“One million dollars.”
My ears tingled. I looked at them with a grimace. “One million dollars? Aren’t you asking for too much? In the first place, why would you ask for money?” I replied, because I couldn’t take it anymore. “Mom? Can’t you stop dad?”
My teeth gritted in disappointment when mom just averted her eyes.
“Why are you like this?! You always do this! You always humiliate me in front of people! Even in front of the family of the person I love? Dad, can you just please let me marry him without anything in exchange? Just this once?” I pleaded while staring into his eyes. “Our family always makes me feel alone, unloved, and unworthy. This is the only family I experienced being the most excited to see me. Please, I’m begging you. Don’t do this to them. Don’t do this to me. This is my second time asking you for a favor; please fulfill it this time, dad.”
I know I have the right to stand for this but if he asks me to kneel down for him and beg him to make me free, I will, just to spare me and this family.
“Jothea, it’s fine. Don’t waste your tears on this. I am willing to give them what they want just so you can finally be mine,” Ismael said while holding my waist.
I shook my head while bending down to see his pleading eyes. “No, if you did that, it seems like you’re buying my love like that. That my love for you can be sufficed with money. Ismael, I don’t want it. I won’t let you.”
I ruffled his shirt. I just can’t let him do this. Maybe if he agrees, it won’t be the last time. I don’t want them to spend a lot of money just because of me. They already do a lot for me. I’m ready to be Ismael’s family without any compensation. I’m ready to give myself completely.
“Then, what else are we doing here? Just don’t invite me to your wedding if you don’t want to hear something like this again, Jothea.”
I turned to look at Dad. The way he called my name was different. It was like it was the first time he called my name.
He stood up and was about to leave when I chased him with a tight hug behind his back. “Thanks, dad.”
I can smell his scent-the scent I’ve been longing for since the day I was born. I never had a chance to be this close to him, just until now. And I never know what pushes me to embrace him like this, like he has never humiliated me in my entire life. I feel like at this moment, he heard me, and I forgot and forgave him.
“Enough,” he said firmly while gently patting my hand to let go. But the moment he removed my hand, it was the softest touch he gave me in my life. It was as if a tap of defeat.
“Jothea, your dad said let him go,” Mom whispered, but when I locked my gaze into hers, that was the time I saw a glimpse of tears in her eyes. I immediately embraced her. I don’t care if she starts hating me after this, but I want to show that I am still here; I am their daughter after many times they neglected me. I am just waiting here where they left me, hoping that they will remember they have their child waiting for them to come back. But the thought of them now looking into my eyes depicts a different meaning.
They set me free.
They finally left the Mondalla mansion and I was left at the door, watching them disappear from my sight. I just felt Ismael’s warm hand on my waist.
“I will still invite your parents to our wedding, Jothea.”
I sniffed before looking at him. He held my head and leaned it on his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist as I felt his comforting warmth.
“They will come for sure,” I replied, hoping that my parents would change their minds about me like they had earlier. I don’t want to walk in the aisle alone.
“Let’s go to my room. I’ll have you rest for a while.”
I nodded. He then carried me to his room. I really have to take some rest. I also felt in my eyes that I was about to collapse from exhaustion and crying. He hugged me as he lowered himself to my side.
He was staring at me as if he wanted to say something.
“What is it, Ismael?” I asked while smiling at him.
He shook his head. “I was just amazed by how brave you really are. I feel like I need to be that brave too.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want to be the first lady of our clan, Jothea?” he offered, which made me stunned to speak.
“You mean…”
He nods. “I just realized maybe everything will get better if I accept my destiny. Maybe it is really for me. Maybe becoming president will give me the power to protect you. I know it is a duty to fulfill for our family, but if I am given a chance, I want to accept that position for your benefit, Jothea.”
“Then do it, Ismael. If your heart tells you to do it, what’s stopping you? Do it for me; do it for yourself; do it for your family; do it for our future children.” My tears began to fall again. “You’re gonna accept this and the family tradition that we need to abide by. I think you really have to do it so we can protect our future twelve children, don’t you think?”
He nods. “Yeah, for our future children, Jothea.” He smiled when he touched our foreheads. I don’t know why I felt so happy this time. I feel like all the problems I was worrying about are gone. Everything is answered. Even the fear in my chest that I have lived with for so long suddenly disappeared. And I have nothing else to think about if not the children that I and Ismael will have because this time we have agreed that he will accept his role; that’s what I need to focus on.
The tradition of having twelve children will make the president of the clan. I don’t know if I can handle that but I’m hoping for God’s mercy to be able to give birth, so I can be a useful first lady to Ismael.
******
I slowly opened my eyes and what welcomed me was the same sight I saw yesterday night. Ismael was beside me with his elbow on the pillow; his face was on the palm of his hand.
“Good morning, my sunshine. Did you sleep well?” he greeted warmly with his sweet smile. I also smiled before nodding. If someone like this handsome greeted me in the morning, I would be happy to get up and start the beautiful day. “I have something for you.”
My forehead twitched, but when I saw what he brought me, I was amazed. “Flowers?”
“Yeah, I realized I never gave you flowers ever since we started dating. I’m sorry, just now.”
I accepted the single bouquet of daisies he gave me and smelled them. “Thank you, Ismael, but you gave me plants before, didn’t you?” I kissed him on the cheek. And as I got closer to his face, I noticed his red nose.
“Hey, don’t tell me you’re allergic to flowers, but still, you gave me this?” I pushed the flowers away from him. This guy is silly. He looks like he’s been holding back his sneeze for a while.
“It’s okay. It will go away eventually. What’s important is that I have flowers for you. Aren’t you happy?”
“I am more than happy, Ismael. I appreciate your effort. Thank you.” I kissed the tip of his nose. “But next time, don’t sacrifice your health for this, okay? I’ll be fine with artificial flowers if you really want to give me one.”
He didn’t answer. “Ismael… Are you listening?”
“Alright, Madame.”
He picked me up before taking me to the bathroom. We both took a bath together like a married couple. The flirting between us didn’t stop. I don’t know if there will be a day when we will be able to kiss only each other. I feel like, no.
After that, we walked around their vast garden. I can’t believe that such a vast land has been set foot on by my feet. The environment is so beautiful. So refreshing. The air is so fresh. So peaceful. Just looking at the trees and plants, even the flowers, makes me feel better. I can’t believe that my rough mouth and my tireless teasing of Ismael before would bring me here. It turns out that I fell for him too. He’s the one I’m going to marry.
“Why are you smiling?” Ismael asked. I turned to him, and the sunlight hit my eyes. I smiled even more when Ismael raised his hand to block it. Now I could see him more freely.
“I’m just happy to be here, Ismael, to be with you,” I replied. “We’re just walking together, but my emotions are overflowing. I’m so happy, Ismael. I feel surreal.”
“I’m glad that you’re happy. I’ve always seen you crying, and now that you’re flashing a genuine smile, I can’t help but be proud of myself because I know I am one of the reasons why you’re smiling like this.”
I nodded. “You are not just one of the reasons, but the main reason why I can smile each day. Thank you for everything, Ismael.”
He took my hand. “Thank you too.”
A long silence fell between us, but even so, I knew our hearts were talking.
“They say a grand meeting will be held after our wedding. It is to pass the presidency to me. Expect that this place will be crowded and filled by our family and families related to Mondalla,” he changed the subject.
“Oh,” was all I could say. I don’t know when I’ll get used to the life I have now. It seems like a long time ago, I was having problems with my allowance; now I’m having a strange problem with the rich. Problems I never thought I would ever have. “My social battery needs to be recharged, I guess.”
He laughed. “Definitely. Even if I know you just want yourself locked in the room, I can’t let you do that. They are expecting to see us, and I want to introduce you to the clan we will take care of.”
I nodded. “Do you think I can be of some help to you?” I asked.
He cupped my face. “Of course you are. You just need to stick by my side. That’s all.”
“And be healthy, of course,” I commented before I clung to his arm. We continued walking around their land. “Ismael, I’ve been wondering…”
“Hmm?”
“We always do it raw, but until now-”
I couldn’t finish what I was saying when the sun’s rays hit my eyes again, causing me to feel dizzy and lose consciousness. I was awakened by a woman’s voice.
“That’s why I’m here! I am still part of this family but yet you never invited me yesterday to that family dinner. Am I not a member of this family, Mikael? Because Elisse is there?!”
“Veonna, calm down. Jothea still needs to rest.”
“Shut up, Elisse. I know you’re celebrating because you finally got what you wanted. You’ve been using me since then. You always do, and I’m so stupid to be fooled by you.”
“Veonna, come on. Let’s not do this here.”
I opened my eyes, and Ismael’s worried face greeted me. He was holding my hand as he helped me get up. “Finally, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“I’m f-fine.”
I looked around Ismael’s room and saw his parents there as well as Danjer’s mom, Miss Veonna.
“Glad, she’s awake. Is the doctor here? Why would she faint? Is she pregnant already?” Miss Veonna asked one after another, causing a huge blockage in my throat.
I just heard footsteps, and the next thing was the doctor’s arrival to check and examine my condition. I could see all their faces hoping that my womb would not be empty. I also saw the big change in them and was tinged with disappointment when the doctor said that I am not pregnant.
I didn’t know when at that moment fear formed in my chest. My eyes watered as I turned to Ismael, but he still smiled at me as if to reassure me and tell me that everything was fine.
“See? Are you really sure about this girl, Ismael?” Miss Veona asked Ismael without taking her gaze off me. “You’re receiving the presidency, yet you are not sure of the woman you’re going to marry if she can give you twelve children. If you don’t want to be like your father, don’t marry someone you’re not sure about.”
I was hurt by what she said. I know Ismael and I have discussed this before, but now I feel the weight more and I can see more clearly why Ismael doesn’t want to be in this position.
“Veonna, I said enough!” Sir Mikael shouted. “Know your place.”
Miss Veonna scoffed as she turned to me. “If I were you, daughter, don’t try to enter this family. You’ll just be miserable. Until you’re married, get out. You don’t want to be used by this selfish patriarchal family,” she warned before walking out from that door.
“Don’t listen to her, Jothea,” Miss Elisse said.
“Let’s get out of here, Elisse. Let’s leave them both so Jothea can take some rest,” Sir Mikael said goodbye to Ismael and me.
Ismael and I were left in the room and while the surroundings were noisy when I woke up, they were quiet now. I sighed.
“What’s the matter, baby?” he asked me, before caressing my face. I noticed the hint of worry on his face. I shook my head.
“Remember the time when you told Danjer that I was your air?” He caressed my face. “I am your breath, Jothea. I know when you are tired from your yawns and I know when you are worried by your sighs. Are you worried about what she said?” he was referring to Miss Veonna.
“Not at all. I was more worried about your parents’ faces when they heard I wasn’t pregnant. I know they are expecting something. I was expecting it too, since we always do it; I am expecting to have a child from you,” I admitted.
“It’s not based on that, Jothea. You see, there are couples who have been together a few times and still don’t have a child. It’s not because of my sperm, or because of your egg cells collide. Children are a blessing from God. He is the one who gives people a child. So you don’t have to worry about this. God will give us twelve children if it is meant for us, if it is good for us. Understand?”
“But, Ismael… what if I end up having a problem? What if I can’t give you a child?”
“Who’s asking you to give me a child, Jothea? As long as I have you I am complete. Whether we have a child or not, I am happy. They will just be the fruit of our love, but not an obligation or a sign to prove how much love we have from each other. I love you for who you are and for who you will be in the future with me.”
“But the family tradition…”
“We still have a long way to go. Don’t think about it for now. Okay?”
“Okay.”
He kissed my forehead and in an instant, all of my worries faded away.