Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigal

Nininerbyos na tinitigan ni Cassandra ang sarili sa malaking salamin. Mahigit dalawang oras na siyang nakaharap doon at inaayos ang buhok, pero hindi pa rin siya makuntento. Dapat talaga ay pinaplantsa niya ang buhok niya kay Regis. Guys liked straight hair. Hindi niya dapat hinayaan ang stylist na hayaang normal ang kulot niyang buhok.

Fuming, she stood up and dashed toward the door, pero biglang bumukas iyon at pumasok ang kanyang Nana Selya.

“Hep-hep, s’an ka pupunta?” Pinamaywangan siya ng matandang babae. Mukha itong classic terror teacher sa suot nitong kulay abong palda at blouse. Idagdag pa ang mahigpit nitong pagkakapusod ng buhok at salamin sa mata at tiyak niyang ito ang tinutukoy ng mga libro na malagim na guro. She suddenly felt lucky that she never went to an ordinary school and never had any terror teacher. Home-schooled siya at mababait ang lahat ng tutors niya. Hindi niya yata kakayanin ang mahigit sa isang Nana Selya.

“Nana, si Regis! Look! I need him to iron my

1

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalhair!” Nagpa-panic niyang itinuro ang kanyang nakalugay na buhok. Inikot ng matandang babae ang mga mata nito.

“Sit down, Cassie. Your hair is fine. Don’t worry yourself over the littlest things! Ang puso mo, Hija! Have you taken your meds?”

Padabog siyang nagmartsa pabalik sa vanity table at inokupa ang upuan. She sulkily stared at her reflection. A fair-skinned girl with big round eyes stared back at her. She wanted to add more blush to her cheeks, para kasing ang putla niya. Gusto rin niyang dagdagan ng eye shadow ang mga mata niya para lalo itong maging pronounced. Pero ang oh-so-mighty makeup artist niya ay inalsabalutan ang lahat ng gamit nito matapos mag-speech sa kanya na tama na ang ayos niya at magmumukha na raw siyang clown kapag dinagdagan pa ang makeup niya. Argh! Gusto niya itong kagatin sa inis. Bakit ba mas nasusunod ang mga ito kaysa sa kanya? Her daddy was paying them! Why wouldn’t anybody listen to her?

Napadako ang kanyang mga mata sa kulot niyang buhok at parang gusto niyang magmaktol. Gah! She wanted a rebond!

“You can’t have a rebond,” ismid ng kanyang

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalNana Selya.

She huffed indignantly. She swore mind reader ang matanda.

“Your hair is beautiful, Cassandra. ’Wag mong sirain.”

“I want a straight hair! Bakit ba kailangan kong manahin ang genes ni Daddy! Why can’t I have Mom’s silky straight hair!”

“Tama na ang drama! Ininom mo na ba ang gamot mo? Magsisimula na ang party, you have to be in your best behavior. You don’t want to turn off your fiancé!”

Sa pagbanggit nito ng huling salita ay napuno ng mainit na pakiramdam ang kanyang dibdib. Her fiancé. Ang taong makakasama niya habambuhay kagaya ng mama at papa niya—the man who would love her and grow old with her. The man who would look at her the way her father looked at her mother. Hindi niya mapigilan ang pagngiti. Her fiancé!

“Do you think he would like me?” she asked, trying her best not to sound too hopeful. Wala siyang masyadong alam sa lalaki, pero alam niyang mabuting tao ito dahil ang papa niya ang pumili rito. Her father always picked the best.

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigal“It depends. Kung magiging bratty ka katulad

ngayon, malamang hindi!” Namaywang ang matandang babae.

“Don’t say that, Nana! You’re going to jinx me!” she cried out.

Muling inikot ng matandang babae ang mga mata nito. “Siya, siya. Halika na, your parents are waiting in their suite. Oh. Nagkakalimutan, ininom mo na ba ang gamot mo, ha?” Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata nito sa kanya.

Siya naman ang nag-ikot ng mga mata. She already turned twenty last week but they still treated her like she was five. Tingin yata ng mga ito ay siya pa rin ang premature baby na hindi kayang huminga nang walang ventilator.

“I already did, Nana.” Tumayo na siya at tinungo ang pinto, ngunit bago lumabas ay muli siyang humarap sa matanda. “Patawag naman si Regis, o. It would be just super-fast, Nana, paplantsahin lang niya—”

“No!” Itinulak na siya nito palabas.

—————

She found her parents in their suite, cuddling

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigaleach other in a couch. Nagkunwari siyang nasusuka at exaggerated na hinawakan niya ang dibdib na para bang hindi siya makahinga.

“Oh, God, stop please!” tili niya at tinakpan ang kanyang mga mata. “My poor virgin eyes!”

Narinig niya ang pagtawa ng mga magulang at ang paglapit ng mga ito sa kanya. Tumatawa pa rin ang mga ito nang niyakap siya.

“How’s my baby girl?” Hinalikan siya sa tuktok ng ama.

She looked up at her father’s warm brown eyes and she smiled back. Mahigit cincuenta na ito, pero makisig pa rin at puno ng enerhiya. Kagaya niya, tila may sariling isip ang kulot nitong buhok at tila ayaw ring sumunod sa suklay. Pero dahil maikli ang gupit nito ay hindi iyon halata.

“She grew up, like, eighteen years ago, Daddy, so she’s no longer a baby!”

Tumawa muli ang mga magulang niya.

“She’s so cheeky just like you, Felicia,” malambing na turan ng ama sa kanyang mama. Her mother chuckled and pecked her father on the lips.

Sinubukan niyang magmukhang nakokornihan,

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalpero hindi niya magawa. Tatlumpung taon nang kasal ang mga ito, pero tila laging unang honeymoon pa rin ng mga ito ang bawat araw. They were so in love with each other it was just not possible not to feel happy when she’s with them. Kung may isang madilim na bahagi ang pagsasama ng mga ito, iyon ay hirap ang mga ito na magkaanak. Sampung taon ding sinubukan ng mga ito ang normal na paraan, pero walang magandang resulta. They had to resort to artificial insemination just to have her. Pero sadyang kritikal ang pagbubuntis ng ina at muntikan na ring hindi siya mairaos sa kabila ng science at pera. At nang mailabas siya, the doctors thought she wouldn’t live to see her first birthday. Mahina ang puso niya dahil sa isang congenital heart disease. They even thought she would never be able to walk properly because of her weak muscles and heart. Pero salamat sa therapy, heto siya at nakakatakbo at nakakasayaw pa, hinihingal nga lang siya kung minsan.

“Come on, Daddy! The party’s about to start!” Hinila niya ang mga magulang papunta sa elevator. Gaganapin ang party sa ballroom ng La Costa Hotel. It was the corporation’s seventieth anniversary and most of their major clients and partners were there to celebrate with them. Naka-book ang mahigit kalahati sa mga silid ng hotel para sa mga bisita nila nang

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalgabing iyon.

Pagkapasok sa lift ay hindi niya napigilang lukubin ng kaba. Napuno siya ng pag-aalala tungkol sa kanyang fiancé. Would he like her hair? Her dress? Her makeup?

Kinagat niya ang labi at pinagmasdan ang repleksyon sa salamin ng elevator. She was wearing a white, chiffon halter dress that was snug in her breast area but flowed loosely below her hips. Backless ang damit, pero nakalugay ang mahaba niyang buhok kaya natatakpan din niyon ang likod niya. Medyo hantad ang cleavage niya, pero tingin niya nabawi ng haba ng damit ang pagkababa ng neckline nito. Lagpas-tuhod ang bestida at opinyon niya ay sapat iyon para magmukha siyang kagalang-galang pa rin.

“Where is the rest of your dress?” Nakataas ang kilay ng kanyang ama na para bang ngayon lang napansin ang suot niya.

She rolled her eyes. “Naiwan sa boutique.”

Humalukipkip ito at akmang sesermonan siya, pero maagap na dinantay ng kanyang mama ang kamay sa dibdib nito.

“Don’t be a party pooper, she’s beautiful in that dress!”

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalShe beamed at her beautiful mother. Magkasing-

edad ang mga magulang niya, pero tila ilang taon lang ang tanda sa kanya ng ina. Namana niya ang porselana nitong balat at ang facial structure nito, pero roon na natapos ang pagkakapareha nila. Her mother was tall and slender, with long silky black hair any shampoo model would kill to have. Hindi gaya niya, tila modelo ang structure ng katawan nito. Ito iyong tipo na lagyan lang ng straight polo ay puwede nang parampahin sa catwalk.

She chewed at her lower lip as she stared at her own breasts and hips. She really wished she had her mother’s figure; her breasts seemed a little too big and her hips a little too wide.

Paglabas ng elevator ay tumunog ang kanyang cellphone at agad niya itong kinuha sa clutch bag. It was Cedrick, ang apo ni Nana Selya na kababata rin niya. Malapad siyang ngumiti at sinagot ang tawag.

“Cedie!”

“Don’t call me that,” reklamo ng binata sa kabilang linya.

Tumawa ang mga magulang niya at ngumiti siya. “So, what’s up, Cedie bear?”

Umungol ang kababata at lumapad ang ngiti

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalniya.

“Still reviewing for the finals. D’yan, kumusta na?”

“Happy even without you!” nakangiting aniya habang naglalakad sila sa eleganteng hallway ng hotel.

Sarcastic itong tumawa. Malakas din siyang tumawa. Nakikinita na niya ang eskpresyon ng mukha nito. Sigurado siyang nakasimangot ito habang nakahiga sa kama, may hawak na libro habang suot ang salamin nito.

“Joke lang. You know it’s always more fun when you’re around. Bakit kasi hindi ka na lang nag-excuse sa exam mo bukas?”

“At ano naman ang excuse ko? May company party ang close family friend ng pamilya ko kaya hindi ako makakapag-take ng exam? Duh, Cassie! Terminal illness lang at death ng immediate family ang excusable sa mga Math professors ko.”

Nakaramdam siya ng kaunting kirot sa dibdib, pero tumawa lang siya. Unlike Ceddie, she had never been to a regular school because of her frail condition. Kahit kailan ay hindi siya nakaranas ng mapuyat dahil sa exam o ang mamroblema sa mga hassle na

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalprofessors.

“Well, it sucks to be you. So iyon lang ba ang tinawag mo?” pag-iiba niya sa usapan. Napasulyap siya sa mga magulang at nakitang tila pumasok na naman ang mga ito sa sarili nitong mundo. She smiled as she stared at her loving parents.

“I wanted to warn you again to run for the hills, Cassie. Come on, arranged marriage? Ano ’to, Medieval Age? You don’t know anything about the guy! Wake up! Baka serial killer ’yan!”

Ni hindi lumumbay ang kanyang ngiti. Marahil iniisip ng iba na napakatanga niya para pumayag sa ganitong sitwasyon. Pero alam niya ang pinapasok niya. Her parents had an arranged marriage too but as she looked at them, she knew that they were the happiest couple most people had ever seen. Her parents were tangible proof that arranged marriages could not be that bad.

“It’s okay, Cedrick, I’m okay. I think it could really work—”

“But Cassandra—”

Narating nila ang entrance ng ballroom at saktong bumukas ang main doors. Tila napuno ng paru-paro ang kanyang sikmura. Nanlamig din ang

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalkanyang mga palad.

Nauna nang pumasok sa loob ang mga magulang niya.

“Cassandra, are you listening to me?”

“Cedie, I really need to go. See you soon.” Pinutol niya ang tawag bago pa makahirit ang kababata. Pinatay rin niya ang cellphone. Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib, malalaki ang mga hakbang na sumunod siya sa kanyang mga magulang. She was going to meet Raphael De La Vega, ang kanyang fiancé! Halos hindi niya maipaliwanag ang excitement sa dibdib.

Tinungo niya ang gitna ng ballroom kung nasaan ang mga magulang at may kausap na matangkad na lalaki na tila kasing-edad ng kanyang mga magulang. Kagaya ng ama, guwapo pa rin ang lalaki sa kabila ng edad ngunit di gaya ng daddy niya, walang mainit na ngiti o pakiramdam na inilalabas ang presensya ng ginoo.

She smiled as she walked toward her parents but it instantly vanished when she saw the man standing beside the older guy her father was talking to. Imposibleng hindi mapansin ang lalaki. It was as if he had a gravitational pull of his own. He was taller than her father, making his height around

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalsix feet and three inches, making him tower over most people in the room. He had short wavy dark hair that curled around his collar. It was thick and looked so soft and she wondered what it would feel like to bury her fingers in his hair. Namula siya nang pagmasdan ang mukha nito. He was beautiful, in a wild and dangerous way. His bone structure was very strong and masculine—from his patrician forehead, straight nose, high cheekbones and chiseled jaw, to his broad shoulders and long powerful legs clad in the soft material of his pants. Tanging ang mahahabang pilikmata lamang nito at malalambot na labi ang nagbigay ng kaunting lamlam sa matigas nitong anyo.

She swallowed hard as she neared the man. Her legs quivered as if her strength was being sucked away from her. The man looked up and their eyes locked. Tila may bumara sa kanyang lalamunan. His eyes were a rich brown color, like dark chocolate or a pool of endless abyss.

“Oh, here is my beautiful daughter!” her father exclaimed.

Hinawakan siya sa braso ng kanyang mommy.

“Gentlemen, this is my only child, Cassandra Yvonne Lacosta. Cassandra, this is the man we are talking about, this is Raphael De La Vega and this is

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalhis father, our future business partner, Carlos De La Vega,” pakilala ng kanyang daddy.

Tila nakalimutan niya na may dila siya dahil nanatili lamang siyang nakatitig kay Raphael. He was staring back at her as well. His dark eyes were cold and unreadable beneath the hall’s golden lights.

“Cassandra, Dear? ’Wag mong masyadong titigan, baka matunaw,” pasimpleng usal ng kanyang mommy.

Lalong namula ang kanyang mga pisngi at agad niyang binawi ang tingin sa binata. She wanted to smack herself!

Way to go, Cassie! She was practically drooling over him.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Sir.” Agad siyang ngumiti nang masigla sa nakatatandang De La Vega para pagtakpan ang kanyang pamumula.

The older man chuckled and took her hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Child. But please, call me Uncle for now. We are going to be family soon.”

She felt her cheeks burn even hotter at the implication of the man’s words. Sinulyapan niya ang binatang katabi nito at parang may malamig

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalna kamay na humawak sa kanyang sikmura nang makita ang matigas nitong anyo. His strong jaw was clenched hard and she could see the tension in his stiff shoulders and back. He looked like a tightly coiled spring ready to snap any minute. He was angry…

His cold eyes flickered toward her and she suddenly felt like a little rabbit trapped by the big bad wolf.

“It’s nice to meet you, Cassandra.” His deep masculine voice sluiced through her spine like a cold burning liquid.

“It’s… it’s nice to meet you, too.” Halos magbuhol ang dila niya.

“Well, you two better take a seat now. Babatiin lang namin ang ibang mga kaibigan namin.”

Wala na siyang nagawa nang bahagya siyang itinulak ng kanyang mommy palapit kay Raphael. Gusto niya sanang umatras at sumama sa mga magulang, pero agad nang tumalikod ang mga ito papunta sa umpok ng mga business associates ng mga ito. Sumama rin ang ama ni Raphael sa mga ito.

“We might as well take our seats now.” His voice was still cold and emotionless, so was the hand that firmly held her elbow.

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalLike any gentleman, he held out the chair for

her and gently pushed it forward as she sat down. Pagkatapos ay umupo ito sa tabi niya. She stiffly sat beside him. Nanatili itong tahimik at walang ekspresyon na nakatitig lamang sa harapan.

Mataman siyang tumitig sa kanyang mga kamay. This… this was not how she thought things would turn out. He was not supposed to be this cold. Pinuwersa niya ang sariling tingnan muli ang lalaki.

Nakatiim-bagang ito at tila nasa malayo ang isip. Her heart clenched painfully. Ano ang iniisip nito para maging ganito kaseryoso ang hitsura nito? Wala ito sa tabi niya sa mga oras na iyon, sigurado siya. Naramdaman niya ang pamumuo ng luha, pero mabilis siyang kumurap para pigilan iyon.

Gusto niyang kutusan ang sarili. What was wrong with her? She was such a pathetic crybaby! Ito lang ay umiiyak na siya? She was giving up so fast!

Mabilis siyang humugot ng hangin at hinarap ang lalaki. “You’re a molecular biologist, right?”

Wari ay nagulat ito at napatingin sa kanya. His dark eyes suddenly looked suspicious. “What?”

“You’re a molecular biologist, right?”

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalKumunot ito na tila ba isa siyang bagong specie

ng halaman na ngayon lang nito nakita. “Yes,” maingat nitong sagot na tila ba hihihintay nitong bumuga siya ng lason.

“So what do you do for work?”

Natigilan ito roon, pagkatapos ay bahagyang tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi. Hindi niya napigilan ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso. He had such a sensual mouth; it was full and so soft-looking, she wondered what it would feel like to touch them. Muling nag-init ang kanyang mga pisngi. Kukurutin siya sa singit ni Nana kapag nalaman nito ang mga iniisip niya.

“What? Your father didn’t tell you?” May pag-uuyam at panunuri sa tinig nito at muntikan na naman siyang tumupi.

Lumunok siya. “Well, Daddy offered to tell me but I said I wanted to ask you personally. I mean, ang alam ko lang ay thirty years old ka at graduate ka ng Molecular Biology sa UP, iyon lang. The rest, I wanted to know directly from you. Tingin ko kasi, mas okay ’yon kaysa malaman sa iba. It didn’t seem right.”

Tumawa ito at lalong namula ang mga pisngi niya, pero sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi iyon dahil

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalsa attraction niya sa binata. He was laughing at her as if she had an IQ of a flower pot.

“And this arranged marriage, tingin mo ba ay tama ito?”

The harshness of his tone left her speechless. Nobody had ever talked to her like this before.

“The land in Santa Rosa can be developed into a resort with no problem.” Pinukaw ng boses ng kanyang ama ang buhol-buhol niyang diwa. Hindi niya namalayang nakalapit na ang mga ito sa kanilang mesa.

Umupo ang mga ito at nagpatuloy sa diskusyon tungkol sa lupa at negosyo. Iniiwas ng binata ang titig sa kanya at ipinukol muli sa harapan. She clenched her fists and stared at her lap. Her chest constricted painfully with emotions so raw and so foreign it left her lost and confused as hell.

Nanatiling ganoon ang pakiramdam niya hanggang sa matapos ang buong program.

—————

“You might want to take a walk outside the garden. I’m sure all this talk of business and stock market is boring the two of you.” Nakangiti ang ama

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalsa kanya nang imungkahi nito iyon. Tapos na ang program at nagkukuwentuhan na lamang ang mga bisita.

Hindi siya agad nakasagot sa ama. For one, tingin niya ay hindi gusto ni Raphael ang ideyang iyon.

“I’m not sure, Daddy—”

“Yes, that would be nice! Makakabuti iyon para magkaroon naman kayo ng kaunting privacy sa pag-uusap, hindi ba, Raphael?” Nakangiting pinukulan din ng titig ng De La Vega patriarch ang anak nito.

Muling bumuka ang labi niya para sabihing huwag na lang, pero naramdaman niya ang paghawak ng binata sa kanyang siko. His touch almost made her jump from her seat.

“Of course, I was actually thinking of the same thing.”

Kung may iniinom siya nang mga oras na iyon ay sigurado siyang nabilaukan siya. Marahas siyang napalingon sa katabing binata. His face was still a mask of cold indifference.

His gaze landed on her and she felt like a moth being sucked into the fire. “Shall we?” he asked, his eyes holding her captive and preventing her from

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalsaying no.

She stiffly nodded, not wanting to make a scene in front of her parents and guests. Magalang siyang inalalayan ng binata patayo. Hinawakan siya nito sa siko at iginiya siya sa teresa papunta sa garden ng hotel.

Wala silang imik na naglakad papunta sa gazebo ng hardin. Walang ibang tao sa garden at ilang ilaw lamang mula sa mga Christmas lights sa mga puno ang nagsisilbing tanglaw sa kanilang daan. Tinitigan niya ang binata. The pale moonlight was casting shadows across his face, emphasizing his chiseled features. Looking at him like this, it was impossible for Cassandra not to be drawn to him. He was like a dark prince from a twisted fairy tale, or a rugged knight in some gothic romance novel. Napakadali para kay Cassandra na magpantasya ukol sa lalaking ito. Pero hindi niya gagawin iyon. She may be young, naïve and painfully impressionable, but she could recognize rejection when it slapped her in the face.

Hinila niya ang palad mula sa pagkakahawak ni Raphael. Nagulat ito at napatingin sa kanya.

“You don’t want this,” malamig niyang pahayag.

If possible, his shoulders stiffened even more.

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalHumarap ito nang tuluyan at hindi niya napigilan ang pag-atras. She wondered, how could a face so handsome be so intimidating and ruthless?

“You… you don’t want me.” Napaatras siya ng isang hakbang. Mula sa malamlam na ilaw ng buwan at ng maliliit na bumbilya, nakita niya ang pagtaas ng sulok ng mga labi ng binata.

“Yes, that is correct. I don’t want this.”

Inasahan na niya iyon, pero para pa rin iyong sampal sa kanya. Muli siyang umurong, pero humakbang ito palapit sa kanya.

“Hindi ka namin pipilitin kung ayaw mo.” Sinubukan niyang maging matatag ang tinig, pero dinig niya ang panginginig niyon. Gusto man niyang itanggi, pero masakit pa rin. She really thought it could work out. She wanted it to work out. The happy faces of her parents flashed in her mind and she felt a painful stab in her gut. Maybe… maybe she would never have that.

Muli siyang napaatras, pero bumangga na ang kanyang likod sa isang puno. Patuloy na humakbang palapit sa kanya ang binata hanggang sa ilang pulgada na lamang ang layo nito sa kanya. Ipinatong nito ang braso sa kanyang ulunan at ibinaba ang mukha sa

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalkanya. His warm breath touched her lips and heat flooded her face. He was invading her personal space to intimidate her and it was working! She forced herself to glare at him but her bravado faltered once their gazes locked. His eyes were like black diamonds in the evening lights; they held so much hatred, so much coldness and her fragile strength was not enough to fight them. Iniwas niya ang titig dito, pero maagap nitong hinawakan ang baba niya upang manatili siyang nakatitig sa mga mata nito.

“Napakadali para sa ’yo, hindi ba? Just say no and everything would be fine. But guess what? Not everyone has it easy like you.”

His voice sliced her soul with disgust and contempt and she found herself pushing him back. “What the hell is wrong with you? Kung ayaw mo, huwag! I don’t know what your problem is, but don’t vent your anger at me! You will not be forced to marry me if you don’t want to! Let go—”

Marahas itong tumawa at lalo siyang itinulak sa puno. His hard body pressed itself against her, trapping her. “Oo nga naman, why am I venting my anger at the poor, fragile sweet little princess? It makes me look like a bastard, doesn’t it?” The contempt in his voice was dripping like acid. Mariin

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalnitong inangat pa ang kanyang baba para mapilitan siyang titigan ito nang maayos sa mga mata. “So how does it feel, huh? Being the innocent damsel in distress? Do you feel like a victim now? Ano nga ba naman ang ginawa mong mali? Wala naman, di ba?”

“Let go, you bastard!” Pilit niya itong itinulak, pero lalo lamang humigpit ang pagdikit ng katawan nito sa kanya.

“I hate people like you. Spoiled brats who get everything they want with just a snap of a finger. People like you never really cared about what others feel. Wala kayong pakialam sa mga taong sinisira n’yo makuha n’yo lang ang gusto n’yo.You take and take, but you never give! You play with people’s emotions and treat them as if you own them! As if money and power can buy people and you can do with them whatever you wanted because you bought them! Hindi ba iyon ang kailangan mo at ng pamilya mo? Isang lalaking bibilhin ninyo para gawin ang lahat ng gusto n’yo? Isang puppet na uupo at tatayo, magsasalita at sasayaw kapag gusto n’yo? A puppet to entertain you! People like you are disgusting. What do you want, huh? An eye candy? A man you can boast to your friends? What do you want? Hot sex? So you could gloat to your stupid hypocritical—”

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalNagawang makawala ng isa niyang kamay

mula sa hawak nito at awtomatikong lumipad iyon pasampal sa pisngi nito. Bumaling ang mukha nito pakanan sa lakas ng kanyang sampal.

Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatitig siya sa namumulang panga ni Raphael. She was shocked; she had never slapped anyone in her life before. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Nakakalokong tumawa ito at napatikom siya. His eyes were wild and dangerous as they gazed back at her. She bit her lip hard and gathered all her strength to face this crazy bastard.

“Alam mo ba ang sunod na nangyayari kapag sinampal ng isang babae ang isang lalaki?”

Nanatiling nakataas ang noo niya at nakatitig sa matiim nitong mga mata. “Go to hell, you crazy horse shit.”

Muli itong tumawa, pero sa pagkakataong ito ay may iba siyang narinig sa tawa nito maliban sa galit at panunuya. There was… amusement? Her cheeks burned hotter. The bastard was laughing at her as if she was a joke!

“You asshole! Ano ba! Let go!”

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalWalang hirap nitong hinuli muli ang kanyang

mga kamay at ipinatong sa kanyang ulunan. She gave him the deadliest glare she could muster. Pero tumaas lang ang sulok ng labi nito sa isang sensual na ngiti at ayaw man niya, naramdaman niya ang pag-iinit ng pisngi at pagbilis ng tibok ng kanyang puso.

“You better not….” Napasinghap siya nang marahang hinaplos ng hinlalaki nito ang pang-ibaba niyang labi. Tila may maliliit na boltahe ng kuryente ang dumaloy mula sa labi niya papunta sa maliliit na himaymay ng kanyang katawan. Pinilit niya ang sariling huwag pansinin ang lahat ng iyon. “Don’t you dare….”

He pressed his hard body closer to hers and her eyes widened when she felt something very hard pressing against her abdomen.

“According to a study of a man’s psychological makeup, to restore dominance against a female in a heated argument or situation, a male would resort to kissing the female against her will to show her just who is in charge.”

Hindi niya maintindihan ang lahat ng sinasabi nito sa tindi ng mga sensasyong pinupukaw ng pagiging sobrang lapit nito. His soft lips grazed her mouth and she gasped in shock.

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigal“Raphael…”

She felt his harsh breathing against her lips and she couldn’t help but shudder. He softly bit her lower lip and suckled it inside his mouth, making her moan and press her body closer to him.

“This is that type of situation, Cassandra,” he whispered before fully claming her lips.

Hindi na rumehistro ang huling sinabi nito sa kanyang isipan. Her eyes fluttered close as her body reacted instinctively. Her arms went around his neck and pulled him closer. His warm lips spread against hers. His arms wrapped around her back and waist, lifting her up and pushing her harder against the tree with his body. As if on instinct, her thighs parted for him, her legs hitched at his hips, and her body cradled his hard length between the juncture of her legs. He groaned, his hips gently rocking against hers, his arousal rubbing against her soft heat, sending shocking waves of pleasure running throughout her in frenzy.

May narinig siyang umungol, pero hindi siya sigurado kung siya ba iyon o ang binata. Lalong humigpit ang yakap niya sa leeg nito at natagpuan niya ang mga daliri na nakabaon sa buhok ng lalaki. He groaned in her mouth then, as if her touch

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalbrought torturous pleasure through him. His mouth opened widely against hers, urging her to copy him. Ibinuka niya ang mga labi at hinayaan itong tuluyang angkinin ang kanyang bibig. His tongue invaded her mouth and she moaned in pleasure. His taste exploded in her tongue; he tasted of wine and mint, of tangy lemon and honey and something else that she knew was uniquely him. Bumaon din ang mga daliri nito sa kanyang buhok at itiningala siya upang lalong palalimin ang halik. She went dizzy and weak as their mouths molded together, their tongues and lips entwining, mating; their bodies melting in their heated embrace.

Sandali nitong pinakawalan ang kanyang mga labi upang habulin ang paghinga, subalit gumapang lamang ang mga labi nito sa kanyang panga at leeg. Liyo sa mga sensasyon na hinayaan niya ito. Ang mga kamay niya ay hindi mapakali sa buhok at likod ng binata.

Pumaloob ang isang kamay nito sa kanyang bestida at marahang hinaplos ang kanyang hita. Napaigtad siya sa mainit na sensasyon ng palad nito sa kanyang balat. Umakyat ang palad nito hanggang sa masaklop na nito ang kanyang buong pang-upo. He molded her ass against his palm and pulled her against him. Wet pleasure pooled between her legs

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalas his hips thrust against her softness, making her legs curled tighter around his waist. She was dizzy and lost; her own body was moving instinctively as if it had a mind of its own.

Inangat niya ang mukha nito at muling siniil ng halik ang mga labi nito. He complied automatically. His lips hungrily sought hers as his hands became bolder. She felt his big warm hand covering her breast, squeezing and kneading the heavy flesh, sending volts of electric heat sizzling down between her legs where his arousal was pressing hard against her.

Hanggang sa may marinig siyang malakas na pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto sa kung saan. Tila iyon malamig na tubig na ibinuhos sa kanya. Her eyes widened in pure shock and horror. Lahat ng sensasyong rumaragasa sa kanyang katawan kanina ay biglang natuyo. Sa isang iglap, marahas niyang itinulak ang binata palayo sa kanya. Hindi nito inaasahan iyon kaya bigla itong napabitaw sa kanya at napahakbang palayo. Dumausdos siya sa puno at muling lumapat ang kanyang mga takong sa lupa.

Naramdaman niya ang pamumuo ng maiinit na luha sa mga mata. What the hell just happened? Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at itiniim ang

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalmga labi. Ramdam pa niya ang init ng mga labi at kamay nito sa kanyang katawan at bibig. She felt so low, so dirty.

“It wasn’t your fault.” His voice was gruff and hard.

Matalim niya itong tinitigan. The bastard had the decency to look ashamed. Nakatiim-bagang ito at nakaiwas ang tingin sa kanya. Magulo ang buhok at damit nito at namumula ang mga labi. Ang kaalaman na siya ang may gawa kung bakit ganoon ang hitsura ng lalaki ay sapat para gustuhin niyang magtago sa pinakamalalim na butas sa lupa.

Humugot ito ng hangin at isinuklay ang mga daliri sa maalon nitong buhok. “It’s my fault, I was—”

“Of course, it is!” she screamed at him. “You sick perverted bastard! You nymphomaniac! You molester! You—”

“You really don’t know when to back down, do you?” he hissed, his perfectly sculpted face tight with frustration and anger. “I know it’s my fault! You don’t have to call me names.”

“I will call you whatever names I want! You… you… you… argh! How dare you force me—”

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigal“Forced you? You kissed me back!”

“Shut up! You said it wasn’t my fault!” Hindi niya napigilan ang pagpadyak ng paa. Oh, God, how could her fairy tale ending be ruined by this heartless jerk? She wanted to claw at his insanely handsome face! Bakit ito ang pinili ng daddy niya? There had to be a mistake! There had to be—

Nanakit ang dibdib niya at agad siyang napahawak doon.

“What’s wrong?”

“Go away!” Inis niyang itinulak ang binata, pero makulit ito.

“You’re getting pale, what’s wrong? Are you sick? Are you—”

“Just go away!” Muli niyang naramdaman ang pag-iinit ng mga mata. Ngayon ay magmumukha siya lalong mahina sa harap nito. Ayaw niyang malaman nito na may sakit siya sa puso. Ayaw niyang malaman agad ng fiancé niya na may heart disease siya. Balak niyang ipaalam iyon kapag matagal na sila. But she supposed it did not matter now. He was not going to be her fiancé, anyway.

“What the hell is happening? What—”

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigal“Leave me alone.”

“I’m going to call your parents—”

“No!” Agad siyang napahawak sa sleeves ng polo nito. Ang huling kailangan niya ay ang mag-alala ang kanyang mga magulang. She just wanted to lock herself in her room and be alone. “Don’t call them, please.”

Tumitig ito sa kanya; ang kaninang puno ng lamig at panunuya nitong mga mata ay puno ng pag-aalala at katanungan ngayon.

“Just help me find my bag, please. ’Andoon ’yong gamot ko.”

Tumango ito at lumigid ang mga mata sa lupa. Agad itong tumungo at pinulot ang clutch bag niya na nalalag sa gilid nila.

“Thanks.” Agad niyang hinablot ang bag at kinuha ang gamot sa loob. Mabilis niyang binuksan ang botelya at nagtaktak ng isang tableta saka mabilis ding isinubo iyon. Pinuwersa niya ang sariling lunukin iyon kahit walang tubig.

Akmang ibabalik na niya ang botelya sa bag, pero maagap iyong hinagilap ng binata. “Hey! Ano ba—”

Pero kinulong nito ang dalawa niyang braso sa

Their Happy Ending - Dior Madrigalisang kamay nito. Matalim niya itong tinitigan habang binabasa nito ang label ng gamot niya. Molecular biologist ang binata kaya sigurado siyang alam na nito kung para saan ang gamot niya.

“May I have it back now?” she sneered when he had read the label.

Matiim na bumaling sa kanya ang titig nito, tila sinusuri kung totoo ba ang nalaman nito tungkol sa kanya. Hinagilap niya rito ang gamot at isinuksok iyon sa bag. Inis sa sarili, mabilis niyang inayos ang damit kahit medyo nanakit pa rin ang kanyang dibdib.

Walang lingong tinalikuran niya ang binata, pero maagap na hinagilap ni Raphael ang kanyang braso.

“Where are you going?”

Gusto niya ulit itong sigawan, pero pinigilan niya ang sarili. Hindi pa lubusang umeepekto ang gamot at ang huling kailangan niya ay tuluyan siyang atakehin sa puso o mahimatay sa harap nito.

“I’m tired. I want to rest in my room.”

Tumango ito. “Ihahatid kita sa kuwarto mo.”

Muling bumuka ang bibig niya para sabihan itong pumunta sa impiyerno, pero muli niyang pinigilan ang sarili. Wala na siyang enerhiya para makipagtalo.

Their Happy Ending - Dior MadrigalSa lagay niya ay malamang may tumulong din sa kanya sa pagpunta sa silid at kapag nangyari iyon, malalaman iyon ng mga magulang niya.

“Thanks,” she grumbled. She closed her eyes tightly as her emotions warred inside her.

This was not how she thought the night would end. Dapat ay natapos ang gabi na masaya siya at nakangiti sa kanyang fiancé. Dapat natapos ito na kayakap niya ang taong mamahalin siya at makakasama niya hanggang sa kanyang pagtanda. Muling nangilid ang kanyang luha.