Bouquet of Heartbreaks (Fitzmael 5)

09: Disgrace

"I'm pregnant..." I uttered while looking down.

"So, when's the wedding?" tanong iyon ni Mommy.

I froze. Biglang sumakit ang aking dibdib dahil walang kasalang magaganap. Dahil wala naman na siya.

Tumingin ako sa kanila at bakas sa kanilang mukha ang galak.

Napalunok ako at humugot nang lakas bago nagsalitang muli. "Wala pong kasalang magaganap..."

"What?!" sabay nilang sabi.

"Bakit?" takang tanong ni Dad.

"You're going to marry him!" sigaw ni Mommy. "Gusto mo bang walang ama ang magiging anak mo? Zius is a great guy, right?"

I nodded. My tears started to fall down my cheeks.

"Bakit, Lilac? Bakit hindi ka magpapakasal?" seryosong tanong ni Dad. I saw his fist clenching.

Pumikit ako at humagulgol. "W-We broke up. I... broke up with him," I said.

Napatingin sa akin ang aking mga kapatid na nakakunot ang noo. Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil ni Catmint sa aking kamay na para bang pinipigilan niya ako.

I need to protect him even though he didn't deserve it. I need to lie because at the end of the day, he's the father of my child. And my parents love Erazius. I know that they respect him because he's a good guy.

He was a good guy.

I had to protect his name. I don't want them to loathe him because I know my family... I know they would only force Erazius to marry me and I don't want him to do that. He didn't love me anymore. That's for sure.

I don't want to marry him for the sake of having a complete family. He fell out of love. End of the story.

If they will know the real reason, if banning them to our companies and other establishments is worse... My parents are more than that! They could do worst! What I did was nothing compared to what they can do.

They could ruin anyone's name in just a snap.

Kung ano man ang problema ko kay Zius, sa akin na lang 'yon.

Napatayo si Mom. "Why? Why did you break up with him?! Botong-boto kami sa kanya! Ni minsan hindi kami umangal sa relasyon niyo! Balikan mo siya! Magpapakasal kayo!" singhal niya sa akin.

I sniffled. "H-Hindi ko na siya mahal, Mom. I want to raise my kid alone."

Napahawak ako sa aking mukha dahil sa malakas niyang pagsampal.

Agad na tumayo si Cedar at Ren para pigilan si Mom.

"Mom!" sigaw ni Ren.

"Disgrasyada!" sigaw ni Mom. "Mamayang gabi ay aalis kang Pilipinas! Huwag kang babalik hangga't hindi ka kasal! Ikinakahiya kita! I will never ever acknowledge your illegitimate kid! Walang Fitzmael ang disgrasyada!"

Umiling ako. "No... I want to continue studying! Kahit sa bahay lang ako! Hindi ako magpapakita sa kahit na sino! Mom! Please!" pagmamakaawa ko sa kanya.

Susugurin sana ako ni Mom nang mapigilan siya ni Daddy. "I will never let you stay here! I'll make sure of that! Anong sasabihin ng ibang tao? Na may disgrasyada akong anak?! Akala ko matino ka!" she shouted.

Napahagulgol ako. "P-Please... let me stay here. A-Ayokong umalis ng Pilipinas, Mom," I pleaded then I looked at Dad. "Dad, h-help me..."

Bakas sa mukha ni Dad ang lungkot. "I'm very disappointed in you, Lilac," he uttered while shaking his head.

"Tama na po!" Catmint shouted, crying. She was just hugging me.

I was crying dahil sobrang sakit. Tanging paghagulgol lang ang nagawa ko. Bakit nangyayari sa akin 'to? Deserve ko ba ang ganito? Bakit?!