo inangat niya sa bandang siko ang manggas, itim na slacks, at itim na sapatos. Nakabagsak ang buhok at suot din niya ang kaniyang salamin.

“Hi! I have a reservation under Mr. Dashiel Peter Viejo’s name.” Nginitian niya ang staff na nakabantay sa bungad ng restaurant.

“Mr. Jorien Ivar Aransazu, here Sir.” The staff guided him to a private room.

Dashiel booked a private room in the restaurant. He wanted to ensure Joie’s comfort. He wanted to ensure they had enough privacy so they wouldn’t get shy or awkward talking.

“Para hindi nakakahiya kahit pareho lang kaming nakatitig sa baso kasi wala kaming masabi sa isa’t-isa.” Sa isip-isip ni Dash nang mag-book siya noong nakaraang araw.

Iniwan na rin naman ng staff si Joie, kaya siya na mismo ang bumukas ng pinto.
Walang tao.

Walang tao sa loob ng private room na pinasukan ni Joie.

Pinili na lang niyang umupo sa loob at hintayin ang kasama. Pero sa loob-loob niya, umiikot na mata niyan sa asar.

“I thought he’s early.” Sabay ikot ng mata. Mukhang bad shot na ata si Dashiel.

Joie was about to pour wine on his glass when the door opened.

And he was welcomed by a tall man with tan skin and long hair. He’s wearing a striped turtle neck, glasses, and a Rolex on his right hand.

Talking about coincidence? They’re both wearing turtle necks and glasses.

Joie was stunned and mouth agape. The man really exudes the Greek God physique and face card.

Binabawi na ni Joie lahat ng judgment at rant niya sa kaniyang private Twitter account.

Gwapo nga. Pogi nga. Sobrang pogi. Mas pogi pa sa personal, at walang-wala ‘yung kapogian sa Instagram at mga magazine na featured siya. Kaya siguro Dashiel ang pangalan niya, dahil isa siyang dazzling na nilalang.

Ang dami na agad tumakbo sa isip ni Joie, buti na lang at bahagyang umubo si Dash na siyang nagpabalik kay Joie sa katinuan.

“You’re late.” Diretsong sambit ni Joie habang nakatitig sa lalaking hanggang ngayon ay nakatayo pa rin sa pintuan.

“Ha?” Wala sa sariling sagot ni Dash.

“I said, late ka. Sabi mo you’re here na. Why nauna pa ako?” Tuloy-tuloy na sabi pa rin ni Joie. Buti na lang at medyo dimmed ang ilaw doon, kaya pwedeng-pwede itago ang namumulang pisngi niya. Sa puti niyang ‘yan, tiyak na kitang-kita ang pamumula ng mga pisngi niya.

Pero, teka. Umubo na kanina si Dash, hindi ba? Bakit parang wala siya sa sarili?

It’s a tie, mga kabayan!

He was too stunned to speak as well.

Nasamid lang talaga siya kanina kakalunok sa laway niya. Bakit? Ikaw ba naman kung ano-ano pinagsasabi sa private Twitter account? Ranting there how he doesn’t have media exposure and proceeded to critique his face value.

Maling-mali ka diyan, Dash.

Para siyang may dalang ring light. Umiilaw siya mag-isa, partida dimmed pa ang ilaw dito sa resto. Pero, langya! Ang kinang niya. Ang ganda. Para siyang anghel, parang hindi totoo ‘yung mukha. Kaya naman pala walang media exposure, kasi isang picture pa lang gunaw buong mundo sa ganda at pogi niyan.

“Dashiel Peter, ikalma mo.” Pagpapakalma ni Dash kay self.

“I am not late. Pumunta lang akong restroom and I wanted to fetch you sana outside, kaso noong palabas na ako sabi sa akin ng staff andito ka na raw.” May ngiti sa labi niyang tugon sa reklamo ni Joie.

“You should sit. Let’s eat.” Umiwas naman ng tingin si Joie.

Dashiel offered his hand for a handshake to introduce himself, “Hi! I am Dashiel Peter Viejo, and you can call me Dash.”

Joie took his hand, “I’m Jorien Ivar Aransazu. Just call me Joie for short.”

Their hands stayed as is for a few more minutes.

“Jo… Jo-yi? Joy? How do you pronounce it? Noong nakaraan pa ako curious eh.” Kunot noong pagtatanong ni Dash na siyang ikinatawa naman ni Joie.

Unang bumitaw sa pagkakahawak ng kamay si Joie at saka itinago ang kamay sa ilalim ng mesa.

“Joie. As in Jo-wi. Okay na?” Natatawa niyang paliwanag.

“Why are you laughing?” Natatawa na rin si Dash.

“Wala. It’s just that I thought you were probably rambling about how to pronounce my nickname for days.”

“Eh? Paano mo naman alam?” Sagot ng nakababata.

“It shows sa kilay mo. It’s very kunot.”

Damn! Why does he have to scrunch his nose like that?

Oh wow! His fangs. It’s so cute!

Sana man lang maisip pa nila na may pagkain na nakahain, bago kung ano-anong tumakbo sa isip nila, ano?

Sa bagay, nauna pa nilang kinain ang mga pre-set impression nila, bago ‘yung mga order.

“Let’s eat.” And Dash, the ever gentleman, started asking Joie if he likes this and that. He also poured him a drink.

Kulang na lang subuan niya ‘yung tao. Kung hindi lang siguro nila first meet, baka ginawa niya talaga.

Kung tutuusin, pwede niya namang gawin.

They’ll be husbands in no time.

They continued eating silently, but Dash opted to break the silence.

“So? Burado na ba first impression mo sa akin? Okay na ba tayo?” Binaling niya ang tingin sa kausap.

Pinunasan naman ni Joie ang gilid ng labi bago sumagot, “Which one? ‘Yung late? Hmm… Okay na.”

“Anong which one? May iba ka pa bang first impression?”

“Oo. Mayabang ka. You’re arrogant.”

Nasamid naman si Dash sa sagot ni Joie.

“Tito Ivan is true to his words. You’re frank.” He smirked, and the older man just shrugged his shoulder.

Joie sipped his wine glass, “What’s your impression? Sa akin?”

Dash also made sure he dared to be frank, so he took a sip from his wine glass.

“You’re mysterious, wala ka masiyadong media exposure and I wasn’t even sure kung tama ba ‘yung mga tinignan ko eh. I wanted an element of surprise, kaya hindi ko tinanong sila Tito Ivan and Dad.”

“So daldal. Ano nga? Dali na.” Umirap pa nga ang taong may dalang sariling ring light.

“Don’t get mad, ha? You asked, so I’ll be honest.” Kamot ulo si Dash. Ba’t ba kasi nagtanong pa siya?

“What nga? So tagal!” Umisang irap pa.

“Pa.. Ano. Kasi. Pang–” At hindi na natuloy ni Dash ang sasabihin dahil sa ikatlong pagkakataon, umirap muli si Joie at ngayon may kasama pang malalim na buntong hininga.

“And now? Pangit ba?”

Joie is not a brat—he’s not a spoiled brat. He’s good at a lot of things, and he’s always calm and quiet. And. He’s indeed frank.

“Is your impression of me being ugly correct? Is it?” The older is probing, and the younger is again swallowing his saliva.

“No. I am wrong. You’re not ugly. Hindi ka pangit, Joie.” Mind you, Dash said that eye-to-eye with all seriousness.

The compliment surely did hit Joie. It touched a part of him, making him look through the food and murmur an ‘okay.’

And right there, it started a bit awkward.

Thankfully, Dash’s phone vibrated.

“It’s your Dad. Punta raw tayo sa inyo after here.” Dash broke the silence.

“I thought they’d go here?”

“They just said that para hindi raw tayo tumakbo.” Dashiel said chukling.

“Hay nako! Those oldies!”

“Oldies pala, ha? Isusumbong kita mamaya. Lagot ka sa kanila.” And just like that, the awkward air disappeared.

“So daldal! Akala mo hindi ko alam nagsumbong ka kay Dad about our exchange of messages?!” The older was glaring at him.

“Eh ikaw kasi. Inaway mo ako agad.”

“If only hindi ka ganun makipag-usap.”

“Sus! Aminin mo na kasi, si sungit ka.”

“Aminin mo muna na you’re arrogant.”

And the both of them continued bickering over pasta and wine.

“Careful.” Dashiel guided Joie in his passenger seat.

Ewan din nila sa trip ng mga matatandang Aransazu at Viejo at kailangan pa sila utuin na parang bata.

“Ready?” Tanong ni Dash sa nakatatanda bago simulan ang pagmamaneho.

There was a long silence within their drive.

“Dashy.”

That’s the first time Joie called his name.

And he swears. Dashiel swears. He felt something different when he heard Joie say his name. He was unsure, but he knew it was something he never felt before. A feeling he never felt to anyone who had called his name.

“Yes? Is it cold?” He took a glance at Joie and tried to adjust the temperature.

“It’s fine. I just want to ask something.”

“Ask away.” Dash is still focused on the road.

“What did you feel when your parents told you you’ll marry someone you don’t know?” Joie has been contemplating this question since his parents told him about the arranged marriage.

“First off, you’re not a stranger naman. I’ve known the Aransazu’s for years already. I was glad? Yeah. Ikaw ba naman ipakasal sa isang Aransazu? Edi buhat na buhat na niyan ang Viejo Business Group?” Tuloy-tuloy at natatawang sagot ni Dash sa tanong.

Hindi maiwasan ni Joie na matawa.

He must admit that this guy has his unique wit right here. He’s a funny guy.

“I was glad. I am glad it’s you, kasi alam ko naman na galing ka sa mabuting pamilya. I know you’re someone good.” Dash continued talking.

This time, it was Joie who took a glance at Dash.

“I don’t understand why we still have to live like this. I feel sorry that you have to marry me. You have to marry someone you don’t even know. Someone you don’t like.” It was said in a low tone, but Dash knew what he heard.

He chuckled subtly, “Don’t talk like that, Joie. I should be the one saying sorry. Dad wanted to gain more success, and the only thing he could think of was joining your family.”

Bata pa sila alam naman na nila pareho na may ganitong tradisyon sa pamilya nila. Kaya simula’t-sapul, iniwasan na ni Joie ang magkagusto sa iba. Para saan pa? Iba rin naman ang makakatuluyan niya.

At si Dash? Mayroon naman siyang iilang naging fling o harutan era, pero sinigurado niya na kapag may nilaan na ang pamilya niya para sa kaniya ay titigilan na niya ang kaniyang fling o harutan era.

Neither of them have had a relationship.

For Joie, this is his first-ever relationship.

For Dash, this is his first-ever commitment.

Sa negosyo lang naman talaga magkalaban ang Aransazu at Viejo. Sa totoo niyan, matalik na magkaibigan ang ama nina Joie at Dash. Pero hindi nila nakilala ang isa’t-isa noon dahil sa magkaibang buhay na mayroon sila.

Si Dash na bata pa lang ay nakitaan na agad ng galing sa negosyo. Si Joie naman ay walang hilig sa negosyo, pagkanta at sining ang hilig nito.

Kaya ang naisip na paraan ng kanilang mga ama ay pagsamahin sila.

Marrying the two seems a feat for both families.

Aransazu acquired its rival in the market. The Viejo’s gain more power and influence.

And you know what’s another big win? Dash’s father has been so fond of Joie ever since, and Dash has been the apple of the eye of Joie’s father.

Hindi namalayan ng dalawa na nasa harap na pala sila ng mansyon ng mga Aransazu. Bago pa man ipasok ni Dash ang kotse sa pagkalaki-laking gate ng mansyon, nagsalita pa muli si Joie.

“You are free to ask for a divorce after merging all our businesses. I won’t mind. It’s okay, so don’t hesitate to ask me for a divorce. Dad will surely understand if we say it didn’t work.”

“I wouldn’t want to hinder your heart, Dashy.”

And right then and there, Dash felt something different again.

But he still couldn’t understand what it was.

Despite his confusion, he looked at Joie, “Is that what you want? If that’s what you want, we can do that.”

“Anything that puts your heart at ease, Jo.”