HATE OR LOVE

[22] Date at home

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟐

As soon as he parked his motorcycle in front of our house, I immediately got off without saying thank you. I know it's rude since he drove me safely back home, but I'm still pissed at him. Wala ako sa sarili nang buksan ko ang pinto, I'm expecting that no one was awake since it's already passed ten in the evening, but I was stunned when I saw my parents in the living room. Bumungad sa akin ang umiiyak at nag-aalalang mukha ng mga magulang ko.

"Eomma, Appa," I mumbled.

"Mardux!" They said in unison.

I felt my eyes get wet when they embraced me.

"Goodness! You don't know how many times I tried calling you! You made us worry sick!"

I didn't answered.

"Princess, gwaenchanna?"

I remained silent.

"Anak? Are you still mad at us?"

May karapatan naman siguro akong magalit, diba? They lied to me. They did something that can hurt me big time. Then, I remembered what Blood said, I should ask my parents about it because I deserve an explanation. I deserve to know their reasons.

I took a deep breath, trying not to be emotional, but I failed. "Eomma, Appa, N-Naging masama ba akong anak? I just turned eighteen today... Don't I deserve a freedom? Bakit kailangan kong magpakasal sa taong hindi ko mahal? Naghihirap na ba tayo?" Mabilis tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko.

Eomma gasped and embraced me. "No, no! Don't say that! We're sorry, anak! Dapat sinabi namin noon pa ang tungkol dito pero hindi namin alam kung paano sasabihin. Anak, we know you're happy here, and we don't want to take that back from you. That's why we chose not to tell you until you reached legality because we know that you'll understand us."

Umalis ako sa pagkakayakap at lumuluhang palipat-lipat ako ng tingin sa kanila. "That's why you chose to lie to me? And you think setting me up with someone can resolve our problems? Is that it, Eomma? Appa?"

Eomma reached for my hands and held them. "Anak, Our business is dying... Damon, offered us help pero nahihiya kaming tanggapin na walang kapalit kaya naisip namin-" 

My jaw clenched. "Ibig sabihin, kayo ang nag-offer sa kanila na ipakasal ako kay Blood?!" bahagyang tumaas ang boses ko.

I took a deep breath to calm down, but my tears kept on falling from my eyes. I can't believe it! Ang kapal ng mukha kong sabihin kay Blood na kasalanan niya ang mga nangyari without knowing that my parents came up with this nonsense. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin pagkatapos ng mga sinabi ko kanina.

Napayuko si Eomma at mas lalo siyang napaiyak. 

"Pwede niyo naman sabihin sa akin kung may problema tayo sa business! You don't know how much it hurts to learn that you both lied to me. I feel like you both don't trust me. I'm disappointed, Eomma." I cried while looking at her. "You too, Appa."

"Mianhe," His voice cracked.

I stepped back and looked at them. "I can't get mad at you both forever, but I can't forgive you both right now because I'm still hurting..." I took a deep breath. "And If our business in Korea depends with this engagement. Then, I can't decline the marriage, right?"