Chapter 2

Wounds that are hurt immediately get healed over the course of time. But does time really heal all these wounds? What if the person whose repeatedly hurt didn't bother healing himself even if time has passed? Do we still claim that time takes over in someone's healing? The answer is no because healing is a choice. It takes courage for someone to get healed from all the pain he went through.

At kahit paulit ulit na masaktan, kapag hindi mo pipiliing maghilom ang sugat ay wala pa rin kahit lumipas na ang panahon.

Two weeks flew fast and the news about the cancelled wedding between Zachariel and Samantha has been lurking around the campus. Zachariel is one of the sought after bachelors in the country, and there's no doubt that lot of people recognize him.

Maging si Geneva na kaharap ko habang kumakain kami sa cafeteria ay pinaulanan ako ng napakaraming tanong tungkol sa kanya.

"What did really happen? May alam ka ba?"

I shrugged. "I don't know." Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain ng lasagna. Madalas akong kumain nitong nakaraang araw. No wonder why I'm increasing in weight. I held my tummy. I talked to my parents about my studies. Mag-ho-home school muna ako para sa huling semester. Kinausap ko na rin ng iba tungkol sa thesis namin. Tatlong loads na lang din naman ako. Iyong OJT ko lang ang problema ko. Saka ko na lang isipin.

"Just tell me something. I'm dying to know! I'm your friend, right?" Naningkit ang mata nito sa akin. Geneva's eyes is captivating that you wouldn't mind getting caught in it. She's the only friend I have.

"Fine! My Father acted on it. Sinabi niyang kailangan panindigan ako, at magpakasal kami or else gagawa siya ng isang bagay na hindi nila magugustuhan. He's manipulative. He could do everything however we want to. Kaya niyang paikutin ang lahat sa kamay niya. Maybe, he got something on his sleeve para pumapayag nang gano'n ang Buenavista."

"Kaya naman pala. Pero, wait, you're going to marry him?"

"Yeah. I'm going to let him taste his own medicine."

"That's marriage we're talking about, Eyah! Papaano kung may gawin siya against you?"

"He won't. Hawak siya sa leeg ni Papa."

"But you should still be careful. Ibang usapan na ang kasal."

"I know. I'm in the right age, Gen. 20 na ako. I can decide on my own."

"Are you sure with that? I'm just worried. I don't want you to keep getting hurt because of that guy."

"I won't let that happen, Gen. If he's going to play with my fire, I'll let him get burned first. Not me."

Sinamahan ako ni Gen matapos ng klase namin sa grocery store para bumili ng prutas. Puwede ko namang ipautos pero mas gusto kong ako na lang bumili. Nag reseta rin sa akin iyong OB ko ng vitamins na kaagad ko namang ininom. Regular din ang check up ko. I have to make sure everything's going well when it comes to the welfare of my child.

Sinundo naman ako ng family driver namin. Hinatid na rin namin si Gen sa kanila. When I went inside, I handed the fruits to Manang Sally who welcomed me with her gentle smile.

I wasn't surprised when I saw my parents in our dinner. They told me they have something to inform me.

"You'll be meeting with the Buenavista next week," Papa announced.

"Okay," Sabi ko na lamang. Not that I'm not interested, it's just that I already knew that it'd be coming. Ayaw niya rin na may pumutok na issue tungkol sa akin o sa amin kaya minamadali niya na ang kasal namin. While chewing, my Mother worriedly looked at me.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to accompany you last time. I have a surgery."

"Okay lang, Mama. It doesn't matter."

Sasamahan niya dapat ako sa monthly check up, pero dahil ay may surgery siya hindi natuloy.

"All of the members of Buenavistas are there," pagpapatuloy ni Papa. "You have to make an impression."

"Okay, Pa." Sandali kong naisip iyong kay Samantha. "How about his supposed to be wedding with Samantha?"

"Don't mind it. I had it handled."

"How did you do it, Pa?"

"I have my ways," aniya. Hindi na ako nag-abalang nagtanong ako. He won't spill it even if I insist.

Natapos nang matiwasay ang hapunan namin. Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising. I even went to salon, and had my nails done. I'd be meeting with his family. I just wanted to look good. I told Gen about it and she couldn't believe how it happened fast. Maging ako ay hindi rin makapinawala na ganito kabilis. My plan to make him miserable is going on my way.

I was choosing my dress on a boutique shop when I bumped someone.

"I'm sorry," I uttered. I looked up to her but I frowned when I recognized who the person was.

"S-Samantha..."

"Do I know you?"

Umiling ako. "No. You don't. For now, I mean. But one day you will. I'm Velleria. Remember me and my face." Ngumiti ako.

She looked confused.

"You're not someone worthy to remember," aniya.

"We'll see about that." Kibit balikat kong sagot. "By the way, I feel sad about your wedding."

Her eyes fired at me. Oh, Did I hit her nerve? "Who are you?"

"Told you, I'm Velleria. Nice meeting you." I was about to walk away when I heard her calling me.

"We're not yet done talking!"

"I need to go somewhere."

"You!" Turo niya sa akin.

"Why?"

"I think I know you," she stated. "I remember you. Y-Youre his ex..."

"I'm not. We were not together. It was just... Uhmm... let's say we fucked each other."

"So that means..." Her eyes lingered on my baby bump. Nahahalata na rin pala. Mag-two months na ang baby ko. That must be why.

"Yes," I replied.

"How dare you!" She was about to go to me when the security guard was alerted.

"Ma'am. Huwag po kayong manggulo," mahinahong saad nito. Akmang hahawakan niya ako muli nang humarang ang security guard at hinawakan siya sa kanyang braso.

"Ma'am."

"Don't touch me!" She hysterically said. Itinabig niya ang kamay ng lalaki.

"Oops," sabi ko. I even gave her a smile.

"May araw ka rin sa'kin!" Nanggagalaiti niyang saad.

"Can't wait for it."

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa tuluyan siyang umalis.

I smirked. Way to go, huh.

She's not even pretty, duh! I shouldn't be stressed, iyon ang sabi ng doktor ko.

Tinulungan ako ng driver namin na ilagay sa back seat ang pinamili ko. I bought designer shoes and dresses.

I wore my black dress, curled my hair and did my usual skin care routine before applying my red Issy and Co bullet lipstick. It's one of favorite local make up brands. I stared at my reflection on the mirror. My facial features were no doubt exceptional.  From my almond eyes, down to my pointed nose, my defined cheek bone, rosy cheeks even without putting blush on and heart shaped lips. I have fair skin. Namana ko sa aking ina. Every time I look at myself, I keep reminding that I'm pretty. But sometimes, I wonder if I really am because the guy I loved back then didn't even love me back. How sad it was. I was willing to offer everything I had for a guy who didn't care about me right from the start. I knew I had my faults at that time that's why I started walking away from him. I was moving on, especially when I saw them together looking happily in love. But I didn't expect I'd get a child. Ipinilig ko na lamang ang ulo ko sa naisip. If I were the girl who's still crazy over him, I would still continuously be hurt because of my insecurities.

Good thing, I'm not the same as I was before. The love I had for him shattered me. It was buried deep from the moment he denied my child's existence. He clearly said that he didn't want to own my child, and even suggested abortion. Ibang usapan na kapag ang anak ko. Kaya hindi ko hahayaan na masira ako muli ng lalaking iyon.

Nang narinig ko na ang busina sa labas at ingay ay lumabas na ako. The Buenavista are all present. His two brothers whom I thought don't give a damn thing about this matter are also here. And there he was looking at me like he was about to kill me with eyes. Nginitian ko lang siya para tuluyang maasar. He stared back at me, not wanting to let go. What does he want? Hindi ko rin inalis ang tingin sa kanya.

"Welcome to our humble home," Papa said. We prepared a simple feast tonight. Katabi ko si Mama habang si Zach ay sa harap ko katabi ang kanyang kapatid. Kaharap naman ni Papa ang kanyang ama katabi ang kanyang kabiyak. We were silently eating when it was Mr. Buenavista who broke it.

"We're happy to announce this marriage and our tied down business relationship." He even raised his glass.

Of course, business is involved. There's no way his family would agree without expecting anything in return. That's how my father also works. Maybe that was how my Father earned the favor.

Papa raised his glass too, and the rest did the same.

"When will your son accompany my daughter to her check ups?" Papa asked all of a sudden.

"My apologies, Sir as I am busy. Rest assured that I'll clear my schedule for her." Zachariel looked at me while he was giving his response. Nag-angat ako ng kilay. As if he'd do that.

"Good. Ayokong nagmumukhang kawawa ang anak ko."

"Are you still in college, hija?" Mrs. Buenavista asked.

I nodded my head. "Yes po."

"What are your plans?"

"I'll be home schooled once my baby turned four months. I'm still attending classes," sagot ko.

"Hindi ka ba mahihirapan?"

"No. I still want to finish my studies."

"That's good," aniya.

The rest of the conversations were about business until the dinner finally ended. Fortunately, naging maayos naman. Naunang nagpaalam ang mga kapatid nito habang si Zachariel ay nagpaiwan at nagsabing kakausapin daw ako.

I almost shrieked when Zachariel went near to me. Nasa balcony kami ngayon. He stared at me with his eyes piercing through my soul. I stared back.

"Do you think I'll be happy with you?"

"I don't plans spending my life being happy with you, Mr. Zachariel," tugon ko.

Nanunuya ang kanyang tingin. "Ahuh."

"Besides you don't deserve to be happy. Not even with me. If you still chose to have your relationship with Samantha, I fucking don't care. You'll still be tied with me."

"Fuck you," malutong niyang sabi.

"Calm yourself, Zachariel. I told you, I'm still not getting started. Let's see how far you'll go."

"And you think you're going to win this shitty game of yours?"

"Of course. Hawak kita sa leeg ngayon. If you try to elope with your lover, go on. I don't care. It's your reputation and your family business we're talking about."

I thought he was about to say something but to my surprise, he closed the distance. Naalerto ako roon kaya matalim ko siyang tiningnan.

"What are you doing?"

He was so close! I almost gulped when his fingers slowly touched my skin.

"Are you sure you're the only one who holds me on my neck? I'm pretty sure I also have the same on you. I play dirty, baby," he whispered in my ears.

"A-Ano ba..." Shit! This guy. "Go away." I could feel my heart racing fast.

"See? I still have this effect on you, huh," he said, amused. His fingers went to my chin.

Ganon na lamang ang gulat ko kaya marahas ko siyang tinulak. "Stop. You freak!"

He chuckled. "Remember this, we're going be damned together. Not just me. Both of us." Pinasadahan niya pa ng tingin ang buo kong katawan bago tuluyang umalis.

How dare him!

Ramdam ko pa rin ang malakas na kaba ng dibdib ko sa kanyang sinabi. How could he still have that effect on me? Pinikit ko ang sarili ko. There's no way he'd take over me.