"I cannot promise you anything but I will try my best to be a good partner. If you love or fall in love with someone else by chance, remember, you can break my heart."
We were both hopeless, both coward. Franco's just my mirror. He is everything I am. Pareho naming alam na kung hindi sa pamilya, maaaring wala kami sa posisyon ngayon.
"You don't have to worry about breaking my heart, just do me a favor and protect yours."
I lost my balance while doing a pirouette. Everything he said kept replaying in my head.
Sa inis ay inulit ko ang buong routine. Mas nagpokus ako sa salamin para panoorin ang sarili. I didn't stop until I started to look like a feather dancing with the wind.
Isang linggo na ang nakaraan pagkatapos ng gabing 'yon. Hanggang ngayon, sa tuwing tahimik ang paligid ay naiisip ko pa rin ang sinabi niya, ang lahat ng nangyari.
He had no idea how relieved I was to know that I am not the only person trying to be a good partner, kasi siya rin. That one night was enough to prove me he's doing his best to be a good man for me, too.
My feet dropped after a Grande Jete when someone behind clapped. Napahinto ako at inaninag ang babae sa salamin.
Ciana in her moss green long dress is holding a tote bag. She waved her hand. I smiled at her through the mirror before turning my back to face her.
Walang ibang tao sa ballet studio kung hindi ako. Thank heaven for sending an angel!
"Hindi ka dumaan sa cafe last week. Are you not planning to visit me this week too?"
"I was busy. Nilakad ko ang mga requirements sa school. Regular classes will start next Monday. Did you miss me?" I clung my hands around her arm.
"I miss you yapping around." She pinched the tip of my nose.
Lahat kasi ng tsismis na ibinababa sa akin ni Papa ay ipinapasa ko kay Ciana. Process of communication who?!
"Pasukan niyo na ulit? Parang kailan lang ang bakasyon niyo, ah."
"Hindi ko nga naramdaman. My God, we could've gone to the beach. I am craving sunlight."
"Walk your way home later, mataas ang araw," biro niya.
"I mean sunlight by the seashore."
"Magkaiba ba ang sinag ng araw sa beach at ang sinag ng araw sa labas ngayon?"
"You can emote at the coast, you can't at the streetside?"
Sabay kaming natawa. Totoo naman kasi. L
"What's this?" I opened her bag to see the treat myself.
"Ginger tea again for my love."
Sabi nila ay nakagaganda raw ng boses ang luya. Nakailang bote na ako ng tsaa ni Ciana, ni sagutin si Mom ay hindi ko magawa.
"Ooh... I like your new bottle!" It got pink ribbon around the lid.
"I knew you'd love it."
Naupo muna kami sa gilid dahil tapos na rin naman ako. Besides, we had the whole studio to ourselves.
"Your nightmare will start again. Hindi ka man lang nakapagpahinga nang maayos." Hinaplos niya ang likuran ng ulo ko samantalang iniinom ko na ang dala niyang ginger tea.
Ciana knew all my struggles: in school, at home, with my family--everything. It's unfortunate she doesn't share about hers. She's too private, that sometimes I worry, she's only keeping everything inside.
"I'm sending Kuya off to Davao tomorrow. Wanna come?"
"T-Tatanungin ko nga sana..." She couldn't look at me, but at least was honest.
BINABASA MO ANG
Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I TBP: IMMAC 2026
RomanceTwo hearts born from rivaling companies. One from a family of CEOs: Franco Miguel Suarez has no choice but to take the path his parents want for him. He is destined to marry someone he doesn't know for the sake of money and victory. His fate led him...
