Versailles Series Book 10: The Reporter [ONGOING]

CHAPTER 1

10 years ago...

S A V A N N A H

"Are you sure, you'll marry this guy, Savannah?"

I sat across from my parents as I told them how Joshua proposed to me last night. Joshua Costales, my boyfriend of three years asked for my hand at our favourite restaurant last night when we celebrated our third anniversary.

Joshua and I met in our last year in college while we were taking up Broadcast Communication. Sinagot ko ito noong nag-graduate kami at ngayon ay pareho kaming nagta-trabaho sa Royal Broadcasting Network. Nasa field work ito para sa mainstream news program habang ako naman ay anchor sa 24-hour English news channel ng network. Nagustuhan ng management ang paraan ko ng pag-uulat ng balita at marami rin akong naging followers kaya nalipat ako kaagad pagkatapos ng isang taon.

My parents never approved of my relationship with Joshua but I love him. Ito ang lalaking gusto kong makasama habang buhay. Mabait naman ito at maalaga. Wala na akong mahihiling pa. Pareho namang maganda ang mga karera namin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ito gusto ng mga magulang ko. Kahit ang mga kapatid ko na sina Delilah, Nianah, at Jonah ay hindi gusto si Joshua.

"You're just twenty-three, anak."

Robert and Claridad Agbayani are my parents. They may be separated but they remained good friends. I used to look up at their marriage even if they told me they never married for love. I had this illusion in my young mind that they were just so in love with each other. That's also the reason why the separation was amicable. They still live in the same house but sleep in different rooms. It's like they were just happy to be in the company of each other.

"Age is just a number, Ma. Besides, bakit po ba ayaw niyo kay Joshua? May nagawa po ba siya sa inyo? May nasabi po ba siya? May nagawa po ba siya?"

My father exhaled. I can feel his disappointment. "I just don't feel good about him, Savannah. I can't explain it."

"Well, Pa. It's what I feel that matters here. Ako ang ikakasal sa kanya, hindi naman kayo." Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanila. I have been a good daughter. Ito lang naman ang ikasisiya ko, bakit ba hinahadlangan nila?

"He didn't even come here to ask for your hand."

I shook my head and avoided their eyes. "You're just traditional."

"I don't want you to make a mistake. Bata ka pa. Nagmamadali ba kayo?"

"Like both of you did?"

I saw my mother's face fall with what I said. I felt bad instantly but what can I do? Why can't they let me just be happy?

"Do you really love that guy to talk to our parents that way?"

I rolled my eyes as Delilah came into view. Dahil bunso ako, tingin nilang lahat ay hindi ako sigurado sa mga desisyon ko sa buhay.

"Even I don't feel okay with that guy," bakas ang disgusto nito sa mukha.

I stood up. "Well, I will marry him anyway. Whether you like it or not."

Delilah exhaled. "Go. Gawin mo kung anong gusto mo. Ganyan ka naman eh." Dahil bunso ako, sa mata ng mga kapatid ko, nasusunod ang gusto ko parati.

I walked out of the room and went upstairs to my bedroom. Tinawagan ko si Joshua para sabihin dito ang nangyari.

"Hindi okay sila Mama at Papa. Pero alam mo naman sila, hindi naman sila naging masaya para sa atin kahit kailan."

Joshua exhaled. "Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi nila ako gusto. Inaalagaan naman kita di ba, baby?"