Broken Keys (#Wattys2016)

6th KEY

I've been in hell last night, gusto ko sanang sagutin. But instead I smiled and answered,"I retired early to bed. Napagod na kasi ako."

Sumalo sila sa table namin. Magkahawak-kamay at tila hindi mapaghiwalay. Laura was glowing and undeniably happy. Adam looked the same. And somehow, the view was killing me inside. I suddenly lost my appetite.

"I'm really thankful na pumayag ka to be our wedding singer, Aria. You were so amazing yesterday." Pinilit kong ngumiti sa compliment na binigay ni Laura. My inside twisted just the mere sight of her, her compliment worsened it.

"Wala yun," sabi ko na lang.

"Anong oras nga pala ang flight niyo?" tanong ni Damon.

"Mamayang eleven pa ng gabi. Pero nakahanda na naman kami. We're just waiting for the time," sagot ni Adam.

"I'm actually excited. I have never been in France," saad ni Laura. Gusto kong ipaikot ang mata ko sa kanya, kinagat ko na lang ang labi ko.

"You should make the most of your time there. Enjoy your honeymoon." I silently groaned at what Damon said. Bigla na lang may nag-flash na imahe sa utak ko ng isang masayang Adam at Laura habang nililibot ang France. Walking hand-in-hand along the shore of Cannes. Snuggling at a yacht's deck by the French coast. Sipping wine in Champagne or Bordeaux. Romantic candlelit dinner by the Eiffel Tower. Bahagya kong ipinilig ang ulo ko upang iwaksi ang mga isiping iyon.

"Thank you talaga, Damon. For letting us use your house in Cannes," sabi ni Adam.

"Don't mention it."

Tumayo na ako. Hindi ko na magawang ubusin pa ang pagkain ko."Mauna na ako. May appointment pa kasi ako in an hour. Ingat na lang kayo sa France."

"But it's Sunday, Aria," sabi ni Adam.

"I know. But that doesn't mean I don't have work. I gotta see Sydney and Andy later. May prerecording kasi kaming gagawin bukas plus the rehearsals pa." When I make an alibi about my work, I say it real smooth. Hindi halatang nagsisinungaling ako.

"Oh. Ganun ba. Kailan nga pala ang premiere ng show niyo?"

"Three weeks from now."

"What? So soon? Hindi ko pala mahahabol ang premiere," bigong wika ni Adam.

"Why not?" tanong ko.

"We're still in France by that time. Isang buwan kaming mag-i-stay doon."

"Oh." Ang tagal naman pala ng honeymoon nila. Magkasawaan sana sila sa pagmumukha nila doon."Pwede ka pa naman makahabol. Two months for every weekends naman ang showing namin."

"Phew, that's a relief."

"Sige, una na ako," paalam ko sa kanila. I was about to turn my back when Damon called me.

"Sabay na ako," sabi niya.

"Uh, okay." Hinayaan ko na lang siyang sumabay sakin. Matapos makapagpaalam sa dalawa ay umalis na kami.

"Sponsor ka ba nila?" tanong ko habang naglalakad kami sa lobby.

"No. My mom is."

"Nasa wedding ba ang mom mo?"

"Wala. Busy siya kaya ipinaabot ko na lang ang regalo niya sa kanila." Sumakay na kami sa elevator patungo sa parking basement ng hotel.

"Close ba kayo ni Laura?" tanong ko, out of curiousity.

"Kilala ko lang siya. Pero hindi kami close." Tumango lang ako sa sagot niya. I decided not to push the topic anymore. I might show too much interest that could expose my bitterness.