Simula

"Mavis anong ibig sabihin nito?!"

Masakit man ang ulo ay nagawa kong gumising at magmulat ng mata ng umalingaw-ngaw ang galit at striktang boses ni Tiya Ysabella.

Ilang segundo pa lang ay agad nang pumasok sa akin lahat ng pangyayaring kailanman hindi ko malilimutan. Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at sumalubong sa akin ang mangiyakngiyak at galit na mga mata ni Tiya Ysabella. Her hands trembled, his gaze darting between me and the figure beside me. Panic flickered in his eyes, disbelief tightening his features.

I followed her line of sight, my breath hitching as my gaze landed on the man standing next to me. And in that moment, the weight of realization crashed down on me like a tidal wave. Tears burned down my cheeks, uncontrollable, unstoppable. A lump formed in my throat as my body shook, every fiber of my being screaming in silent agony.

With shaky hands, I turned to look at Tiya Ysabella. My heart pounded violently in my chest, fear creeping up my spine. She saw everything.

Nagmadali akong hinablot ang kumot para ibalot sa aking katawan at halos madapa-dapang umalis sa kama kung nasaan ang lalaking hindi pa rin makabawi sa nangyayari.

"T-Tiya! Tiya, I'm sorry! Sorry po! I'm really s-sorry," Nanginginig ang kamay na yumakap ako sa kaniya habang umiiyak. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko, ganito pala ang pakiramdam nito mas malala pa sa inaasahan ko.

"Pinalaki kitang maayos, Mavis! Paano mo nagawa sa 'kin 'to?! Saan ako nagkulang?! Hindi naman ako nagkulang ng pangaral sa 'yo hindi ba?! Ano bang nasa isip mo ha?!" Tanging pag-iyak lang ang nagawa ko dahil alam ko sa sarili kong maling-mali ako, na maling-mali ang ginawa ko.

Humiwalay ako sa kaniya at umiiyak na kumapit sa kumot ng muntikan na 'yong mahulog. Wala akong masabi, hindi ko na magawang humingi nang tawad kahit sa isip ko'y patuloy akong nag s-sorry.

"Mavis," nilingon ko si Kiara. Ang bestfriend ko na nasisiguro kong nagdala kay Tiya rito. Umiiyak akong tumitig sa kaniya at marahan naman siyang umiling saka inalalayan si Tiya para matulungan ako. Akala ko'y sa'kin lang siya magagalit ngunit nabigla ako ng mabilis niyang harapin si Draven.

"Ikaw namang lalaki ka ha?! Anong ginawa mo sa pamangkin ko?! Ang kapal ng mukha mo!" shit! I must do something.

"T-Tiya 'wag!" Pigil ko ng akmang susugurin niya si Draven, na ngayon ay wala nang mababakas na emosyon sa mukha niya.

"Sabihin mo nga sa 'kin Mavis?! Pinilit ka ba ng lalaking 'yan?! Sabihin mo lang at magdedemanda ako!" Fuck! Hindi kasama sa plano na ito ang demandahan.

"T-Tiya, hindi po... hindi po namin alam kung anong—kung paanong h-humantong kami sa ganito... maniwala ka p-po!" Napasapo siya sa ulo na tila hindi na alam ang gagawin at dapat isipin.

"Ano nang mangyayari sa 'yo ha? D'yos ko naman Mavis nag-iisip ka ba ha?! Bakit hinayaan mong mangyari 'to?! Sa inyong dalawa ikaw ang dehado, anak naman? Matalino kang babae, pero bakit?!— Hindi na niya maituloy ang sasabihin ng tuluyan na siyang mapaiyak. Ang sakit makitang napaiyak ko ang pinakaimportanteng tao sa buhay ko.

"Gusto kong makausap ang magulang mo." Baling ni Tiya kay Draven na kinagulat ko at gano'n din siya.

"H-Ho?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Draven na hindi alam kung paano pakikitunguhan si Tiya.

"Hindi ko palalampasin ang pangyayaring 'to, no'ng panahon namin hindi pwede ang ganito! Noon ay madikitan lang ang kamay ng babae, ipinapakasal na ng mga magulang! Kaya kakausapin ko ang mga magulang mo, dahil kailangan mong panagutan ang nangyari sa inyo ng pamangkin ko." Lumipat ang mga mata ni Draven sa akin at bakas ang galit sa klase ng tingin na binibigay niya.

"T-Tiya, that's t-too much, we can't force him." Napakasama ko ba para magppanggap na ayoko, kahit iyon naman talaga ang plano ko?

"No! Babae ka! At kahit sabihin natin na hindi ka niya pinilit, babae ka pa rin! Ikaw ang nawalan at hindi siya! Kaya kailangan ka niyang panagutan kung hindi magsasampa ako ng kaso laban sa kaniya."

"T-Tiya..." Mayaman si Draven, alam kong kahit sampahan siya ng kaso ay baka mabaliktad lamang nila ang sitwasyon at si tiya pa ang mapasama. Hindi rin pwedeng mangyari 'yon dahil baka magpa imbestiga si Draven at malaman ang hindi nila dapat malaman.

"Magbihis na kayong dalawa, maghihintay kami sa labas." Walang sabi-sabing lumabas ito at iniwan kami ni Drei. Kinakabahan ko siyang nilingon at kita ko ang galit sa mga mata niya ng magsalubong ang tingin namin.

"For fuck's sake?! Alam mo ba kung anong gulo itong ginawa mo?!" Galit na singhal niya at inis na pinasadahan ng kaniyang daliri ang buhok niya.

"Do you really think my family will believe that I fucked you?!"

His words cut through me like a blade, sharp and merciless. My breath hitched, and I felt the sting of tears welling up in my eyes. The weight of his accusation settled deep in my chest, suffocating, unbearable. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice barely above a whisper.

"H-Hindi ko naman alam kung paano nangyari." My hands trembled at my sides. I searched his face for even a sliver of understanding, but all I found was cold fury and disbelief. The air between us was thick with tension, with unspoken accusations and shattered trust.

"Lahat maloloko mo, pero hindi ako Schneider! Alam kong may gusto ka sa 'kin, at alam kong pakana mo lahat ng 'to para matali tayong dalawa, hindi ba?!" may kung anong bumara sa lalamunan ko dahil sa mga sinasabi niya. Umiiyak akong napailing at yumuko saka mahigpit na hinawakan ang kumot na nakabalot sa katawan ko. No! Hindi ko sinasadya 'to, if I only had more options, I wouldn't come up in this kind of situation. Hindi ako gano'ng klase nang babae.

"Fuck! Kung hindi ka lang babae!" He ruffles his hair out of frustration.

"Hindi ko 'to gustong mangyari maniwala k-ka..." bakit kasi sa dami ng lalaki Draven? Bakit ikaw pa?

"Bullshit! Hinding hindi ako maniniwala sa lahat ng sasabihin mo Mavis, tandaan mo 'yan! Matali ka man sa 'kin hinding-hindi kita magagawang mahalin! At kahit anong mangyari hinding-hindi ko mamahalin ang isang mapagpanggap na babaeng katulad mo!" Iyon ang huling beses na sinabi niya bago pinulot ang mga damit at isa-isa iyong isinuot sa harapan ko. Nauna siyang lumabas kaya nanghihina akong napaupo at napaiyak.

Tiya Ysabella is disappointed in me. Draven hates me. Fuck! What have you done, Mavis? Hindi mo lang sinira ang buhay mo, sinira mo rin ang buhay ng mga taong mahal mo.

No matter what happens, I'll accept it—because, in the end, this was my fault. Every mistake, every consequence, it all leads back to me. The weight of it presses down on my chest, but I won't run. I won't make excuses. I'll bear the blame, no matter how much it hurts. Because if this is the price I have to pay... then so be it.

Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko bago binalik ang makapal na salamin. Naghilamos lang ako at nagmumog ng mouthwash bago pinusod ang buhok ko sa madalas nitong style. My hair is tied up in a bun. I know it makes me look a bit old-fashioned, but it's too long to leave loose.

Besides, Tiya always says it looks neater this way.

I stared at myself in the mirror, wearing nothing but my undergarments. I barely recognize the person looking back at me. It's not just my body I see—it's every mistake, every scar, every burden I carry. The weight of my choices lingers in my reflection, whispering truths I don't want to face.

I can't believe I just did it.

This is your only choice. Do it to make him safe... or just let him live in danger without doing anything. I am telling you, Red. This is the best way.

Napailing ako sa alaala. If I had any other choice, I wouldn't have chosen this. But I didn't. And now... Draven hates me. Maybe he should. Maybe I deserve it. But knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less.Muli kong sinuot ang long sleeve at pantalon bago lumabas. Naabutan ko si Draven na nakasandal sa padir ng hotel room na pinangyarihan ng isang gabing pagkakamali. Matalim ang titig nito sa sahig, at nang mapansing nakalabas na ako ay mabilis niya akong nilingon.

"Tell your aunt—don't ever make a move that will ruin our name. You have no idea what I'm capable of, Mavis." I could only nod in response. He didn't wait for another word, didn't even bother to look at me again before turning away and heading downstairs.

I wiped away the tear that had escaped, swallowing the lump in my throat. Then, without another thought, I followed him. Naabutan namin si Tiya at Kiara na. Tulala si Tiya at halatang katatapos lang sa pagiyak. Pinapatahan ito ni kiara, na alam ko namang naging epektibo. Si Kiara ang kaisa isang kaibigan ko sa unibersidad na pinapasukan.

Pareho kaming BS Architecture ang kursong kinuha, naging magkaklase at magkatabi sa upuan.

"T-Tiya," hindi ako nilingon ni Tiya, kundi ay nilingon niya si Drei.

"Nasaan ang kotse mo? Do'n kami sasakay para masiguro naming hindi mo kami tatakasan." Tumango lamang ito kay Tiya na tila wala talagang balak na takasan kami.

"Sumunod ho kayo sa 'kin," Isa siguro sa nagustuhan ko kay Drei ay ang respeto niya sa nakakatanda sa kaniya kahit gaano siya kagalit, naroon pa rin ang respeto niya. Pinapasok niya kami sa kotse niya at tahimik na nagmaneho patungo sa kanilang bahay.

I had expected it to be grand, but seeing it in person still left me in awe. The sheer size, the imposing architecture—it was a testament to their power. Armed guards were stationed around the perimeter, their presence a silent reminder that this was more than just a home. It was a fortress.

The house exterior sleek and modern—a statement of wealth and power. I couldn't help but wonder if the interior was just as impressive.

As soon as the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance, we stepped out. A group of household staff was already waiting, their movements precise and practiced as they welcomed us and guided us inside.

Naabutan na namin ang parents ni Draven na nakaupo sa mamahalin nilang sofa at halatang naghihintay sa pagdating namin. Nasisiguro kong nasabi na ni Draven ang tungkol dito kaya agad na nangatog ang tuhod ko ng makita ang formality at authority sa mukha ng Daddy at mommy niya.

Draven's dad was like an older version of him—a reflection of what he would become with time. He had inherited almost all of his father's sharp features, from the strong jawline to the striking intensity in his gaze.

As for his height, it was clear he got that from both parents, as his mother was just as tall. But if there was anything he had taken from her, it was the thick, slightly curled lashes and those deep brown eyes—warm yet unreadable. And, of course, her fair complexion, a contrast to the hardened presence he carried.

"Good morning. I'm Reida Monticello, Draven's mom." Drei's mother introduced herself to Tiya.

There was a distinct elegance in her voice—sophisticated, refined, yet commanding. It wasn't just the tone; it was the kind of presence that demanded respect without needing to ask for it. Classy and powerful.

"Ysabella Cabrera," nakipagkamay ito kay tiya at lumipat ang tingin nito sa 'kin bago nilingon si Drei.

"This is so disappointing, Draven Reil. I told you to stop playing with girls, right?" panenermon ng mommy niya. Habang nanatili namang tahimik ang dad niya.

"Calm down, Reida."

"How do you expect me to calm down, Drave?!" His mother's voice was sharp, laced with frustration.

"You spoil that son of yours too much, and now he thinks he can do whatever he wants!"

She turned to Draven, her piercing gaze filled with disappointment.

"Draven! When will you finally straighten up? You're about to become one of our engineers, and sooner or later, you'll be running our business! Yet here you are, still acting like a reckless child!" She exhaled sharply, shaking her head.

"Until when do you plan to keep disappointing us?"

"Mom..." Napasapo ang mommy niya sa kunsumisyon kaya napayuko nalang ako at napakagat sa sariling labi.

"What's your name, hija?" Napaangat ang tingin ko sa mommy ni Drei nang magtanong ito.

"Maria Vienna Schneider po, Mavis na lang."

"Nag-aaral ka pa ng college?" Tumango ako.

"Anong course mo?"

"Bs in Architecture po sa Dastan University."

"I see."

"Mawalang galang na sa inyo, pero gusto ko na sanang pagusapan ang mangyayari sa pamangkin ko."

"Yeah, us too. We also want to apologize—for our son. We know he's been an idiot, and that's exactly why we've made a decision. To teach him a lesson, to make him grow up..." There was a brief pause, then the words that would change everything. . .

"We want them to get married." Napaangat ang tingin ko at napaawang ang labi. Napaayos ng upo si Draven.

"If that's okay with you, and with Mavis," Sabat ng dad ni Drei.

"Dad?! Mom?! What the hell?!" Draven's voice was a mix of shock and outrage. His father barely spared him a glance before responding, his tone firm and unwavering.

"You have no say in this, Drei. Shut up."

"Kung sa 'kin ay mas mabuting desisyon 'yan," Sang-ayon ni tiya na kinalumo ko.

"Then it's a deal! Wala na tayong problema about this matter right? Welcome to the family, Mavis. The wedding will be next week, kasi aalis kami ng bansa sa ikatlong linggo kaya kailangan nating maipakasal sila agad bago kami umalis," Napalingon ako sa mommy ni Drei at nakangiti ito sa akin. Siniko ako ni Tiya kaya wala akong magawa kundi bahagyang ngumiti at mag-bow.

That is exactly what I expected.

I am going to be Draven's wife.

Nang aksidente kong lingunin si Drei ay gano'n na lang ang kaba ko ng napakatalim ng tingin niya sa 'kin.

I wanted to celebrate, to revel in the joy of finally becoming his wife. But then, a voice echoed in my mind, shattering the excitement, pulling me back to reality—to the real reason behind all of this.

"Remember, Red, when the plan works out, you have to stick with it until the end. Your marriage isn't forever, and when he's finally safe, you have to let him go."

My chest tightened.

I know. I remember now. This isn't love. This is a mission. And no matter how much my heart betrays me, I can't forget that.

. . .