Loving Aria

Chapter 34

Hearts can break. Yes, hearts can break. Sometimes I think it will be better if we died when they did, but we don't.

***

Aria

"Are you okay?" Tanong ko sa babaeng katabi ko habang nagdadrive ako. Grant is not in the mood to drive her car. Isa pa, wala sa plano na umalis kami ngayong gabi.

"You're stupid."

Statement iyon na hindi ko kinontra. Wala akong balak ideny ang bagay na matagal ko ng alam.

"So this is your plan, huh? Or is this just a front act, like a commotion? "

I glance at her through the mirror. But when I saw her accusing eyes, mabilis naman akong nag iwas ng tingin.

"Wala. This is what it seems to be."

"So, talagang wala kang plano sainyo ni Corinne?"

"Wala.."

I tried to hold off my tears. Just remembering Corinne's reaction when I broke up with her is enough to shake me.

"Wala?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Grant. "Gosh, Aria! You have to do your counter move soon. Alam na ng mga magulang mo yung tungkol kay Corinne."

Mula sa pagdadrive ay napatingin ako ulit sa kanya sa rearview mirror. Kitang kita ko ang pagiging balisa niya.

"I broke up with her." Kaswal na sabi ko kahit pakiramdam ko ay tila may mabigat na bato na dumagan sa diaphragm ko ng sinabi ko iyon. "That's the plan."

That's the best option, heart. So stop protesting. I need to breathe.

"Well, di ka lang pala stupid talaga Aria. You're a coward too."

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela. I hate the thought but I have to admit it.

I'm a coward I know. But this is the only option I am left with. Kapag pinili ko si Corinne ngayon, I'll deny her the chance to grow and to have the life she wants. If I choose to runaway, they'll hunt us. They'll make sure that they'll be able to scar Corinne. Kung hindi man tuluyang masira ng pamilya ko si Corinne, for sure, Terry and Tita Olive will take half of their wraths. And I don't want her to hate me even more just for being selfish.

"Aria." Grant called. "This will be the last time you'll be able to have a chance. Grab Corinne. We'll help you both to escape."

Tahimik lang ako habang nagdadrive. Nakikita ko na yung pamilyar na way palabas ng property nila Leigh.

"Will she choose me, Grant? Tingin mo ba posibleng piliin nya na sumugal sa bagay na hindi sya sigurado kung worth it ba o hindi?"

"You're just being stubborn, Aria! Corinne loves you. We're sure of that. Sam can vouch on that."

Nanginginig yung kamay ko in anticipation. Me and Corinne together. Yung malayo sa mundong huhusga sa aming dalawa. Is that really possible?

But thinking back, I know that it's impossible. Grant and I once did it. But we both find ourselves sinking. Para maisave ang isa't isa, sa huli, we just both decided to let go.

Grant gently pat my right leg.

"Mahal mo na din si Corinne di ba? Kaya ka nagseselos sa closeness nila ni Sam."

Umiling naman ako. Sa totoo lang mas ikinatatakot ko yung katotohanan na Sam can stand for her more than I can. Kung mahal ko ba si Corinne, I can't tell it just yet. Kasi pag inamin ko ang bagay na iyon, kasunod na nun lahat ng responsibilidad na kaakibat ng tatlong salitang iyon, I love her.