A Silent Serenade

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Broken

I took a deep breath as I stepped inside Almira's house. It felt like everyone was looking at me. Kaya I kept my head down, scared of being recognized. Nasaan na kaya si Almira? I need to find her as soon as possible.

I looked around and saw many people that I've known before, back then, they didn't even matter to me nor their opinions about me or my family. Pero ngayon, lahat ng nasa isip nila, importante sakin. Do they pity me? Do they hate me? Do they think that I'm pathetic for showing my face again in something like this?

"Emmy? Is that you?" Agad akong lumingon dahil sa narinig, this voice, could it be...

"Kuya Aiden!?" Agad kong sabi. A smile of relief quickly drew on my face as soon as I saw him.

"Wow, it's been so long since we last me I almost didn't recognize you. Mas lalo kang gumanda," Kuya Aiden was my first love, he has this face of an angel. Yung para bang hindi s'ya makakabasag ng pinggan. He was my ideal type, hanggang ngayon ay gusto ko parin s'ya. But I never ever confessed to him, because I knew that he only sees me as a sister. Dahil na rin siguro magkaibigan kami ni Almira kaya kapatid na rin ang tingin n'ya sa'kin. And when the tragedy happened to my family, Almira and Kuya Aiden were there for me. Unlike everybody else, they didn't turn their backs at me. They stayed. And in that moment, I realized how special Kuya Aiden was. Kaya sinabi ko sa sarili ko na hintayan ko ang panahon na magustuhan n'ya ako, at magsisikap ako para magustuhan n'ya. Pinangako ko sa sarili ko na mag-aaral ako ng mabuti, magiging successful and chase my dreams. Then after that, he will be my next dream.

"Oo nga, you...you look well Kuya. K-kumusta ka na?" Tanong ko. He gave me a wide smile and he looked way happier compared to the last time I've seen him.

"Well, I'm doing good. Very good, even. Has Almira told you?" Napakunot naman ang noo ko.

"Told me what, kuya?"

"That I'm getting married soon, don't worry, I'm going to send you an invitation. Dapat nandon ka, parang kapatid na rin kita Emmy." Para akong nabingi ng saglit. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. Nangapa ako ng kung ano ang dapat kong sabihin.

"Ah...you---you're getting married? Wow...uhm...ang bilis naman yata." I stuttered and I felt like I wanted to tell him to not get married yet and wait for me...but I can't. I can only awkwardly laugh and awkwardly smile.

"Nah, it's time for me to settle down now, Emmy. I'm not getting any younger. Also, I'm financially stable now." Marahan akong napa tango-tango. Kumalma ka, Emilia.

"W-well, are you happy though, Kuya?"

"Of course, very happy." He said it with a wide smile on his face. I almost didn't want him to be happy...especially with someone else. But then, that's too selfish. And I was a coward.

"U-uhm s-si Almira..."

"Oh she's upstairs, getting ready. She'll come down soon, take a seat first. I'll just entertain the guests. Just wait here."He gestured me to sit in a chair, then I obliged. He gave me his angelic smile, then left.

When he was finally gone, napahawak naman ako sa puso ko. I felt 50 percent happy and 50 percent sad. I'm happy because he finally found someone that he's happy with and someone he'll spend his life with. I'm sad because I didn't have enough time to try and be the one he'll spend his life with and make him happy. Is this the end of my first love?

Was I too slow? Or was he just fast?

Why do I feel even more sadder than I originally is? Is it because I got heart broken today?