The One That Got Away

Chapter 33: Shattered

"Come on, they're waiting" He unbuckled his seat belt and he opened the door and went out to get Yzian at the back.

I slowly let go of the breath I was holding when I was alone. Natagalan bago naibaba ni Ian si Yzian sa kotse and it was okay because I needed time to stabilize the erratic beat of my pulse. Saka lang ako bumaba noong kontrolado ko na ulit ang pakiramdam ko. Ian opened up the door for me while he was holding Yzian in his right arm.

Sinalubong ako ng matinding kaba pagbaba ko pa lang ng kotse. I let out a heavy sigh. This is it... after so many years, makikita ko na ulit sila.

"Are you okay?" Ian asked.

"Yeah.. medyo kinakabahan lang ako." I answered.

He held my hand and smiled. "You will be fine."

Nauna nang naglakad si Ian habang hawak hawak parin ang kamay ko.

"Mom, Dad.. can I play with Sasha?" Yzian suddenly spoke. I nooded my head and Ian put her down. "Ingat sa paglalaro ha? You wouldn't want to see Mama Jo and Dada Ebert with stinky Yzian right?" She nooded. "I'll be careful mommy! Dont worry." She smiled and pulled me to her level and she gave me a kiss on the lips. Sasha is Sarah's daughter. Matteo is a close relative of the Bautistas kaya sila nandito. Sasha came near us and gave me a kiss on the cheeks and pulled Yzian near the other children circling and playing.

The children's laughter... the voices... and my own heartbeat. They seemed to squeeze my head a little more.

"Ian! You're early! What a surprise!" I recognized that voice immediately, that it made me stop and took a breath. I waited a heartbeat before I came out of my hiding.

Her smile immediately froze the moment I came out from Ian's back. And I was greeted with silence.

Mas lalo pang bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko. Tinitigan niya ako na para akong isang estranghero sa paningin niya. Her eyes were not happy. Shes was not happy to see me. Tinitigan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at pabalik.

"Wheres dad mom?" Basag ni Ian sa katahimikan. But Tita Jo pulled Ian to their guests and left me alone in that corner.

I looked around and found Yzian happily playing with some kids. And Ian was now nowhere to be found.

People come and offered me a warm smile, while others tried to hide their criticizing stares. Sa bahay nila Ian gaganapin ang wedding ceremony nila Tita at Tito and we are just waiting for the ceremony to start. Pero hindi pa man din nagsisimula ang seremonya ay naa-out of place na ako.

"Ate shin!" I heard someone shouted from the back. I looked at it and saw Jordan who excitedly hugged me tight. Siya palang ang unang taong nagwelcome saakin ng ganito since I stepped on to this house.

"Jords... how are you?" I asked as I break away from the hug.

"Im okay ate... Ikaw! Kumusta ka na? I saw how mom treated you a while back, Im sorry" I let out a faint smile.

"Its okay Jordan, everyone here thinks what those front pages is talking about... anyway, have you met Yzian already?" His eyes  immediately lit up.

"Yeah.. napakamagalang na bata at napakaganda. I wish she could sleep over here pero flight niyo na din agad bukas. Mga anak kasi ni Kuya Josh hindi na masyadong umuuwi sa bahay eh." Malungkot niyang sabi.