Unwanted Marriage (Under Major Revision)

Chapter Four

"Yes my dearest cousin, I will be surprising everyone with a biggest surprise." Napa hinto ako at napa isip. Big surprise? Ano na naman kaya yon? Magkaka apo na kaya sina Tita? "You better go home Alexander. I am–" I was cut by my daughter's cries. "Uh Alexander let's talk some other time." I ended the phone call and hurriedly went to my daughter.

Naka upo ito sa sahig at puno ng mantsa ang damit. "Ano na namang nangyare sayo anak?" I bent down my knees and reach for her cheeks. I wipe away the mud on her face and tucked her hair on the back of her ear. "Eh kase Mom, I split down po doon sa may baba sa putik huhu I was playing with the girls eh but I suddenly split down kase I wasn't taking care eh..."

I sighed and shhs her. "O sige, mag palit ka na lang. Sa susunod please lang anak mag ingat ka naman." She nodded and wipe her face. "Let's took a bath. Uuwi na si mommy 30 minutes from now..." And again her sad face is back. Nandyan na naman ang mga matang yan na hindi ko kayang titigan. Mata ng pangungulila.

Lumbay at lungkot.

Hindi ko ma atim atim ang mga matang yan, ngunit kailangan ko muna lumayo sa anak at para naman na ito sa kan'ya. Bumuntong hininga ako at tuluyang na upo. "Hayst. Anak? Didn't we talked about this already?" She pouted and bowed her head. "Sorry Mom, can't help but feel sad. Although I know that you're working for me, don't worry Mom, I will be strong girl na!" Her face suddenly lit up and she smiled. "I'll take a bath na so we can bond for your remaining time here!" Mabilis na tumayo si Beatrix at nag tungo sa kuwarto nito.

Sinundan ko ito ng tingin hanggang sa maka pasok s'ya. Time flew past nga naman. Dati she was just crawling around here eh. Ngayon malaki na at nanakbo. I will do and give everything for you my princess, but please not that wish for a father because me myself couldn't get to your father. He changed. He isn't the guy I met before.

The man that cares about me a lot. The man who became my bestfriend and lover the same time. The man who protected me from everything.

Your Dad doesn't care about anyone else now.

"Make sure to attend all of the seminars, counseling and practicing wife and husband ha? Omg I can't wait to be a grandmother!" I almost choked on my own saliva as the mention of grandmother. Matagal ka ng grandmother Tita Zara. "Mom? Can you please stop? Tsk. This all for convenience." His voice is icy as ever. I gave Tita Zara a small smile.

"We will, you can uh just leave us po. We know what to do na naman po eh." I said politely and she smiled widely and hug me. "Okay then anak, Vrax! Take care of your bride!" Vraxton groaned for response and dismissed his mother. Nang maka alis ang ginang napa hinga ako ng maluwag tumayo na. "Saan ka pupunta?" Kunot noo kong nilingon si Vraxton na naka upo sa sofa naka dekwatro ito at pinaglalaruan ang ballpen na hawak.

"Sa condo ko? Bakit?" He tsk at stress na bumuntong hininga. "Didn't you hear her?" My mouth gaped. I turn to him wholely and cross my arms. "We're gonna do that?"

He paused a bit and look at me blankly. "What do you think so?" I sighed and just sat down. "Let's make a deal." He look at me boredly.

"Spill."

"After six months." I exhaled harshly. "Since I guess that agreement is very I don't know, god. Fine, no. Let's just file an annulment." Walang gana itong tumingin sa akin. "You know how hard it is." Yes but I know we will just hurt each one with lies unrevealed. "Let's go." Tumayo ito sa pagkaka upo at kinuha ang cellphone at iilang mahalagang bagay sa desk.

Nag convoy kami pa-punta sa isang counseling building at unattend. Saglit lang din kami at nag attendance lang. Sumunod sa ibang events at huli ay ang food tasting. "Beef steak. This looks so delicious, come here!" Hinila ako nito papasok sa isang mamahaling event organizer/caterer na binook ni Tita Zara.

"Good afternoon sir and ma'am!"

"Valdivia." The lobby girl smiled widely. "Oh kayo po pala yan Sir? Omg ikakasal ka na po?" May saltik ba ang isang to? Anyways I just stood behind the bulky man and waited for their not so long chitchat. Was that kind of interrogation? I don't know.

"Ah Jake! Paki assist sila Sir Vrax please." Her voice sounded so flirty as the mention of Vraxton's nickname. Dali dali namang nag tungo ang lalaki sa banda namin at agad kaming in-approach. He guided us to the foods and Vraxton and I picked the most delicious food in their menu.

I don't even know why are we doing this for? Yet I enjoyed the moment with him, who am I kidding? His presence still makes my heart flutter. I was never like this to anyone swear. Even to Rae who was my 2 years boyfriend I just broke up with recently.

"You're quite." I jumped on his sudden appearance. My mouth parted and he sat beside me. I shook my head and gaze away. "I'm done we can go home. I just talked to the manager." I nodded in response. I don't want to talk. I'm exhausted. "Sige una ka na." Sabi ko na lang.

"May pupuntahan ka pa?" I didn't answer and stay still. "I thought you cleared your appointment for the week? I also did." I look at him confused. So what if I cleared my sched? "I mean we had a lot to work and I want it to be done because you know I'm a busy man." I nodded.

"P'wedeng ako na lang ang lalakad magpapa sama ako kay Tita Dinsylvia o kaya ... Sa mama mo?" Walang gana kong sabi. "Are you even thinking?" Umiling ako. "Can you just go away?" You're making me feel something you don't even mean. Why are you like this? Is this part of the game?