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 mapigilang kurutin siya sa tagiliran. Kahit kailan talaga harsh niya kay Raven.
"Uhm, sorry pero busy kasi ako, R-Raven" nahihiya akong tumingin sa kanya. "Pasensya na-"
"No, I understand" agap niya. "Maybe next time?" tila nangungusap ang mata niya. "Are you okay with that?"
"Let me see my s-schedule.." agad kong sabi dahil wala na akong madahilan.
Nag paalam kami sa kanya at mabilis akong hinila ni Jess papunta sa sasakyan namin.
"Baliw na baliw talaga sa'yo yan si Raven! Hindi niya ba gets na ayaw mo sa kanya?!"
"Jess! Baka may makarinig!" saway ko at tumingin sa paligid.
"Bakit? Totoo naman, ah!" inirapan niya pa ako. "Kahit mayaman, gwapo at matalino ay hindi parin ako boto sa kanya para sa'yo!"
"Wow, pero noon ay natutuwa ka kapag naghihintay siya sa labas ng classroom natin" matabang kong sabi dahil sariwa pa sa isip ko ang mga bagay na 'yon.
Matagal na akong sinusuyo ni Raven at nag balak rin siyang ligawan ako noon pero tumanggi ako. May mga nanghinayang sa pag reject ko sa kanya pero hindi ko naman masisisi ang sarili ko. It's not that, he's not my type but I don't really do boyfriends. I can't deny that he's handsome and rich but I just can't forced myself to like him.
"Noon! Not until the news broke that his father was doing illegal things! You know, they also owned big companies like Velasquez's" I could hear the bitterness in her voice.
"That has not yet been proven"
"Duh! It's pretty obvious that they manipulated the media since they are rich and had so much
connections!" singhal niya. "Basta, just ignore him. You're getting married anyway so he don't have any excuses to get near you!"Dahil sa sinabi niya ay naalala ko na naman ang tungkol sa kasal at sa dinner para bukas. Nagsisisi tuloy ako ngayon na pumayag pa ako sa proposal.
I finally saw my keys and got into my car. "I'm going home, bye!"
I bid my goodbye and drove quickly to get home but I was shocked to see that daddy was waiting for me in the living room.
"Thanks, you're already here" he welcomed me with his sweet smile.
"Dad" I kissed him. "You were waiting for me?" I sat down beside him. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes. I'm totally recovered and just need a little rest" hinaplos niya ang buhok ko kaya agad akong nagtaka. "Your mom called. Thank you so much, anak"
Oh, now I know. I smiled back at him while his face was about to cry.
"Oh, come on! Don't cry, dad!" I laughed as I tried my best not to cry too.
I was carried away by his expression. I could see different emotions in his eyes that I can say, happiness, sad and tired.
"Sorry. I just can't help to feel overwhelmed because of what you did" nangingilid ang luha sa mata niya. "Kung hindi lang sana ako nagkasakit ay hindi ka malalagay sa alanganin"
"It's not your fault that you got sick" apila ko dahil nahihimigan kong sinisisi niya ang sarili. "It's my choice, dad. Mommy promised that I won't get stuck in this set up so it's okay for me"
"Are you sure? If the outcome of your married life is not good, we will take you back from them. That's a promise. Thank you for understanding"
"No problem, dad" I gave him an assuring smile.
Mabilis na rin akong nag paalam na aakyat na sa kwarto at sinabing may pupuntahan ako mamaya, pumayag naman siya. Agad akong nag handa ng damit na susuotin ko para sa pag punta sa bar. Nag text ako kila Jess at pumayag agad sila kahit nagtataka dahil ang tagal na rin simula ng huli kaming nag bar. Gusto ko lang na mag liwaliw.
As usual, wala pa si mommy sa bahay dahil nasa trabaho pa at si daddy naman ay nagpapahinga na sa kwarto. Kasabay ko kumain ang kapatid kong si Jordan at marahan kong pinagmamasdan ang bawat galaw niya. Malapit kami sa isa't isa kaya hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon niya kapag sinabi kong maaari akong ikasal.
"Jordan, what can you say if I ever get married?" bigla kong sabi.
Natigil ang kapatid ko sa pagkain at kunot noo akong nilingon. Tila may nasabi akong hindi maganda.
"Hindi ka pa nga nagkakaroon ng boyfriend, kasal agad ang iniisip mo. Are you serious?" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.
Minsan ang sarap din batukan ng kapatid ko. Talagang ipinamukha niya sa akin na 'no boyfriend since birth' ako.
"If ever nga lang di 'ba?" inis kong sabi.
"You're not even old enough to get married. You haven't even become a doctor so stop discussing about that thing. You're too young" mariin niyang sabi bago tumayo.
"I'm not a kid anymore!" himutok ko at binato siya ng tissue. "May I remind you na ako ang ate kaya ako ang mas matanda sayo! Ikaw ang bata!"
Binato ko ulit siya ng marinig ko siyang tumawa. Mabilis na siyang tumakbo palabas at iniwan ako.
Kumain na lang ako ng kaunti, tama lang na laman ng tiyan para kapag uminom ako sa bar ay hindi ako masyado sumuka.
I quickly got dressed and chose a black bodycon dress that really clung to my body. I can see my back here and the neckline is too low so my cleavage is peeking out. I let go of my long, wavy hair. I also just put on light make up and big round earrings. Lastly, I wore my black hills and get my pouch.
Hindi ko ginamit ang sasakyan ko dahil sinundo ako ni Tyrone, siguradong malalasing ako mamaya kaya hindi ko na kaya mag drive.
When we arrived at the bar, we were welcomed by the colorful lights and loud music. Halos lumuwa ang mata ko ng makita kung gaano ka-reaveling ang suot ni Jess. Nakasuot siya ng pulang hapit na hapit na dress at halos kalahati ng dibdib niya ay kita na, kaya naman pala halos mabali ang leeg ng ilang mga lalaki rito.
"You're so hot!" sinalubong nila ako ng isang shot ng whiskey.
"Ganyan ba talaga kasexy kapag ikakasal na?" tanong ni Kelvin ng umupo kami sa may couch.
Hilaw akong ngumisi. Nag punta ako rito para makalimutan saglit ang bagay na 'yon pero mukhang hindi ko rin magagawa.
Abala ang mga kasama ko sa pag-uusap at tawanan habang ako'y tahimik at umiinom. Naiisip ko pa lang na hindi ko na magagawa ang mag bar kapag kinasal na ako ay parang gusto ko na umiyak. Night out and hanging out with my friends are my way to lessen my stress. Mayaman ang pamilya ng Velasquez kaya siguradong maselan sila sa ibang bagay. I have to be more prim. Kailangan ko rin baguhin ang mga bagay na nakasanayan ko, for them not to be disappointed.Isang pitik ni Jess sa harap ko ang nagpakurap sakin. "Wag mo isipin ang problema mo! Nandito tayo para mag enjoy! Hahanap tayo ng pogi mamaya!"I accepted the new shots they gave and it followed by more shots that I can’t even count. Pero kahit nakakaramdam na ako ng hilo ay hindi parin maalis sa isip ko ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal ko. Hindi ko na alam ang mararamdaman. Hindi naman pwede na umatras ako.
"Here!"
I received another shot and I could almost feel the bitterness of the wine as it flowed down my throat because I drank it straight. I would have liked to complain because the shot glass was almost full of alcohol but I just drank it. Halatang lasing na ang dalawa kong kasama dahil nagsisimula ng sumayaw si Jess sa harap namin at si Kelvin naman ay may kinakanta na hindi ko maintindihan.
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi matawa sa sitwasyon namin ngayon.
"Again! It's last s-shot and we will go on the dance floor!" Jess's eyes were already closed as she handed me the last shot.
Habang iniinom ko 'yon ay natumba siya sa tabi ko, nasanggi niya ang kamay ko kaya tumapon ang alak sa aking leeg at umagos sa mismong dibdib ko. I moaned at the cold caused by the alcohol on my skin.
Gosh, I'm wet! I was about to find a tissue in my bag when Jess suddenly pulled me to the dance floor.
"Let's dance!" humagikhik si Jess habang hinihila ako.
Muntik na akong mawalan ng balanse ng bigla akong mahilo, buti ay nakakapit ako kay Kelvin. Umaalon ang paningin ko dahil sa napakaraming sumasayaw, idagdag pa ang malilikot na ilaw na masakit sa mata. Si Jess at Kelvin ay nag simula ng sumayaw sa harap ko.
"Whoah!!"
Everyone was shouting and dancing wildly! When I rolled my eyes around, I even saw some couples making out. Well, that’s their life, so be it!
A sexy song played so I closed my eyes and felt the song, I seemed to come alive. I know how to dance and it's not my first time. I gently stroked my hair down to my waist while still closing my eyes. As the beat get intense, I slowly shook my hips and started screaming as well. Eventually, I swayed faster and seemed to enjoy what I was doing.
Nakatingala na ako habang sinusuyod ng kamay ang buhok at mas pinapaswabe ang galaw. Nagtaka ako ng hindi ko na marinig ang boses ng mga kaibigan ko. Siguro dahil sa lakas ng music kaya wala sa sariling hinila ko ang taong nahagip ng mga kamay ko. Agad akong gumiling at lumapit sa kanya habang nakapikit parin at hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapasinghot ng malanghap ko ang pabango niya.
"Hmmm..."
It smells so manly and addicting!
Halos isubsob ko ang mukha sa mismong dibdib niya at bahagyang nagulat dahil sa tigas nito. Agad naman akong napaigtad ng dahan-dahan niyang ipulupot ang mga braso sa baywang ko kaya mas lalong nadiin ang katawan ko sa kanya. Mabagal na lang kaming sumasayaw dahil napalitan na ang kanta.
"Having a good time, huh?" the heat enveloped my ear in that whisper and brought a little tickle to me.
"Hmm, yeah" I gigled when I heard his soft curse when I place my hands to his back and gently caressed it.
"Your boyfriend must be looking for you" his voice was husky. "He won't be happy seeing you dancing with another man"
"I don't have a boyfriend!" I proudly said. "But..I'm getting married" my voice growled. "So I'm taking advantage of this night before I'm tied to my fiancé!"
"Hmm, you're engaged?" he chuckled, sounds unsurprised. "Well, we're the same"
Nakiliti ako ng hawiin niya ang buhok kong nakaharang sa leeg ko at mas inilapit pa ang bibig niya sa tenga ko, so I could hear him clearer.
"You're engaged too?" I sounds surprised. "But your fiancé would be mad if she'll saw you" but I can't even take myself away from him because I only get more sleepy with what we were doing.
I laughed secretly. What a coincidence that we are both getting married.
"Nasaan na ba-Patricia!"
Napaigtad ako ng may humila sakin palayo sa lalaking kasayaw ko. Hindi ko magawa na imulat ang mga mata dahil mabigat na ang mga talukap ko.
"Uuwi na tayo! Shit!" nakarinig ako ng mahihinang pagmumura. Wait...it's Tyrone's voice!
"Wait, we're dancing!" panay ang padyak ko habang hinihila ako papalayo sa sayawan.
Naramdaman kong binuhat niya ako into a bridal style at parang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko.
"Oh! I think I'm gonna puke-"
"Oh, please, wag kang susuka!" problemadong saad niya.
Naramdaman ko ang pag lapat ko sa upuan ng sasakyan. Gaya ng sabi ni tyrone, tiniis kong hindi sumuka hanggang sa bumigat na talaga ang talukap ng mata ko at tuluyang nilamon ang dilim ang paningin.
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
Callum's POV "Sir, may meeting po kayo mamayang 11 a.m" Isang tango lang ang sagot ko kay sharlene, secretary ko bago tuluyang pumasok sa office. I just sitted in front of my table when I received a text message from mommy. She says that I need to pick up Patricia at their house and bring her here at the company since she's my wife now. I need to make her understand how I deal with the business industries. I massaged my temple with so much stress. My secretary entered the office and was holding folders. "Do I have errands before 9 a.m?" I asked before I glanced at my watch. "Wala, sir. Pipirmahan niyo lang po ang mga ito" she laid the folders in front of me. "Kailangan na rin po ito before 8" It's only seven o'clock now so I can still pick up Patricia. My secretary left and I immediately signed the folders and papers. "It's already signed. I'll be back at before 9" I told my secretary on the call. Umalis agad ako at nag drive papunta sa bahay ng mga Clemente. I haven't been