Robigail feels like a stranger on her own wedding day. It doesn’t feel real at all. Dahil nga nagmamadali na si Ryzel na makapag-asawa at sinira’t sinayang niya ang pera at oras nito ng igatecrash niya ang kasal sana ng binata kay Aria, ay hindi na siya sa simbahan pinakasalan ni Ryzel.
Sa huwes na lamang siya nito dinala. It was very intimate and rushed. Tanging siya, si Ryzel, ang ama nito, na hindi man lang napakilala sa kanya ng maayos, si Larisa at ang judge na magkakasal sa kanila ang naroon. She had never imagined what her wedding would be like, more so thought that it would be like this.
They both signed the papers after all the formalities. It was all like whirlwind to her. Kaya hindi niya mapigilang mawindang ng sabihin ng judge na silang dalawa ngayon ay “husband and wife” na.
Hindi rin niya inexpect na kasali pa pala sa seremonya and first kiss as a married couple. Everything was done so formally, with no emotional attachment whatsoever kaya inisip niya na hindi na iyon kasali. Pero nagkamali siya.
“You may now seal your union as husband and wife.” The judge said. In fairness, the line was so unique. Iniba pa talaga ng judge and pagkakasabi kaya hindi agad na-process ng utak ni Robigail iyon.
Humarap sa kanya si Ryzel. She did the same. Kinabahan siya ng magtama ang mga mata nila ng binata ngunit iwinaksi niya iyon sa isipan. He lifted the white veil of her face slowly as he stared at her, his expression unreadable. Hindi alam ni Robigail kung ano ang dapat maramdaman sa mga sandaling iyon pero inisip na lang niya na mag-go with the flow.
It confused her greatly when Ryzel glanced at Larisa for a couple of seconds before he looked back at her again. Everything about their wedding was so fast but the moment when he crouched down to level his face to hers was as if on slow-motion.
He claimed her lips aggressively which surprised her, making her gasp into his mouth. His tongue parted her lips, demanding an entrance and she gave in. She kissed him back softly. He must have not expected that from her because he immediately stopped and turn back to face his father and the woman beside him.
Robigail was left breathless but she didn’t have enough time to dwell on the feel of his kiss. Kinamayan ni Ryzel and judge bago ito lumapit sa ama kasama siya. His hand on his waist as his arms snaked around her.
“Congratulations, son. I hope you will take this marriage seriously.” His father, William said. Tila ba alam nito na nagpakasal lamang ang anak para tuparin ang nasa will niya.
“Thanks, Dad.” Ryzel responded curtly.
William smiled gently at Robigail.”You can call me, Dad now, hija.”
Kahit hindi naman totohanan ay natuwa pa rin siya sa tinuran nito. Nagpasalamat rin siya at nilingon si Ryzel. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makitang nakatitig na ito kay Larisa. Napatingin na rin siya kay Larisa na hindi maipaliwanag ang ekspresyon.
She’s smiling yet her eyes showed regret and jealousy. Hindi alam ni Robigail kung namamalikmata lang ba siya ngunit may kakaiba siyang nararamdaman at napapansin sa dalawa. Based on what little she knew; Larisa is William’s girlfriend/lover. Ryzel’s mom died four years ago. Larisa is Ryzel’s soon to be stepmom if William decides to marry her. It sounds weird, of course dahil halos magka-edad lang sila.
Ngunit habang tumatagal na tinitingnan niya ang dalawa na nagtitigan, pakiramdam niya ay hindi ganun ang relasyon ng dalawa. Ayaw niyang mag-isip ng masama kaya pinilig na lamang niya ang ulo at kinalimutan iyon.
Ngunit nakumpirma niya ang hinala ng napaka-aga. William strongly suggested that her and Ryzel should still live in their family mansion. Lalo na at may sakit nga ito, may taning na ang buhay nito at ilang taon na lang ang itatagal. He wants to be with his only family for the remainder of his life.
Although parte iyon ng dahilan, alam ni Robigail na may ibang dahilan. She knows William is not stupid. He knows that his son’s marriage is a façade and he probably wants to make it real. Masisiguro lang niya na magsasama sa iisang bubong ang anak niya at ang asawa nito kung nasa mansyon titira ang dalawa.
It wasn’t ideal. So not ideal lalo na nang aksidenteng nasaksihan niya si Larisa at Ryzel na naghahalikan sa kama ng kwarto nito. Larisa was on top of Ryzel and although they’re both still wearing clothes, hindi siya tanga para hindi malaman kung saan dapat patungo ang nangyayari.
“What the hell?!” Larisa jumped down on the bed. Nagkukumahog na inayos nito ang sarili at tumayo ng maayos pagtapos hawiin ang sariling buhok na medyo magulo.
Gustong matawa ni Robigail dahil dapat siya ang magsabi ng linyang iyon. This is way more shocking to her that her “husband” is in bed with his father’s lover. Hindi naman siya gaanong nasaktan. Nagulat siya at nadismaya.
“F*ck! Don’t you know how to knock?!” Ryzel cursed as he swiftly sat up from the bed.
She realized that her doubts were proven right after all. Bumalik sa alaala niya ang pagtitig muna ni Ryzel kay Larisa bago siya nito halikan kanina. He was purposely making her jealous. All those stares and secret glances, he is in love with her. Is she in love with him, too? Are they both fooling his father?
Sinundan niya ng tingin si Larisa na mabilis ang bawat hakbang na lumabas ng kwarto. Hindi niya alam kung aalis ba siya at magkukunwaring walang nakita o magtatanong kay Ryzel. Hindi niya alam kung okay lang ba at may karapatan ba siyang magtanong. Baka hindi iyon parte ng kontrata nila. Hindi nga pala niya binasa ng buo iyon.
“What? Tatayo ka nalang ba diyan?” He snapped.
Robigail stepped inside his room and closed the door. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Pagkarating kasi nila ng mansyon pagkatapos ng kasal ay kinausap siya agad ng personal ng ama ni Ryzel sa opisina nito sa bahay.
Itinuro lang sa kanya ng maid ang kwarto ni Ryzel dahil syempre, inisip na ng mga ito na sa iisang silid lamang sila dahil mag-asawa naman sila. And that’s how she witnessed the scene.
“Your room is next door. It’s adjacent to mine.” Itinuro nito ang pintuan sa bandang kaliwang dingding sa loob ng kwarto.
Napatango-tango si Robigail. Tama. Everyone will think na sa iisang kwarto sila ngunit ang totoo ay nasa kabila talaga siya. Gagamitin niya lang ang connecting door sa kwarto nito.
“O-okay.” Tanging nasabi niya lang. Alam niyang sa tono nito ay ayaw nitong magtanong pa siya o mag-explain sa kanya. They’re not really married. Sa papel lang iyon at hindi makatotohanan.
So, she didn’t bother. Nang mamataan ang mga maleta niyang naglalaman ng kanyang gamit sa gilid ng kama’y kinuha na lamang niya iyon. Hinila patungo sa pintuan ng kabilang kwarto.
He really did have it all planned out. She wanted him to like her, maybe even fall in love with each other, make their marriage work. Pero mukhang hindi ganun kadaling mangyayari iyon. Larisa and Ryzel are having an affair.
Possible kaya na hindi lang niya masabi sa ama na ang babaeng gusto niyang pakasalan ay si Larisa dahil nga may sakit ito? But isn’t that so sick? Why would he go after his dad’s woman? Kawawa naman ang matanda. Her heart hurt thinking that Ryzel is only waiting for his dad to pass away so that him and Larisa could be together freely.
Naalala niya ang pinag-usapan nila ni William kanina.
“I know exactly why my son married you. I’m not against you or anything. In fact, I like you. I can see you’re a great woman and with substance. I called you here because I want to know if you want to be with my son or if it is only for the money, he offered you.” Prangka at diretsong sinabi nito sa kanya.
“I... I like your son, sir. I truly do. But I’m also here for the money.” Robigail replied honestly. Lying won’t get her anywhere. Especially not with a man like William. Alam niyang hindi makakalagpas dito kung magsisinungaling siya.
Akala niya ay magagalit ito at ipapatapon siya sa labas ngunit ngumiti lamang ito at tumango.
“Well, then that’s good enough. You said you like my son. I want you to make him like you back. Or even better, make him fall in love with you. Seduce him, do whatever it takes and I’ll pay you triple of the amount he paid you.”
Nawindang si Robigail sa alok nito. Although she had planned to make him fall for her initially, ngayon ay mas lalong lumakas ang loob niya na gawin nga iyon. Now that she’s thinking about it, maybe William does know about Larisa and Ryzel’s affair.
And he wants Ryzel to leave Larisa alone because William loves her. But he also loves his son so much kaya ayaw niyang komprontahin ito at sabihang layuan si Larisa. Sobrang sakit naman ng sitwasyon ng mag-ama.
This is all crazy and complicated. Hindi niya alam na ganito pala ang papasukin niya ng pumirma siya sa pagpapakasal kay Ryzel Laurence del Carlevarro.