His Forever [ON-HOLD]

027.

ALEXA

["Message us if ever something happens, Lex!"]

"Of course, girls. Sige na, kailangan ko pa mag-ayos. Bye!" Ngumiti ako sa camera ng laptop ko at clinick na ang end call.

Kinuha ko ang aking curler para sa buhok at sinimulan na ayusin ang buhok ko. It's currently 6 pm in the evening, and the party will start at 10 pm. When I heared a knock on the door, I immediately got up and marched my way to the door.

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, nakita ko si mama. She was holding a beautiful sleeveless rose gold backless dress, with heels on her other hand. Kinuha ko na 'yon mula sa kanyang mga kamay at pinapasok siya sa kwarto ko.

"I see you're getting ready, anak." She started to talk while curling my hair. I looked at the mirror and glanced at her. "Getting ready to patch up with my life." I said.

"Anak..."

"Hm?"

"If ever...may sasabihin ang papa mo sa party mamaya, please know na ginagawa namin ito para sayo. Para sa future mo..." She nervously said and hugged. Real tight.

I giggled. "For what, ma? Birthday party lang naman ng anak ng business partner ni papa pupuntahan natin." I shrugged.

She only smiled and kissed my cheek. Then, lumabas siya sa kwarto ko. Tumayo ako dito na para bang istatwa. Kanina ko pa 'to napansin, ha. Kaninang hapon, pagka-uwi ko ng mansion nilutuan ako ni papa ng snack. Eh, halos hindi na nga 'yon umuuwi, eh! Tapos ngayon naman, nagtanong ako ng question 'di naman sinagot ni mama! Hay, ang suspicious nitong dalawa, ha.

I just shrugged and continued to do my makeup and hair.

-

It was already 9 pm at lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko. I got my purse and my phone at sumunod na kay papa at mama. They smiled at me na parang nakakita sila ng anghel.

"Ang ganda mo, anak. Magugustuhan ka talaga ng anak ni David at mapapangasaw-" Napahinto ito sa pagsalita nang nagring ang kanyang cellphone.

Lumapit sa'kin si mommy at hinila ako papunta sa sasakyan namin. "Let's just talk later, okay?" Sabi niya at tumango ako.

-

After 30 minutes, dumating na kami sa hotel. Papa also mentioned sa car na si tito ang may-ari nitong hotel. Big time naman pala itong pamilyang Suh. I wonder, ano kaya itsura ng anak niya? Kadalasan daw sa mga anak ng mayaman, mga bunot at pangit daw itsura nila. Jusko, wag naman sana ganon!

"Goodevening, Mr. and Mrs. Alvares. This way please," The staff greeted us and gestured to follow her. Pagkadating namin sa ball room, I quickly linked my arms with papa and calmed myself.

"Are you ready, anak?" He asked. His eyes was full of excitement. I can tell.

"Yes dad." Tipid 'kong ngiti at pumasok na kami ng ballroom.

"David!"

I looked at the direction where the old man was speaking. He laughed and playfully hugged my dad. He greeted mama, after he put his eyes on me.

"Alexa Alvares, my only daughter."

Ngumiti ako. "Hi, tito. We've finally met," I said and hugged him. I also greeted the girl beside her. I think it's his wife, pero mukhang bata pa.

"She's beautiful, pare." Bulong ni tito kay papa pero rinig ko naman. I know right. Me lang 'to, 'no.

Lumayo na ako kila mama at papa para kumuha ng makain. Well, nakakahiya naman kumain dito. Puros pang mayaman. Kinuha ko nalang yung champagne at tumingin around.

Teka, akala ko ba birthday ng anak ni tito pero bakit hindi ko siya makita from anywhere? Or baka busy lang with his friends.

When I looked at my side, I saw 6 men looking at me in shock. They were around my age. Ganito na ba ako kaganda para tingnan nila? Char. 'Nang nakita nila nakatingin ako, they avoided my look. I shrugged and immediately went back to my parents.

"I study in University of the Philippines, sir. Doctor of Medicine."

"Right on time, iha! Let me introduce to you my son." Bumalin ang kanilang mga tingin sa'kin nang nakita nila ako sa likuran ni papa. Nang humarap ako, nakaharap saakin ang isang matangkad na gwapo na lalaki sa'kin.

No way. No fucking way.
Ito yung lalaking paeepal sa café
the other week! What the fuck is
he doing here!? there's no way s-siya yung...anak ng business partner ni dad!?

"Alexa, this is your tito David's son, Johnny Suh, and John, this is Alexa Alvares." Mabilis na tiningnan ko yung lalaking Johnny na naka-poker face sa'kin. Hindi na'ko nakapagsalita nang marinig ko ang boses ng kanyang tatay sa center.

"Ehem! Attention, people." His father started. Nakita 'kong nakatingin itong lalaking shrek na 'to, kaya inirapan ko siya. Kainis! Bakit ba 'to yung anak ni tito!? Wala ba 'tong kapatid!? Charot.

"I just wanted to announce here, on my son's 21st birthday grand celebration, that he's going to be married to my kumpare's gorgeous daughter, Alexa Alvares."

I stood here like a statue. I didn't know what to do. I was surprised with  what tito said. Tangina, mukha ba akong ready pa ikasal!? Tumingin ako kila mama at papa na ngumiti saakin. So, is this what my parents make them happy!? Ipapaksal ako sa isang stranger na i don't even know!?

I looked at Johnny, who was also surprised. Muntik niya nang mahulog ang champagne glass na hinahawakan niya. He looked at me, No, more of like staring at me. Looking at me from head to toe, and shook his head. He was fustrated. I was too! I didn't even expect this to happened!? So ito yung lalaking si-net up ni papa para sa'kin!?

Nagulat naman ako ng biglang hinawakan ni Johnny ang aking kamay nang mahigpit. Tangina, ano nanaman plano nito!?

"Let's talk."