01

"Good Afternoon, Miss Aeri! Nag peprepare lang po sa loob, nandoon na rin po si Doctora. Take a seat po muna." Bati ng babaeng nasa front table ng derma clinic.

I nodded. I went to the coach kung nasaan si Elisha. May isang mahabang coach sa waiting area kung saan nakaupo si Elisha. Doon naman ako umupo sa single coach katabi ng mahabang sofa.

May schedule ako ngayon na facial cleaning.   I dropped by here first before going to our house since my mom invited me & Elisha for dinner. Elisha is with me since he picked me up sa studio kanina.

He insisted na samahan niya na lang ako dito para pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng session ko ay didiretso na kami sa bahay.

Tahimik kaming dalawa habang naghihintay. Maya maya, Tinawag na ako nung babae na nasa front desk. Nilingon ko muna si Elisha bago ako pumunta sa loob.

"This won't take long." I said coldly and then I turned my back to him.

I do not hate him and I am not mad at him. That's not the reason why I treat him coldly. The reason why is that I do not love him and I don't want him to be hurt. Ayoko siya umasa. I know naman na naiintindihan niya iyon. Hindi naman siya namimilit na mahalin ko rin siya. Well, fixed marriage sucks.

After our session, pumunta na kami sa house. It's 6pm and nakarating rin kami kaagad since di naman masyadong traffic.

Elisha snaked his arm on my waist and pulled me closer to him. Nilingon niya ako kaya nilingon ko rin siya. Sobrang lapit niya sakin.

"Your mom and dad is here. We need to be clingy at each other." He whispered.

"Gustong gusto mo naman?" I raised my eyebrows and his lips formed a smirk.

Pumasok na kami ng bahay at nadatnan namin na nasa dining na sila mom. My mom immediately went to us. Bumeso siya sakin at kay Elisha.

"Good evening, Tito Troy, Tita Athena." Elisha greeted.

"You look together talaga! Come, seat with us." Ani Mom. Tss, mas bagay kaya kami ng ex ko!

Elisha pulled my chair for me. Si dad ay nasa gitna ng table while mom is on his side. Katapat ko si mom and Elisha is beside me. While we are eating, nag uusap lang kami. Nagkamustahan and all.

"So why did you invite us for dinner?" I tried to ask it in a very calm way.

"Hija, there's no ocassion. It's just that we want you to visit lang because you barely go home. Look, hindi ka pa kasal kay Elisha and this house is still your home. And kahit din naman ikasal na kayong dalawa, welcome na welcome kayong umuwi anytime." Mom said.

Elisha and his dad is one of the best architects in Asia . Kaya gusto ako ipakasal ni dad sa kanya. He wants us to be married for buisness. Elisha took my dad's offer to work on our company while he's working rin sa company nila as an architect, of course.

"May sasabihin rin lang din kami sainyo." Tumikhim si dad.

"Then, what is it?!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang inis ko. Bakit nanaman kasi ako papauwiin eh ayoko nga dito? Pwede naman nila akong tawagan kung may sasabihin sila eh.

"Babe, calm down." Ani Elisha. Hinagod niya ang likod ko trying to calm me. I let out a heavy sigh.

"Look, hija. You're both almost 23. When will you plan on getting married? Engage naman na kayo diba?" Si dad.

Yes, 23! I am considered as an adult pero they are still controlling my life. And the idea of getting married at 23? No way, I still want to live my fucking life, well, My hopes are still up that he will come back.

Naramdaman siguro ni Elisha ang biglang pagkainis ko. Inisip niya rin siguro kung ano ang totoong sitwasyon namin.

"Uh, Tito, were trying to plan na rin po about that. But we don't know yet when will be the wedding. Papag usapn po muna namin ni Aeri." That is what I like about Eli, he is so understanding and patient. Hindi katulad ng mga typical na napapanood ko sa tv na kinukunsinti pa ng lalaki yung fixed marriage. I'm glad hindi siya katulad ng magulang niya.

"Gosh! I want a grandchild now, Aeri. Your dad and I are getting old." Si Mom. Tss, sa totoo lang, pera ang gusto niyo kaya gusto niyo na akong ipakasal.

I sighed. Nilingon ko si Elisha. I see worry and concerned in his eyes. Mabuti at nagets niya kaagad ang tingin na iyon.

"You okay, babe?" He asked caressing my cheeks.

"I want to go home, babe. I'm so tired right now. I just want to rest, please?" My eyes got waterry. Mahina lang iyon pero alam kong narinig nila mom. Gusto ko lang talaga takasan sila. Ayoko talaga dito.

"Okay then, If that's what you want. Shh... Calm down." He kissed my forehead. "Sorry, tita, tito. Aeri's not feeling well. She's probably tired of work." he glanced at my parents.

"Yan, nagshowbiz pa kasi eh kung nag-architect ka na lang. Hindi nakakapagod kasi bahay-office at site lang ang pupuntahan mo. Kesa naman jan sa pag aartista, kung saan saan pa nagshohooting." Si dad. Anger filled me.

"I don't see any difference, dad. Kung saan saan din naman nagpapatayo ng bahay ang mga kliyente. And besides, ayoko naman po na mapagod sa bagay na hindi ko naman talaga gusto."

"You can stay over here. Pinaayos ko yung dati mong kwarto, Aeri."

Tumayo ako hawak ang kamay ni Elisha. "No thanks, but I want to go home to our condo. Let's go, babe." Kinaladkad ko palabas si Elisha dahil gusto pa magpaalam ng maayos. Hindi ko naman masisi ang pagiging marespeto niya.

"Thanks for the dinner, We'll going home so Aeri can take a rest. Goodnight po." Pahabol na paalam ni Elisha.

"Send our regards to your mom & dad! Mag iingat kayo, Elisha!" Sigaw ni mom.

He opened the shot gun seat for me and quickly headed to the driver seat. Nilingon ko ang bintana sa labas habang lumandas pababa ng aking pisngi ang mga luhang kanina pa gustong kumawala.

Elisha drove away. Alam kong alam niya na ayaw kong pag usapan kaya nanahimik na rin siya. Tahimik pa rin ako hanggang nasa elevator na kami. I don't want him to see me crying so I stopped. Pagdating namin sa unit ay pumunta agad ako ng kitchen para uminom ng tubig. He's after me.

"You know, you always have me when you need someone to talk to." maingat na saad niya.

"Thanks, but I'm okay... I guess?" I faked a smile. Naglakad ako patingo sa dining table tsaka umupo doon. Sumunod siya at umupo sa tapat ko.

Elisha knows what I've been through with my parents. He knows about my relationship with my parents. But he don't know what I've been through. Ang alam niya lang ay ang ugaling mag control ng parents ko sa buhay ko.

Hindi ako nagkkwento sa kanya about my life. Even my past relationship. But he knew that I had someone in my life before. And he is aware that I still love that man even though I'm loosing my hope for that person. Sino ba naman ang babalik sayo kung ikaw mismo ang nang iwan, diba?

"I know you're not. Don't deny it. Stop pretending..." he sighed.  "Kung ayaw mo magkwento, naiintindihan ko. Hindi kita pipilitin." Aniya at tumayo

Ilang sandali kaming natahimik. "Alam mo, I  always admire you for being a strong woman. I know you've been through a lot. It was tough but look at you now. You became successful, you're being an inspiration of many youths. All that trials made you a better and stronger person." Aniya habang kumukuha ng Rum sa bar Island.

Nagsalin siya sa dalawang baso. Agad kong kinuha ang isa pagkalapag niya sa mesa at nilaghok iyon. Hindi naman ako mabilis malasing and nasa condo rin naman na ako kaya okay lang.

"Woah, slow down." He chuckled.

"You know what, all my life, I've been asking myself... Am I not enough to get the love that I deserve? Lagi kong tinatanong sa sarili ko kung ano ba ang naging kasalanan ko para gawin nila sakin yun. They took away my freedom and then the one who I loved the most just to marry you for their goddamn buisness. Ugh!" Napasabunot ako sa buhok ko. I felt he stiffened.

"No, Uhm. I'm not blaming you about the marriage thing. Alam mo naman kasi na I don't really feel any sparks between us. I'm... I'm sorry." Agap ko.

"Hey, It's okay. Tanggap ko naman yun. Sabi ko sayo diba, I'll wait. Just tell me if you want me to stop liking you." Aniya.

"Gusto mo na ba talagang magpakasal, Elisha?" I asked.

"Ngayon? Hmm, ayoko pa sana. Hindi dahil ayaw mo ha pero I think it's too early. We're still young. And... hindi ka pa sigurado sakin." he awkwardly said. I chuckled.

"Hindi naman sa ayaw. I mean, yes you have the looks-" Naputol ang pagsasalita ko.

"Alam ko, Aeristell," pagyayabang niya. Tumawa ako at inirapan siya.

"Seriously, You are nice actually. And I think marami talagang maaakit sa charms mo, but that person is not me, Elisha. We've been together for almost 3 years? Pero wala, I sill see you as a friend. Look, I don't want to hurt you, so I think, the best way to do is... to let me go." I said.

Natahimik siya. "I'm sorry for always treating you coldly.  I just don't want to hurt you. Ayokong paasahin ka. Kaya gusto na kitang patigilin ngayon. Because I cannot see any chance for us to be together. I'm really sorry. And, I am sure, there's the only woman who will fall for you and will truly love you." He just smiled at me.

He looked down and sighed. He played the ice in his glass of rum.

"I just see you as a friend. And it will remain that way. I already hurt you, Eli. But ayoko lang siyang lumala pa. And I am so sorry for all the pain I caused you," I apologized. I saw his eyes are getting wattery so I got the urge to hug him.

He cried on my shoulder silently. Ramdam ko dahil his shoulders was shaking and my sleeve is wet. When he calmed down, bumitiw siya sa yakap.

"How are we going to tell your parents about this?" He asked. Iyon lang talaga ang isasagot niya sakin?

"Mas mahalaga pa talaga ang sasabihin ng parents ko kesa sa feelings mo?" I giggled.  "I don't know. Hahanap pa ako ng right time. But for now, we need to pretend when they're around. And syempre pag nasa public." I said and sipped on my glass.

"I was not expecting that confession." he laughed. "But, yeah. Maybe we are not meant for each other."

He sighed. "Now, I have the courage to let you go. I want you to be happy, Aeristell. So please, be happy." He smiled and gave me a pat on my head.

"So... F-friends?" Nilahad niya ang kamay niya at tinanggap ko iyon.

"No, best friends." I corrected

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