Steal My Heart (Published)

Chapter 18 continuation...

"I don't think this is a good idea, Benj," si Nikolas na nakalarawan ang pag-aalala sa mukha.

Benjamin just pursed his lips. Kung may dapat na mag-alala ay siya iyon at hindi ang best man sa kasal niya. Blangko ang kanyang eskspresiyon. He was sporting a calm demanor, but deep inside he was dead worried. Punong-puno ng alalahanin ang kanyang dibdib. What if Maru wouldn't come? What would happen to the wedding he decided to still push through even if the bride was missing? Nik called him a fool for making such a stupid decision. His name and family's reputation was at stake, but he was giving his all, sacrificing all that he had in the name of love. Gago na siya kung gago, tanga na kung tanga, pero labis-labis na umaasa siya na babalik si Maru at matutuloy ang kasal nila. Na mananaig ang pagmamahal nito sa kanya o kahit man lang ay makokonsensiya ito dahil itinuloy pa rin niya ang kasal nila at sisipot ito sa huling sandali.

"Cool ka lang, Nik," aniya habang panay ang tingin sa pintuan ng simbahan. Maru... come on! Please show up!

"But the bride is already thirty minutes late, Benj. Do you think she'll still come?"

Napatiim-bagang siya. He checked his platinum watch, and confirmed the time. Damn! "Let's give a few more time, Nik..." aniya. Pinipilit pa ring magpakahinahon.

"Okay, buddy..." si Nik at lumayo sa kanya. Lumapit ito sa ibang groom's men at nakipag-usap kina Tristan, Kiehl at Xavier.

Walang siyang pakialam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan ng mga kaibigan niya. He had a hunch that they were taking about him, but the hell he cares! Diretso lang ang tingin niya sa pintuan ng simbahan. Humahaba ang kanyang leeg. Nananalangin na anumang sandal ay biglang lumitaw si Maru.

"Benj... anak..."

Inabot nya ang ina at mahigpit na niyakap. He was trying to be strong, pero unti-unti na talaga siyang nanghihina. "Thank you, Ma. Please tell our visitors to wait a little longer."

Mataman siyang tinitigan ng ina nang pakawalan niya ito. Hinaplos nito ang kanyang mukha. He tried to hide his desperation. "Something is wrong, Benjamin?" maya-maya ay seryosong tanong nito. "Where is Maru? I haven't seen her for the past few days. Dapat may practice kayo kahapon kasama ang entourage ninyo pero wala siya."

Inilipat niya sa ibang direksyon ang paningin. Hindi niya kayang salubungin ang titig ng kanyang ina.

"May itinatago ka sa akin, Benj," pagpapatuloy ng kanyang ina at alam niyang wala na siyang maitatago pa. "There's something wrong going on. I can see that in your eyes. I can feel that under your skin. You can't lie to me, son."

He sighed in desperation. "Ma..." He didn't know what to say.

"Nasaan si Maru?"

He looked at his mother. Sa tonong ginamit nito ay alam na niyang hindi siya nito titigilan hangga't hindi niya sinasabi rito ang totoo. "I don't know, Ma," his eyes flickered as he spoke.

"What do you mean by that? Why don't you know where's your bride? You should know," napapantastikong wika nito.

Napailing siya. "I really don't know where's Maru, Ma." Bigla siyang nanghina sa puntong iyon. Lumaylay ang kanyang mga balikat. "She ran away, and I don't know where to find her."

Hindi kaagad nakahuma sa narinig ang kanyang ina. Pero lumarawan ang galit sa mukha nito nang maintindihan ang kanyang sinabi. "Your bride ditched you?" Tumaas nang bahagya ang boses nito. "Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko sa iyo, Benjamin. I have already told you that getting married this month is bad for you and Maru. You didn't listen to me."

He didn't answer. Parang basang sisiw lamang siyang tumayo sa harapan ng ina. It felt like someone was pounding a hammer in his chest. He was bleeding in pain inside.

"Oh my God, this is insane," Estrella blurted out. "Paano na ang mga bisita? There are even a few members of the press who are here. We will be in trouble. You're going to ruin your reputation, Benjamin."

He breathed sharply. His mother was panicking, and he understood her. It was his fault afterall. Stupid him. "I'm sorry, Ma..." he whispered softly, emotionally. Nanlabo ang kanyang paningin. The corners of his eyes heated up as tears threatened to swell. Sa nanlalabong paningin ay muli niyang tiningnan ang oras sa kanyang relo. Isang oras nang late ang bride at isang oras na ring naghihintay ang mga taong dumalo sa kanyang kasal.

Realization dawned on him. Maru wasn't really coming. She totally abandones him. Pain cut through him again as anger filled his heart. Fuck! Maru made him a total fool! She hurt him to the core. Ngayon ay hindi lamang puso niya ang nawasak kundi pati ang pangalan na rin niya. People would surely make fun of his demise, and ridicule him after this. He was totally ruined. Fuck!!! Malakas na napasuntok siya sa pader.

"Benjamin!" Kaagad na dinaluhan siya ng ina.

His fist hurt for punching the cold, hard wall. Abrasions licked his skin, and blood splintered from the broken tissue. Pero wala siyang pakialam. Mas masakit ang dinadala niya sa kanyang dibdib. Walang kasing sakit ang ginawa sa kanya ni Maru. The pain was ripping his soul, making him feel weak and desolated. He was about to throw a punch at the wall again when his mother hugged him tight.

"Benj... tama na... please..." puno nang pag-aalala at pang-unawa na wika nito.

Mahigpit na niyakap niya ang ina. He felt so vulnerable as of the moment. He had never felt this weak and defeated before, but his mother's loving hug gave him comfort and a little strength amidst the pain that he was suffering. "Ma..." Hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili. He broke down. Humagulgol siya habang yakap-yakap ang ina.

"It's okay, aya... you'll get through this. Husshhh..." Hinagod nito ang kanyang likod.

Pero mas lalo lamang siyang naging emotional habang inaalo ng ina. Sa nakalipas na mga araw ay pinipilit niyang maging matatag pero hindi na niya kaya. Hindi na niya kanyang magkunwari. His world was doomed now, his heart was broken into tiny pieces, and he didn't know if he could still recover.

"Benj... Tita Estrella..."

Lumapit sa kanila ng ina ang mga kaibigan niya. They saw what happened. They swarmed around him. Maya-maya ay dumating din ang kanyang ama at ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae. Everyone showed him support.

He was just so glad that he had a united support system amidst the darkest phase of his life, but they could only console him a little.

He was still hurting, grieving and writhing in pain for what Maru did to him. Ano nga ba ang anagwa niya? Nagmahal lang naman siya. Ibinigay niya ang lahat sa isang babae. Wala na yata siyang itinira para sa kanyang sarili. Pero sinaktan lamang siya ni Maru.

Christ! He didn't deserve this. He fucking didn't deserve this!