Carrying the Real Trophy ✓

Chapter X

X: Truth

"Did you pack all the pasalubong, Riki?!"

Isa-isa kong nilaanan ng tingin ang mga dadalhin namin. After inspecting the things, I nodded even though she can't see me. All of the food and goods that we will be bringing them is in the bag.

"Yes, mom!" sigaw ko.

Hindi nagtagal ay nilagay naming dalawa ni dad ang mga dala sa trunk. I was still talking to dad outside when mom sped off to the car. Naiinip na siguro saamin. I'm persuading dad of my solid hunch, that's why.

"Trust me, dad. She is not happy with her current life," I told him with complete confidence.

Kanina ko pa sinasabi sa kaniya na nakakasigurado akong hindi masaya si Azura sa kaniyang asawa. Since they got married, which was around three months ago, I haven't heard anything new about her. She isn't bragging about her husband to our family and friends or expressing her happiness in her marriage. Wala na kaming balita sa kanila kaya napagdesisyunan naming bisitahin ang mga ito.

"Let's just have a look, Riki. I honestly think that they are living a simple life. . . Just like we do! Kanina ka pa sa bagay na 'yan."

I grimaced. "No one can change my mind, dad."

He smiled at me before entering our car. "Malalaman natin mamaya. Get in the car, sweetheart."

Talunan akong naiwan sa labas. I sulked for a while. Then I heard my mother ask about what we discussed outside before getting in the car. Ako sa backseat, si mom ang sa shotgun.

"She said she misses Rafael," dad answered.

My eyes widened. "Dad!"

"You're denying it?" Dad smirked at me.

Kahit na sabihin kong hindi at sabihin kung ano ang totoong sinabi ko kanina kay dad, my mother would be upset with me for having those thoughts. Baka hindi pa ako isama.

I sighed. "Oo na. M-Miss ko na nga. . ."

She clicked his tongue repeatedly.  "That's what love do to people, huh?"

Natahimik ako sa sinabi ni mom. It would be best to keep quiet and enjoy the ride while they are having their own talk. Ayaw ko na lang makisali dahil ako ang naiipit. 

Nang simulang paandarin ni dad ang kotse, napunta ang mga mata ko sa labas at natulala dahil sa naiisip.

How does love affect people?

If you were forced to marry someone, is it possible to fall in love with them? Posible bang mahalin mo ang tao na naging dahilan kung bakit naputol ang kalayaan at kasiyahan mo?

Pakiramdan ko'y pareho kami ng pananaw ni Azura pagdating sa pag-ibig. Hindi man kami madalas na magka-usap, napapansin ko namang may pagkakatulad kaming dalawa.

Every time my mother and grandmother make her meet the man before the wedding preparation, she always has such a sorrowful expression on her face. Para bang gusto niya na lang na maglaho. And before the wedding, I witnessed her crying. Iyak nang iyak, hawak ang litrato ng kaniyang yumaong ina habang nasa sulok. I'm not sure whether that's the reason, but I'm positive it is.

Ang pinagka-iba ko lang sa kaniya, hindi ako takot na sabihin ang gusto kong sabihin sa kanila. Hindi ako takot na sabihin ang nararamdaman ko sa mga mali o 'di makatuwid na ginagawa nila pagdating saakin. I don't do that kind of crap, that is not me. . . Whereas she is powerless. Maybe she'll become like me if she has the power or the courage? Kung buhay pa kaya ang mga magulang ni Azura, masaya kaya siya ngayon?

Ngunit kahit na ganoon, may kinakatakot pa rin ako katulad niya. Na baka ituloy pa rin ng mga magulang ko na ipakasal ako sa taong hindi ko mahal kahit na tumanggi ako nang paulit-ulit.