Change of Fate

Chapter 7

I spent my time getting ready for the wedding I will be attending later. Buti na lang sunset wedding ang peg ni Ma'am Amelia kaya marami pang oras para makapag-ayos.

Pupuntahan ko kung nasaan si Misha ng mga 4 PM dahil 'yan daw ang time na pwede na siyang makaalis. Hindi na talaga kami makakahabol sa mismong kasal, sa salu-salo na lang.

Hinati ko sa gitna ang buhok ko at hinayaan na lang na kulot-kulot ito. I put rose clips on each side of my hair para hindi humangin sa mukha ko ang buhok ko. Ang hirap pa naman 'pag kulot ka, aside sa parang mabigat na feeling, lagi pang nakadikit sa pisngi mo pag walang tali or hair clip. Magmumukhang bagong gising lagi pero thank heavens dahil maganda lahi namin.

I stared at myself in the mirror in front of me and thought to myself, "How can they stomach letting me go that easily?" Aakuin ko na yung mali dahil ako naman lagi ang umaalis at nang-iiwan pero ano pa ba ang dahilan para manatili ako? Sila na rin ang may ayaw pero gusto nilang ako ang unang umalis. Talaga bang 'yon ang ipapamukha nila sa iba? Sila biktima, at ako ang naging kalungkutan nila? What a bullshit scheme kung ganoon.

Lahat sila may kanya-kanyang kasayahan na, felt happy for them but it's a bittersweet feeling too. Ako nagmamakaawa sa kanila na umayos ang trato sa akin, pero ang dali nilang gawin sa iba. Don't I deserve good treatment? Do I need to beg and offer my offerings to different gods and goddesses before having the treatment I deserve?

My view on relationships and marriage is slowly deteriorating. I don't want to put the blame on them, but their treatment traumatized me. Other people may say there's plenty of fish in the sea, but they don't realize that I don't want fish. I want the coral reefs. It felt like home, a shelter from the storm, a protector from those who would harm me. The fish are diverse creatures, and I don't want to spend my time learning their behavior and acting accordingly to fit their tastes. But for coral reefs, I will feel safe and wanted.

I broke out of my reverie when I received a text from Misha saying I could pick her up. I got my white clutch bag and went down to the parking lot.

Nagmaneho ako papunta sa lugar kung nasaan si Misha at nung nakarating, nandoon na siya sa labas na mukhang kanina pa naghihintay.

"I said at 4 PM you can pick me up. Kailangan ba talagang hintayin mo text ko before you could get me? It's 4:20 na tuloy!" Salubong sa akin habang sumasakay siya sa passenger seat.

"Ang ingay mo. Kasalanan ko bang ma-lalate tayo sa kasal? Sumama lang ako sayo." I replied while driving.

"Kasalanan mo rin because sumama ka sa akin! Ugh, pangit pa rin ugali mo." She snorted and I laughed.

Our trip exceeded an hour because of traffic due to a minor accident on the road. Ang dami pang mga nakikiusyoso sa nangyari kaya nag-cause ng traffic.

We arrived at the venue a little late, so I think the party is already starting. Baka nga kainan na pagpasok naming dalawa. Sakto at naglilitanya na kaming dalawa kanina dahil nagutom sa byahe.

"Why do I feel like we will be having a grand entrance to the hall? Nakakahiya na tuloy!" Misha exclaimed.

"Edi tumingin sila, at least pumunta pa rin tayo. For sure, kanina pa tayo hinihintay ni ma'am." I said as we walked through the pathway that will lead to the party's main hall.

We saw the wedding invitation printed as a roll-up banner at the side of what looks like a walkway to the party. Vines as the decoration of the ceiling. Shrubs and flowers flow through the sides of the walkway making it look like an entrance to an enchanted forest. Fog machines on each side of the path. Simpleng salu-salo ba talaga 'to?

We can hear the music getting louder and the voice of Ma'am Amelia sending her gratitude to the guests who came. I think it's her husband who spoke next, because we heard a manly voice.