Hussein De Russo's Chattels

Chapter Twenty-one

Kaori

Kaharap ko si Mommy at Daddy kasama si Hussein. Hussein wanted to do things in a hard and bloody way. Gusto yatang daanin sa santong paspasan. I was waiting for him to make a move, hindi 'yong puro lang siya salita. I low-key kept reminding him about mine and Aoki's wedding everytime we talk. We broke up but that doesn't mean I don't love him anymore. He's still the one I am into.

"Aren't you threatened yet, De Russo?" dad asked.

"No, Sir."

"Anak, what's this?" mahinahong tanong ni mommy sa 'kin.

"Mom, I can't marry Aoki. I don't want to." Iling ko.

"What do you mean?! Tatalikuran mo lahat para lang sa lalaking 'to?! You're unbelievable, Kaori!" Dad was beyond mad.

"With all due respect, Mr. and Mrs. Norhaya." Hussein casually interrupted. "Kaori is pregnant with my child. I have set my plans with her in the near future already."

"Don't fucking ruin my family, De Russo! You are nothing but a hindrance to my family's success!"

"By using your own daughter for personal benefits? That's a fucked up reason, Mr. Norhaya," Hussein chuckled.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay nito. He sensed it and turned to me with soft eyes.

"I know the secrets behind all this, Mr. Norhaya. I will have your daughter wether you like it or not."

Dad paled, so as mom. She looked worried for a second. The moment she turned to me, her eyes were pleading and is about to cry. Naramdaman ko ang sakit na dumaloy sa sistema ko nang makita iyon. Nangingilid na ang luha ng mommy ko at mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay ni daddy. I want to comfort my mom so bad.

"Kaori, tell this man to fuck off. You are getting married to Aoki and that's final! I don't care if it's his child you're bearing. You are marrying the man I chose for you." Mariing utos ni daddy.

"Dad, I don't want to marry Aoki!" I protested.

"That's my girl," Hussein gently whispered.

"You ungrateful brat! After all the things we did for you! How dare you!" Namula sa galit si daddy, si mommy naman ay umiiyak na.

My heart sank with the scene in front of me. My mad dad and the crying face of my mom. Para akong mabubuwal sa kinauupuan ko.

"Shout at my wife again and we'll have to do this my way, Mr. Norhaya. I don't give a damn if you're her father. I play dirty more than you do." Hussein's voice roared in the room.

He was just sitting like a master but with a daunting expression.

"Kaori, don't do this to us. You already agreed to this, you can't back out now." Mom sobbed.

"Mom, I will never be happy with this marriage. We can still figure things out. We'll think of some alternatives. H-hindi ko pala talaga kaya, Mommy. Sorry po."

Tangina. Parang no'ng isang araw lang go na go pa ako sa pagpapakasal kay Aoki. I was so sure with my decisions. Pero napagtanto kong hindi ako magiging masaya kapag pinakasalan ko si Aoki. At alam kong gano'n rin siya sa 'kin. Pareho kaming naiipit sa sitwasyong hindi naman namin ginusto. I'll be stuck with a loveless unhappy marriage.

"Kaori..." nanginig ang labi ni mommy nang sunod-sunod ang pag-agos ng luha ko.

"Tinanggap ko 'to ng buo noon, pero hindi ko talaga kakayanin ang manatili sa isang bagay na hindi ko gusto, mommy. This marriage is just for show. I have this man whom I love, mommy. Marriage is not something to be joked about. I can't do marriage for convenience." Napalunok ako. "I will never learn to love Aoki just because we were married in papers. Iba kasi 'to sa sitwasyon niyo ni Daddy. Mahal ko po si Hussein at nagbunga nga po 'yon. Hussein initiated what happened between us and I gave him full consent because I wanted it too."