Chapter 12

BROKEN

I went back to the party ready to talk to my parents but they weren't around. My heart squeezed painfully again. Since I checked all the rooms, they must be in the library..

With my shaking knees, I walked to the library. On the staircase, I saw Sheena coming down. We stopped and looked at each other. She was smirking while I was with no emotion.

"The Monteverde Princess in the house.. " she said then clapped slowly.

Napahawak ako sa bangle ko at mabilis na tinanggal ang kamay. Napatingin si Sheena sa kamay ko.

Her smirk got bigger. "Have you heard the news? Daddy bought your husband.." she said in a childlike voice.

"You're too pitiful. Wala ka kasing ka-appeal appeal kaya bibilhan ka na lang ng lalaki. Pero sorry ka na lang, because I will fight just to have him too. Wala namang kaso kasi papakasalan niya kahit sino kapag inutos ng mommy niya so I'll pay their debt then buy him out from his parents then viola, pwede ko na siyang pakasalan." She stated.

Napangiti ako ng nakakaloko.

"That's easy for you to say.. but can your father afford the big debt they owed us? Baka naman iwan ka lang ni Peter once your father declared bankruptcy. Because you won't be able to afford his lifestyle." I shot back.

She looked at me sharply. "Masyado kang mayabang just because your family is on top of the ladder. You'll see. It would be a shame because, sa akin mapupunta ang pinapangarap mong lalaki!" She screamed. I saw Peter coming towards us in hurry.

"Don't worry, I've changed my mind. Masyado kasi siyang predictable. You can have him.. because I've found someone new.." i said loudly. For him to hear me.

Napahinto sa pagbaba si Peter. Then looked at me in pain.

I just smiled tightly. "Worry how you can keep him, because he might slipped away too. Marami pa namang gaya mong babae na mang aagaw. " She pulled my arm to stop me.

"He can't leave me..Kasi natikman nya na ako. I can make him go crazy over me girl.. unlike you.."

"Then good. I hope he'll marry you soon.." I said to end this banter. I pulled my arm away from her grasp and walked up the stairs.

"Love.." he said then swallowed hard.

"Have you seen your ring? I left it just outside your door. It's too cheap and big for my precious finger eh." I said then pouted..

"I-I'll buy you another one if you didn't like it.." he whispered.

"Oh.. you can recycle that ring and give it to Sheena. Sayang naman. She'll take anything from you anyway." Nakakaloko kong sagot. At lumingon sa babae nyang nakakuyom na ang mga kamay sa inis.

Nang magpantay ang mukha namin, I looked at his blue orbs for the last time.. my heart was constricting in pain. Just by watching him. My happiness would soon be gone. My love..

"See you later,alligator.." i whispered and turned my back.

Never again would I trust any man with my own happiness.

I opened the library door and heard Tita Patricia laughing happily.

"They'll be a good couple. My Peter will make your daughter happy. And he said he'll give Shanelle the biggest wedding she deserves."

Napalunok ako at kumatok.

Natahimik sila nang makita ako. Namulta din si Tita Patricia.

Tito Vincent just looked away.

"Can I talk to you Mom and Dad.." i said seriously. I looked at Tito and Tita asking for permission. Nanlalaki ang mga matang napalunok si Tita at tumango.

Tito just shook his head then nodded too.

"Thank you po." Magalang kong sabi. Dahil kahit pinaglalaruan nila kami ni Peter, I still have my respect for them. Same as my parents.

When they stepped outside their library, I looked at my parents without closing the door.

"I can't understand Dad, Mom why you have to do this.." i said painfully.

"I never imagined myself marrying someone you bought for me.."

"My princess.." daddy said then walked towards me.

I shook my head and stepped back.

Pain crossed his eyes. I looked at Mommy and she was crying now.

"Will you please let me live my life and have more faith in me? I won't let you down I swear.." i begged them. Mommy nodded her head.

Napalingon ako kay Daddy when he punched the wall. It cracked.

Mommy ran to him and tried to calm him down.

"Anak.. alam naming nasasaktan ka ngayon.. but will you let us explain.." Mommy sobbed while hugging Daddy.

"We never intended to marry you to Peter.. Daddy just help the Allison's without expecting anything in return.. When they paid their debt and tried to give an interest, we didn't take it. Then suddenly, Pat noticed that you were starting to like Peter.. so they offered Peter as your husband." Napahikbi na rin ako.

So it was my fault why everything turned out like this? My stupid love for him had forced him to marry me..

I really am so pitiful.. i looked at daddy na nakayuko at may tumulong mga luha sa carpet. Pati parents ko sinasaktan ko na rin!

Napatakbo ako kay Daddy at yumakap. Napatingin si Daddy sa akin at yumakap pabalik. I looked at him in the eyes. His were red. From tears. Mommy joined us.

"I will never do that to you my Princess. I love you so much that I'll never think of arranging you to anyone you don't love.."Napatango ako.

"Thank you Daddy. Please break it off. I won't marry Peter. Not now, not ever.."

"I'll tell Pat anak. Don't worry. She got everything wrong.. akala kasi niya you're in love with her son kaya pinupush nyang magpakasal kayo in the future."Mommy said then kissed us both on the cheeks.

Napalunok ako at umiwas ng tingin. I would never tell them my real feelings for Peter now because they might push our engagement through.. at mapipilitan na naman si Peter na pakasalan ako. He should be free to choose whoever he would marry in the future..

So even if it was so painful to lie, I had to do it.. for Peter. And for me..

"I was never in love with him Mommy, Daddy.. I'm too young to know that." I said quietly.

Then I heard a yelp and glass breaking.

Napalingon kami sa labas ng pintuan at nakita ko si Peter na nakataas ang kamay at akmang kakatok sa pinto. Sa likuran niya ay ang isang kasambahay na may hawak na tray at mga basag na tasa at platito sa carpet.

Peter stepped back again. Napasigaw kami ni Mommy because he stepped on the broken glass.

Napatingala ako nang makita ko ang nakakuyom na kamao ni Peter.

The gorgeous eyes I've ever laid my eyes on were now red in tears.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin.

That was just your ego talking Peter..

Days, years went by so quickly. After that fateful night, something had changed. My brother went back to America while my parents stayed with me. After that year, we all went to America to be with my Kuya for summer. Good thing my brother didn't have any clue about what happened.

My father continued to help the Allison's. The Allison's won the case and got the settlement they've asked for. While their rival shipping line went down the drain. Later they bought the Miranda's out.

Everyone got shocked including me with the news when Miranda's and Zuñiga's patriarch went to jail. The Miranda's had been sending death threats to the Allison's and even tried to kill Kuya Lindsey at Tita Patricia by planting bombs and removing the brakes of their car.

While the Zuñiga's was their accomplice. They created bad publicity and even stole vital information from the data base of the Allison's shipping line. Kaya nagkagulo at nagatrasan lahat ng mga investors. Sheena's father aimed to take over the company by buying shares but my father blocked him and paid the investors higher than what Miranda offered and later sold it back to the Allison's. Sheena Zuñiga suddenly disappeared.

Kuya Lindsey and Peter took over the company. They made it almost quadruple the market value. Their flagships were now scattered all over the globe. I was so proud of them. From the bottom, Peter was now promoted as second in command. It took him a lot of time and hard work. After settling the case, he flew to America to work while managing their shipping line from there. Sometimes I see him in the hollywood news. Attending some parties with actresses and models clinging to his arm. He had gone sexier and hotter as time passed by. He matured well.

I'm still in contact with the Allison's, especially Tita Patricia never failed to call me. Sapalagay ko ay nagiguilty lang siya dahil sa nagawa niya sa amin ni Peter three years ago. Kaya palagi niya pa rin akong tinatawagan at iniinvite sa mga parties nila. But I would only attend kung kasama ko sina Mommy and Daddy. Parang sila ang ginagawa kong panangga. I often get asked from our local papers about my engagement with the Peter dahil may nakapag tip sa kanila about it. And dahil Peter was making a big noise in hollywood, pati ako dinadamay. Para may maibalita lang.

I was on my twelfth grade now. I met a new batch of friends in my new school. It was co-ed. Dahil doon sa dati kong school ay lagi akong hinaharass ng mga reporters. Kyla, who used to be my closest friend went to Canada with her family that year. Ang balita daw ay nabuntis. But it was all a lie. We still keep in touch.

"Girl, why don't you come with us? Patrick's party is always good. Try it! You're already seventeen." Katie said. She had a bleach blonde hair with a pointy nose and pouty red lips. Sobrang ganda. She's eighteen kaya kahit saang party nakakapunta.

"Next time nalang girl. Marami pa akong inaasikaso." I said. I was running for Valedictorian this year. I focused all my energy on my school works and now, I'm happy to say it was paying off.

I was the busy bee in our school. Para hindi na ako magkaroon ng time to check the internet and watch stupid hollywood news. Nakakabitter lang.

"You always say no! Nakakatampo kana. Patrick wanted you to come. Yon lang ang request niya." Giit naman ni Olivia. She's brunette and petite. Pero sobrang sexy and maganda. Halos lahat ng boys naaakit sa kanilang dalawa ni Katie. While I remained stoic and cold. Ayoko munang magkaroon nang kahit anong ugnayan sa mga lalaki. They're too much for me.

As I get older, I learned more things about men. Sadly, they just couldn't stay in one place. Or rather with one girl. They jump from one to another like changing their shirt. And discard them once the shirts were soiled. My broken engagement was a blessing in disguise, because I didn't have to put up with him. With His playboy ways.

"I can't." Tanggi ko at lumakad na palayo.

Hindi ko alam bakit lagi silang nakadikit sa akin. Kahit saan ko tignan, we never had anything in common.

"Please.. I swear this will be the first and last party you'll hear from us. Magseseryoso na rin kami sa studies namin so we can get to a good college." Katie said while walking with me.

"Yup! And we know you'll help us." Olivia winked at me. I sighed then nodded. They high five and continued chatting about the party they were expecting to have in two days.

My parents flew to Milan to attend a conference so I was alone at home. I was tidying up my desk when my phone rang.

Kinuha ko ito and Kuya Coles name flashed on my screen. I swiped it to take his call.

I heard him cleared his throat then greeted me with his husky voice. The playboy extraordinaire finds time to talk to me every night at katext ko rin sa umaga! Kahit walang kwenta ang usapan sige pa rin siya sa pagtawag. Sometimes basta naka on lang, hindi naman nagsasalita. When I tried to drop the call, he called me again. Parang tanga. And I always fall asleep from talking to him. Boring kasing kausap dahil puro yes or no lang ang sagot kahit hindi naman yon ang tinatanong ko! Sa text naman magtatanong kung kamusta ako, what happened to my day. Masyadong makulit. Kaya nagrereply na lang ako.

"Zup?" I asked huskily. Namamaos ako dahil sa sipon ko.

I heard him sighed then I heard voices on the other line. What was happening? Sinubukan kong idikit ng mabuti ang cellphone ko para maintindihan ang pinag uusapan nila pero wala talaga. It was like a whisper.

Then I heard static then Kuya Coles baritone voice followed.

"Are you okay Princess?" He was concerned.

"Just a simple colds Kuya." I answered. Then coughed a little bit.

"I don't think that's the case. What happened?" He demanded. Grabe naman. Para sa simpleng ubo at sipon parang gusto ng makipagpatayan.

"Nabasa lang sa ulan. Tag ulan na kasi sa Pilipinas kung hindi mo naaalala." Sarcastic kong sagot.

"Princess, you should take care of yourself otherwise someone will do it for you." Natawa ako.

"Sino? Ikaw? Ayoko nga. Baka may communicable disease kana eh. Eiw!" Sabay tawa ko. Pero nasamid ako kaya napaubo ulit ako. Kainis naman. Ang sakit na nang lalamunan ko.

"That's defamation. Hey.. you okay?" I heard something on the line again. Parang may ginagawa si Kuya Coles because the line went dead. Then his name flashed again.

Sinagot ko ulit. "Sorry, someone just couldn't stay still here. Fuck! What the hell!"sigaw ni Kuya Coles. Napalayo ako sa cellphone ko sa lakas ng sigaw niya. Parang may nangyari at nabitawan ata niya ang cellphone. Like someone hit him with something.

"Kuya.. I don't have time to goof around. I need to sleep early for tomorrow's party."

"Talk to her then!" I heard Kuya Coles whisper on the other line. Sino ba kasing kausap niya? Naguguluhan na ako. Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko sa kanya.

"Kuya! I said I need to rest for tomorrow's party! Bye na!" Sigaw ko sa paos na boses. Napaubo ulit ako.

Biglang nanahimik siya. Then he cleared his throat. "Who?" Maikling tanong niya. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko kasi bakit biglang naging muffled na naman ang boses niya? Ang clear lang kanina! May sira ang line? It's always the case whenever he talks to me. Sa umpisa malakas na boses then habang tumatagal, biglang namamaos at muffled.

"Patrick Valderama. Apparently he hosted lots of parties and he's a good one. So I'll try it.. my classmates nagged me about him."

"Him?"Tanong niya ulit. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong ibig niyang sabihin.

"Him? What do you mean?"naguguluhan kong tanong.

Then I heard a whoosh sound and Kuya Coles' voice became clear again.

"He said. I mean, what I'm asking you is who the fuck is that Patrick!"matigas na tanong ni Kuya.

"Aba malay ko. He personally asked my classmates to invite me."sagot ko agad.

"You have to say no. Wala ako dyan!" Napakunot ang noo ko. So balak pang sumama sa akin?

"Huh? Nasaan ka ngayon?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.

"In Los Angeles. Don't go or else I'll tell Tita and Tito about this."napairap lang ako sa kawalan.

"Sorry ka nalang dahil nakapagpaalam na ako!" Sagot ko. I heard someone swore loudly.

"May kasama ka?"tanong ko.

"Y-yes." He said but it seemed like he's not paying attention.

"Sige na. Bye. Talk to you on Sunday!" Paalam ko and drop the line.

I showered and prepared to sleep.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone kong may sampong missed calls from Kuya Coles. Sobra talaga siyang protective sa akin. Ang hirap na may kuyang tatlo.

I closed my eyes and let my tired body rest.