Patricia's POV
Days and weeks pass by so fast. It's Monday again and I'm back at school."Patriciaaa!"
Nag echo sa hallway ang sigaw ni Kelvin, my other friend. Nakakahiya. Kulang na lang ay panlisikan ko siya ng mata habang tumatawa papalapit sakin. Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap.
"Kanina pa kita hinihintay!" malandi niyang sabi.
"Bakit, feeling mo ba ang lapit lang nitong building natin?"
Dumiretso kami sa lovers lane since maaga pa naman, dito muna kami tatambay.
"Spill it!" maloko siyang ngumisi sakin. "Nasabi sakin ni Jess ang tungkol sa kasal-"
Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya dahil baka may makarinig. Talagang walang preno ang bibig ni Jess.
"Totoo nga? Silence means yes!" Umirap ako kaya tumawa ulit siya. Ano pa bang choice ko?
Maya-maya pa ay agad rin dumating si Jess kasama si Tyrone, isa pa naming kaibigan. Kaya pinaliwanag ko na sa kanila lahat.
"The life of being rich, arrange marriage is just normal" komento ni kelvin. "Wala ka na talagang choice. Pero hindi pa ako handa na makita kang ikasal!" peke siyang umiyak. Ang arte talaga.
"Well, the only thing that I can say to you is...good luck. Iyon lang ang kaya namin," Tyrone smiled at me that made me feel sad.
"Based on my source, Mr. Velasquez's son was...rude" Jess tapped my shoulder. "You'll getting married just for responsibility and I think you can still do what you want when you get married"
"We will graduate this year. I still had plan to study in med school and pursue my-"
"I don't think your marriage will be an obstacle for that" putol ni Tyrone. "There's no special feeling between you and him, right? You can survive"
Sa ngayon, iniisip ko ang kahihinatnan ko kapag natuloy 'yon. Maraming magbabago pero wala akong magagawa kundi sumugal.
"You didn't experience of having a boyfriend and you will have an instant husband soon!" ani Jess. "Thank god I didn't end up in a situation as complicated as yours because I couldn't take that"
"What if, ayaw sayo ng pamilya ng mapapangasawa mo? What if masama ugali nila? Gosh! Scary!" nanlulumo si Kelvin na para bang siya ang ipapakasal.
"Her parents know and trusted them so I think she'll be good" singit ni Tyrone.
"Malay mo sa umpisa lang magaling?" sabat naman ni Jess. "Kaya mag-ingat ka Patricia! Hindi porket maganda ang record ng pamilya ay maganda ang ugali"
"Mas kinakabahan lang ako sa mga sinasabi niyo," mapait kong sabi bago tumayo dahil magsisimula na ang first class namin.
Hanggang sa mga klase namin ay dala ko parin sa isip ko ang problema. Tingin ko nga ay walang pumapasok sa isip ko.
I am currently studying as a fourth year college student and I'm taking up Bs Biology. Ilang buwan na lang ay matatapos na ang paghihirap naming mga estudyante at ga-graduate na kami. I also maintain my high grades because I have been a certified honor student since elementary but in my current situation, tila nawawalan ako ng gana.
"Okay ka lang? Malamya ka kanina sa class" puna ni Jess habang nasa cafeteria kami.
Tumango lang ako.
"Wag mo muna isipin ang problema mo. Buti na lang mataas ka parin kanina sa quiz kahit hindi ka masyado nakapag-review!"
"Yeah,"
"That's because you were naturally born smart! Kaya wag mo hintayin na bumagsak ka sa mga inaasta mo" para talaga siyang nanay. "By the way, may event tayo next month at mayroong beauty pageant! Kailangan ng representative by course at lahat ng section ay inaasahan na ikaw ang sasabak!" tinapik niya ang braso ko. "Kapag ikaw ang sumali ay siguradong panalo agad tayo! Wala ka naman sinalihan na hindi mo ipinanalo!"
"Pass. Hindi ako sasali"
Her smile disappeared. Marami pa naman ang pwede riyan at hindi ko alam kung maipapanalo ko ang contest na 'yon ng may problema akong malaki ngayon. I can't concentrate.
"Bakit? Sayang 'to, Pat! Last year na natin kaya subukan mo na!"
"I have a problem, Jess. Maraming magaganda na pwede nilang isali" tumayo na ako para bumalik sa room.
"Sayang rin kasi dahil ikaw ang halos inaabangan ng mga estudyante kapag may pageant! Pero sabagay, mas mahalagang intindihin mo muna ang kasal na yan"
Our class continued and until dismissal, I was silent.
Problemado at nanlulumo ako sa mga sumunod na araw at sa mga sumunod na linggo naman ay mailap ako kay mommy. Hindi ko alam kung bakit habang tumatagal ay nawawalan ako ng gana. Nakapag-isip ako na papayag na lang sa plano nila at kahit hindi ko pa nakakausap si daddy tungkol dito ay nasisiguro kong pipilitin niya rin ako.
Hindi ko rin naman maaatim na mag hirap kami.
"Mauna na ako sa inyo" paalam ko sa mga kaibigan ko at sumakay na sa sasakyan ko.
Tuluyan na akong lumabas ng school at dumiretso sa company building namin.
Along with my way, my mind was in puzzled. Halos lutang ang isip ko sa maraming bagay.
"Good afternoon, Mam" ngumiti sakin ang guard at agad akong pinapasok.
Mabilis akong nag park at sumakay ng elevator. Sunod-sunod ang pag bati sakin ng mga empleyado ng makita ako. Nakaramdam tuloy ako ng hiya dahil nakasuot pa ako ng all white uniform ko sa school.
Nakasalubong ko ang secretary ni mommy. "Sakto, may free time po si Mam Alondra"
Ngumiti ako bago pumasok sa office. Nag liwanag ang mukha ni mommy ng makita ako at sinalubong ako ng halik. Kahit nakangiti ay halata sa itsura niya ang pagod. Alam kong stress na siya sa kompanya.
It's been one month since she told me the proposal and she didn't pressure me. She didn't sculpt me anymore, she really gave me time to think. I also have no idea what they talked about with the Velasquez. My mind was full of many questions.
"Are you okay, mom?" I asked worriedly.
She laughed. "Don't mind me. I'm fine" we both sat on the couch. "Do you need something?"
"Uh, nothing" umiling ako. "Uhm..a-about the-"
"About the proposal marriage? What about that? Have you already decided? Ayaw mo ba talaga?" her voice cracked.
"No, mommy" I gulped. "Pumapayag na ako sa p-proposal"
Pushing those words out of my mouth felt like something sucked all the energy out of me. My hands were sweaty and shaking. I'm so nervous.
"For r-real?" hindi siya makapaniwalang nakatingin sakin. "I-I mean, we're not pressuring you. Kung napipilitan ka-"
"I'm not" pigil ko. "I think, it's my responsibility to help you. Hindi kakayanin ng konsensya ko kapag nawala ang kompanya satin. Kung may solusyon para isalba ito, I would grab it"
Nagsimulang mamuo ang luha sa mata ni mommy habang paulit-ulit siyang umiiling.
"I can't believe it" she started crying. "You really agreed!" she hugged me together with her sobs.
"Just for our family, mommy" I whispered.
"Your dad would be happy!" she held my hand. "Mrs. Velasquez just called me earlier and she was asking about your decision"
"What will happened to me?" agad kong tanong. "After I marry the man I don't even know?"
"I know you'll be confused now but I'm telling you, you're in the right hands. Me and your dad won't trust them if we don't know them fully" she explained. "You just need to go with the flow. Hindi ka mahihirapan dahil nasayo parin ang kalayaan mo. You're still free to do what you want and continue your studies" she caressed my hair.
Kinakabahan at natatakot parin ako kahit may assurance na kay mommy, hindi ko parin mapigilan makaramdaman 'to. Yeah, I have my freedom to do want I want but there's always limitation. I won't be able to like someone else because I am already tied with the specific person.
Tumingin ako kay mommy dahil may gusto akong itanong. "About my f-fiance..."
"What about it, honey?"
"Did he also agree with this set up? They're already rich and wealthy, walang mawawala sa kanila kung magpapakasal sila sa hindi mayaman" I asked out of confusion.
Bumabagabag sakin 'yon simula ng sabihin niya ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal. Tulad ko ay napilitan lang din kaya siya na magpakasal sakin? Kilala niya ba ako? O, baka naawa lang sila sa pamilya ko? Gosh! Here I am again. Paranoid and thinking some negative thoughts but I can't help but to think of it. Wala akong maisip na dahilan dahil successful na sila. What else?
"I just tried my luck to talk with them and I was surprised because they held me a proposal. I know that they did a background check on our family and we don't have bad records," there's traces of joy on her face. "I know you're thinking that maybe, I begged for them?" she laughed. "No, I would never do that"
May kinuha siyang folder sa drawer at binigay sakin. "It's all about the background of their family. It can help you"
I immediately opened the folder. Bumungad sakin ang larawan ni Mr. Velasquez. Wow, he's really handsome. Kahit may edad na ay kita parin ang pagiging makisig. I flip the next page and it's a picture of his beautiful wife. The following pages are pictures of their children who are also handsome, from youngest, second and the last page is the eldest...
Npatigil ako ng makita ang isang lalaking seryosong nakaupo sa sofa, nakasuot ito ng black suit na lalong nag paangat ng kagwapuhan niya. Kusa akong napalunok at hindi makapaniwala na ito ang mapapangasawa ko? I scanned his face that was almost perfect for me. Mula sa maganda at mapupungay na mata, mahabang pilik-mata at ilong na tama ang tangos, ang mukha at panga niya na tama lang din ang pagkakahubog. Halos makaramdam ako ng uhaw ng pagmasdan ang namumula niyang labi. Sa pananamit pa lang ay alam mong mabango na pero hindi dapat ako masilaw sa itsura.
Mabilis akong napakurap ng mapagtanto na masyado na pala akong napapatitig sa larawan, nakakahiya lalo pa at kaharap ko si mommy.Sinipat ko ang nakasulat sa ibaba ng larawan at doon ko nakita ang edad at tunay na pangalan niya.
"Callum Teo Velasquez...25 years old?" bulalas ko habang nanlalaki ang mata sa gulat.
"Yeah, Callum is your future husband and he's so gentlemen, proven and tested when I met him in their company"
"Mommy! He's already 25 and I'm just 20!" reklamo ko at walang reaksyon si mommy.
"You'll graduate this year and turning 21. There's nothing wrong," kalmadong sabi niya. "You two look good together!" she clapped her hands.
Napairap ako at itinago ang folder. Maraming paalala na sinabi si mommy bago ako umalis. Tinawagan niya agad si Mrs. Velasquez para kumpirmahing pumayag na ako at ora mismo ay nag bigay siya ng araw para sa isang dinner ng mga pamilya namin.
"Tama ang desisyon ko? Everything is just so fast!" ibinuhos ko sa loob ng kotse ang lahat ng frustration ko.
Hindi ko akalain na mabilis ang pasya ng mga Velasquez. Ganoon ba sila kaexcited para ikasal kami ng anak nila? Hindi nila kami binigyan ng chance na magkaroon ng quality time para sa sarili namin para sulitin ang mga araw na single pa kami!
Patricia's POV "Where's my keys!" Narito kami sa parking ng school at handa ng umuwi pero hindi ko mahanap ang susi ng saskyan ko. I was busy finding it in my bag when I felt Jess pinch my arm. I turned around and saw her pointing someone using her snout. Sinundan ko 'yon ng tingin at naaninag ko ang isang lalaking papalapit habang nakasuot ng engineering uniform. "Si Raven na naman?" ramdam ko ang pagod sa boses ni Jess. "Kukuloton ka na naman niya," Nang makalapit ay agad ngumiti si Raven ng makita ako at mas lumapit pa. "P-Patricia" usal niya habang nakangiti. Ngumiti rin ako at ramdam ko agad ang pag hawak ni Jess sa braso ko. Tila pinoprotektahan ako kay Raven. "Ano'ng pakay mo sa kaibigan ko, Raven?" diretsang tanong ni Jess kaya halos panlakihan ko siya ng mata. "Ah, I just want to ask Patricia.." he turned to me with shy smile. "Are you free today-" "Ay, bawal siya, e! Marami kaming pending activities ngayon sa major subject" sumabat na naman si Jess kaya hindi ko map
Patricia's POV "Ouch!!" Mabigat at umikirot na ulo ang bumungad sa umaga ko. Napapikit akong napahawak sa ulo ng muli itong kumirot ng umupo ako sa kama. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakauwi dahil naaalala ko lang ay nag iinuman kami nila Jess at Kelvin sa bar. Tinaggal ko ang kumot na nakabalot sa katawan ko at nakitang suot ko parin ang black dress na suot ko kagabi. Dali-dali akong pumunta sa banyo at halos manlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita ang itsura ko sa salamin. Magulong buhok, gusot na damit at make up na halos kumalat na sa mukha ko. Hell, what happened to me! I was almost sick of smelling the alcohol on my dress. "Paano ako nakauwi kagabi?" tinapik-tapik ko ang mukha ko. Kahit nagtataka ay nag hilamos at nag half bath parin ako para mawala ang amoy ng alak sa katawan. Nang matapos ay agad akong nag bihis ng simpleng shorts at white shirt bago lumabas ng kwarto. Natanaw ko agad ang kapatid kong si Jordan sa may sala, nakaupo at may binabasa. "Good morning!" nakangiting b
Patricia's POV It's monday morning again and it's also a tiring day for me. I felt so weak and drained. Ayaw ko ng mag tagal pa sa loob ng bahay kaya hindi na ako nag abala na mag breakfast at agad akong umalis. Dumiretso ako sa isang café malapit lang sa school, dito na muna ako dahil maaga pa. I ordered my favorite coffee and a slice of blue berry cheese cake, agad kong kinain 'yon. Inaliw ko ang sarili ko sa pag stalk sa mga Velasquez online at hindi naman ako binigo ng social media. How ironic that their family is so private but some people can even get access and information about them. It's also true that there's so many girls simping over Callum Velasquez. His pictures is all over online and it's crazy! I also checked their company background. I found out that they still had a lot of business. They owned a large and extensive farm and several hotels. Wow!While Callum is currently managing the Velasquez Industries and soon, Mr. Velasquez will transfer to him his position. The
Patricia's POV "You're all over the news!" I felt nothing but fear and embarrassment. Fear for the judgements that I'll receive and embarrassment because I know some people especially my schoolmates will think differently about why would I marry a rich man. Nilamon ako ng kaba ng bumungad ang iba't ibang usapin tungkol sakin dito sa school. "Have you tried to check online? The students are talking about the picture of you and Callum Velasquez at the restaurant last night! It's spreading!" Jess's alarmed and slightly frightened voice rang in my ears. Nasa bukana pa lang ako ng school ay sinalubong niya na agad ako. Dire-diretso akong lumakad at mailap ang mata sa paligid. Nag kalat ang mga estudyante at ramdam ko ang pag sunod sakin ng tingin ng iba, kahit na college o high school pa. Nakayuko ako habang nakahawak sa dulo ng aking bag habang si Jess ay hindi parin natigil sa pagsasalita. "Ikaw ang topic ng halos lahat sa department natin at halos buong college building na nga!" i
Patricia's POV "Siguro napilitan lang si Callum. He's single, tapos ngayon ay magpapakasal na? The girl was just using her!" Napairap ulit ako sa panibagong hate comment na binasa ni Jess. Nakasimangot siya habang abala sa cellphone. "Stop it, Jess. They're not worth our time" sabi ko bago isinara ang librong binabasa. Narito kami sa ilalim ng puno ng mahogany at nakatambay. Ilang minuto pa naman bago mag start ang next class namin kaya nag pahangin muna kami rito. "Alam mo kung kaharap ko lang ang nag comment nito, baka nasabunutan ko na!" galit na bulyaw ni Jess. "Ano naman ang masama kung ikasal si Callum? Porket gwapo? Bakit maganda naman ang kaibigan natin, ah! Matalino pa! Hindi na lugi si Callum!" Wow, nag buhat pa talaga ng bangko si Jess. "You know what, you and Callum should go out together!" suhestiyon ni Jess na inirapan ko lang. "Para naman mas makilala niyo ang isa't isa. You know...magiging mag-asawa na kayo" may munting kilig pa sa boses niya. "I don't like the
Patricia's POV " 1, 2, 3! Smile!" Matamis akong ngumiti sa camera habang dinadama ang suot na toga. Today is our graduation pictorial and I feel so happy. I can already feel the juice of my sufferings. Nang matapos akong kuhanan ng litrato ay si Jess naman. Saglit akong nag retouch at sinuri ang sarili sa salamin. Suot ko ang isang pulang off shoulder dress. Si Jess at Kelvin ang nag ayos sakin. Kahit ang mga kaklase ko ay masasaya at magaganda ang ayos. Kukuhanan ulit kami ng litrato para sa creative shot kaya umupo muna ako sa pinakadulong parte ng classroom para mag hintay. Nabasa ko ang isang text messages ni mommy. From: MommyCallum will go to your school to pick you up. Good luck to your pictorial! My mood suddenly changed. Kaya ko naman umuwi mag isa! I doubt that Callum will come because of me. Hindi ko pa nga pala nakakausap si mommy tungkol kay Callum at sa babaeng kasama niya. Last week pa 'yon nangyari pero hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya dahil dumoble ang pagiging b
Patricia's POV Within weeks, a lot happened. I became even busier as well as my parents. My meeting with Callum was not followed up anymore because I knew he was also busy and was just forced to follow mommy's order. Until my graduation came. My hand was shaking as I received my diploma on stage. I didn't know what smile I would make in front of the camera because even my lips were trembling. I was so happy and my tears were welling up in my eyes but I tried not to cry because my make up would be ruined. Finally! I watched how my parents proudly hung my medals on me when my name called as gaining a spot as Magna Cum Laude. Malakas akong pinalakpakan ng mga estudyante hanggang makababa ng stage. "Congrats!" "Congrats, Patricia! No doubt, you're really a beauty and brain!" Ngumiti ako sa pag bati ng mga kaklase ko. Natapos ang ceremony at kanya-kanya na kaming kuhaan ng litrato. May mga kaklaseng lumalapit sakin para magpapicture. Kasama ko rin sila Jess, Kelvin at Tyron
Callum's POV I couldn't quite imagine that in just one thing..my life would change instantly to what it was before. I can no longer do what I used to do before because I already have a heavy responsibility. Not the responsibility of being eldest child, big brother or taking care of the company but the responsibility of marrying someone I don't even know. And today is the day I hate the most. Today, I seems to be drowning and hurting by fate and making me feel like this is the thing I deserve. Today is my wedding day. "Is she already here? She was already two minutes late!" I said impatiently to Austine, my friend who was standing next to me and wearing a gray suit like me. Patricia is still not here, I didn't even see her come here to the venue. Did she back out? Our last meeting was when we chose her wedding gown and after that, she seemed anxious and troubled. We didn't meet after that because I'm also busy and I think she gave quality time for herself since she just grad