Before We Fell Apart [Before Trilogy #2]

14

It's funny how things played out the way it did. 

If you told me a year ago that I would standing in front of a mirror, all dressed up and ready to attend a ball I never in a million years would expect myself going to, I would've never believed you. Who would anyways? Out of all people, me, the girl who only cared about her books and surviving high school, was attending prom.

I guess things change when you least expect it to. In my case, I got lucky.

Buong akala ko dadaloy ang buhay high school ko ng maayos, mapayapa, walang ganap, normal, ngunit ang kabaligtaran ang nangyari. Para ngang bumaliktad bigla ang buong mundo ko.

Having Anika as my friend was enough, but then came Austin and Chase. 

I thought I was fine by my own, then the universe gave me Marcus. 

I was happy, but life gave me so much more. 

And I was thankful. So thankful. Sometimes, I still wonder if I deserved any of this at all. 

May mahinang katok na nanggaling sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Bumukas ito at pinakita si Mama na nakasuot ng ngiti sa kanyang labi. 

Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Dalagang-dalaga ka na talaga." 

I felt my cheeks heating up. She was acting like she was seeing me in the dress for the first time when she was the one who helped me pick my outfit for tonight. 

Umawang ang labi ko ng makitang nanubig ang gilid ng kanyang mga mata. "Ba't ka umiiyak, Ma? Makakasama 'yan sa 'yo, e." 

"These are happy tears, love," she giggled lightly. "Lumalaki ka na talaga. Parang dati lang akay-akay pa kita sa mga kamay ko, ngayon pupunta ka na sa prom, malapit na grumaduate ng highschool, may boyfriend." 

Lumapit ako sa kanya at inakap siya ng mahigpit. "You know I'll be with you no matter how old I get."

"Well I hope I can tell you the same," she smiled sadly. "Sana maabutan pa ni Mama lahat ng magiging achievements mo, 'no?"

"Of course, Ma," I assured her, hating where the conversation was heading. 

"Alam mo namang sakitin at nagkaka-edad na si Mama—" 

"Let's not talk about that, okay? What's important is you're healthy now," I cut her off. 

Mama wasn't the healthiest person. Kahit pa dati, sakitin na siya. We had to be extra careful when it came to her that's why Papang preferred that she stay at home with us. Natatanggap naman niya lahat ng kailangan niya para maging malusog. Siya lang talaga 'tong mahilig pangunahan ang lahat.  

She laughed like it was nothing. "Mas mabuti nang handa na kayo. Life is short, diba?" 

"But yours will go on for long, so stop thinking like that," I reprimanded her. "Stop crying, okay? You're gonna make me cry, too."

Humiwalay siya sa yakap ko at hinawi ang buhok ko. "Naghihintay na sa baba si Marcus." 

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba at sumilip muli sa salamin. Pinagmasdan ko muli ang sariling nakasuot ng gintong bistida. Magugustuhan niya kaya ang itsura ko ngayon? Hindi naman kasi ako nag-aayos ng ganito. Baka bigla siyang manibago sa'kin. Ayoko namang mailang siya sa'kin dahil kakaiba 'yung porma ko ngayon kontra sa karaniwang ayos na nakikita niya. 

"Oh, ba't ka nanaman nakasimangot?" tanong ni Mama. 

"Ayos naman itsura ko, diba?" 

"You underestimate your beauty too much, Jillian," she frowned. "Manang-mana ka sa ganda ng Mama, okay? Wala ka dapat ikabahala."