The air is filled with the sweet melodies of classical tunes. I saw the guests wearing elegant gowns and tailored suits, sipping on champagne, and some are dancing in synchronized waltz.
Namagha ako sa floral arrangements. Especially this one on my throne-like seat kung saan ako nakaupo. I felt like I was the queen of the night, like royalty. Kahit medyo natawa na lang ako dahil I never attended balls.
The man sitting beside me looked at me. He looked like he came straight out of a fairytale book with the suit he was wearing, and it occurred to me na match ang suot naming dalawa. I was wearing a white off shoulder gown and he was wearing a classic black suit. When I looked at both our hands, para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. "Are you alright?"
Tumango lang ako sa kanya. "Medyo pagod na ako. Uwi na kaya ako?"
"You know that isn't possible," aniya. "Why would you leave early on our wedding night?"
Napapikit ako nang mariin. I can't believe I got married tonight–take note, this arrangement is only out of a business merger. Hindi ko talaga aakalain na uso pa talaga ngayon itong mga ganito. I can't believe that my parents were already setting me up noong una kaming nagkita sa family reunion. I wanted to protest, I wanted to refuse, but I can't.
Because he's rich, tall, and handsome and he also seemed like a good guy! 🥰
"Will you two be okay here?" tanong ni Mommy pagkatapos ibaba ang mga gamit mula sa sasakyan.
Tumango ako. "Yes, Mommy. Magpahinga na rin kayo."
"She's right, Tita. Ako na po ang bahala kay Rio."
Mommy smiled after hearing what he said. Kaagad lumapit sa akin si Mommy at may iniabot na gift bag. "You should use it tonight, okay?" aniya at hinalikan ang buhok ko. "Enjoy your steamy-I mean, romantic night, newlyweds! I'll be off now."
Inirapan ko si Mommy. Nakakahiya! Buti na lang at tumawa lang itong katabi ko.
Nang makaalis si Mommy, dumiretso lang ako sa kwarto at naglinis ng katawan. After that, I looked at what Mommy gave to me kanina. When I opened it, I saw a lingerie set that made me laugh.
Napapitlag ako nang marinig ang katok sa pinto at bumukas iyon. Kaagad kong inilagay sa likuran ko ang reglo ni Mommy. "Are you not hungry?"
Umiling ako. "Hindi naman."
"Okay. Goodnight," aniya at isinarado na ang pinto.
Lumipas ang ilang minuto at hinihintay kong bumalik siya sa kwarto. Medyo inaantok na nga rin ako pero pinilit kong imulat ang mata ko dahil ayaw ko naman na tulugan siya... since it's our first night together. I will admit it, since I wasn't born yesterday. I was looking forward to do it with him. Pero it seems like he has different plans.
Lumabas ako ng kwarto to check on him. Kung ayaw niya, e 'di aakitin ko siya! Wala pang tumatanggi sa alindog ng isang Rio Hernaez!
When I went outside, napalingon siya sa akin habang nakaupo sa couch. He was sipping on a cup, na hindi ko sure kung kape ba o tsaa ang laman, at ibinaba niya iyon nang makita ako.
"Hindi ka makatulog?" he asked.
Umiling ako. Pero sa isip ko, hindi ba siya sa akin tatabi? "Medyo nagutom na."
"Do you want me to cook?" tanong ulit niya. Kinilig naman ang kiffy ko. Ang sarap naman ng may pogi at tender, loving, and caring husband!
Umiling lang ulit ako at tumabi sa kanya. "Ikaw? 'Di ka pa inaantok?"
"Hindi pa naman," he said. "So..."
"So?" ulit ko sa sinabi niya. Anong kasunod nito? So do you want me to make you mine tonight?
"Shall we discuss future plans for the company?"
Napamaang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "Huh?"
Seryoso ba siya? Tinitigan ko siya pero mukhang seryoso nga talaga siya. Nakailang kurap ako dahil hindi ko maproseso ang sinabi niya. Seryoso ba siya? Unang gabi namin bilang mag-asawa, tatanungin nya ako sa future plans? Ano 'to, job interview?
"Huy, pwede bang bukas na 'yan? Nagsesex na 'yung mga kapitbahay, nasa trabaho pa rin 'yung isip mo?"
Nakita ko na bahagya siyang natawa sa sinabi ko, pero kaagad niya rin namang binawi. "Are you enjoying this arranged marriage plot so much?" tanong niya. "Were you not forced to do this?"
"I'm enjoying it!" I told him. "Freedom! Finally."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't have my parents to watch my every move. It's suffocating kaya! And so I agreed to do this. Kung hindi magwork, we can just part ways," sabi ko.
"So you think you'll be free after marrying me?" tanong niya.
"Bakit mo naman ako pipigilan? We're only bound by a business merger," I told him. "We can treat each other as roommates. Pwede rin namang kalaro, kung gusto mo."
"Kalaro? Anong lalaruin?" nagtataka niyang tanong.
"Ako, laruin mo ako," sabi ko, at natawa siya. "Pero charot lang. Parang virgin ka pa kasi."
Tumawa siya at parang nalaglag ang panty ko. "Why would you think that?" tanong niya. "Do you even know how old I am now?"
"Twenty-five?" tanong ko.
"I'm thirty-one," aniya. So he's eight years older than me? Hindi halata!
"Virgin ka pa?" tanong ko sa kanya.
Tumawa lang ulit siya. "Try me."
Inirapan ko siya. "So why did you agree to this setup? Were you forced to do this?"
Umiling siya. "Nope."
"Eh? Wala kang ibang natitipuhan?" tanong ko. "No choice ka na ba kaya ka pumayag? Trip mo lang bang magpakasal?"
Because it seems impossible naman na wala siyang nagiging babae for the past years. Like I said earlier, he's rich, tall, handsome, and he seemed like a good guy.
"I'm still learning," sabi lang niya.
"Learning what?" I asked. Bakit kasi putol-putol sumagot itong si tanda! "Learning bumayo?"
He chuckled. "No," aniya. "I'm still learning how to love."
***
DISCLAIMER: The story you are about to read may not be suitable for all audiences. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. All sexual activity in this work is consensual and all sexually active characters are 18 years of age or older. Please read at your own risk.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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