“Mina!!!” screamed our neighbor as she approached me while I was towing the leash of the carabao. “You’re really something, huh?”

“Why, Lily?” I’m wondering as I questioned her.

She rolled her eyes while she crossed her arms. “Duh? Don’t get to innocence there. Everyone already knows you’re about to marry Tranz Fernandez Ratcliffe! The sole heir of the Fernandez and Ratcliffe Groups of Companies! Does he already taste your oyster or what? Gosh! I didn’t know that Tranz would notice you. What potion did you use, girl? Look at you. You look like an eggplant exposed to the sunlight. Gosh! Are you still a virgin, huh?”

What is she saying?

“I’m sorry, Lily, because I’m still working, eh.” I pulled the carabao’s rope, but she stopped me from walking again.

“Why don’t you tell me.” I really can’t understand her. “Telling the truth won’t harm you.” I just stared at her. “Why? Don’t you know what I’m talking about? Gosh! Stupid!” she whispered softly, but I still heard what she said. “What did you do to make Tranz fell in love with you? Why would he marry you?”

“Do you know him personally?”

“Of course, why not coconut. He used to be my customer at the club. We ate suman and bibingka twice. That’s why I know that his is very, very big and very, very fat. I even choked when I ate him.”

I’m not really affected by what she says, so I don’t know why she’s telling these things to me.

“When did you meet?” I just asked while walking again.

I need to feed this carabao if I don’t want to spend my night here in the rice field.

“Before he met you. I thought we were forever’s not enough, but when he met you, he has already forgotten about me.” When I looked at her, she was sulking and seemed to be crying. “How much does your ring cost?”

I faced her again. Haist. We’re in the mountains, but here she is, with her hanging tube and micro mini skirt.

“It’s not my fault that he likes me, Lily. Tranz and I met when I was still in college. He flirted with me before, but I didn’t entertain him, but when we met eight months ago, and he courted me formally, I said yes to since I like him too. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?”

I don’t know why I have to explain myself to her. I feel sorry for Lily, honestly. She’s alone in life because her parents died years ago, and because of that, she wasn’t able to attend school. She didn’t have the time to study, that’s why she has to work at the club.

“It’s okay—no hurt feelings. Just be careful. I heard you’re going to Manila after your wedding.”

Lily was kind but too noisy sometimes.

“Thank you.”

“Invite me to your wedding so that I can eat something delicious. Don’t just me but all the villagers, invite them so we can eat something delicious. Is it okay?”

“All right.”

“That’s great. I’m leaving now. Good luck. Even though your boyfriend is delicious, I don’t like him anymore. I don’t like to be called mistress because I’m not that kind of girl. Babush.”

I just smiled as I watched her walk away from me. I pulled the rope again to tie it to the tree. I’m the one doing this because my father had an accident and injured his foot.

It’s also the reason why I have to marry Tranz.

Like what I told Lily, Tranz and I met at the university before. I was taking up HRM because I dreamt of working abroad. Tranz, on the other hand, took Business Administration.

We only had lunch together once, but after that, he started to bother me. I turned him down because back then, my study was my priority. I also didn’t want to have a boyfriend since I was a scholar. He respected my decision.

I thought we would never meet again. But eight months ago, we met at the hotel where I worked. I was in a hurry at that time because I had to replace mom to watched over dad in the hospital. He offered a ride, and I never could decline his offer because it happened that there’s no taxi around.

When my father got out of the hospital, we were in debt. Tranz offered something I couldn’t turn down, mainly that my parent’s land depended on it. He would pay for all our obligations as long as I give him a chance.

But that was all in the past because now, I really love Tranz so much. He’s not difficult to love because he already has all the qualities you would want in a man.

After I finished my job here in the rice field, I went home to our hut.

I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh as I surveyed our hut. I still have a lot to fulfill in my life, but it looks like I won’t be able to get it right away because Tranz and I are getting married. I wish that I would be able to fix this house for my parents at least.

I was about to get inside when someone covered my eyes.

“Hi, Love...” I heard a baritone voice, so I smiled.

“Love...” When I mentioned the word love, he hugged me tightly. “Love, put me down!” I screamed when my feet raised from the ground.

He put me down and faced me to him.

“I’m glad I’ve heard you laughed. What’s bothering you?”

“N-nothing.” I lied.

He looked at our small hut. “I have a surprise for you before our wedding...”

The next day will be our wedding so most likely, tomorrow he will tell me what’s the surprise he has for me.