After Years

Kabanata XXXIII

"You look so beautiful, Jenna," sambit sa akin ni Zeus habang nakangiti. Kasalukuyan kaming narito sa wedding library at nagfi-fitting.

"Thank you. You look dashing too, Zeus." Inayos ko ang white tuxedo niyang suot na bagay na bagay sa kaniyang makisig na pangangatawan at pagkakaayos ng kaniyang buhok.

"Zeus, narito pala kayo!"

Pareho kaming napalingon nang marinig namin ang pagtawag na iyon. I was surprised to see Desiree walking down the platform wearing a beautiful bridal gown that is very similar to my wedding dress. Nawala ang ngiti ko nang makita ko ang kasama niya. Walang iba kung hindi si Yves.

At halos lumabas sa dibdib ko ang puso ko dahil sa malakas na kabog nito. God, why does he have to appear in front of me while wearing a black wedding tuxedo? He's disturbing my wild imagination. At naiiyak ako sa pagkakataong ito, ngayong nakatingin kami sa isa't isa.

"Yes, Jenna and I have been here since my appointment kami today. Hindi namin alam na may kasabay pala kami," paliwanag ni Zeus. "Anyway, it suits you, Desiree."

"Thank you, Zeus. You look handsome too, pero sorry, mas gwapo ang mapapangasawa ko." She clung to Yves' arm, which made me so annoyed, but the hell? Why am I feeling this way?

Mabuti na lang at tinawag na kami ng consultant para makapagpalit. Mabuti na lang din at patapos na kami ni Zeus dahil parang gusto ko nang umuwi. Sumasama ang pakiramdam ko kapag nakikita ko si Yves. Naaalala ko lang ang kalapastanganan kong ginawa sa kaniya na hindi ko maamin-amin kay Zeus.

I was currently in the fitting room, taking off my wedding dress, when someone went in. I thought it was the consultant, but I was wrong when I turned my back. It was a man standing in front of me—it was Yves.

"W-what the hell are you doing here?" Kapit ko ang damit ko na kanina ko pa binababa ang zipper sa likod, pero hindi ko mababa dahil mukhang na-stuck.

"Don't marry him, Jenna. He was just using you," matigas niyang sabi. Seryoso ang mukha niyang lumalapit sa akin, samantalang ako ay napaatras.

"Pati ba naman ikaw? Even Mael was spilling baseless accusations toward my fiance. What's the problem with the two of you? Are you really gonna ruin me?"

Nagulat ako nang italikod niya ako sa kaniya. "W-what are you doing?"

Ngayon ay nakaharap na ako sa salamin. Mali, kundi kaming dalawa. Kitang-kita ko ang repleksyon naming dalawa habang siya'y nasa likod ko. Hindi ko mapigilang mapalunok dahil bumabalik sa akin ang pangarap ko noon na maikasal sa kaniya. Ganito pala ang magiging itsura naming dalawa kung nagkataon, but no, we're going to marry someone else.

He fixed the zipper and helped me unzip it. Kapit ko ang wedding dress ko dahil baka mahulog at sumiwalat sa kaniya ang lahat.

"I'm not ruining you, Jenna. I'm trying to protect you," bulong niya habang nakatingin sa akin sa pamamagitan ng repleksyon sa salamin.

"I'm not someone in need of your protection. You have your fiancee, you should protect her instead. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Desiree kapag nakita niyang magkasama tayo rito sa loob?"

"I don't care. I'm just using her."

"What?!" Napasinghap ako. "What the hell? So, you're a user now, Yves? I can't believe you!"

"I'm just with her, so she can't touch you."

Napakunot ang noo ko bago mabilis siyang hinarap. "What are you talking about?"

"I think she's been conspiring with Zeus. Please, Jenna, don't marry Zeus. Just find another man suitable for you. Any man, just don't marry that guy."

I smirked. "Any man? Including you? Are you doing this so I can marry you?"