Forced Marriage (Completed)

04

CHAPTER FOUR

My happiness slowly fading in. Sadness filled my heart, instead. Hinihingal akong umupo sa bench, galing ako sa ospital at dito ako sa parke umupo habang pinupunasan ang aking luhang umaagos mula sa aking mga mata.

Tuminghala ako sa langit at inis na pinunasan ang aking luha. Stars were shining above the sky as well as the full moon. I sighed before looking down on my feet, remembering what we just talked about. My heart constricted with pain.

"What did you say?" I asked. Trying to get what Miss Helena said.

"You will marry my son." Mister Paul said with a serious tone in it, making me glance at my parents. They're speechless.

Umiling ako. "No."

"And why?"

"I can't marry someone I didn't know and also I have a boyfriend."

Bumuntong hininga si Mr. Paul "I'm sorry, hija. We understand and we respect that you have your boyfriend but this is the only way we are going to help our family friend, is that for you to marry my son. We can help our family friend in so many ways but we also want our son to settle for less and have his own family. We chose you for him because we all know that you are kind and all."

I shook my head disappointed while staring at my parents. "You could have asked me if you need money. I can provide naman, but these... You knew right from the start that my dream is to marry the man I admire and love so much but everything's in chaotic now." Marahas kong pinahid ang luha ko. "I'm sorry but I have to go." Naglakad ako papalapit sa pinto at binuksan iyon pero bago pa 'ko umalis ay may nagsalita.

"It's still your choice anak. Sorry. You don't have to marry the man you don't love." Dinig niysabi ng kanyang tatay.

I am sorry too dad, mom, but I need more days to think.

I've been sitting here for almost one hour when I decided to call my boyfriend. I need someone to talk to.

"Hello, babe?" He said on the other line.

I puffed my breathe in the air. "Can I talk to you?" I whispered. "Right here, over the phone."

"What? I'm sorry, babe but I am busy. Maybe next time, babe. I'm sorry."

I sighed and force a smile. "Okay." I muttered before ending the call. I stared at the sky with so much hope. I also wished that I will pass this problem someday.

I was alone for one hour and thirty minutes in the park, there were some couples laughing and I can see that they're happy, while I was sad. I thought of leaving the park and I just walk, dinala ako ng paa ko sa labas ng condo ni Riane.

I knocked twice until it was opened. She was shock when she saw me crying but instead of asking me, she hugged me in her arms and the comfort I've been waiting earlier is here now.

"Shush! Tahan na. Kishi tahan na." I cried in her shoulders until I feel so tired, na pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong mailuluha. "Tara na muna sa loob." Aya niya kaya tumango ako. Pinaupo niya ako sa sofa bago siya tumabi sa akin.

"What happened?" Concern is written all over her face.

Tuminghala ako sa kisame. "Montes is in the verge of bankcruptcy at iyon ang dahilan kong bakit na-heart-attack si Dad, kaya ako umuwi ng maaga.
And then dumating ang mag-asawang Fortez na nagmamay-ari ng Fortez Hotel and Resort, sabi nila pakasalan ko daw anak nila para matulungan ang kompanya ng mga magulang ko. I don't know their son and don't love him and it hurts here..." Tinuro ko ang puso ko. "What should I do? I can't just go with the flow and marry their son, right?"