Almost Is Never Enough | ✓

CHAPTER I

Trisha

"You may now kiss your bride."

Nakangiting gunita ng pari kay Livrin. Natawa naman ako nang mapansin ko ang panginginig ng kamay niya habang itinataas ang aking belo.

Napapikit ako at namula ang aking pisnge nang dumampi ang labi niya sa labi ko.

It was seven years ago, our wedding day. The happiest day of my life, I could even remember the smallest details on it and I would never forget it. It was such a memorable wedding day.

"Hey, Trisha! What are you doing here?"

Napakurap ang aking mga mata nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses, it was Matthew.

Matthew Vanidestine was my childhood friend, he was a plastic surgeon and currently working in United States, specifically performing procedures to enhance features for aesthetic reasons.

I looked behind me and saw him looking at me happily. Tumingin ako sa kanyang kinatatayuan at sinuklian ito ng masiglang ngiti.

"Ikaw na ba yan Matthew?" I asked him with confusion. I can't even recognize him right now. He really looked so professional and handsome.

"What a coincidence? Long time no see, Trisha. Kumusta ka na?" ani Matthew at tinitigan ako ng maigi. Para naman akong mamamatay sa mga titig niya, daig pa ang imbestigador sa kanya. "You looked tired and pale," dagdag pa niyang ani at lumungkot ang mukha nito.

"Syempre, buhay mag-asawa na kaya ang mundong ginagalawan ko ngayon. Who wouldn't get tired, Matthew?" pabiro ko namang sagot sa kanya.

I looked at Matthew and saw him looking at me with his long sad face. Nang makita niya ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa kanya, bigla naman akong umiwas ng tingin.

"Kung ako siguro ang napangasawa mo Trisha, hindi ka mapapagod ng ganito, hindi kita hahayaang mag grocery ng mag-isa." He chuckled while tapping my shoulders.

Again, I looked at him flatly.

"I already told you Matt—" he suddenly cuts me off, turning his gaze away from me.

"Alam ko naman yon, I know how much you loved Livrin and the sad truth is I can't be him." Malungkot niyang tugon.

Mabilis akong napatingin sa kanya at ngumisi.

"You don't need to be Livrin, you deserve better than me, Matthew." Pagngiti ko ulit sa kanya saka kumuha ng isang box ng all purpose flour.

Matthew just nodded and replied a smile to me. "You're making sweetened cupcakes again?" he then asked.

"It's our eight wedding anniversary, Matthew. I always make cupcakes for him only."

"Ang tagal niyo na palang nagsasama no? Biruin mo Trisha, eight years na kayong mag-asawa. That's a tough one," masiglang puri niya sa akin at napayuko lamang ako. "What's the secret of your marriage?" dagdag pa niyang tanong sa akin.

"You should get married, Matthew."

I wasn't able to talk more when Livrin called me para sabihin lang na malalate siya ng uwi.

Matthew was looking confused at me right now. "It's Livrin right?" he asked.

"Yes, and I'll be heading home immediately Matthew. I'm sorry if I can't talk to you any longer. Sobrang busy ko lang, it was nice talking to you. See you!"

Paalam ko kaagad kay Matthew saka nagmamadali nang umuwi.

Nakaabot ako kaagad ng bahay sa pagmamadali, napahinto ako sa harap ng gate namin. I felt my heart was stabbed by a knife and from the crack of it, tears fall down. I consciously bit my lower lip and the pain just deepened.