Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

“Mama, wake up now!” I opened my eyes when I heard my baby boy. I heard him chuckled when I pulled him towards me. “Ah, do not tickle me!”

“You’re so kulit! Mama is tired pa, anak,” I said while tickling him. His laugh is music to my ears.

“But we need to buy groceries pa! We’re out of stock na.” He pouted. I stopped tickling him and pulled him to lay beside me. “Why are you so tired ba, Mama? Where did you go last night? You went out with your friend?”

Nagiging madaldal na talaga ang anak ko.

“Yes, anak. I went out with a friend. We just talked about business,” I explained. Bumangon siya at humarap sa ‘kin. Humalukipkip pa siya at tinaasan ako ng kilay. I smiled, amused.

“Business? But he’s courting you,” suplado niyang sabi.

“What? Who told you that?” I got alarmed. Paano niya nalaman na gustong manligaw ni Chase?!

“So he’s courting you nga po, Mama? Hm, I don’t like him to be my Daddy. Choose a good man to be my Father.”

“Zyair, kanino mo natutunan ang mga iyan, hmm?” Bumangon na ako para harapin siya. He’s still crossing his arms. “Tell Mama.”

“I wanna know about the people you’re with po. I asked Tita Amara and she told me that Tito Chase is courting you, and I’m concerned because Tita told me he’s a playboy. I’m concerned for you and for myself, Mama. I’m sorry po…” He smiled cutely.

Nag-ayos na ako dahil kinukulit na ako ni Zyair. It’s a Saturday today and we need to do our grocery. For six years, ito na ang ginagawa namin. When he was still a baby, I would always bring him with me to the grocery dahil wala akong maiwanan sakaniya.

We rode a taxi to go to the grocery. When we arrived and entered, Zyair immediately ran towards the cart station to pull one. He then climbed and I helped him because he was still struggling. He sent me a flying kiss when he was finally inside. We then started getting everything we need.

“Mama, I’ll go down. Can I get chocolates po?” He looked at me with puppy eyes. I blew a breath and nodded.

“Okay, kaunti lang. Your teeth will fall!”

“Yes po, Mama! Love you!” And then he ran excitedly.

Kinuha ko na ang ibang kailangan bago napagpasyahan na sundan na ang anak dahil baka kung anu-ano na ang kinuha no’n. Kapag napunta kami sa grocery, ito talaga ang pinaka-exciting part sakaniya. Pinagbibigyan ko naman siya dahil isa talaga ‘yon sa nagpapasaya sakaniya.

I saw him holding a big chocolate bar. Nakatingin pa siya sa may taas na part, mukhang gusto pang kumuha. I smiled and was about to go near him when I saw a familiar built of a man standing not so far away from him. My eyes widened and I panicked but I didn’t know what to do. Nagtitingin din siya ng chocolate habang may kausap sa telepono. Isang sulyap niya lang sa kaliwa niya, makikita niya ako at ang anak ko.

Dahan-dahan pero patakbo akong lumapit sa anak ko. My son saw me coming so I signed him to keep quiet. Nang makalapit ay kagad ko niyakap at hinarangan ang anak. Nakatalikod na ako ngayon kay Raven.

“Yes, I’m now buying chocolates. What else do you want, baby?” I heard his voice again after years of hiding. Nakagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi, hindi na alam paano kikilos at aalis.

My son looked up on me. “What is it, Mommy?” he whispered. I smiled at him and then I got the chocolate at the top section.

“Let’s go, baby.” Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinila na siya paalis doon. Hindi na ako nagtangka pang lumingon dahil natatakot ako na baka sa paglingon ko ay pagtatagpo ng paningin naming dalawa.

When we got home, Zyair was looking at me with confused eyes. Gusto kong magpaliwanag pero hindi ko alam kung saan at paano sisimulan. He’ll know that I was married… No, I’m still married to him. I waited for him to send me the annulment papers but they didn’t come. Nang mainip ako, I asked Amara to help me but years passed, and nothing happened.

So I’m basically still married to him.

“Mama, there’s our food!” Zyair excitedly said when our doorbell rang.

“Okay, I’ll get it. No chocolates muna, ha? Kain muna tayo before dessert,” I said as I stand up. Humagikhik naman siya bago tumango. I kissed his cheek before walking towards the door.

Kinuha ko ang pera sa loob ng coat na nakasabit sa may pinto. I opened the door while counting the money.

“Here—“ I wasn’t able to finish my line when I saw who was standing in front of me. My jaw dropped and I just stared at him with pure… anger.

“Archella—“ Before he could even speak my name, I shut the door.

How dare he show up here? After all the pain he inflicted me?! Ano? Ano pa bang kailangan niya? Is he going to tell my parents that he found me? Ano, ibabalik niya ako?! Ang kapal ng mukha niya! Ang kapal-kapal ng pagmumukha niya para magpakita at humarap sa ‘kin ngayon?

No! I was already done with that life years ago! I’m never coming back!

“Mama, are you okay?” I almost burst into tears when I heard my son’s voice.

No, anak. I’m not okay. Because I just saw him… The man who first signed the papers when we were forced to get married. That very moment didn’t leave my mind. That memory stayed with me, it haunted me every night.

... 

We were having dinner when I noticed my parents acting weird. “Uh, do we have a problem?” I asked. Mommy looked at Daddy and then she nodded. When I turned to my father, he was shaking his head as if there was a problem.

“Bihis na bihis ka, hija. May lakad ka?” si Daddy.

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Finally, they asked. “Yes, Dad. Monthsary po namin ni Laurel!” masaya ko pang sabi pero nang makita ang naging reaksyon nila ay nagtaka na ako.

Mommy sighed and then she wiped her lips. She looked at me with her serious face on. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kubyertos habang inaabangan ang mga salitang lalabas sa bibig niya. “Hija, we want you to break up with your boyfriend.”

And my whole world stopped.

I blinked my eyes, couldn’t believe what I just heard. “W-What? I just said that it’s our monthsary today.” My heartbeat raced when I turned to Daddy. “What is she saying, Dad? What break up?”

“We want you to break up with Laurel, hija. Our company’s sinking down and D’Leon Company offered help but in one condition. Hindi namin mabigay ang kagustuhan nila so your mother and I gave them a proposal. We want you to marry their son.” I felt like a bucket of iced water was poured on me. I literally froze like a statue, not even blinking as I looked at them unbelievably.

Nang makabawi ako ay natawa nalang ako. “Are you kidding me?”

Umiling si Daddy habang si Mommy naman ay napapikit na. Katulad ni Daddy, umiling din ako dahil hindi ako naniniwala sa sinabi nila. Why would they use me to save the company? I am their daughter! Hindi nila magagawa ‘yon! And make me marry a stranger? A complete stranger? Really?!

“Tell me you’re just joking,” sabi ko nang mapagtanto na wala silang naging sagot sa tanong ko. My jaw completely dropped when I also realized that this is for real! That they really used me! “Wow, I can’t believe this. Did you really… I’m not breaking up with Laurel.” Tuluyan ko nang binitawan ang kubyertos at tumayo para umalis pero natigilan nang magsalita si Mommy.

“We are planning to talk to Laurel about this.” My eyes widened because of that. Hindi nila pwede gawin ‘to!

“No! You’re not telling him anything! You’re not doing this! Hindi ako pumapayag!” Hindi ko namalayan na tumaas na ang boses ko kaya nagulat ako nang sigawan din ako ni Daddy.

“This is the only way to save the company! Kung wala ‘yon, maghihirap tayo!”

“And we’ll look for another way! Malapit na akong matapos and I’m going to look for a job! There is no need to sell me just like that to someone I don’t even know!” I said with shaking hands. Tell me this isn’t real! Someone tell me that this isn’t serious. “I’m not breaking up with Laurel. I’m not marrying—”

“They are on their way here for the papers. Hindi ka pwedeng umalis,” Mommy said and then she stood up. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig kung paano niya utusan ang bodyguards na ‘wag akong palabasin. Pagkatapos no’n ay umalis na siya.

“No, you’re not doing this to me! Laurel is waiting for me!” Hinabol ko si Mommy at hinawakan ang braso niya. “Hindi niyo pwedeng gawin ‘to sa akin… sa amin!”

“There’s no backing off here, hija. We already accepted their help for our company and they are already expecting the marriage between you and their son. Now, go upstairs and fix yourself. You’re not wearing that for today. Look for something decent…”

And she left me with no choice.

...