Drowned

Chapter 1

Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path. The reality is really surly, isn't it? Everybody wants a happy ending but it's so sad that reality doesn't roll that way...

I licked my lower lip in boredom. Sinipa kong muli ang isang box na nasa aking paanan hanggang sa matapon iyon sa ilalim ng kama. I gritted my teeth in so much anger.

Nang mamataan ang lamp shade sa aking bed side table ay ito narin sana ang aking ihahagis. But the door opened. Iniluwa roon ang aking ina, may dala siyang pagkain na nasa tray at sa tingin ko ay para iyon saaking pananghalian. I smirked sarcastically, pati ba sa dinner ay hindi ako makakalabas?

Ngumiti si mommy saakin animo hindi ako kinulong rito. “Hes, stop frowning... Your dad won't like that.”

Mas lalo lamang humaba ang aking nguso sa kanyang sinabi. My daddy's enemies are left and right. They've been attacking us again after a year or so. At kung ano ulit ang rason nila kung bakit ngayon ulit bumalik after that year ay hindi ko alam. I don't know. Maybe they're after our wealth? Nagkalat rin ang iilang bantay sa labas ng aming bahay. And for almost a week, hindi ako pinapalabas. I didn't complaining, it's just that... bakit naman ang boring?!

I have all the things i want here in my room but boredom always hit me! I can even go out to party! Ano, baka three years akong nakakulong rito sa loob?

Lumabas rin naman si Mommy matapos akong kumain. She made sure i ate well saka siya lalabas.

Buong maghapon akong nanuod ng tv, matulog ulit. At gigising lamang kung kakain. Ganoon ang aking buhay hanggang sa dumaan ang isang linggo. Mother confiscated my phone so I wasn't allowed to contact anyone, eve my friends. I don't want it either...

“You want to go out?”, my dad said that in the morning he saw me playing video games.

My mood lightened up in that instant. For real?! Pwede naba akong lumabas sa bahay? But how about the enemies?

He faked a cough and smiled afterwards. “I mean... lumabas sa kwarto mo. Let's have a dinner in the dining area.”

Napanguso ako... Akala ko...

I nodded. Maybe they closed the curtains 'no?

I walk towards the bathroom and get ready for the dinner. I wore a simple white dress pagkatapos ay lumabas narin agad ako.

Different kinds of viands were placed above the table, iyon kaagad ang nakita ko sa kitchen. Mom and Dad were already at there place, sitting like as if a queen and king waiting for their daughter, the princess...

Mother immediately saw me and motioned the opposite direction of her chair. Tumango ako at umupo doon.

We eat silently. Tanging ang kubyertos lamang ang naging maingay sa harapan. I looked at my dad and saw calmness in his face... even my mom! Like they don't have enemies to face! My godness, i almost got kidnapped that time!

“Mommy pwede na ba akong lumabas?”, i tried to ask in the middle of silence.

She looked at me and i saw something glint in her eyes. Natutup ang bibig niya at nilulun muna ang kinakain saka pinunasan ang bibig gamit ang table napkin bago tinignan ng magkahulugan si daddy na nasa kabisera ng lamesa.

Nagsalubong ang kanilang tingin at para bang sa paraan na iyon sila nagtutulakan kung sino ang magsasalita.

Dad cough twice. Obviously in a hot seat. “Listen hestia... my daughter, i love you and all but i think this is the right time you should marry.”

Napanganga ako sa kanyang sinabi at nabitawan ang kaninang hawak na kubyertos. Even my mom, she reached my hand and gently touch it, maybe to make me agree with what my daddy said!

“Hestia, he's a good man. Your father chooses him to be your husband. You'll meet him soon and i swear he's a handsome man, just like your type...”, mom tried to convince me with her praises to that scumbag.

So they want me to get married? For what reason?

“Daddy! You both decide this without my permission?”, hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

I sarcastically laugh. I swear too mom, if this continues I can't promise I'll treat him nicely. I might kill him in my anger.

“Eirene”, daddy muttered my second name that made me stiff from my seat. I heaved a breath in defeat. “We'll set a dinner with him tomorrow.”

I scoffed in disbelief. Just what the heck with that. So, hindi nalang kaya ako kakain ng dinner bukas?

Padabog akong sumandok ng kakanin sa harap at padabog rin iyong kinain. Daddy saw it. I almost rose up from my seat, in shock when he harshly tapped the table.

“Hestia Eirene!”

Mariin akong napapikit sa takot. I'm a daddy's girl but when he's mad, doon talaga ako napapa mommy's girl. He's just so strict! Bagaman halos ang iba kong hihingin ay ibibigay niya talaga, still, there are things he doesn't allow me to do nor have.

“But I don't want it! Kayo lang naman itong gusto 'yon. Wag na ang ganyan daddy!”

Sumimangot na ako ng husto.

The madness in his face slowly fades when he saw my reaction.

“Hes anak, you can't be seen here in philippines. You need to leave this country as soon as possible.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. Why don't they just hire some bodyguards for me then? Iyong professional pagdating sa bakbakan. Iyong sasaluin ang bala para saakin. But then, i guess i don't have the power to change their minds, huh?

“Kailan ang alis ko?”

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Para bang planado na nila iyon ng hindi ko alam at nagtutulakan na naman kung sinong magsabi dahil baka kung sino ang magsabi ay ito na naman ang aking pagdadabogan!

“The day after tomorrow. We can't use our own chopper to avoid the chase so we'll use kensley's private jet. See? He's such a good guy, baby... He can took care of you.”

Umismid ako sa narinig. Bawat salita talaga... hindi nawawala iyang papuri nila doon sa lalaking 'yon na magiging asawa ko 'kuno'. So what if he's handsome? He has too kung ayaw niyang magmukhang bodyguard ko. I'm gorgeous, hot and sexy. Hindi nababagay ang isang panget saakin.

Nang gabing 'yon ay tinulungan narin ako ni mommy mag impake. Supportive, huh? Halos lahat yata ng gamit ko ay dadalhin ko. Ani mommy ay kung nais kong mag shopping sa labas ng bansang pupuntahan namin ay dapat hindi mahahalata ang aking mukha since dad's enemies are scattered everywhere. Dapat rin daw ay hindi mawawala iyong kensley sa aking tabi kung saan man ako magpunta. At paano kung gusto kong maligo, isasama ko rin siya?

I leered in that thought.

“Hes, are you done? He's here!”

Halos mapatalon ako sa sigaw na iyon ni mommy mula sa labas ng pinto. Tatlong katok bago iyon nabuksan. Iniluwa roon ang aking ina na may creepy na ngiti.

“I can't reach the zipper, mom.”

I tried to reach the zipper at my back but i just can't. Mom came closer and did it. She lifted my chin. Sinalubong ko ang mapanuri niyang mata. She looked sorry... yet she didn't say it to me.

“Hey, listen... we're doing this for you 'kay?”, sabi niya matapos ngumiti ng marahan tila ba sa ganoong paraan ay doon siya napapaintindi.

I smiled too, “It's okay mom. I understand. Besides, this is just a pretend. We don't need to clung to each other. After this chaos, we'll gonna split ways...”

And that idea, splitting ways is just a music to my ears! It makes me more excited to happen!

Kunot-noo na bumusangot si mommy sa sinabi ko. Why? Did i just say something wrong? “I bet that won't happen.”

I scoffed while fixing my dress. “I'm not you mommy, hindi ako marupok na katulad niyo ni daddy ay nag work sa arrange marriage dahil sa karupokan niyo sa isa't-isa.”

She fixed my hair, too while chuckling. “Sweetie, you're my daughter...”, ngumuso ako ng mapagtanto ang kaniyang sinabi.

But i don't inherit your fragility mom... I'm different...

“And you know, hindi naman ibig sabihin ng arrange marriage ay hindi na magkakatuluyan. Baby, you two can like each other romantically...”

Iyon ang kaniyang linya. Palibhasa ay arrange marriage sila ni dad noon kaya gusto nilang i arrange marriage din ako sa paniniwalang baka doon ay makahanap ako ng lalaking karapatdapat saakin tulad ng nangyari sakanilang dalawa ng aking ama.

But I'm glad they worked out. Baka kung hindi ay kung saan-saan lang din ako pupulutin, I could've be with mom? Tapos walang ama... they'll broke up since they don't love each other.

Bumuga ako ng marahan na hininga matapos lagyan ng kaunting kolorete ang aking mukha. Mom leave me here in my room to get ready. Pero ang isang katanungan sa aking isip ay mas nakapagpabagabag saakin.

Should i ran away or face him?

If i ran, the enemies might take me away from my family. At kung sasama naman ako sa lalaking 'yon ay maaaring mailayo niya ako rito ng ligtas.

But how sure are my family to that man, huh?

Later on, I just found out myself heading the way to leaving room. Isang maskuladong likod ng lalaki ang aking namataan mula sa aking kinaroroonan. A man who's wearing a Charcoal Grey Suit and Brown Shoes...

Nilingon ako ni mommy at bahagyang nginitian, making that man look at me, too. Napalunok ako roon at nakunot rin ang noo nang mapansing hindi naman siya mukhang nagulat.

“Kensley ihjo, this is my daughter and soon-to-be your wife... Hestia Eirene Aragon...”, ani mommy. Bahagya pang tinapik ang aking likod habang nagpapakilala... pinaparating na dapat ko ring ilahad ang aking kamay para makipag shake hands.

Ew.

I leered and extended my hand for a shake hand when mom lightly pushed me, telling me to do it.

“Kensley”

Ngunit ang kumag na ito ay bahagyang yumuko bago hinalikan ang likod ng aking palad!

Naiwan akong nakatanga at napapasong kinuha pabalik ang aking kamay. My god! His lips were just so... oh my god I can't breathe!

“Y-you I-i hate y-you!”, namumula kong singhal para lamang pagtapak ang hiyang aking nararamdaman sa sandaling 'yon.

Ngumisi si mommy, tila ba hindi naman iyon kataka-taka at walang hindi kanais-nais roon. “See? Isn't he too gentleman, hes? Just like your type...”, mom bragged nang makalayo kami doon sa sala. Daddy and that man called, kensley are now talking in the leaving area.

Sumimangot ako ng husto. Iyan na naman iyang sinasabing type ko kuno. And how sure she is that gentleman is my type huh? Hindi naman ako chikadora sa iyo mommy. My type is far far away to that man!

“Ang gusto ko ay iyong gwapo, mayaman, medyo badboy, at sasaluhin ang bala para saakin! Hindi ganoon mom, hindi 'yon...”

Mom chucked as if she was hearing a nice joke. “And do they need to catch a bullet for you to be able to see their worths, hes?”

Nilingon ko siya. Tama nga naman.

Silence filled the atmosphere while we are eating. Palihim kong nilingon si Kensley sa aking tabi at nakitang seryoso naman itong kumakain. His brows were lightly furrowed. Bagaman hindi mo naman makitaan ang galit sa kanya kahit na magkasalubong ang kanyang kilay. Hes just a serious man, i guess? His lips were red, too. Dumagdag ang mamantikaing kinakain niya roon na nagmumukhang kinakagat ang kanyang labi. His nose are on its perfectness.

My brows raised in that instant. He's almost perfect, aight. Does he even know this arrangement? Pinilit ba siya ng aking ama upang pumayag sa kasunduang ito? Or Dad just pay him to take care of me, perhaps? Hindi naman siguro siya papayag sa kasunduang ito nang walang nakukuhang kapalit. He's perfect, he could've just find another woman to marry instead of this kind of set up...

“You two will be leaving philippines tomorrow and live together in where do you think, ihjo?”

Napaigtad ako sa kinauupuan nang marinig 'yon. Agad ko ring iniwas ang tingin nang mapagtanto ang aking paninitig sa mukha niya. My god!

Kensley licked his lips, iyon ang aking nasulyapan, bago siya nagsalita. “Australia, tito. I have a penthouse in Australia and I also want to took over our condominium branch there...”

Naangat ko ang aking kilay. He's a business man? Well, that's good. Ayaw kong mamulubi pagnagkataon. Wait what? What the hell, hestia?

“But how about my studies, dad?”, sumingit ako

Ngumiti si mommy. “Don't worry, hindi naman kita pag h-homeschool-in. You're free to go to universities there... as long as Kensley is with you.”

Ngumuso ako at nasulyapan muli ang katabi. Nagtama ang tingin namin kaya siniringan ko siya.

After that dinner, mom and dad went upstairs, giving us two a moment to talk. Naka sandal ako sa parang railing ng aming patio habang siya naman itong nakaupo sa medyo hindi kalayuan saakin. His legs are lightly open while he's looking at his phone.

“You can leave if you want to, you know...”, sambit ko, napatingin siya saakin dahil don.

Bigla ay parang nagsisi akong pinakialaman ko siya. He looked at me intently, bagaman madilim iyon ay wala naman akong nakikitang galit sa kanyang mga mata.

“Let's talk for awhile...”

He slid his phone in his pants, giving me all his fucos. I swallowed hard at that. Why does he need to look at me like I'm such a gold? Duh.

I awkwardly sip on my wine. At anong pag-uusapan namin? We'll just stare at each other 'till tomorrow?

“I-i uh, Are we gonna live together in one house?”, nahihiya bagaman nagsusumikap kong hindi magkandautal-utal. And why does my question looks like I'm looking forward into it to happen, anyway?

He nodded his head, still not looking away from me. “It depends...”

Tumango narin ako. Sapat na saakin 'yon. I think he's a good guy. My parents trust him so i need to trust him too. He even looked so gentleman, so he better take good care of me! Kadalasan pa naman sa mga gwapo ay nasa loob ang kulo. Ganoon rin kaya siya?

“I'm sorry if i dragged you in our mess. I still don't know why did you agreed on this set up. Thankyou kensley... But if ever you changed your mind, you still have time to back out and live peacefully with your life... you know.”, seryoso akong nagsalita at bahagya pa siyang nginitian, hindi na iyon umabot saaking mga mata.

“Call me my name...”, dumilim ang tingin niya. Huh?

“Kensley?”, patanong kong sabi.

He licked his lips as he tore his fingers through his hair. “Waze. Call me Waze.”