Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Finally, it's Kaia and Falcon's wedding day. Hapon nang Biyernes ako tumulak pabalik ng Manila. It's just a week after her bridal shower. Kagaya noon, nag-book na lang ako ng hotel para malapit lang sa venue. Pinili ko ang mas accessible. Tinatamad din kasi akong magdrive nang malayo.

We are all gathered in the hotel room right now. This is where we're getting our hair and makeup done by the artist Kaia hired, while she's in a separate room being prepped by a different team.

I'm already finished. It was quick. I just asked for a light look since this is a wedding. Ate and Lia are ready too, and we're just sitting around chatting. Nakikinig lang naman ako sa mga kwento at paminsan ay nagtatanong din. Updated din naman kasi ako sa buhay niya since I always called her whenever I had time to check her. Nasisiguro kong gano'n din naman si Lia.

Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay kung paano niya nakaya na tanggapin ang buhay niya ngayon nang gano'ng kadali. I mean, she's been confined to our home ever since she was diagnosed with a heart condition. Then, even after she got better and was free, she allowed herself to be trapped again. It's unfair. But I understand at some point since she needed to do that. And it was brave of her to take on all of that. Pero sa kabilang banda, sana hindi siya pumayag. Sana tumutol siya. Sana umalis na lang siya. Because if I were in her shoes, I would probably just leave. I know it sounds selfish, but I don't think I should just be sold off or used to pay off debts. I have my own life, and I believe I have the right to live it the way I want because it is my life.

"Where's he, anyway? I thought he was coming to the wedding?" I heard Lia asked.

"I'm sure he will be busy until later, susunod na lang siguro 'yon. At sigurado rin akong hindi kami magtatagal. Kauuwi niya lang din from states, e."

"Minahal mo na ba talaga siya nang tuluyan?"

Ate Ellaine smiled sadly and shook her head. "I've tried so hard to love him, and he's done everything he can to help me. But my heart just won't fully beat for him. I care for him deeply, but I know my feelings aren't enough for him just yet. Still, I'm not giving up. Perhaps, someday, in some way, I'll be able to return the love Jared has given me. For now, I'll wait. I still have plenty of patience. I can handle it."

"Is that even possible?" Interesadong tanong ni Lia.

"I don't know. All I can say is that if it weren't for the resort, I'd still be with Marcus. Even if Papa disapproved, I would have chosen him. I'd be willing to fight for our love because I truly care for him."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Lia bago malungkot na tumingin muli kay ate. "I'm sorry," sabay naming sambit.

She smiled at us. "It's fine. I'm just saying. Matagal na rin namang tapos ang sa'min ni Marcus. I'm just hoping he's happy right now."

"But what if you're already married to Jared and you still can't love him? Hindi ba't parang ang hirap no'n?" Si Lia ulit, hindi pa rin natatapos sa mga katanungan niya.

"Of course, it would be difficult, but what can I do? Besides, it's not so hard to accept anymore. We were supposed to be married already, weren't we? Papa just postponed it. And over the years, I've learned to be comfortable with him. I've gotten used to it." She said, shrugging her shoulders.

My phone suddenly rang. I excused myself because I left it on the drawer.

I smiled when Reuben's name appeared on my screen. Nangungulit pa rin talaga siya sa date na sinabi niya noong nakaraan. Hindi ko naman mapagbigyan. My schedule is already full for this month. Hindi ko siya kayang isingit.

Namatay kalaunan ang tawag, pero hindi nagtagal ay mensahe naman ang natanggap ko.

From: Reuben Angeles
why do I feel like I'm being rejected? :(