AS1: RISK [✔]

18

Chapter 18
Zari

"Zari, wala kaming magagawa diyan. It's your Tito's decision. Anak nya si Syrine. Bawal tayong makialam," Papa said, nalulungkot na rin para kay Syrine.

I told my parents about Syrine's situation. Nalulungkot kasi ako para sa kanya. She has a boyfriend. Base sa reaksyon nya, halatang sobra ang pagmamahal na meron sya sa jowa nya ngayon kesa sa mga naging jowa nya noon. It's so obvious that she was already being treated right by a man she loves right now.

Pero, bakit ganoon? Why does destiny keep on testing the path we take? It was just like a road that keeps on shaking just to test you or just to break your faith.

Destiny is cruel.

I just slept with Milo that night. Niyakap ko sya ng maigi para mabawasan yung lungkot na nararamdaman ko ngayon. I really felt so helpless. I wanted to help Syrine in a way that I can.

I also told Gin about Syrine's situation. I wanted to ask for his help. Alam ko kasi na yung pamilya nila ay gusto sa ideya na magpakasal sa isang taong hindi nila mahal. I wanted to ask for his advice on how he tell his parents that he's not up for it.

He smiled sadly. "Love, my parents are not really into that kind of thing. Yung gusto lang nila ay maging masaya ako. That's why they won't force me into marrying someone I don't love."

Napahinga ako nang malalim. "I wanted to help my cousin, love."

"I know," ngumiti si Gin at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Just give her some time. Let her think about the other plans that might help her."

"Paano kung wala syang maisip na paraan?"

Gin looked away. "Then, that means she doesn't have many choices at all."

Dahil sa sinabi ni Gin, natakot ako lalo para kay Syrine. I always cheered her up everyday we had a time to hang out. Ganoon rin naman ang ginagawa nila Suji at Reign. We're really so sad for her.

I also can see that Syrine was avoiding her boyfriend. When I asked her why she just told me that she still can't tell him about it yet. Naintindihan ko naman sya kaya tumango nalang ako sa kanya. I also told her that if she can't handle the pressure anymore, we'll help her carry it up.

"Gin, are you okay?" I asked Gin.

Nakaupo sya ngayon sa bench. He was staring deeply at his food. Parang walang balak kainin ito. Nang malaman nyang nandito ako, nagbago kaagad ang mood nya. From the blank expression to a light mood.

Naguluhan ako sa inakto ni Gin. "Are we okay?" I asked when I already sat down beside him.

Ngumiti sya at binigay sa akin ang isang sandwich. Nagpasalamat naman kaagad ako pagkatanggap ko nito. He sighed. "Just a family problem, love."

Nakatitig pa rin ako sa mukha ni Gin. "Are you sure?" hinawakan ko ang kamay nya. "You look stressed."

"Yeah," he chuckled. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. How about you, love? Si Syrine? Okay na ba sya?"

Napansin kong iniiwasan ni Gin na pag-usapan ang tungkol sa kanya kaya binago ko na lamang ang topic. I just updated him about Syrine's situation. Napapatango na lamang sya habang nagkukwento ako. He's just listening while eating sandwich.

"I'm sure that she'll tell my cousin about that soon. Let's just wait for her decision." Gin said.

I sighed. "Oo naman. Alam kong sasabihin nya talaga sa susunod kasi yun naman talaga ang dapat nyang gawin pero paano kung..." hindi ko matuloy ang sasabihin ko at napabuntong-hininga na lamang.

Ngumiti si Gin at hinawakan ang kamay ko bago hinaplos ito nang marahan. "Just trust Syrine. I know she can handle this one."

Napatango na lamang ako. I'm also frustrated on Syrine's situation. Paano kasi kung hindi aayon ang tadhana sa gusto nya diba? All I just wanted was to see my cousins happy. Sa pamilyang meron kami, mahirap maging masaya.