The Set-Up Wedding [PUBLISHED BY PINK AND PURPLE]

SUW II - 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Hindi napansin ni Ellen ang pagpasok ni Bodie sa loob ng sasakyan. He sat on the driver's seat and awkwardly looked around.

"I guess I forgot to lock the car kaya ka nakapasok..."

Pagtitig niya kay Ellen ay umiiyak pa rin ito. Mahina lang ang paghikbi niya, it was as if kahit mag-isa lang siya kanina sa sasakyan ay kinokontrol pa rin niya ang sarili na umiyak ng masyadong madibdib.

His lips parted to let out a heavy breath. Hindi alam ni Bodie kung paano ito iko-comfort. He did not really intend na malaman ni Ellen ang lahat. Well, muntik na niyang masabi na nakabuntis si Jude and all that, but he chose to remain silent about it. Sabi na nga ba at hindi maganda ang kalalabasan kapag nalaman ni Ellen ang tungkol dito.

Sinandal na lang ni Bodie ang ulo sa headrest ng driver's seat.

After a while, he just patted her by the shoulder.

"That's enough," he groaned.

"Bitawan mo ako," sagot sa kanya ni Ellen, nanginginig ang boses pero at the same time ay pinupunasan na ang sariling luha.

"Hinahanap ka ni Jude."

"I don't want to see him," titig ni Ellen sa sariling mga tuhod. Napakalamig ng pakiramdam niya. Para siyang naka-swimsuit sa North Pole na nanginginig.

"He can explain everything."

Napapikit ng mariin si Ellen. "Explain na may... may nabuntis siyang iba? They are hanging out?" Pause. Lalong naging mariin ang pagkakapikit ng mga mata ni Ellen. Lines sketched on her face. "Nandidiri ako. Nandidiri. Ako. Bodie."

His eyes widened. Hinarap nito si Ellen.

"Is virginity an issue to you?" Napalunok siya sa natanong. Shit. It's a very awkward question. Gaano ba sila ka-close nito to ask her like that? And about her own husband, for Pete's sake!

"No!" Natigilan ito saglit. "But the kid... that woman... Jude... that..."

Tumango-tango si Bodie, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're just confused now, Ellen. Carried away by emotions."

"Carried away," tawa nito ng pagak, just to cover up the pain, just to emphasize na tapos na siyang umiyak. Or maybe, she's just doing that to stop herself from crying again. "I shouldn't have been in this marriage in the first place. We shouldn't have, right?" baling niya kay Bodie. "Hindi. Kami. Dapat. Kinasal."

Hindi alam ni Bodie ang ire-react. He just couldn't. Pero kung sa paglalabas ng saloobin magiging komportable si Ellen then, he'll listen.

After all... he likes her. A lot. So much.

But he doesn't want to see her like this.

"Bakit ba kasi-" napailing-iling si Ellen. "Bakit? Hindi na sana ako dumating sa kasal, right? I don't even know him! He doesn't know me... And besides, si Stella naman talaga-"

"I want to confess something, Ellen," interrupt ni Bodie sa sinasabi niya. Ellen looked up to him.

"What?" tanong niya dito.

"Alam ni Jude na hindi talaga ikaw si Stella."

She was speechless. Hindi ma-gets ni Ellen kung ano ang nais iparating ni Bodie. He sighed. Tama ba ang gagawin niya? Will this save his cousin's marriage with this girl? Why the fuck he cares anyway? Away ito ng mag-asawa so bakit siya tutulong? Bakit manghihimasok pa siya? Bakit?

Fuck, the hell do I care if I am not in the position to do this? Final decision ni Bodie bago ito nagsalita ulit.

"Bago pa kayo ikasal ni Jude, alam na niya na ikaw talaga si Ellen Estabillo, at nagpapanggap lang si Stella na ikaw."