Forever and Always BOOK 1 ( a sequel to As Long As Forever)

Forever and Always - CHAPTER 13

This can't be happening! Hindi pwedeng mangyari 'to! Pepper is literally shaking after she heard their parents' decision. Tito Jordan is sending Alex to the States! Her worst nightmare is happening. And she can't wake up because it is happening right now, while she's wide awake!

"No, you can't do that!" puno ng emosyong sagot niya. Hindi niya napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses. "Hindi ako papayag!"

Lahat ng mata ay napatuon sa kanya. Dagli siyang nilapitan ng Mommy niya at hinagod ang likod para kumalma siya. But she is already panicking. She can't calm herself down. What added more to her anxiety is the fact that Alex was just silent. Ni hindi siya tiningnan nito simula pa ng dumating ang mga ito kanina.

"Erika, this is the best for the two of you," anang Mommy niya. "You and Alex are too young to get married. It is better for both of you to have a little space. You have to focus on your studies first."

"No, Mom," aniyang umiling. "How can you call that little space when we will be miles apart?" aniyang hindi naitago ang pait sa tinig. Pinipigilan niyang umiyak pero nagsimula ng gumaralgal ang boses. "How can separating us be good? I know that you are disappointed for what happened and we are sorry. But isn't this too much for a punishment? If you're gonna send Alex to the States, then I'll go with him."

"Erika, stop being stubborn!" her Dad snapped at her. Nakagat niya ng mariin ang labi para pigilin ang pag-iyak. Her Dad never talked to her after that fateful incident and it is hurting her. Tila naramdaman naman ng Mommy niya ang nadarama niya at marahan nitong pinisil ang kaniyang balikat.

"You are both young, hija," malumanay na sabi ni Tita Dinah. "It will do good for both of you to explore things by yourselves. It will also make you focus on other things. Simula pagkabata, kayo na ang magkasama. Don't worry, Alex will marry you in due time. You have our word for that."

Umiling siya. Tiningnan niya muli si Alex, umaasa siyang kakampihan siya nito sa pagtutol sa desisyon ng mga magulang ngunit nanatili itong walang imik. "How can you send him away like that? Sino ang makakasama niya roon? He doesn't even want to study law. He won't be happy there. Paano kung-"

"Enough, Pepper," biglang sabat ni Alex. Napabuga ito ng hininga. "I already agreed."

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig siya rito. "Y-You agreed? Without telling m-me?"

Tumango ito. For the first time, she felt like she's on her own battle. All alone. And she's too far from winning. Now, she knows how it felt to be betrayed. Pakiramdam niya'y nabanlian ang puso. Ang hapdi.

"They only want the best for us," tanging sagot nito.
Suddenly she couldn't feel her toes. Pakiramdam niya'y namanhid ang buong katawan. She can't believe Alex just agreed without a fight. She can't believe he actually agreed upon leaving her without even telling her! She can't believe that he even thought of leaving her! Dahil ni minsan, hindi sumagi sa isipan niyang mahiwalay rito. Kaya nga nandito sila sa sitwasyong ito, di ba? Dahil buong akala niya, mapipigilan niya ang plano ni Tito Jordan na pag-aralin ito sa ibang bansa. Her plans just backfired and she doesn't have any back up plan.

"Hija, this is for your future," ani Tito Jordan.

"Our future or your future?" aniyang diretsong tiningnan ang mga mata nito.

"Erika!" saway ng Daddy niya.

Napapitlag siya pero hindi siya humingi ng paumanhin. Tila hindi nakatiis si Alex at tumayo.

"Excuse us po," anito. Saka siya hinila. Hinayaan niyang hilahin siya nito dahil wala naman siyang lakas tumanggi. Dinala siya nito sa labas ng garden at walang ingat na binitiwan na tila ba nakakapaso siya. Napasipa ito ng malakas sa damuhan. He was whispering inaudible curses. Pakiramdam niya'y nanlalambot ang tuhod niya sa nangyayari. Her heart wants to burst out in frustration. Gusto niyang umiyak at magwala.