A Beautiful Soul

Kabanata 1

"What if mamamatay ka ngayong gabi, paano na si Gab?" Seryosong tanong ni Dhapnie kay Anna habang nasa kalagitnaan sila ng Truth or Dare game.

Nagulat ang lahat sa tanong niya at natahimik, maging si Anna ay hindi din maiwasang kumunot ang noo.

"C'mon it's just a question. There's nothing wrong about that." Paliwanag niya habang nakatawa.

Humingang malalim si Anna. Habang pinag-iisapan ang isasagot niya.

"Nasobraan ka na sa iniinom mo Dhapnie. Don't mind her Anna. Alam mo naman 'yang pinsan mo pag lasing. Kung anu-anong pinagsasabi." Sagot ni Steph

"Tama si Dhapnie, wala namang mali sa tanong niya." Tumango si Anna, "Part of me will be sad, of course, for all we've been through, on Sunday will be the right time to say I do, officially. Narealized kong being with the perfect man for me is more than enough to be the happiest. I'm lucky to be his fiancée and his soon to be wife." She smiled genuinely. "Pero kung mamamatay man ako, palagay ko hindi ko matatanggap. Because..." Anna started crying which makes everyone went closer to her. "Gab will definitely..." Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang humagulhol na ito sa iyak kaya nagsilapit na ang mga kaibigan nito para yakapin siya, except Dhapnie.

All her life, she's jealous for her cousin's good fortune. She is loved by so many people. Hindi lang swerte si Anna sa career niya kundi sa love life pa. With Gab, being a man kumpleto na ang buhay ng mapapangasawa niya. That's what Dhapnie's thinking the way she sees it. Kaya ganun na lang ang pagkamuhi niya kay Anna.

"So proud of you Anna, tomorrow is your big day. Magiging Mrs. Valdez ka na, kaya let's enjoy while you're still single!" Briana screamed in happiness and all of them started dancing in a private room which they occupied. Madalang sumama si Anna sa mga kaibigan niya. Simula kasi nang naging published writer siya, hindi na siya masyadong naglalabas dahil sa mga sunod-sunod na projects niya. Glad her company gave her some time to relax before the big day.

When they're done, most of her friends got wasted. Pinili na ni Anna na sumama sa pinsan niyang si Dhapnie since malapit lang ang condo nilang magpinsan. She's still fine, she knows how to discipline herself at hindi din siya mahilig uminom. Tumikim-tikim lang siya kanina at hindi na uminom pa an hour before they're done.

"You sure, you're okay? Ako nalang magdadrive." Suhestyon ni Anna kay Dhapnie matapos niyang binuksan ang driver's seat.

Pero umiling ito, "No, I'm fine. Kahit nakapikit ako kaya kitang ihatid sa condo mo." Biro niya, tumawa nalang si Anna. Malaki ang tiwala niya dito. Dati kasing racer si Dhapnie at naging champion pa ito kaya alam niyang makakarating siya ng safe.

"Anna, I'm sorry fow what I've said earlier, I really didn't meant to-" Bago pa matapos ni Dhapnie ang sasabihin, hinawakan ni Anna ang kamay nito.

"I know you since were young. Kaya sanay na ako sayo. Hindi na ako napipikon sa mga prangka mong tanong kaya don't worry."

Humingang malalim si Dhapnie at walang magawa kundi tumango, "Seatbelt, please." Paalala niya kay Anna saka kinindatan ito.

"No need. I trust you anyway."

Tumawa si Dhapnie at napailing, "You shouldn't trust me that much."

"Why can't I?"

"I'm not perfect like you."

Umiling si Anna at ngumiting hinawakan ang kamay nito, "You already are, I'm your biggest fan, right?" Hinding mapigilang ngumiti ni Dhapnie pero sa kaibuturan niya, naiinis siya. Why can't she hate me for all I've done to her?

Nagsimulang paandarin ni Dhapnie yung makina at dahan-dahan siyang umarangkada. Habang nasa byahe sila, pinatugtog niya ang paborito niyang Wonderwall. Ngumiti si Anna lalo na nang binaba ni Dhapnie ang bintana ng kotse niya at sabay silang kumanta.