Chapter 2: Betrayal

Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan habang nanatiling nakatingin sa kanila, hindi alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon sa hindi kalayuan. Ilang beses ko pang pinaulit sa isip ang nadinig.

I bitterly scoffed in disbelief when his words seemed to finally sink in.

What?

As I looked at the woman, Chel, who was smiling politely to the old man in front of her, my grip on the glass of wine tightened and tried to stop the rush of emotions from spilling out. I couldn’t move. My heart was filled with anger and betrayal. As I turned my gaze on Arkin, his calm demeanor only fueled my rage. My whole body is trembling as I glared at them.

I couldn’t feel pain—it’s anger that’s consuming me.

Because the woman with him was my best friend.

The best friend I never f*cking thought would betray me.

Ilang beses kong nilagok ang wine na hawak at kumuha pa ng tatlong baso. I can feel a burning sensation as the alcohol passes down my throat, nakararamdam na rin ako ng hilo dahil hindi naman ako palainom. Ito ang pangalawang beses na nakatikim ako ng alak kaya hindi ko pa alam ang pakiramdam na malasing.

I remained seated, drinking, until I could no longer hold the taste of the liquor. Lumapit ang mga kamag-anak ni Arkin sa kanila para batiin si Chel. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natatawa ngayong nagagalit at nasasaktan ako. Maybe because I’ve gotten used to dealing with my struggles alone, laughing as if I don’t need someone else’s shoulder.

Tila hindi ko kayang paniwalaan ang lahat. Iyong kaibigang tinuring kong isa sa mga importante sa akin at ang lalaking akala ko mahal ako ay harap-harapan akong niloko.

Nilapitan nila Arkin ang lalaking nakatitigan ko kanina para ipakilala ang babaeng girlfriend niya raw. Nadinig kong pinsan pala ito ni Arkin, pero hindi niya ito tunay na kadugo dahil anak ito sa unang asawa ng tita niya. I’m glad they don’t share the same blood. Such handsomeness shouldn’t be marred by the blood of jerks.

The man was named Viscenzo Yezekael Ferratero. That name is uniquely something. I traced my eyes on them once again, to my surprise, Viscenzo looked at me for the second time. Sa pagtingin niya sa ’kin ay nabaling din ang atensyon nila Arkin at Chel sa direksyon ko. Nagulat sila nang makita ako, habang ako ay nanatiling nakatitig sa kanila, hindi alam kung anong dapat na maging reaksyon sa halu-halong emosyon.

I want to burst out in anger, disappointment, and pain because I feel so f*cking betrayed. I was left with a heavy silence that felt suffocsting and holding back the words I wanted to spit. I want to walk towards them, slap those two, and leave a mark on their faces—but I’m not the type to cause a scene in front of many people just to ruin my name.

I may be impulsive sometimes but I still have dignity in myself. My sanity is too important to lose over a useless man.

My fists balled discreetly, restraining from making them land on the jerks when they walked towards me. I should’ve left the moment I saw them, but I was honestly thrilled from joining the event that I’m not supposed to be part of. I took a sip of my wine once again and didn’t pay attention when the two came near.

“You’re here,” Arkin greeted, giving me a cocky smile.

“Who is she?”

Nagsimula namang magbulungan ang mga kamag-anak nila nang lapitan ako ng dalawa. Seconds were quick enough for me to gain everyone’s attention, kesyo kaninong anak daw ba ako, parte ba ako sa reunion ng pamilya nila, anong trabaho ko at ng mga magulang ko, at kung ano-ano pa na wala naman akong pakialam.

“Mavi?” Saglit akong napalingon sa likod matapos marinig ang pangalan.

Bakit ko nga ba nakalimutang mayroong pinsan si Arkin na alam ang patungkol sa relasyon namin? Tila kararating lang nito at sinalubong siya ng ganitong sitwasyon.

“OMG, ikaw nga! How are you, girl? Do you still remember me?” Lumapit siya sa akin, hinawakan ang magkabilaang balikat ko. She was full of excitement while heading towards me. Sa lahat ng taong narito, tingin ko siya lang ang nag-iisang taong masaya nang makita ako. Nakilala ko siya sa isang restaurant noong araw na lumabas kaming dalawa ni Arkin.

Takang tumingin siya sa pinsan niya’t sa kasama nitong babae. “Is she your girlfriend?” Naguguluhang tanong nito sa lalaki. Hindi pa man siya nakakakuha ng sagot ay muli itong tumingin sa akin, bakas ang pag-aalala. “But, isn’t Mavi your girlfriend?”

“We already broke up,” Arkin simpered. “Besides, no one will like a gold digger. She’s only after my money.”

The taste of bitterness lingered as I clicked my tongue. I clenched my jaw, refraining myself from sewing that arrogant mouth in front of me.

This guy is proud of being a cheater.

Malinaw na sa akin kung bakit niya ako inimbitahang pumunta rito at hindi na nag-reply pa. Hindi dahil para ipakilala sa mga magulang niya, kundi para ipahiya sa harap nila.

He wants to show off to his family by humiliating me.

The murmurs started to become insults. Bakit pa raw ako narito kung hiwalay na kami ni Arkin, telling me I do not belong here because this is a family reunion and I’m not one of them.

Well, that was partly true. I do not belong to these arrogant people who were enslaved by money, feeling superior just because they can buy everything with their wealth.

Ininom ko ang natitirang wine sa hawak kong baso at sinuklay ang buhok. My vision is getting blurry, my head is already spinning as if I will pass out at any moment but I still managed to stand.

He f*cking wants to gain attention, it would be an honor to help him this time. I don’t want to leave with nothing but humiliation.

This should be the most memorable reunion they’ll ever have.