Prologue
★ ★ ★

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Local time is 8:05 am and the temperature is ..."

Hearing the announcement, I sluggishly stretched my arms and fixed myself. Mabilis akong tumanaw sa bintana at sumalubong sa aking mga mata ang pamilyar na paligid. Hindi ko man lamang namalayan na nakalapag na pala kami.

Blankly staring at the window, familiarizing myself with every detail before me-I felt like a stranger to my home country.

"Please check around your seats for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead compartments, as articles may have shifted during flight.."

Oh God, I'm really back home. I should be glad, right? But I just can't. Because coming back here means giving up my dreams, my future... and my freedom. If this is fate, then screw it.

Without wasting any more minute, I gathered my things and walked out. My long wavy hair moving along with my footsteps, dragging my luggage as I confidently face my destiny... or rather should I say my forced life.

With heavy feet, I entered the arrival area and looked around the crowded hall. I took a deep breath and forced a smile as I recognize the two familiar faces waiting for my arrival. Mukhang hindi pa ako namamataan ng mga ito dahil patuloy ang mga mata nilang naghahanap sa mataong lugar na kinalululanan namin.

It's been six years since I last stepped in this country. I once thought that leaving this land will make me free. That I could finally spread my own wings and reach for my dreams. Start a new life without someone dictating how I'm supposed to live. What I should do, where I should be and how I'm supposed to be. Yet here I am, still tied with my wretched fate.

"Zylie!" Before I could even react, a pair of arms already wrapped around me, "Gosh, nakabalik ka na nga. It's been so long. I missed you." Alex, my best friend greeted with a warm smile that curved a wide grin on my lips as I fill myself with the details of her face. Her features surely changed and got more mature, but she still got the angelic face that I adore.

Sasagot na sana ako sa pagbati niya nang magsalubong ang mga kilay ko at mapagmasdan ang buhok niyang akala ko kanina'y nakapusod lamang tulad ng dati, "Seriously, a bob haircut? Inatake ka na naman ng kabaliwan mo."

She just laughed at my reaction as she fixes her slightly disheveled short hair. "Yeah, ayoko kasi ng may istorbo habang nagb-bake ako. I always have to tie it in a bun anyway. Kaya pinutol ko na lang para di na ko mahirapan. Alam mo naman kung gaano ako ka-moody."

"Just say it, you're just too lazy to take care of your long hair. I bet Tita Flor fainted when she saw her lovely daughter's very short hair." I joked and we just both laughed.

This lovely woman is Brianna Alexa Kim, simply Alex-my bestfriend. She's a bit boyish with a gorgeous face and a very skilled patissier and café owner.

"I still can't believe it, your hair is shorter than my brother's." I teased, looking halfway as I check for my brother's reaction.

"I thought you'll continue to ignore me like I don't exist."

Natawa na lang ako sa naging reaksiyon ng matampuhin kong kuya. Hindi ko akalaing pagkaraan ng ilang taon ay di pa rin siya nagbabago. "Of course not, even if I'm mad at how messed up my life is right now, I can't ignore my handsome brother. I missed you so much." I said as I gave him a warm hug.

"Zylie! We already discussed about it."

"Yeah, yeah. Like how you ruined my eighteenth birthday by telling on my face that I'm tied with someone I don't even know. I'm totally fine." Sinadya kong maging sarcastic sa kanya at nauna ng maglakad dahil baka hindi na kami makaalis pa sa lugar na ito sa di namin matapos-tapos na batian.

I was already loading my luggage at the back compartment of his car when I heard his voice, "You know why we have to do this, right?"

Without meeting his gaze, I placed the last bag before I started to walk away, "I know."

Nauna na akong sumakay sa kotse at hinintay sila. Just a few minutes passed and I already heard the engine start. I blankly stared at the clear blue sky above as we drove away.

Kasabay ng paglayo ng sasakyan sa lugar na iyon ay ang pagbitiw ko rin sa sarili kong pangarap at kalayaan. Pabalik sa mundong pilit kong tinakasan noon.

I am a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth, born with confidence to accomplish her dreams and born with strong will and independence.

..but never been born with freedom.

Freedom to pursue what she wanted.

Freedom to build her own future.

Freedom to find love.

I am Lauren Zylie Romero, a woman tied in a fixed marriage.