Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Callum's POV (Wedding)

I couldn't quite imagine that in just one thing...my life would change instantly to what it was before. I can no longer do what I used to do before because I already have a heavy responsibility.

Not the responsibility of being eldest child, big brother or taking care of the company but the responsibility of marrying someone I don't even know.

And today is the day I hate the most. Today, I seems to be drowning and hurting by fate and making me feel like this is the thing I deserve.

Today is my wedding day.

"Is she already here? She was already two minutes late!" I said impatiently to Austine, my friend who was standing next to me and wearing a gray suit like me.

Patricia is still not here, I didn't even see her come here to the venue. Did she back out? Our last meeting was when we chose her wedding gown and after that, she seemed anxious and troubled. We didn't meet after that because I'm also busy and I think she gave quality time for herself since she just graduated.

I never thought that I will come into this phase of my life.

"Papunta na siya. Dalawang minuto pa lang naman siyang late, masyado kang mainipin"

Marahas akong suminghap. "You're not in my position, bro. It's complicated as hell!"

"That's why I'm your best man. I know your situation as well as your future wife, Patricia" he said calmly. "You're both just forced into it"

"But they are the ones in great need in our family. They should at least cooperate, right?" I asked back.

For the past weeks that I'm with Patricia, I already memorize her attitude. I thought she will slap me the first time we met and will throw harsh words because of agreeing to this marriage, but not. I think she already understand the situation. "Malay mo may naging problema? Don't be too harsh to her" Austine sighed. "You seem to forget that they are not the only ones who need your family because you are too. You agreed to marry Patricia so that Zara and her family wouldn't bugged you anymore"

He seems to make me feel guilty with his tone. I didn't react to what he said because he had a point.

"Nandito na raw po ang bride!" sabi ng isang organizer kaya napaayos kami ng tayo.

Kita ko ang excitement ng mga bisita lalo na ang mga kaibigan ni Patricia. I looked around to the venue and realized there were very few guests.

Only my family and Clemente's. My two brothers are here and some of my cousins along with some of my friends as well. On the side of my fiance, is her parents and only brother with only three of her friends.

Since our wedding is very private, they are the only ones who really know because it's too complicated. This is also what the family of Clementes requested.

"Bro, you'll really have a gorgeous wife!" bulong ni Austine sa tabi ko.

I stared at the aisle as the white curtain began to open. Since we prefer the beach wedding, we held it right at a large beach resort owned by my family. "Whoah, I think she will pass as a model!" Austine whispered again in amazement.

Patricia is wearing her preferred white tube gown. It suited her especially that she was tall. There's no emotion visible on her face because she just looks straight in the middle. Hindi katulad noong una ko siyang nakita, it was in the bar.

I got the chance to dance with her and I'm sure... she don't have any idea about that because she still don't know me that time. Her innocent face that full of pretending and sadness that night was still fresh in my mind and seeing her right now, I already predicted that she will never be happy after this.

"Whoah!"

It's only today my cousins see Patricia so when I turn to them, I can see the amazement on their faces.

In an instant, Mr and Mrs Clemente was immediately in front of me while their daughter is in their midst.

"Callum, take care of our Patrica" Mrs. Velasquez almost teared up.

"I will" I smiled and nodded at them with assurance.

"Patricia?"

Tila balisa at may namumuong luha sa mata ng anak nila nang mag angat ito ng tingin.

Parang ayaw pa bumitaw ni Patricia sa braso ng ama na para bang batang nawawala. There was already sadness and fear on her face. She also doesn't meet my gaze and she seems afraid to look at me so I was confused.

"Is there any problem?" I asked and gave them a questioning look.

"Ah-no! There's no problem. Patricia was just nervous" Mrs. Clemente said and ready to give me their daughter's hand.

Patrcia's head was just looking down and the moment I held her hand, it was cold and pale. She seemed terrified and trying to hide it.

"You can do it" They kissed their daughter first before finally leaving.

The ceremony started and I feel like my mind is just floating and thinking about many things until we exchange vows with each other.

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We crossed it well, we both seemed to rehearse and memorize it and I still see the emotion in Patricia's eyes, there's sadness in it. We wore the ring to each other and I wanted to laugh at our situation because both of our hands were shaking while doing that.

"You may now kiss the bride" the priest said.

Hindi ko inaasahan na kakabahan ako sa mga salitang iyon. The movement around me seemed to slow down as Patricia slowly faced me with mixed emotions on her face. I swallowed hard as I lifted the white thing that covered her angelic face.

You can do it, Callum!

I took a deep breath before my lips touched hers, it was so soft. Ilang segundo lang ay inilayo ko na rin ang mukha ko sa kanya. I held her hand and we both turned around to face our guests while a strained smile etched on our lips. I also see joy on the faces of our families as they applaud for us.

Hindi ko binibitawan ang kamay ni Patrica hanggang makarating kami sa reception because that's exactly what it should be. Hindi kami nag-uusap ngunit pareho kaming ngumingiti habang binabati ang mga bisita.

Ipinakilala ko siya sa mga kaibigan at pinsan ko at hindi na sila tumigil na kumantyaw sa akin.

"Uh-doon muna ako sa mga friends ko" paalam ni Patricia bago tumingin sa magkahawak naming kamay.

I let go of it and watched her turn away from me as she went to her friends while I sat at the table where my friends and cousins were.

"Congrats, bro!"

"Congrats! We are expecting the baby soon..."

I just shook my head. Austine gave me a glass of wine, I drank it while I accidentally glance at Patricia's place.

I looked intently at her face with a streak of joy now while talking to her friends that were sad earlier. It made me think what really pushed her to agree to marry me. She seems a good person and seems to have many more dreams in life. She could be successful on her own but she chose to be tied to me.