Chapter

Married

The next days with Alec were pure bliss. He's a considerate and thoughtful husband. Siyempre, sa mga mata ng pamilya namin at ng iba, engaged to be married pa lang kami. Wala pa ring nakakaalam na kasal na kami maliban kay Feng. And I got an earful when I told her about it.

Binigyan niya pa ako ng mahaba at madramang speech tungkol sa betrayal. But it was all in good heart. She was too happy for me not to forgive. Halata rin masyado na botong-boto siya kay Alec.

True to his words, Alec bought a penthouse. He took me there to check the changes he made bago kami lumipat. Imbes na mag tour pa sa ibang mga kuwarto ay naging abala kami sa makamundong bagay. We got distracted in one of the rooms and we made use of its bed.

Despite these distractions, I made it a point to visit my ob-gyn. I asked for some pills. Alam ko namang kasal kami ni Alec pero inamin ko sa sarili na hindi pa ako handang maging ina. A married life was still fresh to me.

I told Alec about my sentiments and he was very understanding.

"It's your body. I won't pressure you in having something you're not ready yet," aniya nang banggitin ko ito sa kanya isang gabing namalagi na muna kami sa penthouse.

Bahagya kong kinalas ang braso niyang nakapulupot sa beywang ko para matingnan siya. He was hugging me from the back. Sa harapan naman namin ay tanaw ang kalakhang siyudad. The view of the city lights seemed like fireflies from the top.

"But eventually you want to have a baby, right?" I asked.

"I want to have a family with you." He kissed the top of my head."

I sighed and slowly turned my back on him. He wrapped his arms around me once again. I felr contented.

Amma visited me in the mansion as well. Nagbigay lang siya ng update sa akin tungkol sa nalalapit na kasal. I wasn't really listening that much. Halos wala na akong naging expectations dahil para sa akin naman ay mas gusto ko ang sekretong civil wedding namin ni Alec.

Three days before the wedding, I tried out my gown. It was a white lace long sleeve wedding gown. It was a bit conservative.

I was looking at myself in front of the mirror. Sa likod ko naman ay ang designer ng gown at assistant nito. Bigla na lang bumukas ang pinto at lumantad sa akin ang galit na mukha ni Kuya Lee.

In just a snap of his finger, aligagang lumabas ng kuwarto ang designer kasama ang assistant niya. At dahil sanay na naman akong palaging hot tempered ang kapatid ko, kalmado kong ipinagpatuloy ang pagsuri sa sarili sa harap ng salamin.

"You fucking had a civil wedding!" my brother roared.

I whirled around to face him. Lumantad siguro ang guilty na ekspresyon sa mukha ko dahil mas lalo lang siyang nagalit.

I winced and took a step back when he raised one hand as he took one step towards me.

"Nagsinungaling ka pa talaga," mariin niyang sinabi. "What are your plans, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," pagsubok kong tanggi kahit halatang bistado na.

"Baka nakakalimutan mong may mga koneksiyon ako,"paalala niya sa mayabang na tono. "I have my men checked the registry. Now, answer me. Why did you have a civil wedding?"

Napalunok ako at pilit na kinalma ang sarili. Matapang ko siyang hinarap.

"Alec wanted it."

"Really?" My brother still looked unconvinced.

"Yes." Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sinubukang maghanap na iba pang idadahilan. "He wanted a rushed wedding. He could not wait. What's wrong with it? Some people do it these days!"

Unti-unti kong ibinalik ang tingin sa kapatid. Matalim at kritikal niya akong tiningnan.

"I knew what you were up to back in the US," bigla niyang saad.

Awtomatikong nanigas ang buo kong katawan. My nerves eventually betrayed me.

His eyes looked triumphant like he had caught me in my lies. Ngumisi siya pero walang tuwa rito.

"You took up some classes in business as if you have the chance to lead the company. And now, you're driving on your own."

"Kuya..."

He took a step closer. He looked menacing. "I still don't know what you're up to. I assure you though, I will find out."

"I just wanna learn some independence," sabi ko sa mahinang boses. "You already got what you wanted. I married Alec. I am even marrying him again. Ano pa bang gusto ninyo?" I almost screamed the last words.

Medyo kumalma siya. "I want you to tell Alec Von Cua to invest in all of my projects. Tell him it's a wedding gift."

Bumagsak ang panga ko. Parang wala lang sa kanya ang bigat ng hinihingi niyang pabor. Galit ko siyang tiningnan.

"He already gave this family stocks from his companies as an agreement of a wedding present," paalala ko. "You can't expect him to gamble more especially when your projects..."

My brother's jaw ticked. "Sige ituloy mo at makakatikim ka sa'kin," babala niya.

Ang galit na inipon ko ay napalitan na ng pagod. Tiningnan ko ang kapatid ko. He's tall but not as tall as Alec. His shoulders were broad. His eyes were ruthless but I knew that behind those pretentious eyes was just a coward man.

"Ayaw ko nang humingi pa kay Alec ng kahit ano, Kuya," I gave him a pleading look. "Wala na nga akong naibibigay sa kanya—"

"You're giving him your body."

I winced on how he went so low. I looked at him with pure disgust. Pinigilan ko ang sarili na magsalita at baka kung ano pa ang lumabas sa bibig ko na sa huli ay siyang ikapapahamak ko.

The corner of my brother's mouth rose maliciously.

"We both know what kind of man he is, Jia. You should be better in bed to keep a man like him satisfied."

My body trembled with so much hate and honestly, I was tired of it all. Tinalikuran ko siya at ipinagpatuloy na ang pagtingin sa sarili sa harap ng salamin. I completely ignored him.

"Make sure that he'll invest," ulit na naman niya.

"And if I won't?" malamig na tanong ko.

"I'll make your life miserable."

Mapait akong natawa. "Akala mo ba hindi pa miserable ang buhay ko?"

"I'll make sure that you won't be able to be free of our family."

Tumigil ang oras para sa akin. Iyon ang pinakakinatatakutan ko sa lahat. I slowly turned to look at him.

"Alec swore to protect me," mariing sabi ko.

He grinned devilishly. "And you believe him? A man like him, seriously?" He shook his head as if he was disappointed of me. "How naive of you, Jia."

"Alec is different." Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang dumipensa. "Hindi siya tulad mo!"

Malakas siyang natawa. Right then and there I badly wanted to punch his smug face.

"I know my kind, Jia. And Alec Von Cua is definitely my breed. He will ruin you."

I looked away. Nagtagis ang bagang ko.

He moved forward and slowly I felt his fingertips touched my lips. I flinched.

"Before he does that," he softly murmured as he ran a fingertip on my bottom lip, "why don't you outsmart him and make use of his wealth, alright?"

He eventually withdrew his touch and stepped back. "Huwag kang mag-alala at tutulungan kita. I'm your big brother after all."

I took some deep calming breaths when my brother finally left the room. I told my designer I didn't want to be disturbed at the moment. Isinarado ko ang pinto at nilunod ang sarili sa pag-iisip.

Kilala ko ang kapatid ko. Isa siyang tusong tao. At kapag nagbabala siya sa isang bagay, hindi imposibleng gawin niya talaga 'to. He might be coward at times, but he didn't just give empty threats.

He knew I was up to something. My plans would be ruined if he found out. At wala akong ibang pagpipilian kundi ang sundin ang gusto niya. I had to get him his investments from Alec.

My mind was elsewhere when I met with Alec in Etheral the following night for a dinner. Hindi ko binanggit sa kanya na alam na ni Kuya Lee ang nangyaring civil wedding namin.

"May problema ba?" bigla niyang naitanong. Ibinaba niya ang wineglass na hawak. He leaned forward to give me his full attention. He always knew when something's bothering me. It was amazing.

"Do you mind investing in my brother's project?" deretsahang tanong ko.

Hindi siya nagsalita ng ilang minuto at tahimik lang akong pinagmasdan.

I gave a nervous chuckle. "I know you've heard that most of his projects... failed, so I would totally understand if—"

"I'll do it."

Natigilan ako. His answer was just so simple. I gaped at him.

"You will?" mangha kong tanong.

He nodded. His eyes turned gentle. "You requested it. Who am I to refuse my wife?" Ngumiti siya sa dulo.

"Thank you, Alec," I told him sincerely. "I thought you'd think about it at first. You're a good businessman kaya alam kong tinitimbang mo talaga ang business ventures na pinapasukan mo."

"I've heard that Lee needs financial boost to run his projects. I can help him with that."

Ngumiwi ako nang naalala ang sitwasyon ni Kuya. "Yeah. Ayaw na ni Papa na sumugal pa sa kanya patungkol sa projects niya. 'Yong huling resort na binuksan niya, tumagilid kaya ibinenta na lang sa isang investor."

Tumango siya na para bang hindi na siya nagulat pa.

"What about you?" He looked at me intently. "Do you have any plans of going back to school?"

I gave a small laugh. "I don't think that's possible now. I'm your wife. I'm supposed to take care of you and run the kitchen."

"Utos nino?"

"The elders? The family."

Nagtagpo ang kilay niya. "I am your family. I don't remember asking you those things."

"Alec..." Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko na nasa ibabaw ng mesa. He touched the engagement ring on my finger. Dapat ang wedding ring ang nakalagay dito pero dahil isinekreto namin ang naunang kasal, hindi ko isinuot.

"I want you to think more about yourself, your freedom," aniya sa banayad na boses. "You don't have to run the kitchen, we'll have househelps for that."

"But how can I take care of you? Alam mo ba kung anong inaral ko? Magluto at magsilbi ng asawa. Magkaroon ng pasensiya sa paghihintay kung kailan uuwi at sasalubungin ang asawa sa may pintuan."

Dumaan ang frustrations sa mga mata niya pero agaran din itong bumanayad.

"Jia, you'd be bored to death if you stay at home and just wait for me to go home from work."

I arched a brow and added a playful grin. "Hindi na kita sasalubungin sa may pintuan, kung gano'n?"

"That sounds nice." Ngumiti na rin siya at naging mapanglaw na ang tingin. "But you will not be obligated to do that, alright? Gusto kong gawin mo lang 'yan kapag gusto mo."

"At kapag nagka-baby na tayo?" bigla kong naitanong.

I did not know that it could be possible but his eyes turned much gentler. And there was a faint of smile on the corners of his mouth.

"If that happens, I'd request for you to spend more time with him or her." Bumalik ang hitsura niya sa pagiging seryoso. "For now, I want you to study and focus on yourself. You can have a career if you want. Either way, I will be here to support you."

I gazed at him. He looked so strong, dependable. I wished everything would be just that simple. I wanted to believe that I could be free from all of it. I wanted to have my faith in him.

What if I took a leap of faith?

What if I let him protect me?

"I want those, Alec," I softly said.

"I love you," he whispered. "We'll make those happen for you."

I was thankful of being born in a rich family. I was fortunate enough to get married in a much richer one. We paid people to prepare a perfect wedding for us. The last two day preparation for my wedding gave me no stress.

Ang tanging ginawa ko lang ay ang magrelax sa mansiyon at hintayin ang mismong araw ng kasal.

My brother kept his mouth shut about my civil wedding with Alec, especially that I had given him what he wanted. Alec agreed to invest on his projects.

Alec did nothing but agree to my family's requests. Wala siyang ibang ginawa kundi ang paluguran ang pamilya ko.

The night before the wedding, the hair combing ceremony was performed. Dragon phoenix candles were lit inside my room. At dahil wala na si Mama, si Amma ang gumawa nito para sa'kin.

The actual wedding day was filled with series of ceremonial activities. One of these activities was the tea ceremony with the elders. Sa dami ng sinunod namin ay halos nahilo na ako. Isang buong araw ang seremonya.

It was really a good thing that Alec's my groom. He lightened up the mood by whispering jokes on my ears. Tulad ko ay hindi rin siya maka-tradisyonal na tao.  But he still respected what our elders wanted.

During the wedding banquet with a lavish eight-course affair, I changed into a red qipao. Halfway through the banquet, isa-isa naming nilapitan ang mga mesa kung nasaan ang mga bisita. There was also a slideshow of childhood photos of Alec and mine on the displayed huge screen.

Sa kabila ng baha ng mga bisitang galing sa prominenteng pamilya, nahanap pa rin ng mga mata ko ang matalik na kaibigang si Feng sa isang mesa.

She looked chic and polished in her simple yet elegant qipao. Siya ang may pinakamalaking ngiti nang lumapit na kaming dalawa ni Alec sa mesa kung nasaan siya para tanggapin ang mga bati ng bisita.

We chatted for a bit. We did not stay on her table for long though. Marami pa kaming mesa na kinailangang puntahan.

"I can't wait for this banquet to be over," bulong ni Alec sa'kin habang naglalakad na kami papunta sa huling mesa ng mga bisita.

"Masakit na rin ang mga paa ko sa heels," reklamo ko naman.

"Shall I carry you?"

Natawa ako nang konti. "Kaya ko pa naman."

"I swear we'll leave for a month long vacation after this," he murmured.

Sa halip na sumagot ay ngiti lang ang iginawad ko sa kanya.

"Congratulations to the both of you," bati ni Mrs. Yanong na may tipid na ngiti nang nahinto na kami ni Alec sa mesa nila.

"Thank you po," sagot ko.

"It's just unfortunate that Cora isn't here to witness her unica hija in her marriage." She sounded sympathetic.

I felt Alec's embrace on my waist tightened.

"I'm sure she's happy for me," tugon ko sa ginang.

Mabilis siyang tumango. "Oh for sure, hija!" Pinasadahan niya ng tingin si Alec. She looked impressed with what she was seeing.

"For sure," ulit niya.

Tipid ko siyang sinuklian ng ngiti.

"The both of you look so in love. Shall we expect a baby anytime soon?" sabad naman ni Mrs. Ongpauco na nakaupo sa tapat ni Mrs. Yanong.

"It's up to my wife," si Alec ang sumagot.

"For sure Jia will want to get pregnant right away," muling pagsali na naman ni Mrs. Yanong sa usapan. "Alam kong bata pa naman siya, but it's better to start early para makarami."

"We're not in a rush to have a baby,"depensa ni Alec sabay gawad ng tipid na ngiti. "We'll definitely take our time."

"Hijo, you say that now." The older woman chuckled. "But how old are you? Twenty-nine? Thirty? Dapat mag-baby na kayo para may oras ka pa makipagbonding!"

Bahagyang umigting ang panga ni Alec at itinuon na ang atensiyon sa madaldal na ginang.

"I don't mind bonding with my wife for now and in the next year." Tiningnan ako ni Alec at mapaglaro siyang ngumiti. "She's my baby anyway."

I looked at Mrs. Yanong for her reaction. She looked scandalized. Umawang ang labi niya at bigla siyang nagmukhang uhaw. Tahimik niyang kinuha ang kanyang wineglass. She took a generous sip from it and looked away.

"If you'll excuse us," paumanhin ni Alec sa buong mesa,  "my baby is tired."

Alec steered me away from the guests. He started to become my protector. In his arms, I felt safe. My only wish was that it would last.

"Gusto mo na bang umakyat sa kuwarto?" alok niya nang muli na kaming nakabalik sa mesa.

"No, it's fine. It'll be rude if we leave the guests."

He sighed. "Alright then."

"At saka kapag umakyat tayo ngayon, ano na lang ang iisipin ng guests natin? Na ang totoo ay atat na tayong gumawa ng baby? And besides, naeskandalo mo yata si Mrs. Yanong sa pagtawag mo ng baby sa'kin kanina," magaang komento ko sabay tanaw sa ginang na palihim pa rin kaming tinitingnan.

She grimaced when she caught me looking at her.

Dahil sa sobrang lapit ni Alec sa'kin, ramdam ko ang panginginig ng katawan niya dahil sa pagtawa. His arm rested on my chairs backrest.

"What's funny?" Ngumisi ako at tiningnan na siya.

"Sila naman ang atat na magka-baby na tayo," komento niya. "I don't really care what they think, Jia. Pero dahil nahihiya ka sa iisipin nila, 'di na muna tayo aakyat."

"H-Hindi naman ako nahihiya. Conscious lang."

"Baby, you're blushing." He gazed at me adoringly.

"Tumigil ka nga..."

He chuckled. Mas inilapit niya pa ang mukha sa'kin. He nuzzled my neck. Nakiliti ako.

"Stop it, Alec," malamyang saway ko. Iginala ko ang tingin sa mga bisita. Dumapo ito sa katabi naming mesa. I caught his great-grandma looking at us.

"Nakatingin sa'tin ang great-grandmother mo!" imporma ko.

Mas naging pasaway lang si Alec. Lalo niya pang idiniin ang mukha sa leeg ko.

"J-Jia..."

Mabilis akong lumingon at nakita si Ate Shen. Umayos ako nang upo at medyo mabagal man ay sumunod naman si Alec.

"May problema ba?" tanong ko kay Ate Shen dahil halatang balisa ang aura niya.

"Can I talk to you?" She glanced at Alec hesitantly. "Can I borrow Jia for a bit, Alec?"

"Of course," agad na tugon nito.

Tumayo na ako at tahimik na sinundan si Ate Shen sa likod ng garden.

Napansin ko ang paghinga nang malalim ng sister-in-law ko bago siya humarap sa'kin.

"I know it's your wedding day," panimula niya, "pero hindi ko lang talaga kayang ipagpabukas pa 'to sa'yo."

"What is it?" I demanded.

Kabado siyang sumulyap sa kung nasaan ang pamilya namin. Abala ang mga ito sa kanya-kanyang usapan at mukhang hindi nga pinansin ang biglaang pagkawala namin.

"It's about your mother, Jia." Tiningnan na niya ako. "Papa has erased her name from the family registry."