Compilation of Short Stories

Arrange Marriage

"You'll be in an arrange marriage" Napatayo ako sa sinabi ni Daddy.

"No way! May tao akong gustong pakasalan!" And it's Jack. My boyfriend.

"No...Do you remember? Walang silbi ang lahat ng gusto mo, 'cause in the end gusto ko lang din ang mananalo." He stood up as he left me standing here.

Bakit hindi niya nalang sundin ang gusto ng anak niya?!

My tears fell as my phone rings...

It's Jack...he's calling...

I wiped my tears before I answering the call.

"Y-yes baby?"

[are you crying baby?]

"No, I'm not. Why did you call?" Pagiiba ko ng usapan.

[I called you to say my Mom's plan.] biglaang lumungkot ang boses niya.

"What's her plan? plan about what?"

[she's planning to set me in an arrange marriage]

I started crying again. So parehas pala kaming iaarrange marriage? Ano pang silbi ng relationship namin?

"S-so? What did you said?"

[I agreed.] Hindi ko na napigilan ang tunog ng iyak ko. [baby I'm sorry.]

"I-it's okay."

[I'm really sorry...I love you, but I need to do this for us. I don't want to make my Mom disappointed. I'm really sorry Baby.]

"Jack, It's fine. I understand you."

[Thank you.]

I ended the call without even saying 'goodbye' nor 'iloveyou'.

Why does destiny do this to us?! Bakit kami pa ni Jack yung napili niyang pagtripan?!

~*~

Wala akong ginawa sa 5 araw kundi ang ireject ng ireject ang sinasabi ni Dad na arrange marriage. Hindi ako kumakain, hindi ako lumalabas ng kwarto, hindi rin ako pumapasok sa school. Para lang itigil ni Dad yung arrange marriage.

I really love Jack. Kaya kong maging kabit niya basta maging saakin pa din siya.

Sa limang araw din na iyon, hindi ko sinagot ang mga tawag ni Jack.

"Shanaya! You don't have the right to disagree the marriage! Malaki ang possibility na lumaki ang negosyo natin kapag sumangayon ka!" Dad always shouts me just to make me agree with that arrange marriage.

"Mas importante ba sainyo ang pera kesa sa gusto ng anak niyo?! Fuck it Dad!" I started crying again and again.

"Fine! Bahala ka na sa buhay mo!" Lastly he surrendered.

Napaupo nalang ako sa sahig ng kwarto ko nang lumabas si dad at binagsak ng sobrang lakas ang pintuan.

After 3 hours...My phone rings.

Jack...is calling.

[Baby...I have a good news! Yung babaeng dapat ikakasal saakin ay hindi pumayag!]

"really? that's good."

[really good baby...]

I ended the call. wala akong gana kausap ang ibang tao.

7 missed calls na ang natamo ko kay Jack.

"I'm sorry Jack."

~*~

Lumipat ako ng school nang hindi ko pinapaalam kay Jack. Nagsimula ako ng bagong buhay. 8 months na ang nakalipas. he's trying to call me but I don't answer his calls. Nagiba ako ng number for better.

"Anak, siguro naman hindi ka na tatanggi sa arrange marriage na ito ngayon?" I just nodded. wala na akong paki sa buhay ko.

"That's good! You'll meet the guy tomorrow. " I just nodded too.

Kinabukasan...

nagayos na ako dahil imeemeet ko daw ang iaarrange marriage saakin.

phone beeps...

1 new message.

from 0939*******
This is Jack. I'm happy that you are now free:) I think were officially broke. But I just want you to know that I accepted my mother's new favor. and that's to be arrange marriage with some random girl. Iloveyou:)

Bigla nalang nabasa ang phone screen ko. my gosh, naiyak ba ako? am i still affected? am i still inlove with him? but it's been long time.

"Anak...bumaba kana." Bumaba na ako at dumiretso sa kotse ko.

pagkadating ko sa starbucks umupo agad ako sa vacant seat, sabi ni daddy dito daw kami magkikita ng iaarrange marriage saakin.

"Hi miss." Napalingon ako sa lalaking nagsalita sa likuran ko.

"J...Jack?"

"Miss me?" He smirked.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko.

"Meeting my future wife." ngumiti siya ng sobrang lawak.

wait...I think it's a trap.

"I missed you." He hugged me.

Lumuhod siya sa harapan ko as he grab my right hand, may kinuha siyang box sa bulsa niya at binuksan sa harapan ko.

"Ms. Shanaya Gail Accopra, will you marry me?" My tears fell as I nodded to him.