Kiss Me One Last (Lemuel Bros. #2)

Kabanata XXIX

Sino ang taong pinakasalan ko at nakasama ng ilang taon?

Sino ang ipinagpalit ko sa dapat ay pangako ko para sa matalik kong kaibigan?

Sino ang taong minahal ko?

I always see Alvaro Lemuel as a deep thinker and a quiet soul.

Alvaro's the good boy—the most obedient Lemuel child. Even in Sylvan's own words way back, his favorite brother could do no harm. He never got into any trouble and never involved in immature fights with boys his age.

He's every parent's dream child.

He's gentle and diplomatic, never aggressive.

He's brilliant—always finishing each school year with flying colors, bringing all the medals and trophies from different academic competitions inside and outside campus.

He doesn't socialize with people that much—by choice. Alvaro's always hungry for learning and reading books had been his default activity alone.

He doesn't have friends, but he was getting along well with his siblings. That's all that mattered to Alvaro. Sylvan loved him. Vio trusted him. Shy was very fond of him.

It always felt like Alvaro has no capacity to do bad things because he was always given the good side of life. He's logical and carries himself well. In times of anger and outburst, he may lose himself a little. Yet, he knew how to get back in a calm posture.

He's close to perfection.

Nasilaw ako roon. At ngayon ko lang napagtantong 'yon mismo ang problema kay Alvaro.

Alam niya kung paanong paniwalain ang mga tao na walang problema sa kanya. His quiet and perfect boy image was... all a fraud.

I was stupid to fall for it.

Everything he did, it's all for his selfish gain. He's perfect... Perfectly evil!

Buong puwersa kong pinunit ang mga larawan ni Alvaro. Nakalimutan kong sa loob ng pitaka ko ay may mga maliliit na larawan niya at larawan naming dalawa ang nakatago roon.

I loved him so much, I liked to carry around his photograph wherever I went before. He was my rock and my inspiration for the longest time.

"I hate you..." sambit ko sa mga salitang pinangako kong hinding-hindi ko bibitiwan noon.

Subalit totoo palang may mga pagsubok at pangyayari sa buhay na magpapabago sa 'yo.

"I hate you, Alvaro Ignacio Lemuel..." I whispered the words I never knew I could construct together in one sentence.

Ang huling larawang buo pa at hawak ko ay kuha naming dalawa noong nagpakasal kami. It was a civil wedding in the city mayor's office.

Naka-suot siya ng puting polo habang simpleng puting bestida na may kalahating-haba ng manggas ang sa 'kin.

His arms were around me from the back, clinging tightly to my waist. My left hand was holding a small bouquet of freesias, while my right hand was holding his.

Dalawa ang kuha namin sa posisyong ito. The one I'm holding is a wallet size and we're both looking at the camera, smiling in love. Our eyes were captured—a little misty from tears of joy that we were finally married amidst leaving all the people we love behind.

I was only twenty-one around this time. I was young, in love... And foolish of me to be blinded.

While he was twenty-six—fully matured, ready for life... and evil of him to succeed in taking away his brother's bride.