Switched

SIMULA

Nanginginig ang kamay kong hinarap ang nagmamakaawa kong ina. Bits of the broken glass was scattered all over the floor as my mother tries to calm me. In her plum pink silk robe, she took one careful step towards me. I backed out in disgust, my heavy breathing the only sound I can hear inside the room.

"Hija, if you would just listen---"

"Shut up, Ma!" I cried. Napaupo ako sa dulo ng kama bago naluha. I bit my lip hard and stared at my mother. Mapangakusa ang binigay kong titig sa kanya. Nagbaba naman siya ng tingin at hindi na nagsalita.

"How can you do this to me, Ma? I'm just 18 and yet you're selling me for business?!"

"Anak, no! Leon's son is a very suitable husband for you---"

"Kaya pumayag kang ipakasal ako sa kanya? Because he's suitable?" I lashed out with too much acid a metal can actually melt from my words.

Napamaang si Mama bago humakbang palapit sa akin. Lumuhod siya sa aking harapan at hinawakan ang aking tuhod. I flinched from her touch but my mother held me thoroughly, her eyes pleading for me to listen.

"We're facing bankruptcy, Noelle. The Fuego's own the largest airlines in Asia. They will be able to pull us back to our feet again. With their help, our company would survive. Noelle, please. Marry Phoenix and all of our problems will be solved," she said. Her lower lip was shaking from the intensity of her pleading but I couldn't find it in my heart to take pity.

"Your late father built Madrid Aviation through hard work and tears, Noelle. Pinaghirapan niya ito, minahal na parang sariling anak. Ginawa niya ang lahat para sa kumpanya, for you to have a good life. You were meant to lead the company when he dies, Noelle. But you will have nothing to lead if you would refuse to marry Phoenix."

"Atleast I would have a life, Ma. I'm not going to marry a stranger!" madiin kong sabi. Ang paninindigan kong tanggihan ang pagpapakasal para sa kumpanya ay mas nagalab kumpara kanina.

I know how hard my father worked for our business. And I know how much he loves me too. If he is here right now, he would do something other than selling me to a much wealthier family. Hindi katulad ni Mama na matindi ang paniniwala na lahat ng problema ay masasagot ng pera!

Pumikit ang aking ina at minasahe ang kanyang sentido. Bakas sa mukha niya ang iritasyon dahil sa pagmamatigas ko. But I won't budge, mother. I'm sorry. If I would marry, then it would not be for fortune or wealth. I would marry for mutual love and respect. Hindi ko sasaktan ang sarili ko para lamang magkaroon ng marangyang buhay.

Tumayo ako mula sa kama at naglakad sa pinakamalapit na bintana. I stared at the full moon captivating the dark sky. The stars were all kissing the face of the moon, trying to illuminate the black night. Thunder clouds are slowly consuming the stars as the winds blew a little stronger than usual.

"Noelle, anak. Kahit kilalanin mo lang si Phoenix. Pwede ba 'yun? Do it for your mother, please." She begged. Hindi ko siya hinarap at nanatili akong nakatitig sa madilim na gabi, mas lalong dumidilim ng unti unting sinakop ng mga ulap ang bituin sa taas.

"I'm leaving to talk to Leon Fuego tomorrow. Tutulak akong Espanya. Hindi kita pipiliting sumama sa akin pero sana'y sa pagbabalik ko ay maisip mo ng tama ako." Aniya. I rolled my eyes at her and didn't answer. Ilang sandali lang ay narinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto at ang boses ni Mama na nag uutos sa mga kasambahay na linisin ang mga pitak ng bubog sa aking kwarto. Maya maya ay pumasok sila upang maglinis habang ako ay nananatiling nakatitig sa madilim na gabi.

Sana'y sa pagbalik niya ay maisip kong tama siya? Tama siya na ipakasal ako sa isang taong hindi ko naman kilala? How could she do that, right? How could she sell her daughter for the sake of her business?!