Dawn of the Lion

Epilogue

"Ahya, wake up,"

As I heard Jin's voice from my door, I immediately covered my ears with a pillow. Today is the day where I will meet the woman I will marry. I somehow hate it because I didn't even decide for myself. Wala man lang araw na binigay sa akin, agad agad naman 'to. It makes me mad. I didn't even prepare myself for this day!

"Can you just please cooperate?" Lumakas naman ang pagkatok ni Jin sa pinto ko, parang onting pwersa na lang ay masisira na 'to. I stood up and opened the door, I can see the irritation from his face. "Ahya, please. Just cooperate, nakakainis na sila Mom. Mag-ayos ka na," His brows met as he said that. Agad na rin naman siyang umiling at naglakad na papunta ng kwarto niya.

That's what I did because I don't have a choice. Ayaw ko nang masigawan pa at baka masigawan ko lang din ang mga magulang ko, and that's rude and very disrespectful. I took a bath and brushed my teeth. I was wearing my usual outfit; white dress shirt with 4 buttons opened tucked-in a black slacks partenered with a black boots. Inayos ko lang din ang buhok ko, 'yong laging ayos nito. 

"Jacques," Mom entered my room. Nang maramdaman ko pa lang ang presensya niya, napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. "Everything is going to be well if you cooperate," Mom sat on the edge of my bed.

"Do I have a choice?" I shook my head as I wear my watch on my wrist. "You can go first, susunod na lang ako," I looked at Mom.

"No, baka hindi ka pa pumunta e'," Mom answered me as she stood up and walked towards me. 

"I will go, nakabihis na nga 'ko, ma." Iritado kong sagot sa kaniya. "Mauna na kayo, dadalhin ko sasakyan ko." I told her.

And that what happened, when I arrived at the address that Mom gave me, mas lalo akong nakaramdam ng pagkairita. This is not me, ayaw na ayaw ko sa lahat 'yong nasisira ko 'yong pangako ko. Pangako ko pa naman sa sarili ko na makagraduate muna bago magka-girlfriend o ano. Tapos ngayon, binigyan ako ng asawa?! Ano ba namang buhay 'to.

As I expected, we're having a dinner while they are talking about business. Halos mabingi na 'ko rito, wala na 'kong ibang naririnig kung 'di business. Business na sa school, business na sa bahay, business pa kung san san. 

"I'm done. Can I go out for a while?" I asked them, I just faced them with no expression on my face. Lahat sila nagsitinginan sa akin e'. I'm done, I'm done with all of you.

"Selene, the both of you can talk outside, if you're done." My Dad told Selene. I was just hoping that she won't follow me, lalo na ngayon, ayaw ko ng kausap. Gusto kong mapag-isa. Gusto kong mag-isip isip.

When I got out, I immediately saw two dogs. I was just watching them wiggling their tails in front of me, I smiled when they do that. I felt they are comfortable with my presence. It's like they love me. 

"Hi," Boses ni Selene.

Napahinga akong malalim at humarap sa kaniya, I just looked at her and waited for her next word. Sa mukha pa lang niya, kitang kita kong hindi kami magkakasundo sa maraming bagay. Ngayon pa lang, nag-iisip na 'ko kung paano matigil 'tong kalokohan na 'to.