KABANATA 4

Hurt

I got home and pressed my hand to my temple because of everything that happened tonight. I couldn't even count how many dramas I get involved with.

And the moment I got home, Inay kept checking on me.

"Aif! Jusko, kala ko ano na nangyari sa'yo, babaita ka. I'm so worried, Aify dear..."

"A-ayos lang ako! Ano ka ba, Ma."

And I actually stuttered.

"Magpahinga ka na, anak. May trabaho ka tomorrow?"

"Yes, Ma." I said and mom just nodded.

"Oh sige at matulog ka na para may lakas ka pa bukas ng umaga."

I headed to my room upstairs.

"Gosh... so kapagod!" I said and lay down on the bed.

‘Why? Why did my fiancé do that... pangit na pangit ba talaga ako at makuha pang mag-stab sa likod ko?’

I questioned my worth. Did I do something in the past to deserve this?

I don’t know.

The next thing I knew, I had already fallen asleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I felt so heavy.

I went downstairs and saw that mom wasn’t there. I found a piece of paper and read it.

To: Aifia and Aifie

Anak,

May niluto akong pagkain diyan sa lamesa at magpakabusog kayo, okay? Me and your father are on a business trip. Have fun with your fiancé and huwag magpapalipas ng gutom!

Send regards to your sister too.

From: Mom and Dad

I smiled while reading the note they left for me and also to my older sister. At least my parents love me so much. Not like my fiancé...

Speaking of my fiancé, I should update him about what I’m doing right now.

I checked my phone and it was already 8:30am. I still had two hours.

My little bunny💞: Hey Arthur, sorry at ngayon lang naka-update. Umuna na kasi ako at kailangan ni Mama na umuwi ako ng maaga. Want me to cook for you something? If you want, I’ll go to our apartment! :)

So I cooked his favorite, sinigang na isda. I put it in a tupperware and placed it in my lunch bag. I'm so excited!

"Where are you going, bunso?"

My ate Aifie yawned and I instantly remembered the scene I saw last night. And I bit my bottom lip.

"To me and Arthur's apartment. Doon na ako kakain kasama fiancé ko."

And I left without another word.

I drove my pink car and parked at the nearest parking lot.

I knocked and went inside.

"Arthur! I'm here."

I shouted but got no response.

I checked his room and found him there, sitting and struggling with his tie.

I sighed and went to him to fix it.

"Bakit wala ka kahapon rito?" He asked.

"Mom needs my help. Doon ako nagpalipas ng gabi."

And I finally finished fixing his tie. It looked good!

"Eat before you go to work, Arthur."

And I showed him the food I cooked.

"Ayaw ko niyan. Sa labas na lang ako kakain, Aifia."

And he just turned his back on me.

"Just one bite, Arthur! It won't hurt, you know?"

I was about to feed him when he threw it on the floor.

"I said I don't want that!"

And he slammed the table.

The flower vase I placed there shattered and he walked out.

I even heard him say "Fuck this" as I listen to his footsteps walk farther and farther away.

I felt sad and upset.

I stared at the food I worked hard to cook for him, wasted just like that.

I cleaned it up and picked up the broken flower vase. I winced in pain because my fingers got cut and my blood was flowing fast.

After I cleaned his room, I sat down on the sofa. I just stared blankly at the ceiling.

At how cold he is now. He wasn’t like this when our parents first introduced us. How much he’s changed.

I checked my phone and it was already eleven. I needed to get ready for my afternoon shift.

I took a shower and fixed myself up. My older sister taught me how to be lovable sometimes so I learned how to use makeup.

I also wore my usual outfit. A white t-shirt with black stripes and baggy jeans.

I curled my hair too. Simple as that.

I grabbed my work uniform and locked our apartment.

"This is exhausting..." I complained when I arrived at my workplace.

You might be wondering why I’m working when my parents are millionaires?

Well, I want to live a simple life until I get married to Arthur. I want to be free, even if it’s just for a short time.

"Look who's here! Our dazzling Aifia!"

My manager ran to me and gave me a warm hug.

"It's good to see you again! How are you?"

I smiled as Cyrus shook my hand and greeted them warmly.

"Same as usual. How about you, Eliza? How are you and your husband, I mean."

I giggled.

"Hmph! Hindi kami bati niyan!"

I saw her pouting as her husband approached.

"Honey naman eh... it's not what you think it is, my love..."

He kissed her on the forehead but she still looked upset.

"Ano ba kasi ang ginawa mo at nagalit siya, Cyrus?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Inabutan ko lang ng order ang babae. Yun lang."

She hit him on the back.

"Yun lang?! Tinawag mo siyang princess!"

I just laughed at them.

"Pangalan niya yun, honey."

I just facepalmed at their relationship.

Good for Eliza, her husband loves her so much.

While me, I’m being cheated on, and with my own sister...

"Haynako! Stay strong na lang sa inyo."

And I put on my uniform.

Eliza and I have been besties my whole life and same to Cyrus. He loves her so much that he courted her for thirteen years. She’s the opposite of me. So strong.

"What's your order—huh?!"

I dropped my pen.

"Bakit, Ai?!" sigaw ni Eliza.

It's him!