AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 32: Spoiled

Clark looked so pissed off and he was silent as he drove along the busy road of Buendia.

It was confusing me, like, for real. Mum told Clark that if he wouldn't take me, he couldn't have me. And if Clark wanted to have me and take care of me, he should marry me—and Mum has a point on that one. Hindi ko naman kasi nurse si Clark para obligahin siyang alagaan ako forever. Based on Mum's tone earlier, it wasn't like she badly wanted him for me kasi favorite niya lang si Clark. Nag-warn na siya na kung hindi kami magkakasundo about sa setup, layuan na lang ako ni Clark.

Parang mas tanggap ko pa ang reason ni Mum na kaya kami ikakasal ni Clark is because she wanted to brag him sa mga kumare niya. Because right now, no matter how hard I convince myself that Mum was just being maldita, she wasn't, and she has all the reasons to be rational about everything involving me and Clark.

Ang hirap depensahan ng side ko kasi may point si Mum. And the saddest part of it? Nawawalan ng sense ang lahat ng reasons ko para tumanggi.

My eyes were focused on the road when I asked Clark, "Bakit ka nasa Dasma?"

I heard him sigh so loudly that he needed to open the car window just to breathe.

Naguguluhan ako. Everything doesn't make any sense to me.

"Clark."

"Alam mo, Sab, gusto kong magalit kay Tita," sagot niya na malayo sa tanong ko, at ramdam na ramdam ko ang inis sa mga salitang 'yon.

"Mum's just controlling the situation—"

"Kaya nga!" galit na sigaw niya na halos ikaatras ko sa upuan.

Hindi na ako nakasagot. Napalunok na lang ako habang nakatitig sa galit na mukha niya.

He just took me from Mum after she threatened him to have me or leave me; now what?

"Galing akong Sun-Dias," biglang sabi niya, at nakikita kong ang bigat ng paghinga niya habang nagsasalita. Nakailang lingon pa siya sa gilid, umiiwas na makita ko. Saglit siyang nagbuka ng bibig, parang may sasabihin, but nothing—wala siyang sinabi. Huminga lang ulit nang malalim.

The suspense was killing me. And it felt as if I asked for a reason why he was mad, feeling ko, lalo lang siyang magagalit.

Alam na naming hindi kami mananalo kay Mum. After all, hindi naman paupo-upo lang sa bahay ang mommy ko. She manages people, she controls businesses, and she's a hard worker despite the fact that even if she didn't work, Dad could provide for her everyday lifestyle. Mas mayaman si Dad, but that doesn't mean she has no money on her own. And when she wants something done, she'll do everything to get it done as soon as possible.

"Did Mum block your amendments?" I asked in the middle of our silence.

"Nakipag-meeting ka na ba before kay Mr. Gonzalo?" tanong niya na malayo na naman sa ine-expect kong sagot.

"You mean Felipe Gonzalo?"

"Oo."

"Yeah. He's an investor sa Sun-Dias."

"Kasama si Madame O?"

"Yes."

"Saan?"

I tried to recall the place. "Hindi ko matandaan kung sa Manila Pen o sa Heritage."

"Ano'ng ginawa n'yo roon?"

"Meeting?" I answered, confused, and I started to wonder what these questions were for.

"Meeting lang?"

"May body inspection sila."

Saka lang niya ako nilingon at halatang bad mood pa rin. "Bakit ka iba-body inspection?"