OPERATION: Finding My Lost Fiancee

PART 1

Unbelievable look is present in my face as I'm looking at them one by one, giving off my death glare.

"Please, son. Do it for us. Do it for your promise when you were kids--"

"I forgot about that promise and why the hell I would care about it?"

"Skyler, makinig ka sa tatay mo." It's mom, standing beside my dad. I shifted my gaze to her. I am trying my best to still respect them as my parents. Calm down, Skyler. Calm down.

"Can we just cancel that engagement, mom? I'm pretty sure they will agree because that girl is missing...about many years ago. P'wedeng patay na siya."

Napa-iling-iling silang dalawa na tila ba hindi naniniwala sa mga pinagsasasabi ko. Napabuntong hininga ako. I don't like the idea of being engaged, like...we've been in arrange marriage for 16 years!

"Just try to find her, Skyler. Her family is still hoping that she's alive, after the incident when her parents died."

"No, I won't waste time for that nonsense," I quickly answered as I pick up my tuxedo and wear it. "I have to go."

Kung pipilitin nila ako nang pipilitin, I might end up leaving that house. Unless they'll give me something huge for exchange, then I'll do it even if it's impossible to find for that girl.

They mentioned earlier that we've been friends when I was 4 years old. We even decided that we'll marry when we're at the right age. I don't remember any of those cringy nonsense. I don't even remember her nor having a friend before. Baka gumagawa lang sila ng kuwento para kontrolin na naman ako. Tch! Wala namang pagbabago, Skyler. 'Di ka na nasanay?

Pabagsak akong umupo sa swivel chair ko pagkapasok ko ng opisina ko. Same old boring and stressful day. I would love the taste of alcohol right now.

"Sir?"

Yes, alcohol has the job for putting stress away.

"Sir!"

Biglang nawala ang ngisi sa labi ko nang sumigaw ang secretary ko. Gusto ba nitong masesante?

"What?! Kailangan mo?"

"Huwag mo 'kong bigyan ng gan'yang tingin, Skyler ha!"

"Now look who's the boss here. Makapag utos ka---aray ha!"

"Boss lang kita, mas matanda ako sa 'yo." Napapayuko ako sa sakit ng pagkakabatok niya! "Ibibigay ko lang 'tong schedule mo. Ikaw na bahalang magbasa niyan. May date pa 'ko. See yah, sir!" Tinapon niya sa'kin 'yong schedule ko na agad ko namang sinalo. That girl!

"You are the worst secretary EVER!"

"I love you too!" sigaw niya pabalik. Muntik ko pang ibato sa kan'ya 'tong hawak ko kung 'di niya sinara agad 'yong door.

"That girl is such a pain in my ass. A total headache! Pure ingrown!"

What?

Poor me, next time I'll be listening to myself.

No appointments for my last hour of work. A smile formed in between my lips as I'm looking at my car keys.

"Let's go chilling, babeeeeeh!"

You're gross!

"Give me something hard." Agad namang nag-mix ang bartender ng mga alak at binigay sa'kin na kaagad ko namang ininom.

Damn! I missed this feeling. When was the last time I drink? Aaahhh! My college life. Dad block mailed me before just to stop drinking alcohol. I can say he succeeded, but he can't stop me now.

Tumawa na lang ako nang tumawa sa loob ng isipan ko habang sinasalinan ng bartender ng alak ang glass ko.

'Di pa naman ako tinatamaan, matino pa ang isip ko kaya tumayo ako at nakisayaw sa dance floor.

"Hey there, Hottie~" I hear her moaning. She's grooooosssss!

I immediately step backwards, still dancing with my hands held up high.

That bitch is going to eat me, she's gross!

Bumalik ako sa kinauupuan ko kanina at nilagok ang natitirang alak. Last shot, baka malaman ni dad. Kung ano-ano na naman ang tatanggalin sa'kin

I'm now driving home slowly. Hindi naman traffic pero feeling ko mabagal ang usad ng sasakyan ko dahil na rin sa pagod.

Tired or drunk?

Tch, both. N-no, I'm not drunk, I'm just a little bit tipsy.

Sinusubukan kong mag focus sa daan na tinatahak ko, pero bakit gano'n? Weird.

Huminto ako dahil feeling ko may mali talaga. I even stepped down from my car to see what's wrong...

"Shit!" naibulalas ko na lang no'ng makita kong may babae na umiiyak sa harap ng kotse ko. Nabangga ko ba siya?

"Ahm, miss? May masakit ba sa inyo?" She stopped crying and looked at me with fiery eyes. Damn! Ano'ng ginawa ko?

"Ang bilis mong mag drive! Muntik mo na'kong masagasaan! Pupunta tayo sa pulis! Isusumbong kitaaaaa!" I gulped.

Dad won't like to hear this and I am too! He'll punish meeee!

'Dad, I hope you and mom are now peacefully sleeping in your hello kitty themed room. Amen.'

Hope my small prayer will save me.

I can't manage to speak. Sumunod na lang ako sa kan'ya dahil iika-ika siyang sumakay sa backseat ng kotse ko.

Did I really drove fast?

•••

"You almost hit that girl!"

"I already told you, I'm driving my car slowly and I didn't saw anyone walking while I'm driving! Multo siya, dad. Multo siya."

Nakapikit na lang ako no'ng naramanan ko ang kamay niya sa buhok ko. He pulled my hair and I almost shout in pain. Parang 'yong secretary ko lang kung manabunot.

M-masakit.

"You are drunk, you're not aware of what's happening around you. Now go to sleep. We'll talk about your punishments tomorrow."

At this point, I already know my consequences. Hell get all my properties away, and give it back after I learned my lesson. I hate dad for doing those things to me. Pero mahal ko sila ni mom, I can't live without them. But I still hate him coz he's talking about my punishments!"

"What's her name?" I asked with tired voice. Bahagya kong niluwagan ang necktie ko kasi kanina ko pa nararamdamang nasasakal ako

"Name who?"  I looked at him.

"That so called fiancee of mine. What's her name?"

"Iviohne Ross. Why? Are you telling me this because----"

"I'll find her, just don't ever talk about my damn punishments for being drunk."