Forever Trapped

Chapter 24

"I asked for an annulment."

"What did you say?"

"We will be annulled. Elle already agreed."

I suddenly had the urge to massage my temples. Nang sabihin ng kapatid kong gusto niyang makipagkita sa akin for a meal, I immediately thought something wasn't right.

And here he is straight-up telling me this before our lunch is served. Nakakawalang-gana.

"You... You're mad. Those years of trying to be a perfect son, ayan, nasiraan ka na nga siguro ng bait. Did you think marriage is just a joke?"

I can't believe I'm the one to tell him this. I love my brother with all my heart and with every ounce of patience left in my body but for him to make his life a mess, that's on him.

"I wanted to make it work." I can suddenly see the weakness he had always tried to hide in his eyes. "I'm telling you this now before I tell our parents. I'm making this right."

"Dad always said I should be more like you but at times like this, I'm really thankful I don't listen to them too much."

"You look pissed," Phoenix, my sexy fianceé, stopped reading his book when I went out of the bathroom. "How was the talk?"

I told him I'll be meeting my brother for lunch. Sabay kasi sana kaming kakain but I had to cancel our plans for that hell of a lunch. I was distracted the whole afternoon thinking about my brother's impending doom of marriage and married life in general.

"He told me they'll be filing for an annulment."

"Really?"

I nodded. That was what Kuya Zander told me but knowing him, no decision is final yet. He may have realized what he want pero minsan kasi, iba naman ang ginagawa niya sa gusto at sa plano niyang gawin. What a freaking torture.

I joined him in bed and hugged him so tightly. I didn't want to compare or find similarities just because they are both men but I would be lying if I'd say that the thought of Phoenix asking for an annulment in the future didn't reach my mind.

Ugh, ayaw na ayaw ko talagang pinapahirapan ang sarili ko with these ideas but I can't help it. I tried no to think of it pero hindi talaga mawala sa isip ko.

"If you're having second thoughts about marriage, about the engagement, about us... let me know, please. As soon as possible." Napakapit ako sa tshirt na suot niya which was really nice to smell and hold. Lately, I'm really just letting myself get used to everything and if there's any chance that we would be separating anytime soon or in the future, I need to know. "Because I won't stop you but just give me time to... let everything sink in."

Hindi siya sumagot sa akin and I thought he was already sleeping. When I looked at his face, I almost regret I did because he looks... disappointed. I immediately knew I said something wrong. I knew I'd find a way to fuck things up.

"No. I won't let you do any of that because my mind will not change."

I was suddenly ashamed of the things I just told him. Maybe I should just keep my thoughts to myself. Ano ba yan... Am I already starting to mess things up? Is he already thinking that I don't trust him? I tried to move away from him a little. Not really knowing what to do.

"I'm sure about you. I'm sure about us. It's sad that you're having these thoughts but I'm still, in a way, glad that I know what you are thinking." He gave me a small smile and moved closer to kiss me and then hugged me, closing the distance between us again. "I love you. I will always remind you that."

"Thank you. I love you too."

'Will cook you dinner later. This time, I'll try harder. See you.'