English Rose

HURI  “No way, Mom!” Sigaw ko sa kaniya. Nasa walk-in closet siya samantala ako, nasa kwarto ko at nagtutuyo ng buhok ko sa harap ng vanity. Pinatay ko ang blower ko at pumunta sa closet. Kinuha ni Mommy ang mga damit ko at nilagay sa dalawang LV travel suitcase ko at sa dalawang LV Keepal 45 Monogram luggage bag ko. Ugh! Really? The LV pa ang ginamit? Why can’t she just use my Gucci one. Tumabi ako sa kaniya at tiningnan lang na nagiimpake kasama ang mga kasambahay namin. Gosh! “Ayoko nga Ma! May virus na kumakalat mula sa China, Mom! Tapos itatapon mo ako sa private island ng business partner mo sa Palawan? Are crazy you, Mom!?” Tumigil siya sa pagiimpake sa damit ko at tumingin sa akin. She looks concerned but also having that scary face of a pure Filipino Mom. “Huri, listen. Magiging asawa rin kayo ng anak ni Mr. Preciado, mabait na bata iyon kaya ‘wag na ‘wag mong paglolokohan naman.” I pouted my lips and rolled my eyes. Sumigaw ako bigla dahil kinurot ni mama sa taligiran ko. “Mom!” “Kilala kita Huri! Pagmalaman ko kay Himeros na hindi kayo nagkagustohan sa loob ng 3 months, sa Cairo ka maninirahan!” I look at her so shock. Cairo? Sa Eygpt? Heck no. I’ll be probably just stay at home ‘yan! Sina Lola Ermita at Uncle Kairo pa naman ang nandoon.No problem with my favorite Uncle pero si Lola? No way. I don’t even know why she loves Eygpt so much. It’s like hot in there kahit na summer sa kalapit na bansa. That Lola really loves to do errands to me. Kahit yung remote control nasa harap niya na, tatawagin pa ako sa itaas ng bahay para iabot yung remote. She’s basically torturing me. Then one time, nagpaparty ako. Pumunta pa naman sa loob ng club at kinakalad-kalad ako mula sa club hanggang sa bahay namin. Gosh, that Lola is a stressful Lola! Umalis ako ng kwarto at pumunta sa baba para makausap ang loving father ko. Nakaupo ito sa sofa habang nanonood ng movie sa Netflix. Kumakain din ito ng apple. Tumabi ako sa kaniya at ngumiti lang ako. I don’t want with that Himeros guy! I want to stay in here! Tumingin si Daddy sa akin pero bumaling din sa pagnonood ng movie. “Ano na naman ang gusto mo?” Tanong niya. I grab his shoulder and ask. “Dad, mamimiss niyo ba ako?” Tumingin siya sakin. “Oo naman, you’re my only princess.” “Only princess nga ako niyo, Dad pero bakit ipapatapon mo ako sa isang isla na kasama ang isang binata na hindi ko gusto. The princess always lives with the prince, Dad.” I said na muhkang hindi kinatuwa nito. We both sit up straight and I cross my legs and arms. Nakatitig lang ako sa tv with a bitchy face. Nakahara psi Dad sa akin pero hindi ko lang siya pinapansin. “Princess, Daddy and Mr. Preciado made an agreement since you and Himeros are both little. Can’t you remember? Yung 10 years old ka, naglaro kayo sa garden. Remember?” Ugh, ayoko nga. He’s weird as heck. Ang sobrang shy type nalalakeng iyon. He doesn’t even speaks and he’s weird. He’s into some s**t na hindi ginagawa ng mga karaniwang teenager noong nagkakilala kami. He’s reading some med related books for a highschooler na dapat nagha-have fun! Lucky me, I enjoy a lot in high school before mag 18 ako. “But I’m 17 dad! Kung itatapon niyo ako doon ng three months, hindi niyo maabutan ang 18th birthday ko! Nalaman k okay Mommy na hindi kayo bibisita. Lalo na may balak na maglock down daw. Pano yan? Manila to Palawan? Iiwan niyo ako eh!” I keep insisting na hindi ako pumunta sa island na iyon. Hecking no. Dad starts massaging his nose bridge and looks at me. I avoid his eye contact at nanood nalang sa movie na pinapanood niya. "He's a great kid, Huri. He's already 22 and can take care both of you. He can even manage the company nila. Our company and their company will be one, Princess. They’re my closest friends in business field and outside the business field." He said and took a deep breath.   “I will give you the bag from Chanel na gusting gusto mo..” Tumigin ako kay Daddy. He really knows what I always ask. Yung legendary black sling bag ng Chanel ang gusto kong ipabili sa kanya, dati pa. It was the classic and looks elegant that I would wear in clubs or parties. “Is that it Dad?” I ask again to him. I raise my eyebrows and slowly turning my head into him, showing that I’m so interested to that offer. “You can attend again in fashion weeks and you can go to call Coachella parties.” I hugs  my Dad. Yes! Finally. A best gift for my birthday! In next 3 months, I’ll be 18th but I knew na sa private island ako nakastay ‘cause this government might get a bit of messy. May mga positive na daw sa Pilipinas. “Thank you Daddy!” “Princess, I don’t need a child ha?” Bigla akong bumitaw sa yakap niya. Child? I look at him confuse at tumawa lang ito. “Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kalian ang papalapit na lockdown sa bansa natin pero sana, hindi ka lang muna mabuntis. You’re still our princess, Huri.” What the heck? “Daddy! Asawa lang! Get to know better lang! Hindi ako magaanak anak agad! Gosh!” I touch my head like I’m stress and my Dad just laugh. I shrug and notice that someone’s enter the house. Biglang pumasok si Kuya Hans na galing yata sa sports arena dahil may dala pa itong sports bag. Tumakbo ako sa kaniya at niyakap ko siya. “Kuya!” I scream and hug him. He hugs me back and kiss my forehead. “Kamusta ang prinsesa namin? Aalis kana ha. Magaasawa na.” Tumawa lang sina Kuya at Daddy. “Eh ano naman sayo? Kayo nga ni Ate Kc eh. Magsasama kayo sa isang bubong paglockdown eh.” I said and my brother just messed my hair. Umupo kami sa sofa at saktong bumaba si Mommy dala-dala ang mga bagahe ko. Umupo rin ito katabi ni Daddy. “Lahat ng gamit mo ay nandyan na. Hindi ko isasama ang pills. Mukhang matagal pa magplano ang kuya Hans mo na magkaroon ng anak.” We all look shock from what heard from Mommy. Anak? “Hon, ‘wag naman. 18th palang si Huri ngayong taon.” Sabi ni Daddy at tumango ako. “Hay nako Mommy, sasabihin ko agad kay Kc na magkaroon na dapat kami ng anak next year.” Tumawa si Kuya at kumuha ng apple sa mesa. I can’t believe this family. “Nako, dapat lang. You’re 25 na, you’ll be 26 next year. Your dad and I are not getting younger. Kaya dapat may mga apo na kami next year. You’ll never know.” Salita ni Mommy bago kumagat ng mansanas. She’s right. They’re not getting younger kaya gusto nila ng apo. I know dad also want a grandson from him. My grandson is the repay of the hardworks of my parents to this business. “’Wag kang magalala Mom! Magkakaroon ka ng apo pagbalik ko.” I proudly said it and they both look at me. Tumingin din ako sa kanila. Bakit? Gusto ko naman maging nanay, ah! “p****k ka talaga Huri!” Agad kinuha ni Mommy ang tsinelas nito na sulot at tinapon papunta sakin. Agad ko umalis sa sofa. Tumayo sila kuya at dad. Tumago ako sa likod ni Kuya while Dad is trying to stop my Mom. “Marian, stop.” My dad said while trying to stop my Mom to come towards me. “Sinasabi ko na nga. This is why you want to go to Coachella eh! I know it! You’re using fake ID in Cairo, Nanay told me!” Sigaw ni Mommy. Bakit galit na galit ito?Siya na nga ang nasabi na gusto niya ng apo. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan minsan ang nanay ko. “Mom, ikaw yung nagsabi na gusto mo ng apo kaya bibigyan kita!” I shout at him. Kuya Hans glared at me. Well, he thinks it’s not helpful. “Potangina mo talaga Huri!” Sigaw ni Mommy. Away ng away kami hanggang tumigil kami dahil sa isang doorbell. Binuksan nito ng kasambahay namin at si Auntie Megan ay pumasok sa loob ng bahay namin. “What’s happening?” Auntie Megan ask as she talking off her Louboutin black heels. She’s wearing black jumpsuit from Dior and pairing with a small black sling bag with gold design from Prada. Showing off her cleavage and a ribbon on the back. “Auntie!” I hug her so tight; she’s my favorite Auntie of all times. She brought me a rare Birkin Handbag on my 17th birthday, which according to Vogue was the rarest and most desirable handbag in the world! That’s what a really ninang should be! “Itong inaanak mo, magaasawa na.” Dad said as we all sit in the sofa. “Well, that’s great. Who’s the guy?” I look at her and she was excited saying it. She even agreed with them? “I thought you’re in my side Aunt?”I ask her and she laugh. She gets a slice of apple. “Well, if it’s a good person, I would just give you to him. If he’s not, I won’t agree. I trust your mother naman,iha.” Then she takes a bite of the apple. I can’t believe this. “The youngest son of the Preciado, Himeros. Do you know him?” My father asks and my Aunt nod. Dumating ang mga kasambahay namin na may dalang iced tea. Kuha si Aunt ng basong may ice tea. “He’s hottie kid.” She said before she takes a sip. Hottie? Like the Hemsworth brothers? Like those hotties in i********:? I’m ready to have a kid with him! Biglang may tumawag sa phone ni Dad kaya pumasok ito sa office niya. Si Kuya Hans naman ay pumunta sa taas para magpahinga. Si Mommy ay pumunta sa game room s***h bar room dahil magiinoman daw sila ng mga kaibigan niya. Kaya naiwan nalang kami ni Auntie sa sala. Tumabi ito sa akin at kinuha ang phone niya. “Hay nako, I know darling na curious ka kung sino ang Himeros na iyon. He’s not into social medias kaya wala siya nito. But I have his brother’s Insta kaya let’s stalk them!” Binuksan niya ang phone ang start scrolling to look for Himeros’ brother. Aunt Megan doesn’t have any kids or husband. Ang sabi ni Mommy may hinihintay si Aunt na isang lalake na taga Thailand na naging jowa niya noong college pa sila. They’re all worried kay Aunt Megan na baka hindi na rin mag asawa ito. “This is him!” She exclaimed and let me sees the i********: post of Himeros’ brother.  They’re both smiling and wearing a black tuxedo. Yung isa ay malinis ang kaayos ng buhok that has a half on it. Nakataas ang buhok nito to the right side. Mataas din ito at muhkang maangas. Muhkang f**k boy din. He looks kinda clean pero mas clean tingnan ang isa na medyo maliit sa kaniya. It’s clear na bagsak ang buhok pero parang nilagyan ng gel ang buhok nito para hindi magkalat ang buhok. His hair is longer that the taller guy. Muhkang seryoso din tingnan. Medyo singkit ang mata, got boarder shoulders than the f**k boy looking guy. “Ito si Chadler, siya yung model at panganay na anak ni Mr. Preciado…” Sabay turo niya sa muhkang f**k boy. “And this is you’re bebe boy, Himeros.” Turo niya sa muhkang seryoso na guy. So that’s my fiancé. He’s kinda hot but not that type of hottie. You know that type of guy na ayaw niyong gulohin pero hot siya. “Gwapo diba? I also heard sa Mommy mo na gusto niya ng apo mula sa Preciado siblings. I also want a grandchild darling.” She touches my tip of my nose and smiles. Want pala ng grandson pero noon sinabi ko na magaanak ako, ayaw. “Dapat next year may apo na ako. Your Mom told me na sa private island kayo maninirahan ni Himeros. Ohh, get some spice girl.” Tukso niya sakin and I just rolled my eyes. This Aunt also wants a grandchild ugh. I kiss a lot of older guys in Cairo and Paris because I lied about my age. Make out in streets na walang s*x. Wala akong s*x experience tapos gusto nila ng apo? They’re stressing my beautiful face. “No way, Aunt. I’m 17th tapos gusto niyo ako mabuntis? No way.” I cross my arms and slant a bit in the couch. “Well then I won’t buy you one of the rarest bag ng Birkin.” Tumingin ako sa kaniya with a smile. “I will do it Aunt! Kahit ilang anak pa yan!” I said with a huge smile in my face. She just laughed. I will do anything for that rarest bag. I’ve been dying to have those rare bags from Birkin. Tinawag ni Mommy si Auntie mula sa baba kaya sumunod ito. I take a shower and ate my lunch. Nanood ako ng Netflix sa kwarto dahil wala naman ako gagawin hanggang biglang kumatok si Dad. Umupo ako sa loveseat at siya naman ay sa kama. “You need to go to the condo mamaya.” I tilt my head on the side.  Condo what? Si Kuya lang ang alam kong may condo. “Bakit Dad?” I ask him. “You need to stay with Mr. Preciado for a week to get to know each other.” Ano? That guy? Ugh! “Dad, I’m gonna stay with him mula lockdown hanggang matapos yang virus na iyan. Now, gusto mo pang extend muna?”  I don’t agree with him! Ugh! “I will buy you a house in Alaska kaya dapat sumunod ka. His your fiancé kaya ‘wag kang pasaway sa kanya.” He said and sigh. Porket gusto ko sa Alaska, he’s clearly taking advantage with my favorites. I want to stay here until maglockdown! Kakainis naman! Everyone is staying with their family while my family is throwing me out. What kind of family is this! “Huri, be nice to Himeros. He’s gonna take care of you naman. Just give me a grandchild.” Tumingin ako sa kaniya. Grandchildren!? “Kanina sabi mo kahit hindi, Now, you’re asking of a child? Kay ate Kc naman!” I can’t believe this family talaga!Ngumiti lang si Dad sa akin at lumapit sakin. “Anak, sabi nga ng Mommy mo, hindi kami bumabata. Ang ate Kc mo ay doctor. Hindi yan magbubuntis kasi frontliner ‘yan. Ikaw lang muna.” Then he hug me ang laugh. Gago talaga ang pamilya ko. Bigla kami nakarinig ng busina sa labas. “Nandyan na yata ang driver. Tara na.” Lumabas kami at bumaba sa sala. I can’t believe this. Ang sabi mamayang gabi. I can’t even--- ugh! Lumabas si Daddy ng kwarto at nagpalit ako ng damit. I wear white floral tshirt and black skirt from Dior. I pair it with my Christian Louboutin Balota 150 Suede Black, which is my all time baby. Nasa baba na sina Auntie Megan at Mommy na naghihintay sa akin. Muhkang wala si Kuya Hans. Napansin ko na wala na rin ang mga gamit ko. Lumabas kami ng bahay. “Anak, apo lang ang hinihiling naming ng Mommy mo ha? Kahit ilang apo basta apo.” Dad said as we going down the stairs. “Nako mare, walang s*x experience yata ang anak mo pero okay lang. Muhkang magaling naman si Himeros eh.” Tumawa malakas si Aunt Megan. Ugh, unbelievable! “Nako, buhitahan mo naman Huri. Magkakaayos kayo ni Himeros, I  swear basta ‘wag mo lang ibully.” My mom said then she open the door for me. She gave my Prada bag. I don’t know kung ano ang laman nito. “Babalik ako na walang anak!” I scream and got in the car. My mom looks shock what she just heard from me. “I’m gonna tsinelas you Huri!” Sigaw ni Mommy at lumarga ang kotse. Seriously, Mom? Gonna tsinelas? I can’t believe this. First, itatapon nila ako sa isla na isa lang ang lalake. Second, I’m staying with a older guy in a condo naman na fiancé ko. I never stay in the condo na hindi ko close. Except sa mga friends ni Kuya Hans na kasali sa varsity dati. Ugh, I just can’t! It’s like they trade me for the company and for grandchildren. I’m seventeen! I’m minor! They can’t do this to me! Ugh! Biglang nagnotif ang phone ko. It’s Mommy. Mom: Your 2 bags are in the island na. Ang LV mo na luggage bag lang ang nasa condo. Ugh I knew it. I open the bag to see what’s inside. A wallet, airpods, my charger, mints, a key card na may number ng room of the condo and a lot of condoms. What the heck Mom! Is she even my mother!? I arrived to the destination, Summer High Tower. Owned by my fiance’s company.  Pumasok ako and take the elevator to go up. I open the condo using the key card. It’s actually clean. Pagbukas mo ay may entrance way na maliit at may lalagyan ng mga shoes. Restroom is infront and it’s a sliding door actually. Hope that I can lock that door when I use the shower. I take off my heels and use the indoor slippers. Lumiko ako and it’s a open to everything except the bathroom. Great. He can see me sleeping or doing things. It’s a small condo. The living room, dining area and kitchen are open. There’s a wall separating the kitchen and bedroom. There’s also a half wall between the bedroom and living area. Wow, pinagisipan talaga nila na maging open kami sa isa’t isa.   It has white colors and blue with light tone of woods. Nakita ko ang luggage bag ko near the dresser. Inayos ko ang mga damit ko at nilagay sa dresser. This is it. New life ahead before 18. Natapos ako magayos ay umupo ako sa couch at naginstagram ako habang nakikinig sa mga edm musics. Biglang bumukas ang pinto kaya tumingin ako kung sino ang pumasok.   He’s wearing a white hoodie with Addidas track pants. Nakababa ang bangs nito at tumingin sakin. He looks like a kid, eating his ice cream. Kinda cute actually. He’s must be Himeros. Tumayo ako to greet him. He just looked at me so confuse. “I’m Huri, your fiancé.” Then inabot ko ang kamay ko. He nod and nakipaghandshake sa akin. “Himeros. Eros nalang itawag mo sa akin.” He said at umupo kami sa couch. He proceeds to his ice cream but I don’t really mind it. Marasap yata, I’m in diet kasi. Kainis. “I want to get to know you better Mr. Preciado. Alam nating dalawa na mas bata ako kaya hindi ako magaaksaya ng oras.” He raise his left eyebrow and looks at me. I said at pinatay ko ang cellphone ko. Nilagay ko sa coffee table. “A-ano ang gusto mong malaman?” Nauutal na sinabi niya. Naubos ang ice cream nito at naghugas ng kamay sa kusina. Bumalik din ito sa tabi ko. Medyo may distansya sa pagitan naming. “Like everything that I needed to know.” I said. Ayoko maging outdated fiancé duh. This is not 90 days fiancé para umawra ako ng hindi tama. He might like a sugar daddy dahil older siya but no. I just need a kid from him. “Go, ask a question.” He said with confident and I nod. “Full name?” I ask. “Jean Himeros Oriel-Preciado. You?” He answered. “Jean? Like Jean na pang-babae?” I ask and laugh. Jean ang pangalan niya!Siguro babae ang gusto ng nanay nito kaya pinangalangan na Jean. “Yeah, pangalan kasi ng ate kong namatay kaya sinunod sa akin.” I stop laughing when I heard it. “My bad, I’m sorry. Hindi ko kasi alam na may ate ka.” Nakakahiya, tinawanan ko lang. Ang insensitive ko talaga kahit kailangan. “Okay lang, she died due heart complications. After 3 years, I was born. Para hindi makalimutan ng family namin siya, they insert her name in my name.” He explained. Umusog ako para icomfort siya. I tap his shoulder. Baka umiyak. Ang insensitive mo talaga Huri! Ngumiti lang ito and ask a question on me. “Ikaw? Huri diba ang pangalan mo?” I nod. “Huri Love Laurel-Rosales, Huri for short.” He nod. “Then I’ll call you Love.” Tumingin ako sa kaniya with my right eyebrow raising. He just laughed. Love? Wow, no one wants to call me that. “Is that okay?” He asked. Of course not! No one calls me Love, my gosh! I cross my arms and I look at him. “No, Eros. Bakit? Ako lang ba ang tumatawag sayo ng Eros?” I ask him with a lil bit of anger in my voice. He avoid my eye contact and nod a bit. Napakunot ako at tumingin sa kaniya ng seryoso. What? I’m the only one who calls him Eros? Isn’t it a normal? Himeros. Eros. Himeros is long name kaya I’m sure, someone calls him Eros. “Nagpapatawa ka ba?” I ask him and I chuckled. I sat comfortably in the couch and just look at him. “No, gusto ko ikaw lang ang tumatawag sa akin ng Eros.” He said and next of it was a long quiet. Bakit ako lang? I’m not special. I’m just a teen who is his fiancé. “And why naman, Mr. Preciado? I’m special?” I shrug towards him. Nilapit ko ang muhka ko sa kaniya and looks at him in the eye. Tumingin din ito sa mata ko with a serious face on it. He nodded before he talk. “Yes, you’re damn special.”  Humiwalay ako sa kaniya. This is so awkward! Bakit my ‘damn special’ pa siyang nalalaman? Ginagamit niya rin ba ito sa mga babae niya? But I felt a little pump in my heart that made me smirk a bit. Tumingin ako sa wall clock and it’s already 6 in evening. “May grocery ba dyan?” Tanong ko sa kaniya. “Wala but we could just order in delivery or may restaurant sa baba. We could just eat there.” He said. Inangat ko ang dalawang paa ko to make an Indian seat. Ayoko naman mag order ng unhealthy foods. Medyo matatagalan sa restaurant lalo na dinner na. “How ‘bout we just cook a dinner?” I ask him. Tumingin ito sa akin na parang may pagdududa. “You can cook?” He asked me in a weird sound that’s like he’s not believing if I said yes in his question.Duh, I’m not Lily.” I said in a pathetic way of sound. Lily is one of the ugliest b***h I ever know.  All she can do is roast me for being a top student of the school. Problema ko ba na top 2 lang siya? Palibhasa botox and filler and bumubuhay sa muhka niya. Gawang plastic surgery ang katawan, iniiwan naman ng mga lalake niya na ang habol malibre ni Lily. Lumabas kami at pumunta kami sa supermarket which is walking distance lang. I didn’t change my clothes kasi baka may makakilala sa akin. Duh, I need to look perfect with these famous brands. Si Eros naman ay ganon padin ang sout nito at sout ng black high cut Converse shoes niya. As we stroll around the supermarket, kumuha kami ng mga grocery that would last for a week. After 1 week, pupunta kami sa isla that also actually owned by our both family. We stop at the meat section kasi balak naming gumawa ng steak for our dinner today. Nakita ko na dalawa nalang nasa shelf. I was about to grab the steak that inside of foam plate ng biglang may nakita rin akong may kumukuha. I immediately grab the two pieces of the steak and look at the person who also wants to get it. It’s a Chinese guy in their 40s. He’s a businessman I think. Well, he’s wearing a sky blue suit with a Rolex in his wrist. “Sorry, I’m the one who first grabbed it.” I said with a smile. He just smiles and nods. I look around to find Eros and he’s actually getting some fresh veggies which are also near at the meat section. “It’s okay, I understand.” He said then but we both turn to the loud scream behind him. “Honey!” Sigaw ng very familiar and squeeze voice. My eyes were so shookt! As in. I never thought I would see that face again before the lockdown. Did she just called this dude, ‘honey’?I just saw her last week with the American granny in their 50s, trying to be Christian Grey with his SUV Ford. “Honey, we should just try salad. It’s more healthy.” She said as she clings with the Chinese dude and pouting her lips like a 7 years old kid wanting some chocolates. More healthy or healthier girl? Di ko parin alam kung bakit nasa top 3 ranking ka ng school batch naming. She’s wearing a pink wig and pink outfit na probably she brought in thrift shops. Her pink outfit and red lipsticks? Ew, disgusting!What a she supposed to look like? A cosplayer or a hooker that wanted some attention? If she wants to be a hella anime cosplayer, she looks more like a weebo. Ew. Oh, she’s eating healthy while she’s eating old man c***s? I also notice the Chinese guy has wedding ring. Then she realized that I’m in front of her. She made a very intriguing face. Her very red lipstick made a huge form of ‘o’. I smirk at her. The dude look confuse why I did that.   “I never thought our school’s Miss Intrams is actually a Miss Kabet.” I cross my arms and looked at Lily.