Chapter 1

I went home drenched from the rain. Manang Sally was looking at me drilling so many questions when she went to me.

"Ano nangyari? Saan ka galing?"

"Diyan lang po. Yaya, paki-timpla po ako ng gatas. Thank you," sabi ko na lamang. Mabilis akong umakyat sa kwarto ko para maligo.

I quickly took a bath, and changed my usual PJ. I was drying my hair when Manang Sally was handing me a glass of milk. She placed it on my table.

"Salamat po."

Tumango siya sa akin. "Ayos ka lang ba, hija?"

"Opo. Don't worry." I faked a smile before I saw her leaving inside my room.

Huminga ako nang malalim at pilit na ipinakalma ang sarili. I don't know what to do next. Pero isa lang ang sigurado ako, gusto kong maghiganti. Zachariel don't deserve happiness.

The memory a while ago was too painful to remember, but it served me as an inspiration to continue with my plan.

A week has passed, and I continued with my life as if nothing happened. Mabuti at hindi pa nakakauwi ang aking magulang mula sa kani kanilang business trips. I'm six weeks pregnant, and I'm alone every time I go to the hospital to get myself checked. Alam kong napapansin na ni Manang Sally ang kakaiba sa akin pero hindi siya nagtanong. Pumapasok pa rin ako sa aking klase. Graduating na ako. Isang semester na lang patapos na ako. I should finish my studies. I have to.

"So ano ng ganap sa'yo, best?" Geneva asked me while we were eating. "Na-miss kita, e. Madalas ka nang balisa. Did something happen ba?"

"Wala. I'm good. Thanks for checking up on me."

"Sure ka ba? Namumutla ka rin, ha," kumento niya.

"I'm okay. Pagod lang talaga sa acads. Have you finished the report?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

"Yeah, right! God! I hate doing this."

"As if you got a choice," Sabi ko na lang. Kumuha ako ng kapirasong chocolate na binili ko kanina. Napansin naman niya ito kaya tumingin siya sa akin.

"Chocolate? Really? Diba you don't like eating sweets?"

"Change of heart," I replied.

"I'm sensing something in you. Baka naman nabuntis ka or what ha."

Napatigil ako sa pagnguya sa kanyang nasabi. When she noticed my reaction, her eyes grew big.

"Don't tell me!" Tinakpan na ito ang kanyang bibig. "Y-You're pregnant?!"

I sighed heavily before slowly nodding my head. Pinaypayan nito ang kanyang sarili. Mas malala pa ang kanyang reaksyon kumpara sa nalaman kong buntis ako.

"Stop over reacting," I told her.

"OMG! I can't believe this. Paano? I mean, don't tell me si Zachariel iyan? You're head over the heels with that guy. I told you he's just going to play with you."

"He's the father, Gen."

"Why did you—"

I cut her off. "Tama na, Gen. I know it was a mistake. I wasn't thinking clearly. Hinayaan ko lang siyang gamitin ako para maka-move on kay Samantha na ang totoo naman ay hindi pa talaga siya tapos sa babaeng iyon. And now they're getting married."

"That guy's a bad news. Una pa lang alam ko na pero hinayaan kita kasi masaya ka. What are you gonna do now?"

"I won't let him to be happy. Walang lugar ang katulad niyang walang puso para maging masaya." I clenched my fist.

Nagising ako nang maaga kinabukasan. My parents were on the dining table.

"Anak, how are you?" My mother asked me when I sat beside her.

"Okay naman po," I answered. It's unlikely for her to ask me like that.

"How are your grades?" I glanced at my Father silently chewing his food.

"I got Unos on my grades, Dad. I only have one 1.25 in one of my minor subjects. It won't affect my GWA."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Dad."

I continued eating. Napapansin ko ang pagsulyap ng aking mga magulang sa akin. I don't know how I would be able to tell them about my pregnancy.

My Father is known for being manipulative and ruthless when it comes to business. He knows his ways. My mother is a neuro-surgeon that is known all over the country. She excels in her field.

Our family owns TGI Corporation, an IT company. I never wanted to take Business Administration but I did it because of them. My brother's studying in Boston while I'm here stuck in this hell. If only he were here, he would be there for me.

"Ma, Pa, I need to say something." I mustered my courage. It's now or never. I can't hide this forever.

"What is it?" My Father in his usual authoritative tone asked. Nakatingin din ang aking ina naghihintay sa kung anong sasabihin ko.

Binasa ko ang aking labi. "I'm sorry, I'm such a failure daughter po."

"I don't have time for your drama, Velleria. Just tell us what you want to say." Napatingin ako sa aking ama habang nagpupunas ng labi. 

"I'm pregnant," I finally said like it was an explosion of a bomb. They were looking at me ready to hurt me. Si Papa ang unang tumayo.

"What did you say?"

"You heard it right, Pa. I'm pregnant. There's no way I'm going to abandon my child."

"Abort it," aniya.

"No!" I stood up. "You can't hurt my child. Just kill me if you're going to do it. Not my child." I almost cried. I won't let that. Not my innocent child.

Papa raised his hand and was about to slap me but my Mother was quick to stop him.

"Stop, Fernando! Nothing's going to change."

Napaupo si Papa habang hinihilot ang kanyang sentido.

"Nasaan ang utak mo, ha? Why did you let that happen? Wala ka nang nagawang tama! You're such a disgrace to the family!" My Father yelled.

"I know. Matagal ko na pong alam. I'm a huge disappointment. It's your fault, you let me live in this world."

"Velleria!" It was my Mother's turn to slap me.

"Wala kang utang na loob!"

"Utang na loob ba, Ma? Isn't it your responsibility because you are both parents. Sadly you two have never become parents to me."

"So you got pregnant because you're rebelling from us?" Ani ng aking Ama.

Umiling ako. "No."

"Who's the father?"

"Zachariel Buenavista," I hastily replied. "Do something for us to get married, Ma, Pa. I won't let my child live without a Father."

"Buenavista?" My Father confirmed. "That man's cuning, huh."

"I'll talk to them. For now, you are forbidden to go outside. Sa sandaling umalis ka, papaalisin kita sa bansa. Naiintindihan mo?" Tumango ako kay Papa.

Nang matapos ang almusal ay umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko. I took my phone, and scrolled over my social media. The wedding of Zachariel and Samantha was the talk of town. He even looked happy as if he didn't hurt anyone.

"Enjoy your days with each other because both of you won't get the happy ending you deserve."

I almost jumped from my bed when I received a call from my brother.

"Kuya!" I happily chirped.

"How's my favorite sibling?"

"Ako lang naman ang kapatid mo."

"Ay oo nga."

"Kuya naman!" I laughed. Ever since, he was my protector. It saddened me when he told us that he decided to go abroad to study. I'm pretty sure it was because he was heart broken.

"How's life there?" He asked.

"Kuya. I'm sorry, I failed you." I sobbed.

"Why? Why are you crying? What happened? Did Father hurt you?"

Umiiling ako. "No. No. Hindi sila. I made a mistake."

"What is it then? Did someone hurt you?"

"Kuya, I-I'm pregnant."

"What? Fuck! Why?"

"It happened. Kuya, I don't want to abort my baby. I want this child to live."

"Of course you have to. Don't ever think of killing a child. I wish I was there to wipe your tears, Eyah."

I cried hard. "Kuya..."

"Bunso, stop crying na. Uuwi naman ako next year."

"Ang tagal naman eh. How are you going to see my child?"

"Uuwi ako, okay. Puwede akong mag-bakasyon diyan. Be strong, Eyah. You only have yourself now."

"I know, Kuya. Thank you. You're the best. Ingat ka diyan."

"I will. Balitaan mo ako diyan."

The talk with my brother made me at peace. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

The next day, my Father to get dressed. I didn't imagine that he'd act this fast. I wore a casual attire. A chiffon white top and a fitted jeans. I also wore my Jacquemus' basses slides before I went outside.

"Don't make stupid acts, Velleria." My Father reminded me. I didn't bother answering him. Nakatuon lamang ang atensyon ko sa labas. My eyes were wandering around the trees as the vehicle increased in speed.

When we got inside the building, ngayon na lang nag-si-sink in sa akin kung anong nangyayari. My Father won't let this slide that's why he acted quick to stop the wedding, lalo na't sa katapusan na nitong buwan ang kasal nila.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Saavedra." Mr. Buenavista greeted us with a smile. "You may sit down. Do you want anything?"

"No. We're good. It's a sudden visit but thank you for the accomodating us," Papa blurted out.

"So let's get down the business. What do you want? You also brought your daughter. Is this an urgent matter?"

"Yes."

Papa looked at me before his gaze went back at the man in front. He was about to speak but we were interrupted when someone came inside.

Great. Zachariel was walking his way towards us. Napaatras ito nang makita ako.

Why? Am I ghost now?

I smirked at my thought.

"My daughter's pregnant."

Everyone's eyes were at my Father. If looks can kill, Zachariel might have killed me already. I gave him a grin.

Does he think he's the only one who could play with fire?

"And your son." He looked at Zachariel who was clenching his jaw. "He's the father. You know that I don't want to taint my reputation."

"Very well. But are you aware he's going to marry?"

"Yes. You don't know how Saavedra works. Kung hindi niya mapapanagutan ang anak ko, I'm going to do it my way and you wouldn't want that, Mr. Buenavista."

"No. I won't let that. Dad, no. I'm going to marry." Umiiling na Saad ni Zachariel.

"I want marriage for my daughter. Her child deserves the father."

"I can support the child. Just don't let me get tied, Dad. I... I don't want to get married to her." He was almost begging his Father. I didn't imagine I'd be able to witness such a dramatic scene. Kung dati ay labis ang paghanga ko sa binata, pero ngayon wala akong nararamdamang awa sa kanya kung hindi galit. Kung paano niya sinaktan. All I could feel right now is a blazing fury.

"Stop it!" Mr. Buenavista yelled to Zachariel. "You shouldn't let this happened if you were thinking. What did you do?!"

"Set the date, Mr. Saavedra. I also don't want any scandal that would tarnish both of our reputations." Tumingin ito kay Papa.

"Good. Cancel the wedding. And prepare for the wedding with my daughter. If you're going to do any unreasonable behavior, Mr. Zachariel, be ready to get your skull explode. I'm sure you wouldn't want that."

"There's no need for threat, Mr. Saavedra. I'm sure my son won't do anything."

"I hope so. We'll see each other often from now on."

Those were their exchanged conversations before Papa said his goodbye. Pinasadahan ko muna ng tingin si Zachariel bago kami tuluyang umalis.

Nagpaalam ako kay Papa na magbabanyo muna. Tinanguan niya ako. Sinabi Kong mabilis lamang at susunod ako.

I looked at myself in the mirror feeling victorious over what happened a while ago. Hindi pa ako nagsisimula. I still have many things to do. Hindi puwedeng hayaan ko na lang ang aking Ama kumilos.

When I finished retouching, I went outside but I halted when I saw the man waiting for me. Marahas niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"What are you doing?!"

I looked up to him, and I noticed a small cut on the side of his lips. Natawa ako sa isip. Deserve! Nakatanggap marahil ng suntok sa kamao ng kanyang ama.

"Wala pa akong ginagawa, Zachariel. Hindi pa ako naguumpisa."

"Bitch!" He raised his hand.

"Go on. Slap me. You're going to physically hurt me?" Paghahamon ko sa kanya.

"Fucking whore," he gritted his teeth. I should be hurt. But I couldn't feel anything. Siguro nga ay naging manhid na ako. Or maybe, I'm just trying hard to pretend as if it didn't hurt me. Whatever in between, I don't care anymore.

I smirked. "Whatever you say, Mister. This child will live, and we're going to marry. End of conversation."

"You even let your parents do the work."

"I told you I'm not starting yet." Lumapit ako sa kanya at bumulong sa kanyang tenga. "Meeting you is a fucking mistake, Mr. Buenavista."

Mabilis siyang lumayo. "Really? After I pleased you? After you came on my fingers? After you bled? After you moaned my name?"

"Putangina mo." Maanghang kong sabi.

"You're trying to destroy my life? Go on. I'll do the same. You don't get to play with Mr. Buenavista. Try me."

"Let's see then."

Mabilis ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa aming kotse.

That guy! I'm going to ruin him the same way he ruined me.