Love Seduction

"Heather honey? Are you ready?" I look again at the mirror for the last time before running out of my room. Pilit na ngiti ang ibinigay ko sa mga magulang ko nang tuluyang marating ang kinatatayuan nila. "You look stunning honey." Mom said as she walks up to me. "Isn't this too much Mom?" Tanong ko at saka tinignan ang sarili. Pinasadahan ko pa ng aking mga kamay ang pareho kong tagiliran para masundan ang kurba ng aking katawan. Naiilang na tinignan ko silang dalawa at saka muling nginitian sila ng pilit. "No. No. I'm sure your fiancé will love your look." Nawala ang ngiti ko matapos marinig iyon. I never wanted to get married. I promised my self that I will never agree to be on a marriage with someone I don't know. "Heather anak, you know that..." "This is the only way to save our company? Yes, I know Mom." I said and flashed a forced smile. I didn't want to agree but I also don't want to disappoint my parents. They've been through a lot raising me, I just can't disagree with them and blame my Dad for our near bankruptcy. "Guess I'm a superhero after all ha? Yey!" "Heather." "I'm fine dad." I lied. I was never okay nor fine with this idea. I'm in love with someone else. I didn't even have a chance to tell him how much I love him and now I'm getting engage to someone I barely know. Nakangiting nilingon ko si Mommy nang maramdaman ang paghaplos nya sa aking likod. Nanatili akong tahimik sa buong byahe. Trying to cheer myself up kahit alam kong maitatali ako sa taong hindi ko gusto. But what can I do? I was never free from the start. I was born to be the savior of our company. "We're here." I took a deep breath bago binuksan ang pinto ng kotse. I don't have a choice. Binigyan ko si Mommy ng isang pilit na ngiti nang lingunin nya ako. Ang kaninang pagpipilit sa sarili na maging masaya ay tuluyan ko nang hindi nakayanan. ‘You always have a choice Heather. You just have to take courage to do it.’ "What's wrong anak?" Tanong ni Mama nang makitang huminto ako sa paglalakad. I immediately wipe my tears away and look at them, forced a smile despite of my broken heart. I planned to confess my feeling for Marco, my childhood friend but that plan will forever be a plan once I took a step inside this restaurant. "Heather let's go. They're waiting for us." Rinig kong pagtawag sa akin ni Dad. Nagsimulang tumulo ang luha ko. I was torn between my obligations and my feelings. "Dad." "Anak, what are you doing? Let's go." Maingat na hinawakan ni Mommy ang braso ko at saka ako marahang hinila. Ganon na lang ang gulat sa mga mata nila nang tanggalin ko ang kamay nya at saka humakbang paatras. "Heather." "Dad I-i'm sorry." My voice crack. They both look at me with disappointments. "What are you doing?" My mom asked when I didn't stop taking steps backwards. "I'm in love with someone else Mom. I'm sorry." I said, tears flowing down on my cheek. Hindi ko na hinintay pa na magsalita silang dalawa, tumakbo na ako at saka pumara ng taxi. Bumaba ako sa isang park nang may madaan kami. Nanatili akong nakaupo sa swing habang pinaglalaruan ang aking mga daliri. It took me five minutes to finally decide to call someone whom I can share all my problems with. "Hello. I'm at People's park. Can you come over? Thank you." Tuluy-tuloy na salita ko. Nang sabihin nyang pupunta sya ay agad na tumayo ako at saka nagpunta sa may slide. It wasn't my intention but I know I disappointed them. "Heather what happened?!" Liz asked while taking deep breaths. Medyo malapit lang sa village nila ang park na ‘to so she arrived in no time. "I'm going crazy, Liz." I answered. Ginulo ko pa ang buhok ko. "Why?" She asked again. "I..." I couldn't bring myself to speak about what happened. "Don't tell me you ran away from the meeting?" Nang tingalain ko sya ay gulat na mukha nya ang sumalubong sa akin. "Oh my gosh Heather!" Bulalas nya na naroon pa ang parehong kamay sa kanyang bibig. Agad na naupo ito sa aking tabi at saka hindi makapaniwalang tinignan ako. "You know I love someone else." I answered and look away. "But I thought you sort things out and decided to agree with your parents." "Yes. I did agree. I told them that I'd do everything to save the company but the moment I was standing outside that restaurant, a scene flashed on my mind where I was getting married with some random guy, my mind went blank and I just...." Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na muling mapaluha. Paano ko nga ba gagawin ang gusto nila kung kapalit no’n ay ang kasayahan ko? "Ssh. They'll understand." Pagpapatahan nya. "They won't." "Of course they do. Nag-iisang anak ka lang Heather." She said. "I hope so Liz. I hope so." Halos dalawang oras din yata kaming nanatili doon bago naisip ni Liz na ihatid ako sa bahay. Hindi na sya pumasok pa dahil alam nyang kakausapin ako nila Mom at Dad. "Dad." I nervously called him nang makapasok ako sa bahay. Nang makalapit sya sa akin ay agad akong napahawak sa aking pisngi nang maramdaman ang pagdapo ng kanyang palad doon. Sa sobrang lakas ay mabilis kong naramdaman ang pamamanhid ng labi ko. "Do you know how embarrased I was with my kumpadre?!" He shouted. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang yumuko at umiyak. I know that this will happen. He will never understand. "Antonio!" Sigaw ni Mama nang hawakan nya ang baba ko at pilit na iangat ang aking mukha. "It's all I ever ask from you Heather!" Marahas nya akong binitawan. Agad na naramdaman ko ang pag-alalay ni Mommy sa akin. "I'm sorry, Dad." I said between my sobs and bow my head. I know sorry won’t enough to ease his anger but I’m still hoping that it will be enough. "Stop it, Antonio!" Sigaw ni Mommy. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay mas lalo akong napaiyak nang makitang naka-angat nanaman ang kamay nya sa ere at handang padapuin muli iyon sa aking pisngi. "Talk to your daughter, Laura.” Baling nya kay Mommy. “Come to your senses, Heather!" Dad shouted and make her way to our kitchen. Naluluhang sinundan ko ito ng tingin. "Anak." Agad na iniharap ako ni Mommy sa kanya. "Mommy." I called her, crying. Nakangiting lumapit ito sa akin at saka ako niyakap ng mahigpit. "I'm sorry." I got my hopes high when I feel her hug. Siguro ay tama nga si Liz. Siguro masyado ko lang inisip na hindi nila ako mapapatawad dahil kitang-kita ko ang disappointment sa mga mukha nila kanina. "Ssh. I know you’re shock and it’s okay." Nakangiting saad ni Mommy habang pinupunasan ang mga luha ko. "We'll arrange the dinner next week." She added. "Mom." I look at her with despair. For a moment, I thought she was on my side. "Heather anak, you know your dad wants this." Hinawakan nya pa ang balikat ko habang pilit na ipinaiintindi ang bagay na iyon. "Do you want this too Mom?" I said in anguish. Marahan ko syang itinulak palayo sa akin. "Heather just listen to us okay?" "We'll schedule the meeting next week. Make sure to wear your best, Heather. You've embarrassed me enough today." Napatingin ako kay Dad pero hindi na sya nakatingin sa amin. Dala ang isang baso ng alak ay umakyat sya ng hagdan. "I don't want to get married." Nakayukong saad ko, pilit kong nilalabanan ang takot na namumuhay sa puso ko. "Heather! Take it back now!" Utos ni Mommy pero tinignan ko lang sya at muling ibinalik ang tingin kay Daddy na naroon pa rin sa hagdan at nakatingin na sa amin. "I won't marry him." Pag-uulit ko. I look at him without fear to show him that I'll stand with what I said until the end. But I froze when I heard his reply. I can't even utter a word. I just stand there, waiting for him to take back what he said but I know his decision was made when he turn his back on me and repeat what he just said. "Then leave."