Embracing the Heartless Lies (Isla Lavinia Series 2)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Engagement

“Lola!” my cousin Las protested.

I was taken aback. I blink twice for what just Lola Delilah stated. Parang hindi ko maproseso ang simabi niya. She seems serious that's why Meijia family is here.

Gulat ako sa nangyari. Devoe shut his eyes hardly for what just happened. Tila gusto niyang magsalita pero pinipigilan niya ang sarili. He looked at me with concern in his eyes and apology.

“You can't let just her marry someone,” mariing ani Kuya Las.

Walang preno ang pagkasabi ni Kuya, kunot noo at tila napikon. I know he was concern about me. Dahil kahit ako ay hindi natuwa sa balitang ganoon. Kailan pa ako nasabihan na ikakasal ako kay Devoe?

Tita Lila smiled awkwardly. Lola Delilah looked apologetically to the Meijia's. Kinunutan nito ng noo ang apo na si Kuya Las.

“What are you saying, Las? Napag-usapan na natin ito nang nakaraang hapunan?” parang pagalit na ani Lola Delilah.

“But, you didn't—”

“Apo, I know you're just worried to your cousin, but we're nothing to worry when it comes to Meijia's! Wala rin namang problema iyon kay Ardi, hindi ba, hija?” bumaling sa akin si Lola.

Napakurap ako. Devoe breathe heavily like he's done. Pumikit siya nang mariin.

“Pardon me, Mrs. de Vera, but I think Ardi is not comfortable. Better let her decide if she want this arrangement,” paglalakas loob na sabi ni Devoe.

Napabaling ako sa kaniyang sinabi. He look serious. Pansin ko ang pagtinginan nila ng kaniyang Tatay. Umiwas ng tingin si Devoe. He smiled apologetically to me.

“No, of course not, Devoe. She was just suprised, but this will continue,” deklara ni Lola.

Ni hindi ako nagkakaroon ng tyansang magsalita para sa sarili ko. I suddenly felt the wall of not having any freedom. My lips are in grim line. I don't feel any good to what is happening.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at pinukol ang mata sa pagkain. Wala na akong gana kumain. I heard Tita Lila's akward laugh.

“I think, you let Jardine cope with it first, Tiya,” anito.

I gritted my teeth. I suddenly wish my Mom is here or Abuela. Sigurado akong maiintindihan nila ang nararamdaman ko. They never done this to me or to us. Hetong tao lamang dito ang may sariling desisyon.

Bakit nila pinangungunahan ang desisyon ko sa buhay? I know Devoe is a good man, ilang beses ko nang nasabi iyon.

But it isn't enough reason to. I'm not even ready to enter a relationship like that. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung kaya kong tumanggap ulit ng taong mamahalin. Everything behind was still living within me. Hindi pa ako handa.

Kung may namamagitan sa amin ay noon pa iyon, matagal na. We're full grown up now. And I can actually say that Devoe don't want the situation too.

Lola Delilah keep assuring them that it's fine to me. She's not even asking me and just keep telling the visitor, I'll do the arrangement. Tingin niya yata ay maayos lamang sa akin ang balita ito. Hindi ako nagsalita, ni ngitian sila ay hindi ko ginawa. Gusto ko biglang umalis sa hapagkainan na ito, ngunit ayaw ko maging bastos sa kanila kaya pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

I didn't say any word, I just watched my food until the dinner end. Hindi ko alam kung saan nila nakuha ang kakayahang pag-usapan ang tungkol doon buong pagkakataon kahit na hindi ako nagsasalita. I felt so uncomfortable despite the times the Meijia's compliment me. Ayaw ko nang ganito.