Prologue

"UKININANA kitdi ti kastoy nga biag, makauma!" I exclaimed in jest, causing me to roll my eyes.

The Serene and Loud Restobar was bustling with activity as I made my way through the crowd. The restaurant was situated beside the pristine waters of Moalboal, and the sound of the waves mingled with the chatter of the patrons. I greeted the regulars with a smile and a wave, knowing most of them by name after a decade of working there.

"Who is it now?" I asked April as she followed my steps. "Bakit kailangan pa ako roon?"

We are walking our way to the VIP floor to attend to some guests. Inayos ko ang neck tie kong kulay asul.

"It's Sir Almerino," Avril replied, and my heart skipped a beat.

"S-sinong Almerino?" I stuttered. "Si Koko?"

"Not Koko, but Jacques Almerino," Avril clarified, her voice tinged with excitement. "Kanina pa nakapag-out si Koko."

My mind raced as I tried to process the news. Sandali akong natigilan ngunit hindi ako nagpahalata kay Avril. Kinalma ko ang aking sarili. Jacques was my ex-husband, and I thought I had moved on from him. But the thought of seeing him again made my heart race.

As Avril and I continued our steps to the VIP room, I heard her teasing voice. "Akala ko ba moved on ka na sa ex-husband mo? Bakit ka affected?"

Napangiwi ako sa komento niya. Huminto ako. "Correction, ex-husband. Matagal na kaming hiwalay." Inikutan ko siya ng mata.

"Sabi ko nga," aniya ngunit may himig ng panunukso ang mga tingin niya.

I didn't say anything more. We entered the VIP room to find Jacques and his fiancée, Faith, waiting for us. I kept my eyes trained on the ground, avoiding Jacques' gaze.

Wala kang dapat na ikatakot dahil hiwalay ka na sa kanya. Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

"Sir Jacques, Miss Faith. Narito na po ang manager namin, si Miss Jenalyn Salas."

"Good evening, sir, madam," bati ko sa kanila.

"Hi! It's so good to see you!" Faith exclaimed, running to kiss me on the cheek. Nagngitian kami. Muli kong iniwasan ang mga titig ni Jacques.

I looked around the room and couldn't help but notice the decorations: white and pink balloons, heart-shaped bulbs and buttons, and a light-up sign that read "MARRY ME." The sight made my heart ache, knowing that I had once been in Faith's shoes.

Sinubukan kong panatilihing kalmado ang aking sarili habang tinutugunan ko ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, ngunit ang aking isip ay nasa dalawang taong pinagsisilbihan ko.

"Have you hired someone to play the piano?" si Faith, aliw na tinititigan ang dati kong asawa. Ipinaghihiwa siya nito ng steak na kalalagay ko lang sa harap niya.

"I hired a friend who'll play at our wedding," he said in his deep and calm voice. Pinigilan kong mapatitig sa kanya. Sinalinan ko ng wine ang dalawang baso na nasa harap nila. They tossed the wine and giggled in front of me.

At tila tukso na naririnig ko pa ang mga sumunod na usapan nila, ang tungkol sa venue ng kasal at kung sinu-sino ang mga imbitado-isang kasal na dapat ay akin.

Paglabas ko ng VIP room, hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng matinding panghihinayang. Hinayaan kong makawala si Jacques, at ngayon ay nagpakasal na siya sa iba. Ngunit alam kong kailangan kong magpatuloy sa buhay. I also need to find my happiness.

I walked back to the main restaurant, and I heard the sound of the waves, which provided a soothing sound to my thoughts.

"Let go of him and let fate decide," I whispered to myself, hoping that someday I would also find my own happy ending.