ZWCS#7: Back To December

Chapter Seven

years later...

She inhaled deeply as she watched the sunset, it's like a crimson throat to hell and is cavernous. In a little twilight will drop the curtain down and pins it with stars. They say that sunsets were made for people to realize that no matter how bad your day is, life has it's own way to end it beautifully.

A cold touch from behind caught her attention. But her eyes remained on the beautiful sunset.

"Gift, are you okay?"

Her lips twitched in a sudden irritation. Oh how she hates people asking if she's okay when she's obviously not. Instead of hauling an answer to a stupid question she kept her mouth shut.

"Oh, how stupid! I'm sorry, Gift. I know what you're feeling and I'm sorry that I can't do anything about it." Her voice laced concern. "Hindi ko na inaasahan na dadalo ka ngayon dito, and seeing you today breaks my heart."

Taking her time, she took a sip of her wine and turned at the woman beside her. "I'm okay."

Bitch, she's not!

Who will be okay attending the wedding of her dearest father and his woman? But then, she rather pretend than admit.

Tumango ito sakanya na tila ba pinakikibagayan ang kaniyang sinabi, bahagya pa itong nag-iwas ng tingin. "Kailan ang balik mo sa New York?"

"Atticus booked me a flight this weekend." Muli niyang ibinaling ang tingin sa papalubog na sikat ng araw kung saan nag-aagaw na ang liwanag at ang dilim. "Why are you here by the way? You should be inside, celebrating with them."

"Gift, you're far more important than anything else." She said in a sweet tone. "Kanina pa ko hindi mapalagay, kanina pa kita gustong kausapin."

"I said I'm okay, Tita Bettina." May bahagyang diin niyang sabi. "You have nothing to worry about me."

Her aunt was about to utter another concern but she dismissed it briefly by turning back.

"I'll go inside and greet the newly weds, I don't want them to think I'm another coffee grain."

Naramdaman niyang sumunod ito sakanya, nilingon at binati siya ng mga bisita sa malawak na bulwagan. She said she'll pretend to be okay but she can never and will never fake a smile for this shit of an occasion. So instead of welcoming hypocrisy, she ignored everyone.

Nang marating niya ang komedor, agad na natuon sakanya ang tingin ng lahat ng nasa mahabang hapag. She barely knew these people, ang alam niya lamang ay napapabilang ang mga ito sa alta sociedad. They're all smiles, lahat ay tila ba masaya para sa okasyon na iyon.

Ang mga mata niya ay lumipat sa kung sino ang nakaupo sa kabisera. Her father's eyes met hers. That ball of happiness that completed his round eyes made her heart clenched in pain. He is happy. He is very happy. She's miserable.

"Gift..." Pormal nitong bati sakanya bago imwestra ang upuan sa kaliwang bahagi niya. "Join us, hija."

Her brows shot up in mere sarcasm. Patuyang binalingan niya ng tingin ang kanang bahagi nito kung saan naroon ang babaeng pinakasalan ng kaniyang ama.

Nakita niya ang labis na pag-aalinlangan sa mga mata nito ngunit gaya ng dati'y idinadaan nito ang lahat sa isang magandang ngiti. "Gift, it's nice to see you here."

"It's never nice to see you at all." The words slipped off her mouth naturally that she failed to control it.

It earned series of loud gasps from everyone in the table. But then, the devil cares.

"Gift." It was her dad's voice that sets so much warning. Kasabay noon ay ang pag-tayo nito sa kinauupuan, agad na hinawakan ni Cindy ang braso nito na tila pinababalik sa pagkakaupo. "We need to talk."