Closer Into You

08

"M-mommy what is this?" Humarap ako kay mommy. I don't want to be married early!

"Loui they need this, it's business" sagot ni mommy.

I'm still confused about the guy who is going to be my future husband- ah no! That's cringe!

I can't believe this, is this for real?

"But it's too early, i'm still seventeen" kumunot ang noo ko.

"We know, but we're planning to arrange you two properly on your eighteenth" mommy.

Then they'll have a celebration without a celebrant.

My eighteenth birthday is this coming july twelve, it's next monday!

"Loui just listen to us okay?" Pati ba naman ikaw dad?

"Loui please" hinawakan ni mommy ang kamay ko.

"You can decide on the other day sweetie, you might just be surprised right now" mommy assured me.

"I'm deciding now, i will not allow it, i don't want to be married yet"

"But it's too late, whether you like it or not, you can't do anything about it" namilog ang mata kong napatingin kay daddy.

"W-what do you mean?"

"The contract is already signed, we signed it using your signature" dad answered

Di ko maintindihan pero bigla na lang namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko.

I really can't do anything about it?

Umuwi akong parang walang buhay sa condo ko, si lea ang naabutan na maglalakad na sana papuntang kusina.

"Napano ka?" Tanong niya.

"Lea" unti unti na lang akong napaupo sa sahig at tinakpan ang mukha ko at dun humagulgol.

"Hey what's up?" Umupo na din siya sa harap  ko "Tell me"

"I'm" i sniffed "My parents arranged me to a marriage"

Kita ko ang gulat sa mukha ni lea, agad siyang tumayo at kumuha ng tubig at pinainom sakin yun.

"Really? Bat di ka umayaw?"

"God knows how much i don't want it lea" i sobbed "But i can't do anything about it, pinakialaman nila!"

Hinagod ni lea ang likod ko "Hey it's okay"

"I think i need to be wasted today" tumayo ako at naglakad papunta sa sala na naabutan ko sila kiffer na nakahandusay na sa sahig may hawak na empty can ng beer.

Kumuha ako ng tatlong can ng beer at binuksan yun at diretsong nilagok.

"Hey alli calm down" lea spat.

"What am i gonna do? I don't want  to be married early, i want to live a normal life on my teenage days, not a fucking wife yet!" I brushed my fingers through my hair, frustrated.

"You can still live a normal teenager you know" tumabi si lea sakin. Kunot noo akong tumingin sa kaniya.

"Are you allowing me to be married early?" I frustratingly questioned.

"Nah, i'm just saying"

I pouted.

"We need to get them to bed now" tiningnan niya sila zica bago humarap sakin "How many beds do you have here?"

"I have 2 guestrooms" tinuro ko kung nasan ang mga pintuan ng guestroom.

"Help me with them" binuhat niya si von "sa kwarto mo kami matutulog ni zica.