The Impostor Wife

CHAPTER 1. 5: THE VOWS

“ You may now kiss the bride.”

Kiss the bride?

I feel dumb when I wasn't preparing myself for this.

Hindi ako ignorante sa bahaging iyon ng kasal. Alam kong may halik na nagaganap sa isang kasal kahit noong bata pa ako. Akala ko lang ay hindi na nila isasama ang 'kissing part' dahil isa lamang iyong arrange marriage.

Pero mukhang kahit na gumanap ang kasal sa isang hardin, traditional pa rin ang sinunod ng mga ito.

Pero isipin pa rin lalapat ang labi ng lalaki sa labi ko...

His large hands are steady when he lifts my veil. His perfume assaulted her senses making the hair on her nape stood.

Huling huli nito ang titig niyang dumapo sa labi nito. His eyes turned dark; he must be annoyed again.I had no time to prepare when Lance suddenly closed the gap between them.

Ayaw kong pumikit. Pero sa huli ng makitang palapit na ang mukha ng lalaki sa akin ay kusang pumikit ang aking mata.

I felt firm lips press against my cold one. Sabi nila makakaramdam ka ng parang may mga paru-paro sa tiyan mo, pero bakit kakaiba ang naramdaman niya. She felt her body growing hot, her skin sensitive---the feeling is scorching, suffocating---my poor brain just momentarily shutdown.

Then there's his tongue.

That fleshy movable muscular process of the floor of the mouths of most vertebrates that bears sensory end organs and small gland and functions especially in taking and swallowing food and in humans as speech organ -- thank you Merriam-Webster!

That tongue grazed my lips, like he was trying to capture the lingering taste and I can’t help the moan that slips from my lips.

A loud cheering and clapping boomed around them. Hindi nila alam.

Wala silang alam. I just doomed myself with this man.

Dapat nanatili akong nakapikit because the satisfaction in Lance face means that he got the response he wanted.

I knew then that single moan; my first mistake will be my greatest mistake.

In the reception area, di niya maiiwasang mamangha sa gaano ka pulido at magarbo ang naturang kasal. They follow the same tradition yet it feels magical— almost wishing that it’s really her wedding.

She was amazed when they cut the cake; the taste is divine, the design is very detailed but it’s nothing compared to the man feeding her. Nagpasalamat siya at di nanginginig ang kamay niya ng siya na ang sumubo rito. His face devoid of emotion and somehow she knew that he wish he was somewhere—anywhere just not here.

Kahit siya ang nakatayo at katabi ito, pakiramdam niya para siyang estrangherong nakamasid sa tabi.

Outsider.

Her body moves following the instructions of the coordinator. She even pretends to enjoy the toast; the speeches jumbled in her brains.

She clings to the little bravery she have.

Just a little more…

The day is almost over.

Magkatabi silang dalawa ng magsimula na ang dinner, pero walang umimik. Walang balak ang lalaking magpanggap sa harap ng mga tao. When she glances at him, her tummy quenched hard. He exudes so much confidence just by sitting there. He looks so lost in his thoughts, he even swirls the wine multiple times before taking a sip.

She’s also aware how the people whispers pointing at them, maybe they have a conclusion how this marriage will unfold.

But then the dinner ended and the DJ started playing a love song.

The bridal first dance…

“I think this is the time I should dance with my wife.” His tone is husky.

He guided her on the dance floor.

Agarang nanlamig ang kamay niya ng hinapit ng lalaki ang katawan niya palapit rito. Nilagay nito ang kamay sa kanyang bewang. The nearness made her froze. Si Lance na mismo ang naglay ng kanyang kamay sa braso nito nang mapansin ang pagtigil niya. A sweet song filled the air.

They looked intimate in the public eyes, a sweet newly married couple—pretend couple.

Pero iba ang pakiramdam niya ng mas lalo panghapitin ng lalaki ang katawan niya palapit rito. Her breast touched his broad chest.

Nanigas siya sa kinatatayuan.

“Don't tell me, you don't know how to dance ?” May kalakip na sarcasm sa pagbitiw niya ng salita.

Tumango siya sa tanong nito.

She knew a little how to dance, she don't care if she would step on his foot --- the cunning ways he does just to make her feel dumb-- it get's on her nerves. He is exploiting her weakness.

Mas humigpit pa lalo ang hawak nito sa kanya, in the public eyes it looks like he was hugging her but the truth is he is already crushing her.

She heave. “Hindi ako makahinga---” She was taken aback by the look on his face. Madilim ang anyo ng lalaki ng tumingala siya rito. His lips tightly close and his eyes turned to slit.

“Cut the crap Ms. Collin Rivera.” Sa pagbigkas pa lang nito ng pangalan niya halos manlamig siya. “Don't play innocent on me. I know who you are, every dirty thing you've done, every rebellious act you committed... I knew all of it. So you better stop trying to fool me.”

Oh god! Another mistake.

Collin--Collin is a dancer, she loves to show her amazing talent in a party or in a club. That simple sway in dancing would never be a problem to her.

“You must know what I really hate about in a person aren't you? I know you had me investigated or searched every published info I have .” Her warning--- he had started to drew the shot between their marriage.

She's scared. She's really is a total fool to try to deceive Lance Arcega.

If he knew ---- her life and Rivera's future …she can't even fathom.

Totoong nakakatakot ang lalaki. Sa titig pa lang nito parang gusto niya ng tumakbo.

Anong gagawin niya?

Parang nawalan siya ng lakas ng niluwagan nito ang hawak nito sa kanya. Her body slumped towards him. Wala siyang pakialam kung magkalapat na ang katawan nilang dalawa.

Nagsimula itong sumayaw. Small steps--- lightly swaying—as if he did not threaten her just a second ago.

“I know.” She said breaking the silence between them, she just answered his question. “.. but what I know more is that you should stop judging people base on what you gossipers--grasshopper what-so-ever you call it--- to better know them first, afterall people change."

Nagkamali siya ng galaw ng maapakan niya ang paa ng lalaki.

Mukhang hindi naman inda ng lalaki ang sakit.

“Talaga? As if you're not like them. Aren't you the same?” Bumalik sa kanya ang sinabi niya.Tama ang lalaki.

Napahigpit ang hawak niya sa braso nito--and once again she had step on his foot.

A sarcastic laugh left his lips. "Nothing to say?"

She just nodded. Ayaw niyang makipagtalo dito. It takes all her energy breathing the same air with someone like Lance.

Her foot falter, and for the nth time she had step on his foot again.

"Are you doing that on purpose?" His tone reprimanding and full of knowing-- cause he knew he unnerve her.

"Sabi ko nga sa'yo di ako marunong sumayaw." Naiinis niyang sagot dito. Bahala ito kung ayaw nitong maniwala.

"Don't try my patience, my wife." anito na mas lalong diniinan sa huling katagang binigkas nito.

She hopes that she’ll leave a bruise on his foot because she surely never even graze his wholesome ego.

They dance may look intimate from outside but a war continue to brew between them.

Ngayon kahit katiting na pag-asang magiging tahimik at maayos ang pagsasama nila...naglaho na. Hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang makasama ng matagal ang lalaki. How she wish Collin would give birth already so that she could replace her situation right now.

Oo, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya ang nagpakasal kay Lance imbes na si Collin.

Collin got pregnant before she return here in the Philippines. Hindi malaman ng magulang nito ang gagawin gayong nakahanda na ang kasal. Matagal ng nakaplano ang kasal simula noong mga bata pa ang mga ito. Partners ang Arcega at ang Rivera sa negosyo maliban sa mayroon silang sariling business. Both family are friends more than a decades. Kaya nag aalangan ang pamilya Rivera kung sasabihin nila ang tungkol dito, lalo pa at nalulugi na ang Rivera's International Groups and Companies dahil sa maling pangangalakad simula noong tumigil na si Don Antonio ng magka mild stroke ito. They need Arcega's wealth and connections.

Hindi niya alam ngunit kamukhang kamukha niya si Collin kahit saang anggulo. Hindi magkalayo ang tangkad nila at ang pangangatawan.

Kung di niya lang alam ang katotohanan, iisipin niyang kakambal niya ito. Pero hindi lang dahil maraming witness ng ipanganak ito na nag-iisa lang kundi alam niyang totoo siyang anak ng kanyang mga magulang at ga'yon din dito. Ang pinagkaiba lang nila ay itim na itim at unat ang kanyang natural na buhok samantalang curly at light brown ang natural na buhok ni Collin. Para ngang buhay na manika si Collin sa sobrang ganda nito. Mas matangkad ito sa kanya at mas maputi kaya kinailangan pa niyang pumunta sa isang sikat na clinic para pumuti.

Pero hinayaan lang ang buhok sa natural na ayos. Tinuruan pa siya ng mga importanteng bagay para umaktong mayaman. She needs to be feminine and graceful.

She should do her part. The last event ended fast, she just randomly threw the bouquet.

At dumating na ng ang oras na kanyang kinakatakutan.

Going home or better way to say going to Lance house.

May kalayuan ang bahay nito sa ginanapan ng kasal kaya di niya napigilang makatulog sa biyahe. Kanina halos ayaw pa niyang umalis, isipin pa lang na magkakasarilinan silang dalawa ni Lance sa bahay nito. Pero sa pagsusumamo nina Tita Elise at Tito Antonio ay wala na siyang nagawa. Parang magulang na rin ang tingin niya sa mga ito. Dapat nga ang tawag nya sa mga ito ay Donya Elise at Don Antonio, pero sa sobrang bait ng mga ito, hiniling ng mga itong maging pamikyar na sa mag asawa.

She was only eighteen ng lumayas siya sa kanila dahil ayaw ng kanyang Daddy ang kursong gusto niyang kunin.

She wants to pursue being an artist, to paint and show her craft to the world, at ayaw iyon ng Daddy niya dahil wala raw siyang mararating. Kinuha nito lahat ng obrang ginawa niya at itinapon. She got mad. That time she felt the hatred brew inside her for her father. She rebelled. Many people may thought her kind but she knew herself--- she hated being apart from her art and she can be cruel and unforgiving.

Doon umalis siya sa kanilang probinsya at nagbakasakali sa Manila para ipakita sa kanyang daddy na may mararating siya sa buhay. She was sheltered growing up not kowing how ugly the reality of the world. Akala niya kaya niyang marating ang pangarap niya sa talento at tapang na bitbit niya.

She can't. Dahil may mga tao talagang magsamantala ng kahinaan at kawalang alam.

Maling desisyon.

Stupidity, ignorance, naiveness--- they'll try to lure you in a trap.

Pinuntahan niya ang isa niyang kaibigan sa Maynila. She was reassured that she's in a good hands. Pero nang makarating na sa Maynila ay walang kaibigang sumundo sa kanya, di man lang niya makontak. She found a bedspace enough for her budget, tried to sell her drawing and painting with a cheap price but it's not enough.

Nasa lugar siya kung saan maraming nangyayaring krimen. She was almost became a victim just walking in a dark alley. Safety is always questionable.

Nagising siya sa ospital at nabungaran sina Don Antonio at Donya Elise na puno ng pag aalala. Nakita daw ng mga ito na binubuhat siya ng isang lalaki papasok sa isang van. Nagkahinala na agad ang mga ito at inutusan ang kanilang mga gwardiya. Nalamang mga sindikato ang mga iyon siyang kumukuha ng mga babae para i-benta sa mga mayayaman. She don't know the full details but she accepted that their story is real.

Hindi makapaniwala ang mga ito kung gaano na ka hawig ang anak ng nga ito na nasa Amerika kaya madali niyang nakagaanan ng loob ang mga ito.

Binigyan siya ng mga ito ng scholarship para ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pag-aaral sa fine arts. Ang mga obra niya rin ay dinis-play sa isa sa pinakasikat na gallery ng kaibigan ni Donya Elise. Itinuring siyang tunay na anak ng mga ito. Palagi siyang binibisita sa apartment na ang mga ito ang nagbigay kahit halos tatlong oras ang biyahe galing sa mga ito.

Utang niya sa Rivera's ang lahat and debt's should be paid.