Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Patricia's POV (Meet Raven)

"Are you okay now? Are you feel well-"

"I said I'm good. Ilang beses mo pa ba itatanong 'yan?"

Jess keeps asking if I'm okay while we're here at the mall. Today I chose to buy Jordan a gift for his birthday this week.

After our dismissal we went straight here.

Ngayon din kasi gaganapin ang despedida party para kay Kelvin kaya bumili kami ng ilang pagkain.

"How your husband reacted? I'm sure he's really mad!"

I continued picking things I needed without saying anything. I don't want to remember that anymore.

I chose to buy Jordan a shirts and perfume. Afte that, we went to Starbucks to buy coffee.

"Pizza, instead? Tyrone would bring beers"

I nodded at Iza before buying a 5 box of pizza. Kelvin's despedida will be held at his condo and I think he will bring some friends to his previous work place and some cousins.

What happened yesterday is still fresh in my mind. I know Callum is mad but he doesn't make it obvious. Instead, he was worried. He keeps asking if I was okay and even prepared me food. He was a bit caring yesterday, huh.

When he found out that I was going home late tonight again, he didn't approve at first. I excused that it's for our friend's despidida party so he agreed. He even offered to take me to school this morning but I refused. Hindi na ako uuwi sa bahay dahil didiretso na kami sa condo ni Kelvin dahil nag baon na ako ng damit ko at doon na lang ako magpapalit.

"I heard the two guy who harassed you yesterday was already kicked out" sabi ni Jess habang nasa biyahe na kami papuntang condo ni Kelvin.

"Saan mo nalaman 'yan?" usisa kong tanong.

The dean didn't even inform me about that. Maybe they were scared of Callum's threat?

"Narinig ko lang sa may faculty kanina.."

I suddenly received a message from Callum asking what time I'll go home. I said that I still don't know so he called but I didn't answered him.

"Why don't you answer that? Who's that?" Jess asked when she heard my phone ringing repeatedly.

I dropped off the another call again. "Don't mind it"

"Ang sungit mo naman" she pouted. "Kamusta kayo ni Callum?"

Umismid ako. "You don't need to ask that. You know what our purpose is and you shouldn't put meaning on that"

"Red days mo 'ba? Napapadalas naman 'ata ang away niyo mag asawa.." I could hear the teasing in her voice.

I turned off my phone so Callum won't bugged me anymore. Not because he took care of me yesterday does it mean that we're okay, I still feel unease towards him.

Hindi ko nakakalimutan ang ginagawa niya na pag iimbestiga kay daddy.

It seems like there's something urging me to confront him about that but there's another part of me that afraid of what I might find out.

No, dad was good man. He doesn't do bad and illegal things.

"We're here!"

Unang lumabas si Jess ng sasakyan bago ako. Dumiretso na siya sa lobby habang kinukuha ko ang ibang binili namin.

"Let's go" Jess seems excited when we enter the elevator.

"You seems happy" puna ko at tumitig sa kanya.

She smiled more.

"Excited lang.." aniya habang inaayos ang hibla ng buhok.

"You mean, excited makakita ng pogi sa mga pinsan ni Kelvin?"

Namilog ang mata niya. "Of course not!"

Nakarating kami sa floor kung nasaan ang condo ni Kelvin. Dumiretso kami sa room 408. Isang katok pa lang ay bumukas na 'yon at si Tyrone ang bumungad sa'min.

"Aga niyo, ah" puna niya bago kinuha ang dala namin. "Wala pa si Kelvin. May pinuntahan pa raw"

The room was big and really looks expensive pero mukhang wala pa ito sa kalahati ng first floor ng bahay namin ni Callum. Oh, gosh! Naisip ko na naman siya! "Patricia? Jess?"

Sabay kami lumingon ni Jess sa sumigaw.

Nakita ko ang isang babae na ngayon ko lang ulit nakita. Mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa ay tumakbo siya para yakapin kami.

"Nicole!!" I hugged her back. "You look good!"

I smiled as she jumped because of excitement. Well, nothing new. She's still that Kelvin's bubbly cousin.

"It's been a while!" saad ni Jess bago hinila si Nicole sa sofa para makipag-chismisan.

I looked around and realized that we weren't the only people. There were two guy sitting on the sofa and there was a woman who had just come out of the comfort room. I don't know them but maybe they're also Kelvin's cousins. I just arranged the food we bought on the table, there were wines and food as well that placed there and Tyrone helped me. I also went to the comfort room to change my clothes because I was still in uniform.

I just wear a simple denim shorts and black tank top.

Kelvin finally arrived and I was surprised to see who was with him. He's with a one guy and girl together with... Raven.

"Patriciiaaa!" Kelvin run towards me and hugged me tightly. "I miss you and this is the last time we we're gonna bond!"

I laughed when he faked a cry. Napalingon na naman ako sa likuran niya kung saan nakatayo si Raven. Why he's here? "Gaga, nandito si Raven" agad na bulong ni Jess.

"Oh, sorry I forgot to introduce you to my cousins" ani Kelvin at ipinakilala kami sa mga kasama niya.

"This is my friends!"

They smiled at us but I still bothered with Raven's presence. Nakaupo na siya ngayon sa sofa katabi ni Tyrone at pansin ko ang munting sulyap niya sa'kin.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Hindi naman siguro pinsan ni Kelvin si Raven dahil matagal kaming mag kaibigan. Kahit si Jess ay nagtataka kaya nang makalapit ulit sa'min si Kelvin ay tinanong niya ito.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"Why he's here?"

Sinundan ni Kelvin ang tinitignan ni Jess at natawa siya ng makitang si Raven 'yon.

"Oh, he was my cousin's friend, si Jetro. Schoolmate rin natin siya noon kaya sinama ko na rin. I think he still had a huge crush on Pat.."

Iritable akong lumingon sa kanila. "Stop it"

"Don't worry, alam niya naman siguro na may asawa ka na"

"Mali ka, girl! He's still adoring Patricia kahit alam niya'ng kasal na. Imposible naman na hindi niya alam! Kumalat nga yun sa mga articles at social media!"

"Let's just eat," sabi ko bago lumayo sa kanila.

Dumiretso ako sa table at kumuha ng pagkain.

We took a picture first before started eating while sharing some stories. Of course, this is the last time this will happen because Kelvin will leave tomorrow. We were all together at the big table and I was uncomfortable because Raven was sitting in front of me.

He was staring intently.

"I finally meet the Mrs. Velasquez! You're so pretty!" Kelvin's cousin said. She looks amaze while looking at my face.

"T-Thank you" nahihiya kong sabi bago sumulyap kay Raven.

Nakatingin lang siya sa pagkain at hindi niya ginagalaw 'yon. Kita kong humigpit ang hawak niya sa kutsara.

"No doubt that he likes you. It's pretty obvious.."

Namula ang pisngi ko sa sinabi ng lalaking pinsan ni Kelvin. I'm starting to get uncomfortable to my seat not because of their compliments but because of Raven's presence especially that the topic was about me and Callum.

Our eyes met again and I could see hesitations in his eyes. His face was soft and seems wanted to say something. Kelvin and Jess finally changed the topic so I feel relieved.

We finished eating and started drinking some wines and beers. Nasa balcony kami nang mag inuman at si Jess ay tila hindi pinalampas ang gabing 'to. Sunod-sunod ang pag inom niya ng hard drinks na dala ng pinsan ni Kelvin habang ako ay beer lang. Ayos na ako dito.

"I will surely missed you guys even our small bond like this!" Kelvin started to get emotional.

He's already drunked.

We comforted and also congratulates him because of new opportunities he will face in France. Jess also started to get hype, well, wala ng bago dahil palagi naman siya ganito pero mas malala kapag lasing.

She started singing even though it was out of tune so we started laughing.

Nakita kong tumayo si Raven sa gitna ng kasiyahan namin. I think he recieved a call so he excused his self to answered it.

I only drank three beers but I was already full. Wala na rin akong nakikita sa table dahil ubos na, sa dami naman kasi ng nainom nila Jess. Si Tyrone naman ay nakikipag-usap sa mga pinsan ni Kelvin. "P-Punta ako c. r" saad ni Jess bago nagmamadaling tumayo.

I think she will vomit.

"Wala na tayong beers. Buy some more, please..." Kelvin pleaded while lying on the table.

"I want to enjoyed this night, Patriciaaa"

He looks at me with his sad eyes. I nodded and looked at Tyrone who's still busy.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Let's buy some-"

"He's tipsy. Ako na lang ang isama mo" sabi ni Raven na kararating lang.

Seryoso ang tingin niya kaya bumaling ulit ako kay Tyrone. Nag-uusap parin sila ng mga pinsan ni Kelvin including Nicole at tila wala silang pakialam.

"Oh, go! Bumili na kayo.."

Wala akong nagawa kundi tumayo. Tumango ako kay Raven at tahimik na sumunod sa kanya.

Walang nagtangka na mag salita sa'min mula sa elevator hangang sa makababa kami sa lobby.

Malapit lang naman ang grocery store sa labas kaya nag lakad lang kami.

"Are you uncomfortable with me?" Raven suddenly asked. "I feel like I made you feel awkward in some way because of what I've said last time. I'm sorry"

His voice was calm.

"Uh, it's nothing. It's alright"

He opened the glass door of the store for me. He bought some beers and also hard drinks. He also decided to pay for those. While he was still at the cashier, I received a text from Callum. From: Callum What are you doing?

I sighed before replying.

To: Callum Having fun

"Let's go?"

Raven finished paying so we immediately went out. I hid my phone in my pocket, I even felt it vibrated but I didn't check it.

I plan to drink more with my friends so I can't tell Callum what exact time I'll be home. It's none of his business though. I updated him on where I was going, that's it.

"Will you sleep in Kelvin's condo?"

"Hindi, uuwi rin ako"

He smiled shortly. "You had your car?"

I nodded.

Tumabi siya sa'kin ng makarating kami sa lobby ngunit agad din bumagal ang lakad ko ng makita kung sino ang nakatayo roon. Ramdam kong natigilan din si Raven.

I gulped when I saw Callum standing there with his cold eyes. He was with a guy standing behind him while smirking. Bigla tuloy akong napalayo kay Raven.

Callum's eyes drifted on Raven that makes me tremble. Gosh! He didn't even informed me that he will go here!

"Hmm..." tikhim ng kasama ni Callum at tila nang-aasar kaya lalong nag salubong ang kilay niya.

Nag lakad sila palapit at muling tumingin sa'kin.

There was something in his stares that made my knees tremble. He's too serious.

"Having fun, huh?" he said sarcastically. "Let's go home"

Nilagpasan niya ako habang nanatili parin akong natuod sa kinatatayuan.