Chapter 4: Marriage Certificate

Brielle wakes up early and sat down on his bed. He checked the time, it was already past six in the morning. Madilim pa ang buong kwarto ngunit nakikita niya ang mahimbing na mukha ni Ivana na natutulog. Brielle touches her face, it was so soft and warm. Ivana looks innocent and fragile the way she curled herself under the quilt. 

He can’t imagine how a naive and carefree young lady would come up with a vicious plan to take back everything she thinks belongs to her. His lonely heart suddenly feels a little moved when Ivana made an effort to marry him. Bumalik sa ala-ala ni Brielle ang panahong limang taong gulang lamang si Ivana at siya ay walong taong gulang. Lagi itong pumupunta sa bahay nila noon sa Singapore dahil ilang blocks lamang ang layo ng bahay ng mga ito mula sa kanila. Naging malapit ito sa kanilang magkapatid at lalo na sa kanya. Ivana is innocent but she’s smart and clever as well. She used to call him big brother Brielle when they are young. 

“Brother Brielle, I must be your bride when I grow up. Don’t marry anyone else because I will be sad.” little Ivana said in a cheerful voice and held his tiny hands tightly, then planted a slight kiss on Brielle’s face.

“We are still young, why do you think I would like to marry you when we grow old?” Brielle blushed while looking at her.

“Hmmm! You care about me. Daddy said when I grow old and get married I must choose a good guy,”  she’s looking at Brielle.

“I don’t want to say any promise because you’re like a little sister to me,” 

“Don’t you like me? Tell me, I will be a good wife when I grow old like my Mom,”

“When I grow old I will have lots of responsibility and I can’t be your guardian forever, Ivana!” Brielle patted her head.

“I will be your bride brother Brielle. Please?!” she pouted her tiny lips

“Okay, you win. As long as you will be a good child I will be your husband when we grow old” he smiled at her.

Brielle remembers the old memories they have during childhood. Nakatitig siya sa maamong mukha ni Ivana na natutulog sa tabi niya. He never thought his promise will be fulfilled suddenly. 

“Ivana, you didn’t know how much I suffered the time you left me. Why did you suddenly leave that time without informing me? I thought you liked me so much but why all of a sudden you abandoned me when we were young? Pakiramdam ko noon hindi na kita ulit makikita, sabi ko sa sarili ko ang selfish mo dahil bigla kang naglaho noon na walang pasabi. My young heart was broken the moment you’re gone. I chased you during college days but I’ve never got a chance to come closer to you because you are so busy with other people. All of a sudden you come back into my life when I start to forget you. You force me to fulfill my promise at the time in your difficult situation. Have you ever loved me, my little wife?” Brielle’s thought during this time and he clenches his fist while looking at her lying on his bed.

Biglang gumalaw at nagising si Ivana. Pagdilat ng mata nakita niyang gising na si Brielle at titig na titig sa kanya.

“Morning Brielle, you wake up early!” she lazily approaches his hand and holds it while still lying in bed. Naramdaman niya ang init mula sa kamay nito.

“We need to go to the city registrar today to get our marriage certificate, did you forget it!” he said.

“I didn’t forget it. Muah! Hubby, I am so happy being your wife!” she smiles sweetly towards him after she planted a light kiss on his lips.

“Do not do this kind of habit in front of the public. People will know about our relationship if you often show your flirtatious manner,” he said in an irritable tone.

“Hmm! I will be your wife soon, isn’t it normal to show it in public to remind that bunch of women who wanted to capture your attention,” she said and got up from bed while Brielle stood and walked towards the bathroom.

“We are not in love with each other and we are into a contract marriage. I will ask my lawyer to draft a marriage contract tomorrow and you need to sign it. Ivana we are not a couple either, I only oblige myself to marry you because you threatened me!” he sneered at her.

Hindi makaimik si Ivana ng makita niya ang galit na ekspresyon ng mukha ni Brielle. Gusto niyang magpaliwanag dito at sabihing mahal niya ito mula pa noong mga bata sila ngunit dinaig siya ng takot at panghihina. Pakiramdam niya wala siyang karapatan na gawin ito kay Brielle ngunit ito lamang ang huling paraan upang mabawi niya lahat ng nararapat na para sa kanya. She silently go down from bed and prepare Brielle’s suit. Nangako siya ritong magiging mabuti siyang asawa nito at pagsisilbihan niya si Brielle habang magkasama sila kapalit ng tulong na ibibigay nito sa kanya. 

Nagulat siyang bigla ng lumabas si Brielle mula sa banyo at hubad ang pang itaas nito at tanging bath towel lamang ang balot sa ibabang bahagi nito. Bigla siyang tumalikod na namumula ang pisngi. Napansin ni Brielle ang pamumula ng pisngi ni Ivana ng makita siyang lumabas mula sa banyo. Lumapit siya rito at bumulong sa tenga nito.

“Is there something wrong little wife that makes you blush?” 

“N- Nothing! Why are you naked?” She never looks at him. Trying to cover her red face.

“Bakit ka namumula? Diba nakita mo na akong hubad noong araw mismo na pumasok ka sa kwarto ko? There's nothing to hide anymore, am I right?” muling bulong niya kay Ivana.

“Brielle, I- I will be going to take a shower! Please, wear your dress so we could go downstairs after I took shower” akma na siyang tatakbo papuntang banyo ng mahagip ang beywang niya.

“I thought you were willing to serve me. Aren’t you going to do it?” 

“I’ve prepared your suit, I need to take a bath too! Let me go now!” She struggled to free herself from Brielle’s arm which hugged her tiny waist.

“Let’s make love first before you take a bath!” he whispered in her ears and buried his face on her neck and began to lick her exposed skin.

Bigla siyang lumingon dito ng marinig ang sinabi nito. Brielle captured her lips and kissed her forcefully. His hands touched her breast and a seductive moan come out from her mouth. Binuhat siya nito bigla papuntang kama at mabilis nitong hinubad ang suot niyang pantulog. She feels shy looking at him, exposing her naked body. She quickly covers her bosom and never looks at him. 

“Remove your hands, I wanted to see your nakedness,” his hoarse voice started to seduce her. “It’s good to have an early exercise and release our energy,” his naughty smile broke in his handsome face.

“We are running out of time, we can do this tonight! You said we need to go to the registrar office to get our marriage certificate,” she tried to stop him.

“It can wait but my desire can’t wait anymore!” he lowered his head and kissed her. 

Brielle teases her until she starts to respond to his kiss. A tickling sensation engulfs her mind after she tastes his sweet and warm mouth. Brielle entered her body when he knew she’s ready to accept him. He thrust slowly at first then began to move faster when Ivana moved her hips to meet his. Their bodies become one and she feels the warm seeds of him poured into her womb. After their intimate moment, Brielle brought her into the bathroom and showered again with her. 

Nang makabihis sabay na silang bumaba at kumain. Yaya Santina prepared their breakfast earlier. Ramdam nito ang maaliwalas na mukha ni Brielle habang kumakain silang tatlo. Tahimik lamang si Ivana ng mga sandaling iyon. She still feels her body ached after their early lovemaking. Thinking about it, she can’t hide her smile while looking at him. Brielle caught her smiling and she quickly bows down her head to hide her red face.

They went straight to the city registrar to register their marriage. Sila lamang dalawa ang nagdesisyong kumuha ng marriage certificate. Nang nasa harapan na sila ng clerk bigla itong tumingin kay Ivana at nagsalita.

“Nín zhèng chǔyú fǎdìng niánlíng jiéhūn ma? (Are you in the legal age to get married?) staff asked her.

“Shì. Wǒ yǐjīng shíbā suìle. Jiǎnchá wǒ de chūshēng zhèng hé yǒuxiào shēnfèn zhèngjiàn. (Yes. I'm already eighteen years old. Check my birth certificate and valid id.) she replied to her inquiries.

“Nǐ kàn qǐlái tài niánqīngle érqiě nǐ de zhàngfū bùshì dāngdì huárén,” (You look too young. And your husband is not a local Chinese) 

Brielle started to feel annoyed hearing them speaking their language.

“Ivana, can you explain to me what you two have been talking about?” he said in an irritable tone.

“She’s only asking how old I am. And she saw you’re not a local Chinese, so she asked it also, please calm down,” she glanced at him and tried to calm him. 

“Tell her we only need to get our marriage certificate. Why make it a big deal? I am willing to pay how much money it needed to get it done,”

“Young man you’re too impatient. I understand what you are telling your wife. Take it easy, I just ask a few questions,” the staff said. 

“We are getting late, how long will it take to get our marriage certificate? This is China and I heard registering a marriage is easy, why does it seem like we are doing something wrong? My wife is at legal age,” he sneered. 

“Brielle, please calm down,” Ivana tried to stop him.

“Okay, you two fill up this document and submit it once done so we can proceed to the next process,” the staff handed them a form.

Kinuha ni Ivana ang form at hinila si Brielle sa isang sulok upang punan ito. Masungit pa rin ito habang pinupunan ang form. Hindi na lamang niya ito pinansin dahil kabisado niya ang ugali nito na madaling mairita sa tuwing meron itong kinakainisan. 

“Are you done? Take this form and give it to the staff. I will be waiting here!” Brielle said.

“Hey, hubby stop being annoyed. It’s only a little questioning. Smile!” 

Hindi na ito umimik hanggang sa tinawag sila at kinunan ng picture. Matapos ang isang oras mahigit hawak na nila ang kanilang marriage certificate. Mabilis na naglakad si Brielle patungo sa sasakyan niya at iniwan siya nito. Walang imik na sumunod siya rito at nang sumakay siya sa kotse di pa rin ito umiimik. Brielle sent her back to his villa and left immediately without saying a word. 

Pagpasok niya ng kwarto mabilis siyang nagbihis at bumaba. Nadatnan niya sa garden si Yaya Santina kasama ang hardinero. 

“Yaya, pwede po bang tumulong ako?” sabi niya rito.

“Halika, Ivana. Nasaan na si Brielle? Saan kayo galing?” tanong nito sa kanya.

“Sa city registrar office po, kumuha kami ng marriage certificate. Pagkahatid ni Brielle sa akin umalis rin siya kaagad. Baka po may importanteng gagawin sa opisina,” sagot niya rito.

“Talaga naman ang batang iyon, araw ng kasal ninyo ni hindi man lang nag-abalang maghanda o ayain ka ng pasiyal,” nag-aalalang sabi ni Yaya Santina.

“Okay lang Yaya Santina, naiintindihan ko naman na marami siyang ginagawa sa araw-araw,” nakangiting sagot niya rito habang tumulong sa paglilipat ng mga halaman sa paso.

“Masaya ka ba na naging legal na ang pagsasama ninyo?” biglang tanong nito sa kanya.

“Opo, kasi noon ko pa pinangarap na makasama si Brielle kaya lang bigla kaming umalis sa Singapore ng mawala ang Mom ko, ang daming nangyari sa buhay namin ng Dad ko noon at di na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na magpaalam sa kanila,” malungkot na sabi niya rito.

“Alam kong mabait kang bata. Kita ko sa bawat galaw mo. Kung anuman ang ugali ni Brielle balang araw pagpasensiyahan mo na dahil tiyak akong dala lang ng matinding pressure sa negosyo ang minsan niyang pagiging iritable,” anito.

“Makakaasa po kayo na magiging mabuti po ako sa kanya. Kilala ko naman po kahit papaano si Brielle. Medyo suplado lang talaga iyon pero may mabuting kalooban siya. Sanay naman po ako na makihalubilo sa kahit na sino,” she said.

“Natutuwa ako at ganiyan ang ugali mo. Maswerte si Brielle at ikaw ang pinili niya,”

Biglang natahimik si Ivana ng marinig ang sinabi ni Yaya Santina dahil batid niya na hindi sila normal na mag-asawa. Tanging sila lamang dalawa ni Brielle ang nakakaalam sa sitwasyong pinasok nilang dalawa. Naramdaman niya ang magkahalong lungkot at kaba sa tuwing iniisip niya ang magiging takbo ng relasyon nila sa mga susunod na araw.