Bad Times at Sunrise (La Fortuna Series #3)

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

Whipped

"I think I need to go back to our table, Raj."

"This early?" he complained. Dadagdagan niya pa sana ang komento niya nang mahagip din ng tingin niya si Ico. He let out a dry chuckle before nodding. "Fine. And by the way, just in case you're unaware, everyone here knows about the engagement."

My jaw dropped. "Ano?"

"Before you and Ico arrived, an article blew up about you both living together in the summer house. May nakarinig din kanina sa basketball game na tinawag ka niyang fiancée niya."

The hell? Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at napagtantong maraming panauhin ang sumusulyap-sulyap sa 'kin. Akala ko kanina ay si Ico ang tinitignan nila! But it's actually me, and they're probably judging me already!

"That's also why Hazel's here. She's upset. And that's why I'm drunk. I'm upset too," a small smile stretched on his lips, "but I guess this is for the best. I found out earlier that you're just nineteen. Hindi ko talaga alam na ang bata mo pa, Sunny. You look mature, and you're too young for me. Or even for Icarus... and for this engagement."

"Why is my age suddenly a problem here? I'm nineteen," I emphasized, like nineteen meant thirty.

"You're still a teen."

"I'm of legal age."

"My point still stands. Ang bata mo pa para rito. Alam kong gustong-gusto mo si Ico dahil pumayag ka pa rin sa engagement niyo kahit pinilit ka lang naman ni Mrs. Casagrande. Since you're now Aria, these are all fixed for you. But the world is big and I think you're compromising your horizons for him. You can be whoever you want no matter whose name you carry. I just think you're rushing this too much."

"Rushing?" I scoffed. "We're engaged. 'Di kami kasal at mas lalong 'di pa kami magkakaanak! Saan ang 'rush' doon?"

Shaking his head, he took out his phone, typed something, and showed me an article. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang mabasa ang nakasulat doon. What? Ba't 'di ako nainform tungkol dito?

"Your wedding is announced to happen on June 15 this year. It's May 24 today. Do the math and you'll get what? About 21 days before the big day?" He cackled. "It is a rush, alright."

Gusto ko mang huwag paniwalaan 'yon, kitang-kita ng dalawang mata ko ang nakasulat sa artikulo. It wasn't Lola nor Tita who announced the date, but Governor Benavidos himself! It said there that it'd be a private wedding. There's no need for fancy preparations because the publicity isn't important.

Gulong-gulo na ako. Bakit minamadali 'to? Alam ba 'to ni Ico? Mukhang hindi naman!

Hinanap ko siya at nakitang naroon pa rin siya sa dati niyang pwesto, pinagmamasdan kami nang seryoso. Kaagad akong naglakad tungo sa kaniya. He straightened on his seat and sipped on his liquor while staring at me as I walked. Nang kaharap ko na siya ay simple niya akong sinipat.

"I'm sorry about Hazel. Pinaalis ko na siya," he said. "Anong pinag-usapan niyo ni Dr. Raj?"

Hinila niya ang isang silya upang mapaupo ako roon. I took a seat and wondered why he didn't sound angry nor irritated. Akala ko ay susungitan niya 'ko o 'di kaya iignorahin ngunit kalmado lamang ang ere niya.

"'Di ka galit?"

"Why would I?" He licked his lower lip and fondled over the tip of my hair. Pinaikot niya sa hintuturo niya ang kulot na parte ng buhok ko at saka marahan 'yong pinadulas sa daliri niya. "You were only talking to him. Wala naman kayong ginagawang masama."