Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

PATRICIA'S POV (Unexpected Guest)

Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan na pagiging stress sa mga lessons, laboratories, exams at recitations, finally! Our class ended! I maintained my high grades.

It was so fulfilling for me because I've no longer be able to think about those exams and difficult recitations. Sobrang saya ni Jess dahil bakasyon na raw pero hindi niya rin maiwasang malungkot dahil hindi niya na ako kasama sa susunod na enrollment.

I will really enjoy this vacation because I'll start to buy some stuffs for my baby.

Walang hindi magandang nangyari sa'kin noong nakaraan. About my birthday, it was awesome! I still can't believe that they pull out a birthday treat for me. Also, I still can't move on about Mrs. Velasquez gift for me. It was a diamond earrings and necklace that obviously cost a million.

Since mine and Callum's birthday is just a week apart, it's already his birthday tomorrow! I took Jess with me to help me buy a gift.

"Hindi mo alam ang ireregalo sa asawa mo?" tanong ni Jess nang makarating kami sa mall.

Ngumuso ako. "Kaya nga sinama kita, e! Suggest anything,"

Nakahawak lang ako sa braso niya para alam ko kung saan kami pupunta.

"Ano ba ang gusto ng asawa mo?"

"I don't know, Jess" iritado kong sabi.

Kaya nga ako nagpasama sa kanya dahil hindi ko alam. She's good at this thing so I know she can help me.

Umikot ang mata niya at itinuro ang nadaanan naming mga damit.

"Let's enter there!"

Pumasok kami roon at parang alam ko na ang damit na ibibigay kay Callum.

"Just choose those clothes that you think will surely fit for him," utos ni Jess. "O kahit yung damit na gustong gusto mo na isinusuot niya!" Napanguso ako at nginitian siya.

"He looked good no matter what he wears," I said proudly that makes her frowned.

What can I do? I'm just stating a fact. My husband is just so effortlessly handsome.

"Edi ikaw na ang may guwapo na asawa!" maktol niya kaya natawa ako at naisip na asarin pa siya.

"But he's more attractive when he's not wearing any..." I teased.

Nanlaki agad ang mata niya at tumingin sa paligid.

"You..." hindi makapaniwala niya'ng usal. "How could you say that? Hindi mo ba alam na virgin pa ang kaibigan mo? Hindi ko pa yan dapat naririnig!" Mas tumawa ako ng malakas ng pumula ang mukha niya.

"Ikaw talagang buntis ka!" aniya at hinila na ako sa mga damit. "Pumili ka na nga lang!"

I'm still laughing while picking some polo shirt. I really want him to wear this all the time because he looks so good. I buy five pieces in different colors. "Let's just look for something that will last for him. What do you think is next?"

"Uh..." I trailed off, still thinking. "Maybe watch?"

"Well, that's better. He can use that,"

Pumunta naman kami sa mga accessories at hinayaan niya ako pumili ng magandang klase ng relos.

Medyo maraming tao rito kaya luming-linga ako at may namataan ako'ng taong hindi inaasahan. Sa lahat ba naman ng pwedeng makita ay siya pa?

I lost my smile when my eyes meet Zara Banner's. Tinaasan ako nito ng kilay. She's really sophisticated as ever.

Bumalik ako sa pag pili at nilapitan si Jess.

"Zara is here,"

Nanlaki ang mata niya at mabilis tumingin sa paligid. Nag salubong ang kilay niya ng makita na si Zara.

Hinila ko siya papunta sa cashier par mag bayad. Palabas na kami ng store ng may nag salita sa likod namin.

"Look who's here,"

Nalingunan namin si Zara na pekeng nakangiti. Dumapo ang mata niya sa paper bag na hawak namin bago mahinang tumawa.

"Ayaw ko ng gulo, Zara..." mahina kong usal at hinawakan ulit si Jess. "Let's go,"

"Buying gifts for Callum, huh?" she mocked. "I wonder if he will like those"

I greeted my teeth when she insultingly look at the gifts I bought for Callum.

"Callum likes fabulous not that cheap," she chuckled and rolled her eyes before walking pass by us.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag at tinanaw siya palayo. Napatingin tuloy ako sa binili ko. She knew such things about him.

"Ang kapal talaga ng mukha niya!" singhal ni Jess at hinila ako paalis. "Ang galling mag simula ng gulo. She's the cheap here!"

"Maybe she's right," bulong ko. "Mukhang hindi magugustuhan ito-"

"What? Don't tell me you'll let her affect you?"

I shook my head. Of course, not!

"Then stop thinking about that," she said frustratingly. "You knew your husband better than her,"

Sumakay kami ng sasakyan at didiretso kami ngayon sa dream house ni Callum. Doon ko naisipan na icelebrate ang birthday niya at si Jess ang humanap ng mga organizers.

"Grabe talaga ang kabaliwan sayo ng asawa mo! May dream house pang nalalaman," bulong ni Jess.

"Matagal niya ng nabili 'yon,"

"Kahit na! Inalay niya parin 'yon sayo at sa future family niyo!" kinikilig niya ako'ng siniko.

Napailing na lang ako. Ang bilis niya mag bago ng mood.

Nakarating kami sa bahay at walang pag sidlan ang mangha ni Jess. Mas gumanda ang bahay nang malagyan ito ng decorations. It was just simple but elegant. Naka-display na rin ang mga gamit na binili namin ni Callum noong nakaraan. "Ang laki ng bahay niyo, Pat!" sambit ni Jess habang hinihila ko siya papunta sa likod ng bahay.

Binati kami ng mga nag-aayos dito. Ang iba ay inaayos ang mga upuan at lamesa. Katulad ng birthday ko, mga pamilya lang din namin ang imbitado pero si Callum ay nag invite ng ilang kaibigan sa business.

Saglit lang kami namalagi roon ni Jess dahil sinilip ko lang talaga kung handa na ba ito para bukas. Umalis na kami at hinatid muna si Jess bago tuluyang umuwi.

Nagulat ako ng makita na nasa bahay na si Callum.

"Hi," he greeted me with a kiss. "I thought you were just checking the house?"

"Uh, yeah" I smiled sweetly. "But Jess invite me to eat so..."

Sorry Jess, I need to use you. I can't tell him that I bought gifts for him.

We talked and eat together like the usual. Nang nasa kwarto na kami ay ibinalot ko na ang regalo ko para sa kanya habang nasa banyo siya.

-

Kinabukasan, inihatid ako ni Callum sa isang bahay kung saan gaganapin ang birthday niya. Balak niya pa na pumasok sa kompanya. Half day lang siya para makapag-prepare rin para mamaya. Umalis din agad siya pagkarating namin doon. Sinuri ko muli ang loob.

The design is very nice, pleasing to the eyes and not too colorful. It really fits Callum's taste. I also check the food that will be served later and everything needed.

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I want Callum to be happy today. When he woke up earlier, I immediately greets him with my gifts. I'm glad that he loves it.

Matapos kong tignan ang mismong gaganapan sa ibaba ay umakyat ako sa taas, sa magiging kwarto namin. I have already prepared Callum's for later. I am very excited because it was the first time we celebrated each other's birthday.

-

"Patricia!"

I saw Mrs. Velasquez waving as she approached me. She's wearing an elegant nude tube dress along with her husband.

"Hello-"

"Hep!" she interrupted me. "Call me mom!"

I was stunned then smiled awkwardly. "Uh...mom?"

Bigla siya'ng pumalakpak at niyakap ako. "Great! Where's Callum?"

"Nasa itaas po, nagbibihis na,"

Nginitian ako ni Mr. Velasquez at ang dalawang kapatid ni Callum na kararating lang. Nauna na sila roon sa pool area habang si Mrs. Velasquez ay naiwan sa'kin.

"Your belly is so big!" Mrs. Velasquez said in amazement as she caressed it.

I was wearing a fitted dress so my big belly was more defined.

"I can't wait for the gender, honey!" her eyes almost flashed.

"Ako rin po," ngiti kong sabi.

Saglit pa kaming nag usap ni Mrs. Velasquez hanggang bumaba na si Callum.

"Happy birthday my son!"

Callum was kissed by his mom and I saw how annoyed he is. He then turned to me and smiled.

"Happy birthday," yumakap ako sa braso niya at pumunta na kami sa mga bisita.

Pamilyar na ako sa mga kaibigan at pinsan ni Callum pero ang iba rito ay hindi ko talaga kilala. May mga matatanda at kasing edad lang ni Callum na nasisiguro kong business partners niya.

The party started with the greetings of Callum's parents and also mine. I just make my speech short because I was shy. Callum also had his speech and thanks everyone who attended his birthday. Habang kumakain ang mga bisita, isinama ako ni Callum makisalamuha sa mga kaibigan niya. He introduced to some of his business partners and friends.

Iniwan ko muna si Callum para hayaan siya'ng makipag-usap sa mga kaibigan. Lumapit ako sa table nila mommy dahil ngayon ko lang sila nakita. They were late.

"Mommy!"

Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap. Narito rin si Jess sa table nila. Nagkatinginan pa kami ni daddy pero agad din ako'ng umiwas. I'm sure he already realized that I was acting cold towards him. "I'm sorry, we're late! Maraming ginagawa, alam mo na..."

I nodded. "It's okay, mom"

Umupo ako at nag usap kami ni Jess. Hindi ko sinusulyapan si daddy at si mommy lang ang kinakausap ko. Si Jordan naman ay walang pakialam at kumakain.

"I saw some famous businessman here!" mommy said in amazement.

"Yes, tita!" segunda ni Jess. "I saw someone in my age! Ang guwapo!"

Natawa ako kay Jess. Hinayaan ko sila ni mommy na mag usap habang si daddy ay nag paalam para lumapit din sa mga kilala niya rito.

Luminga ako sa paligid at namataan si Callum na papalabas ng exit. Saan siya pupunta? Akma ako'ng tatayo para sundan siya pero nakita ko rin siya'ng naglalakad paatras at halos lumaki ang mata ko ng makita kung sino ang nasa harapan niya.

There's Zara Banner wearing an off shoulder fitted dress while smiling sweetly. She's holding a blue box. Callum look so stunned.

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"Oh, Zara Banner is invited here?"

Nilingon ko si mommy at hindi maipinta ang reaksyon nila ni Jess.

"I don't have idea," sagot ko at gulat parin.

Si Callum ang nag invite sa ibang tao rito at tingin ko kasama si Zara. But why? My chest skip a bit. He didn't inform me.

"Wala talagang hiya ang babaeng 'yan!" singhal ni Jess nang yakapin ni Zara si Callum. "Patricia! Go there and get your husband!"

Hindi ako nakapalag ng hilahin ako ni Jess papunta roon, si mommy ay kasama rin.

Pinanlakihan ko ng mata si Jess. Bukod sa nahihiya ay kinakabahan din ako habang palapit kami. I can saw how annoyed Callum is. "Why are you here? I didn't invite you!"

Tumigil kami sa likuran nila. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. This is unexpected!

Mommy cleared her throat. "We didn't know that you invited her here, Callum"

Nilingon kami ni Callum na takot ang mga mata. Tumigil ang tingin niya sa'kin at bahagyang umiling.

"N-No, Madam. I didn't invite her," he came closer to me.

"Then why the hell she's here?" sabat ni Jess at ni-head to foot si Zara.

Nakatitig lang din ako kay Zara kahit ramdam ko ang mata sa'kin ni Callum. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"I don't know why she's here..." he whispered.

"Ban ako roon sa village pero dito hindi," matapang na sagot ni Zara. "I can freely attend here. Hindi rin naman ibang tao sa'kin si Callum,"

Umusbong ang iritasyon ko ng malagkit niy'ng tignan si Callum.

"But you're not invited," I said seriously. "So you're definitely trespassing. Do you also want to get banned here?"

Nawala ang ngiti niya at dahan-dahan bumaba sa aking tiyan ang tingin.

Her eyes widened when she understand that I'm pregnant. It's pretty obvious.

"Y-You're pregnant..." nahihirapan niya'ng usal, hindi makapaniwala. Binalingan niya si Callum na nangingilid ang luha.

"Yes, she is. Don't be hard headed, Zara. Just go!" ani Callum.

"Zara? Bakit ka pa pumunta rito?"

Isang lalaki mula sa mga bisita ni Callum ang humawak sa braso ni Zara. "Don't make a scene here!"

"It's a good thing if you'll send home your cousin, Jetro" Callum uttered.

Zara was controlling her tears now.

"I will just leave if you will accept my gift," she bravely offered her gift in front of Callum. "Sayang naman ang effort ko kung hindi mo kukunin ito,"

She then smiled playfully while Callum's jaw moved aggressively.

No, he won't accept that. Alam ni Callum ang mga ginawa ni Zara sa'kin kaya hindi niya gugustuhin na tanggapin 'yon. Bakit niya ba kasi alam ang bahay na ito? Akala ko ba ay hindi na hahayaan ni Callum na mapalapit si Zara sa'kin. "Zara, let's go-"

"Fine, give me that then leave," mahinahon na sabi ni Callum dahilan ng pag laglag ng panga ko.

Kinuha niya ang regalo. Zara smirked at me before turning her back. Si mommy ay nakaalis na dahil tinawag ng kaibigan habang si Jess ay hindi rin makapaniwala.

I acted normal even though deep inside, my heart is throbbing fast. It was aching. He accepted Zara's gift easily but when Raven send me gifts, he throw it away.