Cloud Chaser

STARS ARE NOT GENTLE

WARNING: NO SECOND EDITING NOR REVISIONS. THIS IS RAW. PLEASE BARE WITH MY ERRORS.

THE NAMES/PLACE/PLOT IS MERELY BY THE AUTHOR'S IMAGINATION.

"Together, we will unleash girls' power in all dimensions." Sabay sabay na nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa malawak na social hall na iyon habang malawak naman ang ngiti ni Lyle sa audience. She is an advocate of Women Empowerment, her pledge is that no woman should be left behind. Sa tuwing natatapos ang kanyang speech ay pakiramdam niya kahit papano ay nababawasan ang bigat ng dibdib sa mga kababaihan na nakakarinig ng kanyang speech.Abala siya sa pag aayos ng gamit dahil isa din siyang kick boxing instructor sa isang kilalang gym school sa kalakhang Maynila. She also teaches women to be strong in case of emergency, with the range of harassment that is happening nowadays. Her service is for free! Gusto niya lang talaga na makatulong sa mga kababaihan. Her phone started ringing and she sadly gasp when she saw the caller ID. It's her bestfriend, Shalani Mendrez. She became hesitant but when she thought it is unfair, she gasp a few breathe before hitting the answer button.
"Hello?" the angelic voice of her bestfriend woke her up in her reverie. Maging ito ay tila alangan na tawagan siya.
"Sha.." "Thank God you answered your phone! Akala ko inabandona mo na ang bestfriend mo after all that happened on that day."
May kumislot sa kanyang dibdib ng mabanggit na naman nito ang araw na hindi niya na gustong balikan. She moved on. She should move on. She gathered all her strength before answering back.

"Sha, kumusta?" she plainly answered

"Can you see me today? Guess what, I am getting married!"A silent lone tear fell from her eyes. No, she's very happy for her only best friend but she cannot lie to herself, she is also hurting. She is still a sucker for pain.

"Wow, I'm very happy for you. Sure, I could drop in your area today."

"Uhm. Sorry if you feel this is ambush but gown fitting in our house. Mom and Dad would like to see you too. Umuwi sila! Please don't break the oldies' hearts. They've missed you so much."
Hearing about the word "umuwi" sent a pang of pain in her chest. She would not risk seeing someone in the Mendrez Mansion. Hindi niya alam kung paano niya pakikiharapan ang pamilyang naging tahanan niya sa mahabang panahon. Maaring maramdaman ng mga ito ang pag abandona niya matapos mangyari ang eskandalo nang araw na iyon but she can no longer afford to ruin the ambience in her bestfriend's hopeful voice over the line. Isang malalim na paghinga ang pinakawalan niya bago sumagot sa kaibigan.
"Okay fine. Pero sasaglit lang ako ha? I have a kick boxing class kaya hindi rin ako magtatagal. Nasa sasakyan na ako, wait for me outside."

Malakas na tili ang pinakawalan nito matapos niyang sumagot ng positibo. Napailing na lamang si Lyle sa kaibigan na ikakasal na pero para pa ding elementarya sa gawi. Namiss niya din ito kung kaya't pinaunlakan niya na ang paanyaya. She is silently hoping that the person she hates right now will not be around. No, she is not yet ready. And even if she's ready, huwag muna. Hindi muna. Hindi niya pa kaya. She silently drove to Mendrez' Mansion with a fear enveloping her whole system.Trenta minutos lamang ang nakalipas ng marating niya ang harap ng bahay ng kanyang kaibigan. Tumatakbong sinalubong siya nito, dahil na rin sa kasabikan because this is the only time na pumayag siyang makipagkita rito. "It's been a long time, nakakatampo ka. I feel so abandoned but I am still thankful na you are coming in my wedding next week. That is enough. Plus, Mom and Dad is so excited to see you."

Namataan ko sa kanyang likuran ang isang lalaki na may katangkaran, ito marahil ang fiancee ng kanyang kaibigan. Malungkot itong tumango sa kanya nang ipakilala ng bestfriend niya.
"Anyway, pumasok na tayo. Nakahanda na ang tanghalian, nasa dining room na din sila."Lyle silently crossed her fingers hoping that she wouldn't see the face she is trying to forget all her damn fighting life. Nang makarating sa kusina at makita ang dalawang matanda lamang ang naroon, a sigh of relief escaped. "Lyle!!"Excited na tumayo si Stephanie Mendrez kasama ang asawa na si Mark Mendrez. These oldies are half Italian and Half filipino, kaya naman lubos na biniyayaan sa genes ang pamilyang ito. From their aristocratic nose, deep-set sea eyes, thin lips and a clear complexion only shows how beautiful their line is. "Tita and Tito, you did not grow old. Kaunti na lang eh iisipin kong may lahi kayo ng mga bampira. Look at you, still youthful and glowing, mahihiya ang endorser ng Myra-E sa inyong dalawa." she happily chided. How she missed this wonderful couple!

"Ikaw talagang bata ka, hanggang ngayon eh pinag iisipan mo pa din na may lahi kaming bampira. Colla-collagen lang yan!"Napahalakhak siya sa tinuran ng ginang. She seems so carefree and jolly just like the old days. Parang hindi man lang ito tumanda. Sa tabi nito ay nakikitawa lang ang haligi ng tahanan ng mga Mendrez na isang retired Engineer. At the middle of her laugh, a painful realization hit her. Sa lahat ng taon na lumipas, may ganito din kaya siyang aasahan kung hindi nangyari iyon? A husband beside her that will just lovingly stare at her as if she is the only girl in the world. She wonder.Naging mahaba ang usapan habang kumakain ang pamilya. Lyle is very happy that they are very sensitive and avoided the topic that could ruin her happy world. A fake world which she creates by herself. Matapos masukatan ng kanyang gown sa nalalapit na kasal ay nagpaalam na din siya sa kaibigan. She still have kick boxing lessons and she would not missed it for the world. Naging malinaw ang usapan nila na sa mismong kasal na ulit sila magkikita with all the preparations, both parties are busy at pabor din naman sa kanya iyon.