Ugly Duckling

Chapter 30: Announcement

Aliyah's POV

Kasama ko si Mark at Sarah. Kasalukuyang kumakain kaming lahat ngayon.

"Sayo na lang itong itlog ko." Natatawang sabi ni Mark.

"Oy, ang bastos mo!" Sabi ko.

"Ano ba iniisip mo? I mean this heart-shaped egg."

Sabi nito at nilagay sa plato ko yung heart shape na itlog.

Kala ko kung ano ng itlog eh, haha.

"Oy kayong dalawa ha, nakakaingit." Sabi ni Sarah.

"Inggit? Sige kukuhain ko itong itlog mo." Sabi ni Mark at kinuha yung egg sa plato ni Sarah.

"Oy, inubusan mo naman si Sarah. Anong kakainin nya?"

"Ayos lang. Meron ako nito." Sabi ni Mark at pinakita yung ulam sa baunan.

"Gusto mo nitong soup?"

"Ayos lang ako. Masaya na ako pag nabusog ka."

Maya maya ay dumating si Zeke dala ang tubig.

"Here you go. This water is for you." Sabi nito at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Ayoko nyan."

"Ayaw mong uminom?" Umiling ako.

"Wag kang mapilit kung ayaw nya." Sabi ni Mark.

"Why are you okay to let that pale face boy look after you?" Tanong ni Zeke.

"May fiancé ka na. You should look after her."

"Paano mo nalaman?" Tanong ni Zeke.

"Alam yun ng lahat. Kung ikakasal ka na, hindi mo dapat alagaan ang ibang tao. Go take care of Vivienne."

"But I never agree to the engagement. It's our parents' agreement."

Pero hindi ko sya sinagot.

"You're not okay about it, right?" Napalingon ako sa kanya.

"I'm going to make an announcement now. If it will make you feel better." Sabi at tumayo?

Announcement? Anong announcement?

"Everybody, listen! Totoo na fiancé ko si Vivienne. But I never agree to be one. So, I'm not going to marry her. And no one can ever make me." Sabi nito.

"Zeke, nasa likod lang si Vivienne." Pigil ko dito.

Tumalikod ito kung nasaan ni Vivienne.

"Hey! Vivienne. It's good that you are here. You also never agree of our engagement right?"

Tumayo si Vivienne at nagsalita.

"Yes, I thought the same as you. I don't agree of our engagement."

"So you all hear this right? We have the same understanding now. Go back to your food."

Umalis si Vivienne pagkatapos. Umupo naman si Zeke sa tabi ko.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Why are you heartless like that Zeke? Hindi mo ba inisip yung nararamdaman ni Vivienne?"

"Hindi mo ba narinig yung sinabi nya na hindi din sya pumayag?"

Tumayo ako at umalis.

"Aliyah..." Rinig kong tawag sa akin nina Mark at Sarah.

Pupuntahan ko si Vivienne.

I want to know if she's okay.

And apologize on what Zeke has done.

*****

Vivienne's POV

"You also never agree of our engagement right?" Tanong ni Zeke.

Tumayo ako at nagsalita.

"Yes, I thought the same as you. I don't agree of our engagement."

"So you all hear this right? We have the same understanding now. Go back to your food."

Umalis ako pagkatapos nun.

Nilabas ko lahat ng galit ko.

Pinagsisipa ko ang mga halaman.

I didn't care if masira ko pa yun, basta gusto ko lang ilabas lahat ng galit ko.

"Vivienne." Biglang dumating si Aliyah.

"Huh? Aliyah." Sabi ko at humarap dito.

"Ayos ka lang ba?"

Seriously?! Tinatanong nya ako kung okay lang ako?

"Ang tanga ko talaga, hindi ko na dapat tinanong yun. Halata naman sayo na hindi ka okay." Sabi nito.

"I'm totally okay. Ganun talaga si Zeke, hot-headed."

"Hindi ko naman sinabing gawin nya yun Vivienne. Natatakot lang ako na baka iba ang isipin mo."

"Hindi ko naman iniisip yun. Wag mo na masyadong isipin. By the way Aliyah, mamayang 8 pm, may activity tayo na ghost hunt. Please join us."

"Ghost hunt?"

"Yeah. Let's prove your courage. It's gonna be fun."

"Pero natatakot ako."

"Hindi mo kailangan matakot. How about this. I will pair you up with Mark. So he can take care of you. Okay? Let's gather in front of the resort at 8 pm. See you there." Sabi ko at iniwan na syang magisa.

I can't stand to be with her.

I just can't.

**********