TWISTED FATE (On Going)

Kabanata 39

PIA'S POV:

After the mass, everyone went straight to the reception hall na gaganapin lang sa pool area ng hotel. Nagpalit muna ako ng simpleng white dress sa suite na nakaassign sakin. I thought it was just a simple overnight and candle light dinner with our family and friends but I expected wrong. I'm standing beside kuya Andrew na mukhang bagot na bagot na sa mga nangyayaring ito. His face is too distorted that even Leonardo 'da Vinci couldn't paint it. Nakahawak lamang ako sa palumpong ng mga bulaklak na ihahagis ko maya-maya lang. Some guests have already settled down while others are still searching for their assigned seats. Iginala ko ang aking mata sa kabuuan nitong reception, trying to find someone I used to like eversince I first laid my eyes on him. But to my dismay ay talagang hindi dumalo si Kleigh kahit sa pagsasalong ito. The hot liquid started to form on the side of my eye when I saw a familiar face approaching us. A lot of different emotions ran into my veins when I saw his serious face. I unconciously held kuya Andrew's arm. I saw him turned to face me with a blank expression but I didn't mind. Kinakabahan kasi ako sa seryosong mukha ni kuya Luke. It's as if I will be facing the biggest mistake I have ever made.

"Congrats..." Ani kuya Luke nang sa wakas ay nagkaharap na kaming dalawa.

Ilang pulgada ang pagitan namin sa isa't isa but he closed the space in between us when he suddenly pulled me into a warm hug. Napabitaw ako sa pagkakahawak sa braso ni kuya Andrew at nanginginig na itinaas ang kamay ko para mayakap siya pabalik. I can feel how heavy his heart is. Alam ko ang pakiramdam na hindi kayang tugunan ng taong gusto mo ang iyong nararamdaman. Not that I love kuya Andrew, but technically ay parang nasa iisang bangka lamang kami dahil pinakasalan ko ang lalaking may mahal ng iba.

"Congratulations Pii." Aniya habang hinihimas ang buhok ko. 

I tried to supress my emotions inorder not to ruin my make up but I can hold it anymore. May isang butil ng luha ang nakaalpas sa kaliwang mata ko.

"Thank you kuya." Mahinang tugon ko and rested my chin on his right shoulder.

I feel sleepy and tired too.

"Kapag pinaiyak ka ni Andrew, nandito lang ako." Sabi niya at tumawa nang mahina.

I also laughed on his silly joke though I can't find the humor in it. Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap sakin and held my shoulders. He stared at me on the eye and gave me a very sly smile. Ngumiti na lamang ako kahit na ang bigat-bigat ng puso ko. Andaming nasasaktan dahil sa pagiging stupid ko.

"You look pretty tonight." Puri niya at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi ko. He stretched the side of my lips and said..."Smile."

After that ay tunayo siya ng tuwid at naglakad patungo sa likod ko. I saw him patted kuya Andrew's back.

"Ingatan at alagaan mo siya." Aniya sa mababang tono at tuluyan ng lumabas ng hall.

Is he not going to attend the reception? Parang kinukurot ang puso ko habang pinapanood siyang naglalakad palayo hanggang sa makita siyang naglaho sa alon ng mga taong nagsisipasukan pa sa loob. Kuya Luke will always be a friend to me, a precious friend.

Napaharap na lamang ako sa entrance ng hall when the people who were included in the entourage kanina ay nagsimula nang maglakad papasok ng venue. We'll have to march from the outside patungong loob kagaya ng sa kasal kanina. The only difference now is that I will be walking now with my husband hand in hand. Tahimik parin si kuya Andrew. His face is like a spitting image na nagsasabing "Bored na ako.". Malamya akong naglakad sa tabi niya hababg tinatahak ang kahabaan ng hagdanang ito patungo sa pool area. Evedyone are standing while clapping their hands. The place looks so magical. Lights are everywhere. May mga nakabitin ding mga  bulaklak sa ceiling. The motif is purple and pink. Just like what I've always wanted. I have this kind of obsession with these colors. Sobrang liwanag ng paligid. Everyone seems so happy for the both of us. How I was we feel the same way too pero hindi ko kayang ngumiti habang taliwas naman ang nararamdaman ng puso ko.