The Primadonna Princess

CHAPTER TWO

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng sabihin ni Dean Dasco na makaka-graduate ako this coming April. Well, my parents made sure of it. Halos kalahating araw yatang kausap ni Dad si Dean at sa huli napagkasunduan nilang magdodonate ang parents ko ng limang milyon para sa expansion ng building ng College of Business.

"I would be very glad to attend the wedding…" Dagdag pa na sabi ni Dean Dasco habang naglalakad kami nina dad at mom palabas ng pinto ng opisina nito.

"We are sorry Dean… but as much as we wanted to invite you on their wedding, we wanted it to be private. Only the immediate families will be invited to come." Napangiwi ako sa sagot ni Dad rito. Ang harsh niya kay Dean, sobra.

"We don't want it to be in public because the kids were still too young and we want them to reach their dreams first before letting the world know that they were already married. Hope you understand." Apologetic naman na sabi ni Mommy kay Dean. Napansin yata nito ang pagiging sarcastic ni Daddy.

"Oh, is that so? I absolutely understand, Mr. and Mrs. Tan." Namumulang sagot ni Dean rito. Hell! The dean had a crush on my mother? And father seems to notice it because he kissed my mother's temple. Hindi naman nakaligtas sa akin ang kamay ni mommy na pumulupot sa bewang ni daddy.

I smiled.

I want a love story just like my parents. Yun parang fairytale. Yun mahal na mahal nila ang isa't-isa despite the differences and obstacles. At yung pagmamahal na mas lalong yumayabong sa paglipas ng panahon.

I want something like that. I want my own love story to be like that!

"Baby, we will meet the Ramos today. Are you ready?" Anunsyo ni mommy sa akin ng tumigil ang sasakyan sa parking lot ng isang mamahaling restaurant.

Tanging tango lamang ang naging sagot ko. Para akong lagas na dahon na umaayon lamang sa direksyon ng ihip ng hangin. Pumasok kami sa isang private room at doon natagpuan kung naghihintay si King Josef at ang parents nito.

The beautiful woman smiled at me. Ang puti niya at napakaganda. The mother maybe and beside her sitting a handsome guy, the older version of King.

"Glad to finally meet you, Ysia Marie... I am Snow White Ramos, King's mother." Anito at bumeso sa akin. "And this is my husband, Joseph Ernest Ramos." She said warmly, introducing her husband.

"Nice meeting you po, Mr. and Mrs. Ramos." I genuinely smiled at them. Mukhang mababait naman kasi ang mga ito. Pinukol ko ng masamang tingin si King Josef na sumisimsim ng iced tea sa tabi ko. I so hate this guy for ruining my life. Lintek lang talaga ang walang ganti!

"Oh honey, you're so polite. You can start calling us Mommy and Daddy..." King's forehead creased as he heard what his father saying to me.

"Tita and Tito will do, hija." I wonder how King's mother seemed too nice in every aspect. I like her. But I still despise his son.

"So balae, kelan natin ipapakasal ang mga bata?" Panimula ni Dad ng matapos naming kumain. Hindi ko mawari kung atat ba ang ama ko na maikasal kami or what?

"The sooner the better, balae." Sagot naman ng daddy ni King. Oh my gosh, at nagkakasundo pa talaga ang mga tatay namin tungkol sa kasal.

"I agree on that... The sooner, the better." Sang-ayon naman ni Dad.

"Why don't we ask the kids first." Suhestiyon naman ni Tita Snow. I so like her na talaga. She is considering US in planning our own wedding. Not like my dad na kung ipakasal ako sa lalaking nasa harapan ko ay parang hindi niya ako anak.

"Yeah, tama. Let the kids decide on their wedding date." Si mommy. I know my mother too well and she doesn't want me to marry this early. Nakakainis lang kasi ang daddy ko!

Magsasalita na sana ako ng bigla na namang magsalita ang aking ama.

"But I want the wedding to be done after the graduation. Gusto kong magpokus muna sila para sa final examination nila." May konsiderasyon din naman pala ang ama ko.

"Tama, balae... Mas mainam na rin yun na ang exam muna nila sa school ang pag-aralan pagtuonan nila bago ang kasal." Sabi naman ni Mr. Salcedo.

"Okay then. A week after the examination gaganapin ang kasalan nila." Desididong pahayag ng aking ama.

And I thought we are going to decide for our wedding date?

"King, when do you prefer to get married." Malambing na tanong ng mommy nito sa lalaki. Nagkibit-balikat lamang ito at tumingin sa kanya. As if saying to me that I should be the one to decide.

"Baby... when?" Tanong ni mommy sa akin.

"April 13." Walang emosyon na sagot ko sa mga ito.

Pansamantalang namayani ang katahimikan sa sinabi ko. I know what they’re thinking but I don't want to give a f**k on it. I want my wedding the day after graduation. Period.

"Okay, April 13 is final." Pinal na sabi ni daddy.

They were still talking regarding the other details of the wedding when I excused myself. I want to see myself in front of the mirror because I am feeling dehydrated. I don't know why pero baka dahil sa nangyayari ngayon sa buhay ko.

"Are we really going to pursue this marriage?" Napapitlag ako sa gulat ng mabungaran sa labas ng pinto ng comfort room si King Joseph. Nakasandal ito sa pader at nakapamulsa. Okay fine, I admit. He looked handsomely rugged into my eyes pero wala akong pake.

"Seriously? You followed me to ask that silly question?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko rito. Humalukipkip ako sa harapan nito upang makipag-usap rito. I know this is not the right place to talk but I can't wait.

"You really want this to happen? Sinet-up mo ba ako para maikasal sa akin, Ysia Marie Tan?" May tinig ng pag-aakusa na tanong nito sa akin. Akala mo naman kung sinong gwapo na kailangan pang pikutin para mapasakamay ko?

How dare he?

"Jerk." Nakangising sagot ko rito. "Do I look desperate to you?" Imuwenstra ko sa kanya ang aking sarili. I know, I am beautiful. I have the looks and the body. Bonus na siguro ang pagiging matalino ko. Plus, the fact that I came from a well-off family.

"You tell me..." Paghahamon nito sa akin. He is trying to provoke me again. Dito niya ako nadali kaya nangyari ang ‘scandal’ na iyon.

"You seduced me first tapos ako pa ngayon  ang nagset-up? Dream on, Ramos. I am telling you it won't last." I rolled my eyes on him. Humakbang na ako pabalik sana  sa table namin when suddenly he grab my wrist.

"Ask your parents...sabihin mo sa kanilang huwag ng ituloy ang pagpapakasal mo sa akin.." Anito. Walang emosyon. Is he begging for me? Tumingin ako sa mga mata nito upang makita ang sinseridad ng sinasabi nito and I got lost for once.

"I can't. Babae ako. Ako ang agrabyado dito." Tahasang sagot ko rito. Hindi naman talaga ako agrabyado dahil intact pa rin ang virginity ko. But what I mean is that, yung kahihiyan ng pamilya ko as per mom's words. Geez! Ano na naman bang kalokohan ang pumapasok sa isip ko? Of course, I just wanted him to beg more.

"Please, Ysia..." Patuloy na pagsusumamo nito sa akin. He even holds my hand. Lumamlam pa ang mga mata nito at parang naluluha. What's with this man? Ano ‘to arte niya lang?

"Fine. Tell me why should I not marry you?" Mataray na tanong ko rito. I will not easily give in. For sure isa na naman ito sa mga pakulo niya para bwesitin ang dating tahimik kong buhay.

Yumuko ito at sumandal na muli sa pader. Don't tell me magwo-walling siya? Because I swear if he did it I will punch his pointed nose.

"Ysia, buntis ang girlfriend ko. If I marry you mawawalan ng ama ang anak ko. Kakayanin ba ng konsensya mo na mawalan ng ama ang anak ko? O kung makasal man tayo, do you want me to have a mistress? The marriage is a big bullshit, so please, help me. Tell your parents that you don’t want me for the sake of my unborn child." Sinsero nitong sabi sa akin. Nakayuko pa ang ulo nito at mukhang kaawa-awa.

My jaw literally drops on the floor upon hearing his words.

WHAT THE F?

What? He got his girlfriend pregnant?  Ang manyak pala talaga ng King Josef Ramos na'to? Aba! Matindi! Maliban sa pagiging makamundo nito ay makamandag rin pala ito. Naka-bulls eye na agad.

Unknowingly, bumaba ang tingin ko sa bandang zipper ng pantalon nito. Gracious God! Wala sa sariling napa-sign of the cross ako. Holy Guacamolly!

Bukas kasi ang zipper ng suot na pantalon nito at nasisilip ko ang kulay puting underwear nito.

And luckily, nakaumbok ang mighty dragon nito. Kaya dali-dali akong tumakbo palayo rito.

“What happened to you, Ysia? You look exhausted.  Why are you running?” Puna ni mommy ng makarating ako sa table namin.

“I saw a dragon, mom… it looks so big…” Wala sa sariling sagot ko rito.

“What dragon, Ysia?!” Maang na tanong ni Dad. Doon lamang ako nahimasmasan at napansing nakatingin silang lahat sa akin.

“Ow, I mean, a cockroach in the comfort room…” Napapikit ako sa sobrang kahihiyan. Baka isipin ng parents ni King, ang weird ko. I don’t want my future parents-in-law to think that I am a crazy woman.

“You’re so cute, Ysia. I like your humor.” Sabi naman ni Tita Snow. Hindi maikubli ang ngiti sa labi nito. She looks graceful and reserved.

“Thank you, Tita. I got it from my mom.” Natawa ako ng bahagya akong pandilatan ni mommy.

“So, King Josef, ikaw na ang bahala sa fiancé mo. We are going now with your parents. Take good care of my precious daughter.” Nakabalik na pala ang Mighty Dragon este si King.

“Yes, Sir! I will bring her home before ten in the evening. We will just discuss something important regarding our upcoming wedding.” Hmm, mukhang gentleman naman makipag-usap sa daddy ko pero kapag sa akin ungentle na, mean pa.

“That’s nice to hear, kiddo!” Tinapik pa ito ng dad niya sa balikat.

“Alam niyo naman pong ayaw kong mapahiya kayo, dad. Tito, I promise you, I will take good care of your daughter while she’s with me. Wala po akong gagawin na ikasasama ng aking future wife.”

 Ang plastic, grabe! Parang ibang tao yung kausap ko sa CR kanina.

“So, what now, future husband?” Sarcastic kong tanong ko rito pagkaalis ng parents namin.