"Happy birthday, daddy!" I greeted my father. It was his birthday so we went to one of Brooke's family's resort to celebrate. Kasama ko ang pamilya ko pati na rin ang pamilya nila Brooke sa pag-celebrate ng birthday ni daddy.Matagal nang magkaibigan ang daddy ko at daddy ni Brooke. I heard that they were best of friends since then. 'Yon din siguro ang rason kung bakit naisipan nilang ipagkasundo kaming mga anak nila.Anak!" My dad hugged me and the kids. Sabay kaming pumunta dito nina Brooke. We decided to take one car and he drove for us. Though hindi ko pa rin siya kinakausap. Ayoko pa.These kinds of things only exist in movies — that's what I thought. I mean, arranged marriages and all that are too old-fashioned. Hindi dapat pinipili ng mga magulang kung sino dapat ang makakasama ng mga anak nila sa buong buhay nila. At the end of the day, they wouldn't be the one who'll spend it.But at the same time as I believed that, I couldn't help but to ponder upon the things that could've
HIS POV"Sorry, sorry---" her gaze went up to me and she halted.We were looking into each other's eyes when suddenly, she looked away. And I saw how pain glimmer in the depths of her eyes. It has been two weeks since I last saw her. It was in the wedding. I wanted so bad to go to her but I asked myself, why would I? It's not like she's still my wife. And that thought still isn't enough for me to not think about going to her but I held myself tighter."You can go inside first," I said, staring at her.She didn't say anything and just entered the café. Napakunot pa ang noo ko nang mapansin ang mga in-order niya. It was really unhealthy. And what, beer? Early in the afternoon? Seriously?"That's unhealthy," I said."I'll mind my own business if I were you," she said.Nagsungit pa nga.I didn't know that she can be this cold! And whether I admit it or not, I was bothered by it!Erina was already there when I arrived so I just had to sit and eat.I kept on glancing on their table and when
"Great show!" Kaagad na lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ko nang salubungin ako ng yakap ni Drianna. "Your collection is so gorgeous! As expected from a Renesmee Xin Hades.""Thank you for coming, Dri," nakangiting sabi ko.Katatapos lang ng event and I'm currently here in New York to showcase my work since isa ako sa mga designers na napili para ibahagi ang mga gawa ko."You owe me a dress, okay? That compliment wasn't free," nagtawanan kaming dalawa.I'm a fashion designer and I can say that I already made a name for myself. Kilala na ako at ang mga gawa ko dahil may iilang mga international artists na rin ang nagsuot ng mga 'yon.And I'm proud. Natupad ko rin ang matagal ko nang pinapangarap. I've been only dreaming and working hard for these years ago but now that I'm actually where I am right now, it all felt so surreal."Oh, I heard you're going back to the Philippines the day after tomorrow?" Untag ni Drianna. "C'mon, Renesmee, can't you sta
"What?! Are you insane?!" Cleina, my best friend, exaggerated. Sinabi ko sa kanya ang napag-usapan naming dalawa ni Daddy noong isang linggo at hindi na 'ko nagulat sa naging reaksyon niya."Renesmee, you're talking about marriage here. Marriage! Your life will be pretty miserable because of that stupid choice of yours! God! Why are you so reckless?!""I just don't want to disappoint my parents, Cleina," I sighed."You don't always have to think of how your parents would react to something, Renesmee!" May iilang mga costumer ang napatingin sa aming dalawa dahil halos sigawan niya na 'ko. Parang gusto ko tuloy na lumubog sa kinauupuan ko. Nakakahiya."Renesmee, marriage is a big thing! It's not just something you can enter and get yourself out whenever you feel like! And let me remind you, hindi pwede ang divorce rito sa Pilipinas!" Mahabang litanya niya pa. Napainom ako sa juice ko na nasa lamesa."Annulment," I shrugged. Cleina gaped a
"Ba't ang tahimik mo naman ata?" Cleina suddenly asked and I shook my head."Mag-bestfriend lang ba talaga silang dalawa?" Tanong ko.Kumunot naman ang noo niya, "Oo, bakit?"She looked suspicious of something so I answered quickly, "Ang close lang nila. Akala ko nga kanina may something sa kanila."She smiled, "Ganun lang talaga sila."Hindi na kami nagtagal at nagpaalaman na lang din. She said she had to do something so we decided to go home."By the way, Renesmee, baby," mom called me, "We've already decided on the date of your wedding. It'll be a month from now. I think you and your fiancé have to talk about the details of your wedding, sweetie."At the mention of our wedding, a thing crossed my mind, "Mom, can we do the wedding outside the country?" I asked. I was hoping that she'd agree to it. Napaisip kasi ako sa sinabi ni Cleina. This is a loveless marriage and it's already given that my life will be
"You're beautiful," mom said and I just smiled. Today will be our wedding and the makeup artist is fixing my makeup. She used shades of brown for my makeup. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng mga palad ko habang inaayusan ako ng m"What's next?" Mom asked."I'll fix her hair," the makeup artist answered. I was just sitting in front of her. She decided to do a messy bun for my hair. She also added a few accessories on the bun."You can wear your gown now," she said after she finished fixing my hair. I smiled at her before standing up to wear my gown. I didn't invite any of my friends. This isn't just the kind of wedding they'll be glad to attend to. I'll invite them once I'll marry a man who'll love me until his last breath. I can see it. In the near future, Brooke will get a divorce.I wore my gown. It was beautiful but I just couldn't feel it. Maybe this is how it feels to marry someone you don't love.
"We want a grandchild as soon as possible, Brooke," his mother said. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa pero nag-iwasan lang din ng tingin. This is awkward. Really awkward.Are they expecting me to have kids with a... stranger? I barely even know him! Bukod sa pangalan niya at sa kaalamang gago siya, wala na 'kong alam sa kanya!"Happy honeymoon!" Our parents said before driving away. We were left alone. We were in one of their rest house to celebrate our 'honeymoon'.We were silent when he walked to the sofa and laid down, "Happy honeymoon... Yeah, right," he scoffed.I rolled my eyes before walking to the kitchen to check the fridge. I saw a can of soda so I took it before drinking it. The kitchen was complete with cooking utensils and appliances so I decided to bake chocolate chip cookies. I was planning to have midnight snacks later.I tied my hair to a bun before getting the materia
"Kasal ka na?!" Cleina freaked out. "And you didn't invite me! That's unfair!" She sat back on her seat."Sorry," I smiled apologetically. "I just thought that it wasn't the kind of wedding that you'd want to attend to," I said."Are you kidding me?" She asked unbelievingly, "Maybe it was, but you're my friend! And I don't want to miss your wedding on top of all things!""Sorry," I said.She sighed, "So? How's your married life?" She asked.My married life? It was fine, I guess. I mean, wala namang masyadong ganap. Minsan nga hindi kami nagpapansinan. We were both busy with work. He was managing their company while I was busy helping my parents with some things. Halos wala namang bago."Married life is okay," I just said. I snorted when I smelled something horrible. "What is that god-awful smell?" I asked covering my nose.