The betrothed (COMPLETED)

26

Palabas akong university nang makita ko bigla si Henry. I saw him first, when our eyes locked, his eyes widened. I was frozen to my spot. He strode towards me. Ilang linggo rin kaming hindi nagkita. He's in a white button shirt and slacks, halatang galing pa sa meeting o transaction niya. May iilang babaeng napahinto sa paglalakad ng dumaan siya. Henry, with his long hair looks like a prince, maputi siya at matangkad. He's also charismatic, kagaya ni Tito Samuel at kahit na wala siyang lahing Torillo, he charmed his way into my father's approval. He always does.

There were rumors before, na baka talagang anak siya ni Tito Samuel sa kanyang pagka binata. He never had a child with his wife, kaya daw inampon nalang si Henry dahil anak niya naman talaga ito. It wasn't a secret that he was adopted ngunit kahit kailanman ay hindi inamin ni tito iyon, na totoong anak niya si Henry.

"Xerxes, pwede ba kitang makausap kahit saglit?"

I wanted to say no, nasasaktan pa rin ako sa huling nangyari nang magkasama kami. It disgusts me... how could someone I treated like a family ever think about me like that. We literally grew up together and I've always looked up to him, pero...

Nagpalinga linga ako sa paligid. Ayokong mag abot sila ni Trevelyan dito dahil ano mang oras ay darating na ito. Ang sabi niya sa akin ay iwasan ko na daw ito, and that's what I want, too. But deep in my heart, I just can't. He's still a family to me, siya ang tanging naging kakampi ko, growing up.
There were many times I got my father's approval because of him. Siya rin ang naging takbuhan ko at tagapag tanggol.

He searched for my face. Ang kanyang mga kamay ay nasa bulsa lamang. "I'm sorry about what happened, Xerxes. Talagang.. hindi ko sinasadya. Hindi ako nag iisip. I was in rage with your decision to stay in that family. At wala rin akong balak na sabihin o gawan ka ng masama. Hindi ko sinasadya ang nangyari."

"Hinalikan mo pa rin ako, kahit pa sinabi ko sayong tigilan mo. Henry, I treated you like a brother. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko lubos maisip na ganyan pala ang tingin mo sa akin."

His bloodshot eyes looked up to me. He swallowed hard before talking. "Sa tingin mo ay gusto ko ang nararamdaman kong to, Xerxes? Hindi. Ayoko rin to. Hindi ko to sinasadya. I just want to keep you safe, Xerxes. All my life, since I couldn't have you, I'll just stay by your side and protect you. Hindi ko iyon magawa dahil malayo ka na sa akin and it angers me."

"Hindi mo na nirespeto ang pinagsamahan natin." umiling ako. "You of all people, ikaw pa mismo ang nanakit sa akin."

"I'm sorry, Xerxes."

"I'm sorry too, Henry. That we got into this point. Please, lumayo ka nalang."

He nodded, pero halata sa kanyang mukha ang disgusto at pagka dismaya. "Just promise me, that you'll stay away from Tito Gilbert. I hate to say this, pero manatili ka sa puder ng mga Di Marco." Henry shook his head. "Layuan mo ang Papa mo para sa sarili mong kapakanan. Please."

My lips trembled. Alam kong hindi siya gumagawa ng kuwento, there was pleading behind his voice. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Nandyan na ang asawa mo." that's all he said before he turned away. Hanggang sa umalis ang kanyang sasakyan ay hindi ako nakagalaw. I felt Trevelyan's presence behind me.

"Anong ginagawa ng gagong iyon rito?"

Mas pinili kong hindi sabihin sa kanya ang babala ng aking pinsan.

"Nag sorry siya..."

Iniharap niya ako sa kanya. He crouched a little so he could look at me better. "Ayos ka lang? Xerxes, you're shaking." he led me in his car, idineretso niya ako sa mansyon.

Even in the house, napuno ang isipan ko sa sinabi ni Henry. I've endured every harsh words and treatment from my father, even fell for his scheme of meeting my mother just to get hurt. what more could I expect?