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When I was young, I've always wanted to have a fairytale themed wedding. And because of those stories I've read in books, I've always believed that I am the princess of my own story, and when I grow older, I'll meet my prince charming.
It was a distant dream from a young naive Celestine, but I remembered it all so well.
I wanted to walk down the aisle while wearing a wedding gown that would make me look like a princess. The church would be decorated with a mixture of white and light pink, with flowers and butterflies all over the place. Then for the reception, it would be in a garden, filled with flowers and vines. My reception gown would be a flowy light pink princess dress with white pearls, and I'll wear a white tiara that would match my diamond studded heels.
I had it all pictured perfectly in my mind. And growing up, I promised myself that I would marry the man I truly love someday, and I would experience a fairytale love story with him.
I wanted a love story that was too good, it only existed in books and movies.
And I know that now.
My dream is not my destiny.
And it didn't rake long for me to fully realize what was really meant for me- Fixed marriage.
I fixed my hair as I stared at myself in the mirror. Wearing a simple white dress and a light touch of makeup on my face, I looked pretty classy. Typical me. I always love wearing dresses and imagine that I'm a princess.
My features stared back at me while I looked ay myself. I had a full view of my pointed nose and sharp jawlines. I put on just a very light makeup to emphasize my face even more. I turned around to look at my hair at the mirror. I had it dyed to a beautiful golden brown last week, it complemented my skin tone very perfectly. My hair is naturally wavy and it was cut just a few inches below my shoulders.
I giggled and twirled around. I also decided to wear a pearl headband to match my dress. I wore some simple accessories too.
One last glance at my reflection and I think I'm already good to go. I wore my brown sandals and grabbed my brown sling bag before going out of my room to find my mom. I saw her sitting on the living room couch with my father, waiting for me.
"I'm ready." I called their attention. They both looked at me and stood up, walking their way out of our house. I sighed heavily and gripped my bag's strap before following them.
Tahimik lang ako sa likod ng sasakyan habang nasa biyahe, nag-iisip sa kung ano na ang susunod na mangyayari sa buhay ko kapag natapos ang araw na 'to.
"Be nice to them, okay, Celestine? We already talked about this." paalala ng ama ko. I boredly nodded and looked out of the window to entertain myself a bit.
Why did I even say yes to this agreement?
Kung alam ko lang na pagsisisihan ko 'to sa huli ay sana hindi nalang ako pumayag.
We arrived at a familiar mansion just a few moments later. I sighed and went down the car, following my parents as they made their way inside.
Mr. and Mrs. Zamora greeted us at their hall. I call them Tito Henry and Tita Alice. I've known them since I was a kid because they've been friends with my parents even before I was born.
Meanwhile, I saw their sons, Zayden and Zackary, just standing at the side, smiling a bit at my parents.
"Good morning po." I greeted them with a small smile. Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Zayden kaya wala sa sarili akong napairap.
"Oh, come in. We were just preparing for dinner." anyaya ni Tita Alice sa'min.
"Hey." bati ni Zack at pasimpleng lumapit sa'kin. I smiled at him and rolled my eyes at his brother.
"Are you mad at me again? Oh, scratch that. You're always mad at me anyways." Zayden grinned sheepishly.
I grimaced. "So annoying."
I heard Zack's low chuckle. He held my arms gently and guided me towards their dining room.
"Don't mind my kuya. He's just being an ass, nothing out of the ordinary." he whispered. Napangisi ako at tumango. Ano pa ba'ng bago?
Me and Zackary are of the same age, he was just older than me for about two to three months, I think? On the other hand, Zayden is two years older than us.
We ate dinner with the Zamoras while they were talking about business. During the time being, I was seated between Zack and Zayden.
"Try this, it's is one of my favorites." naglagay si Zack ng buttered shrimp sa plato ko. Kaagad naman akong napangiwi habang nakatingin sa mga hipon.
"Allergies." A voice interjected. Napalingon tuloy kami kay Zayden na abala sa sariling pagkain.
"Huh?" takang tanong ni Zack sa kapatid.
"Celestine is allergic to seafoods, don't you know?" nilingon siya ni Zayden at pasimpleng pinagtaasan ng kilay.
"Really? I'm sorry, I didn't know, Celestine. I-"
"It's okay." I assured him, "Hindi ko pa naman nakain."
Tumango siya pero kaagad din na binawi ang mga hipon at nilipat nalang sa sariling plato. He gave me meats and vegetables instead, asking me if I was okay with those.
"Looks like you two are getting along." agaw pansin ni Tito Henry. I just smiled a bit and looked away, nakita ko namang natigilan si Zack pero nang makabawi ay nagpatuloy sa pagsalin ng sabaw sa mangkok ko.
"Of course, dad." he said and shrugged. Linapag niya ang mangkok malapit sa plato ko at bahagyang ngumiti sa'kin. I mouthed 'thank you' before I proceeded to eating my food.
"You two should start living together." biglang sabi ni mommy, dahilan kung bakit nabilaukan ako sa kinakain ko.
"Shit." I heard someone say but I was too busy coughing to know who it was. Maya-maya ay may nag-abot na sa'kin ng isang basong tubig at naramdaman ko din ang marahang paghaplos ng kung sino sa aking likod.
Nang makainom ako ay unti-unti nang nawala ang bara sa lalamunan ko. I saw Zayden staring at me, ang kamay ay nakahawak sa likod ko. Sa gulat ay mabilis akong napaayos ng upo. Muli akong tumikhim at pinunasan ang bibig gamit ang napkin na nakapatong sa aking hita bago tipid na ngumiti sa kanila na ngayon ay nasa akin na ang atensyon.
"I'm good, thank you." I nodded at Zayden. He just looked away and continued eating, not saying anything back.
"Oh, I think I startled my own daughter." mahinang tumawa si mommy.
"You okay?" mahinang tanong ni Zack. Nginitian ko siya bago tumango.
"Oh, and by the way." nagtinginan kaming lahat kay Tito nang magsalita siya. "The wedding will be moved to next month.
"What?!" sabay kaming napatayo ni Zack sa gulat.
Tita Alice nodded and smiled a bit. Si Daddy at Mommy naman ay tumingin sa akin at sinenyasan akong umupo. I sat down, still shocked with the news.
"Isn't it too early?" Zack asked them as he slowly sat down. "Me and Celestine are still trying to get to know each other. At least give us a month or two to process the fact that we're getting married first, we only found out about all of these last week."
I bit my lower lip and nodded, agreeing to what he said. We've known each other for years now since we stumble upon each other a lot during parties, of course, because our parents were friends. We also went to the same high school and became classmates for two school years, but we barely talked. We've only been talking casually for less than a week, just after we found out about our fixed marriage.
"Time is money, and the more time we're prolonging this wedding, the more money is being wasted." Tito told us.
"But Zack's right. Still too early." maikling sabi ni Zayden at ngumuya sa pagkain niya. I rolled my eyes and continued eating.
And what's his concern about this? I'm surprised he has a say about this wedding. I thought he doesn't care about this union?
I escorted my way out of the dining area when I was done eating. I wanted to breathe in some fresh air so I went out to look for their garden.
Niyakap ko ang mga braso ko at huminga ng malalim, nilalanghap ang malamig na simoy ng hangin, nang maramdaman kong may naglalakad papalapit sa akin mula sa likuran.
"So, don't I get a thank you?"
I looked back and saw Zayden leaning on the wall near the door, his arms crossed against his broad chest.
He has this smirk on his face again and it annoys me every single time I see it. It makes me want to rip his stupid face in half.
"I saved your life, woman. You could have choked to death if I didn't help you." he said.
Napasimangot ako. He's so OA! As if I'll actually die because of that.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I must've forgotten! I would've been dead by now if it wasn't for you!" I gasped dramatically and clasped my hands, bringing them up to my cheeks. "You're my hero!" I exclaimed sarcastically.
His face crumpled. Umayos ako ng tayo at sumimangot din. He obviously didn't like what I just said. Unfortunately for him, I'm proud of it! Seeing him annoyed is enough to satisfy me. Napailing nalang ako at tinalikuran siya, akmang aalis na sana nang magsalita siya ulit.
"I was fortunate that I wasn't the one bound to marry you." he said seriously. I faced him boredly, waiting for what he's about to say next.
That's it? That's his rebuttal?
"Oh, but my poor brother was just not lucky enough. He'll be living his life miserable because he'll have a wife like you." he said sadly, obviously trying to annoy me.
"Miserable?" my brow raised. "What are you implying here, huh, Mr. Castellano?"
"You're useless, Celestine." ngumisi siya, walang pagdadalawang isip sa sinabi. "You can't cook, you can't clean, you can't wash your own clothes, you can't even wash the dishes! How's my brother's life gonna be then?"
I fisted my hands and glared at him. He smiled and clapped his hands once. "Oh, wait! I forgot, you're a royalty! A princess!" He cackled. "My brother should bow to you and do as you say. Poor brother of mine, he'll be a slave of his own good for nothing wife."
"Shut up." I said seriously, he grinned. Did he just call me 'good for nothing'? Who gave him the audacity to call me that?!
"Why would I, Celestine? I'm right, am I? Poor Zackary, marrying a wife who knows nothing about house chores-"
"First of all, I will be his wife, not his maid. Second, don't you dare call me useless. Baka nakakalimutan mo, Zayden. Kailangan ako ng pamilya mo. Without me, you and your family would be miserable by now. 'Di ba? We saved you and your company from bankruptcy. You could at least be nice to me, you know?" hilaw akong ngumiti.
"Why would I be nice to the woman I hate, Celestine?" He mocked.
Nawala ang ngiti ko. Hate, huh? Such a big, heavy word to say. What did I do to you, Zayden? As far as I remember, I was nothing but nice to you ever since we first met?
He's always been very vocal about his hatred towards me. And trust me, I feel just as much. I loathe him. He annoys and pisses me so bad that I just want to strangle him to death. If only I could.
"Hate me all you want, Zayden. Pero tandaan mong may utang na loob ka sa'kin." I fired back.
"Ang pamilya ko, Celestine. Hindi ako." He smiled proudly, as if hindi siya nakikinabang sa kumpanya ng pamilya nila na niligtas namin.
"Fuck you." I spatted coldly.
He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "I would like to see you try."
"Asshole." I muttered and left him there with his annoying triumphant smile.
This is your destiny, Celestine. It's nothing like the fairytales you've fancied about.
You're marrying a man you don't love, and you'll also have to deal with his annoying brother.
So much for a happily ever after.