Just friends?

PROLOGUE

"Vivienne, where are you? Nandito na kaming lahat; ikaw na lang ang inaantay namin."

Tanong ni Mama sa kabilang linya. Nagmamadali naman din akong pumasok sa kotse at nagmaneho papunta sa restaurant na sinasabi nila.

Ano ba kasing meron at kailangan pa talaga na mag-dress at maging maayos sa dinner na 'yon? May mag celebrate ba ng birthday doon? Bakit hindi nila sinabi agad para naman bumili ako ng regalo?

"Papunta na, Ma. Ano po kasi meron diyan? May celebration po bang gaganap?" Tanong ko habang kino-control ko ang manibela.

"May meet-up tayo sa pamilyang ito at kailangan mong pumunta."

Hindi ko alam, pero parang unti-unti akong nakakaramdam ng kaba. Na para bang pagdating ko doon ay bigla akong umiiyak.

Speaking of iyak-

3 days na akong umiiyak at 3 days nang walang reply sa akin si Zora simula noong katuwaan namin sa resort. Ano ba kasi ang nangyari dun? Okay naman kami sa resort, tas bigla na rin siyang hindi nag-message pag-uwi namin.

"Malapit na ako, Ma." Sagot ko at pinatay ko ang tawag.

Ilang minuto ay nakarating na ako sa restaurant. Paglabas ko sa sakyanan ko, agad ko namang inayos ang aking sarili bago pumasok.

Pagpasok ko sa loob ng restaurant, agad kong hinanap ang pamilya ko, but instead of them, it was Zora's eyes that met mine. Naka-upo siya, kasama pamilya niya at...Pamilya ko.

My heart skipped a beat, completely froze in that moment, walang alam kung ano ang nangyayari.

Alam na ba nilang lahat ay may relasyon kami ni Zora?

"Oh nandito na pala si Vivienne." Sabi ni Mama.

Umiwas naman sa akin ng tingin si Zora. Blanko ang expression ng mukha. Halata sa mga mata niya na ilang araw na rin siyang umiiyak.

Lumapit ako sa puwesto kung saan sila at umupo sa tabi ni Mama. Kaharap ko si Zora na yumuyuko. Ayaw akong tingnan sa mga mata.

"Mabuti naman at dumating ka na, iha"

Tumingin ako sa matandang babae na nagsalita.

Lola Immelda?

Nakauwi na pala siya? Bakit hindi sinabi ni Mama sa akin?

"We were just talking about wedding" Dagdag ni Lola Immelda.

Huh? Kanino at sinong ikakasal?

"Wedding?" I asked.

Tumingin ako kay Zora at nakayuko pa rin siya. Her mother beside her nervously smiled at me. Her father stared at the random things with a serious face while her kuya was in serious mode too.

Anong meron? Bakit seryoso sila?

"Your wedding and... Zephan."  Sagot ng nanay nilang Zora.

I was so shocked when I heard those words—it felt like my chest tightened, my heart sank, and for a moment, all I could feel was a sharp, painful silence wrapping around me.

Lahat na lang... Lahat na lang pipilitin nila ako sa mga bagay na ayaw ko.

I can't imagine na ipapakasal ako sa kuya ni Zora!

I looked at Zora. She's staring at the plate in front of her, looking like she's in pain.

She knew.

She knew and kept quiet all the time!

I caught a glimpse of her brother, and the sorrow in his eyes hit me instantly, like a silent cry he was trying so hard to hide.

Paano ang girlfriend niya?

I thought they were going to get married soon?

I shook my head in response, making it clear that I didn't agree with their plan.

"No..." I whisper. I felt my chest tighten as tears threatened to fall, like I was about to cry.

"Pardon?" Lola Immelda asked. Kunot-noo niya akong tiningnan, na para bang ayaw niya ang sagot ko.

"Vivienne, don't talk back." My mother whispers beside me with an aggressive tone, only for me to hear.

"I-I don't think I can agree with that." Pamimilit ko.

"You don't need to agree, Iha. I've already decided," said Lola Immelda. She grabbed her glass of water and took a sip.

I looked at Zora who was already looking at me.

My eyes silently asking, Why aren't you saying anything?

But she ignored my gaze and suddenly avoided eye contact with me.

My heart broke.

Hahayaan niya na lang ba ako?

I shook my head, I stood up from my seat, and walked away before my tears could fall in front of them.

Ganun na lang ba ang lahat?

Hahayaan niya na lang akong ipakasal sa kuya niya?

Hindi ba siya tatayo and speak up for our relationship?

Is she really just going to give up on us??

I burst into tears while crying and ran away from the restaurant.