What You Mean To Me [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER FIVE

"SO FAR, SO GOOD." Mahinang bulong ni Yumika bago muling sumipsip sa wine na hawak. She was somehow at ease with other people around but guarded. Kasalukuyan siyang nasa isang wedding celebration. Kasal ng kanyang high school friend at imbitado silang dalawa ni Stephanie. Ayaw na sana niyang pumunta pero ang kaibigan niyang ikinasal ay isa sa mga close friends nila ni Steph.

Leaning back against her chair, she looked around. Napapalibutan siya ng mga taong hindi niya kilala, pero alam niyang kilala siya ng mga ito. Nang dumating sila ni Steph kanina ay may nakita siyang grupo ng mga kababaihan na nagbulungan habang nakatingin sa kanya, and it triggered her anxiety. Well, what else was knew? She was the talk of the town since her estranged husband left her two days after their joke of a wedding. Dapat ay masanay na siya sa ganoong sitwasyon.

"Hey, " Putol ni Steph sa daloy ng isip niya. "Are you okay?"

Malalim na buntong-hininga ang isinagot niya. "Actually, gusto ko ng umuwi. But that would be rude to Jessy and Noah."

Tinapik nito ang kanyang kamay. "It's going to be fine, okay?"

She smiled at that. Wala siyang dapat ikabahala. Her best friend was with her. She took a sip on her wine once again as she watched the newly wed couple. High school sweetheart ang dalawa. Kaklase nila si Jessy while Noah was a year ahead of them. Noon pa man ay talagang in love na ang dalawa sa isa't-isa. Naalala niya noon, si Noah pa mismo ang nag-propose kay Jessy na maging girlfriend nito ang dalaga sa harap pa ng maraming tao. It was after they won the basketball game. Naalala niyang nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Cade nang maghiyawan ang mga tao pagkatapos umoo ni Jessy. Cade was there because he was also part of the basketball team. At tiyak na tumulong rin ito sa plano ng kaibigan.

"Kukuha lang ako ng wine. Wanna come with me?" Ani Steph.

Umiling siya. "I'll just stay here." Sigurado kasi siyang matutuon ang pansin ng ibang mga guests sa kanya kapag tatayo siya, at tiyak pag-uusapan na naman siya. That's the last thing she wanted to happen. Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya bago nilagok ang natitirang wine sa baso niya. Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang mga matatandang kasama niya sa round table. Ipinagpasalamat niyang hindi interesado ang mga ito sa buhay niya. They smiled at her, all right, but there was a hint of respect in their eyes. That, or they were afraid they might be dealing with Cade sooner or later if they make her feel uncomfortable.

Hold it there, Mika! Palihim na kinurot niya ang sarili. In the first place, si Cade ang dahilan kung bakit siya naging talk of the town. Hindi niya dapat isipin na ito rin ang magiging hero niya. Parang gusto niyang sumuka sa isiping iyon.

"And now, let's hear a message from one of Jessy's high school friends." Tinig ng host ang nagpabalik sa kanya sa kasalukuyan. Nilinga niya si Steph kung pabalik na ba ito. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang makitang naglalakad na ito pabalik at may bitbit pang isang mamahaling bote ng wine. Steph beamed at her, raising the bottle up in the air.

"So why don't we hear from Mrs. Hernandez herself?" Yumika froze. Nanginig ang buo niyang katawan. "Oh, wait. Are you guys still married? Hindi pa ba na-annulled 'yung kasal n'yo?" The host's questions made the people around her murmured and whispered in unison. Sa mga oras na iyon ay wala siyang ibang nais kundi ang lamunin siya ng lupa.

"I thought Cade would file an annulment," narinig niyang sabi ng katabi niyang ginang.

"It was really a mess, I remember. Nagpumilit pa talaga siyang maikasal kay Cade." Yumika heard someone from the nearby table. Narinig din niyang may tumawa.

"I'm sorry, it was stupid of me to assume na annulled na kayo. I just thought, you know, because of what happened two days after the wedding—"

"Stop it, Diana." It was Steph, na nasa gilid na niya. "Stop ruining Jessy and Noah's wedding by picking on my sister-in-law."