Trapped (Alpha Sigma Omicron #1)

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

I looked at the ring with so much happiness as I recalled the night I said yes to Dylan. Para pa rin akong nasa alapaap sa tuwing naalala ko kung paano akong na-surpresa at umiyak habang nakaluhod siya sa harapan ko hawak ang singsing ng kaligayahan. It was just a simple dinner but it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. Heto nga’t magiging Mrs. Dylan Aiden Carter na ako. Ang sarap sa feeling!

Aramis Eduardo-Carter. Hm-hm. Isn’t it beautiful?

When I was a kid, I was often asked what I wanted to be for my future self. Unlike the other kids, iba ang madalas kong sagot. I didn’t want to be a teacher, nor any other professional in the field. Simple lang ang gusto ko, gusto kong mag-asawa at magkaroon ng anak. Because I wanted a family so much. Pamilyang totoong kabilang ako. I was lacking of that so-called family growing up. Madalas ko iyong hanapin noon. But then, I realized, some things, if they didn’t want to be found, they would stay hidden.

Dylan came along in the picture of my boring life. With him, the dream I had years ago was slowly becoming into reality. Hindi lang basta siya sumulpot sa buhay ko, what mattered the most, he stayed with me after all those years. May pangako pa siyang kasal. I was just so happy. Ito ang pangarap ko kahit sabihin pang shallow. This is what I wanted ever since I was young.

Perfect boyfriend si Dylan. Sa limang taon naming pagsasama, hindi niya ako pinaiyak sa frustration o kahit anong kagaguhan. He made me feel so loved and cared for. He was a prince charming in every girl’s dream – iyong tipong wala na akong hahanapin pa.

Siguro mayroon akong nagawang magandang bagay sa past life ko, kaya naman biniyayaan ako ng caring, sweet, faithful and perfect boyfriend sa present time. Hindi naman ako kagandahan pero ang haba ng hair ko, rejoice kasi ang shampoo ko.

Masaya akong ikakasal kay Dylan. But the process of this whole wedding thing was somehow frustrating. Ang dami palang isipin sa kasal. Dylan insisted to hire a wedding planner pero hindi ko tinanggap. Maling-mali na hindi ko iyon tinanggap. Kasama sa pangarap ko noon ang magplano ng sariling kasal. Gusto kong ako ang kikilos at masusunod para sa pinaka-espesyal na araw ng buhay namin ni Dylan. Hinayaan niya ako sa gusto ko.

Isa pa, ang laki ng gastos. Alright, mayaman sila Dylan. I also have a job that supports me – at least I have a decent salary, pero to be practical, hindi naman kailangan ng bonggang kasal. Kahit civil wedding, okay lang sa akin.

Hindi ako mapaghanap, ang gusto ko lang ay maikasal sa kanya. What I prioritize the most is what comes after the wedding. Ayoko naman ng grandiyosong kasal pero maghihirap naman kami pagkatapos o mabaon sa utang. Ang diyahe!

Binuklat ko pa ang ilang pahina ng brochure pero wala pa rin akong magustuhang gown. I hate it, pakiramdam ko walang gown na pupwede sa’kin. The gowns are all perfect – they are too perfect, to the point na hindi sila babagay sa akin.

I want something conservative yet sophisticated cut of gown. Nag-set ako ng appointment sa isang kilalang designer, I’ll visit her place in Ayala, Makati – she’s making a name in the fashion industry and she’s the sister of my best friend, Rainbow – they were not in good terms but I like her creations. Wala namang masamang maging casual sa isa’t isa. It’s not my story to tell.

“What’s with the frown?” I almost jumped out of my seat.

Napatigil ako sa pagbubuklat ng brochure at hinarap ang bagong dating. She surprised me. “You seemed frustrated. Anong atin?” Xiana smiled at me as she pulled the chair.

I smiled back. “Hi. What are you doing here?” tanong ko sa magandang dilag na nasa harapan ko.

Xiana’s my cousin from my father’s side. Anak siya ni Uncle Lucas, who happened to be my boss as well and being his secretary isn’t a good thing at all.

He’s cold towards me – parang hindi niya ako pamangkin. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin nang maupo siya sa upuang kaharap ko. She has an angelic face and she’s liberated – not that I’m against with that – she’s so sweet. She was wearing a fitted leather dress, emphasizing her curves. Maybe, I’m really old-fashioned, kaya hindi ako makarelate sa mga dresses na nauusong style ng damit ngayon. Pang-FHM ang katawan talaga nito.

Tumawa ito. Even her laugh sounds sophisticated and perfect. Ibinaba niya ang kanyang pouch sa side table. “Ikaw lang ba ang pwede rito, dear cousin? The place seems cozy, huh?”

My cheeks reddened, I pouted trying to be cute. Mukha lang akong tanga. Hindi talaga ako papasa sa standards ng cute o maganda. The only asset that I have –  ang mga mata ko. They are bluer than the sea and really expressive, according to my bestfriend. Kasing-kulay ng mga mata ko raw ang isang hollywood star, si Alexandra Daddario. I felt like it was a compliment.

“’Wag ka nga, Xia. Nag-order ka na ba? They have the best iced coffee here.” I told her enthusiastically. “Sobrang sarap! Promise, hindi exaggerated!” Itinaas ko pa ang right hand ko para counted iyong promise ko.

She shook her head slightly. May konting ngisi ang kanyang labi. “I am done ordering the classic frappe before I went to see you, dear cousin. I’ll try their iced coffee next time. Kapag masarap talaga, binabalik-balikan, right?” Her smirk grew wider.

Naubo ako sa patutsada niya kasabay nang pamumuo ng makahulugang ngisi sa labi ko. I sipped a mouthful of iced coffee. Pinahid ko ang gilid ng labi ko ng tissue.“Double meaning ba iyon, Xia?” I laughed. “Who’s your lucky boy toy now? Hindi mo pa pinapakilala sa akin.”

Hindi niya magawang makasagot nang dumating ang kanyang order. Mukhang distracted iyong bartender nang makita ang pinsan ko. Lalo akong napangiti. Men fall for her charms so quickly. Kaya niyang magpaikot sa kanyang palad ng mga lalaki. Not just one, but several unlucky beings. She dumped them after the fun.

Xiana Eduardo has genes to die for, unlike myself.

“Thanks,” She winked at the poor guy. Halos mataranta ito sa paglapag ng order ni Xiana sa table namin.

Tumawa ako nang malakas pagkaalis ng lalaki. The customers near us looked at me like I was some kind of joke. Napanguso ako at umayos ng upo. Nag-apir kaming dalawa ni Xiana. That was a good laugh. Ipinilig ko ang aking ulo para tumigil ako sa pagtawa. I took another sip of my iced coffee.

“So, back to my first question, what happened? Bakit ganyan ang ayos ng mukha mo kanina?” tanong nito habang sumisimsim ng order niyang kape.

Muli akong bumaling sa brochure. I scanned several pages of the designs. Inginuso ko ang brochure. “Well, kinda frustrated. Alam mo na, preparation for the wedding,” I sighed.

She stopped and stared at me for awhile. It seemed like something crossed her mind but she smiled again. “Endure it, ginusto mo ‘yan.” Tinawanan pa niya ako. “That’s why I don’t want to settle e. Sa kasal pa lang ang dami ng isipin. Let me see the gowns, hm?”

I handed her the brochure.

“Talaga lang ha? But you’re dating this mystery guy. Ayaw mo namang ipakilala sa akin. Nakakatampo ka, wala kang balak pakasalan siya? Pinapaasa mo lang? Kasi if it were me, I wouldn’t settle in a relationship kung hindi ako sigurado sa isang tao na sa kasal ang bagsak namin. I mean, just like my parents, first love nila ang isa’t isa. I want my first love to be my last love also.”

Hindi lahat hindi nabibigyan ng ganoong pagkakataon. Sa iba, first love was just a scar and a lesson. It was rare that the first love would also be the last love — true love. Suwerte ako.

She shrugged. Bumahid sa mga mata niya ang emosyong hindi ko naman mapangalanan. “But you weren't me. Silly, you really believe in that. Let’s see,” ngumisi siya sa akin.

Mas lalo akong naintriga pero hindi ko na inusisa iyon. There was awkwardness in the air. Sometimes, I got too cozy with someone. Nagiging reckless ako sa mga sinasabi. I hadn’t thought my words were offensive until they offended someone I was talking with. I know I should be really careful, words hurt like knives.

Maybe, she was serious this time. Kinikilatis niya munang maigi bago ipakilala sa amin. Honestly, I want her to settle with one good guy. Kagaya ni Dylan. Iyong alam kong hindi siya lolokohin at titiyagain ang buong pagkatao niya.

“How was the preparation?” pag-iiba nito sa usapan. I didn’t mind. Relieved pa nga akong iniba niya ang usapan.

I pouted again. “Ini-stress ako. Medyo hectic din kasi ang trabaho sa office kaya hindi pa ako ganoon ka-hands on,” seryoso kong sagot.

She shook her head. “I should really tell papa to give you an early leave,”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. “No! You don’t have to tell uncle anything. Okay lang talaga, promise. Hihingin ko na lang iyong extra leave para sa honeymoon.” Ngumisi ako at nag-thumbs up. “It’s all good, Xia. Thank you!” pagtanggi ko sa offer niyang early leave kahit sumasayaw ang aking tainga sa narinig.

Nakakaakit ang offer ng pinsan ko pero baka mas lalong pag-initan ako ng kanyang ama. Mabuti na lang hindi siya ganoon ka-persistent.

Nawala na sa isip ko ang pagpili ng gown. We talked a lot of things. Lahat ng pwede naming pag-usapan, ginugol ko na sa free time ko hanggang naisipan niyang lisanin ang coffee shop. She had an important meeting to attend to, which I think sa mystery dude niya. She looked excited about the meeting but she hated meetings before. I didn’t tease her about that. Kinindatan niya at beneso ako bago siya umalis ng cafe.

Xiana’s the closest to me among my relatives. My relatives including Uncle Lucas and Aunt Victoria. Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, hindi na ako maninirahan sa kanila nang dekada. Sabagay, I have no other place to barge in.

I had a very complicated life. It started when my parents died at my early age. Kinupkop ako nila uncle. They became my guardians. At hanggang ngayon sa kanila pa rin ako tumitira. I can’t just leave them like that. Ang sama sa pakiramdam, parang hindi ako marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob kahit matagal ko nang gustong gawin. Hindi ko magawa.

I was never welcome in their household. They never treated me as part of the family aside from Xiana, but they provided me with everything I needed hanggang sa makatapos ako ng kolehiyo. I am still grateful for the things they did.

Minutes later, my phone vibrated indicating a call. It was Uncle Lucas. Pinapabalik na ako sa opisina para kuhanin ang documents na dadalhin sa Carter Layouting Press na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Dylan.

He can send another employee but he still chose me. Wala na iyon sa trabaho ko. Isa pa, hindi pa tapos ang break ko. Lagi namang ako – not that I’m complaining, pero sa other circumstances, siguro. But I have so much respect for him. Kahit hindi ito ang natapos kong degree, ito ang pinili kong trabaho. Pagtanaw ng utang na loob for their generosity over the years.

Hindi naman ako nahirapang nakarating sa kompanya ng mga Carter dahil mismong sasakyang pagmamay-ari ng Daily Journal ang naghatid sa akin.

Nakangiti ako sa pagpasok, binati ako ng ilang empleyado na nakakakilala sa akin nang dumaan ako sa lobby. I brought some cookies and coffee, binili ko sa café kanina. I wanted to stay a little longer. We hadn’t seen each other for days. He had some errands to attend to out of town. Para sa kompanya nila iyon. He wanted to bring me, pero dahil sa trabaho ko hindi ko nagawang sumama.

Tumawag pa si Dy kanina, kararating lang niya sa siyudad at miss niya raw ako. I missed him, too. So bad.

I looked at myself intently in the elevator wall. Suot ko ang plain black office skirt and white polo na pinatungan ko ng black office suit. Sinuklay ko pa ang aking buhok gamit ang kamay na walang bitbit. Nagliwanag ang mga mata ko ng tumunog ang elevator.

Surprisingly, wala si Kim na sekretarya ni Dylan sa table nito sa labas ng opisina. It was very unlikely of her knowing it was office hours. Maybe, she was in the restroom. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad papasok ng opisina. I texted Dy before I went to his office. Ini-expect niya ang pagpunta ko.

Bumungad sa akin ang opisina niyang walang tao. There was no one inside the office. Bahagyang nangunot ang noo ko sa nadatnan. Dy told me he was here already. Asan na iyon? Miss na miss ko na siya. I wanted to see him badly.

Lumapit ako sa table at inilapag doon ang mga papers na dala ko pati ang coffee and cookies na para sa kanya. Inilabas ko ang phone ko para i-text siya.

To: Love

I’m here at your office. Where are you? Miss you and love you. Can’t wait to see you xoxo : )

Sent.

Instead of having a reply, I heard a phone vibrated on the table. It was Dy’s phone. Hindi ko iyon napansin kanina, natatakluban ito ng ilang papeles. I knew my boyfriend, hindi iyon nag-iiwan ng gamit ng basta. He was probably just around.

Isa lang ang alam kong pwede niyang puntahan, well, aside sa comfort room. He was on his private room here in the office. Tuwing mayroong overtime kapag masyadong maraming gawain. Hindi na siya umuuwi pa, he would stay in his private room to get some rest and enough sleep. It was convenient for him. Hindi na siya mapapagod pang magmaneho pauwi.

I smiled. Mabilis kong tinungo ang private room sa office niya. My boyfriend was probably tired with the errands he attended out of town. He deserved all the rest he could get. Bilang girlfriend niya, kailangan ko siyang alagaan.

Nabitin ang ngiti ko sa ere nang makarinig ako ng ingay galing sa kwarto. Natigilan ako sa paghakbang, pakiramdam ko ay napatda ako sa kinatatayuan ko. The smile I had plastered on my lips slowly disappeared. Huminga ako nang malalim bago humakbang muli. My heart started to race fast.

To be continued...