Our Forbidden Desires

Chapter 1: Message of the Past

Yumi's POV

I am now walking blindfolded guided by Avery and Julia. Nananahimik akong nagi-scroll sa phone kanina habang nasa cottage nang bigla nalang ako hilahin ng dalawa para dalhin sa kwarto kung saan nila ako inayusan, binihisan at piniringan. Ang huli kong silip sa oras ay 8:06 PM na kaya naman nagtataka ako kung bakit kailangan ko pang mag-ayos.

We're now at Falacio Beach Resort. Sean rented this whole resort for this day, invited my family and our friends together. Gusto niya lang daw magkaroon kami ng bonding lahat. Medyo kinabahan nga ako noong una, para naman kasing mawawala na siya sa mga pinagsasabi niya.

Sean carries the weight of his tragic past. His grandfather passed away two years ago. He is a product of rape, and this caused trauma and depression to his mother that also leads to her death. His father is in jail.

That is why everytime na mapag-uusapan namin ang pagpapamilya, Sean was so interested. Excitement can be seen from his eyes. He would ask me how many kids I would like to have then eagerly talk about building a little playhouse for them, he'd ask what does my dream house looked like, he would even ask me my preferred baby names and so much more. He was really looking forward to our future together.

"Tada!" kasabay nang pagbanggit nina Avi at Julia noon ay ang pagtanggal nila sa telang nakatakip sa mga mata ko. Sabay nila akong nginitian saka ako iniwan sa gitna ng telang nakalatag ngayon sa buhanginan.

Madilim kaya't wala akong ideya kung ano ang mayroon,

"Napagtripan na naman ako ng dalawang iyon." Sabi ko sa sarili habang nagkakamot ng ulo.

Akmang aalis na sana ako sa lugar na iyon nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ni Sean.

"Happy 5th anniversary, Love!"

Kasabay nang pagbanggit noon ni Sean ay ang pagliwanag ng paligid kaya't agad akong napalingon sa kinaroroonan ni Sean.

Everything lit up. Fairy lights and flowers are widely scattered around. I was so shocked that I felt stuck in place.

I just realized that I was indeed standing on a red carpet laid out on a sandy beach with lights beside it illuminating the path ahead. In front of me was an arch of flowers—specifically roses in different colors—hanging under which was the word, in curly font style, "Marry Me," shining brightly all over the beach. Under this arch stood a table for two covered in a white cloth, with two empty wine glasses on it and a bottle of Novellino Bianco Cassico—the very first wine we tried together when we were younger. Sean was actually my childhood friend and he had started courting me when we got into college.

And oh, beside the wine, I just saw my favorite flower in a slim vase - a sunflower!

Today is February 18, 2023. Five years ago, sa parehong araw at buwan ay sinagot ko si Sean. Hinintay niya ako for years. Within those years, I rejected him multiple times. Noong nalaman ni Sean na nagkaroon ako ng boyfriend noon, dumistansya siya but after months, when he saw me so down noong hindi na kami nagkaayos ng boyfriend ko, he comforted me. The best comfort I've ever had. Na kahit pinagtatabuyan ko ay nandiyan pa din siya para sa akin. Days or weeks after was when I decided to give him the chance, I said yes. Hindi ako nagsisi, he gave me the best version of him. Hanggang sa makagraduate kami ng college, sabay naming inabot ang mga pangarap namin. Here we are, standing strong.

Hindi ako agad na nakahanap ng isasagot. Iniikot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid. I saw Mama, Tito, my friends–Avi and Julia, Sean's friends–Clarence and Ethan. They all gave me sweet smiles that assured me. Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Sean. He looked casually handsome in his favorite black, button-down, short-sleeved polo that enhanced his medium-toned skin. It was paired with white shorts that fell just above the knee on his 5'9" frame. His outfit complemented my white, plain, backless halter-strap maxi dress. We were both barefoot, which made me laugh a bit.