Splitting Hairs

Prologue

My twin and I are always different from one another. As in. From our attitudes to our preferences. But one thing is clear though, we are always compared. Mas bibo siya. Mas matalino ako. 

Huwag mo ng itanong kung anong pinagkaiba, dahil hindi ko din alam. 

Mas mabait siya. Mas sobrang mabait ako. Haha.

Yes. That's why I'm asking myself why... why I am walking down the aisle right now.

Matatanggap ko pa sana if it's just a nut—normal case of an arranged marriage. Pero hindi! Gusto kong magsumbong sa Department of Justice sa pang-aabuso sa 'kin ng mga magulang ko. I am the second daughter.

My eyes get misty. My knees get shaky.

"Jean Rose Leviste, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?"

Noooo! That's not my name!

Parang biglang naparalyze ang buo kong katawan. Gusto kong gayahin si Julia Roberts sa Runaway Bride. My eyes meet his through the veil. I should have been the happiest woman on earth to have married him. Who wouldn't?

JULIAN SUNICO. 

The son of the Sunico dynasty.

His eyes were conveying something. His smile looks predatory that says open your mouth and you're dead. Yes. I'm dead.

"I do." I've already sealed my death sentence.

How can my sister plot something like this? How can she run away and leave me to replace her? At hindi lang basta replace!

"Smile sweetie, aren't you happy? Nakuha mo ang gusto mo? Napikot mo na 'ko. I will father your child..."

My eyes grow larger at the anger emanating from him. Kung pwede lang na patayin niya 'ko ng tingin. I might be dead on the spot— And what is he talking about?! Has my sister been pregnant? I look at my mother's guilty eyes. Has she known it all along? Ano ang gagawin ko?

There are only two alternatives. Make it real. A big NO, NO.

O Lumunok ng pakwan?!

It's better that way kaysa dun sa una...

"You'll be my lawfully wedded... and bedded wife."