Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 18 - The Teasing Game

Steffanie was looking intently at her best friend. Kasalukuyang nag-aalmusal sila ni Sofia sa isang pribadong restaurant.

"Thanks, Steff. Pinagbigyan mo naman ako sa mga sumpong ko," she said while chewing her pancakes.

She just gave her friend a very understanding smile. Tinawagan kasi niya ito kaninang madaling araw. She sounded very distressed. Apparently, her best friend was having cold feet. Kinabukasan na kasi ay kasal na nito.

"No worries. Alam mo namang nandito lang ako para sa yo," wika niya.

"I just feel very... very... nervous." Nagbaba ito ng tingin.

She held her hand, empathizing with her friend. Nauunawaan niya ang nararamdaman nito. Tomorrow will not be an ordinary wedding. It will never be a simple union of two souls. Tomorrow's event will be etched on Pendragon's history. Tomorrow will be the beginning of Pendragon's future. Tomorrow, everyone will officially see the next monarch. Tomorrow, Sofia York will be the Crown Princess of the kingdom. She will be the future Queen of Pendragon.

She could just imagine the turmoil that she was experiencing. Sofia was a free soul. She was not the type of person that could be chained and shackled in one place. She was the walking definition of the word, adventure.

"But you know Steff?" tumimbre ito. But she did not continue her statement. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ito.

"What is it Sofia? You can tell it to me. Alam mo namang bukas lagi ang tainga ko para sa yo. I am always prepared to listen."

Muli itong bumuntong-hininga, "Actually Steff, wala naman sa akin kung maging Crown Princess ako or hindi. Kung ako nga ang tatanungin, I would rather be just a commoner. Alam mo yun? Just a simple person who lives a simple life. Not caring about statuses. No nobility ranks. No royal titles."

Her friend gave a sigh. This was one of the very rare times that Sofia got depressed and worried. Most of the time, masigla at aktibo ito. She was a person of thousand smiles. She was little miss sunshine. But this wedding was taking toll on her.

"Alam mo yun Steff, I should be excited. People are clamouring. Kay raming may gustong mapunta sa lugar ko. But..."

She could feel her hesitations.

"Sofia," she said.

Agad naman itong tumingin sa kanya. She could her watery eyes, waring nagbabadya ng tumulo ang mga luha nito.

"I know you can do it, Sofia. Kilala kita. Kapag ginusto mo, you can definitely excel. You'd be a great matriarch."

Naikuyom nito ang kanyang mga kamay.

"Yun na nga, Steff. Hindi ko naman ginusto ito."

Sofia was fuming. Kitang-kita niya ang alab sa mga mata nito. But she didn't budge. She knew her inside and out. Alam niyang defence mechanism lamang ito ng dalaga.

"Just like what I said. Kilala kita. You are my best friend. No need to put that façade in front of me. Alam kong kapag ayaw mo, ayaw mo talaga. Walang sinuman ang makakapilit sa yong gawin ang mga bagay na ayaw mo. Not me. Not your father. Not even King Rupert himself."

Nabigla ito sa sinabi niya. Agad itong naglayo ng tingin.

"And what do you mean by that?"

She kept the genuine smile on her face. "Sofie... I know na gusto mo rin ito. I see that genuine twinkle in your eyes whenever you are with Arthur. I know that you have fallen in love with him."

And that broke Sofia's silent tears. Bumagsak na ang mga luha nito.

"Steff..." she held her hand, squeezing it tightly. Waring kumukuha ito ng lakas ng loob sa kanya.