The Silken Crown

CHAPTER 7

Alejandro felt devastated and filled with guilt. He despised the idea that he had abandoned Ligaya. He searched everywhere till he found her hiding place. He waited till the sun went down, unsure if this is where Ligaya lives. He noticed Ligaya was dressed warmly. He tried to approach her, but she quickly blocked the doors and remained inside. He took his kudyapi and began singing love songs to Ligaya in the hopes that she would forgive him. He resented every single idea that came to him when he left her. Those ideas devoured him alive.

Every morning, Alejandro greeted Ligaya with a song from his heart. Explaining his point of view and why he regrets ever leaving her. He would frequently pick up a leaf and play a tune on it. Hoping to amuse Ligaya. Every day, he dutifully sung for her, Without a single absence.

Ligaya could hear the kudyapi strings as the melody of a soothing lullaby was played through it as soon as the sun rose. Ligaya would frequently stare at Alejandro through a small hole in her Window, taking a small peek as each music performed by Alejandro sang through her heart.

It carried on for months until it was time to make a change. Ligaya couldn't stand it any longer. She wants to hold Alejandro and assure him everything is fine when she sees him through her Window. That she had forgiven him and that he no longer needed to try. But she was stymied by the circumstances. She knew she had to hide from him, so she went to the closest woodland and picked up some sampaguita before dawn. She took her lamp with her as she searched for the sampaguita. Ligaya joined the birds in welcoming the daybreak as the sun began to rise. Ligaya had never felt her heart warm until this very moment. Sampaguita was Alejandro's favorite ever since they were young. Every birthday, Ligaya never failed to give Alejandro one.

She left the Sampaguita near the rock where Alejandro would sing her love ballads. When time came for him to sing, he noticed the sampaguita Ligaya had left for him. He was overjoyed when he saw how gently Ligaya placed it on the rock. He could feel the perfectionist Ligaya giving him his sampaguita carefully. Alejandro couldn't help but smile as he remembered receiving sampaguita from Ligaya on each of his birthdays. But then the neighboring grass rustled. Alejandro turned around and noticed Dolores.

Dolores asked, sheepishly brushing her hair, "Did you like the sampaguita I picked for you?"

Alejandro had no idea what was going on, but he shrugged it off regardless. In his heart, he knew it was Ligaya. He knew in his heart that Ligaya was the only person who would ever give him sampaguita. But Dolores took advantage of the situation by carefully leaning in, and before Alejandro could think for himself, he felt the warmth of Dolores's lips. He pushed Dolores away immediately, but it was too late. Ligaya, who had been observing them the entire time, was heartbroken. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed.

Although he was heartbroken, Alejandro knew in his heart that he couldn't stand a chance of winning Ligaya's heart. But how could he betray her with the one who had destroyed her life? Alejandro pulled Dolores away immediately. But, as if by curse, Alejandro returned Dolores's kiss. This utterly shattered Ligaya. Alejandro even got down on one knee and brought out a ring. Ligaya was perplexed; how could Dolores bewitch Alejandro in such a way?

"You've been there for me when Ligaya wasn't; if she really was here and loved me, she'd come out"

"Yes, I was here for you the entire time you sang love songs for her, and I never left you, unlike her," Dolores chuckled.

"How about we get married tomorrow morning"

"Tomorrow morning?? That's too early-"

"I thought you loved me"

"Of course, dear, we will," Dolores nervously giggled.

The night went on and Ligaya still couldn't believe what she had heard. She couldn't stop herself from stroking her hair. And each time she strokes her hair, bulks would slowly fall off. When night fell, Ligaya couldn't sleep a blink. She thought of the betrayal.

And the moment when everything was perfect and she and Alejandro used to tease one other and play around like children. Oh, how precious those memories were to her. Memories that will live on as things to ponder on. She wished she had greater appreciation for those things. She wished she had lived in those moments. How could she have imagined that she would one day look back and wish she was in the same moment and time?

When morning came, she told the lady with whom she was friends with about her predicament. She then intended to disrupt the wedding ceremony, but Maria was concerned for her safety.

"Dear, you may cause more harm than good," Maria warned.

"You should stay here for good," she added.

"But Maria, he was the love of my life, and I couldn't just let my home be taken away like that. He was my everything, and when I woke up in the morning, all I could think about was him," Ligaya insisted.

"But, Ligaya, you heard it last night, he wanted to be with Dolores. They wrecked your life the last time; don't you think they'll do it again this time?"

"But, Maria, I can't afford to lose him again this time-"

"Please, Maria," Ligaya begged. Maria couldn't help but let Ligaya do whatever she wanted. Maria moved in closer and hugged Ligaya tightly before releasing her.

"Ligaya, if they ever hurt you again, come back here and I'll make sure your home is safe from other people. I won't let anyone hurt you, not in my sight"