Chapter Two

“HONEY calm down!"

Salubong ang kilay ni Red nang magawang lingunin ang mama niya.

Her mother tried to touch her hand but she didn't let her. She was just standing there, unable to move. Hindi niya matanggap ang isiniwalat nito. If it isn't her Tita Astrid's gleeful thought, she wouldn't know that she'd been deal by her parents.

"Oh God!" hindi makapaniwalang bulalas ni Red dahil sa frustration na nararamdaman. She had enough! "You're just joking right, mama? Nagbibiro lang kayong lahat diba?"

Pero ang ginang ay umiwas lang ng tingin at pagkuwan ay bumuntong hininga. She can't believe it really!

"I'm sorry, balae. I didn't mean to spill the beans that soon. Alam ko ang pinag-usapan natin. I... I was just carried away. Ang tagal naman kasing dumating ni Tim," her Tita Astrid's apologetic words clouded her mind but it settled to the most foreign word for her.

Balae. Wow! She let out an exasperated laugh before shaking her head.

"I can't believe this! Ano na naman ba 'to?"

Hindi niya maiwasang mapataas ang boses. And she's not sorry for that. Tiningnan niya ang kanyang mama na kanina pa tahimik simula nang aksidenteng masabi ng Tita Astrid niya ang mga sekreto ng mga ito. Secrets her ass! Her mother is just staring at the man who popped in when she was about to have her righteous exit from this horrible situation. Nakatingin ito sa lalaking sinasabi ng kanyang Tita Astrid na Tim.

Oh God! This is really making my head hurt! Naisaloob na lang ni Red ang mga katagang iyon.

It's Fallon Timothy del Rio! The sought-after bachelors in the country! The man that her mom and Tita Astrid agreed for her to marry! Good heavens! She can't believe it.

Huli na nang rumehistro sa kanyang isip ang apelyido ng kanyang Tito Miguel---Del Rio. Of for fuck sake! He's his son! Unti-unting nabuo ang lahat sa magulong isip niya. The lunch meeting, the place, her Tita Astrid's reaction upon seeing her and accidentally spilling the beans, and Fallon Timothy del Rio.

"Oh God! I must be losing my mind!" Napalakas ang boses ni Red dahilan para mapalingon sa kanya ang ibang kumakain sa restaurant na iyon.

Red knew for herself that she didn't care at all! Hindi niya rin alam kung gaano na siya katagal sa pagkakatayo simula nang dumating si Fallon pero wala na rin siyang pakialam pa roon.

Nasapo na lang niya ang noo bago umiling nang napakaraming beses. Para na siyang baliw kung titingnan dahil sa rumaragasang ideya sa isip niya. Her mind does not cooperate with her system. Para itong na-stuck at kusang nag-self destruct. It was just focused on one thing---this whole mess.

Ang kaninang masayang usapan ay parang bulang naglaho. Her mother, Alexandra, is clearly avoiding her gaze and her father stayed quiet. Even her Tita Astrid and Tito Miguel just sat there quietly. And Fallon, he was just staring at her blankly. No emotions held in his eyes. Just blank.

Red gritted her teeth because of so much anger and annoyance. Ni isa sa mga ito ay walang imik at hindi magawang magpaliwanag sa kanya. She wanted to shout in great anger but she controlled herself. She doesn't want to cause more trouble at the moment. May natitira pa naman siyang hiya sa katawan para gawin ang bagay na iyon.

"I'm sorry, Astrid, balae. She's just shock. It's her marriage after all. Come on, honey. Pag-usapan natin ito nang maayos," she gaped at her mother.

Sa wakas ay nagawa na rin nitong magsalita at mas nakadagdag pa sa galit niya ang pag-diin ng ina sa huling sinabi nito. Of course, her mother knew her too well and likewise. Alam nitong gustong gusto na niyang magwala.

"Can you repeat it, mama?" kalmado niyang tanong pero marahil hindi nakalampas sa mga ito ang galit niyang tono.

"Your marriage, honey. Now sit do-"

Pinutol niya ang sasabihin pa ng ina at pagkuwan ay agad na inabot ang basong may lamang tubig at agad na inisang lagok iyon. Padarag niyang binitawan ang baso kaya nagitla ang mga ito sa ginawa niya.

Gusto niyang maiyak dahil sa sinabi nito at dahil na rin sa labis na sama ng loob. Her knees wobbled at alam niyang matutumba siya kaya agad siyang kumapit sa magkabilang parte ng mesa para kumuha ng lakas.

"My marriage?" histerya niyang tanong.

No one answered her. Tumunghay siya at sinalubong ang tingin ng kanyang mama. Matalim ang mga titig nito sa kanya. There was no sign of sorry. Authority is seen all through and she hated it.

"You've planned my marriage? What the hell is going on?" she asked with pure anger. "Ano na naman ba ito, mama? You're messing with my life again!"

"Alexandria!" her father's voice boomed. She let out a loud breath before composing herself. "Don't you dare speak to your mother like that!" kalmado ngunit maotoridad nitong sabi.

Her lips twitched because of what Emmanuel, her father had said. Hinarap niya ang kanyang ama. Kalmado ito ngunit mababakas ang sensiridad sa mukha nito. She just hopes na hindi ito kasali sa mga ginagawa ng kanyang ina. Because if it happened, Red probably will lose it all.

Kapwa na silang nakatayo ng kanyang ama at tuluyan na nilang naagaw ang atensyon ng lahat. She was sorry for the owner of the restaurant for the ruckus they had made. Partly, she was not sorry for the way she acted. She needs to let out her anger bago pa siya tuluyang magwala.

"Pa, please tell me that this is just a joke. Hindi naman kayo papayag dito diba? I can't just marry that man." May pagsusumamong saad kapagkuwan ay itinuro niya si Fallon.

Fallon didn't utter any words the moment she went berseck. Nanatili itong walang imik at tila nakikiramdam sa nangyayari. He was just staring at her, blank faced and his eyes were just cold as ice. She felt uneasy with his stares all of a sudden kaya nag-iwas kaagad siya ng tingin.

Her father didn't respond. Parang tinitimbang nito ang dapat na sasabihin. Lahat ay tahimik lalong lalo na ang kanyang Tita Astrid at Tito Miguel. Nagpapasalamat siya dahil doon. She didn't want them to witness her bursting in extreme anger. Red's mouth has no filter after all. Baka kung ano lang ang lumabas sa bibig niya dahil sa frustration.

Napapiksi si Red nang hawakan siya ng ama. She faced him and saw the emotions in his face. Para itong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa. For all her life, hindi niya pa nakita ang ganoong ekspresyon sa mukha ng ama. His father's emotions was enough to shake her world. Mababakas ang lungkot at pagsisisi sa mukha ng ama na agad na nagpakunot ng noo niya.

"I... Uhm," hindi naituloy ng ama ni Red ang sasabihin. Huminga ito nang malalim bago siya hawakan sa magkabilang balikat. "I'm sorry, honey. Totoo ang lahat nang sinasabi namin. We've planned your marriage. Magpapakasal ka sa anak ni Miguel, kay Timothy."

Para siyang natulos sa kinatatayuan dahil sa sinabi ng ama. Iyon lang din ang hinintay niyang marinig at kusang nagsipatakan ang mga luha niyang kanina pa nagbabadya.

"Ha!" Red puffed a loud breath. Agad niya ring pinahid ang mga luha bago binaklas ang pagkakahawak ng ama sa balikat niya.

No! I won't marry that man! Come hell or high water, I won't! Her mind said.

"I'm sorry but I'm not marrying anyone." May pinalidad niyang sabi bago umiling.

Dahil sa sinabi niya agad na tumayo ang kanyang ina. Her Tita Astrid gasped. And Fallon---he held no emotions just like before. Para ngang hindi nito alintana ang nangyayaring kaguluhan sa kanila. And she hated it! She despised the man but she also hopes that they feel the same.

Sana naman ayaw rin nito sa ideya ng kanilang mga magulang. Mas maganda nga ito, sapagkat ang isang tulad nito ay hindi makapapayag na matali sa taong ni minsan hindi nito nakilala. He is after all, a sought-after bachelor in the country. Alam niyang maraming nagkakandarapa rito kung kaya't masasabi niyang tutol din ito sa kasunduang ito.

"What are you talking about, Alex?!"

Napatingin siya sa kanyang mama. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito at galit ang mukhang hinarap siya.

At last, her mom said something. She didn't faze. Tinapatan niya ang mga titig nito. She can just back down now lalo na't gumawa na siya ng eksena sa loob ng restaurant.

"I am not going to marry their son. I am not going to marry anyone unless I want to!"

"You're spewing nonsense, Alex! This marriage is planned even before you and Fallon were born. Palabra de honor, alam mo kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito and you can't just say no to this." giit ng ina niya.

She grimaced with what her mother had said. "You what?"

Palabra de honor? They had formed an agreement using that? How can they be serious with this marriage?! Oh my God! Her thoughts were now clouding her mind; making her lose her sanity.

Kapag mayroong mga kasunduang nagaganap sa pagitan ng kanyang mga magulang at mga kapwa negosyante nito, lahat ng mga kasunduang yun ay matitibay. No one can break it kahit na simple lang iyon. That's how powerful her parents are. Pero ang sitwasyon niya ay iba sa mga kasunduang iyon.

Her family's reputation is now on the line because of this marriage. Ginamit nila ang palabra de honor para maging mas mabigat ang kasunduan at hindi hahayaang hindi ito matupad dahil kasiraan sa mga pamilya nila kapag hindi nangyari ang mga pinagkasunduan ng mga ito.

It was her marriage! Palabra de honor was used in her marriage. That's why! Words are much powerful now than her parents.

She was stunned with the revelation. She can't believe her parents did this. She just can't!

"N-no... you're not thinking right. Hindi ako magpapakasal sa kahit na sino, mama! As far as I can remember, hindi pa nalulugi ang mga negosyo natin. Our businesses are mighty as hell. Kaya bakit niyo pakikialaman ang buhay ko?! You betrothed me! This is not for my own sake, this is for you! Hindi mo ba naisip ang mararamdaman ko? How can you be so selfish, mama?! Why?" she spatted at her mother.

"I am not selfish, Alex! This is for you. I had planned everything for your future and you're not going to defy me. Pinayagan na kita sa mga gusto mo kaya pagkakataon na upang ituloy ko ang kasunduang ginawa namin ng pamilya Del Rio. You are going to marry Astrid's son," walang inhibisyong saad nito.

Para siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil sa sinabi ng ina. Her mouth went wide and anger ruled her system.

She can feel the anger and frustration in her mom's voice. Pero paano naman siya? Siya rin! She doesn't want this marriage. She doesn't want to be tied upon someone whom she doesn't know! Bata pa siya. She still have dreams she planned to achieve. And this marriage won't do her good for fuck sake!

"No!" may diing saad niya. She can't just let her mother rule her life again. "I will not marry him! Stop being so selfish and start considering my decisions too! Buhay ko 'to! You can't just order me to do things the way you like it. Ano pang silbi ng buhay ko kung parating ikaw ang masusunod? Stop messing with my life. And it's for me to decide whom the fuck I'm gonna marry! Not you or anyone here in this fucked up world!"

Halos magsilabasan na ang mga ugat niya sa leeg dahil sa lakas ng pagkakasabi niya niyon sa ina. Para siyang sinisilaban dahil sa halu-halong emosyong nararamdaman niya.

She felt betrayed again! Ano pa bang gusto ng mundo sa kanya? Bakit lahat ng bagay na pinapahalagahan niya ay parating nasa bingit ng alanganin dahil sa mama niya? Can't she just decide for her life this time? Wala na ba siyang karapatan sa mismong buhay niya?

Everyone was quiet. No one even dared to speak. Natigalgal ang lahat dahil sa sinabi niya. Namalayan niya lang din na lumuluha na ulit siya dahil sa mga butil ng luha niyang pumatak sa mga kamay niya.

"Masyado bang mahirap gawin 'to, Alex?" kapagkuwan ay tanong ng kanyang ina na bumasag sa katahimikan ng lahat. "Is this marriage so hard for you to accept that you thought of me messing with your life? Ganyan na ba ang tingin mo sa lahat nang ginawa ko para sayo? Am I that selfish and bad for you now? Tell me!" Her mother's voice broke.

She knew that she'd hurt her the moment she said that her mother is messing with her life again. She doesn't want that but they're giving her no choice!

It's her marriage that they're talking about. Hindi lang ito isang mumurahing bagay na magagawang palitan kapag nasira. Her parents knew how she value marriage kaya hindi niya pinagkaabalahan ni isa ang mga dates na inihanda ng kanyang ina.

And for Pete's sake! Of all this, marriage is the least of the things that she thought her mother would include herself. Hindi niya pilit akalaing ang bagay na iyon ay pakikialaman pa nito. She knew how cunning her mother is but despite of this she knew that her mother respected her views about marriage.

Ang pagpapakasal niya ang kahuli-hulihang bagay na inisip niyang pakikialaman nito. But right now, she was dead wrong. For the second time, she felt betrayed when the world slapped her hard about this marriage. Her parents were behind all of this. She should've known better kasi simula't sapol ipinagkasundo na pala siya ng mga ito.

Gusto na niyang pumalahaw dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman. It feels like everything is being taken away from her again. They're taking away her freedom again! Goodness!

"Yes, mahirap tanggapin ang lahat ng ito, mama! I thought you knew me so well. I thought that you've respected my views about marriage. It's the least thing I thought you'd lay your finger on. But I was wrong! Maling-mali ako. I was fucking wrong! How can you do this? How can you do this to your own daughter? Wala ka ng ibang inisip kundi ang sarili mo! You're so selfish as hell and I hate you bec-"

Her face sided when she felt her mother's slap.

"Alexandra!"

Kaagad siyang dinaluhan ng ama niya. Her mom slapped her. Ramdam niya ang pagguhit ng sakit sa kanang pisngi niya. It was the first time. Ito ang unang beses na pinagbuhatan siya ng kamay ng sariling ina. 

Red knew how stubborn she is kaya sobra sobra ang bangayan nilang mag-ina pero kailanman ay hindi iyon umabot sa sakitan. It was between words but for now, it was different. She looked up. Pinahid niya ang mga luhang naglandas sa pisngi. Nakatayo na pala silang lahat. The restaurant is in it's defeaning silence.

Tiningnan niya ang kanyang ina. Shock was written all over her mother's face. Maski siya ay natulos sa kinatatayuan nang pagbuhatan siya nito ng kamay. Agad naman niyang kinalas ang pagkakahawak sa kanya ng kanyang ama.

The family del Rio were rooted to there places. Hindi nito inaasahan ang mangyayaring kaguluhan sa lunch meeting kunong ito. She just laughed sarcastically.

Lunch meeting her ass! Her mind bitterly said.

She travelled her gaze and it stopped midway to the man who's involved in this stupid marriage. She loathed him! She loathed Fallon deep to the core! Red let out a loud sigh bago hinarap ang ina. Emotions weren't visible in her eyes anymore. It all resided in her heart. It's slowly killing her in the inside.

This is how betrayal tastes like. It tastes like hell.

"I won't let you lay your finger on my marriage, mama. I hope that my twenty-six years being on your sleeves and being tied upon to your decisions were enough to buy my own freedom. I'm sorry. Hindi ako magpapakasal kay Fallon Timothy del Rio," she said in a coldest tone she can ever avail and stormed out of the place suffocating her.