Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 24

"Fuck that arranged marriage!" Ate Grapes exclaimed immediately upon learning that Mommy and Daddy's decision regarding the marriage was final. "Are they out of their minds, again?!"

"Kailan ba naging matino 'yon?" walang kwentang tanong ni Kuya Mark.

Nagbabasa siya ng diyaryo. Kung umasta siya parang ang dami na niyang anak. "Sino ba ang ipapakasal sa 'yo, Aphle?"

"Si Sir Zade, Kuya," sagot ko. "Adviser ko siya noong grade 11. Hindi ko lang alam kung magiging subject teacher ko pa ba siya next academic year."

"Teacher mo ang papakasalan mo?" kunot noong tanong sa akin ni Kuya. Tumango naman ako. "How much is your age gap?"

"7 years, Kuya," sagot ko ulit.

"Zade?" Kuya Mark appeared to have a sudden recollection. He faced Ate Grapes, who looked troubled. "So that's why you're having issues with that, Grapes."

Ate Grapes gazed at Kuya Mark, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me, Kuya. Don't speak when you're uninformed," she retorted.

"What do you mean, thing that I don't know?" sarkastikong tanong ni Kuya kay Ate. "Alam ko kayang mahal—" Hindi na naipagpatuloy ni Kuya Mark ang kaniyang sasabihin nang takpan ni Ate Grapes ang kaniyang bibig.

Kaagad na tinanggal ni Kuya ang kamay ni Ate sa kaniyang bibig bago kumuha ng sigarilyo sa isang pakete.

"Anong plano natin, Kuya?" problemadong tanong ni Ate Grapes.

Nagtaas sa kaniya ng kilay si Kuya. "Anong plano? Mukha bang papayag si Mom at Dad na hindi maikasal ang isa sa mga anak niya roon sa anak ng gobernador sa bayang 'to?"

"Pwede bang mag-volunteer?" tanong ni Ate Grapes. Halatang desidido siyang hindi ako maikasal kay Sir Zade.

Ngumisi sa kaniya si Kuya Mark. "Para-paraan ka rin," nakangisi nitong sinabi.

Ate Grapes threw a throw pillow at him. Fortunately, Kuya Mark was mature enough not to seek revenge.

Ate Grapes ceased hitting Kuya Mark when the doorbell suddenly rang at the gate. Aling Nita emerged from the kitchen and proceeded outside.

"May bisita ka?" tanong ni Ate Grapes. I shook my head because I didn't expect any visitors.

I looked at Aling Nita when she entered smiling. "Nandiyan mga kaibigan mo. Ayaw na namang pumasok. Hanggang ngayon nahihiya pa rin," naiiling niyang sinabi.

I was momentarily surprised before bidding farewell to Ate and Kuya, informing them that I was stepping out to meet my friends.

Frowning slightly to the right, I noted that they hadn't mentioned they were planning to visit. Upon exiting, I spotted them outside the gate. I approached them and swung open the gate further. "Come in."

"Angas nung kotseng 'yon, oh. Double parking pa," sambit ni Daniel bago ituro ang kotse ni Kuya at Ate na nakaparada sa labas ng bahay. Hindi man lang pinasok sa garahe.

"Nandito sina Ate at Kuya," sambit ko nang maisarado ko ang gate.

"Hala, wrong timing pala pagbisita namin?" saad ni Sovie.

I smiled and shook my head at her. "It's fine. They're both nice," I said.

As I entered, Ate and Kuya were deep in conversation. I approached them, my friends following closely behind. "Ate, Kuya, meet my friends: Sovie, Daniel, Janser, Juniel, Kuya Zhack, and Yhael."

"Are they poor?" Kuya Mark asked bluntly.

"Kuya," Ate Grapes said in a warning tone.

Kuya turned to her innocently. "What? I'm just asking. You know how Mom and Dad are. They don't exactly like people who aren't well-off," he said, then walked away.