Getting Married

No, it’s not me… I’m not… or I dunno… Whatever…

Last Sunday afternoon, I was having a talk with my biological younger brother. I was asking how he is, how his girlfriend is, and how the two of them are doing. The girl is my age; my brother is 3 years younger. The girl is looking forward into settling down; my brother wants to further his career, probably travel abroad, or be employed in some country.

“You’re not getting any younger, kuya,” he said, and continued with: “Pag–igihan mo yang saving up, dapat you’re married by age 30.” I gave him a fake smile.

Married… by age 30…

Meganoooonchi?? So dapat pag 30, married na? Ganyan?! NKKLK!! Na–stress akiz.

***

I was on a meeting yesterday with members of the Board. After the meeting, the “upcoming” Chairman offered me and my mom a ride home.

            UC:                  Is it ok, if I & my son–in–law would take over the Board?

            Mom:               I guess its ok.

They both laughed. I was saddened.

In my head, I was like: “Hanubeh, mudrakels??!!! Bakit mo akiz binenta sa kanila.. WAAAAAH! Bugaw? Ganyan?”

UC’s wife:       My daughter’s coming home from Saudi this January. What do you think? Let’s arrange the marriage?

            Mom:               Pwede naman.. Hahaha! Uso pa ba ang arranged marriage ngayon?

            Nate:               Mom, hindi na.. Hehehe..

UC’s wife:       Naiinggit kasi siya sa ate niya, magkaka–baby na.. Mabait ang napangasawa nun.

            Mom:               Oo nga, I’ve read it Facebook.

(Oha! Ang syala lang ni mother nature… Naka–FB! Kaya super ingat ako mag–post. Di ko siya in–add as friend, tapos tinaasan ko ang privacy settings ko.. LOL! :P)

It was an awkward conversation. Honestly, I would’ve wanted the earth to open up and swallow me. Sobrang nakakahiya.

UC’s wife calls me “anak.”

***

It was May.

My mom and I were invited to attend the 65^th birthday of the Chairman. One thing known to all about the Chairman is that he’s always on time. I left the office three hours before the event, so I could still prep up. Attire: Formal.

Black Suit

White long sleeves polo

Metallic Dark Brown tie

Black slacks

Black dress shoes

When I arrived home, I hurriedly prepped up, donned my formal wear, and tried to look as sharp and dashing as I could. Ako na! Lolz. :P

My mom and I arrived at the place early. And yes, the Chairman and his family are already there. After a few pleasantries, I looked around and took photos:

 

Mom and I looked for our table number, and we were ushered to our seats near the stage:

 A couple of minutes after settling down on our seats friends, family friends, and long time acquaintances arrived and greeted us.

            Mom:               Good evening, amiga.

            Amiga1:           Good evening, and it’s nice to see you here.

They did the usual beso–beso…

            Mom:               Oh, you remember my son Nate?

She motioned me to come closer, and greet her amiga.

            Nate:               Good evening, tita.

After I kissed her hand, and she did a beso. (Muntik na nga akong magmano, lolz. :P)

            Amiga1:           Oh, Nate, is that really you?

            Nate:               Yes, tita, this is me.

            Amiga1:           Look at you, a fine young man. You’ve grown up so fast. And, must I say, ang

gwapo–gwapo mo.

            Nate:               Ay, thank you, tita.

            Amiga1:           Amiga, ang gwapo–gwapo pala ng anak mo.

            Mom:               Thank you, amiga.

            Amiga1:           May girlfriend ka na ba, hijo?

            Nate:               Ay, no po, tita. I’m single.

            Amiga1:           Good! Wag basta–basta maggu-girlfriend ha? Pumili ng mabuti. Maraming babae

dyan, pero pumili ka ng maganda at mabait.

            Nate:               Haha. Ok po, tita. I’d take a mental note of that.

            Amiga1:           Oh sige, hijo. It was nice meeting you.

            Nate:               Pleasure is mine, tita.

  

(Wag kayong maniwala dun kay Amiga1, exag lang sya… Hindi ako gwapo… :P)

After a few minutes more, another somewhat kumare of my mom arrived…

            Amiga2:           Hello, how are you?

            Mom:               I’m fine, mare. How about you?

As usual, beso–beso…

            Amiga2:           I’m good, thank you. I’m with my husband. The kids can’t come because they

have classes pa early tomorrow.

            Mom:               Oh ok…

            Amiga2:           How about you, mare? Who are you with?

            Mom:               I’m with my son. Nate, anak, come here and say hi to your tita.

            Nate:               Tita, good evening.

            Amiga2:           Nate? Ang laki mo na! Wow! Ang guwapo–guwapo mo.

            Nate:               Thank you po, tita.

(Kung maka “guwapo” naman si Tita… WAGAS!!! Hindi naman kaya…)

And then, the dreaded conversation started…

            Mom:               Excuse me, mare.. Anak, I’ll just say to my other kumpadres and kumadres.

            Nate:               Ok, mom.

My mom left me, to talk with this amiga of hers which I haven’t met for a long time. In fact, I only have a few memories of her…

            Amiga2:           So, Nate, hijo… Are you still in school?

            Nate:               Ay, no tita. I may only look younger than my age, I’m working.. For about 5

years now..

            Amiga2:           Oh really? Baby–faced ka pa rin.

            Nate:               Haha, why, thank you tita.

            Amiga2:           So, you have a girlfriend? Did you bring her here? Where is she?

            Nate:               No, tita. I’m single.

            Amiga2:           Oh, really? Sa gwapo mong yan? You should’ve been married by now.

           

(Ganun? So pag gwapo at nasa age ko, dapat married agad?!! NKKLK!!)

            Nate:               Si tita, talaga. Haha.

            Amiga2:           How old are you na ba, Nate?

            Nate:               I’m 25, tita.

            Amiga2:           Oh, 25.. and working for about 5 years now? Pwede ka ng mag–asawa.

(Tengene. Muntik ko nang sabunutan ang intrimitidang amiga ni mudra…)

            Amiga2:           I was married at age 23. By the time I was your age, may dalawang anak ako.

            Nate:               Tita, but marriage nowadays is not as easy as you think. The wedding alone

would dry up your savings, plus kids? Tita, mahal na magpalaki ng anak ngayon.

Hindi lang naman basta iluluwal ang bata, tita.. There are formulations, meds,

vaccinations, diapers, college tuition, and what have you.

            Amiga2:           Oo nga ‘no? Oh well… pero come to think of it, you’re not getting any younger,

hijo… Pumili ka ng babaeng mas bata sa ‘yo…

            Nate:               Ganun po ba, tita?

            Amiga2:           Oo, para she won’t have trouble conceiving and giving birth.

(OMG! Conceiving??! Giving birth?!! *dies*)

            Nate:               Sige po, tita, I’ll keep that in mind.

            Amiga2:           Sige, hijo… I’ll move around and found our seats.

            Nate:               Sige po, tita.

***

I guess it’s too early to tell if I’d ever end up like Kuya Josh or not… And if ever I will, eh kanino naman kaya?

I guess that would be another blog entry.