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!" iritadong sabi niya. "Bakit ba kasi may media roon? Akala ko ba sinabi mo sa mga Velasquez na ayaw mong ibulgar ang kasal niyo? You have the right to demand!"
I haven't even seen the article they talking about but I know immediately what it contains.
"Hindi ko rin alam na may media roon, Jess. It was just a peaceful dinner for us but I didn't expect that it will turn into this!"
"Sabagay, hindi rin maiiwasan yan. Mga Velasquez nga pala ang pinag-uusapan natin at hindi biro ang pamilya nila. Halos lahat na nga siguro ng ginagawa ng pamilya nila ay kung wala sa magazines, nasa mga articles!"
"Ayan si Patricia, oh!" rinig kong sabi ng babaeng sa tingin ko'y high school.
"Grabe, ang swerte! Sa panganay pa talaga napunta. Sobrang gwapo!" sabi ng kasama niya. "Pero infareness, bagay sila dahil maganda rin naman siya"
"Maganda nga pero ang alam ko ay nalulugi na ang kompanya nila at nakakagulat na ikakasal na agad sila! It's pretty obvious that it's just arrange marriage. Gets mo na siguro kung bakit biglaan. Maybe to save their losing company"
Nag pantig ang tenga ko sa narinig kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Muli akong lumingon sa dalawang babaeng nag-uusap tungkol sa'kin at lalong nag-init ang ulo ko ng makita ang mapanghusga nilang tingin. How dare them? Are they saying that my family is a user?
"Stop. Don't let yourself affect by their presence, they are nonsense!" Jess rolled her eyes at the two girl as she held my arm when I was about to approach them. "Alam mo inggit lang sila sayo dahil hindi na nga sila maganda, wala pa silang pogi na fiance!"
I just clenched my fist and calmed myself. Ayaw ko makipagaway dahil hindi ako ganoon pero kung masasakit na salita lang naman ang maririnig ko ay mapipilitan akong mag salita sa kanila pabalik. They were not on my shoes to judge me that fast. They don't know anything.
Nag patuloy kami sa paglalakad hanggang makarating kami sa college building at hindi nga nagkamali si Jess dahil halos lahat ng mga estudyante na nadaraanan namin sa hallway ay tinitignan ako. I could see the surprise, confused and judgement in their eyes. Kabi-kabila ang mga bulungan at hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses sumusulyap ang mata nila sakin. Umarte ako na parang walang pakialam at diretso ang tingin sa daan.
Nakarating kami sa classroom at hindi ko rin inaasahan ang tanong ng mga kaklase ko.
"Uy, Patrcia ikakasal ka na pala!"
"Kailan ang kasal?"
"Ang swerte mo naman!"
"Sana all!"
"Pwede wag niyo muna kulitin si Pat!" pinanlakihan ng mata ni Jess ang mga kaklase ko.
Umupo na ako ngunit dinig ko parin ang bulungan ng iba. Good thing that Jess is here because I can't handle them alone.
"Don't mind them, siguro nagulat lang din sila sa news" Jess whispered.
Our class started and even my teachers couldn't help but to look at me for a long time as if they wanted to say something. As our class continued, I kept hoping that our class would be over immediately so that I can go home and finally confront mommy abiut this. Sigurado akong alam na rin ni Jordan ang tungkol dito. Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon niya lalo pa at ako ang topic ng halos lahat dito.
Natapos ang morning class namin at hindi na lang ako pumunta sa cafeteria para mag break hanggang lunch dahil alam kong mas lalo lang ako pag-uusapan doon kapag nakita ako. Nanatili ako sa classroom at binigyan lang ako ni Jess ng pagkain na halos hindi ko na nabawasan dahil wala akong gana. Gusto ko lang na umuwi.
"Kumain ka nga! Sige, ikaw rin ang magugutom!" halos isubsob na ni Jess ang binili niyang pagkain sa mukha ko. "You know what? Kung magpapaapekto ka sa mga 'yan, mas matutuwa sila. Buti na lang talaga at dito ka na kumain sa room dahil halos lahat ng tao roon sa cafeteria ay ikaw ang topic, jusko! Muntik pa nga ako mapaaway sa grupo nila Nadine kanina!"
Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Jess, don't you dare to get in trouble just because of this"
Ayaw ko na madamay pa siya.
"Whatever!" she burst. "Binalaan ko lang naman sila Nadine na kapag may narinig pa akong masamang sinabi niya tungkol sayo ay malalampaso ko ang panget niyang mukha!"
Napailing na lang ako.
"Pero infareness, ang ganda ng mga kuha niyo ni Callum.." ipinakita niya ang screen ng phone niya kung nasaan ang articles tungkol samin.
The son of famous businessman, Callum Velasquez was seen having dinner with his fiance who was none other than, Patricia Ylona Clemente, son of businessman Jonathan Clemente together with their family...
Halos mapairap ako ng makitang larawan namin iyon ni Callum na nasa comfort room. Noong nakita ko siya sa mismong likod ng pinto nang lumabas ako. Mag kaharap kami at kita ang buong mukha namin, parehong mariin at seryoso ang tingin namin sa isa't isa. This is the time he talked to me.
I was breathing heavily because I didn't notice anyone else around us these hours. Who would have thought that there were people watching over our actions this night? Even the pictures of me and mommy talking to Callum's parents are included. Gosh! Is this how crazy the person behind this shits? Are they happy now and contented?
"This is insane. Hindi ko alam kung anong gusto nilang mangyari" sabi ko at akmang pipindutin ang comments sa article nang hampasin ni Jess ang kamay ko.
"Maloloka ka lang kung makikita mo pa ang mga comments! Puro mga inggitera lang naman halos!"
Nag kibit balikat na lang ako.
"Pero..ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng picture niyo na ito ni Callum?" intriga ni Jess. "Ang seryoso naman ng tingin niya sayo rito! Sabi ko na, e! Tignan mo at mukhang nahumaling sa ganda mo!"
"We're just talking-"
"Talking? Usap lang talaga? E, bakit nasa cr kayo?! Sa cr ito di 'ba?"
"It's not what you're thinking!" inis kong sabi. "Kinausap niya nga lang ako. He admitted that he also got forced to our marriage"
"Ay, ganoon ba?" lumungkot ang boses niya. "Pero, ano muna ang naramdaman mo noong tinititigan ka niya ng ganito? Kung ako siguro ang nasa posisyon mo ay nahimatay na ako!"
Hindi ko alam kung matatawa o maiinis ako sa kinikilig na si Jess. If she only knew what happened that night.
Hindi natapos ang usapin ng mga estudyante tungkol sakin. Kaya ng makauwi ako sa bahay ay hinanap ko agad sila mommy pero wala sila. Ang tanging nakita ko ay ang kapatid kong si Jordan sa sofa at ginagamot ni Cheska, kaibigan niya.
"Jordan? What happened to you?!" aligaga akong lumapit sa kapatid ko at tinignan ang mukha niyang may pasa at putok pa ang kilay. "Nakipag-away ka?"
"Nothing" tamad niyang sagot at inalis ang kamay ko.
Lumingon ako kay Cheska. "What happened to him, Ches?" tanong ko.
"Uh..napaaway po sa isang kaklase namin kanina" nahihiya niyang sabi.
Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Jordan. "Why did you do that?"
He remained silent so I got irritated. He's not usually like this. "Jordan, I'm asking you-"
"I said it's nothing!" napaigtad ako ng sumigaw siya, maging si Cheska ay nagulat din.
Galit siyang tumayo at tinalikuran kami. Napamaang na lang ako sa ginawa niya. I'm sure he has a problem. Hindi naman siya ganito.
"Ate Pat, pag pasensyahan niyo na po si Jordan" ani Cheska. "Kayo po kasi ang pinag-uusapan sa buong class namin kanina. Hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ng kaklase namin tungkol sayo kaya nag-away sila"
Natutop ko ang labi at natahimik. I knew it. Hindi talaga ito palalagpasin ni Jordan. Bumalik na naman ang pagkadismaya ko sa ipinangako ni mommy. I feel sorry for Jordan, I know he also got embarass.
"Sorry for Jordan's act and for the issues" I shyly smiled at Cheska.
"I understand, ate. We're just here for you"
I smiled. Nag paalam din agad siya na uuwi.
Hindi ako mapakali sa bahay at nakailang tawag ako kila mommy. They're still on work. Kahit tumingin sa mga social media accounts ko ay hindi ko magawa dahil natatakot akong makitang ako ang pinag-uusapan ng karamihan.
Until mommy and daddy came home.
Sinalubong ko sila sa may pinto pa lang.
"Pat, I've seen the pictures and the Velasquez's didn't also know who behind it"
Dumiretso kami sa may living room para doon mag-usap. Bakas din sa mukha nila mommy ang problema.
"Maybe the media really wants to interfere with their life so they spread even small things" ani daddy. "But don't worry, we already talk with the Velasquez"
"Sisiguraduhin na nilang hindi mauulit ito" ngumiti si mommy sakin. "Even your wedding date. They will make sure that it's just their family and ours"
I remained silent. Thinking and still absorbing all this things. I feel suffocated. Am I able to experience this before getting the contentment of my family? Until when? Ngayon pa lang na hindi pa ako ikinakasal ay sari-sari na ang masasakit na salitang natatanggap ko, what else when we get married?
Thank you for reading my story! Hope that somehow it lessen your bad days! <3
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
Patricia's POV "You need to live with him..." My tongue stocked because of mom's words. I looked at her while holding my tears. "Why do I have to, mom? I did what you wanted! I married him!" nagitla siya sa reaksyon ko. Siguro naman ay may karapatan akong mag reklamo. I married Callum for our company. I don't love him so why the hell do I have to live in the same house with him?! "I noticed that Mrs. Velasquez is a bit strict. You are both married and it's common for the both of you to live in the same house-" "Mom, this is not what you promised.." my voice shuttered as my tears began to rolled down. Sobrang sakit. Ipinamimigay na ba nila ako? Are they satisfied because our company is back to normal again? "P-Patricia, I know..but, Callum's parents was asking about it" her voice trembled, she was about to approach me but I avoided her. I wiped away my tears. Kinuha ko ang isang folder na ibibigay sana sakin ni mommy kanina. Binuklat ko iyon at mas lalo akong nanghin
Patricia's POV "Final choice mo na yan, ha? Wala nang atrasan" Tinulungan na ako ni Jess sa pag-aayos ng damit ko pagkatapos sabihin 'yon. "May choice pa ba? Lahat naman ng gusto ko balewala dahil gusto nila ang nasusunod" bulalas ko bago isinara ang maleta dahil puno na ito ng damit. Kinuha ni Jess ang isa pang maleta. "Mabuti na rin ito. Mas mapapalapit kayo sa isa't isa" "Shut up, Jess!" irita kong sabi. It's been week since Callum brought me to his so called 'our house'. It was troubled. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko parin siya pinapansin, hindi ko sinasagot ang mga tawag niya. I know it's immature but I can't help but to get mad at him. He agreed to let us live in the same house. What if he didn't agree? I became even more angry with him when I found out that he was the owner of the house where we going to lived. Stupid isn't it? "Don't you think that he might be mad with what you're doing? Well, not to offend you but what if he gets tired of following his parent's order
Patricia's POV I always tell myself that I'll just enjoy my life once I am become successful, when I get what I want and reach my dream but I don't expect that I'll experience first to take my responsibilities as a wife before finishing my studies. "What are you doing? You're too early" napaigtad ako sa pag sulpot ng boses ni Callum. Lumingon ako at nakita ang inaantok pa niya'ng mukha. "Obviously cooking" I replied before flipping the egg in the pan. It's another stressful morning. Hindi ako masyadong nakatulog dito dahil naninibago ako. I'm not comfortable with the new environment here especially that I'm with him. Naisipan kong magluto na lang kahit sobrang aga pa dahil hindi na rin naman ako makatulog. "Oh, you know how to cook" he sounds amaze. Napatigil ako. Anong akala niya sa'kin? Palamunin lang sa bahay at walang alam? "Of course, I love cooking" mapait kong sabi bago hinain sa lamesa ang niluto ko. I know he still had work so I cooked for him.Umakyat saglit si Cal