Czar's Property

I walked up to the platform beside a man I barely knew, while our families followed behind us. I looked around the garden. It was beautifully decorated with fairy lights and lanterns hanging from the trees. The tables were elegantly set and filled with guests from prominent families. Although I recognized a few familiar faces, the rest were practically strangers that I had just met tonight. Ever since my parents introduced me to a couple of fiance candidates, I had been dreading this day. Matagal ko nang inasahan na ipakakasal rin nila ako dahil sa negosyo, gaya na lang ng ginawa sa kanila ng mga magulang nila. Pero ngayong nandito na ako sa mismong sitwasyon ay mahirap pa rin palang tanggapin. At one point, I had let myself hope that they would never force me into marriage. As someone who had gone through that experience, I thought they would somehow understand and consider my feelings. Kahit alam ko naman sa sarili kong hindi ko kayang baguhin ang desisyon nila, kahit paano ay umasa pa rin ako. But as I stood before a cheering crowd celebrating my engagement, I realized that I had never been so wrong. My heart sank, feeling utterly powerless. "Smile, Keesha," my mother said. Nilingon ko siya sa aking kaliwa. I did what I was told and she smiled back at me. The look on her eyes clearly showed how proud she was. Kung para saan ay hindi ko alam. "You have no idea how lucky you are," she added. Hindi ko siya sinagot. From an outsider's point of view, siguro nga tama si Mom na nakapaswerte ko. Eleazar Javier III, my fiance, was beloved and highly regarded by many. He was intelligent, tall, and had accomplished a lot at a young age. He was also good-looking, more than I'd like to admit. His family was well-distinguished in the hospitality and business industry, owning several hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars in the country, and Czar was the sole heir of that business empire. Kaya naman maraming babae ang naghahangad na maikasal sa kanya. Any girl would kill to be in my place, and that was no exaggeration. But despite knowing these things, hindi ko pa rin kayang maging masaya para sa sarili. "Keesha," Czar whispered against my ear, pulling me back to reality. "You okay?" I looked up at him and met his hooded eyes. His hand travelled from the small of my back down to my waist, causing me to shudder from the friction it created against my dress. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Gusto kong tanggalin iyon at lumayo sa kanya, pero alam kong pinanonood kami ng marami. I didn't want to make it obvious that I was uncomfortable around him, so I ignored his hand on my waist and nodded before averting my eyes. "You sure? Kanina ka pa tahimik," he replied. It took all I had in me not to roll my eyes at him. "Yes. I'm just tired and want this to be over with," sagot ko sa boses na hindi maririnig ng iba. He let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. It almost seemed like I had offended him. "Kakasimula pa lang ng party, a? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan? I even had the place decorated according to your taste. Or are you saying that simply because you want to get away from me as soon as possible?" "Bakit? Ayaw mo ba no'n? I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual." "Who knows..." Hindi ko na siya sinagot. Mabuti na lang ay hindi niya na rin ako kinausap matapos 'yon. I didn't want to talk to him more than I have to. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero napakabilis kong mainis sa tuwing siya ang kausap ko. He had a way to irritate me with the simplest things like he knew exactly how to push my buttons. I still recall the day I met him, a couple of months ago. Just the sight of him sitting on our couch made my blood boil. He seemed unbothered and disinterested in the whole marriage arrangement, na parang hindi siya iyong ipakakasal sa akin. Alam ko naman na napilit lang din siya ng mga magulang niya, pero kung umakto siya ay parang wala lang iyon sa kanya, na parang sanay na siya. While there I was, feeling as though the whole world had collapsed beneath my feet. Even now, I still couldn't accept the fact that my parents wanted me to marry a man I had just met only for the sake of our family business and honor. However, Czar was different. He just didn't seem to care, and at times, it even appeared as if he was enjoying this whole arranged marriage. Kung bakit ay hindi ko alam. Maybe he thinks this is all a game, and he could quit any time he wants, I thought. That annoyed me even more. My parents made a toast and officially announced my engagement to Czar. Everyone erupted in applause, while I simply watched them, feeling like a bystander in my own life. After a few speech from my parents and Czar's, isa-isa na kaming bumaba ng platform. Czar held my hand and helped me walk down the stairs. Hindi naman na iyon kailangan dahil ilang hakbang lang naman iyon, pero hinayaan ko na lamang siya. I put on another fake smile when our relatives approached us. They greeted us with handshakes, hugs, and some of them even joked and offered to pay for our honeymoon, which I politely declined. It was ironic how excited they were for my wedding when I was not. The party went on until midnight. That meant I had to link arms with Czar and pretend to be the happiest girl on earth for hours. By the time his parents were about to leave, as they were the last ones there, I was already exhausted. Hindi ko na tuloy alam kung maayos pa ba ang ngiti ko noong kinausap nila ako. "You're so pretty, my dear. I’m glad you agreed to this," Mrs. Javier said to me, cupping my face before pulling me into a loose hug. "Welcome to the family." I smiled at her. Her words felt so genuine that I couldn't help but feel guilty. Wala man lang silang kaalam-alam na ayaw ko talagang maikasal sa anak nila. I have no problems when it comes to Czar's family as they were very kind people. Actually, the way they treated me was beyond that of what I expected. Kung sila lang ang magiging in-laws ko, siguro ay matutuwa talaga ako. But that was the thing, I like them but not their son. Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ng mga magulang ni Czar ay mabilis ko nang binitiwan ang kanyang braso. My parents had already gone to their room as well, and with nobody around, I no longer had to pretend. Nakaramdam ako ng kalayaan matapos gawin iyon, as if I have removed invisible handcuffs from my wrists. It felt refreshing. "Matutulog ka na?" Czar said, shattering the silence between us. I turned towards him. His forest-green eyes glistened against the light from the chandeliers. From this angle, his high-bridged nose and perfectly chiseled jawline looked even more defined. His dark slicked-back hair complemented his black suit. He looked dangerous. Deadly, even. No wonder girls fell for him from just a simple glance. If only his personality was as good as his looks. "Yes, and I'd like my privacy so you should hurry home as well." "Oh, I won't be going home tonight," sagot niyang nakapagpakunot ng aking mga kilay. "Inimbitahan ako ng mom mo na magpalipas ng gabi rito. Mother took the offer, so I'll be staying." I sighed. "Do whatever you want. I honestly don't care," is what I replied before walking away. I climbed our staircase towards the second floor, and he followed suit. "Kung hindi mo alam kung saan ka matutulog, magtanong ka sa mga kasambahay." Czar's chuckle echoed around the empty hallway. His footsteps continued to follow me as I neared my bedroom. "Don't worry, I already know where my room is." "Good for you." I secretly rolled my eyes. Bahala siya kung saan niya gustong matulog. Wala akong pakialam kahit sa swimming pool pa 'yon, basta't malayo sa akin. "Hindi mo ba itatanong kung saan?" "Nope," maagap kong sagot. "Talaga?" mapang-asar niyang tanong. "What if I tell you it's your room?" Natigilan ako sa paglalakad at mabilis siyang nilingon. His mischievous eyes met mine in an instant. A smirk was plastered on his face, making my cheeks heat up from annoyance. Lasing ba ang isang 'to? Ano bang problema niya? Kanina pa siya ganito sa party. It almost seemed like he was hitting on me, but that was impossible. He did not like me and I was pretty sure that I wasn't his type either. He made that clear the first time we met. So why the heck was he suddenly acting like we're close? To mock me? "I'm not in a mood for jokes, Czar," I said, emphasizing every word. "If it's a good f**k you want, then you're looking at the wrong girl. Go find someone else at a club. Shag as many girls as you like, for all I care. Just don't bother me." He pursed his lips tightly, trying to suppress a laugh. He looked so amused that it annoyed me even more. Kung pwede ko lang siyang saktan, baka ginawa ko na. Kaya lang ayaw ko nang mag-aksaya ng lakas. The party had drained me already and I refuse to waste any more energy on him so instead, I turned away. Mabilis ang lakad ko palayo sa kanya, sabik na makapasok sa aking kwarto. The more distance I put between us, the better. Kaya lang ay mukhang walang balak si Czar na ibigay sa akin ang privacy na hinihiling ko, dahil sa kabila ng mga sinabi ko ay naririnig ko pa rin ang pagsunod niya. Damn this guy! "Czar, will you please stop following me!" sigaw ko nang hindi siya nililingon. His steps grew louder, indicating that he got closer. Nakumpirma ko 'yon nang bigla ko na lamang maramdaman ang presensya niya sa aking likuran. His warmth reached my back and seeped through my skin, sending chills down my spine. Mas binilisan ko ang paglalakad. "Why? I'm sleeping in your room. Sinabi ko naman na, hindi ba?" aniya sa isang mapaglarong tono. "Tita Karina specifically said na tabihan kita sa pagtulog. She said they wouldn't mind having a grandchild earlier than later." Napapikit ako nang mariin nang marinig ang kanyang sinabi. It made my blood boil and my hands tremble. Pero ang mas nakakainis doon ay galing pa iyon sa magulang ko. Ano bang tingin nila sa amin? Mere tools to continue their bloodline? "What are you, a child? Kailangan ba lahat ng sinasabi sayo ay susundin mo? Ayos lang sa akin na dito ka sa bahay matulog, pero ang magtabi tayo sa iisang kwarto para pagbigyan sila... ibang usapan na 'yan." "We're getting married in five months, so what's the difference? Personally, I don't see a problem with that. In a matter of months, we'll be sleeping in the same room, the same bed, so why not do it now?" "Why?" I stopped on my tracks and swiftly turned to him, knuckles white for clenching my fists too hard. "Talagang tinatanong mo sa akin 'yan? I thought you already knew the answer? Or have you forgotten already?" Czar was standing right in front of me, just inches away. I had to crane my neck upwards just to see his face. His jaw was clenched, but there was still a hint of playfulness in his smirk and eyes. I couldn't tell whether he was angry or not, but I definitely was. "Let me hear it again then," he said, his voice dangerously deep. Kinagat ko ang labi ko. On normal circumstances, I would've backed down and ignored him. Hangga't kaya ng pasensya ko, hindi ko siya pinapatulan dahil alam kong magagalit lang sa akin sina Mom at Dad kung mababalitaan nilang nag-away kami ni Czar. Kaya lang, masyado nang pagod ang isip at katawan ko para intindihin pa iyon. All I wanted was to talk back and give him a piece of my mind. Flashing him my sweetest smile, I said, "It's because I hate you, Czar. I hate this arrangement our parents decided on their own, this whole engagement thing, and I doubt I'll ever like or love you. That's why."