p.s. this chapter is a part 2 of 'Aisle'
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A year has passed since the wedding day. Leni looks out the window, the rain pouring down heavy and gray. The clock reads 10:30, the same time her wedding ceremony began. Suddenly, her mind drifts back to her former lover. She vividly pictures the look on her former lover's face, the sadness and heartbreak etched into every line. She remembers how shattered she looked, and the pain in her eyes.
"Break up with that woman, Leni."
"W-What? Why would I, Dad?" A wave of confusion washed over Leni.
"We already told you, Leni. We don't like her! At lalong hindi ka namin papayagan na babae ang karelasyon mo. Mahiya ka nga, Leni!" Her mother shouted, pointing at her.
Her father looked away. "We already talked to her mother.. pumayag siya, we gave enough money to her mother for Risa to stay away from you.. pero hindi niya pa-"
"W-What!?" Leni exclaimed. She can't believe what she's just heard. Her face betrays her shock, her emotions a tangled mess. Her mind spins as she tries to make sense of it all. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she struggles to sort out her feelings in the wake of this unexpected revelation. "Ganiyan na ba talaga kayo ka-walang hiya?"
"Your father and I have arranged a marriage for you and Christoper," Her mother's voice echoed in her ears. "Now, break up with that woman. You know what we can do, Leni."
The daughter's face pales as the realization sinks in. She can feel her heart racing as she tries to process the news, but all she can think is that she doesn't want to be forced into a marriage she didn't choose. She couldn't do anything. She was scared, scared that her family might do something to Risa.
"Ayoko na, itigil na natin 'to."
"Leni.."
Leni was hit with a pang of remorse as she saw the pain and sadness etched across her Risa's face. Words of apology and regret flew to her lips, but they failed to escape, choking in her throat. She ached to reach out and hold her lover, to offer comfort and solace, but she knew that it was too late. She could only stand there. Risa watched as Leni walked away, leaving her standing alone, consumed of helplessness.
The memory stings, and it feels like a knife to Leni's heart. She shut her eyes tightly as the memories of her time with her former lover replayed in her mind, each one another painful reminder of what had been lost. She felt trapped by the marriage she had agreed to, like she was in a prison of her own making.
She longed to run away, to escape the dull, unfulfilling union that bound her to her husband. But deep down, she knew that there was nowhere to go. Risa had moved on, and she was alone, trapped in a marriage that felt more like a cage than a sanctuary.
"I'm sorry, Risa.."
She turned her attention to the clock again. The rain continues to fall, each drop a reminder of the love she lost and the pain that still lingers within her heart.
It's 10:34 in the evening.
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