Miss Independent

Special Chapter 1

Flashback

Gianna's POV

Birthday na naman ni Tito David. I didn't realize time went by so fast. It's been three years since we celebrated his birthday that changed the course of my life.

Tumulong ako sa paghahanda sa bahay. Since vice governor na si Tito ngayon, may malaki na namang handaan. Businessmen and women, politicians and anyone prominent in the province is invited. Kasal na kasi siya kaya may iilang kamag anak si Tita na dadalo. I got along fine with Tita Karen and her family and they treated me like their own.

May iilang bisita pa ang dumating. Kakarating lang ni Gov. Even after three years di ko pa rin sya maharap. I wasn't in politics so I have no need to face him. Umalis ako sa hall kung saan ginaganap ang party ni Tito.

Out of habit, pumunta ako sa fountain sa garden ng likod ng bahay. Wala namang napupunta dito na bisita. Lahat nasa loob nakikipagplastikan.

"Still have a habit of hiding here during your Uncle's Birthday parties?"

Nabigla ako napalingon sa boses na narinig ko. It was him. I tried my best to act like I wasn't surprised. Nagkakatagpo naman kami paminsan-minsan sa school dati, but we were never alone like this. We never said a word to each other. And that was all almost a year ago. Sobra isang taon na akong nakagraduate.

"Ryan." Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. I was amazed at his audacity to accompany his father here. "Kanina ka pa ba? Kumain ka muna sa loob." Lubayan mo ako.

"Tapos na, actually nauna ako kay Dad dumating kasi sabi nya matatagalan daw sya," paliwanag nya. Tumango lang ako.

Di ko na alam anong sasabihin ko sa kanya. May dapat pa ba kami pag-usapan? Bakit di pa to umaalis sa harapan ko? Di pa ba sila uuwi?

Nagtitigan lang kami. "May sasabihin ka pa?" direkta kong tanong. After all this time kasi di ko pa rin alam paano sya pakikitunguhan. This was all so awkward. From almost planning our wedding to telling him to basically make someone else his girlfriend.

"Wala ka pa ring pinagbago Gi, still the same old Gianna, only a little bit more jaded." Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Ano ba talaga kailangan nya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I'm only twenty-two but I was getting too old for this shit.

"Ano ba kasing kailangan mo at nandito ka sa harap ko ngayon? Nasa loob ang party and wala dito," inis ko sagot sa kanya.

Napatawa sya sa sinabi ko. May nakakatawa ba dun? Eh sa di ko talaga alam bakit kinakausap.

"Naalala mo pa ba yung huling pag-uusap natin? About us trying again after a few years?" Nakangisi niyang sabi. Naalala pa pala nya yun?

"I said three of four years. It has been barely three years Ry." Di pa rin nawawala ang ngisi sa mukha nya.

"My family has cut all ties with Michelle. And I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that they all moved to Australia. I cut all loose ends with every other females who I'm not related to. Pwede na ba kitang singilin sa pangako mo noon? Can we get on with our lives no? Together?"