Before I Choose (DLC Series #2)

Prologue

Prologue

Isang malakas na sampal ang natanggap ko.

"You're not worthy of my son!"

Isang patak ng luha.

Dalawa.

Tatlo.

Hanggang sa tuloy-tuloy ang pag-agos nito mula sa mga mata ko.

"W-why?" I asked, my lips quivering.

"Don't question me. I know what's best for my son! And you're far from being part of his future plans!"

But aren't you aware that your son is happy with me? 

Perhaps you are, but you'd rather feign ignorance than accept the truth.

"I love him," mariin kong wika. Patuloy lang ang pag-patak ng luha mula sa mata ko but I forced myself to look stoic.

She shook her head in disbelief. "You don't―"

"I do."

"No!" She screamed hysterically. She held my shoulders a bit too tight for my liking. Napangiwi ako sa sakit ngunit tinatagan ko ang aking ekspresyon. "You don't love my son. You just want money and power! Alam mong pag kinasal ka sa anak ko, makukuha mo ang lahat ng iyon!"

I shook my head. "No, Tita I―"

"Don't call me Tita!" She bellowed before harshly pushing me away. Muntik pa akong mapaupo sa sahig kung hindi ko lang naibalanse kaagad ang sarili. "This is your last warning, Heaven. Don't test my patience. Stay away from my son."

Huli na para mapigilan ko ang sarili ko.

"And if I don't?"

Her eyes turned sharp, her face darkening. "Then your family will atone for your mistake."

"No.."

"Try me, Heaven." Mariin niyang sagot bago ako talikuran at tuluyang iniwan.

Naramdaman ko ang panghihina ng mga binti ko. Hindi ko na napigilan ang paglagpak ko sa sahig.

What am I supposed to do now?

I can't lose them both.

I love my family...

...but I also love him.

Napapikit ako ng mariin bago nagdesisyon.

I hope I don't regret this.

***