Forcedly Yours [Completed]

Chapter 4

Aiden didn't take the news well. In fact, he's staring at me like I grew two heads.

Matapos ng pag-uusap namin ni Sonia ay napagpasyahan kong e-text si Aiden para makipagkita. Sonia was right, I shouldn't prolong the inevitable. But she was wrong when she said Aiden would understand.

"What.The.Fuck?" he enunciates every word and steps away from me. Bahagyang napalingon ang mga naglalakad sa parke sa amin.

"Aid-"

"No. Wala na bang ibang paraan? I can't believe you agreed," dismayadong sambit niya.

Umiling ako. "Wala akong choice." nanghihinang sagot ko bago nag-iwas ng tingin.

Pareho kaming natahimik ng ilang sandali. He stares at the floor, pulling his hair in frustration.

"So you're selling yourself," napailing siya. "I can't believe you right now. Who are you?"

Di ko maiwasang masaktan sa sinabi niya. "Aid, it's Karina. My parents. You were there when we had it worst. You of all people should underst-"

"How long have you known?" malamig na tanong niya.

Napalunok ako. "Aid-"

"You agreed to be my girlfriend. You knew and you-"

"H-hindi ko pa alam 'non. Nalaman ko lang pagka uwi ko ng bahay."

He stares at me as if in disbelief. "So all those times...our dates..." I wince when I see the disappointment on his face. "You were using me to rebel." galit na pag-aakusa niya.

Hindi ako nakasagot. I avert my gaze, unable to see his angry face. The first time I see my carefree, happy-go-lucky friend in anger and it's directed at me. Gusto kong maiyak.

"I'm extremely disappointed in you, Tin," umiling siya. "This is too fucked up for me."

Naramadaman ko ang unang pagtulo ng luha ko. "I'm sorry. Aid, please...please I need you right now. Can't we go back to being friends? You're one of my best friends. I-I can't lose you now.."

He looks at me incredulously. "Tangina, Tin. You're so selfish. You do know how selfish you sound right now, don't you? You-"

Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya at hinawak sya sa kamay. Wala sa loob na sinundan niya 'yon ng tingin.

"P-please, Aid..."

"Friends? Friends?" Marahas na pinalis niya ang pagkakahawak ko sa kanya. "Fuck you, Tin. Have a good life." sabi niya at dali-daling tumalikod at naglakad papalayo.

I let out a sob, my eyes briefly wandering to bypassers curiously looking at me. Napapitlag ako nang biglang nag ring ang cellphone ko. I wiped my tears and composed myself.

"Hello?"

"Ate, nasan ka? May kailangan daw kayong puntahan ni mama."

"Pauwi na ako. Nabanggit niya ba kung saan kami pupunta?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Makikipagkita yata kayo sa mga wedding organizers," sagot niya.

I let out a tired sigh. "Sige, Kar. Pauwi na ako."

Wala sa loob na napatingala ako.

God, give me a break.

I can't even spend the rest of the day mourning the loss of one of my best friends.

The rest of the day was a blur.

Nakipagkita kami ni mama sa mga wedding organizers. They asked if I had a wedding theme preference. If I wanted a color motif. The flowers I liked.