Earthquake (Disaster Series #3)

Kabanata 8

Type

"Laurent, don't tell me you have forgotten about your fiance, Angelo?" Mama said to me one dinner.

Nakataas ang kilay niya sa akin habang marahan at pino ang kilos na pinunasan ang kamay ng table napkin.

I heard Papa clear his throat. Knowing that he is about to say something, Mama immediately raised her hand to stop him.

"Oh, don't get me started again, Aime. Alam kong kakampihan mo na naman 'to. You're spoiling her rotten. Reason why she's starting to rebel!"

Mariin akong napapikit. I badly wanted to leave the table right now but I know too damn well that that will anger her even more.

"I...I'm sorry, Ma. I haven't forgotten about him, of course. I just got busy with school lately," sa maliit na boses na sabat ko.

She snickered and shook her head.

"Oh child, you don't understand, do you? Spend time with him!"

"B-But you said it's unladylike if a girl asks a boy out for a date."

Napakagat ako sa labi dahil sa nasabi. Damn it. Magagalit na naman si Mama nito.

Nang akala ko sisinghalan na ako ni Mama ay saglit din siyang natigilan. She blinked but instantly composed herself. She straightened her back and held her chin up, looking back at me with her twitching lips.

"I will arrange that myself. You'll spend time with him tomorrow at a fancy restaurant. You have to look your best and impress him," she critically said.

I let out a small unnoticeable sigh and nodded at Mama's words. Guess I can't go to Isla del Deseo after school, huh.

"That's enough now. Let's eat now, Beatrice." Papa gently smiled at her as if soothing her temper.

Marahan akong napailing at nawalan na ng ganang kumain. So, I was basically at the dining table, sipping on my juice, and only waiting for them to get done.

Nang dumating ang bukas at nakauwi na ako mula sa school ay wala na akong nagawa pa. Dalawang katulong ang tumulong na ayusan ako. One on my makeup and one on my hair. I won't ever get this treatment at all. It feels so odd and uncomfortable.

I wonder how Ate survived this with each and everyday day of her life? Kahit pa nga siguro sa Manila, kung saan siya nakatira sa Lolo't Lola niya, ganitong setup pa rin. Mama always meddles with everything concerning vanity, being prim, proper, and ladylike when it comes to us.

I'm just glad I'm not really her real daughter. Mas maluwag siya sa akin kompara kay Ate. Although my punishments are somehow more heavier, masaya pa rin ako na hindi siya masyadong nakatutok sa akin.

That rumor that spread at school about me being more into girls was the only thing that triggered her to be more strict with me.

I sighed when they were done fixing my face and my hair for me and politely murmured a thank you before they left my room.

Nanatili akong nakatitig sa vanity mirror sa harap. They did my makeup so good that I don't seem to recognize myself. I look like a soft girl, almost like an angel who couldn't break anything. I look fragile.

And I don't want that.

Dagdagan pa ng dress na ipapasuot ni Mama sa akin. It's a soft pastel pink halter neck dress. It fits my upper body perfectly and its skirt is flowy that falls above my knee. She even prepared a white strappy sandals for me. Lahat siya ang pumili.

Ang ganda ko. Mukhang hindi ipapamigay para lang mas lumakas pa ang kompanya ng pamilya.

Guess this is the price I have to pay since they took me under their roof huh? Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako. I can still find my way out of this. Mama and Papa won't marry me off unless I'm done with college. Nasa third year pa lang ako, marami pang pwedeng mangyari.