You and Me Against the World

Chapter Two

Meeting the Devil's Son

I just felt that someone is looking at me. Unti-unti kong minulat ang aking mga mata para lang makita ang isang taong ayaw ko na sanang masilayan.

"What are you doing here?!" Tanong ko sakanya habang inililibot ng aking mga mata ang paligid. Hindi ito ang kwarto ko at nakumpirma ko yon ng maramdaman ko ang pagkirot ng aking kaliwang kamay. Then I remembered that I passed out while talking to Atty. Cruz.

"How are you feeling hija?" Tanong niya not minding answering my question.

"Why do you care?!" Asking him with irritation.

I heard him sighed before saying, "I'm here to tell you that you have to meet my son very soon."

"Why would I do that?!" Is he crazy? Isn't he aware that I do not want to meet his son? For goodness sake! Wala akong planong gawin ang gusto niya.

"I believe my Atty. discussed it to you clearly Ms. Villanueva. Your parents owe me a lot. And you're a part of the payment sa mga utang niya sakin!" I can feel his anger with his words.

"I thought you're my dad's friend? Then why are you doing this? Kung kaibigan mo tlga siya, bakit mo kami pinapahirapan?" I may sound stupid but I don't care anymore. Ayaw kong makasal sa anak niya. I haven't had my boyfriend yet. Kahit maraming nagkakandarapa saakin wala akong pinansin sakanila because I wanted to focus with my career first.

"Yes. He is my friend. But business is business honey. And a deal is a deal."

"You're a monster! Magkano ba ang utang ng daddy ko sayo? I'll pay them kahit pa magkanda kuba-kuba na ako!" Asik ko sakanya.

"50 billion darling. Now tell me, how can you possibly pay that? You don't even have a work. Fresh graduate, no experience." Natigilan ako. 50 billion? Bakit ganon kalaki ang utang ng dad ko? San ako maghahanap ng ganun kalaking pera?

He smirked at me. "Now tell me, how are you going to pay me?"

I cannot say anything. I don't know how to answer his question and it damn hurts.

"Well I have a proposition to you, you marry my son and your parents debt will be erased. Or your dad will be put to jail if you won't be able to pay me within a year. You choose."

A year? San ako kukuha ng 50 billion sa loob ng isang taon? Kahit ibenta ko pa lahat ng meron ako pati katawan ko malabong magkaroon ako ng ganoong kalaking pera. A tear escaped my eye. Nanghihina ako. Parang anytime hihimatayin ako.

"Tell me your answer tomorrow. Babalik ako bukas dito. Be ready for a positive answer." Yun lang at lumabas na siya.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang paghagulgol. Ang sakit sakit ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. Bakit ngayon pa nangyari lahat ng to?

I've decided to see my dad na dito rin sa ospital na ito nakaconfine. He is still in the ICU pero mas okay na siya kesa sa dati.

I sat on the chair beside his bed. I touched his hand and cried. I pour everything to him. Lahat ng sakit ng loob na nararamdaman ko ngayon. I should be mad at him. But I know that he did that for us. All my life my dad is there for me. He supported me in all aspects and who am I to be mad at him for a single mistake?

I'm a daddy's girl ever since and this is the right time for me to pay back all the things he has done for me. I have decided. I just hope that I won't regret it afterwards.

Kinabukasan, nagising ako ng maaga. I'm not really sure kung natulog nga ba ako. I'm praying that everything will be okay. Bahala na.

Someone knocked on the door. I waited and the door opened. "Good morning hija. How are you feeling? I hope you have an answer to me now." Don Ferrer said. Just like the first time, he's wearing a suit. Ang gwapo niya para sa edad nito.