✔ || Love Me at Your Own Risk (Single Ladies Collaboration Series #2)

XI

Chapter 11

“Ipapakasal kita kay Alexander sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, huwag ka lang mapunta sa lalaking 'yon!”

“M-mommy...” I called in an almost trembling voice as I tried to reach out her hands.

She can't look at me directly even though I try to get her attention. I know she's angry about what happened, but we're not doing anything wrong.

“M-mommy, ayoko pong m-magpakasal kay Alexander...” I sobbed and begged.

“And what?!” Nilingon niya ako sabay kalas sa kamay kong kanina pa nakahawak sa braso niya. “You'll marry that bastard?”

Umiling ako. “Hindi p-po...”

“I can't believe that you'll just end up with that kind of --- ayokong magsalita nang masasakit na salita, Tria, but I'm dissapointed. Akala ko ay iba ka, pasasakitin mo lang din pala ang ulo ko. Umalis ka na, huwag ka na munang magpapakita sa'kin.” Mommy straightened up and then started walking out of the living room.

Napayuko at naiwang umiiyak. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama, niyakap niya lang ako at 'yon lang 'yon. Ngayon lang naman nangyari ito, but why do I feel like I've been disobeying her all my life?

Kahit ano pa lang gawin ko... magkamali lang ako ng isang beses kinakalimutan na niyang anak niya ako.

“Oh, bakit ka umiiyak, Tria?” Si Ate Cynth na mukhang kararating lang.

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya sa akin at ang pag-upo niya sa tabi ko. She rubbed my back and hold my hand tightly.

“What happened? Bakit ka umiiyak?” nag-aalalang tanong pa niya.

“M-mommy...” tanging nasabi ko na lang kahit pilit kong maisaboses ang mga nangyari.

I heard Ate sigh as if she already knew what had happened.

“Did she...” Ate began as she seemed hesitant to talk. “Did she force you to marry that Alexander?”

Alam niya?

My chest grew heavier at the thoughts. She has been planning that wedding for a long time, and it seems that all my siblings are aware of what is happening.

Nag-angat ako nang tingin at nilingon si Ate Cynth.

“Kailan pa? K-kailan pa niya ako binibenta sa mga kaibigan niya, Ate? Kaya niya ba ako ginaganito dahil gusto niya akong gawing negosyo?”

Ate shook her head and tightened her grip on my hand. “Hindi sa ganoon, Tria, she's just trying to protect you.”

Pinahid ko ang luhang lumandas sa mga mata ko at bahagyang natawa sa narinig.

“Protect me, Ate?” I averted my eyes and stared at our family picture hanging on the wall. Akala ko ay masaya kami kahit wala si Daddy, akala ko lang pala. Pinipilit ko lang pa lang maging masaya.

“And who does she intend to protect me from? I am no longer a child to be protected, Ate. I'm old enough to protect myself and decide on my own.” I looked back at Ate Cynth again. “And I can't marry a man I don't love, Ate.” I added, trying to smile infront of her.

Ate Cynth forced a smile with sadness in her eyes. “I know, Tria. I know...” she mumbled. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to persuade her. You will not marry that man, I promise you that.” Ate pulled me into a hug.

Sumunod lang ako at niyakap siya pabalik. Sana nga ay makinig si Mommy kay Ate, dahil kung hindi, wala na akong magagawa para pigilan siya.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagtungo sa coffee shop para makipagkita kay Alexander. Hindi ito alam ni Mommy, at hindi niya kailangan malaman.