Pretend

1st Anniversary + Small Token

Last July 25, marks the first anniversary of this book. Thank you everyone for being part of my journey. At bilang pasasalamat ko, inihahandog ko ang Prologue ng story ni Claire. Sana ay aabangan niyo ito. Thank you again and Ilya 💛

***

"I actually knew that you like her."

I said while looking at his eyes. He avoided my gaze and he remained silent while looking at the calm sea in front of us.

A smile was plastered on my lips while remembering the words that my friends told me.

"Ano ba Claire?! For once, can you be selfish?! Pwede bang magalit ka rin? Harap harapan kang niloko ng lalaking yun! But instead of cursing the sh*t out of him, you gave him a smile!"

Huminga muna ito ng malalim bago uminom ulit sa tubig na nasa harapan niya. I nervously looked at my other friend who was silent. Tinignan ko ito na parang humihingi ng tulong pero umiling lang ito sa akin na tila wala siyang magagawa sa panenermon sa akin ng kaibigan namin.

"And not just that! You helped the girl to buy baby clothes for their child! Ano? Balak mo bang maging ninang sa anak ng ex mong nakabuntis?!"

Years have passed but I didn't regret helping my ex. I was more happy that he has become a great father and partner. They created a beautiful family, and I'm happy that I played a role in their lives before.

"I'm really sorry, Claire."

Agad akong napalingon sa katabi ko at nginitian ko ito. Tumayo na ako sa kinauupuan ko at tinapik ko ang balikat niya.

I've done my part. Now, it is their decision if they will continue their love story.

After the cheating incident that happened to me years ago, a guy approached me. He became my friend and later on, we became more than that.

Things were smooth, not until I was in a car accident. I don't know how and why, but they insisted to let my sister to pretend in my place. I was a student council president before, I have many responsibilities and whatnots. But thanks to her, she carried all of those while I was away.

Fast forward, they fell in love with each other. Pero alam kong pinipigilan nila ang mga sarili nila because they feel bad. They shouldn't be! I'm okay and I'm happy for them. Marami nang nagawa sa akin ang kakambal ko at oras na para ako naman ang may gagawin para sa kanya.

I was walking on the seashore when a man was sitting near the sea. He looked so down and sad. I noticed the bottle of beer that he was holding. Brokenhearted huh?

Nilapag ko ang bitbit kong tsinelas sa tabi nito at tumabi ako sa kanya.

"Drinking is bad for your health." I lowly said

Pansin ko ang pagsalubong ng mga kilay niya at hinarap niya ako.

"At alam mo rin bang masama ang mangialam sa buhay ng iba?"

Umawang ang labi ko sa sinabi nito. How rude! I was just being concerned for his health and this is the answer that I will get?

Akmang iinom ulit ito nang agad kong iniwaksi ang kamay niya na siyang nag sanhi na nahulog ang bote at natapon ang laman nito.

Inihanda ko na ang sarili kong masigawan niya ngunit tinignan lang ako nito. He looked directly into my eyes and I looked back at him.

This is the first time that I've saw different emotions in just a span of seconds. Longing, sadness, and a emotion that I can't explain.

Umiwas ako ng tingin rito. I just can't stand his presence. Tumayo na ako sa kinauupuan ko at pinagpag ko ang skirt ng maxi dress ko. Pinulot ko na ulit ang mga tsinelas ko at tinignan ko siya.