Kabanata 30

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Thank you for always waiting patiently. The epilogue will be posted after this chapter.

-

Kabanata 30

Ares

I thought I could finally forgive Papa, but maybe it's something that will take a long time. Healing is really a process that goes beyond just saying the words; it's about truly feeling them and coming to terms with everything that happened.

I want to move forward and leave this pain behind, but it's clear that healing doesn't always work that way. This trauma has become a part of me, and what I can do now is accept everything that happened and work through it at my own pace. It's a journey of understanding and accepting my own emotions, and I need to honor that process.

I am just hoping that when I get the chance to talk to Papa again, it will be with a lighter heart. I also hope that, in that moment, he will be open to understanding and reflecting on his actions, and that together we can find a way to heal and move forward.

For the next few days after that happened, Ares never left my side—literally. He's always attentive and clingy, but this time it was more intense; he didn't even want to work anymore just to keep an eye on me.

He's overreacting, but I just chose to be happy about it. Dahil kahit pilitin ko man siyang magtrabaho, hindi rin naman siya pumapayag. Kaya napag-isipan na lang namin na simulan ang paghahanda sa kasal.

It was more exciting than I ever imagined. We had an appointment each day to plan different parts of the wedding. Ares was with me the whole time, helping me plan the beach wedding we wanted to have.

I enjoyed it so much, at least until we started making the list of attendees. I realized that I didn't have any family members who could attend my wedding, perhaps because I don't really have any. I felt lonely at some point, but I still chose to send an invitation to my father, just in case he wanted to come.

Sa susunod na buwan pa naman ang kasal ngunit lumipas ang mga araw, wala akong natanggap na kumpirmasyon na dadalo siya sa kasal, hindi kagaya ng iba na agad ang pagkumpirma. I also invited the Andradas, Rafa, and some close friends, and they all promptly confirmed their attendance.

On Ares' side, he invited all of his family members and some friends. It was only then that I realized we were planning the wedding so well, yet I still hadn't met his family!

And I don't know if I can handle the embarrassment when his mother called the next day to invite us to their home. Para akong estatwa habang nakikinig sa tabi ni Ares.

It's 9:30 in the morning, and we're eating our breakfast in bed when he receives a call.

"I received the invitation letter, Ares. Please, I want to meet her na," she said on the other line.

His mother's voice sounds soothing and graceful, even over the loudspeaker.

I hugged the side of his waist and rested my chin on his shoulder while listening.

"Are you available tonight? I can prepare dinner for us."

I didn't notice I was so close to Ares when he looked down on me. Kung hindi ko pa bahagyang nilayo ang mukha, mahahalikan ko na siya.

"I don't think she can go," diretsong sabi niya.

My eyes widened slightly, and slapped his arm. I heard his mother sigh, as if she were already used to it.

"Really, Ares?" She sounds so disappointed.

"What are you talking about?" I mouthed nervously to him.

DM #4: Ares MadriagaWhere stories live. Discover now