Carrying the Real Trophy ✓

Chapter I

Prologue

I was miserable and had many self-doubts to myself. I did believe that nobody could make them disappear entirely. However, at that moment, he came and proceeded to bestow kisses upon my blemishes and effectively obliterated them from existence.

I felt the sensation of being a trophy that someone would cherish in perpetuity. To be adored in such, to be treated with the utmost care and reverence as if one were an invaluable and unattainable gem beyond the reach of mere money.

But that trophy shattered into irreparable pieces. . . leaving him in a state of despair, anguish, and ire. And despite his valiant efforts to mend it, the damage was too severe and irreversible that rendered it exhausted and in dire need of repair—but not by him anymore.

く⁠コ⁠:⁠彡

I: Darling

"Arigato, mina-san."

Pinagmasdan ko nang mabuti si Azura habang kausap ang mga bisita at pamilya namin. Bakas sa kaniyang mga mata na hindi siya masaya kahit na may ngiti sa labi. She had to marry a stranger under duress. But not an absolute stranger, I guess. Kilala ng mga kamag-anak namin ang lalaki. They forced her to marry him since my mother and grandmother knows he's suitable for her.

"When are we expecting a child, Azura? Mas maganda kung mag-resign ka na sa 'yong trabaho at ituon mo na lamang ang oras mo sa pagiging housewife," my mother told her.

"Oba? Hindi 'yan kasali sa napag-usapan natin. I am not resigning—"

Nakita kong humigpit ang hawak ni lola sa mga kamay niya. Her face displayed shock mixed with terror.

"You are resigning, Azura. Ano na lamang ang iisipin ng asawa mo sa'yo kung hindi ka magre-resign? He would think that since you are still working, he is meaningless to you! Baka isipin niyang ayaw mo siyang alagaan tuwing uuwi siya ng bahay. . . o baka isipin niya ring ayaw mo siyang pagsilbihan! You have a husband now. Ibahin mo na ang mga nakasanayan mo."

"Lola naman—" My grandmother cut her off by shooking her head.

"Azura, just. . . take in what I said. Be your husband's caretaker at home," may pagdiin sa boses niyang sinabi.

"Your grandmother is right. Sundin mo na lang ang mga payo namin para walang maging problema, Azura. It's simple and easy."

My mother chuckled as she stroked my grandmother's hair. They were incredibly close to each other. . . like a braid that you can never undo. Laging magkasundo sa lahat ng bagay. Masyadong mahal ang kanilang mga asawa. They are overly devoted to their culture and family.

Hahanap sila ng naaayon na lalaki para sa'yo. Ngunit hindi ba nila naiisip kung sasaya kami kapag sila ang pipili kung sino ang dapat naming mahalin? I just don't get it.

Why. . . Why would you make someone fall in love when they don't even want to? Hindi naman pinipilit iyon. Kusang dumarating ang pag-ibig.

This tradition of theirs truly annoys me.

I feel bad for my cousin.

Wala na siyang mga magulang. Tanging ang aking ina at lola na ang tumayong magulang niya. But that only makes her unfortunate. Malaki raw ang utang na loob niya sa kanila kaya kailangan niyang sundin ang mga utos nito.