Arrange Marriage With My Boyfriend's Cousin

“Go, Jelly! Go! Faster, babe! Faster!” malakas na sigaw ng boyfriend kong si Daniel, his voice booming from the speaker he held up while standing in the auditorium seating area with the crowd. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang matawa habang mabilis na nagmamaneho. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my heart pounding as I navigated the tight curve. Tires screeched. Adrenaline surged. I was in third place—but not for long. “Malapit ka na, babe ko! Kaya mo 'yan, mahal ko! Bilisan mo pa! Go! Go! Go, my love!’ Daniel’s voice echoed across the arena, cutting through the roar of the engines. He sounded like a man possessed—wild with pride, loud with love. Mas lalo tuloy akong nabubuhayan at nagkakaroon ng lakas sa kaniyang sigaw. God, he was such a proud boyfriend. So loud. So dramatic. And I loved him for it. He supported me in everything I did, always there, always cheering like the world was watching me alone. Mas binilisan ko pa ang pagmamaneho ko at nilampasan ang dalawang car na nasa unahan ko. Hanggang sa tuluyan ko nang narating ang finish line. First place. I won. “That’s my baby! Jelly Anne Robert! Ya lyublyu tebya, detka!” my boyfriend exploded from his seat in the auditorium, his voice echoing across the entire arena. Natawa na lang ako habang habol pa ang aking paghinga at inalis na ang suot kong helmet. Nakakapagod, pero worth it naman dahil panalo pa rin. Sweat clinging to my skin as I climbed out of the car. But before my feet could fully touch the ground, Daniel was already there, sweeping me into his arms. “You did it, my baby love! Pozdravlyayu s pobedoy! I’m so damn proud of you, my baby babe!” He roared as he lifted me, spinning me in his arms, his voice thick with pride. I couldn’t stop laughing, my heart racing—not from the speed, not from the victory—but from him, from the way his love felt like it could swallow me whole. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Ang saya. Ang suwerte ko sa lalaking 'to. I didn’t just win the race. I won with him by my side. Nagsilapitan na rin ang mga reporters at pinaulanan na ako ng mga katanungan. Nasagot ko naman lahat ng mga tanong. Matapos tanggapin ang trophy ay umalis na rin kami ng boyfriend ko sakay ng kaniyang sports car. Si Daniel ay magdadalawang taon ko nang boyfriend. Nagkakilala kami sa dating app at nagkamabutihan. Nakakatawa kung paano kami nagkakilala, eh kasi naman niligawan niya ako online, at sinagot ko naman siya agad-agad nang wala nang pagdadalawang isip pa. Hindi na ako nagpakipot pa sa kaniya dahil type ko naman siya at mukha ring mabait. At ngayon ay hindi nga ako nagkamali, dahil perfect boyfriend siya para sa akin. He was everything I’d ever wanted—handsome, neat, and with a quiet intensity that drew me in. Months lang ang tanda niya sa akin. I'm 20, and he’s 21. We both ended up at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and yes, we’re both in the medical course, pareho namin gusto maging surgeon balang araw. I was studying in Rome, Italy, before Daniel came into my life. But when we became a couple, I made an impulsive decision—I left everything behind and moved to Moscow without even telling my parents. Why would I? They never really cared about me anyway. It’s like I wasn’t even their child. They never bothered to check on me, not even once a month. I’m lucky if they remember I exist twice a year, and even then, our phone calls barely last five minutes. But it’s okay now. I’m not sad anymore, even though my family threw me away like I meant nothing. Because now, I feel loved—truly loved. The care and affection I never got from them, I’m receiving now… all from my boyfriend. He fills every hollow space they left in me. And for the first time in a long time, I feel whole. And yes, nagli-live-in na kami for a year now sa kanyang condo. Magkayakap kami kapag natutulog at sabay na pumapasok sa university kapag may klase. Pero gayunpaman, hanggang kiss lang talaga kami. My boyfriend is such a gentleman—he promised that he’ll marry me someday, at saka na namin gawin ang bagay na ’yon kapag naikasal na kami. He made me feel like I was worth waiting for. Bawat araw na kasama ko siya—pakiramdam ko ang suwerte-suwerte ko dahil binigay siya ni Lord sa akin. “What would you like to eat for dinner, babe?” tanong sa akin ng boyfriend ko pagdating namin sa condo, magkahawak-kamay pa kaming pumasok. “Beef Stroganoff,” I answered with a soft smile, still buzzing from the thrill of the race and the pride in his eyes. “Alright. I’ll cook it for you. Magpahinga ka na lang muna sa bedroom, alam kong pagod ka.” Agad naman akong umiling. “No, I'm not tired. Sasamahan na lang kitang magluto. Wait, magbihis lang ako.” Pumasok na ako ng kwarto. Amoy pawis na ako kaya agad akong naligo sa loob ng shower room. Nang matapos ay nagbihis ng simpleng pajama at sweater. Pero nang akmang lalabas na ako ng bedroom ay siya namang pag-ring ng phone ko sa ibabaw ng kama. Kaya agad akong napabalik at dinampot ito. Nang tingnan ko kung sinong tumawag ay agad na napataas ang kilay ko nang makitang si Vince, ang best friend ko na minsan ko na ring naging crush, pero binasted lang ako dahil may babae na raw siyang mahal. “Yes, Vince?” I answered warily. “Your father’s looking for you, Jelly. He came to your condo—but you’re not here.” My heart slammed against my ribs. “W-what?” Nabahala na ako at nakaramdam bigla ng matinding kaba. No way. “What did you say to him? You didn’t tell him anything, right?” napapalunok kong tanong. “I told him you were on a school trip,” sagot ng kaibigan ko, kahit papaano ay nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag. “I said I didn’t know where you were, just that you’d be back tomorrow. So you better get here before he gets suspicious.” Oh god. “Sige uuwi ako agad diyan bukas. Basta bago mag 12 PM nariyan na ako.” I hung up and dropped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, rubbing my temples. “Who called you?” a deep voice asked from the doorway. I looked up, startled to find Daniel standing there, framed by the soft condo lights, holding a tray of snacks. The concern in his eyes was immediate. “Kaibigan ko si Vince. Naroon daw kasi si daddy sa Rome at hinahanap ako. So I have to leave tomorrow morning before he finds out the truth.” Lumapit na ang boyfriend ko habang dala ang tray na naglalaman ng snacks. “Alright. I’ll book your ticket. But for now…” He picked up a small blini and brought it to my lips. “Snack first. You need energy. Say ah.” I chuckled breathlessly and let him feed me, warmth blooming in my chest despite the stress. **** “BABE, kailan naman ang balik mo rito kapag nakauwi ka na ng Rome?” he asked me. Pareho na kaming nakahiga sa kama. Nakahiga siya nang patihaya habang nakaunan sa kaniyang kaliwang braso, at ako naman ay nakaunan sa kaniyang kanang braso habang nakayakap sa kaniyang katawan at nakapatong pa ang paa ko sa kaniyang paa. I let out a quiet chuckle. “I haven’t even left yet and you're already missing me?” “Of course I am,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “Feeling ko maninibago ako sa pag-alis mo—wala na akong mayayakap sa gabi, wala nang makakasama tuwing kakain.” Natawa na lang ako. So dramatic. Hindi pa nga ako nakaalis pero nagdadrama na agad ang lalaking ’to. Ibang klase rin. “Don't worry, babalik ako agad kapag nakaalis na si Dad. Hindi naman 'yon magtatagal dahil busy sa kanyang business. Baka nga may business trip lang siya sa Rome kaya dinalaw na rin niya ako.” I sighed. “Hindi naman kasi siya 'yung tipo na mapagmahal na ama sa kanyang anak— ah mali pala. He’s a loving father, yes—but only to my sister. I used to believe the youngest was supposed to be the most cherished, but somehow, I became the forgotten one.” Naramdaman ko na lang ang pagdampi ng malambot na labi sa noo ko. “I’m here,” he murmured. “And I will always love you—fiercely, endlessly, to the moon and back. You’ll never be forgotten again, not while I’m breathing.” Parang may biglang humaplos sa puso ko nang marinig ang kaniyang sinabi. God, that shattered me—in the best way. My chest tightened, but not with pain. With love. The kind that heals. The kind that stays. “That’s all I need,” I whispered. “Mahal na mahal din kita.” Sumiksik na ako sa kanyang dibdib, craving the sound of his heartbeat. It felt like home. “Goodnight, babe,” he said, brushing a kiss to my forehead before wrapping me tighter in his arms. Tuluyan na kaming nakatulog nang magkayakap. KINABUKASAN ay hinatid na ako ni Daniel sa airport. Hindi ko mapigilan ang malungkot habang nasa eroplano na. Parang ang bigat sa pakiramdam. Nami-miss ko siya agad. When I arrived at the condominium in Rome where I was staying, Dad wasn’t there yet—but to my surprise, Mom was sitting alone on the couch in the lobby. “Mommy!” I called out with a smile, my chest tightening from longing. I missed her so much, kahit na sabihing hindi kami lagi magkasundo. The moment she saw me, she stood up abruptly. I was still dragging my suitcase as I rushed toward her, ready to throw my arms around her. Pero bago ko pa ito masalubong ng yakap ay nagulat na lang ako nang isang malakas na sampal ang sinalubong nito sa akin—pero hindi lang isa, dahil matapos akong sampalin sa kaliwang pisngi—sinampal pa ako ulit nito sa kanan. Sa lakas ng sampal ay gumawa ng ingay sa tahimik na lobby at napalingon din pati ang dalawang babaeng nasa front desk. “M-Mom…” gulat kong usal na napahaplos na lang sa nasampal kong pisngi. Isang nanlilisik na tingin ang binigay nito sa akin na tila ba galit na galit. “Follow me,” she hissed. Napasunod na lang ako habang hila ang maleta ko at pinigilan na lang ang paglabas ng luha sa mga mata ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nito sinampal, baka alam na ang paglipat ko sa Russia. But even if she did, did I deserve that kind of greeting? Once we were inside my unit, I mustered the courage to speak. “Mommy, what’s going on? What did I do?” Hinarap na ako nito pero nanlisik pa rin ang tingin sa akin. “Narito kami para sunduin ka dahil gusto ng daddy mo na ipakasal ka sa kanyang business partner, kay Mr. Lambert!” Nanlaki na lang bigla ang mga mata ko sa narinig. “P-Po? P-Pero bakit po, Mom?” I shook my head, heart racing with panic. “No! Hindi po puwedeng gawin ni Dad 'yon—” “You think I’m okay with it?!” she exploded, grabbing my wrists. “I’m not! I would never let you marry Mr. Lambert. Hindi ka nababagay sa kanya, Jelly Anne. Mas bagay sila ng ate mo. Ang mas mabuti pa ay lumayas ka at huwag muna magpapakita sa Dad mo. Hintayin mong makasal muna ang ate mo kay Mr. Lambert. Understood?” I nodded, trembling. “Yes, Mom. I don’t want to marry anyone, especially not someone I don’t love.” Tumango na si Mommy na tila humupa bigla ang galit at binitiwan na ang braso ko. “Good. At least you’re smart enough to listen.” Binuksan na nito ang kanyang handbag at naglabas ng maraming pera, agad na nilagay sa mga kamay ko. “Here. Use this. Umalis ka at lumayo para hindi ka mahahanap ng daddy mo. Hayaan mo, padadalhan pa kita ng maraming pera para mabilis mo pa rin ang mga gusto mo.” Without giving me time to think, she grabbed my suitcase and yanked it toward the door. “O-Okay, Mommy,” I stammered, still shaken. But I hesitated at the doorway. “Pero paano po pala kung maghanap si Daddy? Hindi po kaya siya magagalit sa akin, Mom?” “Huwag kang mag-alala, akong bahala sa daddy mo. Sasabihin kong ayaw mong magpakasal dahil nag-aaral ka pa. Kaya sige na, umalis ka na at baka maabutan ka pa rito.” She helped me drag my suitcase to the elevator, then turned and left without a glance back. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang matakot habang sakay na ng elevator. Gusto akong ipakasal ni Dad sa kanyang business partner? For what? Nag-aaral pa ako ng college. At kahit nakapagtapos na ako ng pag-aaral, hindi pa rin ako papayag na ipakasal na lang basta sa kung sinong lalaki dahil may boyfriend ako. Si Daniel lang ang mahal ko, at sa kaniya lang ako magpapakasal. Naguguluhan man at natataranta ay pilit ko na lang pinakalma ang sarili ko. Tama si Mommy, kailangan kong umalis. Pagkalabas ko ng elevator sa ground floor at nagmamadali na akong lumakad sa lobby habang hila-hila pa rin ang aking malita. Pero paglabas ko ng building ay saktong paghinto ng taxi sa mismong harap ko at bumaba ang taong gusto kong takasan. Tatakbo sana ako pero nakita na ako nito. “Where do you think you're going, young lady?” Napalunok na lang ako nang wala sa oras. “D-Daddy…” I whispered, paralyzed by fear.