Marriage for Convenience #1

Simula

"What the hell is your problem?!" Sigaw niya.

"I'm asking where did you go? Nakausap ko si Sheena kanina knowing na maaga ka daw umalis sa off-"

"Don't mess with what I want to do with my life." putol niya sa akin. Mariin ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin. It's already 2am in the morning at nakahanda parin ang pagkain sa hapag. Nag aantay sa pagdating niya.

"Hindi kaba muna kakain? Nagluto ako ng paborito mong kaldereta at-"

"Clean this mess. Wala na akong ganang kumain."

Yun lang ang sinabi niya at nagtungo na siya sa itaas.

I sit down for a while not knowing that some water shred my eyes. Naawa na ako sa sarili ko. I pitty what situation I have today. Pero sino ba ang niloloko ko? For almost 10 years, ito lang ang pinapangarap ko. But now, this became my worst nightmare.

I started to clean the food on the table.

Past 3am ng matapos ako at napagdisisyunan ko nang umakyat sa itaas ng mapadaaan ako sa conference room.

Napahawak ako sa aking bibig...

"Fuck Elena! Make it louder! I wanna hear you! You fucker!"

The woman response and they shared dirty moans... My husband is having a fuck call with another woman! Again.

The tears continue to fall down... Mukhang napagod nakong punasan ang mga luhang ito.

It's been a year pero wala namang nagbago samin ni Luca, ang totoo nga'y parang lumalala pa ang lahat.

Marriage for convenience ngang maituturing ang lahat. Alonzo's agreed to the marriage because they looth for what my family brought to them.

Alonzo's were very known for there political path, the reason why they need Ongpauco to support their back form finance to other businesses.

Alam ni dad kung gaano ko kagusto ang panganay ni Don Maximo. Ever since, it was Juan Carlos who stole my heart.

I remember when I was young, all the young Alonzo's were present to my birthday but there is the one who stand the best. And it was him.

Wearing a white tux, he definitely got my eye. Simula nang araw na yun, hindi na siya nawala sa isipan ko.

Every gathering, pilit akong pumupunta kahit na wala akong maintindihan sa business world because I know he's going to be there. Carying the name of Alonzo as the first born was really a huge duty. Kaya nang alukin ni dad si Don Maximo ay hindi na ito tumanggi pa. No one will herit the brokery business of Ongpauco other than me. My dad is too old now and I don't have any siblings. Bukod dun ay ipinangako ni dad na sino man ang susunod sa pulitika ay mahigpit na susuport ang aming pamilya.

I though it was already perfect. Lalo na nung pumayag si Luca na maikasal sakin. That made me the happiest and the saddest person at the same time dahil alam ko namang kahit kailan, hindi ako magagawang mahalin ng isang Juan Carlos Alonzo.

"Hello?"

"Yes Misis Alonzo? What can I do you for you in... 3am?"

"I want an annulment with my husband."

"Annulment? Ok. I'll give you a call later wh- What the fuck Selene? What happened? Sinaktan kaba ni Luca?" Tuloy-tuloy na tanong niya sa kabilang linya. I also heard her curse some words.

"It doesn't matter Bell. I want it now."

"Are you serious Selene? Baka nabibigla ka lang?"

"I'm dead serious. Gusto ko nang tapusin ang lahat."

If there is one thing I realized, yun ang hindi lahat ng gusto mo ay mapapasayo. Hindi lahat ng napasayo ay para talaga sa iyo. I'm not a princess, this isn't a fairytale. And this is no happy ending.