Deal Breaker (Published under Pop Fiction, Summit Publishing)

Chapter 46: Too Late?

I'm staring at myself at the mirror and all I can say is...

Look what you've become. You're not you anymore.

"You're stunning." Sumulpot na lang bigla si Ed sa likod ko. He looks handsome with his black tux. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. Maski ako naninibago sa ngiti ko. It's not the way I smile before. Now when I smile, it doesn't reach my eyes.

Tumayo ako. Nakita ko yung gown na pinasuot nila sa'kin for our engagement party. I'm only 18 and here I am. I-e-engage na ko agad. Who would've thought?

He move towards me and he offered his hand like a gentleman. Tinignan ko lang yun.

"No one's watching. Don't act like you really care."

Naalala ko nung pagkagising ko nun, about a month ago, when I was crying after breaking up with Dominic. Ed's by my side. But don't get me wrong, walang nangyari sa'min. It's just that the thought of waking up and it's a different face that you'll see. It horrifies me.

After that, hindi na ko lumapit sa kanya. I barely talk to him either. Ibinaba ni Ed yung kamay niya. He's still being nice to me. Bumabawi yata.

"Are you ready for the party?"

I looked at him coldly. "No." Tapos naglakad na ko palabas ng kwarto ko. Sumunod naman siya kaagad.

WE ARRIVE AT OUR PARTY. A typical glamorous party. Humawak na ko kay Ed kasi may mga nakakakita na sa'min.

AGAIN. Ang daming STRANGERS. Binabati nila kami. And we're a good-looking couple daw. Pootcha! Kilala ko ba sila? Mga FC talaga tong mayayaman na to. Tss.

"You look beautiful my princess." sabi ng nanay ko as she approached us. Jacob is by her side. Yep. Wala siya sa kama niya. After a month she's getting better and better. At least may good thing na nangyayari sa pinag-gagagawa ko sa buhay. Ngumiti ako sa nanay ko.

"You look beautiful too mom." sagot ko.  She hugged me tapos iniwan kaming tatlo dun.

"So this is it huh? You two... announcing your --"

"Choke it up Jacob. Alam mo kung anong nangyayari dito."

"I'm just trying to ---"

Tumalikod na ko sa kanilang dalawa at lumakad palayo. Siguro sa garden na lang ako pupunta. Sana naman walang tao. Pero bago pa ko makalayo, I heard Ed said.. "Just understand her. You know how she is after the break up."

Binilisan ko pa yung lakad ko. May nakita akong waitera at pinahinto ko siya.

"Ma'am?" takot niyang tanong sa'kin. Mukha ba kong mangangain ng tao? Tss! 

"Relax. I'm not going to eat you. I just want those." Tapos tinignan ko yung tray of champagne na hawak niya.

"Opo. Opo." tapos inabot niya sa'kin yung tray. Tumaas yung isang kilay ko. Teka. Naalala ko na. He's the same waiter.

"Sandali lang. Ikaw yung dating waiter hindi ba?"

"Opo ma'am." sabi niya.

Nginitian ko siya. "You're a good waiter." Tapos tinaas ko ng bahagya yung tray na hawak ko.

"You're welcome po."

Teka. May namiss ba 'ko? I didn't even say thank you to him. But the heck I care. Pumunta na ko sa garden with my tray of champagne. Good thing walang tao dun. Umupo ako sa isa sa mga bleachers na nandun sa tabi ng fountain. Tapos nilapag ko sa tabi ko yung tray at kumuha ng isang glass and drunk it straight.