Chapter 19


So kaya pala siya nawala ng araw na 'yon pati ng mga sumunod pa because he was planning to conspire with my father and ask for our wedding arrangement.

Mabilis akong naglakad papasok sa university. Alam kong narito na siya ngayon. Of course! He will definitely boast about our marriage to my face. At tama nga ako, malapit na ako sa classrom nang makita ko si Jhunel. The guy who set it all up. I can see now why he's back—the reason he was here again—to let my life suffer. My blood quickly went up in my head as I remembered my dad's words.

"You'll get married after this semester. And yes, to your ex-boyfriend."

I bit my lip out of frustration. Tears suddenly streamed through my eyes. Why do I have to suffer like this? Why do I always need to set aside what I want? It never crossed my mind to rebel or disobey what he wanted for me, because I knew that would be best for me, but why do I need to marry someone I don't love anymore? Worst, to the man I really, really hate. I wipe my cheeks and try to suppress all the overflowing feelings I have deep inside, including the disappointment in myself.

Agad akong napansin ni Jhunel at kung makangiti siya ngayon ay abot hanggang tainga. Nilapitan niya ako.

"Kumusta ka naman habang wala ako?" sambit ni Jhunel nang makatabi niya na ako. Sinubukan kong magtimpi kahit na nanggagalaiti na ako sa galit. "I never thought that a day without you would cost a lifetime living with you. I never expected that your father would want me to be his son-in-law."

"Pinagplanuhan mo 'tong lahat, ano? This is the meaning of you wanting me back again. You desperately want me to become miserable." I stare at him with anger.

"Correction, it was your dad's plan. And I am not here to make your life miserable. All I want is another chance, but you never give that, which is why I did everything I could so I could get you back," he explained.

"I don't believe you." Umiiling ako habang nagngingitngit ang mga ngipin.

"Shush." Itinaas niya ang hintuturo niya. "You have to start trusting me again since I'm going to be your husband."

"That's never going to happen." I rolled my eyes as I turned my back on him.

Professor Magalona entered the class after me. I sat on my chair. I noticed that Jhon Rey wasn't beside me, and I'm a little worried. Where is he? Napatingin din ako sa upuan ni Anne pero wala siya roon. Nasaan siya?

Jhunel sat beside me and again I just rolled my eyes. I have no chance to sue him since our professor is already here.

"Good morning, class. I hope this is a good morning to all of you," said Professor Magalona.

He looks at us, and I can sense a bit of disappointment. "Our project got canceled."

I heard everyone gasp. There were also whispers and murmurs from them. At kahit ako ay nagulat sa anunsyo ni professor Magalona.

"I guess that was a bad idea, giving you reasons to live with your seatmates together. Someone took the advantage to do bad things," he said while tilting his head.

"What do you mean, sir?" one of my classmates asked.

"A parent reported to Dean and said her daughter had been exploited by his partner. This guy took the advantage of this girl's weakness and raped her."

I was shocked by what I heard. Ganoon din ang mga kaklase ko. They were in silence for a moment and looked at each other, trying to find out who was the victim among the class. "Are they in this class or the other section?" one of my classmates asked again.

"It would be better to hide their identities for their reputation, but rest assured, our faculty is taking action regarding this matter."

Professor Magalona sighs. "For now, I think, I will just send the soft copy of the questions regarding our one-week project. You just have to answer those questions; you can ask your partner or do some interviews. Kindly submit your project this Friday," Professor elaborated before he bids goodbye.

The morning classes ended without Jhon Rey's presence. Mukhang hindi na talaga siya papasok. Did something happen?

"Sheen!"

I turned to Anne when I heard her calling my name. I immediately embraced her and asked if she was okay already. She just nodded and dragged me to the cafeteria. I kept watching and waiting for her to say something about what had happened the last time she cried because she seemed so fine now.

We had already ordered our lunch. I couldn't keep my eyes off her.

"I'm gonna melt," she chuckled.

"Are you all right now?" tanong ko. She smiled and solemnly said, "Getting better."

"Why? What happened?"

"Long story."

"Can I know?" She looked at me and awkwardly asked, "You want me to cry again?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako at hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay. "I want to reduce the weight you feel, but if you still can't say it, I'll wait for you."

"All right, I'll tell you when I can. How about you? How are you? You and Jhon Rey?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. He's absent too."

"Hindi mo alam kung bakti? I thought you two were together."

"No. It was just for a day since the sociology project got canceled for some terrifying reason." And there I told her the reason the project got canceled after a day of being effective.

"For real?" bulalas niya na siyang reaksyon ko rin kanina nang marinig ko ang balitang 'yon.

"How about you? How was your day with your seatmate in the said project?" tanong ko naman sa kaniya.

"We were planning to fake the answers for the project since we're both busy. And since it got canceled, we don't have to worry about living together. All we've got to do is answer our own papers and exchange."

I was shocked at how she could outsmart anyone.

"Are you sad because the project got canceled?"

I glanced at her. Her eyes were playing with me, as if I were being examined. "Why do I see a glimpse of grief on your face? Would that be because you still wanted to be with Jhon Rey?"

Umiling ako. "No, Anne. Stop teasing me, okay?"

"Then, bakit parang malungkot ka? Tsaka parang sunod-sunod yata ang mga problema mo batay sa mukha mo."

"You're right. I really don't know what to feel right now. I was thinking about a lot of things these past few days. I think I have no escape now. Even if I don't want to, I was already betrothed to my ex-boyfriend," deretso kong balita sa kaniya.

"What?! What do you mean?!" I saw how her reaction changed into a violent one.

"My father told me that the two of them met in Europe last time, and they were planning to arrange our marriage."

"The hell, Sheen?! Seryoso ba 'yan? You would marry your ex-boyfriend? I told you, yes, to give him another chance to explain everything and maybe try him if he will change, but to be wed to him? That's so out of context! That is so wrong. What the hell! Why is he so desperate and why would your dad do that to you?"

I sucked my teeth. "I don't know. Maybe because of his business. They wanted to merge and be powerful. What should I do, Anne?"

She bits her lower lip as she looked into my eyes looking so weary. "I don't know if we can do something about that, Sheen. Your dad is much more powerful than anyone else here. It's hard to mess with your father. It was like meeting your own end. Does your fake boyfriend know all this?" I shook my head.

"Should I tell him?"

"Of course! Why would you have second thoughts about that? Even if you two are just faking it, you still need to tell him that you'll get married to your ex-boyfriend. At least give him some closure from what you started. You chose to announce to our class that you two are dating, then you will leave him with no idea of your sudden arranged marriage. He will find out that you are getting married to someone else and he would be the last one to know, anong sa tingin mong mararamdaman niya? The hell, you're definitely a heartbreaker, Sheen May."

"I am just thinking if it's necessary. I am sure he doesn't have feelings for me. It is I who has a heart that is broken because I am getting married to someone I don't love."

"At least have the courage to explain this all to Jhon Rey since you just involved him in your problems. You definitely used him to get rid of your ex-boyfriend, so at least give him this so he won't be dumb about your arranged marriage with Jhunel. I think he deserves to know so he will no longer play along with your fake dating."

A deep sigh left my lips. Tama siya. It's a way to respect him.

We finished our meal, then we went back to the classroom. Jhon Rey is still nowhere in the class. I tossed my breath. Nasaan ba siya? Paano ko masasabi sa kaniya ang mga nangyayari?

I was surprised when someone sat next to me. It was my ex-boyfriend.

"That's not your place," I stated.

"It was mine." I pursed my lips and still tried to calm myself.

"Not yours anymore." I glared at him. Every time I get to see him, I can feel my blood boil.

"Jhon Rey hasn't been here yet, so I can be here as long as he's not around."

I gave him the look. If only looks can murder someone, I've been a killer for a long time. He was really trying my patience. It was as if he was referring to something else. He winked at me and gave me a gleeful smile. Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong halikan.

I stood up. I bug out. "Why did you do that?" I shouted which gained the attention of the class. They are now looking at us as if they are watching a cliche movie.

My heartbeat was too fast, and that was because of hatred.

"What's going on there?" I never noticed Professor Aquino would be there, and I also felt like my classmates were curious why both of us were fighting.

Blood was climbing over my head. I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I was being harassed.

"Is it bad? Do you want another one? A long one?"

I scowled. I just wanted to cry.

"Wala namang magagalit kung halikan kita kahit na ilang beses. Magpapakasal naman tayo," he stated as if we are not in our classroom. As if there's no one else here na makakarinig sa sasabihin niya. Hindi ako makagalaw. I am in shock. I got a lot of mixed emotions inside me, and I don't know how to process them all. I felt tears fall down my cheeks.

"Hindi naman magagalit si Jhon Rey dahil wala naman siay rito at isa isa pa, you two are just faking your relationship."

I was shocked. When did he know?

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