Forever Trapped

Chapter 2

"No," I stared at my brother and waited for him to say that it was all a prank or that he is joking pero parang sinusukat niya lang ang tingin ko. This is my specialty. I can glare at him all I want until he gives up and finally says that it's all just a prank.

But it's been almost a minute at seryoso pa rin ang mukha niya.

"Did the girl blackmail you or something?" I asked. Dahil kung oo, aba, that's one of my specialties. I can make that- whoever that woman is back out. I swear, I'll do it. I really wished that moment Kuya Zander would sigh and tell me that that woman is blackmailing him but he just shook his head. Fuck. "Did our parents blackmail you or something?" I asked, hoping this time, he'd say yes.

That would definitely make my parents selfish but it's better than the last and worst guess I have.

He again shook his head. "They want me to marry her but they didn't force me."

Napaawang ang bibig ko. Wow. Just fucking wow.

"So, you're simply... an asshole?" I can't think of a better word or a better explanation.

"Stop it, Zahara. I'm still your older brother. Show me some respect."

I just raised both my hand in defeat. Nasisiraan na ba talaga siya ng utak? I know he made it his life mission to grant every parent's wish but this is just stupidity at a new level. "Act like one. My goodness! Show yourself some respect. I was okay with you dating some other rich man's daughter kahit na parang business meetings ang date niyo. It's different this time, brother. Marriage? Marriage? Are you out of your mind?"

"You don't understand-"

"For the record, wala akong balak intindinhin ka. It's either I'd die trying or I become stupid like you too." Napahawak ako sa ulo kong bigla an lang bumigat sa sakit. I tried to massage my temples to lessen the dizziness I feel. Who would have thought that time will come, he would be the cause of my headache. "And I was often told I am the nuisance in our family."

I can't believe him really. I just want to scream at his face para magising naman siya diyan sa katangahan niya but I'm not going to be stressed tonight. Kuya Zander has been a fool for a long time now, he needs to wake up and clean his own mess. He's making a mess right now, I just know it. Well, everyone probably knows it even himself but that idiot- stress!

At times like this, I feel so relieved that my parent's expectations of me are already low.

People can say the nicest thing about parents but they are not perfect. I am glad mine couldn't control me.

I can wear what I want. I will study what I want. Hell, I will fucking marry someone I choose not that I want to get married to. I'm unintentionally spoiled rotten. Mostly because they already gave up on me and let me live my own life. They can try pero mapapagod lang sila kung susubukan nila akong gawing perfect- according to their own definition of perfection.

'On my way'

I sent the message to Mikee.

I looked at my reflection at the car window. Just making sure na hindi ko dadalhin ang problema ng magaling kong kapatid sa party na pupuntuhan ko. For my fucking sanity, I need to see other people.

And by other people, I mean one of my old friends Cynthia. I was quite surprised to see her party invitation. Hindi na pala siya sa club nagpa-party. Mukhang nag bagong buhay na ata ang gaga at talagang resort na ang venue. This is a good thing, I guess. It's like a mini-vacation, something like that.

"Happy Birthday, you blonde!"

Cynthia changed her hair to blonde! Agad akong na-excite nang makita ang pagbabago niya. LA really changed her and girl, the change is so good. Umikot naman siya na para bang masayang-masaya sa compliment ko. She looks really great though!