Beneath the Hacienda: The Loop Series

The Edge

Right before I was born, my future had already been specified: what to study, what business I should run, and whom I'd spend the rest of my life with. I was born without a choice but was only made to function like a tool that maintains the reputation of my family. All of those details were already validated in a contract signed by my parents and his. Who is he? I never want to know.

One night, I was supposed to meet him but at the age of 18, it felt like I was also meeting the person whom I will be. I couldn't bear the thought that instead of celebrating my birthday, an engagement had to interrupt. My parents hired the best cosmetic team to make sure I shine the brightest among the loop: the Osmenas, the Sampsons, the Medils, and the Umalis. I represented, of course, the last name that adores arranged marriages-the Tans.

As trying to start Undi's car, I could hear people singing me a happy birthday from a distance. There is a physical representation of me at the stage right now though, whom is of course, Undria Osmena. She is my bestfriend. Good thing our family is discrete-meaning, people do not even know how I look! They would have mistaken me from her and only my parents and the daughters of the loop would know. All of us grew up together in an exclusive camp based in Batanes where education and values were molded. This disgusting event is my ultimate phobia and the only way to cope up with it is to play the game, myself, rather than be the one played.

"Happy birthday to meeee.....," I ended the song as I picture out Undi facing the audience as the flash of cameras rain on her, while I on the other hand, could feel the fresh wind with both my hands up for the short freedom, and letting the car drive itself. "Woaaaah!!!"

Finally, I reached my intended destination. I call the bridge miles away from home "the edge." My feet were excited to hurriedly get down near the bars, in which I took a step to stand on the first rows. The sea was as calm as my thunderous feelings as I bottoms-up a bottle of Jägermeister.

"F*ck you! I'm not a doll you could give as a gift, also why would you give a doll to a guy? Give him a bloody robot!"

As I checked, I am halfway there on my alcoholic journey. After consuming this happiness of mine held by my hand, I swear I will go home and lure the Tans of how obedient I will be the next time. They've invested a lot of millions for my day which actually turned out to be theirs, and now is Undi's. If business resides, then they've lost.

"Do you think all guys like a bloody robot?" someone suddenly answered loud from afar. All I could see were blurry figures but I could tell that it was an opposite sex who answered, which made me even frightened. What if this is really "the edge"?

"Hey! Stay right there! Don't come near me or else I will call the police," I warned him. Threat is sometimes one of the best self-defense, especially when you don't have any weapon available.

"Don't worry, girls in gowns are not my type," he answered wherein I could hear steps walking near me, the blurry figures maximized. Damn, what a weak shit I am right now especially when I am emotionally unstable, Mr. Jager mercilessly takes over. No one talked but I could feel that he is inches near me wherein my elbows touch his. He began humming an unfamiliar tune.

"Tell me, what are you doing here right now dressed like that?" he broke the silence after half an hour. Should I be transparent to him? Should I trust this stranger? What if he is actually a paparazzi whom is obsessed with the loop?

"Let's not talk about those things," and happiness is emptied.

"Then, sing." Of all the answers, it was the least that I expected. Sing?

"Any lyrics that fit to how you feel. If you don't want me to know then, don't make it specific. Use symbols." Is he kidding? My voice invites a reunion of varied typhoons and he was sure to take the risk. What a brave man. Okay, here it goes.

"Flowers should stay in the garden, and not be picked to be given

So they grow with their roots, and not be in a vase or bouquet."

Suddenly, my disoriented melody was balanced by this weird acquaintance to my right as he finishes the instant collaboration.

"Let her bloom if she wants and wither with time,

And I will be her sunshine.

Let her sway with the wind and cry from the pain,

And I will be her rain."

Again, the atmosphere was quiet and he was humming another unfamiliar tune-but somehow I get to also hum an unfamiliar tune with him. Then our eyes met and for the first time in my birthday, I smiled. "Chazka," I introduced myself and initiated for a shake hand, but instead he intertwined our fingers together. "Matt," he whispered. A name I wish my soon-to-be husband had.