Her Unwanted Love

3rd Chapter

When tita Trina left I was left alone and wondering. After a few minutes I started to get ready. There was a dress she bought me. It was color peach and white with it's quilted flower design. It have no sleeves and a small pink belt hugging my small waist.

There was a pair of sandals too. Of course it was white. Tita love dressing me when I was young, well, until now I supposed. Wala pa noon si Alessia kaya ako ang pinagkakaabalahan niyang damitan at ayusan.

My mother? She was just letting tita Trina. She was a busy business woman. She have no time for dressing me— well sometimes. Only sometimes. We have maids and Manang Jo. Mama taught me to do it all by myself. She taught me to dress beautifully. She taught me to be independent.

She was my teacher.

Nang matapos akong maligo ay agad akong nagbihis. Of course I have new undies. I was dying in embarrassment thinking about it while combing my already dry hair when the door opened. I tried to act naturally when Liel walked in.

"Good morning." It came from me. He replied with a quiet 'good morning'. He was no where on sight when I finished combing. I had no make-up with me, so I'm wearing none except for a liptint.  Overall, I feel fresh and light.

"Did you sleep well?" I jumped and clutched my chest when his voice rung beside me. Napapikit ako sandali dahil sa pagkagulat at inis. I was about to get my purse on the bed.

"You startled me!" I hissed and faced him. And I just wished I didn't. His face was few inches away from mine making it hard for me to breathe. "Liel..."

"You look more beautiful without a single powder, Ail." Tila napako ako sa aking kinatatayuan nang dalhin niya ang kaniyang kamay sa aking pisngi at ito'y haplosin.

"Liel..." I was breathing hard. Ang bilis ng tibok ng aking puso. Alam kong namumula ako sa oras na 'to ngunit wala akong lakas na tumalikod o iwasan ang tingin niya.

"Ailia..." He cupped my cheeks—and goodness I started to close my eyes. He was leaning down to capture my lips and I was waiting, when suddenly the door got opened.

"Oh, shit!" I pushed him away when I heard Alessia's voice. "God, I'm sorry guys!" When she closed the door and retreated I turned my back at him. Nanlalamig at nanginginig kong kinuha ang purse ko sa may kama.

"I'll go." I said calmly, happy in the inside for not stuttering or stammering. I was rejoicing when I stopped on my way to the door when I heard his voice.

"Mom prepared breakfast, you should stay." It should be a question but it was a statement. I frowned, not liking his tone. For a moment— I remembered mama. I stayed quiet and walked out saying nothing.

Nang makarating ako sa dining area ay nandoon na ang tatlo at nagbubulungan. Nang makita ako ay napaupo sila ng maayos. Rinig ko ang bungisngis ni Alessia at ang pigil tawa ni tita Trina. Tita Alfredo was smiling ear to ear too.

"Ailia..." Tila may bahid ng panunukso ang tinig ni tita nang paupuin niya 'ko at tanungin kung nakita ko raw si Liel. Sasagot na sana ako nang eksaktong pumasok si Liel at umupo sa tabi ko.

Sa tingin nila ay alam kong may alam sila sa nangyari kanina. Pulang-pula ako ngunit nag-aktong natural pa rin.

"Kuya, anong nangyari? Mom, himala ata at kakain siya ng umagahan ngayon kasabay natin." Kinagat ko ang aking dila upang pigilan ang aking sarili na magsalita.

"Hayaan mo na, nandito pa kasi si Ailia." Inosenteng ani'ya. He said nothing ngunit kung umiinon ako kanina ay nasamid na 'ko. "Mabuti siguro kung dito ka na lang tumira—"

"Mom."

"Honey."

"What?" Ngumiwi si tita at pinangunutan ng noo si Briar na tahimik lang at kumakain. Habang ako naman ay parang kamatis na. "What do you think, son? Besides you two are getting married soon."