Evian
"You're late," Mommy said with her eyebrow raised. Nakaupo na kaming lahat at nags-serve na ng mga food. Nasa may unahang part naman ang pamilya ni Aji at ang mga Evidente. They are all in the same table and Aji and Isabella are seated beside each other. Hindi sila naguusap pero naiinis ako for some unknown reason. Though, panay ang lingon ni Isabella na parang nage-expect or something.
"I'm not. Sakto lang naman ang dating ko," pangangatwiran ko.
"Kahit na, Evian. This is a formal gathering. A special occasion."
"Kasama ko naman si Aji, so it's fine. Atsaka save the best for last." Napairap nalang si Mommy sa sinabi ko. Natawa lang si Dad at pinatigil na kaming dalawa dahil dumating na ang food.
"Ngayon ko lang nakita ang anak nina Jaime," komento ni Mommy. "Pero I thought dalawa lang ang anak nila?"
"Yes, and the other one is Erika's niece. I heard that they are planning to adopt her soon..."
"That's right," napatingin ako sa lalaking katabi ni Daddy. Lalaking nasa 50's pero gwapo parin kahit namumuti na ang buhok. Napatingin ako sa katabi ng lalaki at nagulat ako nang makita si Shawn.
Yes. Shawn from highschool.
Gosh. I didn't expect to see him here!
Ngayon ko lang siya napansin kasi medyo occupied ako kina Isabella. Tinignan ko rin tuloy ang iba pa naming ka-table pero nakahinga ako ng maluwag kasi hindi ako pamilyar sa kanila.
"I also heard that they are planning to wed the only son of George to the unica hija of the Escarez... but Laurice Evidente is lesbian, so..." dagdag nung lalaki.
Nagulat sina Mommy. Kahit ako. Mukhang hindi rin nila alam ito.
"Really? Since they are planning to adopt Erika's niece, edi siya ang papalit?"
"Most likely."
Napatungo ako.
What the hell? They are getting married?
Isabella and Aji? Those two?
What?!
I can't believe this. I don't want to believe it. Silang dalawa, ikakasal? I can't imagine! Dahil ba para mapagtibay lalo ang connection ng dalawang pamilya? I know na uso talaga ang mga arranged marriage sa mga mayayamang pamilya pero si Aji? Talaga? Ni hindi nga 'yan nagseseryoso sa mga babae! And he said before na hindi siya magpapakasal! Na hindi siya magaasawa!
Si Aji, magpapatali?
He's a monster you can't leash!
Ugh, I feel like shit. I don't know why I'm feeling this way. Feeling ko napaglaruan lang ako. Feeling ko binasura lang ako. I get it, naging parausan niya lang ako and me, being dumb, I let him. Kilala ko si Aji. Ayaw niyang kino-control siya ng iba at kung ano man ang gusto niya, nasusunod. Alam kong anytime ay pwedeng magsawa siya sakin at alam kong kaya niya akong palitan anytime, and that's the truth I don't want to accept.
I am Evian Reyes. Wala dapat magsasawa sakin, walang papalit sakin at mas lalong hindi ako basta basta pwedeng itapon. I know my worth. I know that but I still let Aji do whatever he wants. I let him kiss me, I let him fuck me, I let him control me. I let him. It's partly my fault. Ugh, bakit ko nga ba ulit hinayaan si Aji sa buhay ko?
"Evian," natigil ako sa pagiisip at nag angat ng tingin. Nagulat ako nang makita si Shawn sa tabi ko at napansin na wala na 'yung iba naming ka-table. "Long time, no see and talk..." ngumisi siya.
I feel like he hasn't changed at all. Nandoon parin ang pagiging playful sa asul niyang mga mata.
"Hi, Shawn!" Tinry kong pasiglahin ang boses ko. "I didn't expect to see you here."
BINABASA MO ANG
Secret Serenade
General FictionTheir relationship is just like any other childhood friends. Nothing more, nothing special. Evian Reyes knows that. Aji Escarez knows that. But when they both crossed that line, everything between them changed as the temptation, desire and the thril...
