MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 39: Runaway

Few days passed and it still lingers in my mind.

His last words...

"Keep the check. If you ever change your mind, let me know. It's a good deal for you. I won't let you go empty handed" he gave me a business card. "If you truly insist on staying on Tristan's life, then it's up to you. I will disown him and take back everything I gave him. Even my name. He will be a shame to our family"

He was a monster. Now I understand why Tristan hates his family. They are emotionally depressing.

Nakauwi na kami nila mama galing sa simbahan. Nakaupo kaming tatlo sa sala. Nanonood sila ng TV.

I took a deep breath. I haven't told anyone about the check and our conversation with Tristan's father. I don't know what to say.

"May problema ka ba, Chelsea?" tanong ni mama.

Tiningnan ko sya.

Hindi ako umimik.

"Come on, nag away ba kayo ni Tristan?" usisa nya pa.

Umiling ako. "Hindi ma.. Ano kasi."

I chose to say it. Kinuha ko ang tseke at ipinakita kay mama. Sinabi ko lahat lahat.

Matapos kong magkwento ay mataman nya akong tiningnan.

"Sinabi mo na ba kay Tristan?"

Umiling ako.

"Tell him" utos nya. "See what he has to say. Kayong dalawa ang magdecide"

"Ma" tiningnan ko sya. I was kinda expecting her to say leave Tristan be. Kasi yun naman ang tama di ba? Pero bakit lalong gumugulo ang usapan?

"Listen, Iha" pinatay nya ang TV. Both me and Chandria looked at her.

"Di ko alam kung nasabi ko na ito sa inyo noon, pero, kami ng Papa nyo, started in a very unusual situation. Hindi kami lovers bago kami ikasal. We are totally strangers." sabi nya.

Nagulat ako sa kwento nyang yun. Never syang nagkwento ng tungkol sa lovestory nila dati.

"Tulad ng ganyan, ipinagkasundo rin kami ng magulang namin. I get used to it, natutunan ko naman syang mahalin dahil nga wala na akong choice. Pero ang papa nyo, may ibang gusto."

"Is that why you two separated?" I asked.

Tumango sya. "Hindi maganda ang fixed marriage. It's forcing two people to be together. In the long run, they will end up parting"

"Kung ganun bakit nyo kami itinago kay papa nung bata pa kami? Naisip nyo naman siguro na hindi nya tayo hahanapin para balikan" naalala ko nung bata pa kami, palipat lipat kami ng lugar.

"Hindi nya tayo babalikan. Pero kukunin nya kayo" sa answered. "You are the only ones left to me. Mababaliw ako kung pati kayo mawawala"

Tears fell down from her eyes.

"Kinaya ko na iniwan nya tayo para balikan ang mahal nya. Pero hindi ako papayag na kunin nya kayo. I was torn from being forced to marry him, being one sidedly inlove with him for years. Do you think I will let another person suffer the same fate as me?" tanong nya sakin. She held my hand.

"Chelsea, Tristan is a good child. I'd rather trust him for you than make his family look down on us. Wag mong ipagbili ang dignidad natin. The right thing to do is give that money back to his father"

"Mama! 10 million kaya yan" Chandria protested. Being the wise girl she is.

Natawa ang mama ko. "Magsipag kayo sa pag aaral para makahanap kayo ng magandang trabaho. Makakaipon din kayo nyan"