Scar of the Wind

05

"Sorry Ma'am pero declined po talaga," the cashier said when my last credit card isn't working. Nasa tabi pa nito ang manager ng store dahil kanina pa 'ko nagrereklamo.

Bumuntong hininga ako at umalis na. Hindi ko nalang binili yung mga grocery items dahil wala naman akong nagawa. I also used my other cards but they all failed to work!

Impossible because the last time I checked, I still have enough money from it. I'm so frustrated when I get back to my condo unit, what will I cook now?

I heard the door opened kaya naman naglakad agad ako papunta sa sala. There's my mom, ngayon ko lang ulit siya nakita.

I just stared at her without any emotions. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iaasta ko. She smiled sadly when our eyes met.

"Scarlet," she called me after closing the door. I just raised my eyebrows.

"I'll get my cards now."

"W-what? W-why?" I asked. So that's it? That was the reason why I couldn't even grab a food from the market? My money isn't from her all the time. I also earn money from being a model!

"Because you won't be needing it anymore. Starting from now on, your fiancé will be the one spending money for you."

"Mommy naman, e. Sobra naman na 'yan. I also need to hold my own money," I pleaded with a broken voice. My tears started to fall.

She shook her head, "Whether you like it or not, you'll be married with Travis. I promise you, anak, you will understand this, okay? I know what suits you best so just listen to me, huh? From the very start, all I ever think was your security. I don't even care about mine anymore. After dinner tomorrow night, you will start living with him in his house."

Feeling hurt starts to build in me. Parang ayoko nalang mabuhay bigla kung gan'to lang rin ang mangyayari sa buhay ko.

To be forced to love someone.

"But—"

Knowing that I'll marry someone I don't love, ikahihina ko naman ata 'yon.

He's someone I don't totally know. We were just introduced to each other weeks ago!

Magpapakasal ako sa isang taong hindi ko naman sigurado ang intensyon sa'kin?

What will I fucking do with my boyfriend?!

Pumatak pa ang isang luha galing sa mata ko. I don't know how will I even defend my rights. Lumapit siya sa'kin.

"Scarlet, anak," pagsusumamo niya. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at inalis ang dalawang kamay na kanina pa nasa mukha.

Nginitian niya ako ng kalahati at hinawakan ang dalawa kong palapulsuhan. Agad ko ring binaba iyon.

"Nasa labas si Travis," my heart skipped a bit as I heard his name. "Mag-usap kayo ng mariin," She smiled and left the room.

Putangina.

I muttered a curse at umupo sa dulo ng couch. Tinaas ko ang dalawang binti ko at niyakap 'yon.

Tahimik lang ako habang tuyo ang mga mata. Tired as hell as I am. Parang namamanhid ako dahil dito. Hindi ko na alam kung ano'ng dapat kong maramdaman.

I heard the door opened and he entered the room nang masara ang pinto.

Hindi ako lumingon at tinakpan ko nalang ang mukha ko sa mga nagbabadyang luha. Pagod na pagod na ako. Wala bang makakaintindi sa'kin?