The Desperate Marriage

KABANATA 7

"It's okay Mom. Magiging okay din ang lahat. Jamie is a good person. Nasa mabuting kamay ako. I promise you that." She closed her eyes tightly, hoping for the best sa mga mangyayari.

"Jamie did not attempt to rape you, isn't it? What really happened, anak? You can tell me. I will listen." Kumuwala ito ng yakap at hinaplos nito ang kanyang pisngi.

She just stared at her stepmother's eyes bago siya bumitiw at yumuko.

"Ate Trisha is pregnant with kuya Richie. She cheated on Jamie. And she was scared about what might be Dad's decision for what she did and for the baby." Pag-uumpisa niya at napailing-iling ang Mommy Emily kasabay ang paghilot nito sa leeg.

Hindi ito makapaniwala sa ginawa ng anak.

"And I was worried about everything. Our family, Dad's career, alam naman natin how he built his name. And Jamie, he didn't know about Ate's affair with her ex-boyfriend." She paused and took a sigh. "Jamie is my childhood crush." She continued.

Napaawang ang bibig ng kanyang stepmother. She confessed everything to her and they both cried. Sinabi niya sa ina na plano talaga ng ate niya na pikutin si Jamie upang hindi magkaroon ng gap ang pamilyang Zamora at Chiongbian. Halos hindi makapaniwala si Emily sa mga isinalaysay ni Zea. But all of it was true. Except the story about the necklace--on which Jamie gave her twelve years ago. But she confessed that she has loved Jamie since she was a teenager. Hindi naman niya maitatago ang sariling nararamdama sa ina dahil alam niyang makikita din nito balang araw.

Alam niya ang sakrapisyo ng kanyang madrasta sa ama niya, when her father cheated on her mother kaya nakarelate ito sa sakrapisyo na ginawa niya. It was not easy for her stepmom pero heto siya tinanggap at minahal ng buong-buo. She would be forever grateful for that. It's time for her to do something for her family too.

"Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Hindi magtatagal ay mahuhulog din ang loob ni Jamie sa akin." She gives her assurance upang huwag itong dumagdag sa pag-aalala nito.

Humugot ito mabigat na hangin.

"Of course he will. Sa ganda mong yan? You're not just a pretty woman, hija. You are kind and sweet. Once Jamie will know you better, I know hindi niya pagsisisihan na pinakasalan ka niya." She caressed her cheek.

Tipid lamang siyang ngumiti bilang tugon. Sana nga ganoon ang mangyayari kahit alam niyang hindi naman ito fairytale na palageng may happy ending.

"Magbihis ka na. Jamie is waiting for you." Hinalikan siya ng ina sa noo. She sighed at tumango.

All the wedding preparations are ready. Sa susunod na araw ay ikakasal na sila sa isang civil wedding. It was an abrupt decision for both families. Disente ang pamilyang Zamora, bumawi ang mga ito sa nangyari. Walang alam ang mga ito that it was not Jamie's fault. Ang hindi niya alam ay kung nagsalita ito tungkol sa totoong nangyari sa pamilya nito.

Nakikita niya itong nakaupo sa sofa habang pababa siya ng hagdan. She saw him na umangat ang ulo at seryusong tumingin sa kanya. Kumurap siya at tipid na ngumiti kasabay ang malakas na pintig ng kanyang dibdib.

He did not smile nor reacted the same way. Ano ba ang aasahan niya pagkatapos niyang pikutin ito?

"Mom wanted to see you." Seryusong tugon nito at isinara ang newspaper na hawak at inilapag sa table. He stood up.

"Ahm, okay." Tumango siya at lihim na pinagmamasdan ito. He looked clean and fresh unlike few weeks ago na palage itong pagod at stress. At dumagdag pa ang kapatid niya.

"Let's go." He said and left her. Hindi man lang ito nag-abalang tumingin sa gawi niya.

Sumunod siya sa binata at isinawalang bahala ang panlalamig nito. Ngayon lamang niya nakita ang other side nito. Jamie loves to smile at her kahit pinagsusupladahan niya ito noon. But now, he is so cold. Tila nakakapanibago.