Hold Me Closer

 Shit! I pulled my hair because of frustration. Why does the rumor spread that fast? Damn those reporters, they're like a parasites. They will suck you up until your life is ruined. Such a life-wrecker. I bit my lower lip and glance at the news again. When will they stop talking about that issue? Isn't it just a coincidence  that we are together in the same place? But who would believe, if in the photo that senator looks sweet to me. I admit that we met, but not planned. He was flirting with me, I just don't take it seriously. Hell! Who wants to be a mistress? Definitely no one. "Ang pananahimik ba ng nasabing artista ay kumukumpirma na totoo ang balita? Isa nga ba siyang mistress ni Sen. Gilbert Sanchez?" ani ng isang matabang lalaki sa balitang aking pinapanood."Don't you ever show your face in front of me dumbass, I'll twist your head," nanggagalaiting bulong ko, habang matalim na nakatitig sa reporter na nasa telev

 I almost jumped when the door of my unit suddenly opened. I was still in a state of shock when he stepped closer to me and pulled me up from sittiing."What's your problem, Grant?!" reklamo ko. Hila pa rin ako nito palabas."My friend is waiting for us," sagot niya. Hindi man lang ako nililingon. "He's a lawyer. He can help us to fake every documents of our marriage. If you think that I will marry you for real, stay with your dream, punk." Nang makapasok kami sa unit niya ay nandoon nga ang kaibigan niya. Nakaupo sa sofa. He smiled at us. I think he's more approachable than to this guy next to me."She's here.""You sure you don't want to marry for real?" tanong ng kaibigan niya. Kunot-noo namin siyang nilingon. May nakakalokong ngiti sa labi niya habang nakatingin sa amin.We were still holding each other hand. I quickly took my hand from him. He dodged his gaze and cleared his throat.&nbs

 Grant opened the passenger seat's door. He motioned for me to get out. Marahan kong inapak ang isa kong paa sa lupa. Ilang beses akong lumunok bago tuluyang makababa. "That's it," he said and held my hand."Welcome to Hacienda Samonte!" sabay-sabay na sigaw ng mga tao. Sa pagkakaalala ko ay pamilya niya iyon at ang iba nilang mga trabahador dito sa hacienda.Sumalubong sa amin ang dalawang matandang lalaki at babae. Sa tingin ko ay nasa mid 50's na. Kasama ang isang babae at lalaki na tila pinagbiyak na bunga. "They are twins. Meet your in laws, babe," sweet na sweet niyang saad. Hinawakan pa niya ako sa bewang. "Mom, dad, and assholes...""Kuya!" sabay na reklamo no'ng kambal. "Just kidding." Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang tumawa at ngumiti. Iba ba ang nalalanghap ditong oxygen."Hello po," magalang na bati ko sa kanila."You grown as a beautiful lady, iha

Until now I am still thinking about Grant said yesterday. Why mom did that? I vividly remember what she told to dad that night, before they got finally divorce. I turned my head at the mansion that I had never been able to call home. Every passing day, felt like I was stucked in hell. Mom's right, our memories inside of that house was a nightmares. Living with them was a nightmare. I bit my lower lip when tears started to flow."Saan ka ba pupuntang bata ka?" Awtomatiko akong nahinto sa pag-iyak nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses.God! I really missed her. She was my only crying shoulder back then. She gave me love that my parents had forgotten to give. "Yaya Gema," I uttered as I looking at her. Is she misses me too? Is she thinking me? I want to run towards her. Hug her tight and tell her what I've been through"Please, yaya Gema. I just want to visit our farmers," maktol ng dalagang kasama niya. S

Pagkatapos magbihis, magkasabay kaming bumaba ni Grant. Back to being married just for pretending. Oh fuck I am really tired of this. But yeah, I chose this, so have no choice but to stand for it."Here's the newly wed!" masiglang saad ni Mommy Daisy. I forced myself to smile. Lalo pa't lahat sila'y nandito. "You are always look elegant, Ate Jade," Kath commended. I was wearing a knit sweater paired with skirt, and black boots. While Grant was just wearing a white button-down short sleeve polo paired with gray trouser and white sneaker. "You too baby, you are so beautiful." Hinalikan ko ang  kanyang noo, saka bahagyang pinisil ang kanyang baba. "Baby pffffttt..." Luminga ako upang hanapin kung sino iyon, only to find out that it was Gladyse who's standing behind her mom. "Hi Ate gorgeous Jade," bati niya sa akin. Natawa na lamang ako. Ang kapatid ko naman ay masama ang pinupukol na tingin sa kanya.