When Everything Falls (De Chaves #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Coldness crept through my skin. The silence in the ballroom intensified the coldness that suffused in the pit of my stomach. Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakita ko si Bellamy na gustong lumapit sa akin. Mahigpit siyang hinawakan ng kaniyang ama. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil doon dahil gusto ko ako lang ang humarap sa aking pamilya.

It was my fault to prolong this. Kung sana noon ko pa sinabi na may namamagitan sa amin ni Bellamy ay hindi na sana hahantong sa ganito. The hushed murmurs of the people in front of me made me nervous. Pero walang mas nakakaba sa tingin ni Lola sa akin. She was staring at me as if I were a fool to speak such brave objection. Her eyes turned into slits while looking at me. Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakita kong tumayo na sina Papa, Tita Ester at Lilith.

Lola laughed as if I were joking, "Of course, you can say that right now, hija because you scarcely know this fine young man. Kei is a good man and—"

"I am not going to marry Kei de Chavez, lola." I said coldly, hindi ko alam kung saan ko nakukuha ang lakas ng loob ko. My chest was constricting apprehensively. I knew that after this night, there will be only one result: she will hate me again.

"Lia, are you even thinking?!" her voice was wrapped with apparent authority. She looked at the de Chavez, "I am sorry for the attitude of my granddaughter. You know, Leonardo, she grew up with her mother. It's understandable that she has the attitude."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata dahil sa sinabi ni Lola. My chest constricted painfully. Hindi ko inakalang sasabihin niya iyon. Anong masama sa sinabi ko? I had just voiced out what was in my mind. When Papa reached our part, he held Lola Esmeralda. Kahit pa nakangiti ang matanda ay kitang kita ko ang pagsilip ng galit sa kaniyang mga mata. Of course, she may not be expecting that I will object to her plan.

"It seems like your granddaughter has made up her mind." Mr. Leonardo said grimly, nakatingin sa aking Lola.

"No, no! Just give her time, Leonardo! Of course, she will say that right now kasi hindi niya pa nakikilala ang mapapangasawa niya." Lola said with a subtle hysteria in her voice. She looked at me; she widened her eyes as if commanding me to nod at her all biddings, "Lia! Kei is a fine man. Give it a try, hija. I can assure a better future ahead with him."

Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga tao. The scene as if imbued them to the core. I didn't want the set up. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang plano ni Lola. Ang lakas ng kabog ng aking puso na mistulang sasabog na ito. Lola was smiling to all the people— a tacit form of apology for the scene right now. Tumingin ako kay Papa na ngayon ay pinipigilan na si Lola. Lola, on the other hand, did not listen to any advice from my Father. She was adamant to shove her ideas to me. No, I cannot let that happen. I love them; I will catch a bullet for them, but this? No.

It may sound selfish but I didn't want to be manipulated by anyone. Oo, marahil masasaktan ko sila. They will be disappointed upon my decision but I couldn't stand seeing Bellamy hurt. Hindi ko kayang saktang siya. Hindi ko alam pero siya iyong nagparamdam sa aking kung ano ang pamilya. Aside from my Mother, Bellamy was the one who stood there without any inhibitions. He lifted me up when I felt down. Makakaya ko bang iwanan siya?

Iniisip ko palang ay hindi ko na kaya. Paano ko iiwan ang taong nagparamdam sa aking kung ano ang pagmamahal? Tumingin ako kay Bellamy na ngayon ay marahang nakatingin sa akin. His eyes were pleading. A glint of absolute sadness was palpable through his eyes. He wanted to go here with me. Umiling ako sa kaniya. Please stay there, my love.

"Hindi ko po papakasalan si Kei. I am still young--"

"Stupid! Aren't you thinking?" Lola yelled at me, she was losing it, I knew it, "You can get married after you graduate! Hindi ka ba nag-iisip?"