Chapter 1
He focused his eyes on my face, "you will marry me."
Biglang nagkaroon ng nakakabinging ingay, minulat ko ang aking mga mata at saka pinatay ang alarm clock na nasa headboard ng kama ko. Bumalikwas ako sa kama sabay hikab, lately, hindi na ako nakakatulog nang maayos dahil sa gabing iyon.
Tinignan ko ang bintanang tinatakpan ng see-through curtains. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay biglang tumunog ang call ringtone ng cellphone ko kaya naman bumangon ako sa kama para sagutin ang tawag.
Tinignan ko ang caller, si Dad, tumaas ang isang kilay ko at saka ko sinagot ang tawag. "Wow, akala ko nakalimutan mo na ang anak mo, Dad." I emphasized dad, I know he is confused if I was sarcastic or not. Whatever.
"Kai, what's with that attitude?" sagot niya mula sa kabilang linya. He's pissed. A smirk formed in my lips.
Dad and I had been living separately since I was eighteen, I currently own the entire fifteenth floor of the luxurious condominium Sapphira Tenshou where I live, saka isa pa, ayokong tumira sa mansion ni Dad kasama ang step mother ko. We're all on bad terms, ako lang talaga ang sadyang marunong mag-adjust.
"Why call?" I said, suddenly bored and losing the feels to talk to him.
"Kai, I want you to come with me tonight on a dinner with my bestfriend's son."
Tumaas ang isang kilay ko, "bestfriend's son? Since when did you have a bestfriend?" I chuckled.
"Kai, don't start with me. This is important."
I smirked. "No, Dad. I have an appointment tonight." I lied. Why? Because I attended a dinner with him and his colleagues once and I was bored as hell kasi hindi ako maka-connect sa usapan nilang puro negosyo. I don't want my eyelids getting heavy because of boring topics!
"You mean barhopping again with your cousin and bestfriends? You never learn, Kai." suway ni Dad sa akin.
You never learn. Oh, whatever!
"If you called just to ruin my morning, then well done." akmang ie-end ko na ang call nang pigilan niya ako.
"Wait! Kai, this is really important since my bestfriend's son is looking forward to meeting you. I don't want to disappoint him."
I sighed. "Si Sandy na lang ang isama mo, Dad." Ang bruhang kung nasaan ang pera, doon kumakapit. How funny.
"Is that how you call your mother, Kai?" halatang galit na sagot ni Dad.
"Step mother." I corrected.
"She's still your mom! Don't let me do this, Kai." inis na sabi ni Dad.
"Do what?" I whined.
"Kung hindi ka pupunta ngayong gabi sa dinner, I swear I will freeze all your bank accounts and take your car. Try me." banta niya.
Siningkitan ko ang mata ko sa phone, seryoso ba siya?! Oh, my gosh... "fine! I'll go!" labag sa loob na sagot ko, he really knows my weakness. Damn him. "Just text me the details of the dinner. Bye."
Nagbuntong-hininga ako habang nakapikit ang aking mga mata nang in-end ko ang tawag, why is Dad so desperate to make me go on a dinner with him and his bestfriend's son? Why do I have to go? Ugh.
Matapos ang ilang minuto ay biglang tumunog ang phone ko, nag-message si Dad, I think it's all about the dinner's details.
Fr.: Dad
