Dancing in the Dark (Aurora Series #2)

Chapter 32

Bothered.

"Nagseselos ako," rinig ko ang mahinang boses ni Leon.

Kumunot ang noo ko at mabilis na tumingin sa kaniya. He chuckled when Elias clung on him more. Halos mapanguso pa ako, naiingit dahil hindi sa akin yumakap ang anak. Over the time, they got really close with each other. Siguro ay dahil na rin sa mahilig sa bata si Leon. Leon is a great cook too. He cooks the best fried chicken. Gaya ko, paborito rin ni Elias ang fried chicken kaya madali niyang nakuha ang loob ng anak ko. And of course, he's spoiling him with toys. Siya rin ang laging naghahatid-sundo kay Elias sa school. Siya rin ang kasama namin sa school tuwing may family day.

Leon became Elias' father figure.

"What?" I asked Leon confusedly about what he said.

"Hmm? Nagseselos ako," medyo hirap na sabi niya dahil nga Filipino. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. Ngumiti siya. "I thought I'm gonna be Rust's best man. But it's okay. We can be partners on the wedding, what do you think?" Leon's eye twinkled because he winked at me.

Umirap ako pero tumango na lang. Iyon naman talaga ang nakalagay sa invitation.

I continued reading Rust and Kalysta's wedding invitation. Their theme was rustic. And the wedding was on Rust's birthday. I'm one of the bridesmaids together with Kalysta's friends that I know mostly. Rialla is Kalysta's maid of honor, and Rust's best man is... the fucker who must not be named. Their guests are few. Just close friends and families. Their wedding was very intimate.

Tinitigan ko ang venue ng kasal nila. My eyes almost widened. Tinitigan ko iyon dahil baka nagkamali lang ako.

It's in Aurora, Philippines.

Kinagat ko ang pang ibabang labi. Dalawang taon na simula noong huling beses na makapunta ako sa probinsiya na iyon. I have a bitter-sweet relationship with that province.

Aurora has the most beautiful picturesque sceneries, yet it knows my most painful memory, ironically.

I never thought of coming back to that province again. I am scared to go back. Wala akong rason pa. Iyong rason ko noon para manatili ay siya rin ang nag bigay ng rason para umalis ako.

Ako: what if... hindi ako mag punta?

Kalysta: WHAT?! NO!!!

Kalysta: Angel, I'll cry. I will really cry :(

Bumuntong hininga ako. I replied to Kalysta with a promise that I'll go. Hindi pwede na hindi. They are both my friend so I need to witnessed how they say their vow to each other, how they tie the strings of forever.

And Rust also messaged me na inaaway na siya ni Kalytsa dahil hindi raw ako pupunta.

Rust: Bro, please tell my Daneliyah that you'll go. Inaaway ako! Baka mamaya, hindi na ako pakasalan. Ikamamatay ko. Maawa ka sa'kin. Santa Anghel, kaawaan mo ako.

ako: gago

I let out a large amount of air again before turning off my phone. Wala pa man ang kasal ay tila pagod na ako. Inilagay ko ang cellphone sa bed side table. I turned off too the lamp beside me. Naramdaman ko ang pag lingon ni Leon sa akin.

"Are you okay?" He asked me when I was about to fall asleep.

Pumungay ang mga mata ni Leon nang tumingin din ako sa kaniya. He's not using his phone anymore too. Nakatagilid siya, nakaharap sa akin at tila pinapanood ako. Niyakap ko ang anak. Leon and I are both hugging Elias.

"Of course. Why?"

"Your ex is gonna be there at the wedding," he pointed out.

"He's not my ex. And I know that he's gonna be there."