Captivated

Chapter 24

Nagising ako ng maaga at nakabihis na pala si Craig sa harapan ko.

"Get up. Dadating na mamaya ang media". Ganoon kadali iyon. Kahapon lang kami dito tapos ngayon na agad.

"Don't ever think to escape because you won't" sabi nito at lumapit sa akin. Hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi. He smiled before he go downstairs. I'm doomed. Hindi na ako makakalabas dito. Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko. You will be okay, anak. I will protect you.

I get up from the bed and take a bath. I wear only yellow dress with sunflower design and off-white sneakers. Bumaba narin ako bago pa magalit ulit si Craig. I should follow his order para hindi niya ako masaktan at ang anak ko.

He comfortably sitting in the couch, holding his iced coffee in his left hand while scrolling down to his phone on his right hand. He's busy. Pero nung nakita niya ako na bumaba, he immediately put his phone on the table at lumapit sa kinaroonan ko.

He held my waist. "Eat your meals first" he said and kissed me on my forehead.

Pumunta na ako sa kusina. Habang nagsasalin ako ng mainit na tubig sa gatas ko ay nakita ko ang isang pinto. Humakbang ako at handa na sana akong buksan ang pinto ng biglang may narinig akong kaluskos sa likod ko kaya bumalik agad ako sa pwesto ko. And it was just a cat. I was about to step forward again when "Where do you think your going?"

Lumingon ako. It was Craig staring at me, crossed arms. He caught me. "You can roam around the garden, if you want some fresh air but I'm telling you this, you can't escape from me. Huwag ka ng maging matigas, Denise or else you will lose your child in one snap" sabi niya. Iniwan niya na ako sa kusina. After I finished eating my breakfast ay lumabas na ako. Nandoon na pala ang media.

"Oww, she's here. Let's start" nakangiting sabi ni Craig nang makaupo ako sa tabi niya. "You will answer the random questions that you are my fiancee" he whispered.

"Start na po" sabi ng lalaki na nasa harap namin.

"Welcome to Share your Experience! Ako po ang inyong host, Andrea Contastantino. May mahahalaga po tayong itatanong kay--" napatigil ang host at si Craig na ang dumugtong.

"I'm Craig Elliott Garcia and this is Dezia Ellinise Delgado my fiancee and soon to be my wife. Good morning" nakangiting pagpapakilala ni Craig at sa akin.

"Oww, congratulations" natatawang sabi ng babae. "I'm Andrea Constantino , your host for today. So as for now, we are going to ask them about how to plan a wedding and how they meet. So let's start from Mr. Garcia"

"..... How are you feeling now that she will be your wife soon?" tanong ng host kay Craig.

"I'm happy because she choose me. I am so happy to be with her at wala na akong mahihiling pa. She's my everything I've ever wanted" nakangiting sagot ni Craig. Tiningnan niya ako at inakbayan.

"Parang bumalik lang din ako sa teenage life ko, I miss the kilig. Nakakakilig kayo". I'm sorry, Rid. Yun lang talaga ang natatanging paraan para hindi ka madamay. Kung napapanood mo to, I hope you know na ikaw parin ang mahal ko. Hindi ko maipapangako na, ligtas ako sakanya pero aalagaan ko ang anak natin. I will protect him/her. "Kailan ang kasal?"

"3 months before 'Ber months" sabi ni Craig. Tumingin naman yung host sa akin.

"So we are going to ask now the bride to be. Ms. Denise, describe Mr. Garcia as your ideal man?" Napalunok ako. Pinisil ni Craig ang kamay ko pero hindi makita kasi nakatago.

"H-e's ki--nd, go--od a---nd" utal na utal kong sabi.

"Are you okay, Ms. Delgado?" The host asked me. I nodded. "and he's my first love". I'm sorry, Rid. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. Masyadong tago ang rest house ni Craig at itinapon niya kagabi ang cellphone niya sa isang Isla.

"She's nervous. First time niya kasing humarap ulit sa camera dahil naaksidente siya noon" sabi ni Craig.

"It's okay. Atleast she lose her mind not your love, Mr. Garcia" pabirong sabi ng host na ikinatawa ni Craig.

"So Mr. Garcia, how's the preparation for the wedding? Where will be held?"

"We both like beach wedding with our family and friends of course. And for the preparation it is still going and the dress for bridesmaids, is light blue with orchid design. Sa mga groommans naman, secret pa iyon"

"I'm excited for that secret thingy, Mr. Garcia"

"You will see that" sabi ni Craig.

"Masyadong maraming pasabog itong kasalan between Garcia-Delgado. Best wishes. Sana maging masaya kayo hanggang dulo" sabi ng host.

"Thank you, Ms. Constantino" nakangiting sabi ni Craig. Nanatili akong tahimik. Wala akong gana na pag-usapan ang kasal ko kay Craig. He forced me to marry him. Naset-up pa ako para hindi sila masaktan nila Mommy pero pakana din nila pala. They plan all this para maikasal ako kay Craig.

I thought he's not one of them pero nag-iba siya. He's completely different and he is not Craig I've ever known. And maybe I will be stuck in this situation. Paano ako makakabalik kay Rid?

"Thank you for the time, Mr. Garcia and Ms. Delgado. Hope to see you to your wedding" nakangiting sabi ng host. Tumayo si Craig at nakipagkamayan kay Ms. Constantino.

"I'm glad to be your guest and to my wife for your Share your Experience show" nakangiting sabi ni Craig.

Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. "It's my pleasure to met the heirs of Delgado. Congratulations"

I smiled. "Say anything" bulong ni Craig.

"See you soon" tipid kong sambit at pilit na ngumingiti.

Craig hugged Andrea before they go.

"I love you" sabi niya pero ngumiti lang ako. He was about to kiss me nang biglang may tumawag sakanya. "Buy all. Ano ba James, I'm with Denise. Okay. I'll call you later" sabi niya.

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Malapit nang maghirap si Rid. HAHAHAHA"

I hope your okay, Rid. Be strong.