That Professor Is My Husband

Important Day that Changed My Life

Debut isang araw na magiging mark sa buhay ng isang babae. Isang araw lang sa buong buhay mo kung saan magiging legal na ang edad mo at pwede ka nang gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi mo magawa noong bata ka. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na magpapabaya ka at gagawa ka ng mga hindi tama, diba? Ang mahalaga, gawin mo kung ano ang tama at legal.

Hindi ko akalain na darating ako sa ganitong punto, kung saan ang buhay ko ay magiging ganito isang malaking party, maraming tao, pero di parin mawala sa utak ang arranged marriage. But more than that, I couldn't believe I'm finally turning 18.

I never really dreamt of a grand debut, actually. Dati, sa birthday namin ni Keira at Ken, pansit lang, tinapay, at juice na yun na handa. Minsan nga wala pa, kaya't magkasama na lang kami sa simbahan para magpasalamat. Simple lang, pero masaya. I guess I grew up knowing that it's not really about the grand things you have, but about the love and the people around you. But today, I couldn't ignore that everything has changed.

This is the day I've been waiting for. I'm officially of legal age. I could go to bars now, and travel freely. But little did I know, this is also the day they'll try to marry me off.

Nandito na kami sa private resort na pinili ni Mom para sa debut ko. Purple ang theme ng debut ko, kasi purple ang favorite color ko. And true enough, it was grand, just as she planned.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa dressing room, wearing a purple off-shoulder balloon dress. It was big, but surprisingly light, at pinasadya ni Mom para maging komportable ako. "Kailangan mo maging comfortable, hija," sabi niya.

I waited for the signal to go out. No one was allowed to enter the room except for my mom, not even Keira. I'm not sure, pero she said I couldn't be seen so the guests would be surprised. Classic mom!

Diko mapigilan kabahan but at the same time, excited. The guests for the evening were mostly high school classmates ko, and some of our stockholders. Some of the people I'd be dancing with were either relatives or children of business partners. May mga ilang nag-try mang ligaw sa akin, but I never gave them a chance. Maybe it was because I didn't feel the same way, or maybe I was just too focused on what I had to do.

I was still caught up in my thoughts when my mom entered the room.

"Wow! Baby, you look stunning!" Bungad niya, kissing me on the cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. Hindi naman, maliit na bagay," sagot ko, half-joking. I didn't want to act too proud, but honestly, I felt good. I mean, it was my debut!

"Be nice, ha? Isa sa mga 18 roses mo si Akiro. And of course, your crush," pang aasar niya, raising her eyebrows playfully. "Si Kiro, right?"

"Hiro, mom," I corrected her with a sigh. "Okay, I'll be nice to him. Baka siya nga ang hindi maging nice." I pouted.

"Aww, okay lang, baby, may Akiro naman tayo," she teased again before walking out. "Be ready ha, you're going out soon."

After a few minutes of waiting, I finally heard the announcer's voice calling me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and walked out to the stage. The applause was deafening, and I could feel the eyes of the crowd on me. But more than the crowd, I couldn't help but look at the familiar faces in the front row.

Nandoon si Keira, katabi si Ken. Nandiyan din ang lolo ko na naka-wheelchair. Si Keira, parang hindi ko na siya kilala. Naka purple backless dress siya, light makeup, at nakabraid na may purple ribbon. Parang hindi na siya yung Keira na playful na kilala ko, sobrang matured na niyang tingnan.

Katabi nila si Lolo at Lolo Yoshi, mukhang masaya silang nag-uusap.

Tapos nakita ko si Uncle Sirius, ang gwapo sa white and purple tuxedo niya, at si Tita Ayumi naman, naka tight purple mermaid gown. Ang effortless niyang sexy, kahit na may edad na. At katabi nila si Hiro, at yung isa pang guy na mukhang walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa paligid.

They all looked so good Hiro, in his white tuxedo and purple necktie, ang charming niya. But then I noticed Akiro. His serious face caught my attention immediately. Mukha niyang akal mo palaging may kaaway. His clean-cut hair, blue eyes, and the way he stood there, detached, made him look like some kind of prince-bored, yet regal.

Napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan ng lumapit si Lolo sakin.

"Feliz 18 cumpleaños, apo," he greeted me warmly, looking at me with so much love in his eyes. "You look beautiful tonight. If your mom were here, she'd be so proud of you. I know I am." Sana.

IThank you, Lolo. I hope I make you proud."

"I will always be here for you, Noemi. I know this marriage thing isn't what you want, but I'm doing this to make sure you'll have a future... a secure one," he said, punong puno ng pasgsisi ang boses "I'm sorry for forcing this on you."

Parang may kung anong nakabara sa lalamunan ko "It's okay, Lolo. I understand. I'll do my best, for you and Mom."

"Te amo, apo," kissing my forehead. I felt his love in that gesture.

Pagkatapos ni Lolo, the next person to dance with me si Ken. His white tuxedo with the purple necktie was the perfect match for the theme. Nang magtagpo ang mata namin agad akong napangiti. Parang may kakaiba, nakangiti siya pero iba ang sinasabi ng mga mata niya. Di ko mapaliwanag kung ano pero kakaiba.

"Happy birthday, Mimi," bulong niya. "Parang kailan lang, sipunin ka pa."

Tumawa ako ng bahagya. "Teka, binati mo ako tapos lalaitin mo ako?" I teased.

Ken smirked. "Hindi naman, I'm just saying, you've come a long way."

As we danced, I noticed the way the light reflected in his eyes—how they seemed to glimmer with something more. There was a depth in his gaze, as though he wasn't just looking at me.

"Happy birthday, Noemi," bati niya ulit, this time with more sincerity. "I'm just glad you're here with us. I know life's been hard, but it's worth it. Alam ko na, with you, we have everything."

Parang may kung anong sakit na dumapo sa dibdib ko. "Ken, I—"

"Shhh, it's your day, Mimi. Enjoy it," he said softly, bahagya niyang hinaplos ang mukha ko iko namalayan na tumutulo na pala ang luha ko. "Don't cry, okay? You deserve all the happiness."

Tumango ako at sumandal na lamang sa dibdib niya.

And then it was time for Akiro. He stepped forward, his blue eyes colder than before. His tuxedo was as immaculate as ever, and his posture was perfect. May kakaiba din talaga sa taong to.

"Happy birthday," bati niya sa mababang boses.

"Thank you, Akiro," I replied, tinatago ang kaba.

Sumayaw kami ng walang imik sa isa't isa, his steps precise, almost mechanical. His hand on my waist was firm, but I couldn't help but feel that he was keeping some distance emotionally, physically. Napayuko ako, ang bango niya naman di ko tuloy maiwasan na amuyin. 

 "Stop sniffing me, will you?" .

"Excuse me, I'm just appreciating the scent of your cologne." I shot back, pretending to be irritated. Nakakahiya ka, Noemi!

Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya. "You're 18 now, aren't you? Act like one,"