Ever After (End Game Book 2)

Happily Ever After (Part 1)

It was 9.30pm.
And as announced by Benjamin, we are all not supposed to stay up late. Dinner was served at 8pm and everything is closed at 9pm. Resort staff and securities are roaming the facility. I heard Kuya Paks, Yuan, Blue and Rye were zip tied and were locked in their rooms. I'm not so sure whether we would still have friends after the vows tomorrow.

"Hindi makatulog ang best friend ko?", I heard Jelai asked as she laid down beside me.

I turned to face her and said, while smiling, "Jelai, pakigising naman ako o. Parang ang haba na ng panaginip ko"

Then I felt her pinch my cheeks, proving to me that I am indeed awake.

"Aray!"

"Sabi mo gisingin kita. Gising po kayo". Then she smiled and hugged me. "You're finally living your dream, Sis. Anong laban ni Romeo and Juliet at Ibarra't Maria Clara sa love story nyo ng manok ko? Naisip ko na yun Sis e- ang panget ng peg mong stories dati- parehas hindi nagkatuluyan. Buti na lang, "🎵🎶May langit na nagtatanggol sa pag-ibig na pursigido't matyaga🎵🎶"

"Ha?", I asked, swallowed, hoping against all hope that guy didn't actually... no he didn't just...

"Ang saya kaya nung Borj. Kinantahan mo daw sya. Kinilig yung loko. Akala mo hayskul"

I covered my face, nahihiya, pero sobrang natutuwa. "Sis, sasabog ata yung puso ko"

"Ronaliza, hinga! Kalma lang tayo. Saka kailangan na nating matulog. We still need to wake up early tomorrow. Baka pagalitan tayo nung asawa mo"

"Asawa ko? Magiging asawa ko na si Borj!?!", I screamed na may halong kilig sabay takip ng unan para hindi magising kung sino man yung nasa kabilang room.

I think it was only then that it finally dawned on me. I will be married tomorrow.
I will marry my first love.

"Ay, nabaliw na"

Then we got surprised/ scared when the knob to our room turned. We were just about to scream when I saw that familiar back as he slowly entered the room and carefully locked it, probably not realising that we're still awake.

"Ang husay nung mister!", I heard Angelica said, which scared Benjamin as well.

"Angelica anong ginagawa mo dito!?", he asked, looking at Angelica then at me.

"Naku! Benjamin Jimenez, lagot ka kay Tito Charlie pag nalamang nandito ka"

"You're not supposed to be here, Jelai"

"That's outside the point", Angelica said, her hands on her hips.

I looked at them, and somehow I was transported to many years back, when we were all still kids, who bickered non-stop, make fun of each other, fight one another. Who would have thought na kami kami rin pala ang magkakasama hanggang dulo?

Then I looked at that guy and I see frustration in Benjamin's face. He looked tired. He stared at me na parang bata, then he said, asking for help, "Baby"

I looked at Angelica, and she somehow knew what I'm about to ask."Sis, thirty minutes?"

"Hay! Thirty minutes Jimenez and you're out of here, ok?"

"Sabi na mahal mo ako e"

"Malapit ng hindi. Sis, babalik lang ako sa room ko. But I'll be back in thirty. Borj, behave"

And the moment Angelica closed that door, Benjamin immediately stand at the foot of the bed and ask, "Is it ok to hug you?"

"You're asking?", I teased because that definitely is a first.