Serendipity (Dauntless Series #3)

Chapter 18

TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE

Our relationship was a mistake and I would give everything to go back in time where my life haven't met Rainier yet. I should've known the moment he approached me. My life was fine before he came and now, he's practically the reason for me wanting to end it.

I remember when he brought me to his nephew's birthday last April. Wala akong kilala sa mga kamag-anak niya bukod kay ate Nora kaya naman sa kaniya ako sumama nang umakyat si Rainier sa kwarto niya. I told his cousin that I have a gift to give to their nephew so she walked me to the table where Rainier's older sister is sitting with her friends.

"Ate Cynthia, may ibibigay daw si Guia para kay Paul."

She looked baffled at first, but when she saw me standing in front of her, she sighed then nodded. She doesn't know me yet because it's our first time meeting each other. I surveyed the entire table until my eyes stopped at Rainier's ex. She's sitting next to her Mom, looking beautiful with her spaghetti strap dress. Her long straight hair grabbed my attention. I gulped.

Inabot ko ang regalo sa pamangkin ni Rainier at ngumiti. Akala ko ay makakaalis na ako ngunit pinigilan kami ni ate Cynthia. I thought she doesn't want to talk to me. Nasanay na kasi ako sa pamilya niyang dinededma lang ako sa tuwing pumupunta ako sa bahay nila. Not that they're obligated to talk to me.

"Come, have a seat. Madami pang bakanteng upuan."

Nagkatinginan kami ni ate Nora. Sa huli ay napagpasyahan kong tumabi sa kanila. Hindi naman nila siguro ako kakainin nang buhay.

"Ikaw ba 'yung babaeng hinatid ni Rainier sa Ayala noong Lunes? Bigla na lang kasi siyang umalis sa kalagitnaan ng dinner. Buti tinext niya ako." sabi ng babae sa tabi ko. Hindi ko siya kilala ngunit sumagot pa rin ako dahil ayoko namang maging bastos.

That's weird. We didn't go out last Monday because I have a photoshoot. Maybe she mistook me for someone else. I admit, it bothered me but I didn't let it get inside my head.

"Hindi po ako 'yun..."

I faked a smile. The table went crazy when Rainier's ex-girlfriend suddenly stood up and went in front. She picked up the microphone on her side and talked to the DJ. Mas lalong naghiyawan ang mga tao nang nagsimula siyang kumanta. I saw Rainier's sisters cheering for her. I get it now. They don't like me for their brother because of his ex-girlfriend. My existence won't change their bond. They must have been really close when she and Rainier were still together.

"Nako, 'yung past at present nagsama..."

Hindi ako nag-angat ng tingin. Alam kong kami ng ex-girlfriend ni Rainier ang tinutukoy nung babae. I breathed deeply before standing up. I feel suffocated in this place.

I tried to forget that day. Pleasing people is the last thing I should do. I learned my lesson and it's time to bury those in the back of my mind.

Nagkayayaan ang mga kaklase namin na magswimming dahil pagkatapos ng graduation ay may kaniya-kaniya na silang plano para sa bakasyon. I will have my vacation in the Caribbean with Gustin and Tita Odette for two weeks. Aalis kami pagkatapos ng graduation ceremony. Sheena will spend her summer days in Greece, Gwyneth will go to Indonesia while Verona will stay in Bicol.

Napagpasyahan naming magswimming sa Fortune Island sa Nasugbu, Batangas. Overnight iyon. Hindi sana papayagan si Verona ng mga magulang niya kaya kinailangan pang kumbinsihin ng Dad ni Gwyneth ang mga ito. Magaling din kasi iyong mangchika. Sa tuwing pumupunta kami sa bahay nila ay puro lang kami tawa. He knows how to keep us entertained.