So It's You (Filipino)

CHAPTER 3

The dinner went well. And as usual, Mom's dishes were fantastic. Guests were seemingly enjoyed the food. I hoped I can be that good when it comes to cooking.

I helped Amelia collect the dirty dishes from the dining table while my parents and the guests were in the living room. Their serious faces while talking made me curious. Too bad I hardly hear what they're talking about from where I was standing.

"Akin na yan. Pumunta ka na sa kanila. Baka ikaw na lang hinihintay nila," Amelia said then took the champagne glass from my hand.

"Sure ka? Kasi parang adult matters ang pinag-uusapan nila. Di na ata ako kasama diyan."

"Fiona?"

I turned and found my mother standing by the door, her anxious face tightening something inside me.

"Yes 'Ma?" takang tanong ko.

"Come over. We need to talk to you," anito kasabay ng makahulugang ngiti.

My eyebrow arched in curiosity as I caught the strange look on their faces. They exchanged uneasy glances, each waiting for the other to speak first.

I swallowed.

I sat on the space between my parents, facing the other old couple, not too old. I guess they were around 50's. They looked affluent.

"Ano pong pag-uusapan? May problema po ba?" tanong ko sa kanila. Pinaglipat-lipat ko ang tingin sa mga magulang ko at sa mga bisita.

I shot them a questioning look. My mother cleared her throat, her anxious gaze unsettling me. I had never seen her like this before. What was happening?

"This may be the right time, Fiona. You're old enough now. We hope you'll understand what we're about to say. Please listen carefully and keep an open mind," my father spoke softly, squeezing my hand with gentle reassurance.

"Anak, importante ang sasabihin namin sayo. This is the only way we can save you—and the company. It's also for your future," my mother added. Her eyes brimmed with both eagerness and sorrow, as though burdened by a duty she wished she could refuse. Yet by the look of her, there was no choice left.

I wrinkled my face, trying to understand what they were talking about. My suspicion grew even more.

"This is freaking me out. What are you guys talking about? It seems that y'all telling goodbyes. Tell me what it is." Lalong nadadagdagan ang kaba ko sa aking dibdib dahil sa mga sinasabi nito.

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Mommy at ginagap nito ang mga kamay ko. Marahan niyang pinisil-pisil ang mga iyon.

As I met her eyes, I saw a glint of a mother's love, but I see more penitence in it.

Why?

I swallowed and wet my dry lips. "What happened? You guys say things because of what happened in the company?"

Nagkatingin sa isa't-isa ang mga magulang ko. "Yes, but it's only a minor issue. The real problem is that there are people who want to harm us—especially you. This plan is what we believe will keep you safer." My father's voice carried both worry and reassurance as he squeezed his clasped hands, eyes dropping to the floor. I stared back at him in disbelief.

"Fiona iha, alam kong labag sa loob mo ang sasabihin namin pero ito ang napagkasunduan naming apat. Huwag ka mag alala dahil pinag-isipan namin ito ng maigi."

My mother's voice was trembling, so as my hands quivered in nervousness—still puzzled by what they were talking about.

"Tell me now, please. You guys are making me nervous." I pleaded, keeping my composure. At some point in my mind, I don't want to hear what they are about to say, but I need to.

Keeping myself from running and lock myself in my bedroom, I waited for about few more seconds until I heard the very bad news that made my mind exploded in anger.

"We arranged a marriage between you and their son," my mother finally spoke, squeezing my hand tightly as her eyes became watery. "This is the only way anak. Para rin ito sayo."

What??! Tama ba narinig ko? Arranged marriage?

Lalong gumuho ang nararamdaman ko sa mga sinabi nito. Halos matunaw ako sa kinauupuan ko. Gusto kong sampalin ang sarili kong mukha para magising ako, baka sakaling panaginip lang ang lahat, pero hindi ko maigalaw ang katawan ko dahil sa pagkabigla.

My chest heaved as I drew in deeper breaths, trying to calm both my body and my racing mind after what I had just heard.

"Stop joking around Mom," my voice cracked.

Their serious expressions remained, unbroken and unwavering.

Oh my god. They were really not joking around!

My throat went dry.

"We're not joking around, Iha," Mrs. Elizalde, the female guest, suddenly interrupted with a soft voice.

Napalunok ako at sandaling natahimik hanggang sa unti-unti kong nilingon ang mga magulang ko.

"How dare you 'Ma 'Pa! Hindi ako papayag sa gusto niyo! I won't allow it! Tell me this isn't true!"

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang emosyon ko. Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha ko. I pulled my hand from my mother's grip and stood up, facing all of them.

"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Elizalde but I will not marry anyone. That is my choice to make. Not my parents, nor yours."

The couple remained silent, calm, their eyes fixed steadily on me.

"We have no choice, Fiona. We have to do this," my father said in a stern voice.

"Ipapakasal niyo 'ko sa lalaking hindi ko kilala at hindi ko mahal? Kaya niyong gawin sakin 'to? 'Pa anak niyo ko! Wag niyong gawin sakin 'to! Bakit ako ang iipitin niyo rito? Malaki na 'ko! Nasa tamang edad na ako para pumili ng lalaking gusto ko. Wag niyo naman akong pangunahan," naluluha kong saad. Lumuhod ako sa harap nito at nagmamakaawa.

"This is also for your own good anak. Para rin ito sa kaligtasan mo," my mother said, gently rubbing my shoulder for comfort. Hinila ako nito patayo mula sa pagkakaluhod at pinaupo akong muli sa pagitang nilang dalawa ng aking ama.

"My own good? Eh ano 'to? Basta niyo nalang akong itatapon sa ibang pamilya, ganun ba? We can start a new business. Yung restaurant na plano mo 'Ma. I will help you. Not this. Please I'm begging you."

"Hindi pwede anak. Malaking bagay sa amin ng Daddy mo ang mapanatili ang kompanya, pinaghirapan iyon ng Lolo at Lola mo. Sila lamang ang pinagkakatiwalaan namin na makakatulong sa atin. At isa pa, kailangan mong tumakas at sumama sa kanila," anito na ang tinutukoy ay ang mag asawang Elizalde.

"Takas? From what? From whom?" Para akong mababaliw sa mga pinagsasabi nila. Nanginginig na ang buo kong katawan dahil sa galit.

"Anak ayaw sana namin malaman mo ang bagay na ito pero wala nang ibang oras. Ilang beses na kaming nakakatanggap ng death threat mula sa mga kalaban ng iyong ama sa negosyo, dahil sa pagtestigo ng ama mo laban sa kanila na may kinalaman sa mga ilegal na ginagawa ng kalaban niya. Ikaw ang puntirya nila anak. Kailangan mong lumayo rito. At ito ang hinihingi nilang mag-asawa kapalit sa pagtanggap nila sayo, ang pakasalan ang kanilang anak. You are safe with them since hindi nino man kayang gawan ng masama ang pamilya nila."

Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko sa rebelasyong ito. Hindi ko akalain na may malubhang problemang kinakaharap ang mga magulang ko.

"Someone's threatening our lives?" My mouth felt dry upon hearing it.

"Yes, Fiona." My mother's voice cracked, and she started sobbing.

I swallowed and shook my head. "Pwede naman akong lumayo at magtago sa iba nating kamag-anak bakit sa kanila pa? At bakit pa kailangang ikasal kami?"

"Anak, hindi natin pwedeng idamay rito ang mga kamag anak natin. Hindi nila pwedeng malaman ang nangyayari at ng kung sino man dahil pwede rin manganib ang buhay nila. Tanging silang mag asawa lamang ang nakakaalam nito at handa silang tumulong sa atin kapalit nang pagpapakasal mo sa anak nila."

"Then ask your other close friends for help—anything that doesn't force me into an arranged marriage!"

"We all asked them, anak. Many of them are willing to help us but marrying their son is much safer for you. No one can harm an Elizalde."

I couldn't think straight right now. Para akong nahihilo sa mga sinasabi nila. Naninikip na rin ang dibdib ko.

"Iha, we understand how difficult this is for you. Believe me, it's just as hard for us as parents. Our son grew distant after his sister's death, but we believe meeting you could change that. Your parents told us how loving, cheerful, and positive you are. We could help each other by —"

"I'm sorry for your loss Mr. & Mrs. Elizalde but I will not accept this. At marami pa pong ibang paraan para mabago ang sitwasyon ng anak niyo at hindi ako ang isa sa mga solusyon niyo. Please don't ruin my life just for your son's sake. I also have a life."

"We are not ruining your life, and this is not only for my son's sake, but also yours. Don't worry, we will do anything to keep you safe. And we help you with your career. You can still do your normal activities even after your marriage." Mrs. Elizalde seemed desperate while her husband was quiet ever since the conversation began.

"Listen to them, anak. They will protect you and take care of you. They are not just friends of ours, we treat each other as family," my father said calmly, looking at me sternly.

"Hindi ako papayag sa gagawin niyo sakin," I spoke firmly, my tears gone, yet my heart still brimming with rage and disbelief.

"No matter what happens, you will marry their son within 2 months and that's final. No more arguments," ani aking ama. Agad naman hinawakan ito sa kamay ng aking ina para pakalmahin.

"Yeah, Dad, no more arguments because I'm not going to marry anyone, and you can't force me to," mariin kong saad.

My father stood and was about to say something when my mother grabbed his arms and pulled him back to his seat.

"Don't be so stubborn Fiona. As long as you're living under my roof, you must obey my rules!" Bagaman hindi ganoon kalakas ang boses ng aking ama, ay ramdam niya ang diin ng bawat katagang iyon.

My eyes burned again, but I did my best to hold back the tears in front of everyone.

"Calm down, Marco. You don't have to act that way to your daughter," Mr. Elizalde finally broke in the conversation.

"Iha hindi ka naman namin pababayaan. He's a fine, young gentleman. He won't hurt you. I assure you. Aalagaan ka namin. Hindi kami masamang tao," ani Mrs. Elizalde, hawak nito ang magkabilang balikat ko. "Alam namin na kapag nakita ka niya at nakilala ka niya, he will see his life as a blessing. For sure, he will fall in love with you because you are so beautiful, intelligent and talented."

I felt the sincerity in her gaze and heard it in every tremor of her voice. But I pushed it aside. "I'm truly sorry, Mrs. Elizalde, but my answer is no."

"Please, iha. We understand what you are feeling right now, but it will go away. In time, you'll realize we're telling the truth," Mr. Elizalde's voice rang with determination, weighing heavily on me.

Pigil ko ang aking sarili na huwag magtaas ng boses sa mga ito. Lumingon ako sa mga magulang ko.

"I'll find another way to escape those people threatening our lives—yours and mine, Mom and Dad. But not this, not through marriage." My voice was firm, my expression unyielding, as I turned and decided to head for my bedroom.

"Fiona!"

I heard my father's angry voice, but I kept running toward the stairs. I slammed my door shut and locked it.

Nanlumo akong napaupo sa sahig habang nakasubsob ang aking mukha sa mga palad ko. Humandig ako sa pinto at tuluyan nang nag unahan ang mga luha ko sa magkabilang pisngi, hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayan kung ilang minuto o oras ako sa ganoong posisyon. Maya-maya pa ay tumayo ako at humiga sa kama, tulalang nakatunghay sa kisame.

I stayed like that for a few minutes to recover, eyes shut tight as I winced from the pounding in my head. A glance at the wall clock told me it was 10:23 p.m. The pain worsened as I got up and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. In the mirror, I stood bare, my eyes red and swollen, my black curly hair a wild mess across my head and face. Simply put, I looked awful.

My body shivered as the water splashed all over me. I sighed in relief, feeling the coldness running through my body. I felt relaxed the moment I released all the stress and negativity in my system. After that, I walked to my wardrobe and searched for a pajama and a thin white sando. I, then, slumped myself on the bed, just staring blankly at the ceiling. I flinched as my head hurt so badly. I closed my eyes tightly and then let out a heavy breath.

Napaigtad ako nang makarinig ako ng mahinang katok sa pinto.

"Fiona anak. I know you're still not sleeping. Can we talk?" I heard my mother's voice calling out.

I didn't answer. I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone. Not even to my parents.

I stayed like that for minutes until I heard her fading footsteps.

What is happening to me? To this family? How can this be happening? Who's threatening our lives? My life? Why do I need to marry a man I didn't know and love? Why?

A pool of tears rushed from my eyes again. I groaned and hugged my pillow tightly. I need to stop this. I need to find a way to hide from those bad people my parents were talking about. I need to escape from this arranged marriage they had planned.

That's right! I know what I am going to do.

I got up from the bed walked into my wardrobe and packed my things.

I'm so sorry Mom and Dad. But I have to do this.

I decided not to tell Layla about this so that if ever my parents asked her about me, she wouldn't know what to tell them. I wrote a note telling my parents I was sorry and left it on top of my bedside table. After packing, I wore a ripped black pants, maroon Nike shoes, and a hoody on top. I spat the wall clock, it's 12:40 in the morning. I knew they were already sleeping including Amelia. I tiptoed towards my door, slowly opened it, and sneaked my head out to observe if there was someone still awake at that time. I grabbed my large suitcase and bag pack. I carried it instead because it might create noise on the floor if I will drag it.

Once I got down to the first floor, I quickly headed to the main door without creating any noise. I sighed in relief as I walked out of the door until I reached the gate.

"I'm so sorry 'Ma 'Pa but I have to do this."