The Great Pretender's Obsession

Flashback (Kavius)

"Cave, may pupuntahan tayo ngayon. Magpatulong ka kay yaya sa paghahanap ng presentableng damit."

It was my mom. Minsanan lang ito kung umuwi, so as dad. I grew up without their care and so this is a surprise for me. Palaging mga kasambahay ang kasama ko sa bahay. As a kid, I never knew how it's like to have parents by my side.

"We're heading to my friend's house and you are going to meet your fiancee there. We've talked about this already, Cave. You're old enough to understand things."

I'm only fourteen. A high school student. How am I supposed to understand such ridiculous thing?

"This is Kyla. She's about your age and she is going to be your wife when you reach twenty-one."

Mukha ngang wala pa itong kamuwang-muwang sa mundo. She keeps on smiling at everyone and it just don't feel right. I don't feel anything. Marriage means you should be in love with one another. It's not supposed to be like this.

We sat at their not so huge garden. They were talking and I couldn't understand a thing. I just want to go home.

"Si Cream sana, ang kaso ay limang taon naman ang tanda dito kay Cave. At saka kolehiyala na 'yon at hindi dito sa amin nakatira."

In that very moment, someone stepped foot in the garden. She was very pretty with her ginger hair and green siren eyes. Matangkad at maganda ang hugis ng katawan. I could only gasp in surprise as I stare at her.

"Ma, nasa loob na 'yong cake. Hello po," she bowed a little and her siren eyes found mine. I wanted to flash a smile but my lips couldn't. It was just a mere second. Agad ring humiwalay sa akin ang kaniyang mga mata.

"I suppose you are Cream?" asked by my Mom.

Cream. What a lovely name.

"Yes po. Cream Margaux."

"Pumasok na tayo sa loob. Birthday kasi ng asawa ko ngayon at may maliit na handaan. Mabuti na ring dito kayo maghapunan."

She entered the house first and God knows how much I wanted to follow. It's a bad thing because I secretly wished she could be my wife.

"Bakit ganiyan ka makatingin sa ate ko? Gusto mo bang makipaglaro sa kaniya?" the nosy girl asked. "Hindi 'yon nakikipaglaro sa mga bata. Sabi ni Mama big girl na ang Ate Cream ko at marami na siyang priorities kaya wala na siyang oras para maglaro."

It's not like I wanted to play anyway. We entered their house and my eyes wandered. Hindi ko siya makita. Nasaan na ba 'yon?

"Where's your eldest?" Mom asked.

"Nasa kwarto iyon. Tuwing nandito ay panay ang aral ng batang iyon. Kahit bakasyon at walang klase ay puro aral pa rin ang inaatupag. Lalabas din iyon mamaya, siguro ay may ginagawa lang."

I frowned and wrinkled my nose. I wish to see her all the time. I wish to have her eyes fixated on me. It would be nice, huh.

Mayamaya rin ay lumabas siya. She gave me a glance. I thought she'll occupy the seat next to me. But then she continued walking and sat in front of my father. I wrinkled my nose in annoyance. I wasn't even sure if she did glance at me. Am I being delusional?

"There are a lot of threats out there. Araw-araw ay oras namin. We're always out and barely even home. At least for once, may magawa man lang kaming sa tingin namin ay tama para kay Cave."

I didn't pay any attention to what my mom was saying. All I did was stare at my food and then to her. Pabalik-balik dahil hindi ko kayang tignan siya ng matagal. Her ginger hair suits her porcelain skin tone. Her emerald orbs are breathtaking to look at.