Chapter 4

Akasia’s Point Of View

Nakatakip si Lucila sa mga mata ko at dinadala ako sa kung saan. Sabi niya ay girl’s night out daw dahil trip niya lang.

Nang alisin niya yung takip sa mga mata ko ay bumungad sa akin ang isang silid na puno ng ilaw at may design pa sa gitna.

“Bride-to-Be”

I read the design in the walls as I looked at Lucila’s smiling face.

“It’s your wedding day tomorrow, deserve more than a bridal shower.” She said.

Putang ina?

“I don’t—” I tried to calm myself as I looked at the bunch of liquors in front of me.

“I invited your friends, so let’s enjoy and have some fun for the last night of your single life.” Lucila cheekily said as she handed me a glass of Black Label.

There I saw some of my friends from college and my close friends at my Dad’s work.

“So, who’s the lucky guy?” Glydel asked me as she kissed my cheeks. She was one of my closest friends during college, and now she’s a professional doctor.

“I bet he’s glad that he got someone like Akasia.” Michelle uttered. One of my model friends who is now famous abroad.

I exchanged laughter with them but I did not utter any clue about Caleb. I know my father told me that I can invite some of my closest friends and colleagues, but I bet Caleb won't like the idea of having too many visitors at our wedding.

Pakiramdam ko nga ay halos matatanda na business partners ng parents namin ang pupuno ng venue. Dahil nga wala rin naman kaming pakialam sa wedding na ‘to at arranged lang naman.

We partied in this private room, and I am glad that Lucila prepared something like this for me.

I am still mad about the fact that both of our parents bought a wedding gift for us.

They bought us a huge house. Imagine how many cobwebs, spiders, and cockroaches will stay there because neither one of us wants to live with each other.

“I hope they are aware that they are not invited for tomorrow,” Bulong ko kay Lucila.

“Yup, and they are okay with it. Kaya nga gusto nilang maging part ng bridal shower mo eh.” Lucila said.

“Stop calling it that way,” Inis kong saad dito. Kasi paulit-ulit nireremind sa akin na ikakasal na ako bukas.

“Gaga, anong tawag mo rito?” Natawa na lang siya at kumuha ng snacks na nasa isang long table.

The setupwas good. May pa-long table pa at may pa-cake. Pero mas maganda ‘yung mas maraming alak na nakapuwesto sa long table.

Pero wala naman akong balak maglasing ng sobra ngayong gabi. Baka kung ano ang magawa ko bukas.

My friends and I were having fun playing games, telling stories, and throwing back some memories when my phone rang.

I got a call from Caleb. I tried to ignore it but he called three times.

[We’re having a family dinner, your father’s mad—he can’t reach you.]

The first and the last thing he said before he ended the call.

See? Napakabastos talaga!

I told them that they can continue to have fun even though I need to go.

Naintindihan naman nila kaya pumunta na ako sa bahay namin.

Ang inexpect kong makikita nang makapasok ako sa bahay ay si Dad na galit na galit. Kaso mas malala ang nadatnan ko.

Nakatayo si Caleb sa entrance ng bahay namin at parang kanina pa naghihintay.

“We’re having a dinner in our house, your father and brother are already there.” He said as he grabbed his car keys in his pockets and opened his car.

I was about to get in his car because I don’t know where their house is, but he stopped me with a look in the window.

“Don’t you have a car?”

Sambit niya na nagpabigla sa akin.

Can someone witness this behavior?!

Hindi ba nag-background check si Dad sa lalaking ‘to?! Hahayaan niya na lang ba na mapunta ako sa ganitong tao na ubod ng sama ang ugali?

“Whatever, hop in.” He said.

“Huwag na! Susundan na lang kita!” Inis kong saad at kinuha na yung car key ko at sumakay sa sarili kong sasakyan.

P*****a, ilang beses na akong napapahiya ng tukmol na ‘to.

He was driving so fast, so I need to catch up. If I see any stone while we're walking inside their house, I will grab it and throw it in his face.

Nakita ko na ‘yung car ni Dad na naka-park sa garage nila. Sinundan ko na si Caleb papasok ng bahay nila at namangha ako sa laki.

Malaki na ‘yung mansion namin pero mas grabe ang laki ng sa kanila.

It feels like I am inside a super mega mall.

I followed Caleb into their dining room and saw my family and his family at a long table preparing the food.

“Finally, they’re here.” Tito Carlos said as he smiled at us. I faked a smile and nodded at them. I saw Caleb’s mother, and she doesn't look like she likes this setup.

Alam ko naman nung una palang na ayaw niya rin ‘to. Naririnig kong kinakausap niya si Tito Carlos kapag may meeting sila ni Dad.

May point siya, sobrang laki ng point niya to the fact na gusto ko na siyang kampihan.

We were eating quietly, and Dad and Tito Carlos are the only people who are talking lively at this table.

Kasama ko rin pala ‘yung nakakatandang kapatid ko at nandito rin ‘yung nakababatang kapatid ni Caleb.

Caleb’s brother Calum looks a lot like him. They’re like twins, but as I’ve heard from Dad, Caleb’s one year older.

Gusto ko nang matapos silang kumain para naman makauwi na ako.

“So, are you two ready for tomorrow?” Tito Carlos asked. I just nodded simply and didn't try to utter a lot of words, even though I wanted to tell them to cancel everything.

Wala na, nandito na kami. Ano pa bang magagawa ko at bukas na mangyayari?

“We’re so glad this is really happening.” Dad said as he looked at Caleb’s family.

“Us too, Sir.” Caleb said. Napataas naman ako ng kilay dahil sa pagpapanggap niya.

Us too my ass, parang hindi pinagsasalitaan ng masama ‘yung Dad ko ah.

“Oh, you can call me Dad. In fact, we’ll be a family tomorrow.” Dad smiled at Caleb. He just nodded his head and continued eating his food.

His fake smile fooled my family and his family. But he will never fool me.

Tomorrow’s the start of my life in hell.