Zaldivar Series #1: Weaving Lies and Chaos

Wakas

I do not love her. 

That is one of the many things that I'm sure of. I see Rieselle as someone I should marry to avoid a future competition between my family and the Serranos.

Reason why, I don't really give a damn when she kisses her friend or whoever that man is in front of me. But my ego's bruised at what she did. Though, it'll subside in the next few days.

But anger? Jealousy?

I shook my head.

Nothing. 

Mas nabahala pa ako na baka hindi matuloy ang kasal at magkaproblema sa pagitan ng dalawang pamilya dahil nakipaghiwalay siya sa akin. It's because of the picture that one of my ex-employee sent her. The woman even posted a picture of us, half naked in bed, with a malicious caption like we're in some sort of relationship. 

Damn it. 

I'm not certain if something happened. I'm too drunk to feel anything. Pero kalaunan, nalaman ko ring wala talagang nangyari.

I'm thinking of ways on how to pursue Rieselle again and make her agree to get back with me when she texted, asking if we can talk. 

I didn't reply. She sent a message again, this time, apologizing for what she did and asking if we can continue our engagement.

I immediately dialled her number but her phone just kept ringing. She didn't answer.

I sent her a message instead, saying we should talk in person but she declined. 

I shrugged and tossed my phone on the table. Whatever she wants. Ang mahalaga, tuloy ang kasal.

I have no problem with Rieselle. Kung siya nga ang pakakasalan ko, I'll treat her as my wife then. I won't cheat even though I don't love her. Dahil tingin ko, hindi ko siya kayang mahalin bilang asawa. We've been dating for long but I don't feel anything for her. Nonetheless, I'll still treat her right.

Wala akong kahit anong maramdaman kay Rieselle. 

But I felt like something has changed since our engagement party. I'm not certain if she changed or I changed. Or maybe the both of us. 

I stared at her while wearing her champagne colored gown. Plus, there's something different just by looking at her. Then there, I figured it out. She dyed her hair. Everything adds up and it suits her well that I am stunned.

I thought that's the only thing that's different. But there's something more as I got nearer. Her perfectly shaped lips, her face. Especially her eyes that seem too expressive right now. 

"Chaos," she whispered. Damn. Even her voice sounded a bit different. O siguro, akala ko lang ay may mag-iba sa boses niya dahil sa ilang araw na hindi namin pagkikita.

"Is t–there a prob—" 

I took a step forward, eating the distance between us. "I missed you," it smoothly went out of my mouth. I'm used to saying it to Rieselle even though I didn't mean it. I should say those kinds of things because what she knew is I love her. 

"O–oh!" She lifted the corner of her lips for a smile. Damn. Even her smile feels different yet... the same? 

"You're… stunning." Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili. This time, I fucking mean it.

I let those thoughts pass, thinking I was just imagining things. But after our engagement, I saw and heard an obvious thing to prove that something's wrong.

I got rooted from where I am standing while descending down the stairs upon seeing my fiancee, Rieselle at the doorway, kissing the same man she kissed at that parking lot.