I stared at myself in front of the mirror. I refuse to let a single drop of tear ruined my make up. Today is the day, the day when Lev is going to wed. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako pumayag na pumunta. I told myself that I would never attend his wedding. Kaya nga ako nangabilang-bansa kasi umiiwas ako. But he crossed borders just to see me. Just to invite me to his wedding.Minsan naisip ko na may galit ba siya sa akin. Does he want me to suffer? Or did he assumed that I was okay with this, that I moved on? Does it look like that?Pero kahit pa anong pagkamuhi ko sa mga nangyayari, I still invited myself to be hurt. Talagang sumang-ayon akong dumalo. For what, Kaia? For respect? For you not to look pitiful?"Are you ready?" Tanong ni Kali sa akin.Mapait akong ngumiti. "Yeah.""Tara na!"Kali's invited as well. Akala ko pa nga pipigilan ako ni Kali. But no. She's supportive on my decisions. Hindi ko alam kung saan yung kasal kasi I didn't bother looking at the invitation. Kali knows.Mari
Four months later, I busied myself. I went to Italy to follow my dreams. This time, hindi tumutol si Auntie. She supported me together with Kali. Masaya ako kasi ito lang naman ang hinihiling ko sa kanya, to support me. It took a lot of obstacles just to get here and it is all worth it.Sabay na kami ni Kali pumunta ng Europe. She have a project within the area at sakto namang papunta ako dito. We stayed in the same apartment and supported each other. Si Auntie naman ay naiwan sa Pinas. I told her that she should start meeting men. She will not stay young forever."Kaia, I'll go ahead. Baka hindi agad ako makauwi mamaya so kumain ka nalang nang wala ako," paalam ni Kali."Okay, Kali. Mag-ingat ka!" I waved my hand at her."Bye!"She then closed the door behind her. Naiwan na naman akong mag-isa. Tapos na kasi yung class ko sa morning and so I have the afternoon all for myself. Napalingon ako sa bag ko ang something was peeking from the inside. Lumapit ako dito at kinuha yun. Napahint
"C-Come join us!" Utal na aya ni Kali at agad tumayo. "Kukuha lang ako ng extra plates.""Maraming salamat," ngiti ni Ms. Santos. "Pero kasi, basa kami. Nakakahiya namang umupo sa chairs niyo na parang mga basang sisiw."I blinked twice, realizing that it must be freezing for them. Fully airconditioned pa naman yung bahay. "I'm sorry for that," sabi ko at dali-daling lumapit sa AC para hinaan ito."We only have three rooms in the house," sabi ni Auntie."Okay lang. Pwede naman kaming matulog sa sala, diba?" Sagot ni Ms. Santos."No," iling ni Auntie. "I won't allow you to sleep in the living room.""You can stay in my room," presenta ko. Napalingon silang lahat sa akin. "My room is spacious enough to cater all of you. Doon nalang ako makikishare kay Kali."Tumaas ang kilay ng dalawang kapatid ni Lev. Nakangiti naman sa akin si Ms. Santos as if she's very thankful of what I've said. Si Lev naman ay napatingin sa akin na puno ng paghanga sa mga mata. What? Just because they hurt me doe
"Auntie, we need to go," sabi ni Kali.Hindi ako makagalaw. I can't seem to function well now that I saw him. Mas lalo ko nang hindi maintindihan yung nararamdaman ko. Masaya ba ako kasi nakita ko siya? Malungkot ba ako kasi alam kong hindi ko siya malalapitan. Fück!"Go? Saan?" Tanong ni Auntie habang nakahiga pa rin sa sofa. She seems really tired. Sobrang comfy na kasi ng pagkahiga niya at naabutan pa naming nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata. When she's in this state, hindi dapat namin siya dinidisturbo pero dahil sa pagmamadali, hindi na iyon naisip ni Kali. She wants us to go back home."Uwi na tayo," sagot ni Kali.Kumunot yung noo ni Auntie at napaupo, hinarap kaming dalawa. "Umuwi? Bakit? Hindi niyo ba nagustuhan yung lugar? May mga pupuntahan pa tayo bukas. It's part of the itinerary."Umiling si Kali. "The place is good, Auntie. It's one of the most beautiful places that I've been to. Pero kailangan na talaga nating umalis.""Why?" She asked. "I thought you liked it here?""We
"Are you alone?" Tanong niya.Ilang segundo din akong nakatitig sa kanya. Ano ang ginagawa niya dito? Does she needs anything from me? Wala akong maibibigay sa kanya so why is she here? "I'm sorry," iling ko. "I'm with my Auntie today. Why? May kailangan ka ba?""I wanna talk to you. It will be quick, I promise," sabi niya.Kumunot yung noo ko. "Ano?""May I take this seat?" She asked.Kahit hindi ako sigurado kung ano ang pag-uusapan namin, iginaya ko sa kanya yung bakanteng upuan na nasa harap namin. "Go ahead.""Thank you," sabi niya bago umupo. "Before we start I would like to say how beautiful you are today--""Ano po yung pag-uusapan natin?" I asked, cutting her words. She's not here to compliment me, is she? Napansin niya siguro yung pagkawalang gana ko kaya she compliments me first. Hindi niya ba ako kilala? Hindi ba nakarating sa kanya yung mga rumors kung anong klaseng tao ako? I am a snob, unfriendly, unapproachable, and definitely a person who doesn't beat around the bus
We heard the gates open. Halos magkasabay kaming napalingon dito. I heard the wheels making impact on the pebbles outside of the house. Si Auntie."Quick! Pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo!" Pagmamadali ni Kali sa akin.As I was told, I ran upstairs before Auntie could get in. Dali-dali pa akong nagbihis ng pambahay at winasak yung buhok. I immediately went to bed and covered myself with the comforter."Nasaan si Kaia? Alam kong wala siya dito!" I could hear Auntie's voice echoing in the hallways."N-Nasa silid niya lang po!" Sagot ni Kali."I am not a fool, Kali. Narinig ko na magkasama sila ng batang Laurier at nagtanan pa raw. Kaya pala you two are becoming suspiscious." Sabi ni Auntie."Nagsasabi po kami ng totoo!" Kali insisted. "Hindi pa rin niya ginalaw yung pagkain niya. Hindi din namin nakitang lumabas ng silid kaya imposibleng nakipagtanan yun.""Siguro hindi niyo napansin o di kaya'y alam niyo pero nagbubulag-bulagan lang kayo." Auntie paused. "Kapag wala si Kaia pagkabukas ko ng