Fated Stars

THIRTY-EIGHT

Everything happened that night smoothly. Everyone was happy. Axel is happy. And I am more than happy than I usually do at every birthday party I attend.

"So? Kailan ang kasal?"tanong ni kuya Zoren nung nasa iisang table na kami

Agad naman akong nabulunan sa kinakain ko dahil doon. Napansin kong ganon din si kuya kaya natawa sa kaniya ang fiancé niya.

"Ano ba yan,Zoren?! Hindi nga muna pwede yan"angal ni kuya

Binigyan ako ng table napkin ni A kaya ngumiti ako sa kaniya at tinanggap 'yon. I watched his reaction and expected him to feel pressure but I saw nothing. He feels relaxed right now.

"Dadating din naman yan dyan, Xy. Hindi na bata si Xianna"natatawang saad ni kuya Zoren

Masama akong tinignan ni kuya ngayon kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Tumawa naman sila dahil doon habang naiinis pa din si kuya sa mga asar nila.

"Uulitin ko ah, wag kang sumapaw Xy, kaila ang kasal?"

Ngayon ako naman ang masamang tinignan si kuya Zoren. He just smirk. Tahimik silang lahat na naghihintay sa amin.

Tinignan ko si A. I don't know about him. Hindi naman ako ang magpopropose no! Tsaka mahirap pumunta sa ganyan lalo na sa trabaho ko. Maraming issue.

"When Xianna's ready. She's not telling me anything though but I think she still has something to take care of , right love?"he said straightly, not even a hint of nervousness in his voice was there

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Pinagpatuloy ko ang kinakain ko nang magtanong na naman sila.

"What? Ano pang kailangan Xianna? You already introduced him to your whole family? What do you need to take care of? Maybe we can help?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako at umirap. They're too excited for my wedding! Parang gustong-gusto na nilang ikasal ako! May kasal pa nga si kuya eh!

"Work. You all know my work, I still have to take care of that and I'll handle it all by myself"I said with a straight face

They know me. They know that if I want to do something by myself,they have no choice but to let me be.

Lumalim ang gabi at ang mga malalapit naming pamilya ay isa-isa na ding nagkainan. Nakikihalubilo.

"Xianna"kaway sa akin ni Dustin habang papalapit sa amin ngayon

Tumayo ako at sinalubong siya. I gave him a quick hug kasi baka magselos yung nasa likod. Kakakalas ko lang sa yakap ay nasa gilid ko na agad siya at agad na pinulupot ang kamay sa akin.

Dustin chuckled,"Chill"

Medyo tinaas niya pa ang dalawang kamay na para bang ayaw niyang makipag-away.

"I just need to talk to both of you. I have something I needed to say"he said with a smile

Nagkatinginan kami ni Axel at tumango. Pumunta kami sa garden para makapag-usap kami ng kami-kami lang.

Dustin let out a violent sigh before facing us straightly.

"Uhmm first of all, I woul like to say sorry to you, Xianna. I'm sorry for my wrong doings. I'm sorry for forcing myself onto you. I'm sorry for all my secrets and lies. I'm sorry for putting your life in danger then"he said full of sincerity and slightly bow

I would never forget what Dustin did. I once did but I will not let it happen the second time. But I don't think that time will not come anymore. He looked regretful but at the same time free. It was like he's relieved that finally he had the courage to move forward.