"Don't worry, if you think I'm turned on, I'll put your hand on mine so you can check it yourself!" I said dropping the last laugh.
Umigting ang bagang niya kaya ngumiti na ako.
"Let's go, my love. Can't wait to be with our guests and get this over with. It's gonna be our first night later," mataman kong sinabi at sinadyang iparinig sa nakangising mga staff na naroon.
Hinila ko si Royce at nagpatianod naman siya. Ako naman ang nakangisi ngayon samantalang seryosong seryoso siya.
My mood was perfect for our entrance dance and our first dance. I probably look happy and yes, I am. Lalo na dahil mukhang nagulantang siya sa huling banat ko sa kanya.
I was genuinely really happy on the reception. Even the speeches made me smile. Samantalang si Royce, seryosong seryoso. Animo'y isinasapuso ang mga abiso ng matatandang principal sponsors para sa amin.
"A happy wife is a happy life, that is the secret to a happy marriage," the last speaker said.
"See? You should make me happy," bulong ko kay Royce.
Kanina ko pa siya inaasar sa mga abiso. I am enjoying it so much.
He glared at me.
"Maaapektuhan ang performance mo sa business world, kapag hindi ako masaya."
He sighed heavily while looking at me.
"Kailangan pasayahin mo ako."
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Ano bang klase ang kasiyahang gusto mo? Just tell me, I will provide."
Nanatili ang ngiti ko habang nagkakatinginan kami. Napatingin ako sa kamay niyang hinawi pa ang takas na buhok sa gilid ng mukha ko. Pagkatapos ay nilapag niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking kandungan.
"If it's through the household, I can deal with that. I can cook and clean. If it's through gifts, I'd give you anything you want... and if it's through bed, then I assure you, Sky."
This manwhore!
"Tingnan na lang natin kapag nagsama na tayo."
He smirked. "While on our honeymoon, your things will be sent in my condo unit."
"At gawan mo na rin ako ng opisina dahil magtatrabaho ako pagbalik natin. I'm not gonna be your waiting housewife, Royce."
"That's fine with me. I'd love a working wife, Mrs. Solarez."
"No offense but I'd like to retain my family name while we're in this stupid shit."
"What's wrong with mine?" nangingiti siya kahit na medyo pahapyaw na insulto iyon. "But anyway, of course you can. I don't mind. But I hope you allow me to call you my Mrs. Solarez from time to time. After all, you're my wife. I can't help but be possessive of you."
Napapanis na ang ngiti ko. My eye is twitching because of my suppressed anger. Buti na lang at tinawag kami para sa katuwaan at games.
Kalaunan, natapos ang programme. Nakipagbatian at ilang pictures na lang kami sa bisita. Ganoon din sa pamilya.
Papa didn't have much emotions. He wasn't very participative but he wasn't also unresponsive. Nakikisali lang kapag may pictures at hinihila ni Mama. At nakikihalubilo sa mga relatives namin at mga Tito ko. Pati na rin sa imbitadong business associates.
It wasn't that bad, I think. I was genuinely enjoying everything. Kaya hindi ko namalayan na gabi na at matatapos na ang reception pagkatapos nitong kaunting fireworks.
Everyone was exhausted but still they have plans for tonight. My Titos will drink and they are inviting Royce. My Titas want to swim in the swimming pool at hinahalina rin nila ang mga relatives ni Royce.
All our other guests will either sleep and wake up tomorrow to enjoy the vacation, or be with my Titos and Titas.
I was exhausted but I know they still want to see me after everything. Kaya siguro makikisali din ako sa kanila pagkatapos magpalit na ng damit.
"Naku, nandito pala ang bagong kasal! First night n'yo, ah! Buti hindi pa pagod?"
Ang mga ganoong sinabi ay galing lagi sa relatives ni Royce. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba ng mga tiyuhin ko ang tungkol sa kasal pero hula ko'y may ideya na rin sila. It's Royce relatives that really didn't have a clue about it.
"Ah, oo nga po. Magpapahinga na rin po ako pagkatapos dito," sagot ko.
But it seems like my family didn't want us to sleep early. Kahit na ramdam ko na ang pagod, nag-iinuman pa rin sila at ako naman nakikisali na lang sas mga pinsan.
"You don't look miserable," Roscoe noticed while I let my head lean on the backrest of my chair.
"Because I'm not in tears, Roscoe? Ano'ng gusto mo, humagulhol ako rito?"
He chuckled. "Or maybe you're a good actress. Your pictures looked good. Parang totoo."
"Or maybe you already like him? He's got a reputation so I won't be surprised." si Beau.
"You wish," umirap ako at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagrerelax.
Hindi ko tuloy namalayan na nakaidlip pala ako sa inuupuan ko. I was only disturbed by the feeling of moving. Ramdam ko rin ang higpit ng hawak sa tuhod at braso ko!
It was Royce! His scent was a mixture of musk and whiskey. Nasa pasilyo na kami ng suite1 Agad akong gumalaw at pumiglas.
"Ibaba mo ako! Ako na ang maglalakad!"
"Tss. You're still groggy for sure. Eto na naman, Sky," aniya at binuksan na ang pintuan ng suite.
Nagpumilit pa rin ako sa pagpupumiglas pero dahil nakapasok na, mabilis niya rin akong naihiga sa kama.
How dare him carry me that way on our wedding night? Hindi ko nga lang isinatinig iyon dahil masyado namang emosyonal na meltdown. So what, right?
"Sleep now," he whispered and stole a kiss before I could push him away.
Ngumisi siya. Amoy na amoy ko ang alak sa hininga niya.
"Ambaho mo! You're fucking drunk!"
He chuckled. "Your father still wants me to drink more with your Titos. Don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch later so my smell won't bother you."
Sinimmangutan ko siya. The smell of alcohol on himm isn't necessarily unpleasant. I just said that to annoy him but... it's also alright if he wants to sleep on the couch.
"Tulog ka na."
Unti-unti niyang d-in-im ang lights sa lamp. Sinarado niya rin ang ceiling lights. At tiningnan ako ng maigi, bago unti-unting sinarado ang pintuan.
Hindi ko na alam kung anong oras silang natapos. I just know that when I woke up at dawn, I saw Royce sleeping on the couch. Bumangon ako, para i-check siya roon. I went back to bed to sleep but it's been thirty minutes, and the sun is slowly rising. Hindi ako makatulog na.
Maybe I should just exercise? Flight na namin mamaya at... I prepared the best bikinis for this.
Tumayo ako at nagbihis para makapagexercise. Pero nang palabas na ako at nakita si Royce sa sofa, naisip ko kung gaano ka hirap ang tulog niya. He's a tall man and the couch isn't enough for him. I sighed and slowly went to him to wake him up a bit.
"Hmm..." napapaos niyang reaction sa kaunting kalabit ko.
"Sa kama ka na. Lalabas ako para mag exercise."
He sighed. Slowly, his eyes opened. Pumikit siya ulit at diniin ang mga mata, para bang hindi makapaniwala na ako ang nakikita niyang gumising sa kanya.
"Saan ka?" he asked, still sleepy, but he managed to sit.
"Sa gym nga."
Unti-unti niyang dinilat ang mga mata, kunot pa rin ang noo at tiningnan ang suot ko.
"Saan?" this time, he sounds offended. Parang alam narinig niya naman pero medyo ayaw niya.
"Sa gym!" iritado kong sinabi. "Sige na, matulog ka pa. Babalik ako at magbibihis. Then we'll have our breakfast."
He nooded slowly and then looked at me. Pagkatapos ay tumayo siya, antok pa rin. Sumunod ako sa kanya. Hinantay kong mahiga siya sa kama bago ako unti-unting umalis.
Kabanata 10
Magsimula sa umpisa
