When Love Stays Forever (Book 3 of WL Trilogy) (ML, #3)

Kabanata 25

And for that moment, my smile fades away. I am thinking of him—about us, to the nightmares we'd spend, the future waiting for us, and for the always we created, is this 'us' really worth fighting for? Or this is too much to ask?

Kinapa ko ang singsing na binigay ni Benj. Hey, have faith. The words I needed to be still.

There's nothing to worry about.

**

"Hello, my baby girl." May tulak mula sa likod ng aking balikat akong naramdaman. "I am now Lana Marjorie Ferranco." She said while biting her bottom lip. Binalandra pa niya ang singsing niya sa akin. Umupo siya sa tabi ko. I roll my eyes. Hindi yata ako magsasawa na irapan 'tong kaibigan ko na 'to.

"Are you not jealous, I am now married to your ex-boyfriend? Hindi ba awkward?" she joked.

"Baliw!" Sinampal ko para magising sa katotohanan. "Kinasal ka na gaga ka pa rin. But you know, I hate you. I hate you. Both of you." Tinitigan ko siya ng masama. I drink water then look at the reception area. The Verandah. Kitang-kita 'yong pond and garden dito. The tables and chairs are really good—oh now perfectly arranged, the design and everything. May mini-stage na kanina lang pinagsayawan nitong nila Lana at Sebastian.

"Sorry na..." Siniko niya 'ko. "Minsan kasi hindi na kailangan ng pagpaplano 'yong isang bagay. Kapag parehas na kayong sigurado sa isa't isa, everything will fall into place. Makakapagdesisyon ka kaagad. Kayo kung kayo. No doubts, just trust. He asked me, I said yes and told me, this is tomorrow I'd plan everything." Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya. Napatulala sa kanya. "And Leigh, I am three weeks pregnant. Even naman na wala pa 'tong baby but I know this a blessing and I am so happy and grateful, he's going to marry me this day because today is our anniversary." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Sorry na. You know I love you. But it happened. Mabilis but I know I'm very sure of him."

"Hindi bagay sa'yo 'yang ganyan," ani ko. Biglang nawala 'yong pagkaseryoso ng espasyong pinaghahatian namin. "I'm just kidding! But you know, I'm happy for you. Be a good wife okay. Be good to your baby. Okay! I love you! I love you know that bitch—"

"Shh..." Lana reacted. "Naririnig 'yang salita mo ng baby ko. Stop that." She said and laughed.

"Okay baby. Don't listen to your bitch Mommy. She is no good to me." I said while looking to the part where her tummy is located.

"Leigh!" She warned me.

I laugh.

"Okay! Okay! Your Mom is going to be the best Mom, okay? You know I hate her and love her at the same time. But she's so beautiful inside and out. And I couldn't be happier without her. She made me realize few things in life. Like cursing, partying and drinking—kidding! But she's brave, really brave. At minsan nakakahiya! Bigla-bigla na lang 'yan sasayaw o kaya kakanta kahit sa public. Intindihin mo na lang 'yan Mommy mo, okay? Ikaw na lang umintindi." I laugh and look at her face. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin habang nakahawak sa tummy niya. "But I'm happy, really happy for her. Be good, okay? This is your Ninang. Your very kind, Ninang and she doesn't roll her eyes, always. I'm going to be the best Ninang for you." I touch Lana's tummy. "I love her so much."

"Kainis! Pinapaiyak mo 'ko niyan. Bitch, Leigh! Kainis!" Lana cried out.

Napatawa ako.

And roll my eyes.

"I am always here. I am still your feeling wedding coordinator, okay?" She said and hugged me. "And Benj, he's busy. But he loves you so much, Leigh. So much." Tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "I can't wait to see you in your wedding gown. And I know it will be sooooon. I love you." Kumalas siya ng yakap sa akin. "I need to go to my husband," she giggles. Napangiwi ako. "Ba-bye mah bitch." She winked and walk away.

Naiwan akong mag-isa sa table. Sila Mama at Papa nasa table pa rin ng mother and father ni Lana. Nandoon din 'yong kuya niya. Nahagipan ko siya ng matagal and his style—his hair style is kind a sexy—man bun samahan pa ng tuxedo. But he looks so formal. Ginala ko lang ang mata ko sa paligid para hindi ma-bored or what. Uminom ng tubig para naman kapag may kumausap ay hindi mapahiya. But when I can't handle this dull moment, tumayo na ako at lumabas ng reception area. I need some air. I need to breathe.

Medyo occupied ako ngayong araw and didn't notice some visitors. Ewan ko nga kung nandon sila Newt or what. Hindi ko napansin. Or wala. I don't know.

Patuloy akong naglakad hanggang sa nakalabas ako. I breathe. Ilang beses ako nag inhale exhale hanggang sa gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Napaangat ako ng tingin sa langit. This place is really relaxing, really. I am still walking until my feet stopped near to the pond. Iyong liwanag na mula sa buwan kitang-kita mo dito sa tubig sa pond. Papakit na sana ako nang mag-vibrate ang phone ko. Bigla 'kong kinuha ito and someone messaged me. Three messages.

From: +639153166044

Where he is? Where's your Benjamin?

From: +639153166044

Do you even trust him? Do you even know his family? Do you even know the boy you loved is nothing but an idiot and a liar? Trust me, he's no good to you.

From: +639153166044

Think about yourself, sweetheart.

It is the same words I'd heard long time ago. Noong birthday ni Jezel. The second message he send.