The one that got away

8. Another beginning

 Some years ago... 

I didn't know how I would react. I was looking at Caleb as he sat beside my Cinderella. I never wanted to scream so loud - ngayon lang. I don't understand what is happening around me. How come that Cinderella will be the one my brother has to marry? Ang dami-daming babae sa mundo, bakit si Cinderella pa. I couldn't take it anymore, I need air

I left the house thinking how hard this are right now. I wanted to keep my faith in my brother. I knew that he really didn't want to do this thing, I knew that I could talk him out fo this, kahit hindi niya alam na si Cinderella ang girlfriend ko, I knew that if I tell him the truth, he'll let it go, he'll understand me, he'll let everything slip away. 

I'm keeping my faith in my brother. 

I put my hands in my pocket as I walke around the garden. Madilim na ang paligid. May kung anong masakit pa rin sa puso ko, pero alam kong hindi ko kailangan alalahanin iyon dahil alam kong sa oras na sabihin ko kay Caleb ang sa amin ni Cinderella, I knew that everything will be okay again. 

"Magiging okay ang lahat, Calen." I said trying to convine myself. Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang takot na nararamdaman ko. Natatakot ako dahil may posibilidad na mawala sa akin si Cinderella pero alam ko naman na hindi magagawa sa akin ni Caleb iyon, pero bakit ako matatakot. 

"Cal..." 

I heard my mom's voice so I turned around. Nasa labas na silang lahat, Caleb, my mom and my dad were all standing near the car, while Cinderella and her father were there near the front door. I walked slowly towards them. Habang papalapit ako ay naririnig ko ang usap nila. 

"Thank you, Calex. I'm sure your son will be a good husband to my daughter." 

"No..." sigaw ko sa aking utak. "I will be her husband... ten years from now." 

Gusto ko pa ring panghawakan ang pangako kong iyon sa kanya. I knew that deep inside her heart, she's holding on to me too. I will never let her go. I will never let anything tore us apart - not even this stupid arrange marriage. I will fight for Cinderella. I will do everything in my will just to be with her. 

"Caleb..." tawag ng Papa ni Cinderella sa kapatid ko. Kinamayan pa niya ito. "Take care of my daughter." 

"I will, Sir." Caleb answered politely. Matapos ang paalamanan ay pumasok na kami sa sasakyan. I was very quiet during the trip. Mom and Dad were talking about how beautiful and sweet and caring Cinderella was. I smiled when mom said that she liked her. I knew that she will like her. Kung ipinakilala ko na pala si Cinderella noon ay sigurado akong magkakasundo na sila ni Mom. 

We reached the house after a while. Mom and Dad went to the kitche to have coffee, I don't know but it seems like mom and dad were having a great time together. I really hope they make it real this time, they have been divorced for almost fifteen years now, Mom never dated, Dad never dated too, I hope that whatever they have right now, works... 

But that's not my business. I sighed. Sinundan ko si Caleb paakyat sa kwarto namin. Nang pumasok ako ay wala siya roon. Bukas ang bintana. Maybe he went to the roof. I followed him and I was right, he was there. 

"Tol..." tawag ko sa kanya. 

"Did you see my wife to be?" he said, smiling. "Pretty eh?"

"Tol... you don't have to do this." I said to him. 

"I have too." Tumayo siya. He faced me. "I need this. I need to know if I'm still alive."