Detaching One's Heart

Chapter 3

What in the world is happening?

How am I supposed to react with that announcement? Everyone was giving a round of applause while I looked like a stone for not moving. Hindi ako makagalaw. Tumingin ako kay kuya na mukhang nagulat din sa sinabi bi Dad. Is this some kind of joke? Hindi ko alam na engaged na ako, how come? Tulala parin ako nang bigla ko na namang maramdamang may humawak sa bewang ko, yung lalaking nagbigay kanina ng wine na may note. Ano ba ako price sa lotto?

"I told you, don't get too excited, I know it seems like you won the lottery, and I'm the jackpot." Oliver said and winked at me right after.

Kung pwede lang tanggalin yung tenga ko para di siya pabulong bulong kanina ko pa ginawa. Wala nga akong alam sa nangyayare maeexcite pa ako? Ang kapal din nitong red haired na lalaking to. Mukha namang palong ng manok yung buhok niya.

"Excuse me?I don't even know you? Why would I get excited? I'm engaged to someone I don't even know. Can you stay away?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Hindi ko na hinintay ang paglapit sa akin ng mga magulang ko pati na rin ng kapatid ko. I want to run away. I immediately went outside to the parking lot. Agad kong nakita na flat ang tires ko. Sabay-sabay talaga? Hindi ko na napigilan umiyak. I just want to get out of here. Now I'm starting to hate this family. Lahat nalang ba talaga kelangan kong sundin? Pano kapag hindi ko na kayang gawin 'to para sa kanila? Umupo ako sa gilid at huminga ng malalim. Tuloy tuloy ang pagpatak ng aking mga luha.

"So, you're getting married huh," natatawang sabi nung lalaking nakausap ko kanina.

I wiped my tears and faced him.

"I don't even know that guy! Hindi ko kayang magpakasal, hindi pa nga ako graduate eh," muli na namang tumulo ang aking mga luha.

"You'll eventually know this kind of world, and you'll learn to adapt soon." That man seriously said.

"Well, ayoko okay? Hindi ko gustong malaman at hindi ko gustong mamuhay ng gaya nila," sabi ko sa kanya.

"I just want to run away for a while. Like for two, four or five months? I want to avoid this world." dagdag ko pa.

"Paano mo gagawin? Why would you choose to hide when you can just face it?" sabi niya. Bakit kapag siya ba ang nasa posisyon ko haharapin niya? Tatanggapin niya?

"Because I am Chasity Azalea de Guzmán, daughter of Jaime de Guzmán, and I won't do something that could ruin my life in the future." I said.

"Welcome to the dirty, toxic business world, Chasity," he said and reached for my hand.

"I am Sean Augustus Alterio, son of Richard Alterio, ready to run away with you." he added.

Why would he even want to run away with me? He doesn't even know me.

I don't really know what to do. I want to hide and I can use his help I guess? Am I too dumb to trust a random stranger? I don't see any choice. Maya maya lamang ay maaabutan na kami dito ng pamilya ko. I can't let that happen. And I'm going to hide even if it means I'm risking myself with this guy.

So I reached for his hand and stood up.

"So you're really running away with me?" Augustus asked.

"Yeah, sure. I don't want to get caught here, you'll help me right?" I laughed, he smiled.

"Yes, but let's leave first before they see you here and before they kill me," he laughed too. Suprisingly that laugh made me comfortable.

Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko sa kotse at nilipat iyon sa kotse niya na katabi lang din ng akin. Sumakay na kami parehas at walang imik. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta. I'm too tired to even care. Unti-unti kong naramdaman ang antok at nakatulog. Nagising nalang ako at nasa isang kwarto na ako. Umaga na pala at nasaan naman ako? I'm still wearing the gown. Pumasok si Augustus na may dalang pagkain.