AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 15: Unwanted

Kuya's friends are not my circle. Close ako sa kanila, but not to point na kasing-close as best friends. Every family gathering kasi kami nagkikita-kita, and we're close to being an extended family kung tutuusin. Magkukumare at kumpare ang parents namin. Childhood friends ni Kuya ang iba. The rest, ka-batch and all that.

Ang hirap mag-fit in because their league is not my league. Hindi madaling maki-blend in because of the age gap. May mga bagay na sila-sila lang ang nakakaintindi, and I didn't want to be in that situation where I would force myself to pretend na nage-gets ko sila when I really couldn't grasp their vibe.

Calvin's house is really nice. Tahimik din. Bungalow lang, hindi engrande, at hindi ko nararamdamang executive manager ang may-ari ng bahay.

Doon ako sa pool area tumambay. Hindi ganoon kalaki ang pool. Sakto lang para masabing may pool. Not ideal for long-distance swimming. There was a patio and a wooden bench nearby the small garden. Wala masyadong building sa area, so the place took advantage of the view of the wide night sky and the cold breeze of late December air. Naka-long sleeves naman ako, ang kaso, ang ikli naman ng shorts ko kaya useless. Malamig pa rin.

I was checking my silent phone na wala man lang nag-aabalang mag-good night sa akin o magtanong kung kumain na ba ako kahit pa kanina pa ako pinakakain ni Kuya at ni Will. Ang hirap maging single, parang walang pakialam ang Earth sa existence ko.

I wanted to party, and this kind of quiet party is not my place. Not sure if it was because of the age, but Kuya's barkada preferred a quiet and more intimate stag party than those parties na walwal kung walwal.

My IG account felt like a refrigerator na bubuksan ko lang randomly para silipin ang laman, then isasara din afterward. I haven't uploaded any photos of me yet kasi nadagdagan ang weight ko, and I looked haggard pa after so many sleepless nights sa paggawa ng suits for Patrick's wedding.

After this, hindi muna ako tatanggap ng orders. Gusto kong bawiin ang pahinga ko.

"Sabrina."

My gaze shifted to Kuya walking towards me. He didn't look mad about me leaving their playtime. Mas mukha pa nga siyang nagtatanong kahit nasa malayo pa lang.

My eyes followed him until he squatted on his heels in front of me and put his folded arms above my lap.

I pouted at Kuya and gave him puppy eyes.

"What's wrong, hmm?" Kuya asked in his gentle tone as he looked up at me.

"Why did you bring me here?" I said. "Sana iniwan mo na lang ako sa shop."

"We'll go straight to the Vizcarra's early tomorrow morning for the wedding preparation. I can't pick you up sa Makati tomorrow kasi dederetso na kami ni Jae sa Laguna, so it's better na nandito ka na, so we could go together."

Ever since Kuya married Jaesie, lagi na akong second priority niya. What more kung may baby na sila. E di, last na ako sa aalagaan ni Kuya.

"What's with the long face?" he asked.

"I don't belong here." I bowed down and tried not to weep because of it. "Mom canceled all my trips for her plan. The last project she let me handle was this and the suits for Pat's wedding. Wala na 'kong gagawin after this kasi hino-hold niya lahat ng projects ko."

I sobbed quietly and wiped the lone tear that fell from my eye.

"We're working on it. Clark's working on it. Don't worry."

"Clark said he wanted to marry Kyline in any church."

Kuya burst into laughter but stopped himself before another second skipped by.